But whatever impression the young actor made on the other inhabitants of
Newcastle, the verdict pronounced by the critical Mr Smith is very
modified praise:--


For Mrs Stanhope's comfort and the credit and taste of the people of
Newcastle, I add that Master Betty has had a very good Benefit,
considering the thinness of the Town. I should conjecture the house
amounted to about L95; and admitting that he mouths a good deal, is
indistinct in his lower tones, and does not pronounce very accurately,
I was not displeased with his performance of Warwick in the play "Earl
of Warwick."


[Illustration: MASTER WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY, "THE YOUNG ROSCIUS" _From
an engraving by J. Ward after J. Northcote._]

Despite this far from enthusiastic verdict, great was the excitement of
the Stanhope family to hear that the next county to be visited by Roscius
was Yorkshire, whither they usually returned before Christmas. Ere that
date, however, their thoughts were much occupied by a double tragedy, the
death within a month of their friends, Lord and Lady Kinnaird. [18]


_November 2nd, 1805._

I sent you word of the truly deplorable situation of the two poor
Kinnairds; within one month deprived of both parents, and all their
brothers in Yeomanry. When the last accounts were received, the