| Citation |
RNYG.778.044
30 May 1778:34 (174)
A convivial circle of persons of distinction assembled a few
days space in Grosvenor-Square, where, after dinner, it was
disputed for some time --"What author had drawn the most
numerous and finished likeness of mankind?" --An old-
fashioned Peer, the noble owner of the hotel, contended for
Shakespeare; but the whole group dissented, by observing,
that his portraits were obsolete, and more caricatures than
characters. Piqued at this extraordinary judgment, the
venerable Nobleman went immediately to his library, and
returning with a large folio edition of his favourite poet,
informed the company, that a whim had just struck him, which
would probably decide the dispute; desiring at the same
time, that each of the party would write the names of their
most intimate friends, as well as their own, upon small
slips of paper, which he further requested might be dropped
promiscously into the volume; at the various places, he
should carefully see whether the dead Painter of Nature
would not be able to paint off a living likeness or two out
of the number-- His request being complied with, the book
was indiscrimantely opened several times before all present,
when the annexed names, to the astonishment of the
fashionable infidels, were found lying upon the following
passages.--Our correspondent will not vouch for the
likenesses, but such as they are, presents them to the Beau
Monde, under the title of
Modern Characters by Shakespeare.
Lord H--r----g---n.
When he was naked, he was for all the world like a forked
radish, with a head fantastically carved upon it with a
knife; --he was so forlorn, that his dimensions to any thick
fight was invisible; --the genius of famine! and letcherous
as a monkey.
Hen.IV. Part II. Act III.
Lady Harriet Stanhope.
Could he get me? Sir Robert could not do it; we know his
randy work; therefore, good brother, to whom am I indebted
for these limbs? --Sir Robert never helped to make this
leg!
K. John, Act I.
Mr. Crewe.
Why, if two Gods should play some heav'nly match,
And on the wager lay two earthly women,
And Portia one --there must be something else
pawn'd with the other; for the poor, rude world
Hath not her fellow________
Merch. of Ven. Act III.
. . . [There is an entire column. Characters are the Duke
of B--lt-n, from Merchant of Venice, Act V.; Lord T--ns---
d. from Hen. IV Part I. Act III.; Lord Melbourne from Much
Ado, Act II.; Lord Bolingeroke, from Hen. VIII. Act I..;
Duchess of Devonshire from Rom. and Jul. Act I.; W.W. Wynn
from Henry IV, Part I. Act I.; Lord Harcourt from Hen. VI,
Act I.; Lady Sefton from Cym. Act III.; Sir Joseph Mawbey
from Merchant of Venice. Act I.; Her Majesty from Lear Act
III.; Lord Plymouth from Henry IV. Part I. Act I.; Lady
B.Tollemache from Much Ado, Act III.; Lord Sandwich from
Merchant of Venice. Act I.; Lord M-le-w-rth and Lord Kelly
from Henry IV. Part I. Act III.]
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