The Actor's Ruse

Garrick, the celebrated actor, travel ' led to Paris in 1757, a time wben he ! was n all the nf his talent and fume Tliis journey had no', for its ( eet the Bpeculation so greaily pracliced ' by the artists of our age. Öarrick did ' not go to Piiris to act and gain money ; ' he traveled for pleasure, as u simple ' tourist, anxious to eea a boautiful ' try nurtiy his oun; for the f'amily of tho farnous actor was of French origin, exüed by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. ' In the main ooach which brought liim ' froni London to Dover, he had asfellow traveler a gentleman named Challes Lewis, whoin he hd already rret at several places, and who used often to go to Di ury Lane Theatre. They took advantage of the occasion to tiirreue their journey together in the French coach, but whe; arr,ved at Paris separated - the aotor went to lodge with some fiiends who vvere expeoting him ; the other gunllemun went to one of the hotels in the fushionuble quarter Chuu8eo D'Aniln. The two iellow travelers expeotod often to sco oach other during their itay in Paris, but tho totally different life whioh each of them led prevented their meeting. Sir Charles Lewis was about forty-five or fifty, of strange figure, irregular and Bi riking features, and an expressive and singular eountenance. Despite his age, which should have tempered the ardor of his charaeter, and made him renounce tho follies of youth, Lewis lived in dissipation and pleasure. rie had come to Paris to amuse himselt, and to spend a large suin of money which had I een lefi him. Tt was a surplus with which he wished to satih-fy his love of prodigalitv. He was very fond of gaming, and his passion led him into a very mixed circle, in which people are estimated aceording ;o the amount of gold they put on the cards, and in which sharpers thus casily ■pi each other'i company, The actorhved in other company, and searcely met his fellow-travelor twicy or threo ti rr06 during a stay of' four months in Paris. The day before his departiré from London, G.irrick went to Lewis to bid him good-bye, and to nsk him if !e had any coiiiinissions He learned that the unfortunate gentleman had been assassinated. His body riad been found thut morning in the forest of Bondy stabbed and covered with blood. Garrick, much astoniíhed, wished somo account of this sad accident. The foilowing are the details he obtained : Lewia went on a pnrtv of pleaaure to a Chateau on the borders of the forest of Bondy, where u great nurnber of punters and gamblers assoinbled. He was to stay there several days. The first evening he won a considerable surn ; the next day he recoived an invitation from Paris to a tendezvous ; so he soon took leave of the company. They triod to make him wtay, lo-o through politeness than frolB a desiro of winning back what they had lost; and they went so far as to injure his car riage. Luwis, tliereforo went on horseback. They represented to him the oanger of going through the forest of' Bondy ut nightfall ; but he went. The account went no further. It was tuipposed he had been asBaseinaled in the forest b}7 robbers, but Gurrick was of a different opinión. Lewis vi8 armed. Besides, his watch, gold snuti box and ring had not boen taken. Ho therefore thought him the victim of private revenge, and not murdered for his jevvels. Garrick, who knew comething of hiw, held an intjuest, whilo every one sought the .nurderer. Suspusioii also feil on u person named Chevalier Gatan, who lelt the chateau about the sumo time as Levviw, and had returned in about two hours. Garrick askcd for permistión to try a new metbod, which would olear all doubt. He was able to make his features closely to resem We thosu of' other persons. Sir Charles Lewis had latí )y had his porlrnit painted, and it was BÚJ1 0 the painter's workshop. Garrick went to sec it, and to study to make himself resemble it Thejudge caused the Chevalier to leave the prison, and to be brought with a guard to Lewis' house. Wben he arrived he said : " Sir Chailes Lewis has not died of wounds. He wants to see you, for he acenses you." He was brought into the room where Garrick represented Lewis. The Ilusión was complete It was Lewis' expression ol counttnance, and it wus his voice when he said : ''Miserable assassin ! will you now beloro me, deny your crime ?" The Chevalier fo!l on his knees, and begging for pardon, he avowed his guilt and was har.ged.