MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH GEIMALDI.
33
Jordan, on tlie first day of'the new season, and immediately
after she had finished the rehearsal of Rosalind in " As you like
it;" that Mrs. Jordan was delighted, that he was at least
equally so, that she took the frames away in her carriage, and
warmed his heart hy telling him that Ms Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence considered the flies equal, if not superior, to
any of the kind he had ever seen.
His only other companion in these trips, besides his Dartford
friend, was Robert G-omery, or " friend Bob," as he was called
by his intimates, at that time an actor at Sadler's "Wells,* and
for many years afterwards a public favourite at the various
minor theatres of the metropolis; who is now, or was lately,
enjoying a handsome independence at Bath. "With this friend
he had a little adventure, which it was his habit to relate with
great glee.
One day, he had been fly-hunting with his friend, from early
morning until night, thinking of nothing but flies, until at
length their thoughts naturally turning to something more sub-
stantial, they halted for refreshment.
" Bob," said Gbimaldi, " I am very hungry."
"So am I," said Bob.
" There is a public-house," said Grimaldi.
" It is just the very thing," observed the other.
It was a very neat public-house, and would have answered
the purpose admirably, but Ghrimaldi having no money, and
very much, doubting whether his friend had either, did not
respond to the sentiment quite so cordially as he might have
done.
" We had better go in," said the friend; " it is getting late—-
yov, pay."
" No, no! you."
' * " IViend Bot>" was not employed at Sadler's Wells till three years later than,
1794, when he personated, on May 29,1797, one of the Spahia in Tom Dibdin's
" Sadat and Kalasrade."
D