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After spending a delightful summer, which was productive both of pleasure and
profit, I returned to London about the end of September 1807. On the 3rd May,
1808, Mr. Cumberland produced, at Drury Lane Theatre, a piece entitled "The
Jew of Mogadore," to which I composed the music: It was with great reluctance
that the Board of Management at Drury Lane accepted it : therefore, when I had
finished the music of the first act, I rested upon my oars until I knew their
final determination. I met Mr. Sheridan one day in Essex Street in the Strand,
and told him of it. He desired me to go on with it by all means ; "For," said
he, "if the opera should fail, you will fall with a fine classical scholar,
and elegant writer, as well as a sound dramatist," (such was his expressed
opinion of Cumberland's abilities.) "Go, instantly," continued he, "to those
discerning critics, who call themselves the Board of Management, and tell
them, from me, if you please, that they are all asses, to presume to sit in
judgment on the writings of such a man as Cumberland ; and say, further, that
I order the opera to be accepted, and put into rehearsal." "And pray, Sir,"
said I, "in what light am I to view this ' Board of Management?' What are
they?" "Pegs to hang hats upon," said Sheridan. I went to the pegs,
communicated Mr. Sheridan's command, and the opera was performed accordingly-
Braham sang in it charmingly.
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