| Citation |
MG-A(G.773.052
15 Jul 1773:13 (1453)
London. . . May 17 . . . Amongst the characters at the
masquerade on Wednesday, a double mask, (half beau, half
farmer) had much merit; an old maid, in a large hoop and a
yellow sacque, was inimitable; a turtle-gorged, [ ]
Alderman, not bad; a sailor, who did not lose his share of
praise; a Merlin, by no means despicable; a Mungo, who would
not have disgraced a Weston; a schoolmaster, in character;
and a garretteer poet, natural and praise-worthy. For the
rest, they consisted of harlequins without number or
activity, and friars without meaning or merit. An excellent
beggarman's mask was generally looked upon as the best
supported in the room; for the first part of the evening it
was supposed to contain our modern Roscius, but, on the
gentleman's unmasking towards the morning, he discovered a
countenance different from Mr. Garrick's but so inimitably
disguised, that it was an absolute impossibility to
distinguish who he was. A scene or two, between this
character and the double mask mentioned above, afforded no
small entertainment to the company.
The gentleman who figured in the character of a beggarman
at the Pantheon masquerade, laid a trifling wager that he
collected in the streets money enough to pay for his ticket,
and really did get by begging before he went to the
masquerade, from about nine till twelve, very near three
pounds. In one coffee-house particularly he told his dismal
tale so well, that he drew thirteen and sixpence from the
company present.
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