CHAP. II.] DAVID GARRICK.

taster by anticipation of the bitters as well as the sweets of 1759.
the cup so plentifully filled for him. For those reproaches Mt. 31.
of his brother's had a sting to be remembered when his
brother's outraged dignity had been long forgotten. The
latter we have seen sensibly assuaged even in the letters
quoted; and its conclusion and moral might be yet more
pointedly drawn out of others of later date in the same
collection, which show Mr. Peter Garrick solely indebted to
the actor for retrieval of his shattered fortune, a successful
suppliant for favours over and over again conferred on him,
and finally indebted to no less a Mend and patron of
David's than the Duke of Devonshire for " the finger " that
"lifted" himself "out of those cursed wine-vaults." But
notwithstanding all this, very correctly did Peter's first shock
of horror on learning that David had become a player, reflect
a feeling which others used throughout his life to gall and to
humiliate him; which, while it could not shut against him. the
favours of the great, for that reason more bitterly exposed him
to the malice and insult of the little; which threw him. into
uneasy relations with men of his own social station; obscured
too often his better nature; and remains for us the clue by
which, if we would judge him favourably, we may unravel
what appears least consistent in his character. I have had
the less scruple in giving at some length, therefore, even to the
temporary interruption of my narrative, that critical passage
of his life which till now has never been authentically told.

"ness, the crooked Mostyn, and Dabreu the Spanish minister; two regents, of
'' which one is lord chamberlain, the other groom of the stole; and the wife of a
'' secretary of state. This is being sur un assez Ion ton for a player ! Don't you
" want to ask me how I like him? Do want, and I will tell you.—I like her
"exceedingly; her behaviour is all sense, and all sweetness too. I don't know
'' how, he does not improve so fast upon me : there is a great deal of parts, and
" vivacity, and variety, but there is a great deal too of mimicry.and burlesque."
Coll. Lett. iii. 139.Duke of Grrafton, Lord and Lady Eochford, Lady Holder-in the exact