"DEAR SIR,--I was never so conceited of any abilities, as _non cedere majoribus_; but then I ever was above servility, and could not pay a compliment to the opinion of Socrates or Seneca, at the expense of my reason. _Humanum est errare_, therefore the main study of every wise man is to arrive at rectitude, which cannot possibly be accomplished by giving an implicit concession to our first determinations. But shall Arne, a _musician_, have the _hardiesse_ to dispute with Garrick, in his _own_ way?--Yes, if Garrick, not giving himself time to debate on the natural effects arising from their causes, peremptorily gives his _ego dixi_ to what does not (to Arne) appear natural. But where Garrick is pleased to exercise his judgment, as in his own parts, by a fair trial of his opinion pro and con? No, Arne would as soon dispute with Sir Isaac Newton (if living) on his doctrine of colours, _sed ad propositum_. "When Miss Weller rehearsed part of Polly's character in the green-room, I knew it would be in vain to attempt a justification of her manner, at that juncture, and therefore reserved my sentiments for this occasion. I shall only particularize the soliloquy, 'Now I'm a wretch indeed,' which, in all the Polly's I ever saw, had no effect on the audience, except when Mrs. Cibber played the character, who spoke and acted in the same manner as Miss Weller does; and Mr. Barry had the same idea of it. In _you_ this position is glaringly illustrated. Now, in regard to Polly's situation, it is this. She has been soliciting her husband's life with her parents, which, instead of moving their obdurate hearts, has had no other effect, than her father's leaving her mother with a determination to prepare matters at the Old Bailey for his death. Polly, overhearing this, comes on in an agony of grief, says, 'Now I'm a wretch indeed!'--thinks she sees him already in the cast--that she hears vollies of sighs from the windows in Holborn--then abruptly breaks out--'I see him at the tree--the whole circle are in tears--even butchers weep.' Can it be natural that the sight of a beloved husband at the gallows should excite fainter emotions in a doting wife, than arise in butchers exercised in offices of cruelty? Would not an apple-woman, who should see so fine a youth, merely in the cast, naturally clap her hands together, through depth of concern, and exclaim 'Ah, poor soul! God bless him and take him to his mercy!'--perhaps shed tears? Certainly; then Polly's emotion on figuring him at the fatal tree, where the whole circle, through mere humanity, are in tears, can be nothing short of distraction, and any action, short of the force she gave it, must appear trifling, faint, and unfeeling. You are far from having seen the best of her in that character, which appears in her scenes of love, fondness, fears, and strokes of tenderness with Mackheath. But I was not willing to give you too much trouble, and besides, I plainly saw that you could not