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The guests thereby at once acquitted themselves of their burden of gratitude for their entertainer's kindness, encouraged the trade of his change-house, did honour to the place which afforded harbour to their horses, and indemnified themselves for the previous restraints imposed by private hospitality, by spending what Falstaff calls the sweet of the night in the genial license of a tavern.
On August 7, 1848 a remarkably fine production of the comedy was accomplished at the Astor Place Operahouse, New York, with Hackett as Falstaff, who never in his time was equalled in that character, and has not been equalled since. Another Falstaff, however, and a remarkably good one, appeared at Burton's theatre on August 24, 1850, in the person of Charles Bass.
The three coupé passengers, consisting of two ladies sisters and a ruddy-faced, cheerful gentleman in a velvet travelling-cap, who made it a principle, like Falstaff, to take things easily, and "not to sweat extraordinarily," warmly approved the conductor's proposal as a sensible one; and even the alert gentleman in the banquette agreed that it would be more prudent to remain at the first good inn the diligence came to.
Apart from this, Windsor has been immortalized by the Merry Wives; it has still standing in its park the Herne oak, where the mischievous fairies played their pranks upon old Falstaff. And the castle still has about it the charm of the poet's invocation:
"Falstaff will learn the humour of the age, French thrift, you rogues, myself and skirted page." Jonson, in a high tone of moral indignation, thus reprobated the change. The Host of the New Inn replies to Lord Lovel, who asks to have his son for a page, that he would, with his own hands hang him, sooner "Than damn him to this desperate course of life.
Dinmont and Colonel Mannering wanting to speak to you, sir, Pleydell turned his head, and blushed a little when he saw the very genteel figure of the English stranger. He was, however, of the opinion of Falstaff, 'Out, ye villains, play out the play! wisely judging it the better way to appear totally unconcerned.
At Stratford in the tap-room of Shakespeare's favourite tavern I met an exceptional person a man who was afraid, and had the courage to speak the truth as millions at that time felt it. An American was present a vast and fleshy man: a transatlantic version of Falstaff.
Such an opportunity of interviewing an acquaintance of Falstaff was not to be lost, and to the credit of Dame Quickly be it said that she was far more communicative than some moderns are under the questioning ordeal.
Quin in Falstaff was as excellent as Garrick in Lear. Old Johnson far more natural in everything he attempted; Mrs. Porter surpassed him in passionate tragedy. Cibber and O'Brien were what Garrick could never reach, coxcombs and men of fashion. Mrs. Clive is at least as perfect in low comedy. See ante, ii. 465.
"But I have set my heart on being the 'little scrubby lawyer's clerk," said Busy Bee; "it is what I am just fit for; and let me see Fred shall be Antonio, and that will make you plead from your very heart, and you shall have Alex for your Bassanio." "But the word. Do you mean to make it fit in with Falstaff and Catherine Seyton?" said Henrietta.
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