ently two Parts in a Night, even to the Prejudice of my Health. I
have been at a very great Expence in Masters for Singing; for which
Article alone, the Managers now give five and six Pounds a Week. My
additional Expences, in belonging to the Theatre, amount to upwards of
one Hundred Pounds a Year, in Clothes, and other Necessaries; and the
pretended great Salaries, of ten and twelve Pounds a Week, which have
been so artfully, and falsly represented to the Town, to the Prejudice
of the Actors, will, upon Enquiry, appear to be no more than half as
much, since they performed half Season, at the Theatres, very seldom
above three or four Days a Week; so taking in the long Vacation, when
there are no Plays at all, to those Days the present Managers omit
acting, a Salary which appears to be great, will be found, in effect, to
be very moderate; and those which are less, not a Sufficiency.

I have now finished all I proposed; I have shown in how aggravating a
manner, without any Reason assigned, and at a Time a very considerable
Sum of Money was owing to me, I have been turn'd out of _Covent-Garden_
Theatre. The Manager of _Drury-Lane,_ tho' he can't but know what just
Reasons I had for quitting him, has never apply'd to me to return, nor
made the least Excuse for not paying my Arrears, tho' due so long, and
after promising Payment near a Year, notwithstanding I have, for many
Years, not only endeavour'd, but succeeded, in greatly promoting that
Manager's Interest, as is known to himself and his whole Company.

The Reason of my taking the Liberty to communicate these Things to the
Publick, is most earnestly to interceed for their Favour and Protection,
from whom I have always met with great Generosity and Indulgence: For,
as I have already declared, in a Letter published by me last Year in the
Daily Papers, that I had not a Fortune to support me, independent of my
Profession, I doubt not but it will appear, I have not made any
considerable Acquisition to it since, having not received two Hundred
Pounds Salary for acting in Plays, Farces, and Singing; tho' other
Performers have received more than twice that Sum. I have, in
Consideration of these Hardships, been promised the Protection of many
Ladies, to whom I have the Honour to be personally known, and will not
doubt the Concurrence of the Publick, in receiving my Performance in the
best manner I am, at present, capable of, which I shall always most
gratefully Acknowledge.

C