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In the Eighteenth Century
arrived, and Kelly and Bannister informed their host that they must return early the following day. The news was taken in good part. " My children," said Cumberland, " I regret that you must leave your old bard, but business must be attended to, and as this is the last day I am to have the pleasure of your company, when you return from your evening's rambles on the Pantiles, I will give you what I call a treat." The guests were curious as to what the pleasure in store for them might be. Kelly thought it might be a special delicacy for supper, but Bannister was troubled with misgivings.
" On our return from our walk," Kelly relates, " we found Cumberland in his parlour, waiting for us. As I had anticipated, the cloth was laid for supper, and in the middle of the table was a large dish with a cover on it. When we were seated, with appetites keen, and eyes fixed upon the mysterious dainty, our host, after some preparation, desired a servant to remove the cover, and on the dish lay another manuscript play. ' There, my boys,' said he; 'there is the treat which I promised you; that, Sirs, is my "Tiberius," in five acts; and after we have had our sandwich
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