CHAP. ii.j DAVID GAERICK.

so nnicli to blame as Peter seemed to think lie was. As to
their uncle* upbraiding his brother with keeping their circum-
stances a secret, he was indeed surprised at it; for, to be
sure what he, David, had run out had been more owing to
his own wilfulness than any great miscarriage in trade. But
run out he had, and, let him live never so warily, must, run
out more; and indeed let Peter only reflect a little seriously,
and he will hardly say that the trade they have could ever
be sufficient to maintain himself and a servant handsomely.
" As for the stage," he continues, gathering boldness again
to speak of it, " I know in the General it deserves your
" Censure, but if you will consider how handsomely and how
" reputably some have liv'd, as Booth, Mills, "Wilks,
" Gibber, &c, and admitted into, and admir'd by, ye best
" Companies; and as my Genius that way (by ye best Judges)

* I am able also to subjoin, from another collection, the letter in which,
enclosing one from Grarriek himself, his cousin sorrowfully communicates to the
wealthier branch of his family (that from which his Lisbon legacy had been derived)
the sad step he had taken. '' Dear Madam, The underwritten is a Copy of a Letter

sent me from David Grarric, who play'd Crook'd Back Eichard last night and
does it to night again at Goodman's Fields. The Letter. ' Dear, Sir, I
' suppose you must have heard by this time of my playing King Eichard at
' Goodman's Fields, and suppose you are Apprehensive I design to Continue on
' the Stage—I have troubled you with an Account of my Intention. Ton must

* know that since I have been in Business (the wine-trade I mean), I have run out
' almost half my Fortune, and though, to this Day I don't owe anything, yet the
{terrible prospect of running it all out made me think of something to redeem it.
' My Mind led me to the Stage which from being very Young I found myself very
' much Inclining too, and have been very unhappy that I could not come upon it
' before. The only thing that gives me pain is that my Friends I suppose will
' look very cool upon me, particularly the Chief of them, those at Carsbolton;
' but what can I do ? I am wholly bent upon the thing, and can make £300 per
' ann of it. As my brother will settle at Litchfield I design to throw up the
' wine business as soon as I can conveniently, and desire you'll let my Uncle
' know. If you shd want to Speak with me, the Stage Door will be always

* Open to you or any other part of the house, for I am Manager with Mr. Grifiard
' and you may always Command your most hble serv4, D. GARRIOK.'
This is his Letter, which I leave you to consider of, and am very sorry for the
Contents, but I thought fit to Communicate them to you, and am your Dutiful!
Nephew, PETER FERMIGNAO."

" Tuesday, ZQth Oct.'"such case no