The Annals of Covent Garden Theatre from 1732 to 1897 Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... who, goaded to desperation, actually sent the play to Garrick. This, however, was a course which at once met with the stern disapproval of his friends. Johnson himself pointed out that it would appear as if the play had been rejected by Colman, which would materially damage its chances of acceptance. This it doubtless was that caused Goldsmith to write to Garrick as follows: --"DEAR Sir, --I ask many pardons for the trouble I gave you yesterday. Upon more mature deliberation and the advice of a sensible friend, I began to think it indelicate in me to throw upon you the odium of confirming Mr. Colman's sentence. I therefore request you will send my play back by my servant, for having been assured of having it acted at the other house, though I confess yours in every respect more to my wish, yet it would be folly in me to forego an advantage which lies in my power of appealing from Mr. Colman's opinion to the judgment of the town. I entreat, if not too late, you will keep this affair a secret for some time. " I am, dear sir, " Your very humble servant, " Oliver Goldsmith." Johnson then himself saw Colman on the matter, he told Reynolds afterwards, and "prevailed on him at last, by much solicitation--nay, a kind of force," to bring forward the comedy; VIEW FROM FRONT BOXES OF COVENT GARDEN THEATRE (CIRCA 1770). From an Old Print. (See p. 190.) SALOON TO PRIVATE BOXES, COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, AS RECONSTRUCTED AFTER THE FIRE IN l8o8. (See f. 338.) but it must be recorded, to Colmans eternal discredit, he still failed to see any merit in it. Forster says, " No laughter, or too much laughter, seemed to be all one to him. He was not to be moved. The plot was, he said, bad, the interest not sustained; it dwindled and dwindled, and at last went out like the...