There is one thing more to add.  Its excuse is the best in the world—­it is quite new.  In that precious letter of February 15, 1801, is a passage [printed in Canon Ainger’s edition de luxe] which shows that Lamb (probably) tried George Colman the younger with “Pride’s Cure.”  The potentate of the Haymarket was probably less sublimely courteous in his rejection than Kemble.

“Now to my own affairs.  I have not taken that thing to Colman, but I have proceeded one step in the business.  I have inquired his address and am promised it in a few days.”

[The Manning copy of John Woodvil is thus described by Mr. Dykes Campbell]:—­It is composed of foolscap sheets stitched into a limp wrapper of marbled paper.  The writing is chiefly Mary Lamb’s; her brother’s portion seems to have been done at various times, for the ink varies in shade, and the handwriting in style.

On the inside of the first cover, as before noted, is written the letter quoted above.  Then comes a page with:—­

Begun August, 1798, finished May, 1799.  This comes in beginng 2d act.  (Letter) of Marg. to John

[this being Margaret’s “Letter” (page 160 of the present volume).]

On the reverse, Mary has written out the “Characters in ‘Pride’s Cure,’ a Tragedy.”  In this list Lovel and Gray are described as “two Court spies.”

On the next page the play opens, but on the top margin is written:—­

          “Turn a leaf back for my Letter to Manning.

“C.  LAMB.”

The point of the underlining of “my” is to distinguish Lamb’s letter from Margaret’s, which chance to face one another in the MS.

Then comes:—­

Pride’s Cure.  A Tragedy.  Act the First.  Scene the First.  A Servants’ apartment in Wodvil [sic] Hall.  Servants drinking.  A Song by Daniel.  “When the King enjoys his own again.” Peter.  A delicate song upon my verity.  Where didst learn it, fellow?

And so on for some leaves without material difference from print.

After the speech [page 155] “All.  Truly a sad consideration” comes this continuation of the dialogue:—­

Daniel.  You know what he said to you one day in confidence.

Peter.  I have reason to remember the words—­“’Tis a pity (said he) a traitor should go unpunished.”

Francis.  Did he say so much? Peter.  As true as I sit here.  I told Daniel of it the same day.  Did I not, Daniel?

Daniel.  Well, I do not know but it may be merrier times with us servants if Sir Walter never comes back.

Francis.  But then again, who of us can think of betraying him?

Peter.  His son, John Woodvil, is the prince of good masters.

Daniel.  Here is his health, and the King’s. (They all drink.) Well, I cannot see why one of us should not deserve the reward as well as another man.