These lines too are quoted by Mr. Kemble, and prefixed as a motto to his alteration of one of Shakspeare's plays. Is Mr. Kemble not aware, how many drops of Shakspeare are lost, and how much false wine obtruded in their place, in this metamorphosis? It would be an endless task to point out all the beautiful and sublime passages omitted by Tate: but to point out all the absurdities he has introduced, would be more endless. As Mr. Kemble professes, however, such a wish, I will just remind him, before I conclude, of what perhaps he has forgotten, that the present stage-representation of Shakspeare is a disgrace to his memory; that many of his best plays are never performed; that those which are performed are exhibited in so mangled a state, as to be totally unlike Shakspeare; and that not one of his dramas is now exhibited pure and unadulterated. I am, Mr. Editor, your's, &c. A SHAKSPEARIAN. * * * * * _A week's journal of a strolling player._ _Monday._ We opened the house with the tragedy of the _distressed mother_; I played _Orestes_. Our dresses and scenery rather out of repair, which gave some gentleman occasion to remark; that it would have been more _apropos_, had we advertised the play by the title of the _distressed family_. _Tuesday._ Played George Barnwell. Part of the audience wanted me hanged: Afterwards did the watchman, and the bailiff in the _Apprentice_.--Shared thirteen pence three farthings. _Wednesday._ Played _Jachimo_ in _Cymbeline_. My arms almost broken by being put into too small a chest. The farce the _Register-office_--played _Gulwell_.--Shared one shilling. _Thursday._ Doubled the _Ghost_ and _Rosencrantz_ in _Hamlet_, and afterwards played _Mogs_ in the _Devil of a Duke_. A gentleman affronted me by saying I was _the devil of a conjuror_. Shared one shilling and six pence, and for the first time took my two bits of candles. _Friday._ I played _Macduff_, and two or three other parts in _Macbeth_, one of the witches being drunk, we were obliged to make shift with two. The farce _Miss in her teens_: I was Fribble; and the house barber having gone off in a pet, because I could not pay him his week's bill, I was obliged to go on without my hair being dressed.--Shared ten pence and a candle. _Saturday. The Orphan._ The manager had taken _Castalio_ himself, and insisted on my playing _Acasto_. An ignorant country fellow introduced it only to support Acasto in the third act, stands on the stage, when I asked "where are all my friends?" answered, "sir, they are at the George over a mug of ale." We afterwards had the _Padlock_ without music. I played _Mungo_ and never felt any thing half so much as the favourite air, "I wish to my heart me was dead." * * * * * _Macklin and Foote._