Puz. That's the mystery-guess. Puz. Then I'll tell you.-Why as puppets are, you know, calculated to represent men and women; I make men and women imitate puppets. Freelove. A most ingenious device! Puz. Is it not? I think we shall be even with the little gentry-but still I see a cloud of doubt upon your brow; to remove that, take a short specimen of my intentions— (Here the puppets.) Manly. Was there ever such a coxcomb? Freelove. Never--He is lively thoughManly. Come, Freelove, let's marchI am satisfied. Freelove. No, no, let's have 'em all.Upon my word, Mr. Puzzle, this is a masterpiece of invention. Puz. Oh! mine is an olio-something to be found that will hit every taste-for those who don't like pork we have partridge. Freeman. But your burletta-how is ⚫that brought about, Sir? Puz. Oh! I have subjects in every science :—without, Prompter! are the burletta people in waiting? Prompt. Not come, Sir. Puz. Why then call Wilkinson, he shall give his imitations. Prompt. He is not in the house, Sir. Puz. No!-What! not in the way to give his imitations! he is very negligent-but to prevent disappointment in the entertainment, I will give them myself. (Here Wilkinson in the character of Foote, as Puzzle, gave an imitation of Foote and Mrs. Clive in Mr. and Mrs. Cadwallader and other characters, which filled up more than a quarter of an hour.) Puz. That's unlucky!—but as all their materials are derived from me, I can give you a sketch of their execution. Freeman. In what language? Puz. Why, as we have already, Heaven be praised! nonsense enough in our own language, I intend confining that to the original-Italian. Manly. It won't be understood. Puz. Did you ever know nonsense that was? a smart remark that of yours. Enter Prompter, who whispers PUZZLE. Prompt. This instant, Sir, the clerk waits for you. Puz. A most mortifying interruption, gentlemen; I am immediately summoned before their Worships at Westminster, with severe threats if I proceed to execute my intended plan. D-n'd hard though, that poison should be allowed free vent at Sadler's Wells and Islington, and an embargo laid on sound sense and satire at Drury-lane. Freeman. Severe indeed! Puz. However, I shall trespass upon their patience for a quarter of an hour, to give you a hint of my burletta. (Here the burletta.) Puz. Gentlemen, your servant if you can stay half an hour I will see you again— if not, "report me and my cause aright." (Exit Puzzle.) * Alluding to the bad wine then sold at these places. Freelove. Poor devil! Are you satisfied, Manly, or shall we wait his return? Manly. No, I have enough. But you have missed your aim, Freelove. I am no proselyte to your pleasures: I long for my Sabine field; and when so distinguished a genius as Mr. Puzzle suffers persecution, I may say with the descendant of the great censor, The post of honour is a private station." Scene-the four Courts, Dublin. Judge-Counsel-Lawyers, &c. &c. DEMUR. My Lord, I am counsel against this Mr. Fot, and a pretty sort of a parson this Fot is every inch of him (coughs) -You may say that—whe-hee-(a deep * Mr. Foote, when retired from the court, slipped off his counsellor's wig and gown, and appeared as himself. |