Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-02-10
oARRIcK AND oIeDIN.
The Former Knew the Value of Money
and Did Dlsagreeable Things.

The Former Knew the Value of Money
and Did Disagrceable Things.
In 170S Dibdin transferred his services to
Drury Lane, where he had the usual disa-
greements with Garrick in regard to money
matters One would hardly be justified in
applying the term Hunscrupulousn to Gar
rick; but he undoubtedly knew the value Of
money better than those who served him, and
it was not his fault il he got the worst Of
bargain. Dibdin signalzed himself at Drury
Lane by his writing Of the music for 1.-THE
Paddock, 2 and yet for his share in the work
he received only 945, whils BickerstafT, the
author Of the words, got 81, 700.
AS be says himself, however, he was Of an
ensy and creduous temper, aud, as we may
say for him, lie was also extravaganza and
improvident, being indeed a kind Of Gold
smith Of his profession. lie parted with
most Of his early writings without proper
agreements and in consequence got hand
souely cheated. His renowned song, "The
Waterman he sold for two guineas; ''Noth
ing Like Grog,n for half a guinea md so on
Thus, while he was always working hard, his
existence for the greater part Of bis cnreer
war little better than thu hand TO mouth one
Of the third rate professional.
Garrick seems TO have found him Of signal
service at the Stratford jubilee, as well as
at Drury Lane, yet they do not appear to
have at any time pulled well together. The
young composer had become indebted to the
actor to the extent Of $50, and he tells us
that Garrick made him slave at song writing
/ for the Shakespeare celebration till the had
better gone 10 jew for the money! On
one occasion the actor said to him apropos Of
| his debt, II can take down the pegs that
Eyes, as honest as you are
| AT another time Garricls, having previous
" failed TO satisfy Dibden with some verses
for music, produced the words Of the ron
deau beginning, sisters Of the tuneful
strain, . and asked Didbin if the piece would
do. YES was the reply, lit is tuned 50
unsteady that it sets itself. Il is certainly
the best you have ever written" The ron
deng turned out to be by birmingham, and
| il Dibdin was unaware Of this fact he, at
any rate, got credit for knowing il, for the
famous actor never forgave him the honestly
expressed opinion.
| Garricls seems, indeed, to have been a tire
some taskmaster, and wittAsne consciousness
of superiority in his own line, at least, DID
| din must have felt intensely annoyed at the
! constant mutilations to which his literary
and musical work was subjected by the
manager. This, however, may have had its
good effect, though not exactly in the direc.
ton intended by Garrick. Irritated beyond
measure by the frequent improvements
made on his productions, Dibdin resolved to
rely on his memory only in composition, and
never put his work on paper until all altera.
tions had been agreed upon. Feeling certain
that Garrick scarcely knew one air from
another, and that his criticisms were mere
aifectation, he was accustomed to pretend tc
adopt them with good grace, Then, wait
ing till next morning, he would play over
the air exactly as it stood before, and receive
great praise from Garrick for the docility Of
his supposed improvemantsp Not a bad
| plan, say we; there are, we suspect, quite a
number Of modern Garricks upon whom a
trick OF the kind might well be played, and
with perhaps good results. r Gentleman:
| Maoaziue