Memoirs Of Joseph Grimaldi

3EEKOIES OF JOSEPH CM

159

sum for the pigeons, and stand a rumpsteak dinner and a bottle
of wine this very day. "What say you ?"

Joseph's countenance brightened up. " Oh!" said he, " as to
the pigeons, of course, I could manage. If the gentlemen are
friends of yours, consider the matter settled,—I'll talk the
squire over about the matter. And as to the steak and wine,
why I don't mind partaking of them; and, in return, they shall
come down into Kent some day next week, and I'll give them a
morning's shooting."

" Then," said Spencer, rising formally, "these are the gentle-
men. Gentlemen, this is Mr. Joseph Clarke."

All was satisfactorily settled: the rump-steak and wine were
ordered, duly eaten and drunk, and they spent the afternoon
together very jovially, accepting Mr. Clarke's invitation for
another " day's shooting" with great alacrity;—nor did they
omit keeping the appointment; but, on the day fixed, went
once more into Kent, when, under the able guidance of their
new acquaintance, they succeeded in killing and bagging four
hares and five brace of pheasants in less than two hours.

They returned to town without seeing anything more of their
friend Mr. Mackintosh, but being upon the very best terms with
Mr. Joseph Clarke, who—but for his really keeping his word
and giving them a day's sport—might be not unreasonably
suspected of having been in league with the landlord to use
the sportsmen for their joint amusement, and to extract a good
dinner from them besides.

At Drury Lane no novelty was brought out until the holidays.
John Kemble had left the theatre on the termination of the
previous season, and had become a proprietor of the other house,
by purchasing the share in the establishment which had pre-
viously belonged to Mr. "W". Lewis. He became acting manager
at once; Mr. "Wroughton succeeding to his (Mr. Kemble's) old
situation at Drury Lane.ends will pay a reasonabley by the hand and biddingneighbourhood, whichni, in " The Great Devil; or,