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RETURNING to the Indian Queen, a playbill
for the evening had announced the performance
of the tragedy of Macbeth, and a farce called the
Poor Soldier. A party of the gentlemen from the
public house, had taken a box, and the Captain
agreed to go with them to the play. Having delivered
their tickets, and being admitted to the box, it
struck the Captain to cast his eye upon the pit and
galleries, and observe if he could any where descry
the physiognomy of Teague. As before, when with
the same view he surveyed the members of Congress,
he could discover several that a good deal resembled
him; but yet not the identical person. The
curtain being now drawn, the play began. Nothing
material occurred during the performance of the
tragedy, save that when the witches came in, there
was one in her cap and broomstick whose features a
good deal resembled the Irishman's, and who, had
she not been an old woman, and a witch, might have
passed for Teague. The Captain was struck with
the resemblance of features, and long frame of the
bog-trotter, covered with a short gown and petticoat;
and borrowing a glass from one that sat in the box
with him, endeavoured to reconnoitre more

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perfectly, and could have sworn that it was the mother or
sister of Teague, that had just came from Ireland,
and joined the company.

The tragedy being ended, the farce began to be
acted, and who should come forward in the character
of Darby, but the long sought for Teague. The
fact was, he had before appeared in the tragedy, in
the character of an over-grown red-headed witch.
It was more natural for him to appear in the character
of Darby, his own countryman; for he spake
with the brogue naturally, and not by imitation.
The managers had had him all the while of his absence
from the Captain, under tuition, teaching him
his part, which was not difficult to do; the manner
and pronunciation being already his own.

It was this had induced the managers to take him
up, as a substitute; the person who actually played
the part of Darby, being at this time out of the way.
As the natural squeal of a pig is superior to an imitation
of it; so it was allowed by the audience, that
Teague exceeded the pseudo Irishman that usually
performed this part. All were pleased but the Captain,
whose sense of propriety could scarcely restrain
him from throwing his cane at the bog-trotter.
Thought he with himself, what avails it that I prevented
him from taking a seat in a legislative body,
or from preaching, or being a philosopher; if, after
all, he has relinquished my service, and turned
player; a thing, no doubt, fitter for him, than the being
a senator, or clergyman, or philosopher; because
he can appear in some low character in the farce or
comedy, and come off tolerably enough. For though
amongst the dramatis personæ of learned bodies,
there are Tony Lumpkins, and Darby M`Faddins in
abundance, yet there ought to be none; and Teague

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had better be on the stage than in such capacities,
since he must be somewhere. But to leave me
without notice, after all my civilities to him, is ungrateful,
and deserves all that I can say bad concerning
him. I shall give myself no farther trouble
on this head; but let him take his course. I must
endeavour to find another servant who can supply
his place.

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