Here is an anecdote of him, probably got up to suit the public. _Morning Herald_, November 16, 1804: “The _Young Roscius_, who is in all respects _play ful_, lately hesitated in going on the stage when he was to perform _Richard_. Young, the chief Liverpool actor, told him the stage was waiting, and urged him to appear. The boy declared, that, unless Young would bend his back, that he might have _one jump at leap-frog_, he would not appear. After some demur at this whimsical request, and some useless remonstrance, Young was obliged to submit; and the little fellow then went upon the stage, and performed his part with admirable spirit.” Kept always before the public, in this manner, no wonder curiosity was stimulated to the highest pitch, and that when he did appear, he received an ovation. The mildest contemporary account of his _début_ in London, is in the _Morning Herald_, of the 3rd of December, 1804, and I extract a portion. “On Saturday evening (December 1st) this prodigy of early excellence, whose merits have been as much extolled in the provinces, as they have been sceptically regarded in the Metropolis, met the _fiery ordeal_ of a London audience. There has not been, within our recollection, any manifestation of public anxiety which can be quoted, as equalling that displayed on this occasion. At one o’clock the doors of the Pit and Gallery were besieged with expectants. At five, the outer doors of the box passages were forced open, and the boxes were occupied by an immense crowd, who forcibly ejected the persons stationed to keep places. The numbers still poured in with such rapidity, and pressure, that some hundreds leaped from the Boxes into the Pit, which was so crowded by this accession, that numbers must have perished, but for the humane attentions of some Ladies in the Boxes, who assisted in raising them, and passing them to the lobbies. The number outside the House and in the passages still continued to increase, though every effort was made to assure them that their exertions must be unavailing. We have not heard of any fatal accident, but the faintings, bruises, and minor contingencies are beyond all enumeration.” The play was “Barbarossa” (by Dr. Browne), and Master Betty took the part of _Selim_. In the second scene—“Where he sounds the feelings of _Othman_, he showed exquisite judgment and sensibility. In the close of the scene when he says: ‘Oh! thou hast rous’d a thought on which revenge Mounts with redoubled fire!’