The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-01-03
STAGE JEWELS.
". BY BUTTON COOK.


The playbills affixed to the door
posts Of the theatre in Lincoln Sin
fields announced a performance of
Mr.. Crowns admired comedy of Sir.
1 Courtly Nice, or 1t cannot be; the
character of Sir Courtly7-'f a fop over
! Icurious in his diet and dress ito be
supported by Mr.. Knevit; while, the
| favorite actress-Mrs. Askew-was to
appear as Leonora-" Lord Belguard's
sister, in love with Farewell. ~
would it had been a tragedy, for
my sake. Sir Godfrey, said one of
| two gentlemen-at town mouse and
country mouse-who had stood for
some few minutes perusing the bill.
1t would have afforded us rarer
sport. /" ~ &
Nay, friend, +" replied the other,
| care not what the players may call
their play. Tragedy or comedy, tbs
all one to me. | cry with them or
laugh with them, the rogues, just as
they would have me. Yet, methinks,
I'd rather be laughing than crying
just now. One has not so much cause
or reason for merriment in these days.
There's nothing like the TESTING and
the funning, and the roaring merri-
ment that used to be. Things are
not as | can remember them Times
are changed, my friend; times are
changed. / doubt these players are
not the men they were; nor the women
neither, for that matter. - EsFfs r
/ You wrong them, Sir Geoffrey;
they are pretty players enough; of
much the same pattern ard flesh and
blood, / fancy, as those who have gone
before them. This Knevit now, is &C
counted fellow of parts and promise
He is not a Betterton, / grant you"
Nor a Mohun, nor a Hart, war
rant" interposed Sir Geefrey; they
were players indeed. / remember
them well, both of them; and, as a
younger man, have seen them play
times and oft"
He is somewhat light in the graver
parts of tragedy, it may be" pursued
the other; but increase of years
will give him weight and dignity. He
is but a young man, still he is the
most affecting lover on the stage. and
a most exquisite fine gentleman. Then
he is of very elegant port and hand
some person, with voice of silver
a clear counter-tenOr, with a melodi-
GUS warbling throat and happy elocu-
ton. He has played havoc with the
women's hearts, this Knevit There
are many tales told about him, Sir
| Godfrey that are common talk and
town gossip; yet none the less truer
on that score, possibly.
Well, well, let us see the dog. Do
with me as thou wilt, Ned"
He comes of good stock, more
over. His grandfather fought and
bled at Marston Moor, and was held
high-in honor by his master, the royal
martyr. Still if you would rather
that we went to Dorset Gardens-''
mo; we'll see this Knevit, Ned.
IF his grandsire fought for the good
cause, it is fit that we should clap
hands for the grandson, let him play
never so vilely. But, good lack. what
times are these, Ned, when a gentle
man of family consents to figure on a
public stageg l8g8H
We must take the times as we find
them, Sir Geofrey."
True. Ned, true. But we old fell
lows can't help looking back at the
past; we've but brief span of life to
look forward to, you see, Ned. You'll
be doing much the same at my age,
though you've many long year to jog
through before you arrive at that. / pray
they may be happy years to you, good
friend. But you'll count me gloomy
old nut to be talking in this preacher
fashion. Well to dinner at the
Three Tuns, and crack bottle of the
best; nay, two bottles, if the drawer
can give Us good account of his
Burgundy"
And then, if your humor lasts,
Sir Godfrey, we'll to the theatre, to
see pretty Mrs. Askew and George
Knevit."
Ay, lad, we'll to the play house.
Since this troublesome lawsuit of
mine has brought me to London, and
keeps me here, / must see what i
may, and so have wherewithal to
amuse them in relating my adventures
when I'm safe back among my dear
ones at the old house in Wiltshire
again. My eldest wench, Mistress
Deborah, charged me to keep my eyes
open, and take note of the fashions
and the new modes in London, and
give good account of the same to her
when [ got home again. She'll tease
me with question upon question as to
this and that; she's never tired of
listening to news of the town. A
shrewd, forward jade, tall of her
hands; yet winning and good girl
too, Ned, with her mothers eyes and
her mothers smile, God bless herw
The country mouse who thus de-
livered himself was one Sir Godfrey
Lyddal, a Wiltshire bsronet, some
what advanced in years, with whom
visits to town were matters of rare