I know not whether this is to be classed among the "unsatisfactory" derivations already submitted to your correspondent, but should be glad to hear his opinion on its soundness.
E. A. D.
Sheridan and Vanbrugh (Vol. iv. p. 24.).
—Had O. O. consulted the "Life of Sheridan" which precedes Bohn's Collection of the Dramatic Works of Sheridan (which, having the volume in his hand, he ought to have done), he would have seen that it is expressly mentioned (p. 51.) that Sheridan, having become part proprietor of Drury Lane Theatre—
"His first commencement as a manager was not of that brilliant kind to give any promise of great improvement in the conduct of the theatre. An alteration of Vanbrugh's play the Relapse was the first production, under the name of a Trip to Scarborough. It was brought out on February 24, 1777. This was an unfortunate commencement: neither the public nor the actors were satisfied."
Further, it is printed at the end of Sheridan's Dramatic Works, followed by Pizarro, printed in smaller type, so as to make them appear like an appendix; and hence it could hardly be expected that any one would think of attributing the Trip to Scarborough, altered from Vanbrugh's Relapse, to Sheridan, any more than it could be considered as intended to call him the author of Pizarro, because he altered Kotzebue's Spaniards in Peru, and adapted it to, and had it represented on, the stage.
A HERMIT AT HAMPSTEAD.
"Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum" (Vol. iii., p. 482.).
—This line of Plautus is followed by parallel quotations from other writers. To these I may add the French version:
"Heureux celui qui pour devenir sage,