by custom and his general instructions. The Dutch aided by a fair wind, hoped by its assistance to escape the disagreeable delay of being searched or overhauled, and held on their way. Captain Montague pursued, but, on overtaking them, took no other satisfaction than that of manning and sending out his two cutters, with a carpenter's mate in each, ordering them to cut off twelve of the ugliest heads they could find in the whole fleet, from among those with which they are accustomed to ornament the extremity of their rudders. When those were brought on board, he caused them to be disposed on brackets round his cabin, contrasting them in the most ludicrous manner his vein of humour could invent, and writing under them the names of the Twelve Cæsars. Another anecdote is, that being once at Lisbon, and having got into a night affray with the people on shore, he received in the scuffle, what is usually termed a black-eye. On the following day, previous to his going on shore, he compelled each of his boats crew to black, with cork, one of their eyes, só as to resemble a natural injury; the starboard rowers the right eye, the larboard rowers the left, and the cockswain both; the whimsical effect may be easily conceived. When under the orders of Sir Edward Hawke, in 1755, he solicited permission to repair to town. The admiral informed him, that "the complexion of affairs were so serious, that he could not grant him leave to go farther from his ship than his barge could carry him." Mr. Montague is said to have immediately repaired to

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Portsmouth, where he gave orders for the construction of a carriage on trucks, to be drawn with horses, on which he meant to row his barge; having previously stored it with provisions and necessaries requisite for three days, to proceed to London. Having lashed it to the carriage, the crew was instructed to imitate the action of rowing with the same solemnity as if they had actually been coming into the harbour from Spithead. Sir Edward, it is said, received intelligence of his intention soon after the boat and its contents were landed, and immediately sent him his permission to proceed to London in whatever manner he thought proper. A variety of well authenticated anecdotes equally ludicrous might be adduced, but the foregoing specimen may perhaps be deemed sufficient. MONTAGUE (Mrs.) See the Article MONSEY. MOSSOP, (HENRY) a celebrated tragedian, was

born in 1729. His father, a clergyman, was rector of Tuam, in the province of Connaught, in Ireland; where he chiefly resided, universally beloved. Young Mossop, as well as his father, was educated in Trinity College, Dublin, where he pursued his studies with diligence and credit, and at the regular time obtained his degrees. His first appearance on the stage was at Smock-alley, Thursday, November 28, 1749, in the part of Zanga, which he played three successive nights, in which he displayed an astonishing degree of beautiful wildness; and, at times, such extraordinary marks of genjus broke forth, as evidently indicated his fu

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ture greatness. His next character was Richard, after which he took occasion to quarrel with the manager, and went to London: He made his debut there in Richard, with distinguished advantage. Mossop had a strong and harmonious voice, which could rise from the lowest note to the highest pitch of sound; and was, indeed, one of the most comprehensive ever heard. He excelled most in parts of turbulence and rage, of regal tyranny, and sententious gravity, and though as an actor, he had many defects, Mossop was in London, after Garrick and Barry, the most applauded and valuable actor. He continued acting with success in London, and sometimes in Dublin, till 1761, when he commenced manager of Smock-alley, in opposition to Barry and Woodward, which ended in his ruin; and though he could not wrest the sceptre from them, he paved the way for their destruction also. After much solicitude, and various turns of fortune, finding himself shut out both at Drury-lane and Coventgarden, he died at Chelsea of a broken heart, in November 1773; having for some time been in want of the common necessaries of life. is said he had but one halfpenny in his pos session at his decease. Mr. Garrick proposed to bury him at his own expence; but Mr. Mossop's uncle prevented that offer from taking place. Thus we may apply to poor Mossop, what was said of another unforunate genius, Butler, "He asked for bread, and he received a stone." Mossop was remarkable for a pompous

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pous gravity, even upon the most trifling occasions: he did not affect it, for it belonged to his nature; and he was insensible to the ridicule his stiff solemnity frequenty inspired. When he was much embarrassed in his circumstances, the frequent conversations he was necessarily obliged to hold with the lawyers, had given to his language, a kind of legal twist. Mr. -, having occasion to pay him a visit, was followed into the room by a strange dog, with which Mossop seemed to be much pleased, and when he understood that he was at liberty to keep him, he turned to his man, and said to him in his grave way," John, I desire you to retain that dog." One of his actors (Holycomb) having been arrested for debts, which the manager's tardiness had obliged him to contract, Mossop had applied to his friend the sheriff" for the loan of him for his business in the evening," and promised, "upon his honour that he would return him at night." When the man was out, however, he refused to go back. "Won't you (says Mossop, stalking majestically towards him ;) then know, fellow, I'll forfeit you." He was haughty, and much offended, at times, if a favour was offered him; often ridiculously so-as in the case of a major now living, who at the time the circumstance happened, was devoted to the interest of the tragedian; and, though Mossop was at that period in great distress, he wanted to fight his friend, only because he used to go to every door in the theatre, and pay at each, when he perceived the receipt of the house was inconsiderable.

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He was particularly attached to various foods, according to the line of character he had to represent. Broth for one; roast pork for tyrants; steaks for Measure for Measure; boiled lamb for lovers; pudding for Tancred, &c. MOZART, (—) a celebrated musician, was born at Salsburgh, in 1756-his father was a musician of considerable merit; and observed, at a very early age, an extraordinary love of harmony in his son. For when only three years of age, he would sit and listen to his sister, as she practised on the harpsichord, with great attention, for a length of time. When she left it, he would endeavour to find ont the chords, and would express the greatest joy at his success. He soon acquired a variety of airs, and performed them in so charming a stile, that his father began to form the most agreeable expectations of his future celebrity. Before he reached his sixth year, he had composed several sonatas for the harpsichord, although it is said he was unable to commit them to paper; which deficiency was supplied by his father. Morning, noon, and night, found him at his harpsichord, or occasionally at the violin, on which, though self-taught, he made no mean progress. All his soul seemed absorbed in this delightful study. In the year 1762, when only six years old, he performed a concerto before the elector at Munich, which astonished the whole court: From hence his father carried him to Vienna, when he played before the emperor, who, willing to try the child's abilities further,