He was obliged to Mr. Betterton for thrusting him into the Character of Merryman in his Wanton Wife, or Amorous Widow; but Westheart Cave was too much of a Dullman.—His chief Atchievement was in Lolpoop, in the 'Squire of Alsatia; where it was almost impossible for him to deviate from himself: But he did great Injustice to Sir Sampson Legend in Love for Love, unless it had been true, that the Knight had been bred a Hog-driver.—In short, Underhill was far from being a good Actor—as appear'd by the late Ben. Johnson's assuming his Parts of Jacomo—the Grave-digger in Hamlet—and Judge Grypus in Amphytrion.—I know, Mr. Underhill was much cry'd up in his Time; but I am so stupid as not to know why.
Mr. DOGGET, indeed, cannot reasonably be so censur'd; for whoever decry'd him, must inevitably have laugh'd much, whenever he saw him act.
Mr. Dogget was but little regarded, 'till he chopp'd on the Character of Solon in the Marriage-Hater Match'd; and from that he vegetated fast in the Parts of Fondlewife in the Old Batchelor—Colignii, in the Villain—Hob, in the Country Wake—and Ben the Sailor, in Love for Love.—But, on a Time, he suffer'd himself to be expos'd, by attempting the serious Character of Phorbas in Oedipus, than which nothing cou'd be more ridiculous—for when he came to these Words—(But, oh! I wish Phorbas had perish'd in that very Moment)—the Audience conceived that it was spoke like Hob in his Dying-Speech.—They burst out into a loud Laughter; which sunk Tom Dogget's Progress in Tragedy from that Time.
Fælix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.
But our present Laureat had a better Opinion of himself;—for, in a few Nights afterwards, COLLEY, at the old Theatre, attempted the same Character; but was hiss'd,—his Voice sounding like Lord Foppington's—Ne Sutor ultra Crepidam.
Mr. Dogget was a little, lively, spract Man, about the Stature of Mr. L——, Sen. Bookseller in B—h, but better built.—His Behaviour modest, chearful, and complaisant.—He sung in Company very agreeably, and in Public very comically.—He danc'd the Cheshire Round full as well as the fam'd Capt. George, but with much more Nature and Nimbleness.—I have had the Pleasure of his Conversation for one Year, when I travell'd with him in his strolling Company, and found him a Man of very good Sense, but illiterate; for he wrote me Word thus—Sir, I will give you a hole instead of (whole) Share.—He dress'd neat, and something fine—in a plain Cloth Coat, and a brocaded Waistcoat:—But he is so recent, having been so often at Bath,—satis est.—He gave his Yearly Water-Badge, out of a warm Principle, (being a staunch Revolution-Whig.)——I cannot part with this Nonpareil, without saying, that he was the most faithful, pleasant Actor that ever was—for he never deceiv'd his Audience—because, while they gaz'd at him, he was working up the Joke, which broke out suddenly in involuntary Acclamations and Laughter.—Whereas our modern Actors are fumbling the dull Minutes, keeping the gaping Pit in Suspence of something delightful a coming,—Et parturiunt Montes, nascitur ridiculus Mus.
He was the best Face-player and Gesticulator, and a thorough Master of the several Dialects, except the Scots, (for he never was in Scotland) but was, for all that, a most excellent Sawney. Whoever would see him pictur'd, may view his Picture, in the Character of Sawney, at the Duke's Head in Lynn-Regis, in Norfolk.——While I travell'd with him, each Sharer kept his Horse, and was every where respected as a Gentleman.
Jack Verbruggen, in Point of Merit, will salute you next.