Catley refused, after I had
taken the trouble of drawing it out. I was then at a loss indeed; an
Epilogue was to be made, and for none but Mrs. Bulkley. I made one, and
Colman thought it too bad to be spoken; I was obliged therefore to try a
fourth time, and I made a very mawkish thing, as you'll shortly see.
Such is the history of my Stage adventures, and which I have at last
done with. I cannot help saying that I am very sick of the stage; and
though I believe I shall get three tolerable benefits, yet I shall upon
the whole be a loser, even in a pecuniary light; my ease and comfort I
certainly lost while it was in agitation.
I am, my dear Cradock,
Your obliged, and obedient servant,
OLIVER GOLDSMITH
P.S. -- Present my most humble respects to Mrs. Cradock.'
[footnote] *It is so printed with the note -- 'This came too late to be
Spoken.'
According to Prior ('Miscellaneous Works', 1837, iv. 154), Goldsmith's
friend, Dr. Farr, had a copy of this epilogue which still, when Prior
wrote, remained in that gentleman's family.
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