Your Lordship's most oblig'd
and most obedient Humble Servant

T. Morrison.

My best Respects wait on your Lady and Miss Lavington.

Here follows the ode ("Reverendo admodum Episcopo Exoniensis in
doctissimum adversus Methodistas Librum cui Titulus etc.") which begins:

Verende praesul, praesul amabilis,
Qui dulce rides, utiliter doces;
Jucunda permiscens severis,
Incolumi gravitate ludens,

Quia Methodistes scripta legens tui
Amoenitatem respuat ingeni,
Suumque vestro--vel reluctans--
Abstineat sociare risum?

and continues for a further sixteen stanzas.

There is nothing to show to whom the next letter was written, though,
considering the later ones, it seems likely that it was addressed to
Joshua Reynolds. It concerns a tragedy (on the subject of the Emperor
Otho) of which Morrison was undoubtedly the author. John Beard, on whose
behalf the letter was written in February, 1763, had become manager of
Covent Garden Theatre in the previous year.

Sir,

Mr. Beard's attention to the Affairs of the Theatre having
entirely taken up his Time, during this Season, from which, as
yet, he is not releas'd, deprives him of the Pleasure of writing
to you, in Answer to the Letter you did him the Favour of
communicating from the Author of Otho; he, therefore, hopes you
will excuse his deputing me to convey to you the Opinion of his
Friends thereon; and if they differ in Sentiment with the Author,
it is with some Concern, as they wou'd rather give Approbation to
a Piece, which has, indeed, great merit in the Writing, but will
not suit the Taste of an English Audience.

How well, and with what Propriety, a Dramatic Piece may be
conducted wherein are very few Characters, it is not now intended
to be entered upon; but it is very certain, from the Want thereof,
many Productions have fail'd of their expected Applause; of which,
very many Instances might be produc'd; wherein that has been the
Chief, if not the only Defect. The French, indeed, tho' a Nation
of great Levity, can attentively listen to long declamatory
Speeches, when an English Audience wou'd fall asleep; who love
Action and Bus'ness, love Plot and Design; Variety of Incidents is
their Delight, but yet that Plot must be founded on Reason and
Probability, and conduce to the Main Action of the Drama. It is
the Advice of a