A LICK at a LIAR: OR, Calumny Detected.
BEING An Occasional Letter TO A FRIEND FROM
Theophilus Cibber,
Comedian.
——'Tis
SLANDER,
Whose Edge is sharper than the Sword; whose Tongue
Outvenoms all the Worms of
Nile;
whose Breath
Rides on the Posting Winds, and doth
belye
All Corners of the World; Kings, Queens, and States,
Maids, Matrons: Nay, the Secrets of the Grave
This viperous
Slander
enters.——
Shakespear
's Cymbeline.
Sine me—Ibis in Urbem,
Hei mihi quod
Domino non licet ire tuo.
OVID.
LONDON:
Printed for R. GRIFFITES in
St Paul's Church-Yard.
Price Six-pence.
THE PREFACE.
OF how small Concern soever the Writer of the following Letter may be to the Public, yet, as their kind Opinion is of the utmost Importance to him; and, as some scandalous Aspersions, and malicious Representations of him, are herein confuted, or set in a right Light; His Name being prefixed to it, may possibly raise Curiosity enough to occasion its being read—These Reasons, 'tis suggested, will prove a sufficient Apology for publishing what was first intended only for the private Perusal of a few particular Friends.
A LETTER, &c
I GUESS Business has prevented your calling on me, for some time past, as I know you do not want good Nature; besides, I am certain you had me in your Mind, having been informed you were kind enough to speak in my behalf, when my Character was attacked by a
low Fellow,
who
unworthily
bears the
Name
of a
Comedian,
because during a Dearth of decent Performers, he is suffered unnoticed to murder many a Part, to the Reproach of our present sterile Stage, while he modestly misconstrues the
Forbearance
of the
Town
into an
Approbation:
This Slanderer, whose Soul is darker than his dusky Countenance, which often dingily degrades a genteel Comedy, by his disgraceful Appearance, has, as I am well informed, been very busy in propagating some Falshoods to my Prejudice, at this most unpardonable Juncture, when I can't come Abroad to give him an Answer, if he were worthy one.
If his Mind had the least Tincture of a
Gentleman,
(a Name which, indeed, neither his Birth, Education, or Morals give him the least Pretensions to) he would know, that now to utter even a severe Truth, were an Act of Inhumanity; and that to indulge Spleen against the Unfortunate, is as base as cowardly striking the Prostate. What he may be pleased to say of me as an Actor, is delightfully despicable; I have too proper a Contempt for his Mock-Judgment, not to consider his Disapprobation as a Compliment; and must imagine any one of True Taste would regard his Praise as the severest Satire.
Were I disposed to throw away my Time in Drawing this Notorious Man at full Length, and Paint him in his proper Colours (which I may possibly be provoked to, if he does not learn to restrain his Fibbing Tongue) I could exhibit to View a Monster, which every one but his scurvy self would start at: I should have held him quite beneath my Notice, as is all he utters, but that the Appetite of Slander, in many, is too predominant; and, 'tis possible, when the filthiest Fellow throws a Profusion of Dirt, some may chance to stick, if not timely thrown off; I shall endeavour therefore, to wipe away the sooty Smears of this Chimney-sweeper, by relating a simple Fact, which will, I flatter myself, amply confute the malicious Tales of this unprovoked, rancorous Mortal:—I say unprovoked, for I am not conscious I was ever guilty of an Injury towards him in Thought, Word, or Deed; and as this Viperous Gnatho has ever, to my Face, affected to be my Friend, his Backbiting appears the more surprisingly injurious and shocking. Why this bad Man has thus endeavoured to blacken me I should not readily have been able to account for, had not the entertaining
Inspector
furnished me with the following Paragraph, in his Essay on Detraction,
&c.
One would imagine by the Spirit and eager Pleasure with which Calumnies are raised and propagated, that Men supposed they obtained into their own Possession all those good Qualities, of the Credit of which they robbed another: With those who are warmest in the Practice, something like this is perhaps the Case. Virtue they place in no Esteem farther than as an Article of Reputation; and in this they see it only as owing its Lustre to Comparison: They feel a thousand Obstacles to raising themselves up to the Level of those whom they envy; but they see the same End is to be answered by bringing them down to theirs: If they cannot add to the Merchandise in one Scale, they will steal away the Weights from the other, and the Balance will this Way also appear equal.
Let me add a Line or two more from that Writer, which seem
apropos.
He who is himself abandoned, and has not Virtue to inspire a Resolution of reclaiming, will snatch at every Opportunity of Scandal in another, and he will urge it as a Proof, that all Mankind are like him, only that they are Hypocrites.
While I am expressing my
Contempt
and
Detestation
of this
Detractor,
let me confess my Obligation to Mr. MACKLIN, who, I understand, was candid enough, in my Absence, to contradict, on his own Knowledge, some of the Slander uttered against me; This he is the more praise-worthy for, and the Act more particularly merits my Regard as there was not any strong Intimacy subsisting between us:—Be so good, to make my Compliments to him, and let him know,
I have a grateful Sense of his Behaviour to me.
There are other
Chatterers
in a Coffee-House, I am told,
"who, like to Village-Curs, bark when their Fellows do,"
The most of these are the mere
Faggots
of a
Theatre,
who just serve to fill up the
Muster-Roll
of a
Company;
NAMES that now and then
clutter up
a
Play-Bill,
with as little Significancy as ROE and DOE in a
Writ,
or JOHN ANOKES and TOM A-STILES in a
Law Case:
When you hear any of 'em mentioned, you no more annex the Idea of an Actor to the Names of the former, than you do to the latter the Idea of any one Breathing: Might not one cry out, with FALSTAEF, when they are seen or mentioned
—I am a Rogue if I am not ashamed of my Company!—
These are a Kind of Parrots, who fancy they entertain, while their Prating is but the Pest of the Public Society; yet they will be heard, though they are more disturbing to a rational Conversation, than the pert and noisy Chirpings of caged Birds in a small Room, on a sun-shiny Day.—Among these may be one or two, perhaps, who, by a lucky Hit in some farcical Extravaganza, with Buffoonery and Impudence, (which with the Million, too frequently pass for Humour and Spirit) sans Judgment, or Genius, gain the Applause of a Day, and then deem themselves Actors; much as some modern Metre-mongers, from the Success of a slight Sonnet (sung with universal Applause, forsooth, at
Sadlers-Wells)
assume the Character of Poets.
These choice Brethren of the Buskin and Sock (with which our present Theatres too much abound) are a sort of Things, who have no Chance for being Conspicuous but by the Removal or Abuse of Actors to whom the Encouragement and continued Approbation of the Town, may have given an established Reputation: their little malicious Envy is easily accounted for, and their cobweb Arts presently seen through
—Pour ces Petits Hommes du Jour je me mocque de ceux.
But now to answer the two particular LIES this
Bad Man
has told of me,
viz.
That I ran away from
Ireland
in
Debt,
and left my
Bail to pay a Debt
for me in
Liverpool.
How I succeeded in
Dublin,
as an Actor you may have heard, and a Gentleman, a Well-wisher of mine, having published an Account of the
Irish
Theatre in a Letter from
Dublin
to a Friend in
London,
printed in the
Inspector,
or
London Daily Advertiser,
last Summer, which I send you inclosed;
See the
Appendix, p. 18.
to that I refer you, as far as relates to Stage Affairs:—As to my Conduct off the Stage: I may affirm I lived reputably, and decently; and my Mind being more at Ease while I was there for three Years, than it had been for a long time before, I know of No Irregularities I gave way to there, that could either bring Shame to myself, or cause my Friends to blush for me.
I remained in
Dublin
a Fortnight after the Theatre was closed, and my Contract with the Manager was determined: I always openly declared I intended for
London
in the Summer—But some private Business calling me hither sooner than I expected, I commission'd a Friend to pay any Debts I might accidentally have forgot; and immediately after my Sailing, an Advertisement was published, and continued to that Effect, for several Days, in ESDAL's NEWS LETTER, of which I have some in Possession to produce, if requisite: And now, I think, I may fairly aver, there is No one Person there has any Demand upon me.
But now to return to
Liverpool:—
That I was, two Years since, arrested at
Liverpool,
is certain;—A Gentleman there passed his Word for my Appearance;—This he was the more inclineable to do, as He knew the original Plaintiff was not the Best of Men; and had Reason to believe the Debt was honestly disputable:—I yielded myself to the Attorney the next Day:—The Gentleman knowing how much the Benefits (for I was then acting in a Company there) depended on my Performance (and a favoured friend of his having one comeing on) continued his Security to the Attorney:—Some Time after, I came Post to
London,
in order to settle a Bill in Chancery, which I was preparing to justify myself. And the Opening of the Theatre in
Dublin,
to which I was engaged, was so near at Hand, being pinched in Time, I was under a Necessity of getting thither as fast as possible.
In the Interim a
Responsible Friend
of
mine
gave the Gentleman at
Liverpool
a
Satisfactory Counter Security.
Had Things turned out ever so Bad (as who can answer for Law Proceedings) the Gentleman at
Liverpool
could not suffer: But the Plaintiff dying, the Affair was at an End—And neither one, nor t'other of the Securities ever did, or can sustain any Damage.
"Somewhat too much of this."
And now I have only to add my Request, that you would make my Compliments to all good natured Friends that enquire after me;—As the Way from
Westminster
hither is Now ABRIDG'D, and the Road clean and pleasant, I am in Hopes (having given Security for the Rules) to see some of 'em at my Habitation, in
Falcon Court,
where (oh strange to tell!) I lodge opposite to No less a Person than my Half Name - sake THEO—, K—g of C—CA.
Thus sport the Fates with all sublunar Things,
And Prisoners make of Players and of Kings.
When the Term comes,
(Diu multumque Desiderat.)
I may with the Convenience of a Day - Rule, contrive to break from this
Retirement
(if properly called on) and, like the ROMAN CINCINNATUS from the
Plough,
once more enter on a Scene of PUBLIC ACTION.
Don't you smile at the extravagant Modesty of the Comparison?—Laugh and welcome—You know I was always odd.—However, is it not a laudable Ambition to be seen in good Company? I confess, I should not be unwilling, once more, to tread the Stage, were no other Advantage to accrue to me from it, but the Satisfaction of Entertaining a Town, to whom I have formerly been greatly obliged;—yet I can't pretend to say (in my present Circumstances) I should Only do it,
pro Bono Publico,—
as our Daily Advertisers,
&c.
have it:
So modern Quacks would have it understood,
They vend their Nostrums for the Public Good.
No, Let my Motto be PRODESSE ET DELECTARE;—which explain'd as follows, shews, it
belongs
to the
Actors
as well as the
Poets:
When from a Candid Audience we excite
Applause and Laughter on a Crowded Night,
We
have our
Profit; They
have their
Delight.
I shall not now trouble you with the Epistle I design'd for my Lord—I had the Happiness to meet him as he was going to
B—H—th.
He did me the Honour to stop his Coach to talk with me near Half an Hour:—You know His condescending Affability, His Good Humour, and His
many
other
amiable Qualities,
which
make
even His
Inferiours
Happy, and
endear
Him as much to Mankind, in His
private Life,
as His
Great Talents
make Him
Esteem'd
and
Honour'd
in His
publick Station:—
You'll not wonder, therefore, when I tell you, He said many Good-natur'd Things to me; and made me some Compliments on my Theatrical Capacity, which, though my Gratitude can't forget 'em, it will better become me silently to Pride my self thereon, than vainly to repeat 'em. He confirm'd what you had informed me, That I was not unenquired after among some of the First Distinction;—and from what He farther said, I have Reason to flater myself, whenever I play agen, I shall be honour'd with a Noble Appearance.—Are not
you tired
with
reading? I
am of
writing
this
long Letter.—
Perhaps, you'll say, 'tis somewhat like my Life:—Light, Loose, Negligent, and unconnected:—Whatever may have been my Faults or Indiscretions, I can honesty say with King
Lear,—"I have been a Man more sinn'd against than sinful."
That I may tire you no farther—"Fare thee well at once.
I am,
SIR,
Your Sincere Obliged Friend, And most Obedient, &c. THE. CIBBER.
APPENDIX.
A
Letter
sent, last
June,
from a Gentleman in
Dublin,
to his Friend in
London:
—Referred to in the foregoing Epistle, Page
11.
Dublin,
June
30, 1752,
SIR,
AS I have some Business that detains me here longer than I exexpected; I shall now give you an Epistolary Account of the
Irish
Theatre, which I proposed to have reserved as a Topic of Conversation.
Know then, I have still continued a constant Play-Hunter, and have found my Time not mis-employed; I ever thought Plays the most rational, as well as the most agreeable Amusement; and the Company of the Theatre Royal in
Dublin,
is well worthy of Encouragement: The numerous and polite Audiences they have had this Season, shew the whole Town are of my Mind. We have two Theatres here, but they are both rented by one Person. That in
Aungier-street,
has the largest and loftiest Stage; but not being so conveniently situated for the Town in general, is rarely used, unless for Assemblies, a Dramatic Opera, or now and then a Play. That in
Smock-Alley
is chiefly for Plays. It is a compleat pretty House, not so large as those of
London,
consequently the Decorations cannot be so magnificent; but the Scenes are very decent, and the Habits,
&c.
extremely handsome.
The Performances are various, and regularly conducted (no Person whatever being admitted behind the Scenes) Mr. SHERIDAN is the chief Director, and merits the Encouragement of the Public for his Abilities as an Actor; particularly in the Characters of HORATIO in the
Fair Penitent,
MACBETH, HAMLET, and CORIOLANUS. They perform near twice the Number of Plays here, to what they do in
London;
and act near as many Nights, tho' their Company is not near so large in Number. Some Plays have been repeated a dozen Times in the Season to very crowded Audiences, particularly the
Provoked Husband,
the
Trip to the Jubilee,
and the
Nonjuror;
the
Relapse, Sir Fopling Flutter,
the
Careless Husband,
the
Double Dealer,
the
Distrest Mother, King John, Jane Shore,
the
Mourning Bride,
and
Henry the 8th,
have been often acted, which is greatly owing to the inimitable Performance of Mrs. WOFFINGTON, who charms all (but chiefly the Judicious) in the Characters of
Lady Townly, Sir H. Wildair,
and
Maria;
this last mentioned Part is, I think, one of the highest drawn Characters in Comedy, and she does the excellent Author Justice; nor is the Success of the
Nonjuror
a little owing to the masterly Performance of Mr. CIBBER, who supports the Character of Dr.
Wolf
throughout, with a drole Dignity, a priestly Pride, insinuating Cunning, and affected Humility, as marks the Character with true Humour, Spirit, and Propriety; and shews him a just Comedian. These two Comedians in most of their Parts excel others; but in these they may be said to excel themselves.—I always esteemed him a good Actor, but had not seen him act since the Beginning of 1749, when he appeared not in such perfect Health as he seems now to enjoy, with a happy Flow of Spirits. He has this last Winter given great Delight in the several Characters of
Lord Foppington, Sir Fopling Flutter, Sir Francis Wronghead, Beau Clincher, Polonius, Scrub, Sir Paul Pliant, Clodio, Don Manuel, Barnaby Brittle, Gomez, Abel Drugger, &c.
in all which he shew'd a thorough Knowledge of Life, and an unconfined Genius; he pursues Nature, and plays them with admirable Variety.
Were I to expatiate on the various Merits of the three before-mentioned Performers, I should send you a Pamphlet instead of an Epistle, so shall only add, that the Contention here concerning WOFFINGTON has been wherein she shone most; whether in Tragedy or Comedy. She's great in both, but the latter gives her an Opportunity of shewing the greater Variety; and she's so much a Mistress of her Profession, 'tis scarce easy to determine what Cast of Parts most properly belong to her; since I have beheld her with uncommon Admiration, as a
Jane Shore,
an
Hermione,
and
Andromache,
a
Constance,
a
Lady Betty Modish,
and a
Lady Pliant,
in the Space of a few Weeks. Mr. SHERIDAN is excellent in
Maskwell,
and CIBBER and WOFFINGTON are highly entertaining in the drole Characters of
Sir Paul
and
Lady Phant.
Tho' my Paper is almost full, and your Patience, I doubt not, well nigh tired, I must mention her extraordinary Performance in
Phoedra.
Her Attitudes were gracefully picturesque, justly adapted to her various Descriptions and Passions; None seem'd forced or studied: Her Countenance was equally expressive, and she so well managed her Voice, she neither wanted Power or Variety through the whole Part. Her
Queen Catherine
also in
Henry the 8th,
and
Volumnia
in
Coriolanus
were fine Performances. Nor can I decline giving Praise to CIBBER in the Character of
Wolsey,
which he performed at his second Benefit (the principal Actors here have two each, in one Season) to a vast Audience, with deserved Applause.
To conclude: Of the three Performers I have here mention'd, I think, may be justly said, (what a late celebrated Writer observed of one of them)
Judiciously considered in their various Lights, they are but barely received as they deserve, when the Audience appears most favourable to them.
I am, Sir, &c.
ADVERTISEMENT.
AS I find there are People in the World capable of hearkening to, and receiving the grossest, and most improbable Falshoods, as Truth; and having fatally experienced the Error of negligently suffering such Scandal to pass unnoticed, or unanswered, I now think it an indispensible Duty to myself and the Public, to prosecute such Vilifiers as the Law directs;—in order, therefore, to bring such Vilifiers to Justice, I hereby offer a Reward of Five Guineas, to any Creditable Person, that will bring legal Proof of any Inventor, Propogator, Writer, Printer, or Publisher of any scandalous Libel,
&c.
against me
THE. CIBBER.
Octob.
20. 1752.