Memoirs of Samuel Foote, Esq: With a Collection of His Genuine Bon-mots, Anecdotes, Opinions, &c. Mostly Original. And Three of His Dramatic Pieces, Not Published in His Works ...

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Peter A. Mesier, no. 107, Pearl-street., 1806
 

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Page 117 - There is something, however, in your pity at which my nature revolts. To make me an offer of pity at once betrays your insolence and your vanity. I will keep the pity you send until the morning before you are turned off, when I will return it by a Cupid with a box of lip-salve, and a choir of choristers shall chant a stave to your requiem. E. KINGSTON. Kingston House, Sunday, 13th August. PS — You would have received this sooner, but the servant has been a long time writing it.
Page 120 - Joan, who was once elected a Pope, and in humble imitation have converted a pious parson into a chambermaid. The scheme is new in this country, and has doubtless, its particular pleasures. That you may never want the Benefit of the Clergy, in every emergence, is the sincere wish of your Grace's most devoted, most obliged humble servant, SAMUEL FOOTE.
Page 116 - I know too well what is due to my own dignity to enter into a compromise with an extortionable assassin of private reputation. If I before abhorred you for your slander, I now despise you for your concessions ; it is a proof of the illiberality of your satire, when you can publish or suppress it as best suits the needy convenience of your purse. You first had the cowardly baseness to draw the sword, and if I sheath it until I make you crouch like the subservient vassal as you are, then is there not...
Page 8 - ... forgotten, produce that particular designation of mind, and propensity for some certain science or employment, which is commonly called genius. The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction. Sir Joshua Reynolds, the great painter of the present age, had the first fondness for his art excited by the perusal of Richardson's treatise.
Page 119 - I am happy, madam, however, to hear that your robe of innocence is in such perfect repair. I was afraid it might have been a little the worse for the wearing ; may it hold out to keep you warm the next winter. The progenitors your grace has done me the honour to give me are, I presume, merely metaphorical persons, and to be considered as the authors of my muse, and not of my manhood ; a...
Page 113 - Whole Duty of Man,' next to the Sacred Writings, is the severest satire that ever was wrote ; and to the same mark if Comedy directs not her aim, her arrows are shot in the air : for by what touches no man, no man will be mended Lord Mountstuart desired that I would suffer him to take the play with him, and let him leave it with the...
Page 116 - To a man, my sex alone would have screened me from attack ; but I am writing to the descendant of a merry-andrew, and prostitute the term of manhood by applying it to Mr. Foote. " Clothed in my innocence as in a coat of mail, I am...
Page 117 - Clothed in my innocence, as in a coat of mail, I am proof against a host of foes, and, conscious of never having intentionally offended a single individual, I doubt not but a brave and generous public will protect me from the malevolence of a theatrical assassin. You shall have cause to remember, that though I would have given liberally for the relief of your necessities, I scorn to be bullied into a purchase of your silence. " There is something, however, in your pity at which my nature revolts....
Page 116 - I was at dinner when I received your ill-judged letter. As there is little consideration required, I shall sacrifice a moment to answer it. " A member of your Privy Council can never hope to be of a lady's cabinet. " I know too well what is due to my own dignity to enter into a compromise with an extortionable assassin of private reputation. If I before abhorred you for your slander, I now despise you for your concessions...
Page 115 - I really, madam, wish you no ill, and should be sorry to do you an injury. "I therefore GIVE UP to that consideration what neither your grace's offers, nor the threats of your agents could obtain. The scenes shall not be published, nor shall...

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