Autograph letter signed : place not specified, to Charles Dibdin, 1800 May 5.

Relaying theatrical and other news: telling Dibdin that he "was in a sort of demi-fright on your account last week: for I read, in more than one paper, of riots in and about Sheffield, much about the time of your intended performances -- I hope you did not experience anything disagreeable"; commenting on current events: "Some few days back I thought matters in our part of the world wore but a dull aspect -- the military in the neighborhood of London and Westminster were in a state of preparation, and mischief expected on the score of provisions &c but the million did not proceed to anything more than grumbling"; comparing this situation to that of the theatre: "[t]he scarcity in the Theatrical treasury encreases [...] Bannister had, last Monday, a house uncommonly full; but he tells me to day, with a long face, that he cant get his balance (some where about £160) out of the Office"; saying that he was not able to play Don Manuel alongside Bannister on his night because of "the cursed gout," but he has recovered and "shall sport my figure in a new Comedy on Thursday"; mentioning that he hears that the "Tragedy of de Monfort," despite great expense and great expectations, has flopped: "Parts of it were on the first night thought tedious, and others of it, mark'd with disapprobation"; adding that "tonight it is announced for the benefit of Mrs. Siddons, and I hear the box book is of the dismal kind"; saying that he has not heard anything further about the "Covent Garden complaints" but he does not think silence augurs well; writing "I am piping hot from Rehearsal -- where I have been told such tales of our Gentlemen Swindlers as wou'd surprise even you who have heard so much about them"; sending good wishes from his wife and daughter; mentioning that his wife Mary's voice is hoarse, "but if I can prevail with her to leave off cursing Sheridan, the tones will in a few days come about again"; saying that, on Easter Sunday, when he was between Romford and London, the "Sans-souci Caravan passed your humble Servant on the road" (probably referring to Dibdin's Sans Souci Theatre); telling Dibdin that he saw plenty of his bills up at Chelmsford but none at Sudbury; concluding "Once more ten thousand loves to the dear females and accept me my dear Dibdin as yr. most hearty well wisher."