Mr. _SANDFORD_, although not usually deem'd an Actor of the first Rank, yet the Characters allotted him were such, that none besides, then, or since, ever topp'd; for his Figure, which was diminutive and mean, (being Round-shoulder'd, Meagre-fac'd, Spindle-shank'd, Splay-footed, with a sour Countenance, and long lean Arms) render'd him a proper Person to discharge _Jago_, _Foresight_, and _Ma'lignij_, in the VILLAIN. But he fail'd in succeeding in a fine Description of a triumphant Cavalcade, in _Alonzo_, in the MOURNING BRIDE, because his Figure was despicable, (although his Energy was, by his Voice and Action, enforc'd with great Soundness of Art, and Justice.)--This Person acted strongly with his Face,--and (as King _Charles_ said) was the best Villain in the World.--He proceeded from the _Sandfords_ of _Sandford_, that lies between _Whitchurch_ and _Newport_, in Shropshire.--He would not be concern'd with Mr. _Betterton_, Mrs. _Barry_, _&c._ as a Sharer in the Revolt from _Drury-Lane_ to _Lincoln's-Inn-Fields_; but said, _This is my Agreement_.--_To_ Samuel Sandford, _Gentleman_, Threescore Shillings a Week.----Pho! pho! _said Mr._ Betterton, _Three Pounds a Week_.----_No, no, said_ Sandford;--_To_ Samuel Sandford, _Gentleman_, Threescore Shillings a Week. For which _Cave Underhill_, who was a 3/4 Sharer, would often jeer _Sandford_; saying, _Samuel Sandford, Gent, my Man._----Go, you Sot, said _Sandford_.--To which t'other ever replied, _Samuel Sandford, my Man_ Samuel.
_CAVE UNDERHILL_, and Mr. _DOGGET_, will be the next treated of.
_CAVE UNDERHILL_, though not the best Actor in the Course of Precedency, was more admired by the Actors than the Audience--there being then no Rivals in his dry, heavy, downright Way in Low Comedy.--His few Parts were, The first Grave-digger in HAMLET,--_Sancho Pancha_, in the first Part of DON QUIXOT,--_Ned Blunt_, in the ROVER,--_Jacomo_, in the LIBERTINE, and the _Host_, in the VILLAIN:--All which were dry, heavy Characters, except in _Jacomo_; in which, when he aim'd at any Archness, he fell into downright Insignificance.--He was about 50 Years of Age the latter End of King _William's_ Reign, about six Foot high, long and broad-fac'd, and something more corpulent than this Author; his Face very like the _Homo Sylvestris_, or _Champanza_; for his Nose was flattish and short, and his Upper Lip very long and thick, with a wide Mouth and short Chin, a churlish Voice, and awkward Action, (leaping often up with both Legs at a Time, when he conceived any Thing waggish, and afterwards hugging himself at the Thought.)----He could not enter into any serious Character, much more Tragedy; and was the most confin'd Actor I ever saw: And could scarce be brought to speak a short _Latin_ Speech in DON QUIXOT, when _Sancho_ is made to say, _Sit bonus Populus, bonus ero Gubernator_; which he pronounced thus: