Readers of Lamb's "Life and Letters" remember that before "Mr. H." was
written, before Kemble had rejected "John Woodvil," Godwin's tragedy of
"Antonio" had been produced at Drury-Lane Theatre, and that Elia was
present at the performance thereof. But perhaps they do not know (at
least, not many of them) that Elia's essay on "The Artificial Comedy of
the Last Century," as originally published in the "London Magazine,"
contained a full and circumstantial account of the cold and stately
manner in which John Kemble performed the part of Antonio in Godwin's
unfortunate play. For some reason or other, Lamb did not reprint this
part of the article. Admirers of Charles Lamb and admirers of the drama
will be pleased--for 'tis a very characteristic bit of writing--with
what Elia says of
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