Sir,
Mr. Beard’s attention to the Affairs of the Theatre having entirely taken up his Time, during this Season, from which, as yet, he is not releas’d, deprives him of the Pleasure of writing to you, in Answer to the Letter you did him the Favour of communicating from the Author of Otho; he, therefore, hopes you will excuse his deputing me to convey to you the Opinion of his Friends thereon; and if they differ in Sentiment with the Author, it is with some Concern, as they wou’d rather give Approbation to a Piece, which has, indeed, great merit in the Writing, but will not suit the Taste of an English Audience.
How well, and with what Propriety, a Dramatic Piece may be conducted wherein are very few Characters, it is not now intended to be entered upon; but it is very certain, from the Want thereof, many Productions have fail’d of their expected Applause; of which, very many Instances might be produc’d; wherein that has been the Chief, if not the only Defect. The French, indeed, tho’ a Nation of great Levity, can attentively listen to long declamatory Speeches, when an English Audience wou’d fall asleep; who love Action and Bus’ness, love Plot and Design; Variety of Incidents is their Delight, but yet that Plot must be founded on Reason and Probability, and conduce to the Main Action of the Drama. It is the Advice of a celebrated Author, Habitum hujus Temporis habe; the Taste of the Town, you know, Sir, right or wrong, must be comply’d with; without which, to hope for Success, is striving against the Stream, and however great the Merit of this Piece may be, it must be confess’d, in this Particular, it is defective; nor does there appear a Probability of that Defect’s being corrected; and even then it wou’d be esteem’d but a Copy of Cato.
From the Author’s great Candour and Impartiality, remarkably shewn thro’ the whole Tenour of his Letter, it is hop’d a few additional Remarks will not give Offence. [Here ensues a lengthy passage of detailed criticism, at the end of which the writer continues:] It wou’d greatly trespass on yours and the Author’s Time to enlarge on this Subject, as Mr. Beard cannot give him any Encouragement to make Alterations. Undoubtedly there are several good Scenes, and much good Writing, which deserve their proper Encomiums; and the Perusal may give much pleasure in the Closet, but does not bid fair for equal Reception on the Stage.
I cannot dismiss this without clearing up a mistake which the Author is run into; tho’ urg’d with the utmost Tenderness and Delicacy imaginable; I mean the Supposition that a Recommendation from a Person of Figure in the Fashionable or the Letter’d World is necessary for the having the Piece accepted. Be assur’d, Sir, every Piece must be determin’d by its own intrinsic Worth; and by that must stand or fall. Such a Recommendation undoubtedly wou’d raise the Expectation and, consequently, engage a more particular Attention of the Manager, but the Piece must speak for itself; and shou’d it not answer Expectation, might probably not appear in so good a Light as it might deserve, purely from the Disappointment.
I have the Honour, Sir, of sending Mr. Beard’s Compliments to yourself and the Author, with the Assurance that he wou’d with greater Pleasure accept than refuse the Piece, stood it within the Probability of Success. At the same Time, tho’ unknown, I beg leave, with great Deference, to subscribe myself,
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Sir, Your’s and the Author’s very obedient, humble Servant, |
| J. Stede. |
There now follow the three surviving letters from Joshua Reynolds in London to Thomas Morrison in Devon. Whether or not the two men had known each other before, they certainly met when Reynolds visited his sister, Mrs. Palmer of Great Torrington, during his Journey into the west country with Johnson in 1762. According to Reynolds’ engagement book, Morrison was his host on August 27 of that year; while a letter written by Johnson, after returning to London, contains a message for “Dr. Morison” to say that a set of Idlers was being sent to him with sincere acknowledgements of all his civilities. The first of Reynolds’ letters is dated, at the end, August 16, 1766.
Dear Sir,
The greatest compliment I have ever yet receiv’d for any fancied eminence in my profession has not been so flattering to my vanity as having had the honour to have so excellent a Poem address’d to me as this really is which I have now before me, and the consideration that this compliment is made me by Mr. Morrison makes me at a loss in what manner to express the obligation I feel myself under for so great a favour. I may truly say and without affecting much modesty that I am not worthy of the attention you please to honour me with.