University of Virginia Library

9. CHAP. IX.

RETURNING to the Indian Queen,
a play bill, for the evening, had announced
the performance of the tragedy
of Macbeth, and a farce called the Poor
Solider. A party of the gentlemen, from
the public house, had taken a box; and
the Captain agreed to go with them to
the play. Having delivered their tickets,
and being admitted to the box, it struck
the Captain to cast his eye upon the pit
and galleries, and observe if he could any
way descry the physiognomy of Teague.
As before, when with the same view he
surveyed the members of Congress, he
could discover several that a good deal resembled
him; but yet not the identical
person. The curtain being now drawn
the play began. Nothing material occured
during the performance of the tragedy,
save that when the witches came in, there
was one in her cap and broomstick whose
features a good deal resembled the Irishman's,
and who, had she not been an old

woman and a witch, might have passed for
Teague. The Captain was struck with the
resemblance of feature, and long frame of
the bog-trotter, covered with a short gown
and petticoat; and borrowing a glass from
one that sat in the box with him, endeavoured
to reconnoitre more perfectly, and
could have sworn that it was the mother,
or sister of Teague, that had just came
from Ireland, and joined the company.

The tragedy being ended, the farce began
to be acted, and who should come forward
in the character of Darby, but the
long sought for Teague. The fact was,
he had before appeared in the tragedy, in
the character of an over-grown red-headed
witch. It was more natural for him to
appear in the character of Darby his own
countryman; for he spake with the brogue
naturally, and not by imitation. The managers
had had him all the while of his
absence from the Captain, under tuition,
teaching him his part, which was not difficult
to do; the manner and pronunciation
being already his own.

It was this had induced the managers to
take him up, as a substitute; the person
who actually played the part of Darby, being,
at this time, out of the way. As the

natural squal of a pig is superior to an imitation
of it; so it was allowed by the audiance,
that Teague exceeded the pseudo Irishman
that usually performed this part.
All were pleased but the Captain, whose
sense of propriety could scarcely restrain
him from throwing his cane at the begtrotter.
Thought he with himself, what
avails it that I prevented him from taking
a seat in a legislative body, or from preaching,
or being a philosopher; if after all,
he has relinquished my service, and turned
player; a thing, no doubt, fitter for him,
than the being a senator, or clergyman,
or philosopher; because he can appear in
some low character in the farce or comedy,
and come off tolerably enough. For though
amongst the dramatis personæ of learned
bodies, there are Tony Lumpkins, and
Darby M`Faddins in abundance, yet there
ought to be none; and Teague had better
be on the stage than in such capacities,
since he must be some where. But to
leave me without notice, after all my civilities
to him, is ungrateful, and deserves
all that I can say bad concerning him. I
shall give myself no farther trouble on this
head; but let him take his course. I must
endeavour to find another servant who can
supply his place.