"The town of Edmonton has lent the stage
A Devil and a Witch, both in an age."

says the prologue to this play, which is said to be founded on a known
true story, and exhibits various witchcrafts practised upon the
neighbourhood by one Mother Sawyer, whose portrait with that of her
familiar (a dog, called Tom, which is one of the _dramatis personae_,)
is in the title-page. In the last act, Mrs. Sawyer is led out to
execution. Thus far Lysons.--Many curious particulars relating to Mrs.
Sawyer may be seen in a quarto pamphlet, published in 1621, under the
title, of _The wonderful discoverie of Elizabeth Sawyer, a witch, late
of Edmonton; her conviction, her condemnation, and death; together with
the relation of the Divel's accesse to her, and their conference
together. Written by Henry Goodcole, Minister of the Word of God, and
her continued visitor in the Goale of Newgate._ The play of "The
Merry Devil of Edmonton" was performed at the Globe, on the Bank-side.
"The Witch of Edmonton" was often acted at the Cock-pit, in Drury-lane,
and once at Court, with singular applause. It was never printed till the
year 1658; and was composed by Rowley, Dekker, and Ford, as a
tragi-comedy.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

_Moody the Actor_ was an avaricious man. He once lent money to Mr.
Brereton, the actor; Brereton did not return it immediately, and Moody
waited with some degree of patience. At length, the first time Moody met
him, he looked earnestly at him, and vented a kind of noise between a
sigh and a groan. He repeated this interjection whenever he met
Brereton, who at length was so annoyed, that he put his hand in his
pocket and paid him. Moody took the money, and with a gentler aspect
said, "Did I ask you for it, Billy?"--Speaking of Sheridan, Moody once
said, "I have the highest respect for Mr. Sheridan; I honour his
talents, and would do anything to show my friendship for him, but take
his word."--_Taylor._

* * * * *

_A Cruel Physiognomist._--Quin said of Macklin, "If God writes a
legible hand, that fellow is a villain." At another time, Quin had the
hardihood to say to Macklin himself, "Mr. Macklin, by the _lines_--I
beg your pardon, sir--by the _cordage_ of your face, you should
be hanged."

* * * * *

"_The Grand Pause._"--Macklin had three pauses in his acting--the
first, moderate; the second, twice as long; but his l