d to another author, he could not possibly represent it that
season; though, if I would reserve it for the next, and in the interim
make such alterations as he had proposed by observations on the margin,
I might depend upon his compliance.

"Thunderstruck at this disappointment, I could not, for some minutes,
utter one syllable. At length, however, I complained bitterly of the
manager's insincerity in amusing me so long, when he knew from the
beginning that he could not gratify my desire. But his lordship
reprimanded me for my freedom, said Mr. Brayer was a man of honour, and
imputed his behaviour with respect to me nothing else but forgetfulness.
And indeed I have had some reason, since that time, to be convinced of
his bad memory; for, in spite of appearances, I will not allow myself
to interpret his conduct in any other way. Lord Rattle observing me very
much affected with my disappointment, offered his interest to bring
on my play at the other house, which I eagerly accepting, he forthwith
wrote a letter of recommendation to Mr. Bellower, actor and prime
minister to Mr. Vandal, proprietor of that theatre, and desired me
to deliver it with my tragedy, without loss of time. Accordingly, I
hastened to his house, where after having waited a whole hour in the
lobby, I was admitted to his presence, and my performance received with
great state. He told me he was extremely busy at present, but he would
peruse it as soon as possible, and bade me to call again in a week.
I took my leave, not a little astonished at the pert and supercilious
behaviour of this stage player, who had not treated me with good
manners; and began to think the dignity of a poet greatly impaired
since the days of Euripides and Sophocles; but all this was nothing in
comparison of what I have since observed.

"Well, Mr. Random, I went back at the appointed time, and was told that
Mr. Bellower was engaged, and could not see me, I repeated my visit a
few days after, and having waited a considerable time was favoured with
an audience, during which, he said, he had not as yet read my play.
Nettled at this usage, I could contain myself no longer, but, telling
him, I imagined he would have paid more deference to Lord Rattle's
recommendation, demanded my manuscript with some expression of
resentment. "Ay," said he in a theatrical tone, "with all my heart."
Then pulling out the drawer of the bureau at which he sat, he took out
a bundle, and threw it upon a tabl