254 OLIYER GOLDSMITH'S LIFE AND TIMES. [BOOK m.
1759. " is thought Wonderful, how can you be averse to my pro-
jEt.31. « ceedings when not only my Inclinations, but my Friends
" who at first were surpris'd at my Intent, by seeing me on
" ye stage are now well convinc'd 'twas impossible for me
" to keep of. As to Company, ye Best in Town are desirous
" of mine, and I have received more Civilities and favours
" from such since my playing than I ever did in all nay life
" before. Mr. (Hover (Leonidas I mean)* has been every
" Night to see me, and sent for me and told me as well as
" Every Body he converses with, that he had not seen Acting
"for ten years before. In short, were I to tell you what
" they say about me, 'twould be too vain tho' I am now
" writing to a Brother."
Nor is it less clear that another feeling checks him, the
fear that he has already said too much. However, he adds,
so willing is he to be continued in his dear Peter's affections,
that were he certain of a less income with more reputation,
he would gladly take to it. He has not yet had his name in
the bills, and has only played the part of Richard the Third,
which brings crowded audiences every night, and Mr. Giffard
returns the service he has done him very amply. However
(as though again in dread that he may be showing too little
regard to his objectors), let " dear Peter " send him. a letter
next post, and he'll give a full answer, not having time enough
* Richard (Hover -was a merchant of that day, whose popular speaking, clever
writing, and influence in the city, procured him a distinguished place in the
Leicester House councils; but unhappily, on the Prince's death, his affairs
became embarrassed, his services were no longer required by the politicians with
whom he had acted, and, acutely sensible of certain social neglects he then
experienced, he ultimately died by his own hand. Horace Walpole, coupling him
with the London lord-mayor in March 1742, calls them "the greatest coxcomb, and
" greatest oaf that ever met in blank verse or prose " (Coll. Lett. i. 151); but
this was his invariable tone in speaking of any assailant of his father. He could
not even forgive Colman for being the nephew of Sir Eobert Walpole's rival
Pulteney (Lord Bath), and is dreadfully impatient of the success of the Jealous
Wife (Coll. Lett. iv. 124).