44 WILLIAM CUMING, M.D. 



expected to see mauled, or murdered, in a shocking manner, 

 as I had seen many before in the country : but when the curtain 

 drew up I was agreeably surprized with a noble stage and very 

 good scenes ; however, as I had no other intention than to doze 

 or laugh, I took but little notice of the beginning; but a speech 

 from Marcus being delivered with great judgment, I was 

 immediately alarmed, and gave more attention ; and was never 

 more surprized than at the exquisite acting of Juba and Syphax, 

 performed by Mr. Venables and i\Ir. Wolfe, whose powers seem 

 equally adapted to please and to surprize ; and Mrs. Williams, 

 in the character of Marcia, convinced me that she is an excellent 

 actress : the other characters were well supported, and the play 

 most elegantly dressed. The farce was the Citizen, and Miss 

 Williams in the part of IMaria shewed uncommon talents ; 

 Mr. C. Williams was very decent in young Philpot ; and Mr. 

 Venables was equally pleasing in young Wilding ; but the 

 inimitable acting of old Philpot by Mr. Wolfe does not fall short 

 of the merit of a Shuter or a Yates. In short, it is the best 

 Company I ever saw in the country ; and I am now convinced 

 there are people in the country, as well as in London, who can 

 display their talents to the best advantage. As I went to the 

 house prejudiced, it is but justice to their merit that I should 

 give them the character they deserve : they are all people of 

 merit ; their cloaths and scenes are as good as any I have seen, 

 and their regularity is very commendable. I must do the gentry 

 of Dorchester the justice they deserve : they are as polite an 

 audience as I have ever seen, and prove their judgment by 

 giving marks of approbation where 'tis deserving." The letter 

 is signed "A Lover of Merit." 



The company so highly praised acted, as we learn from this 

 magnanimous Londoner, in the Shire Hall. But I have a 

 broadside proving that not long before Dr. Cuming's death Dor- 

 chester possessed a humble structure appropriated to dramatic 

 performances. The broadside is headed " An Occasional 

 Prologue, (Spoken at the New Theatre, Dorchester) by ]Mr. 

 Hollocombe." It is endorsed by my grandfather, Edward 



