"WILLIAM CUMING, ^LD. 45 



Boswell : " 1786 An Occasional Prologue Supposed to be written 

 by The Rev'' Mr. Russell." The latter was, no doubt, the Rev. 

 Thomas Russell, of Beaminster, a scholar and a poet, who died 

 in 1788 at the early age of twenty-six. The prologue opens 

 thus : 



What end to Changes in this varying Age, 

 When ev'n a Riding School is made a Stage ? 

 When Shakespeai'e's Scenes to Surcingles succeed 

 The strutting Actor to the prancing Steed. 



The past and future uses of the new theatre suggested to Russell 

 a long series of facetious comparisons or contrasts, but, happily, 

 one line is descriptive of the place : 



And sure, though Wood its Walls, and Furze its Roof, 

 This House will guard us from the Critic's Hoof. 



A card-assembly was, as we might expect, another public 

 provision for the entertainment of the townspeople. By means 

 of a modest little card, dated " Antelope Inn, Dorchester, 

 September 12, 1785, T. Carter returns his sincere thanks to the 

 Ladies and Gentleme77, for the many Favors already received, and 

 begs leave to Inform them, that the Card-Asse?}ibly will be 

 continued as usual, notwithstanding Mr. Bailey s representing it 

 otherwise." Mr. Bailey, irate, responds, literally and metaphori- 

 cally, with a broadside (a small folio of fine paper printed in an 

 elegant italic type), explaining to "the Ladies and Gentlemen 

 frequenting the Card-Assembly .... that Mrs. Carter, in 

 the presence of Captain Steel, did on Thursday last VERY 

 CONTEMPTUOUSLY decline having the Card-Assembly at 

 her house, unless there was a certain Subscription of Twenty 

 Guineas. Knowing that several families . . . meant not to 

 enter into any Subscription this Year," jMr. Bailey, anxious to 

 " have the honor of being instrumental in promoting a social 

 Amusement," sought for "another place of meeting ; " and he 

 concludes with the announcement that the "Grand Jury Room 

 has been engaged, and will be opened, for Coffee, Tea, and 

 Cards, this Evening (September 13, 17S5) and every Tuesday 

 thro' the winter." 



