| Citation |
SHPM.775.035
27 Oct 1775:11 (30)
London. The subsequent letter transmitted to the Dutchess
of Kingston, by Mr. Foote, requires some preliminary
explanation.
Mr. Foote, interdicted by the Chamberlain from
representing the libellous piece, called "A Trip to Calais,
" threatened to publish the scenes and dedicate them to her
Grace of Kingston. It was in vain that the malignity, as
well as injustice of such a procedure, were represented to
Mr. Foote in the strongest colours. He would not yield one
tittle to the remonstrance of humanity, though he appeared
attentive to the call of interest; in obedience to which
call, he acquainted a friend of her Grace's, that "he would
consent to suppress the publication of the scenes, if her
Grace would give him 2000 L. for the copy. It may easily be
supposed, that so impertinent a demand share the fate of a
refusal.
To her Grace the Dutchess of Kingston.
Madam, a member of the privy council, and a friend of your
Grace's (he has begged me not to mention his name, but I
suppose your Grace will easily guess it) has just left me.
He has explained to me what I did not conceive, that the
publication of the scenes in the "Trip to Calais, " at thus
juncture, with the dedication and preface, might be of
infinite ill consequence to your affairs. I really, Madam,
wish no ill, and should be sorry to do you an injury.
I therefore give up to that consideration what neither of
your Grace's offers, nor the threats of your agents could
obtain. The scenes shall not be published, nor shall any
thing appear at my theatre, or from me, that can hurt you,
provided the attacks made on me in the newspapers do not
make it necessary for me to act in the defence of myself.
Your Grace will therefore see the necessity of giving proper
directions. I have th honour to be your Grace's Most
devoted servant, S. Foote.
[27 lines, Kingston's Response] 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 [ ] of lipsalve, and a
choir of choristers shall chaunt a [ ] to your Requiem.
E. Kingston.
|