that "neither player, puppy, nor monkey," should perform in the town. After a popular demonstration, he was induced to rescind this harsh interdict; and by the Christmas of 1773, Roger Kemble was giving two stock dramas, The West Indian and The Padlock. Sarah appeared for the first time as Mrs. Siddons, at a farewell "Bespeak." An address, written by herself, and spoken on this occasion, has been found and published by an inhabitant of Wolverhampton:—
Ladies and Gentlemen,—my spouse and I
Have had a squabble, and I'll tell you why.
He said I must appear; nay, vowed 'twas right
To give you thanks for favours shown to-night.
*****
He still insisted, and, to win consent,
Strove to o'ercome me with a compliment;
Told me that I the favourite here had reigned,
While he but small or no applause had gained.
"Pen me some lines where I may talk and swagger,
Of poisons, murders, done by bowl or dagger;
Or let me, with my brogue and action ready,
Give them a brush, my dear, of Widow Brady."
*****
First, for a father, who on this fair ground,
Has met with friendship seldom to be found,
May th' All-Good Power your every virtue nourish,
Health, wealth, and trade in Wolverhampton flourish!"
This doggrel is almost on a par with Mr. Siddons's effusion to the Ladies of Brecon.
In the year following Mr. and Mrs. Siddons made their way to Cheltenham, then a town consisting of but one street, "through the middle of which ran a clear stream of water, with stepping-stones that served as a bridge." Already, however, its merits as a watering place had been noised abroad, and some of the "people of quality" had begun to find their way there. Seeing the play of Venice Preserved announced for
