Mr. SANDFORD, although not usually deem'd an Actor of the first Rank, yet the Characters allotted him were such, that none besides, then, or since, ever topp'd; for his Figure, which was diminutive and mean, (being Round-shoulder'd, Meagre-fac'd, Spindle-shank'd, Splay-footed, with a sour Countenance, and long lean Arms) render'd him a proper Person to discharge Jago, Foresight, and Ma'lignij, in the Villain. But he fail'd in succeeding in a fine Description of a triumphant Cavalcade, in Alonzo, in the Mourning Bride, because his Figure was despicable, (although his Energy was, by his Voice and Action, enforc'd with great Soundness of Art, and Justice.)—This Person acted strongly with his Face,—and (as King Charles said) was the best Villain in the World.—He proceeded from the Sandfords of Sandford, that lies between Whitchurch and Newport, in Shropshire.—He would not be concern'd with Mr. Betterton, Mrs. Barry, &c. as a Sharer in the Revolt from Drury-Lane to Lincoln's-Inn-Fields; but said, This is my Agreement.—To Samuel Sandford, Gentleman, Threescore Shillings a Week.——Pho! pho! said Mr. Betterton, Three Pounds a Week.——No, no, said Sandford;—To Samuel Sandford, Gentleman, Threescore Shillings a Week. For which Cave Underhill, who was a ¾ Sharer, would often jeer Sandford; saying, Samuel Sandford, Gent, my Man.——Go, you Sot, said Sandford.—To which t'other ever replied, Samuel Sandford, my Man Samuel.
CAVE UNDERHILL.
CAVE UNDERHILL, and Mr. DOGGET, will be the next treated of.
CAVE UNDERHILL, though not the best Actor in the Course of Precedency, was more admired by the Actors than the Audience—there being then no Rivals in his dry, heavy, downright Way in Low Comedy.—His few Parts were, The first Grave-digger in Hamlet,—Sancho Pancha, in the first Part of Don Quixot,—Ned Blunt, in the Rover,—Jacomo, in the Libertine, and the Host, in the Villain:—All which were dry, heavy Characters, except in Jacomo; in which, when he aim'd at any Archness, he fell into downright Insignificance.—He was about 50 Years of Age the latter End of King William's Reign, about six Foot high, long and broad-fac'd, and something more corpulent than this Author; his Face very like the Homo Sylvestris, or Champanza; for his Nose was flattish and short, and his Upper Lip very long and thick, with a wide Mouth and short Chin, a churlish Voice, and awkward Action, (leaping often up with both Legs at a Time, when he conceived any Thing waggish, and afterwards hugging himself at the Thought.)——He could not enter into any serious Character, much more Tragedy; and was the most confin'd Actor I ever saw: And could scarce be brought to speak a short Latin Speech in Don Quixot, when Sancho is made to say, Sit bonus Populus, bonus ero Gubernator; which he pronounced thus:
Shit bones and bobble arse,
Bones, and ears Goble Nature.