The extraordinary collection of the works of Daniel Defoe formed by Mr.
Walter Wilson, his biographer, which at his sale realised the sum of
50_l_., and which had been rendered still further complete by the
addition of upwards of forty pieces by the recent possessor, when sold
by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, on Wednesday, the 5th instant, produced
no less than 71_l_. Mr. Toovey was the purchaser.
The Shakspeare Society have just issued a very interesting volume, the
nature of which is well described by its ample title-page:--
"Inigo Jones. A Life of the Architect, by Peter Cunningham, Esq.
Remarks on some of his Sketches for Masques and Dramas, by J.R.
Planché, Esq.; and Five Court Masques. Edited from the original
MSS. of Ben Jonson, John Marston, etc., by John Payne Collier,
Esq.; accompanied by Facsimiles of Drawings by Inigo Jones; and by
a Portrait from a Painting by Vandyck."
Many particulars in the memoir are new in the biography of the great
architect. Mr. Planché's too brief _Remarks on the Costume_ make us join
with Mr. Collier in regretting that he did not extend to all the plates
"the resources of his attainments and talents;" while the five masques
and the general preface, contributed by Mr. Collier, form by no means
the least valuable portion of a volume which cannot fail to give
satisfaction to all the members of the society by which it is issued.
Mr. Kerslake, of Bristol, has just issued a small Catalogue of Books
bought at Brockley Hall, and some which formerly belonged to Browne
Willis, which contains some interesting articles, such as No. 222,
M'Cormick's Memoirs of Burke, with numerous MS. notes throughout by J.
Horne Tooke; the first edition of Wit's Recreation, 1640, with a MS.
note by Sir F. Freeling:--"I have never seen another perfect copy of the
first edition." That in Longman's _Bib. Ang. Poetica_, wanted
frontispiece and 4 leaves, and was priced 7_l_. 7_s_.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, who have during the present week been
selling the curious Dramatic Library, printed and manuscript, and the
theatrical portraits of the late Mr. James Winston, will commence, on
Monday, the sale of Mr. Mitchell's Collection of Autograph Letters. The
most interesting portion of these are eight-and-forty unpublished
letters by Garrick, among which is one written to his brother Peter,
commenced on the day on which he made his appearance on the London
boards and finished on the following. In it he communicates his change
of occupation to his brother, premising that since he had been in
business he had "run out four hundred pounds, and found trade not
increasing," and had now begun to think of some way of redeeming his
fortune. "_My mind (as you know) has always been inclined to the stage_;
nay, so strongly so, that all my illness and lowness of spirits was
owing to my want of resolution to tell you my thoughts when here....
Though I know you will be displeased with me, yet I hope when you shall
find that I may have the genius of an actor without the vices, you will
think less severe of me, and not be ashamed to own me for a brother." He
makes an offer as to the transfer of his business, stock, &c. "_Last
night I played Richard the Third to the surprise of every body_; and as
I shall make very near 300_l_. per annum of it, and as it is really what
I doat upon, I am resolved to pursue it." In a postscript, he adds, "I
have a farce (_The Lying Valet_), coming out at Drury-lane." And his
progress in his new profession is shown in another letter, addressed
also to his brother Peter, on the 19th of April following, in which,
after mentioning some affairs of business connected with their wine
trade, he says:
"The favour I have met with from the greatest men has made me far
from repenting of my choice. I am very intimate with Mr. Glover,
who will bring out a Tragedy next winter on my account. I have
supp'd with the great Mr. Murray, Counsellor, and shall with Mr.
Pope by his introduction. I supp'd with Mr. Littleton, the prince's
favourite, last Thursday night, and met with the highest civility
and complaisance; he told me he never knew what acting was till I
appeared, and said I was only born to act what Shakspeare writ....
I believe nobody as an Actor was ever more caressed, and my
character as a private man makes 'em more desirous of my company
(all this _entre nous_ as one brother to another). I am not fixed
for next year, but shall certainly be at the other end of the town.
I am offered 500 guineas and a clear benefit, or part of the
management," &c.
The whole collection forms, indeed, a curious and new contribution
towards the biography of that distinguished actor.
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