as Marvell calls it, has never been one of his weaknesses; but, nevertheless, it is undeniable, that his fame has spread, "without his stirring," over all the kingdoms of the civilized world. To use the wordy periphrasis of Dr. Johnson,
"Let observation, with extensive view,
"Survey mankind from China to Peru;"
if it can, and it will everywhere behold Punch dispensing "the luxury of a laugh." It is literally true, that, some years ago, he found his way to Canton; and that, since the South American Revolution he has been seen even on the western side of the Andes. He is, perhaps, himself in part to blame for the neglect we have noticed. Several of the principal supporters of our theatres, in our own day, have given their memoirs to the world, either by writing them with their own hands, or by furnishing the materials to others; and the works of this kind by dead actors, "the forgotten of the stage," consist of many volumes. Whether it has arisen from an absence of that vanity (may we call it?) which has at times influenced his histrionic rivals, or from a somewhat haughty reluctance, on his part, to gratify public curiosity, we know not; but whatever injury it may do the sale of our volume, it
We may wind up the whole with Milton, who, like others, has deemed the thought common property, when he tells us in Lycidas, that fame is
"That last infirmity of noble mind:"
upon which, in fact, Marvel's line, above quoted (and which is to be found in his "Satire on Flecno, an English priest, at Rome") is only a parody.
