ably reported to Mr. Harris by || Mr. Bricknell of Norfolk Street, that the piece, by the desire of the manager was sent for perusal and immediately accepted. Before duced " True Friends," musical entertainment, unsuccessful "St. David's Day," musical entertainment; "The Hermione, or Valour Triumphant," an occathis Mr. D. had applied in vain, sional interlude; Liberal Opihaving met with those repulses nions," comedy of three acts, afwhich friendless authors generally terwards extended to five, and callexperience. At this time, how-ed "The School for Prejudice," ever, he caught Dame Fortune in | 1801; "Il Bondocani," musical entertainment, "The Cabinet,' comic opera, 1802,"Family Quarrels," comic opera1803, violently opposed by the jews. "The English Fleet," comic opera, 1804, "The Will for the Deed," comedy in three acts, 1804; "Valentine and Orson," serio-comic romantic melo-drama, 1804; Guilty or not Guilty?" comedy, 1804; "Thirty Thousand, or Whos' the Richest?" opera, 1804. He has also assisted pantomimes, The Volcano,' 66 Harlequin's Tour," &c. While in town attending the rehearsals of "The Mouth of the Nile," the late Mr. Powell of Covent Garden, who was to have played Old Pickle, (Spoiled Child) having been suddenly taken ill, Mr. Dibdin who accidentally came late to the house, became his substitute, with so much success, that he procured an engagement of 51. per week, and another, equally liberal, for his wife. In the second year of his engagement he applied to his master in the city for his indentures, which he purchased for 50 guineas. He buried two children, but had a daughter in 1803. His brother, formerly known by the name of Pitt, is now superintendant at Sadler's Wells. Mr. Dibdin is author of several favourite songs, which have been generally written for benefits. He has lately, during his country excursions, given an entertainment, entertainment, called "Nothing || their relief. He married the New," consisting of songs, stories, &c. which has met with applause, particularly at Oxford, where he is patronised by several distinguished characters. DIDIER, (J.) actor, has played at several provincial theatres, and was lately manager of the Theatre Royal Richmond, Deal, Dover, &c. DIGGES, (WEST) actor, made his first appearance on the stage at Dublin, in 1749. He played at Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatres with great applause, and was for some time manager at Edinburgh. His last performances were at Dublin, where he was suddenly seized with a paralytic stroke, which rendered him incapable of following his profession. He then became the manager's confidant and privy counsellor, for which he had an allowance, but at the same time the ill-will and envy of the company. He died at Cork in 1786. He is frequently spoken of in Mrs. Bellamy's "Apology;" and in the early part of his life was distinguished by the title of the Gentleman Actor. DIGNUM, (Mr.) singer, is son of a master taylor in Wild Street, London, to which business be was brought up; but having distinguished himself as a singer in a Catholic chapel he was recommended to the late Mr. Linley, who immediately took him an apprentice. He made his first appearance on the stage at Drury Lane, in Young Meadows, (Love in a Village) when he became a principal vocal performer at a good salary. At this time his family were much embarrassed, and with filial affection he applied the greater part of his earnings to daughter of Mr. Rennel, an attor-, ney, with whom he received an handsome fortune. His company is much courted at societies, being always ready to exert his vocal abilities for their satisfaction, and apparently happy when able to contribute to the mirth of a table, to which he does ample justice. DIMOND, (Mr.) actor, was brought up to business, which he declined for the stage, and was some time under the tuition of Mr. Garrick. He made his appearance at the Haymarket theatre, under the late Mr. Colman's management, and afterwards went to Bath, where he purchased a share of the Theatre, and is at present the chief manager. He is a favourite at both Bath and Bristol where he has attained the character of a respectable, though not a great performer. In the summer Mr. Dimond is an occasional performer in the country, whereby he has frequently an op||portunity of procuring some promising actors for his own theatre. Is was during his performance at Richmond that he received and complied with Mr. Elliston's application. His son, a young man of promising abilities, has lately attempted dramatic writing: he produced a musical entertainment, called "The Sea-side Story," which he was promised by the manager of Covent Garden should be brought out when there was an opportunity; but, impatient of literary honour, he not only gave up all hopes of emolument, but almost hazarded that fame, by giving it for a benefit, (1801) as it is well known, notwithstanding the many wretched pieces performed on those occa sions, sions, several productions of merit || have in this manner been sacrificed. However, the young dramatist's wish seems to have been satisfied: for, though got up with all the disadvantages of a benefit piece, it gave satisfaction, and was. afterwards espoused by the manager. After this he produced "The Hero of the North," play with songs, at Drury Lane, 1805; and "The Hunter of the Alps," musical entertainment, at the Haymarket, 1804. DIXON, (CLARA) singer, was instructed in vocal music by Mrs. Crouch, and performed at the Opera House under the name of Signora Clara. Her first appearance on an English stage was for Mrs. Crouch's benefit, in Beda, (Bluebeard) April 15, 1799. She appeared the succeeding season on the same occasion, in Guita, (Siege of Belgrade) and was engaged by Mr. Harris for Covent Garden, where she made her debut in Polly, (Beggar's Opera) She has been lately married. DOBBS, (FRANCES) a native of Ireland, who produced one play acted at Dublin, called The Patriot King, or Irish Chief," 1774. DODD, (JAMES SOLAS) is author of one dramatic piece, which was acted once at Covent Garden, called "Gallic Gratitude, or the Frenchman in India," 1779. He published a pamphlet in defence of the Cock Lane Ghost, and afterwards composed a "Lecture on Hearts," which he read publicly at Exeter Change, with some success. He was bred a surgeon, and now follows the profession. DODD, (Mr.) actor, was a native of London, and put to a grammar school in Holborn. Hav ing performed Darius, in Teren. ce's "Andrea," whilst at school, he entertained a passion for the stage, and commenced actor at the early age of sixteen, at Shef field, where his first appearance was in Roderigo, (Othello) after which he undertook principal characters in tragedy with considerable encouragement. He then went to Norwich, where he chiefly exhibited in comedy with flattering applause, but was still a ser vant to Melpomene, till being engaged at Bath, he devoted his study entirely to the comic muse with so much reputation that he received a liberal proposal from the then managers of Drury Lane, (Messrs. Garrick and Lacey) which he accepted, and made his first appearance in London, 1765, in Faddle, (The Foundling) with success adequate to his own and the managers' most sanguine wishes. He established himself in many characters, particularly in genteel fops, in which line he stood unrivalled. About 1784, he formed a connection with Mrs. Bulkeley, afterwards Mrs. Barresford, which continued for some time; but suspecting her fidelity, a separation ensued. He died in September, 1796. DODSLEY, (ROBERT) dramatist, was born in 1703, and was in his early days a footman to the Hon. Mrs. Lowther, from which humble station his abilities soon raised him; for, having written a dramatic satire, called "The Toyshop," which was shewn to Mr. Pope, that celebrated poet was so struck with its merits, that he became immediately Dodsley's patron. By his interest the piece was brought out at Drury Lane, 1735, where it met with the success it merited, as did also another farce, |