"P.S. When I next see you advertised for _Rover_, I intend to leave myself
out of the bill to come and see it."
Of course this letter did not remain long unanswered. Ben was again in
requisition, and the following was the result of his labours:--
"DEAR CHARLES,
I regret the situation of Covent-garden Theatre--I also, for your sake,
deeply regret that the law does not permit you to send me the 'property'
in question. I knew that law alone could prevent you; for were it not for
the vigilance of Equity, such is my opinion of the management of
Covent-garden, that I am convinced, if left to the dictates of its own
judgment, it would be enabled to spare asses' heads, not to the Surrey
atone, but to every theatre in Christendom.
Yours ever truly,