WILLIAM CUMIKG, M.D, 43 



mien " in a ball room were generally admired. " How did he 

 swim along ! " cries the writer. Moreover, he was an accom- 

 plished horseman, springing "like feather'd JMcrcury " upon the 

 back of a steed given him by the King and compelling the 

 animal every day to 



Paw, curvet, champ, & prance 

 Aud to the Music of the Band 

 In justest Measure dance. 



In his phaeton, drawn by six ponies, Colonel Pitt resembled 

 " that aspiring youth " after whom the vehicle was named. The 

 colonel's politeness, good humour, and " am'rous chatt," made 

 him a favourite of the ladies, who were undeterred by change- 

 able weather from attending an important military function ; 



■ But view'd each day at Noontide hour 

 The Mounting of the Guard. 

 When jovial Horns, Bassoons, and Drums 

 With Clarinette most sweet 

 Did with the shrill ear-piercing Fifes 

 In joyful Concert meet. 



A few verses are devoted to the praise of " Our blooming Knight 

 o' the Shire," Colonel Pitt's son, the second Lord Rivers. 



That plays ranked among the amusements of Dorchester 

 appears from a line in the lament on the departure of the 

 Trenchards. How excellent the acting might be is shown by a 

 London visitor's letter to the General Eveidng Post. The year 

 has not been left or noted on the cutting which preserves this 

 testimony ; and I can only remark that the letter could not have 

 been written before 1761, and, presumably, should not be 

 assigned to a later date than 1786. The writer says : " Being in 

 company last Friday evening at Dorchester with several gentle- 

 men, they invited me to the play, and told me, if I went, I 

 should find myself agreeably entertained, at which I smiled. 

 They said you must not think you are in London, or expect the 

 excellencies of a Garrick or a Barry ; yet, nevertheless, you will 

 be agreeably surprized. Upon which I attended the playhouse, 

 which is in the county-hall : the play was Cato, which I 



