[ [237] In Gildon's "Life," &c., 1710, there is a copy of Rowe's "Epilogue," stated to have been spoken by Mrs. Barry "at the Theatre Royal, in Drury-lane, April the 7th," and this mistaken date has been perpetuated by the "Biographia Dramatica." [In spite of this contradiction of Gildon and the "Biographia Dramatica," they are right, and Bellchambers is wrong. The date was 7th April, 1709.]
[ [238] This lady, who was remarkably handsome, married Boman, the actor.
[ [239] This curiosity, I believe, is still preserved in the Earl of Mansfield's mansion, at Caen-wood.
[ [240] Pope, in the postscript of a letter to Cromwell, writes thus:—
"——This letter of death puts me in mind of poor Betterton's, over whom I would have this sentence of Tully for an epitaph, which will serve for his moral as well as his theatrical capacity:
'Vitæ bene actæ jucundissima est recordatio.'"
In another part of his correspondence, he intimates that Betterton's "remains" had been taken care of, alluding, I suppose, to this post-humous forgery.
[ [241] Mrs. Brown swore she went herself, but appears to have been mistaken.
[ [242] Bellchambers seems to have had a craze on the subject of Mrs. Bracegirdle's character, which he vilifies on every possible opportunity. His opinion here appears to me very questionable.
[ [243] Sandford played Worm in "The Cutter of Coleman Street" as early as 1661. (L.)