-I've had a great deal of care and trouble this day! If I were sure to beg for it all my to bring it about, children; but, thank my life after Here, sirrah, cook! look into the stars, 'tis over-'tis over now-Now I may Roman history, see what Mark Anthony had sleep with my doors open, and never have for supper, when Cleopatra first treated him my slumbers broken with the fear of rogues with chere entiere: rogue, let me have a reand rivals. past that will be six times as expensive and Ros. Don't interrupt him, and see how far provoking-Go.-And, d'ye hear? One of you his humour will carry him? step to monsieur Vendevin, the king's butler, Apart to Hypolita. for the same wine that his majesty reserves Don M. But there is no joy lasting in this for his own drinking; tell him he shall have world; we must all die when we have done his price for't.

our best; sooner or later, old or young, prince 1 Serv. How much will you please to have, sir? or peasant, high or low, kings, lords, and- Don M. Too much, sir! I'll have every thing common whores, must die! Nothing certain; upon the outside of enough to-day. Go you, we are forced to buy one comfort with the sirrah, run to my nephew, don Lewis, give loss of another. Now I've married my child, my service and tell him to bring all his family I've lost my companion-I've parted with my along with him.

girl!-Her heart's gone another way now- Hyp. Ay, sir! this is as it should be! now she'll forget her old father!-I shall never have it begins to look like a wedding. her wake me more, like a cheerful lark, with

Don M. Ah! we'll make all the hair in the

her pretty songs in a morning-I shall have world stand an end at our joy. nobody to chat at dinner with me now, or

Hyp. Here comes Flora - Now, madam, ob

take up a godly book and read me to sleep serve your cue. in an afternoon. Ah! these comforts are all

gone now!

[Weeps.

Enter FLORA.

Hyp. How very near the extreme of one Flora. Your servant, gentlemen-I need not passion is to another! Now he is tired with wish you joy-You have it, I see-Don Phijoy, till he is downright melancholy. [Aside. lip, I must needs speak with you.

Ros. What's the matter, sir?

Don M. Ah! my child! now it comes to the test, methinks I don't know how to part with thee.

Ros. O, sir, we shall be better friends than

ever.

Don M. Uh! uh! shall we? Wilt thou come and see the old man now and then? Well, heaven bless thee, give me a kiss-I must kiss thee at parting! Be a good girl, use thy hushand well, make an obedient wife, and I shall die conlented.

Hyp. Pshaw! pr'ythee don't plague me with business at such a time as this.

Flora. My business won't be deferred, sir.
Hyp. Sir!

Flora. I suppose you guess it, sir; and I must tell you, I take it ill it was not done before.

Hyp. What d'ye mean?
Flora. Your ear, sir. [They whisper.
Don M. What's the matter now, 'tro?
Ros. The gentleman seems very free, methinks.
Don M. Troth, I don't like it.

Ros. Don't disturb 'em, sir-We shall know

Hyp. Die, sir! Come; come, you have a great while to live-Hang these melancholy all presently. thoughts, they are the worst company in the world at a wedding.-Consider, sir, we are young; if you would oblige us, let us have a little life and mirth, a jubilee to day at least; stir your servants, call in your neighbours, let me see your whole family mad for joy, sir. Don M. Ha! shall we be merry then? Hyp. Merry, sir! ah! as beggars at a feast. Hyp. [Aloud Sir, I have offer'd you very What, shall a dull Spanish custom tell me, fair; if you don't think so, I have married the when I am the happiest man in the kingdom, lady, and take your course. I shan't be as mad as I have a mind to? Let me see the face of nothing to-day but revels, a friends, feasts, and music, sir.

Hyp. But what have you done with don Philip? [Apart to Flora. Flora. I drew the servants out of the way, while he made his escape; what we do we must do quickly: come, come, put on your fighting face, and I'll be with 'em presently.

Don M. Ah! thou shalt have thy humourthou shalt have thy humour! Hey, within there! rogues! dogs! slaves! where are my rascals? Ah! my joy flows again-I can't bear it.

Enter several Servants.

Serv. Did you call, sir? Don M. Call, sir! ay, sir: what's the reason you are not all out of your wits, sir? Don't you know that your young mistress is married, scoundrels?

1Serv. Yes, sir, and we are all ready to be mad, as soon as your honour will please to give any distracted orders.

Hyp. You see, sir, they only want a little encouragement.

Don M. Ah! there shall be nothing wanting

[Aside.

Flora. Sir, our contract was a full third; third part's my right, and I'll have it, sir. Don M. Hey!

Hyp. Then I must tell you, sir, since you are pleased to call it your right, you shall not have it.

Flora. Not, sir?

Hyp. No, sir-Look ye, don't put on your pert airs to me-'Gad, I shall use you very scurvily.

Flora. Use me!-You little son of a whore,

draw.

Hyp. Oh! sir, I am for you.

[They fight, and Don Manuel interposes.
Ros. Ah! help! murder! [Runs out.
Don M. Within there! help! murder! Why,
gentlemen, are ye mad? Pray put up.
Hyp. A rascal!

Don M. Friends, and quarrel! for shame.
Flora. Friends I scorn his friendship; and

since he does not know how to use a gentle- Hyp. I'm a little vex'd at my servant's beman, I'll do a public piece of justice, and use ing out of the way, and the insolence of this him like a villain. other rascal.

Don M. Better words, sir. [To Flora. Flora. Why, sir, d'ye take this fellow for don Philip?

Don M. What d'ye mean, sir?
Flora. That he has cheated me as well as you
-But I'll have my revenge immediately. [Exit.
[Hyp. walks about, and Don M. stares.
Don M. Hey! what's all this? What is it
-My heart misgives me.

Hyp. Hey! who waits there? Here, you!
[To a Servant] Bid my servant run, and hire
me a coach and four horses immediately.
Sero. Yes, sir.
[Exit Servant,

Don M. A coach!

Enter VILEtta.

Vil. Sir, sir!-bless me! What's the matter, sir? Are not you well?

Don M. Yes, yes—I am—that is—ha!
Vil. I have brought you a letter, sir.

Don M. What business can he have for a coach?

Don M. But what occasion have you for post-horses, sir?

Hyp. Something happens a little cross, sir.
Don M. Pray what is't?

Hyp. I'll tell you another time, sir.
Don M. Another time, sir-pray satisfy me
now.

Hyp. Lord, sir, when you see a man's out of humour.

Don M. Sir, it may be I'm as much out of humour as you; and I must tell ye, I don't like your behaviour, and I'm resolv'd to be satisfy'd.

Hyp. Sir, what is't you'd have? [Peevishly. Don M. Lookye, sir—in short—I—I have receiv'd a letter.

you?

Don M. Matter, sir!-in troth I'm almost afraid and ashamed to tell ye; but if you must

Vil. I have brought you a letter, sir, from needs know there's the matter, sir. Octavio.

Don M. To me?

Vil. No, sir, to my mistress-he charged me to deliver it immediately; for he said it concerned her life and fortune.

Don M. How! let's see it-There's what I promised thee-be gone. What can this be now?

[Gives the Letter.

Enter DON LEWIS.

Don L. Uncle, I am your humble servant. Don M. I am glad to see you, nephew. Don L. I received your invitation, and am [Reads. come to pay my duty: but here I met with The person whom your father ignorantly the most surprising news. designs you to marry, is a known cheat, Don M. Pray what is it? and an impostor; the true don Philip, who Don L. Why, first your servant told me, is my intimate friend, will immediately ap- my young cousin was to be married to-day pear with the corregidore, and fresh evi-to don Philip de las Torres; and just as I dence against him. I thought this advice, was entering your doors, who should I meet though from one you hate, would be well but don Philip with the corregidore, and sereceived if it came time enough to prevent veral witnesses to prove, it seems, that the OCTAVIO. your ruin. person whom you were just going to marry O, my heart! this letter was not designed to my cousin to, has usurp'd his name, betray'd fall into my hands-I am frightened-I dare you, robb'd him, and is in short a rank imnot think on't. postor.

Don M. Dear nephew, don't torture me: are ye sure you know don Philip when you see him?

fellows, fellow collegians, and fellow travellers? Don L. Know him, sir? were not we schoolDon M. But are you sure you mayn't have forgot him neither?"

Don L. You might as well ask me if I bad not forgot you, sir.

Don M. But one question more and I am dumb for ever-Is that he?

Don L. That, sir? No, nor in the least like him.-But pray why this concern? I hope we are not come too late to prevent the marriage? Don M. Oh! oh! oh! oh! my poor child! Ros. Oh!

[Seems to faint. Don M. Ah! look to my child. Don L. Is this the villain then that has imposed on you?

Ros. I hope you are not hurt, sir. [To Hypolita, who minds her not]-What's the matter with him, sir? he won't speak to me. Hyp. Sir, I'm this lady's husband; and while [To Don Manuel. I'm sure that name can't be taken from me, Don M. A-speak!-a-go to him again- I shall be contented with laughing at any try what fair words will do, and see if you other you or your party dare give me. can pick out the meaning of all this.

Ros. Dear sir, what's the matter?
Don M. Ay, sir, pray what's the matter?

Don M. Oh!

Don L. Nay then, within there!—such a villain ought to be made an example.

Don M. Oh! oh!

Enter Corregidore and Officers, with DoN
PHILIP, OCTAVIO, FLORA, TRAPPANTI, and
VILETTA.

O gentlemen, we're undone! all comes too
late! my poor cousin's married to the impostor.
Don P. How!
Oct. Confusion!
Don M. Oh! oh!

Don P. That's the person, sir, and I demand your justice.

Oct. And I.

Trap. And I.

Flora. And all of us.

Oct. Can she repent her falsehood then at last? Ist possible? then I'm wounded too! ( my poor undone Rosara! [Goes to her] Ungrateful! cruel! perjured man!

Don M. Oh! don't insult me! I deserve the worst you can say.-I'm a miserable wretch, and I repeat me.

Vil. So! here's the la ly in tears, the lover in rage, the old gentleman out of his senses, most of the company distracted, and the bridegroom in a fair way to be hanged. - The merriest wedding that ever I saw in my life. [Apart to Hypolita. Cor. Well, sir, have you any thing to say

Don M. Will my cares never be over? Cor. Well, gentlemen, let me rightly understand what 'tis you charge him with, and before I make your warrant? I'll commit him immediately-First, sir, you say, these gentlemen all know you to be the -Gentlemen, I have reflected on the folly of true Don Philip? my action, and foresee the disquiets I am like

Hyp. A word or two, and I obey ye, sir.

Don L. That, sir, I presume my oath will prove. to undergo in being this lady's husband; thereOct. Or mine.

Flora. And mine.

Trap. Ay, and mine too, sir.

[head? Don M. Where shall I hide this shameful Flora. And for the robbery, that I can prove upon him: he confess'd to me at Toledo, he stole this gentleman's portmanteau there, to carry on his design upon this lady, and agreed to give me a third part of her fortune for my assistance; which he refusing to pay as soon as the marriage was over, thought myself| obliged in bonour to discover him.

if

fore, as I own myself the author of all this
seeming ruin and confusion, so I am willing
(desiring first the officers may withdraw) to
offer something to the general quiet.
Oct. What can this mean?

Don P. Pshaw! some new contrivance-
Let's be gone.

to

Don L. Stay a moment, it can be no harm
hear him-Sir, will you oblige us?
Cor. Wait without. [Exeunt Officers.
Vil. What's to be done now, 'trow?

Trap. Some smart thing, I warrant ye; the

Hyp. Well, gentlemen, you may insult me little gentleman hath a notable head, faith. you please; but I presume you'll hardly be Flora. Nay, gentlemen, thus much I know able to prove that I'm not married to the lady, of him: that if you can but persuade him to or hav'n't the best part of her fortune in my be honest, 'tis still in his power to make you pocket; so do your worst: I own my inge-all amends; and, in my opinion, 'tis high time nuity, and am proud on't. he should propose it.

Don M. Ingenuity, abandon'd villain!-But, Don M. Ay, 'tis time he were hang'd indeed: sir, before you send him to gaol, I desire he for I know no other amends he can make us. may return the jewels I gave him as part of Hyp. Then I must tell you, sir, I owe you my daughter's portion. no reparation; the injuries which you comCor. That can't be, sir-since he has mar-plain of, your sordid avarice, and breach of ried the lady, her fortune's lawfully his: all promise bere have justly brought upon you: we can do, is to prosecute him for robbing therefore, sir, if you are injured, you may this gentleman. thank yourself for it. Don M. O that ever I was born. Don M. Nay, dear sir, I do confess my Hyp. Return the jewels, sir! if you don't blindness, and could heartily wish your eyes pay me the rest of her fortune to-morrow or mine had dropp'd out of our heads before morning, you may chance to go to gaol be-ever we saw one another.

fore me.

Hyp. Well, sir (however little you have Don M. O that I were buried! Will my deserved it), yet for your daughter's sake, if cares never be over?

Hyp. They are pretty near it, sir; you can't have much more to trouble you. Cor. Come, sir, if you please; I must desire to take your deposition in writing.

[Goes to the Table with Flora. Don P. Now, sir, you see what your own rashness has brought ye to. Don M. Pray forbear, sir.

you'll oblige yourself, by signing this paper, to keep your first promise, and give her, with her full fortune, to this gentleman, I'm still content, on that condition, to disannul my own pretences, and resign her.

Don M. Sir, I don't know how to answer you: for I can never believe you'll have good nature enough to hang yourself out of the way to make room for him?

Hyp. Keep it up, madam. [Aside to Rosara. Hyp. Then, sir, to let you see I have not Ros. Oh, sir! how wretched have you made only an honest meaning, but an immediate me! is this the care you have taken of me for power too, to make good my word, I first my blind obedience to your commands? this renounce all title to her fortune: these jewels, my reward for filial duty? [To Don Manuel. which I received from you, I give him free Don M. Ah! my poor child! possession of; and now, sir, the rest of her Ros. But I deserve it all, for ever listening fortune you owe him with her person. to your barbarous proposal, when my con- Don M. This is unaccountable, I must conscience might have told me, my vows and fess-But still, sir, if you disannul your preperson in justice and honour were the wronged tences, how you'll persuade that gentleman, to Octavio's. whom I am obliged in contract to part with his

Don P. That, sir, shall be no lett; I am too well acquainted with the virtue of my friend's title, to entertain a thought that can disturb it. Hyp. Now, sir, it only stops at you.

Don M. Well, sir, I see the paper is only conditional, and since the general welfare is concern'd, I won't refuse to lend you my helping band to it; but if you should not make your words good, sir, I hope you won't take it ill if a man should poison you.

Flora. Trusty Flora, sir, at your service! I have had many a battle with my lady upon Don P. And, sir, let me too warn you how your account; but I always told her we should you execute this promise; your flattery and do her business at last.

dissembled penitence has deceiv'd me once Don M. Another metamorphosis! Brave girls, already, which makes me, I confess, a little faith! Odzooks, we shall have 'em make camslow in my belief; therefore take heed, expect paigns shortly. no second mercy! for be assured of this, I never can forgive a villain.

Hyp. If I am proved one spare me not-I
ask but this-Use me as you find me.
Don P. That you may depend on.
Don M. There, sir.

[Gives Hypolita the Writing, signed. Typ. And now, don Philip, I confess you are the only injured person here.

Don P. I know not that-do my friend right, and I shall easily forgive thee.

Hyp. His pardon, with his thanks, I am sure I shall deserve: but how shall I forgive myself? Is there in nature left a means that can repair the shameful slights, the insults, and the long disquiets you have known from love?

Don P. Let me understand thec.

Don P. In Seville I'll provide for thee. Hyp. Nay, here's another accomplice too, confederate I can't say; for honest Trappanti did not know but that I was as great a rogue as himself.

Trap. It's a folly to lie; I did not indeed, madam.-But the world cannot say I have been a rogue to your ladyship—and if you had not parted with your money

Hyp. Thou hadst not parted with thy honesty. Trap. Right, madam; but how should a poor naked fellow resist when he had so many pistoles held against him? [Shows Money. Don M. Ay, ay, well said, lad.

Vil. Ea? A tempting bait indeed! let him offer to marry me again if he dares. [Aside. Don P. Well, Trappanti, thou hast been serviceable, however, and I'll think of thee. Oct. Nay, I am his debtor too.

Hyp. Examine well your heart, and if the fierce resentment of its wrongs has not extin- Trap. Ah! there's a very easy way, genguished quite the usual soft compassion there, tlemen, to reward me; and since you partly revive at least one spark in pity of my wo-owe your happiness to my roguery, I should man's weakness. be very proud to owe mine only to your geOct. As how, pray? [nerosity.

Don P. Whither wouldst thou carry me? Hyp. The extravagant attempt I have this Trap. Why, si, I find by my constitution, day run through to meet you thus, justly may that it is as natural to be in love as to be bunsubject me to your contempt and scorn, unless gry, and that I han't a jot less stomach than the same forgiving goodness that used to over- the best of my betters; and though I have oftlook the failings of Hypolita, prove still my en thought a wife but dining every day upon friend, and soften all with the excuse of love. the same dish; yet methinks it's better than [All seem amazed] O Philip-Hypolita is-no dinner at all. Upon which considerations, yours for ever. [They advance slowly, and gentlemen and ladies, I desire you'll use your at last rush into one another's Arms. interest with Madona here-To admit me into Don P. It is, it is, Hypolita! And yet 'tis her good graces. she! I know her by the busy pulses at my Don M. A pleasant rogue, faith! Odzooks, heart, which only love like mine can feel, and the jade shall have him. Come, hussy, he's she alone can give. [Embraces her eagerly. an ingenious person.

Don M. Have I then been pleased, and pla- Vil. Sir, I don't understand his stuff; when gued, and frighted out of my wits, by a wo- he speaks plain I know what to say to him. man all this while? Odsbud, she is a notable Trap. Why then, in plain terms, let me a contriver! Stand clear, ho! For if I have not lease for life.-Marry me.

a fair brush at her lips; nay, if she does not Vil. Ay, now you say something-I was give me the hearty smack too, odds-winds and afraid, by what you said in the garden, you thunder, she is not the good-humour'd girl I had only a mind to be a wicked tenant at will. take her for. Trap. No, no, child, I have no mind to be

Hyp. Come, sir, I won't balk your good turn'd out at a quarter's warning. humour. [He kisses her] And now I have a Vil. Well, there's my hand-And now meet favour to beg of you; you remember your me as soon as you will with a canonical promise: only your blessing here, sir. lawyer, and I'll give you possession of the

Don M. Abt Octavio and Rosara kneel. rest of the premises.

can deny thee nothing; and Don M. Odzooks, and well thought of, I'll so, children, heaven bless ye together-And send for one presently. Here, you, sirrah, run now my cares are over again. to father Benedick again, tell him his work Oct. We'll study to deserve your love, sir. don't hold here, his last marriage is dropp'd Don P. My friend successful too! Then my to pieces; but now we have got better tackle, joys are double-But how this generous at- he must come and stitch two or three fresh tempt was started first, how it has been pur- couple together as fast as he can.

Don P. Now, my Hypolita!
Let our example teach mankind to love;
From thine the fair their favours may improve:

|O! never let a virtuous mind despair,
For constant hearts are love's peculiar care.
[Exeunt.

GEORGE COLMAN

Was the son of Francis Colman, Esq., His Majesty's resident at the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany at Florence, by a sister of the Countess of Bath. He was born at Florence about 1753, and had the honour of having king George the Second for his godfather. He received his education at Westminster School, where he very early showed his poetical talents. The first performance by him was a copy of verses addressed to his cousin Lord Pulteney, written in the year 1747, while he was at Westminster, and since printed in The St. Jame's Magazine, a work published by his unfortunate friend, Robert Lloyd. From Westminster School he removed to Oxford, and became a student of Christchurch. It was there, at a very early age, that he engaged with his friend Bonnel Thornton, in publishing The Connoisseur, a periodical paper which appeared once a week, and was continued from Jan. 51. 1754. to Sept. 55. 1756, When the age of the writers of this entertaining paper is considered, the wit and humour, the spirit, the good sense and shrewd observations on life and manners, with which it abounds, will excite some degree of wonder; but will, at the same time, evidently point out the extraordinary talents which were afterwards to be more fully displayed in The Jealous Wife and The Clandestine Marriage. The recommendation of his friends, or his choice, but probably the former, induced him to fix upon the law for his profession; and was accordingly entered at Lincoln's Inn, and in due season called to the bar. He attended there a very short time; though, if our recollection does not mislead us, he was seen often enough in the courts to prevent the supposition of his abandoning the profession merely for want of encouragement. On the 18th of March 1758, he took the degree of Master of arts at Oxford; and in the year 1760 his first dramatic piece, Pully Honeycomb, was acted at Drury Lane, with great success. For several years before, the comic Muse seemed to have relinquished the stage, No comedy had been produced at either theatre since the year 1751, when Moore's Gil Blas was with difficulty performed nine nigts. In July 1764 Lord Bath died; and on that event Mr. Colman found himself in circumstances fully sufficient to enable him to follow the bent of his genius. The first publication which he produced, after this period, was a translation in blank verse of the comedies of Terence, 1765; and whoever would wish to see the spirit of an aucient bard transfused into the English language, must look for it in Mr. Colman's version. The successor of Lord Bath, General Pulteney, died in 1767; and Mr. Colman again found himself remembered in his will, by a second annuity, which confirmed the independency of his fortune. however, to have felt no charms in an idle life; as, in 1767, he united with Messrs. Harris, Rutherford, and Powell, in the purchase of Covent Gardeu Theatre, and took upon himself the laborious office of acting manager. After continuing manager of Covent Garden Theatre seven years, Mr. Colman sold his share and interest therein to Mr. James Leake, one of his then partners; and, in 1777, purchased of Mr. Foote the Little Theatre in the Haymarket. The estimation in which the entertainments exhibited under his direction were held by the public, the reputation which the theatre acquired, and the continual concourse of the polite world during the height of summer, sufficiently spoke the praises of Mr. Colman's management. Indeed, it has been long admitted, that no person, since the death of Mr. Garrick, was so able to superintend the entertainments of the stage as the subject of this account. About the year 1785 Mr. Colman gave the public a new translation of, and commentary on, Horace's Art of Poetry; in which he produced a new system to explain this very difficult poem. In opposition to Dr. Hurd, he supposed, "that one of the sons of Piso, undoubtedly the elder, hat either written or mediated a poetical work, most probably a tragedy; and that he had, with the knowledge of the family, communicated his piece or intention to Horace. But Horace either dissaproving of the work, or doubting of the poetical faculties of the elder Piso, or both, wished to dissuade him from all thought of publication. With this view he formed the design of writing this epistle; addressing it, with a courtliness and delicacy perfectly agreeable to his acknowledged character, indifferently to the whole family, the father and his two sons, Epistola ad Pisones de arte Poetica." This hypothesis is supported with much learning, ingenuity, and modesty; and, if not fully established, is at least as well entitled to applause as that adopted by the Bishop of Worcester. On the publication of the Horace, the Bishop said to Dr. Douglas, "Give my compliments to Colman, and thank him for the handsome manner in which he has treated me; and tell him, that I think he is right" Mr. Colman died at Paddington, on the 14th of August 1794, at the age of 62. A few hours before his death he was seized with violent spasms; and these were succeeded by a melancholy stupor, in which he drew his last breath.

He seems,

THE JEALOUS WIFE,

Com, by Geo. Colman, 1761. This piece made its appearance at Drury Lane with prodigious success. The groundwork of it is derived from Fielding's History of Tom Jones, at the period of Sophia's taking refuge at Lady Bellaston's house, The characters borrowed from that work, however, only serve as a kind of underplot to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Oakley, viz. the Jealous Wife and her husband. It must be confessed, that the passions of the lady are here worked up to a very great height; and Mr. Oakley's vexation and domestic misery, in consequence of her behaviour, are very strongly supported. Yet, perhaps, the author would have better answered his purpose with respect to the passion he intended to expose the absurdity of, had he made her appear somewhat less of the virago, and Mr. Oakley not so much of the henpecked husband; since she now appears rather a lady, who, from a consciousness of her own power, is desirous of supporting the appearance of jealousy, to procure her an indue influence over her husband and family, than one, who, feeling the reality of that turbulent yet fluctuating passion, becomes equally absurd in the suddenness of forming unjust suspicions, and in that hastiness of being satisfied, which love, the only true basis of jealousy, will constantly cccasion. When this play was originally acted, it was remarked, that the scene of Mrs. Oakley's hysteric fits bore a near resemblance to the like situation of Mrs. Termagant in The Squire of Alsatia. Mr. Colman has been accused of a misnomer in calling it The Jealous Wife; Mrs. Oakley being totally destitute of that delicacy, which some consider necessary to constitute jealousy. Many exceptions might be taken to the characters in this piece-that of Lady Freelove is perhaps too odious for the stage, while that of Captain O'Cutter does little honour to the navy. The play, however, upon the whole, boasis more than an ordinary share of merit.