PAUL PRY.

PAUL PRY.-This very admirable Comedy is by John Poole, and was first played at the Haymarket Theatre, London. The author has stated, that the character of Paul Pry was suggested by an anecdote related to him several years previous to the production of the piece. An old lady, living in a narrow street, had passed so much of her time in watching the affairs of her neighbours, that she acquired the power of distinguishing the sound of every knocker within hearing;-she fell ill, and was confined to her bed. Unable to observe in person, what was going on without, she stationed her maid at the window as a substitute, for the performance of that duty.

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Betty, what ARE you thinking about? Don't you hear a double knock at No. 9? Who is it?""The first floor lodger, Ma'am."

"Betty! Betty! I declare I must give you warning. Why don't you tell me, what that knock is at No. 54?"

Why, Lord! Ma'am! it is only the baker with pies.

"PIES. Betty! what can they want with pies at 54? They had pies yesterday."

Of this very point the author has availed himself. Paul Pry, however, was never intended as the representative of any one individual, but of a class-like the melancholy of Jaques, he is "compounded of many SIMPLES." That it should have been so often, and so erroneously, supposed to have been drawn after some particular person, is, perhaps, complimentary to the general truth of the delineation.

The Comedy is original in plot, character, and dialogue. The only imitation is to be found in that part in which Mrs. Subtle is engaged, which reminds one of the LE VIEUX CELIBATAIRE; but even the little adopted is considerably altered and modified, by the necessity of adapting it to the exigencies of a different plot.

The circumstances attending the first performance of Paul Pry are singular. Mr. Farren refused to play the character of Colonel Hardy, alleging it was a secondary part-and Mr. Liston objected to Paul Pry on the plea that the character was a mere excrescence on the main plot. Actors are not always the best judges in these matters;Mr. Liston realized a large portion of the splendid fortune upon which he retired from the stage, from his great success in Paul Pry; -and the performance of the character of Colonel Hardy has added to the reputation

VOL II.-W. H.

of many of our sterling Comedians.-At the last rehearsal of the Comedy, Mr. Liston was imperfect in his part, and undecided as to its costume; while on the stage in a state of fidgety uncertainty and doubt, a workman from a neighbouring manufactory entered, wearing a large pair of Cossack trowsers, which, it being a wet day, he had tucked into his Wellington boots. Mr. Liston immediately adopted the idea, and hence the origin of the rather singular dress in which Paul Pry generally appears.

The Comedy is a favourite stock piece in all our Theatres. Mr. Burton, the second comedian who played the part in England, added to his popularity in this country, by his almost inimitable performance of Paul Pry.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-A village inn. DOUBLEDOT and SIMON discovered, drinking.

Simon. Well, really, I must go, Mr. Doubledot; it will be a busy day at our house. Master expects company to dinner.

Doub. Come, we must finish the mug: and when is Miss Eliza's wedding to take place?

Simon. Can't say: my master, Colonel Hardy, never lets any one into his secrets.

Doub. Well, Miss Eliza's a nice young lady.

Simon. Aye; that she is, but she is a sly one she looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth; but she's a sly one, I tell you.

Doub. What makes you think that, Simon?

Simon. I don't mean any harm of her, for she's as kind a soul, bless her, as ever lived; but, by putting this and that toknow what is going on in the parlour gether, you know, we in the kitchen often better than the parlour folks themselves. She's in love.

Doub. That's natural enough, since she's going to be married.

Simon. But as she never saw the man she is to marry—

Doub. Sensibly argued; with whom, then?

Simon. We can't make that out. You know what a strict hand the Colonel ispassionate-severe-no one in his house

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dare say their soul is their own; so that, if our young lady were in love with twenty men, she would never dare tell her father of it. No, no, my master is not like his neighbour, old Mr. Witherton, who is led by the nose by a steward and a housekeeper.

Doub. Ah! poor old gentleman; but don't you think your young lady's maid, Mrs. Phebe, is in the secret?

Simon. May be, but she's as closetongued as her mistress; besides, she never mixes with us. Mrs. Phebe's a devilish nice girl, Doubledot; here's wishing her a good husband, and she may have me for asking. Well, I must go, else I shall get chattering of the affairs of the family a thing I never do. [Comes forward.] Ha! here comes Mr. Paul Pry. Doub. Plague take Mr. Paul Pry! He is one of those idle, meddling fellows, who, having no employment themselves, are perpetually interfering in other people's affairs.

Simon. Aye, and he's inquisitive into all matters great or small.

Doub. Inquisitive! why, he makes no scruple to question you respecting your most private concerns. Then he will weary you to death with a long story about a cramp in his leg, or the loss of a sleeve button, or some such idle matter, and so he passes his days, "dropping in,' as he calls it, from house to house at the most unreasonable times, to the annoyance of every family in the village. But I'll soon get rid of him. [Simon goes up. Enter PRY.

ye.

Pry. Ha! how d'ye do, Mr. Doubledot? Doub. Very busy, Mr. Pry, and have scarcely time to say "pretty well," thank [Retires up, and Simon advances. Pry. Ha! Simon! you here? Rather early in the morning to be in a public house-sent here with a message from your master, perhaps. I say, Simon, when this wedding takes place, I suppose your master will put you all into new liveries, eh?

Simon. Can't say, sir.

Pry. Well, I think he might. [Looks at Simon's sleeve.] Between ourselves, Simon, it won't be before you want 'em, eh?

Simon. That's master's business, sir, and neither yours nor mine.

Pry. Mr. Simon, behave yourself, or I

| Exit Simon.

Pry. That's an uncommon ill-behaved servant. Well, since you say you are busy, I won't interrupt you; only as I was passing, I thought I might as well drop in.

Doub. Then now you may drop out again. The London coach will be in presently, and

Pry. No passengers by it to-day, for I have been to the hill to look for it."

Doub. Did you expect any one by it, that you were so anxious?

Pry. No, but I make it my business to see the coach come in every day; I can't

bear to be idle.

Doub. Useful occupation, truly.

Pry. Always see it go out; have done these ten years.

Doub. Going up.] Tiresome blockhead! well, good morning to you.

Pry. Good morning, Mr. Doubledot, you don't appear to be very full here. Doub. No. no.

Pry. Ha! you are at a heavy rent. [Pauses for an answer after each question.] I've often thought of that. No supporting such an establishment without a deal of custom; if it's not an impertinent question, don't you find it rather a hard matter to make both ends meet when Christmas comes?

Doub. If it isn't asking an impertinent question, what's that to you?

Pry. Oh, nothing, only some folks have the luck of it; they have just taken in a nobleman's family at the Green Dragon.

Doub. What's that! A noble at the Green Dragon?

Pry. Travelling carriage and four. Three servants on the dickey and an outrider, all in blue liveries. They dine and stop all night; a pretty bill there will be to-morrow, for the servants are not on board wages.

Doub. Plague take the Green Dragon. How did you discover that they are not on board wages?