William Henry West Betty, an English actor, popularly known as "the young Roscius," born at Shrewsbury, Sept. 13, 1701. In infancy he accompanied his father, who was a fanner, to Ireland, He made a successful debut at the Belfast theatre as Osman when he was about 12 years old, performed at Cork with even greater effect, and was enthusiastically received at Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1804 he was engaged at. Covent Garden for 12 nights, at 50 guineas a night and a (dear benefit, and at Drury Lane, on the intervening nights, on the same terms, though John Kem-ble's weekly salary was under 36 guineas, and Lewis's only £20. He drew immense houses in Hamlet and other characters; and the excitement was so great that the university of Cambridge made Quid noster Roscii s eget? the subject of Sir William Brown's prize medal. In 28 nights, at Drury Lane, he drew .£17,210, an average of nearly £615 a night, and at least as much more at Covent Garden. After he had secured a handsome income he passed three years at Shrewsbury school. Resuming his profession in 1812, he made an utter failure.

Lord Byron had predicted this on ac count of his corpulence, flat features, ungraceful action, and his "muffin face." He then retired from the stage. - Henry Betty, his eldest son, born Sept. 20, 1810, appeared, after several years' practice in the provinces, at Covent Garden in December, 1844, as Hamlet.