dishes, tea-chests, medallions, &c. Of these the corporation of Stratford secured the best part; and in a handsome box, made of this wood, they inclosed the freedom of that town to Mr. Garrick, with the following letter, written by their steward:- "SIR, "To David Garrick, Esq. "THE Corporation of Stratford, ever desirous of expressing their gratitude to all who do honour and justice to the memory of Shakspeare, and highly sensible that no person in any age hath excelled you therein, would think themselves much honoured if you would become one of their body. Though this borough now doth not send members to parlia ment, perhaps the inhabitants may not be less virtuous and to render the freedom of this place more valuable to you, the corporation propose to send it in a box, made of that very mulberry tree planted by Shakspeare's own hands. "The story of that valuable relic is too long to be here inserted but the gentleman who is so obliging to convey this to you, will acquaint you therewith; as also, that the corporation would be happy in receiving from your hands some statue, bust, or picture of Shakspeare, to be placed within their new town-hall. They would be equally pleased to have some picture of yourself, that the memory of both may be perpetuated together, in that place which gave him birth, and where he still lives in the mind of every inhabitant. “I am, Sir, &c. The honour here proposed to be conferred on Mr. Garrick, was readily accepted by him; and in the month of May following, the person deputed by the corporation, presented him with the freedom of their borough, accompanied with the following letter: " SIR, "To David Garrick, Esq. "THE mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, of the ancient borough of Stratford-upon-Avon,—a town that glories in giving birth to the immortal Shakspeare, whose meniory you have so highly honoured, and whose conceptions you have so highly expressed,-rejoice in an opportunity of adding their mite to that universal applause your inimitable powers have most justly merited; and as a mark of their esteem and gratitude, have respectfully transmitted to you the freedom of their borongh in a box, made from the mulberry tree, undoubtedly planted by Shakspeare's own hand, which they hope you will do them the honour of accepting." This flattering and distinguished compliment first suggested to Garrick the idea of a Jubilee; which met the approbation not only of the literati, but of the public at large; as no sooner was the time fixed for its celebration, than every one within an hundred miles of the place, who was not prevented by pressing circumstances, prepared for attending this august fête. All summer journeys to friends, all trips to watering-places, were for a while suspended; while "Avon's banks, where flowers eternal blow," formed the great resort of all*. *As Garrick is a prominent character in the above article; the following original anecdote of him will not be unappropriate: When Packer, who lately died, was a young man, and engaged at Drury-lane Theatre, at a low salary, he was one day at tending the rehearsal of a new play, at a time when Garrick was occupied on the stage in an interesting scene, and accidentally let fall his hat; a circumstance which much disconcerted the manager, who on such occasions considered the smallest interruption as a very great offence. At the end of the scene he strutted in great wrath up to the offender, and was proceeding to pronounce the dreadful sentence of dismissal from the theatre, when Packer, in humble guise, besought his attention for a moment" Indeed, Sir," said he, "I am not morally responsible for this act. My nerves, Sir, my nerves could not withstand the electric shock of your wonderful delineation of this new part."-" Ha! what? ha!" said the little great man, lowering his tone. "Well, well, do take care in future."-Tea shillings a week was added to Packer's salary from that day! ACCOUNT OF MODERN NAPLES*. Ar Naples every thing is different from what any inhabitant of a more northern climate conceives of a town. I may describe Naples, says our author, as one large house, with a vast number of inhabitants; and the particular houses as mere chambers: for, sleeping excepted, every thing passes in the streets that is in other countries done within doors. All artisans and mechanics not merely have open stalls, but they carry out their tables and whatever else they want for their trade, and work in the public streets; so that we see and hear knocking, hammering, sawing, weaving, filing, planing, frizzing, shaving, and a thousand other processes, the whole day. The eating-house-keeper plucks and roasts chickens, and boils and fries fish, in the street; while his hungry customers stop, and gratify their appetites. To quench their thirst they need only go a few steps further to one of the numerous water-sellers, who have their stalls also in the street. These last stalls are so singular as to deserve a particular description; but to make the subject very clear, I am afraid will not be in my power. *The great interest and numerous incidents contained in this article, will afford a sufficient apology for its extent. Before the table where the man stands to serve his customers, four painted and gilt stakes are fixed up at the corners, joined on the top by cross bars; and the extremity of these bars towards the street is decorated in various manners, some of which would elsewhere be thought rather licentious, but are here passed with indifference. They bear also the images of saints; and have a couple of small flags on both sides, with spaces filled up with bouquets of lemons nailed on. The first sight of this puts us in mind of the Chinese. The tapster has on each side of him a long cask in the form of a drum; through the middle of which an iron rod runs, so that it may be inclined upwards or downwards as he pleases. These casks contain fine clear water and ice. The fore part of the table is covered with glasses and lemons. Round such booths there are always customers, more or fewer; but they are sometimes so numerous as to inclose it in a double or triple circle. The extraordinary ease with which the sellers dispatch this crowd, is truly admirable. They tip their casks to the right and to the left, fill the glass, squeeze á little lemon-juice into it, give it to the person, take the money, and lay some of it out again, &c. all in an instant. In observing them for a long time, they appear almost a sort of machine worked by springs. In hot weather the crowd is said to be indescribable, notwithstanding the immense number of these booths. They are lighted in the evening by eight, ten, or twelve lamps each. The price of this beverage is one of the smallest copper coins. It has a pretty ap |