MS. VERSES ON TRAFALGAR IN THE HANDWRITING OF CHARLES DIBDIN, 1805.
It was from Mr. Dobell that I obtained another of the MSS. in my collection which I specially prize—I allude to the holograph copy of Mrs. Robinson's "Memoirs," written nearly entirely on the covering sheets of old letters upon which one reads the signatures of such important and fashionable personages as the Duke of Clarence, Duchesses of Ancaster and Dorset, the Earl of Jersey, the Marquis of Lothian, the Duke of Grafton, and so forth. It is also curious to trace the frequent flittings of the unfortunate "Perdita," the early love of the Prince described in bitter irony as "the first gentleman in Europe." From Berkeley Square she moves to Clarges Street, and thence in rapid succession to Piccadilly, Curzon Street, St. James's Place, Hill Street, Stanhope Street, and South Audley Street. Now she is at the Ship Inn at Brighton; now at the Hôtel de Russie and the Hôtel de Chartres at Paris; now at No. 10, North Parade, Bath. One or two letters seem to have been addressed to Englefield Cottage, where she died. On an ivy-grown tomb in Old Windsor churchyard one can still decipher Samuel Pratt's lines beginning:—
Of Beauty's Isle her daughters must declare
She who sleeps here was fairest of the fair.
From this MS. the "Story of Perdita and Florizel" may some day be re-written or re-edited.
By the kindness of Dr. Scott I added to my collection a genuine letter of great Shakespearean interest, for it is addressed to Edward Alleyn, the Founder of Dulwich College, by William Wilson, one of the actors in Shakespeare's troop at the Fortune Theatre. It runs as follows:—
To my most dear and especial good friend Mr. Edward
Alleyn at Dulwich.
Right worshipful, my humble duty remembered hoping in the Almighty that your health and prosperity, which on my knees I beseech Him long to continue, for the many favours which I have from time to time received. My poor ability is not in the least degree able to give you satisfaction unless as I and mine have been bound to you for your many kindnesses so will we during life pray for your prosperity. I confess I have found you my chiefest friend in the midst of my extremities which makes me loth to press or request your favour any further, yet for that I am to be married on Sunday next and your kindness may be a great help and furtherance unto me towards the raising of my poor and deserted estate I am enforced once again to entreat your worship's furtherance in a charitable request which is that I may have your worship's letter to Mr. Dowton and Mr. Edward Juby to be a means that the company of players of the Fortune [may] either offer at my wedding at St. Saviour's Church or of their own good nature bestow something upon me on that day and as ever I and mine will not only rest bounden unto yourself but continually pray for your worship's health with increase of all happiness long to continue. I hope of your worship's favour herein. I humbly take my leave. Resting your Worship's during life to be commanded
William Wilson.