UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES 5T? with Messrs. Bar- BA ry and Woodward, who had opened a theatre in Crow Street, Dublin, in opposition to Mr. Sheridan's in Smock-alley. She performed at both theaties in Dublin ; and such was the fame she acquired, that her return to London was courted by Mr. Garrick on terms which dien were considered extravagant. These proposals were accepted on Mr. Garrick'srerurn from his continental excursion, and her fiist character this season, was the Widow Belmour, (The Way to Keep Him): from mistime to 1782. she per- formed Lady fanciful, (Provoked Wife); Araminta, ( School for Lovers) ; Belinda, (Allinthe Wrong), Jfcc. &c. with ihe greatest approbation. She was the original representative of Lady Alton, (English Merchant ; Charlotte, (Hypocrite); Miss Rus- port, (West Indian); Lady Bab Lar- doon, (Maid of the Oaks) ; Koxalana, I Sultan "I ; Lady Teazle, (School tor Scandal) ; and Miss Hoyden. (Trip to Scarborough). A disagreement having taken place between her aud the proprietors of 13 Drurv AC AD Drury Lane ; she accepted of very liberal terms from Mr. Harris, and from the season of 1782-3 continued for several years at Covent Garden, performing all her favourite charac- ters, and several new ones, with the greatest applause. In 1786, she per- formed the part of Scrub, in the Beaux Stratagem, for her benefit. This was an evident attempt to draw money ; but her friends regretted that her abi- lities were so prostituted. Having quitted the London boards, she per- formed only occasional 'y on the stage ; but in 1797-8, resumed her situation at Covent Garden. Her last performance in public, was for the benefit of Mr. Pope, 1799, in Lady Racket, (Three Weeks after Marriage); and May 31, she repre- sented Lady Fanciful, at Brannen- burgh House, (The Margravine of Anspach's private theatre) ; Lady Brute by the Margravine ; and Be- linda, Miss Berkley. Her youthful performances gave universal satisfac- tion ; she then displayed all the graceful ease of the woman of fashion or the capricious airs of the fantastical coquets ; but as fashion delights to vary, her laie attempts could not de- lineate the modern lady, nor could the flirts of the old school delight as much, as the Jordan coquets of the day. ACHMET, (Mrs.) maiden name, Eg an, actress, made her first appear- ance in Smock -alley Theatre, Dublin, under Mr. Daly's management, about the year 1785, and having played Imoinda, the Grecian Daughter ; &c. was favourably received, not- withstanding the wretched manner in which these tragedies were then supported. She had been previously instructed by Mr. White, who keeps an English Academy in Dublin, and received further lessons of improve- ment from Mr. Lee Lewis i:i a sum- mer tour to Belfast. She then be- came ihe wife of Mr. Achmet, who had bu It by subscription elegant baths in Dublin, which were much resort- ed. By an assumed name and dress, he was supposed to have been a Turk, but is said to be a native of Ireland, whose real name was Cairns, and who bad been sometime at sea. Hav- ing performed several seasons on the Dublin stage, Mrs. Achmet visited Shrewsbury and other parts of Eng- land, when she was engaged at Co- vent Garden, an 1 made her first ap- pearance in 1789, in the character of Juliet. She performed afterwards several pa/ts, attempted Sir Har- ry Wildair for her benefit, and then returned to Ireland. In person she is elegant, in action graceful, but de- ficient in force and animation ! ADDISON, (JOSEPH) dramatist; this elegantand correct writer assisted the stage about the beginning of the century. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Lancelot Addison, rector of Am- busbury, Wiltshire, where Joseph was born, May 1, 1672. He was instruct- ed in grammar-learning at the Char- terhouse in London, where he con- tracted his first acauaintance with Mr. (afterwards Sir Richard) Steele. He then went to Queens College, Oxford, his parents having designed him for the church, but of which, he gave up all thought when he took his degrees of Batchelor and Master of Arts. In 1695, he procured, in consequence of a poem in praise of King William, a pension of 3001. per annum,and leav- ing England, resolved to visit every tiling curious in England. He re- turned in 1701, and lost his pension the succeeding year on the death of King William. However, he was soon after appointed commissioner of appeals, and secretary to Sir Charles Hodges, at that time one of the prin- cipal secretaries of state. He was also appointed principal secretary to the Earl of Wharton, then Lord-Lieu- tenant of Ireland ; and during his a- bode in Dublin, wrote the considera- ble part of the Tatler, which was pub- lished for the benefit of his friend Steele. When he returned to Eng- land, he wrote many papers in the Spectator, his signature being always one of the letters from the Muse Clio. In 1713, he produced his tragedy of " Cato," which ran 35 nights succes- sively, and was only stopped by the indisposition of one of the actors. His comedy of the "Drummer; or, Haunted House," was not known to he his, till a f ter his death. The Ita- lian operas being then much the vogue, AD AI vogue, he wrote an English opera called " Rosamond," which was either hissed or neglected. He de- signed also a tragedy on the death of Socrates, (iueen Anne dying, he was appointed secretary to the lord jus- tices, secretary for the affairs of Ire- land, and one of the lords commis- sioners of trade. He had heen seve- ral years ln'rra tlv acquainted with the Countess of Warwick, whose son, the then earl, he had trained up in the principles of virtue and religion, and in 17 16, he married that lady, by whom he had one daughter. The next year he was appointed princi- pal secretary of state to his majesty- George 1. but his declining state of health, obliged him to resign that high employment soon after. His chief companions were Steele, Bud- gell, Philips, Carey, Davenant & Col. Butt, with one of whom he always breakfasted, before he was married. He died of an asthma and dropsy at Holland-house, near Kensington, June 17, 1719, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The following anecdote, recorded of Mr. Addison, is the best delineation that can be given of his character. A certain countess unfortunately conceive. 1 a violent pa.-sion for htm ; but Mr. Addison, who frequently visited her husban 1, supposed her several ad- vances to be the mere effect of gene- rous friendship. The lady however, confi ling in his secrecy, broke through all female decorum, and in a letter to him, revealed her wishes, lie de- termined no more to come in her way, and conveyed her an answer to the following import. That site ha I inadvertent!) and without proper regard to her marriage vow, cherish- ed m unwarramable passion, which, if not suppressed, must end in her ruin. That her lord was a man of the strictest virtue, and while he was i treating her with the most tender af- I fection, she was contriving a scheme to blast his honor. That as undesign- edly he lu 1 been the unluppj of temptation, she might rest assur- ed that her letter was consigned to the tiames, and the contents should remain a secret to all the world ; but tliat a regard for bjth her temporal and eternal interest, oblged him ta decline his visits for the future. " For, madam, (added he) you have charms, and 1 have passions." A1CKEN, (JAMES) actor, was born in Ireland, and in that kingdom made his first appearance. He then visited Scotland, and soon became the hero of the Edinburgh company, in tragedy and comedy. One Stay- ley, having been discharged on ac- count of an unmerited demand of an increase of salary, and a party of this discarded actor's friends having commenced a riot at the theatre, Mr. Aicken appeared to explain the cause of Stayley's dismission. The explanation served only to irritate these determined critics, who insisted upon Mr. Aicken's kneeling down and asking their pardon : but, this spirited actor, conscious of having given no real offence, declared he would never go on his knees except to his God and King! The rioters drew their swords, but happily Mr. Aicken made his escape. The thea- tre was demolished, and the com- pany consequently obliged to sepa- rate. Mr. Aicken then \isited Lon- don, and soon got an engagement at Drury Lane, and another summer engagement at the Haymarket. A dispute respecting certain dramatic arrangements with Mr. Kemble, wlrich Mr. Aicken conceived to be injurious to himself, was productive of a duel between these gentlemen in 1792. The parties met without se- conds, but Mr. Bannister's son, at- tended a.s a common friend. Mr. Aicken discharged his pistol, and a reconeiliati, n was then happily ef- fected. Kor some months the sta°e has been deprived of his assistance, through severe indisposition. He was lately deputy manager of Drui'y Lane. AICKEN, (F.l actor, brother of the preceding gentleman, and like- wise a native i f Ireland, where, in a country town, he made his lir»t ap- pearance en the stage in " George Barnwell," and thence went to the Dublin Theatre, He left Ireland a- bout 176-K and soon after got an en- gagement at Drury Lane, having pre- viouslv married an Irish ladv o! fina- ls % Iy AN A N ly and fortune. He acquired con- siderable reputation at Drury Lane, and afterwards went to Covent Gar- den. He then opened a hosier's shop in York Street, but on the death of his wife, threw up that business, and commenced manager at Liverpool,- in 1787, where hemarritd thewidow of an eminent merchant with a con- siderable fortune. He is respectable, both 'as a private and public charac- ter. ALL1NGHAM, (J.) dramatist and actor, i> said to be a native of Ireland, and has played on several provincial stages ; his sister was likewise an ac- tress, and performed lately at Co- vent Garden, but is since married and retired from the stage. He is author of two farces — " The Wheel of Fortune," performed for a benefit at Covent Garden, 1799, and rescu- ed from oblivion by being repeated at Colman's Theatre, (while the major part of his company was employed at Drury Lane) when it became a fa- vourite piece j and " Tis all a Farce," performed the succeeding season with some, but not equal, ap- plause. ANDREWS, (MILES PETER) dra- matist, and member of Parliament for Bewdley, Worcestershire. On the death of an elder brother, who was a gunpowder merchant, he un- . riertook that manufacture, and by his attention established the business. His father having been acquainted with all the dramatists and wits of the day. he wanted no interest to bring hi- pieces forward, which are "The Election," interlude, 1774; " Con- jurer," farce, acted in 1774, not printed ;" Belphegor, orThe Wishes," acted 1778 ;" Summer Amusements," comic opera, acted 1779, (in this he was joined by Mr. Miles) ; " Fire and Water," comic opera, acted 1780 ; " Dissipation," comedy, acted 1781 ; " The Baron,"farce acted and printed 1781; " The Best Bidder," farce, acted 1782 ; " Reparation," comedy, acted and printed 1784 ; " Enchant- ed Castle," acted 178ti ; Better Late than Never," comedy, acted and printed 1790; and " The Mysteries of the Castle," comic opera, acred and printed 1795. His pieces have not in general been successful, but his prologues and epilogues, which are numerous, are. excellent. ANSPACH, (Margravine of) for- merly Lady Elizabeth Craven, drama- tist, daughter of Augustus Earl of Berkeley, was married to William Lord Craven 1767. She translated a French piece called " The Sleep Walker," 1778, which was performed at her private theatre, Newbury. She also wrote " The Miniature Pic- ture," a comedy, acted at Newbury, and Drury Lane, 1780 ; and " The Silver Tankard." a musical entertain- ment, acted at the Haymarket, 1780. During summer, 1782, a play was per- formed by her young family at his lordship's seat at Newbury, before a very nu-nerous arid splendid audi- ence. The theatre was made in the wood behind Benha.n-House, the trees formed a canopy, and the dark- ness and stillness of the night were favourable to the lights and dresses, which were Spanish, and very mag- nificent. The play was Moliere's " Statue Feast," which she had alter- ed and cut into two acts, having ren- dered Don Juan's character less vil- lainous, and the catastrophe more a- greeahle. After thisshe left England, and to contradict reports which had been spread during herabsence. pub- lished her " Journey through the Crimea to Constantinople, in a series of Letters, written in the year 1786." The motive of this long and extraor- dinary Journey, she declared, " was to let the world see where Lady Craven has been, and where she is to be found— it having been a practice for some years past for a Birmingham coin of myself to pass in most of the inns in France, Switzerland, and Eng- land, for the wife of my husband — my arms and coronet sometimes sup- porting in some measure this insolent deception ; by which probably I may have been seen to behave very im- propeily." This desire to rescue her name and person from the ill effects of misrepresentation, was address- ed to her ad-ipted brother and corres- pondent his serene highness, the Mar- grave of Brandenbtirgh, Anspach and Bereith, with whom her lady-hip seemed to have formed one of those delightful AR AN delightful attachments distinguished by the name of Platonic Love : and " if I had possessed," added she, " the invaluable blessing of having him for my rw/brother, this carious and unhearJ-of treason to my birth and character, would long since have been punished in the person who could only countenance the deceit." Though in this work she displayed an enviable share of animal spirits, and mental vivacity, it was greatly desti- tute of that vtviiia vis animi which alone inspires the bosom of real genius; and though professedly published to prove where she " was to be found," yet in her journey she flew like an- other Camilla, from place to place with steps so nimble, light, and un- impressive, that it was didicult for the reader to fix her locality. Lord Craven died Sept. 27-, 1791, and his serene highness having abdicated his dominions in favour of the King of Prussia, and receiving from that mo- narch a princely revenue, married Elizabeth Dowager Lady Craven, and purclia-ed the seat of the late Lord Melcombe for 8,5001. which is now Brandenburgh-1 louse, where the Margravine still indulges her passion for private theatricals, and for that P'trpose occasionally employs her pen. The " Prince of Georgia," originally performed here, was acted for Mr. Fawcett's benefit, 1799. ARNE, (Dr. THOMAS AUGUS- TINE) composer and dramatist, was the son of Mr. Thomas Arne, an up- holsterer in King-street, Covent Gar- den, whom Addison is supposed to have characterized in No. 155 and 160 of the latler, an 1 brother to Mrs. Cibber the actress. He was designed for the law, but soon quitted the study intended fur him by the father, for one nvire congenial to his taste and dUix>sition. He procured him- self a vi ilin. and unaided by any tu- tor, made, in a short time so consi- derable a progress on that instrument, that he was qualified to acquit him- self in a band ; and nothing could exceed the surprise of his father when, being at a respectable concert, he discovered his son flourishing in the Orchestra as one of the principal performers. Mr. Arne, now placed himself under the tuition of Mr. Festin, an excellent performer on the violin, and the first regular engage- ment into which he entered as a pub- lic performer, was that of leader of the band at the T. R. Drury Lane, where he distinguished himself for several years. At the age of 18 he composed the opera of " Rosamond." His compositions are universally ap- plauded, and he was also particular- ly skilful in instructing vocal per- formers. The degree of Doctor of Music, was conferred on him by the University of Oxford, July 6, 1759. In the 26th year of his age he marri- ed Miss Cecilia Young, a pupil of Geminiani, and a favourite singer of those times. He died of a spasm on his lungs, March 5, 1778. He is au- thor of the following operas, "Artax- erxes,"' 1762 ; " The Guardian Out- witted," 11 .A; and the "Rose," 1778; and is the suppo ed author of others which were Unsuccessful. ARNE, (Miss) actress, was the daughter of Mr. Michael Arne, who was married to Miss Wright, formerly an actress at Drury Lane. She was designed and instructed by her fa- ther for oratorio and conceit singing. Having lost her father when very young, and from her filial attention during his tedious illne.-s so impaired her own health as to render her in- capable of singing, she was obliged to confine herself to instrumental teaching ; but was afterwards, on re- covering her voice, placed by her friends unier the care of Mr. l.inley, whose severe indisposition prevented him from giving her necessary instruc- tions. With all these disadvantages, but more particularly without even a regular rehearsal, she made her first appearance at Drury Lane, in Polly, (BeggarsOpera) 1795. and met with a kind reception. Afterwards she engatred with the Margate mana- ger, for the sake of improving and initiating herself in stage-business. ARNOLD, (Dr. SAMUEL', com- pter, received his musical education at the chapel royal St. James's, partly under the care of the late Mr. Gat ts, and partly of his successor Dr. Nares. His parents, induced by the proofs he afforded of an early genius, placed him AR AR him at the usual age of admission, in the king's chapel. His dawning talents soon began to shine, and on an acquaintance with Mr. Beard, then one of the managers of Covent Garden Theatre, he acquired public fame by composing several favourite pieces. He then aspired to oratorio composition, which he effected with equal success; three of which, "A- bimelech," " The Resurrection," and Prodigal Son," were performed during several successive Lents at the Theatres Royal Haymarket and Co- vent Garden, under his own manage- ment and direction. His first enter- prise was at she former theatre at playhouse prices, and the encourage- ment received, induced him to quit the little theatre for a greater, which second speculation was not attended ■willi equal success. In 1771, he married Miss Napier, daughter of Archibald Napier, Doctor it) Physic, with whom he received a handsome fortune. About the same time, he purchased of Mr. Pinto, Marybone- gardens, then a fashionable place, where he erected a stage, and brought out several pleasing burlettas (the music by himself) which were ably supported by Mr. C. Bannister, Mr. Reinhold, Miss Catley, Miss Brown, (afterwards Mrs Cargill), Miss Ilar- pur, (Mrs. Bannister), Mrs. Barthele- mon, &c. &c. but on the expiration of the lease, these delightful gardens were let by the proprietors to various builders, and converted into dwelling- houses. Mr. Colman, on becoming manager of Covent Garden, though no judge of music, was convinced of the merit of this composer (now Dr. Arnold) gave him every encourage- ment ; and when he purchased Foote's theatre in the Haymarket, engaged the doctor to conduct the mu.sical de- partment, which situation he still (ills. He succeeded Dr. Nares, March 1, 1783, as organist and composer to his majesty's chapel at St. James's. He was appointed lone of the sub-directors at the grand performances of the com- memoration of Handel, at Westmin- ster Abbey, the first of which took place in 1784, and was presented with a medal, which his majesty has per- mitted the sub-director's to wear at all times as a mark of royal approba- tion. In hopes of furni hing the public with additional entertainment, he joined in improving and enlarging the theatre in the Lyceum. The species of entertainment, originally intended, were concerts, but it is said, that the doctor wished to revive his burlettas, and this being deemed a formidable opposition by the thea- trical managers, their united interest prevented him from obtaining leave to open it ; notwithstanding a con- siderable sum was expended on the alterations of the place. In 1796, he succeeded the late Dr. Philip Hayes, as conductor of the annual perform- ances at St. Pauls, for the feast of the sons of the clergy. His elder daugh- ter was lately married to Mr. Rose, a gentleman engaged in mercantile business. ARNOLD, (SAMUEL JAMES ) dramatist, son of Dr. Arnold. He has produced the following after- pieces, (the music by his father) " Auld Robin Grey," 1794,approved ; " Who Pays the Reckoning >." 179.5, condemned and not printed ; " The Shipwreck," 1796. approved ; " The Irish Legacy," 1797, condemned and not printed ; and " The Veteran Tar," 1801, approved of for a few nights. Besides dramatic pieces, lie has written a novel, and occasionally assists diurnal prints. Some few months ago, he commenced portrait painter, and the specimen he pro- duced, evinced such extraordinary merit, that it was allotted a place at Somerset House exhibition. Thisgen- tleman is young, so that notwithstand- ing the failure of some of his pieces, he may, with further practice, be as able to paint with his pen, as his pencil. ARTHUR, (J.) actor, formerly manager of the playhouse at Hath. In 1754, he produced a ballad opera at Covent Garden for his benefit, called " The Luckey Discovery ; or, Farmer of York," printed in 1758, He performed several years at this theatre, and was esteemed excellent in old men's characters. He died April 8, 1772. ASCOUGH, (CHARLES ED- WARD) author of one tragedy- " Semiramis AT AT " Semiramis," 177(5, was «on of Or. Francis Ascough, Dean of Bristol, by a sister of the first Lord Littleton. He was brought up in the army, and had for some time a commission in the guards ; but indisposition com- pelled him to relinquish his profes- sion, and travel into Italy. He died, Oct. 14, 1779. ASHTON, (ROBERT) a native of Ireland, who produced a play, printed several timesin Dublin, called " The Battle of Aughrim; or, Fall of Monsieur St. Rudi." ASTON, (ANTHONY] actor and author of a comedy, called " Love in a Hurrv," 1709 ; was son of a gentle- man who had formerly been master of the Plea Office in the King's Bench. He was bred an attorney, but quitted the dry study of the law, and having a smattering of humour, went on the stage. He performed on all the London boards, nut, being of a flighty disposition, could never settle in any situation. He under- took an entertainment, called " The Medley," with the assistance of his wife and son. at all the principal cities and towns in F.ngland. Every town he entered, he pretended a right to, and whenever another company interfered with him, he was very attentive, and dextrous in lay- ing them under contribution. In 17. .1, he petitioned the commons to be heard against the bill then depend- ing for regulating the stage, and was permitted to deliver a ludicrous speech, which was afterwards pub- lished. He was commonly called Tonv Aston. ATKINSON, (JOSEPH) drama- ti-t, a native of Ireland, and in the army. In 17S5. he brought out a Comedy on the Dublin stage, during Mr. Daly's management, called " The Mutual Deception," in which Mr. Ryder pei formed, and it is said, all the emolument the avithor derived from it was, half-a-crnvn. This piece wjs altered and reduced to three arts, by the late Mr. Colman, (who threw out entirely the under ploO and brought it out at the Hay- market Theatre, under the title of " Tit fur Tat." In 1766, he produc- ed an opera, (the music by Mr. Dib- din) called " A Match for a Widow; or, The Frolics of Fancy," in which Messrs. Ryder and Duffey performed. This piece was published in London with the hopes that Mr. Colman would espouse it; but the story, which was taken from the French, was at the same time much better managed by Mrs. Inchbald, in her "Widow's Vow." It had also been long before introduced on the Dublin stage by Miss Sheridan, in another farce, called " The Ambiguous Lover." In 1800, he brought out another opera, with Captain Jones, the present Irish ma- nager, called " Love in a Blaze," the music by Dr. Stevenson of Dub- lin, to whose abilities, no doubt, it was indebted for the applause it is said to have received. It was pre- sented in vain to the managers in London. The idea of this piece seems to be taken from the tragedy of the '• Widow of Malabar," which, to render a comedy, the widow's cha- racter is converted into an Irishman, who is to burn for his mistress, and tliis is— Love in a blaze ! ATKINS, (Mrs.) maiden name Worrell, actress, was a pupil of Rau - zini, and much admired as a singer at Bath. Her first appearance in London was at the Haymarket, 1797. She was then engaged at Covent Garden, and sung for one Lent sea- son in Ashley's oratorios. Her hus- band belongs to the same theatre ; but is oftener seen than heard. For this lady's mother, see Mrs. Warretl. ATTWOOD, (THOMAS) com- poser, son of a coal merchant, and organist at St. Pauls Cathedral. He soondiscovered a musical genius which having been properly cultivated, he became himself an instructor; and has now several pupils under his care. Hiscomposittons are in general plea- sing, but unfortunately, lushest music has been sacrificed to dramatic piece* destitute of literary merit. Those which exist, ate " The Poor Sailor," " Castle of Sorrento," &c. He belongs to the Pimlico Association, and though young, has been some- time married to an agreeable lady, and is blest with a fine fanulv. BADDtLEY", BA BA BADDELEY, (Mr.) actor, was a native of England. In the early part of his life he went abroad, and hav- ing visited the continent, and acquir- ed some knowledge of the French language, commenced actor at Drury Lane, and performed several parts in low comedy, particularly foreign footmen, with considerable applause. He was unfortunate in his marriage, and died, November, 1794, having beed taken suddenly ill the preceding evening, when nearly dressed for Moses, in the " School for Scandal." He was buried in St. Pauls, Covent Garden. The following extract from his will, bearing date April 23, 1792, will prove his benevolent attention to the infirmities and distresses of performers : " To his faithful friend and companion, Mrs. Catherine Strickland, generally called and known by the name of Baddeley, he bequeaths his life's interest, in his house in New Store-street, and in his freehold, messuage, garden, &c. at V pper Moulsey, in die county of Surry, with plate, furniture, &c. Af- ter her decease, the above estates, with certain monies to arise from the insurance of an annuity, to go to the society established for the relief of indigent persons belonging to Drury Lane Theatre. The house and pre- mises at Moulsey, to be used as an asylum for decayed actors and ac- tresses, and when the nett produce of the property amounts to 3501. per annum, pensions areto be allowed— Especial care to be taken to have the words " Baddeley's Asylum," in the front of the house— His executors to publish every year his letter, as appeared in the General Adver- tiser, April 20, 1790. respecting the disagreement with his unhappy wife, to prevent the world from looking on his memory in the villainous point of view, as set forth in certain books, pamphlets, &c. — One hundred pounds, three per cent, consolidated bank annuities which produce 31. per annum, is left to purchase a twelfth cake with wine and punch, which the iadies and gentlemen of Drury Lane Theatre are requested to par- take of, every twelfth night in the great green-room." BADDELEY, (Mrs. SOPHIA) maiden name Snow, actress, wife of the preceding gentleman, made her first appearanceon the stage at Drury Lane Theatre ; and. thoughher intro- duction to the public was after her marriage, yet it was before her hus- band had attempted die stage, which probably her success had encouraged. This lady's conduct soon after in- volved Mr. Baddeley in a duel, and infidelity at last caused Uieir separa- tion. Her extravagance obliged her to fly to Scotland, where she died in great misery. Mrs. Baddeley's Me- moirs were given to the public by a /adv, soon after the publication of Bellamy's Apology for her Life ; the success of which, no doubt, prompted the undertaking: but the anecdotes of this actress not being calculated to entertain or improve, the work was justly consigned to oblivion. BAKER, (DAVID ERSKINE) au- thor of the " Biographia Drama tica ; or, Companion to the Playhouse," 2 vols, l^iiio, 1764, was the eldest son of Henry Baker, (an ingenious naturalist in Fleet-street) by a daugh- ter of the celebrated Daniel de Foe. His father was well known in the philosophical world from his Es>ay on the Microscope. He died Nov. 12, 1774. David, like his father, wa, a philosopher and a poet, having con- tributed to many peiiodical works. He translated a pamphlet from the Italian of Dr. Cocchi, at the age of fifteen years, and produced a dramatic poem, called " The Muse of Ossian," selected from the poems of Ossian, acted and printed at Edinburg, 1763. Being adopted by an uncle, who was a silk throwster in Spitalfields, he succeeded him in his business, but wanting the prudence and attention which are necessary to secure success in trade, he soon failed. He mar- lied BA fe A rieJ a person who was an actress ; but though a sensible and judicious speaker, never arrived at much emi- nence. Our author also was a con- siderable time a miserable retainer to tome of the provincial theatres; and died l>efbre his father in very indi- gent circumstances. His " Com- panion to the Playhouse," was im- proved and continued from 1764, to 1782 ; but it must be confe-sed, that in the additions, opinion has been too freely hazarded, and wit too often exercised at the expence of judgment. BAKER, (THOMAS) dramatist, was the son of a very eminent attor- ney of the city of London, and was some time of the University of Ox- ford. He produced five comedies in the beginning of the century ; viz, " Humours of the Age," 1701 ; " Tun- bridge Walks," 1702 ; " Act at Ox- ford." 1704 ; " Hampstead Heath," 1706 ; and " Fine Ladies Airs." 1709 ; all 4to. BAKER, (THOMAS) actor, was in Dublin about the year 1781, with Giordani, at Capel Street Theatre, and acquired some applause in old men's characters, though about nine- teen years of age. He then perform- ed at Margate, &c. Dec. 10, 178!), he came out at Drury Lane, in Grub, in " Cross Purposes.'' He quitted the stage, and being clever at his pen, was employed by a scrivener in the Temple. Addicted to drink, though he never appeared on the stage in a visible state of inebriation, lie hasten- ed his death ; which happened at a public-house in Fleet street, 1801. BAKER, (BERKLEY) actor at several provincial theatres, was mana- ger of a company, particularly at a barn near Windsor, 17S9, (before the New Theatre was built) where he afterwards opened a public-house. " The Merry Wives of Windsor," but his company, wives, husbands and all, got so merry here, that the profits were not adequate to the expences, and the result was Exeunt Omuei! His wife and daughter were likewise on the stage. The former appeared at Capel StreetTheatre, Dublin, in 17S 4. BANKS, (Sen. and )un.) actors. The father was a respectable carver and gilder in Fleet Street, but on de- clining business, commenced Harle- quin at Sadler's Wells, and retained his situation for seme time with re- putation. The son followed his ex- ample, and made his i£*tt. at Covent Garden in a trilling character. He then went to Liverpool, where having met with approbation, he returned to London, and was engaged at Drury Lane. His taste for, and execution in scene painting, renders him useful to theatres. BANNISTER, (CHARLES) actor, was horn in Gloucestershire, and be- coming acquainted with a company, then performing at Deptford, imbib- ed an inclination for the stage, and played Romeo, Richard the Third. &e. before he was eighteen, with flatter- ing applause. He then applied to Mr. Garrick for an engagement, which that gentleman declined, under pretence there was no vacancy in his company : but being more fortunate in his application to the Norwich manager, he performed there several seasons, and became a favourite. Being invited by Mr. Foote to the Hay. market, he made his first appearance in London in Will, (Orators); the late Mr. J. Palmer having likewise made his debut in the same piece. In this character, Mr. Bannister gave imitations, and was so happy as to meet with general applause, though naturally abashed at seeing Mr. Gar- rick in the house. By his imitations of Tenducci andChampnasshe prov- i ed his abilities as a singer, and was ( soon afterengaged atRanelagh, Man- bone Gardens, &c. when having in- i creased his fame, lie was at length en- gaged by Mr. Garrick. and made las I first appearance at Drury Lane in Merlin, (Cymon). Be'.ng refused an increase ol salary, to which he thought 'himself justly entitled, he went to Covent Garden in 17SJ, but returned to Druiy Lane in 17Sj, which lie deserted for the Royalty I heatre in I7S7-8. and became the I chief object of persecution duiin^ his attachment to Mr. Palmer. On the 1 failure ofthe Royalty Theatre lie quit- i ted London, and performed at Nor- wich. Edinburgh, &c. Through the I negotiation of his son, he wasrestot- B A B A ed to the favour of the London ma- nagers, and is now a member of Dairy Lane and the Haymarket. In this gentleman the actor and singer formerly combined ; but in his pre- sent performances he only remind* us of what he was: still, however, he remains a cheerful witty -ompanion, and a kind fiiend! BANNISTER, (JOHN) actor, son of the preceding, was designed for the profession of a painter, for which, he discovered an early genius : but, inspired by the example of a father, and encouraged by Mr. Garrick, he resolved no longer to be a quiet pain- ter of nature on canvas, but depict her with more animated colours on the stage. Accordingly he made his first appearance in Dick, ( The Apprentice,) and from his success, procured an engagement at Drury Lane. Under the tuition of Mr. Garrick he performed juvenile cha- racters in tragedy, but having at- tempted a new comic character, and meeting with success adequate to his wishes, he deserted the tragic muse, and became one of Thalia's best sup- porters. He was formerly a member of the Haymarket Theatre, but re- signed his situation to Mr. Fawcett for the sake of country excursions. He succeeded the late Mr. Edwin in several of his characters, having, firou^'h the instructions of his wife, acquired the meri the professes as a sin.ier. BANNISTER, (Mrs.) maiden name H.irp'ir, formerly actress, wife of Mr. Bannister, jun. and daughter of a mantua-maker in Bath, for which business she was intended, but dis- covering an early genius for music, she was put under the care of a ma- ster, and made her first appearance on the stage at the Haymarket in Rosetta. The succeeding winter she was engaged at Covent Garden, and for several seasons filled the first cha- racters of the English opera, with credit to herself and pleasure to the town. During thi.> her success, she married Mr. Bannister, and Septem- ber 5, 1791, took her leave of the stage, filling, at piesent, the more amiable characters of a domestic wife and a tender mother. BARCLAY, (Miss) actress, daugh- ter of a clergyman, was early in- structed in music, in which she ac- quiied such a proficiency, that lvr friends suggested to her the stage. She made her first appearance in an oratorio, at the great theatre in the Haymarket, 1791, and being further instructed by a proper master, made her first appearance as an actress and singer the same year in a new opera, called " Dido," at Drury Lane, when, she acquitted herself so well, she pro- cured an engagement. She was en- gaged the succeeding summer season at the Haymarket. on the secession of Mrs. Bannister ; but, being offended at the part of a chorus singer being sent her, though it had been originally in the hands of Mrs. Bannister, a dis- agreement took place between her and the manager, which terminated in the lady's dismission. BARNARD, (Sir JOHN) was cho- sen one of the representatives in par- liament for the city of London in 1722, which trust he continued to enjoy during six succeeding parlia- ments. His name we think essential to our Dramatic Biography, as in 1735, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to limit the number of play- houses, and to restrain the licentious- ness of players, which was then in- creased to an amazing degree: the bill at this time miscarried. As a magistrate, he had long been watch- ing for such information as would bring the actors at GoodmanVfields playhouse within the reach of the vagrant laws ; but none was laid be- fore him that he could, with pru- dence, act upon. At length, how- ever, an opportunity offered, which he embraced : Mr. Henry Fielding, then a young barrister without prac- tice, a dramatic poet, and a patriot, under the extreme pressure of neces- sity, had, in the year 1736, written a comedy, cr a farce, we may call it either or both, intitled, " Pasquin," a dramatic satire on the times, and brought it on the stage of the litile playhouse in the Haymarket; which being calculated to encourage popu- lar clamour, and containing in it many reflections on the public coun- cils, furnished reasons for bringing a bill B A B A bill into the house of commons for prohibiting the actingofany interlude, tragedy, comedy, opera, play, farce, &c. without tiie authority of his majesty's letters-patent, or a licence from the lord-chamberlain. In this bill a clause was inserted on the mo- tion of Sir John Barnard, by which it was made penal, even with any such patent orlicence, to act or re- present any such interlude, &c. in any part of Great Britain, except in the city of Westminster and such other places as his majesty, in person, should reside in. Before 1737, the year in which this bill was enacted in- to a law, the property of Goodman's- fields playhouse had passed into the hands of Mr. Henry Giffard, who. encouraged by a subscription, pulled it down, and, under the direction of Shephard, the architect, (the same who afterwards built Covent Garden Theatre) had erected a new one. This man, while the bill was depend- ing, petitioned against it, and, in his piinted case, represented the injury he was likely to sustain : all the speci- ous arguments of the great sums he had expended on the purchase of the house, and rebuilding it, in scenes, clothes, &c. were urged with their utmost force, and his right to an equivalent stated ; but all to no ef- fect : the bill passed, and the statute is now part of the law of the land. It i< true, an evasion of it was after- wards contrived by an adveitiement of a concert, with a play given gratis, but that subterfuge was soon aban- doned. The operation of this statute was two-fold: it subjected theatrical representations to a licence, and limited the number of playhouses. BARRAT, (Mr.) actor, and for many years engaged at the Hay- market 1 heatre, where, from a pe- culiar manner, voice and appearance, he made the characters of Orator Mum, Crazy, &c. his own. He died in ITi'.i. BARRY, (SPRANGER^ actor, was born in St. Warburgh's parish, Dublin, November 20, 1719. Hewastheson of an eminent silversmith of that city, who bred this hiselde.t to the bu-i- ness ; but an early intercourse with tlic theatre, with the solicitation of a remarkable handsome person, fine; voice, and pleasing address, soon cb- literated all mechanical notions , and, after keeping up the farce of attend- ing the counter two orthree years, he commenced actor on the Irish boards in the year 1744, in ihe character of Othello, when he gave evident marks that he wanted nothing but stage practice to make him reach the top of his profession. The summer of 1742, he played in Cork, and ac- quired fresh laurels. Here it was first suggested to him by his relation and particular friend, the late Sir Ed- ward Barry, to come over to Eng- land, as the spot most congenial to great abilities : however, before he made this essay, he returned to Dub- lin, and joined the company of that year, which stands remarkable in the Irish theatrical annals, for the best stage that perhaps ever was known at any period , boasting at once of the great names of Garrick, Barry, Sheri- dan, Uuin, VVofrington, and Cibber ; there was scarce a play that these performers did not change parts in a kind of contention for public applause. The public, however, paid dear for this mental luxury, as the constant and extreme fulness of the house brought on col is and fevers, beside dislocations and other accidents, which terminated in several of their deaths; and it was then very common to say, one died of a Garrick, a 'luin, or a Barry fever. In 1746, he came over to England, was en- gaged at Drury Lane, and the next year, the patent falling into Messrs. Garrick and Lacey's hands, took the lead as the principal per former at that house. Here Mr. Garrick and he frequently appeared in the same characters, and in a great measure divided the applause of the town ; however, Barry-, teeing an inferiority arising from the joint power exerted against him as actor and manager, quitted Drury Lane, and headed Covent Garden. Here his powers had full play ; and our stage Milo entered the lists of competition a- gainst a man, which none hitherto durst approach. They played all their principalcharacters against each other with vaiious success, which are C 2 marked BA B A marked by many epigrams and bon mots of that day. In this contention they remained till the summer of 1758, ■when Barry, joining with Mr. Wood- ward, of Drury Lane, undertook an expedition to Ireland, where they built two elegant play-houses, one in Dublin, the other in Cork ; and as joint managers exerted tneir respec- tive abilities, with those of a very re- spectable company, part of which they brought over from England. However, after trying this scheme for some years, what with the expence of building, the great salaries and in- crease of performers, together with the uncertain returns of their theatres, they both found they had changed situations for the worse. Wood- ward making the best bargain he could with Barry, to be paid his share in annuities, set sail for Eng- land, engaged himself at Covent Gar- den, and in a very laughable prologue, restored himself to the public favour. Barry staid but a few seasons behind him, for both he and Mrs. Harry play- ni in the summer of 1766, at the opera-house in the Haymarket, under Mr. Foote. Here it was Mrs. Barry made her first appearance on the London stage, in the character of Des- demona, in which she shewed such judgment, tenderness, and expres- sion, that Garrick, who was then in the pit, declared her an actress of the first stamp; and soon after engaged her along with Mr. Barry at a very con- siderable salary. For further particu- lars of this lady, see Crawford. Mr. Barry, soon after, quitted Drury Lane for Covent Garden ; when an he- reditary gout (which occasionally at- tacked him from his eailiest days) rendered his performances nut only (infrequent, but imperfect: yet, even in this unfinished state of his powers, tramped with aches, and bowrd down with infirmity, he gave an affect- ing picture of what he once was. He died Jan. 10, 1777. BARRYMORE, (Mr.) actor, was born in Taunton, and placed by his father in a counting-house : con- ceiving an early passion for the stage, he changed his name from B'e-u-it to the above, and joined a theatrical company iu the We*t of. Engbi.d. Having been seen and approved of by the late Mr. Colman, at Brighton, he was accordingly engaged for the Haymarket, and intended for a vocal performer ; but the engagement was afterwards broken on the manager's part He applied, but in vain, to the managers of Drury Lane; at last, the loss of Mr. Dubellamy, prompted them to give hiin an appearance, and he came out in Young Meadows, (Love in a Village). After which, he occa- sionally performed in tragedy, come- dy, opera, &c. On the departure of Mr. Farren to the rival theatre, he appeared in characters of more con- sequence. One night,at a very short notice, he offered to read the cha- racter of Charles Oakley, (Jealous Wife) in consequence of the sudden indisposition of Mr. Bannister, jun. the intended representative. The apology having been made to the audience, and accepted, he began with the part in his, hand, but, din ing the second act, put it into his pocket, and went through the character to the great astonishment of all present, who testified their pleasure with flat- tering applause. He now married a lady in Bloomsbury, and the addi- tional favour he acquired with the public, was justly attended with an increase of salary. On the death of Mr. Brereion, and the departure of Mr. Palmer to the Royalty Theatre, be gained further opportunities of advaniiivg himself, and on the death of Mr. Halmer, &c. has. by due at- ;ention and unremitting industry, in- sured himself a permanent situation i n both Drury Lane and the Hay- market. BARTHELEMON, (F. H.) com- poser, resident at Kennington. He has composed music for several little pieces, particularly the " Maid of the Oaks," the overture of which, was a composition of sweet pastoral simpli- city, which gave general satisfaction ; butdi-gusted with the false promises of managers, he declined his further assistance to the stage. He was en- gaged with his family at the Rotunda, Dublin, about the year 1784, when he gave Mr. Mountain (the present leader of the band at Covent Garden) soineprivate instructions, and which lie B A BE he continued to do on Mr. Mountain's visiting London. Mr?. Bartheleraon and her daughter have sung in con- certs ; the former assisted Dr. Ar- nold in his burlettas at Marybone Gardens. Both these ladies have a taste for composition j lately were published Hymns and Anthems for the Asylum and Magdalen Chapels, &c. composed by Mrs. Bartheiemon, which ate superior to the generality of female productions. BASTAR, (Mrs.) maiden name Grtf/i, actress, is the daughter of a gentleman who holds a situation un- der government, and wife of a re- spectable tradesman in the Strand. She was educated at a convent in France, and for some time instructed ladies in music, vocal and instru- mental, [laving performed at se- veral private theatres with flattering applause, (and indeed the applause of private theatres is in generaL/W/f/-- ing ) she formed the resolution of at- tempting the public boards ; in- duced, perhaps, by the example of a sistor, who is now a successful actress on the American stage. She made herfirst appearance at Covent Gar- den in Don Carlos. (Duenna) for the benefit of the Bayswater General Lying-in Hospital, June 13, 1800; her services having been readily ac- cepted on account of the then scar- city of performers. In consequence of her success and strong recommen- dation, she was engaged by Mr. Harris. During the summer, she improved herself at Norwich and Yarmouth, and afterwards made her second, and we may add regular appearance at Covent Garden, in Patrick. (Poor Soldier) Sep. 22, 1800. BATE, Rev. (H.) see Dudley. BATES, (Mr.) actor and member of Drury Lane company, but resign- ed his situation to assist the late Mr. Palmer in the Royalty Theatre scheme, for which he furnished several pan- tomimes, having much ingenuity in that way, and was frequently, the motley htm of Wellclose Square. On the close of the Royally, he wisely re- turned to his former station. Fie afterwards went to America : his wife, who was an actress at Drury Lane, died lately in great distress. BF.ARD, (JOHN) actor and on« of the proprietors of Covent Garden, where he was acting manager, and celebrated both as a singer and per- former. He was bred upin the King's Chapel, and was one of the singer* in the Duke of Chandos Chapel, at Cannons, where he performed in an oratorio composed by Mr. Handel. His first appearance on the stage was at Diury Lane, Aug. 30, 1737, in the character of Sir John Loverule, (Devil to Pay). In 1738-9, he married the only daughter of James Earl of W aldegrave, widow ol Lord Edward Herbert, and on her death, which happened fourteen years afterwards, erected to her memory a handsome Cyramidal monument, expressive of is love and sorrow. He afterwards married the daughter of Mr. Rich, who was likewise patentee of Covent Garden, and by whose death, he was in aftuent circumstances. He quitted the stage on his first marriage for a. few years, and afterwards returned to Drury Lane, and in 1744, went to Covent Garden, where he remained four seasons. He then engaged with Mr. Garrick, and continued with him till 1759; when, on his second mar- riage, he was engaged at Covent Garden, and on the death of his fa- ther-in-law, became one of the pro- prietors. Hisrirst appearance at that time was in Macheath, Oct. 10, 1759, Polly by Miss Brent, and the opera ran fifty-two nights. During his management in February 1763, the following serious riot took place: The opera of Artaxerxes being ad- vertised to be performed at the The- atre in Covent Garden, the first time for this season, with notice, that nothing under the full price could be taken, the audience, in consequence thereof, would not suffer it to begin, until Mr. Beard came upon the stage, and gave them a categorical answer, Yes, or No, concerning half-prices. From six in the evening, until past nine, there were several messages and speeches passed, but none that the audience thought satisfactory t One gentleman in the pit, declared ilj.it the actors ought to submit in this to the town, mote especially, as they had lately a precedent iu Mr. Garrick, the BE BE the greatest theatrical genius. For want of this point being determined, at about half an hour past nine, the audience grew so exasperated, that the benches of the second gallery, the fore part of it, the seats in the boxes, the glasses, and every thing else that they could come at, were pulled to pieces. The stage was crowd- ed with the audience that left the boxes and pit. The damages amounted to some hundred pounds, and some of the people belonging to the house were very much hurt. In 1767, he was engaged in a literary contest with Dr. Shebbeare, for having rejected a comedy of his. In 1768, he retired from the stage on account of the loss of his hearing, and died Feb. 5, 1791, aged 75, at Hampton, Middlesex, where he resided after his retirement. He left legacies to the amount of 30001. He gave 1001. to the fund for decayed performers, and to Mr. Hull, his intimate friend and ac- quaintance, 501. to buy a ring in me- mory of him. His remains were de- posited in the vault of the church at Hampton. BECKINGHAM, (CHARLES) dra- matist, was the son of a linen-draper in Fleet Street, and received his edu- cation under Dr. Smith at the Mer- chant Tajlor's School ; he produced two tragedies, which were represent- ed on the stage before the author had well completed his twentieth year, viz. " Scipio Africanus," 17 IS, and " Henry IV of France," 1720. On the author's benefit for the first, Dr. Smith gave his boys a holiday, that such as pleased, might pay their compliments to their school-fellow on that occasion. BELLAMY, (GEORGE ANNE) formerly a celebrated actress, who has perpetuated her name by the pub- lication of her life in 1781. Her mo- ther was the daughter of an eminent farmer and hop-planter at Maidstone, whose name was Seal. He wa; one of the people called Quakers, and grew so opulent, as to be enabled to purchase an estate at Tunbridge Wells, called Mount Sion. Dying young and intestate, his whole fortune fell into the hands of his widow, who married a second husband named' Busby ; a man of supposed property, but, in fact, so involved in debt, that. Mrs. Busby, not having taken the ne- cessary precautions to secure a main- tenance for herself and daughter, was left destitute of support. Before this sad reverse of fortune she had fur- nished her houses on Mount Sion, and let them, during the season, to per- sons of the first distinction. One of those who occasionally occupied the e houses was Mrs. Godfrey, sisier to the great Duke of Marlborough, who contracted such a friendship for Mrs. Busby and her daughter, that she of- fered to bring up the latter in every respect like her own daughter. This offer, though declined at first in the prosperous circumstances of Mrs. Busby, was now gratefully accepted. Mrs. Godfrey accordingly placed Miss Seal, with her own daughter, at a boarding-school in Queen Square. Here she remained till the age of fourteen, when she unfortunately at- tracted the notice of Lord Tyrawley who accidentally met with her while upon a vLit. Young and inexperi- enced as she was, his Lordship soon persuaded her to elope from school, and to give up every hope from the protection of her kind patrone-s. Lord Tyrawley carried his fair prize to his own apartments in Somerset- house, where she was treated with the same respect as if she had been really Lady Tyrawley ; a name which he had frequently promi-.ed, before her elopement, to confer upon her, and he still continued to assure her that he would fulfil his engagement. She assumed his name, and lived with him for several months, till his lord- ship was ordered to join his regiment in Ireland, where, upon his arrival, he found his estates so involved by the management of his steward, that nothing could retrieve his affairs but an advantageous marriage. With this view he paid his addresses to Lady Mary Stewart, daughter of the Earl of Blessington, whose fortune was reputed to be 30,0001. and who, though not handsome, had a genteel per- son and most engaging disposition. During the courtship, the Earl of Eies- singtoa, BE BE smgton, having heard much of the connection between his intended son- in-law and MissSeal(then called Lady Tyrawley) wrote to the latter to de- sire information concerning the na- ture of that connection, at the same iime explaining the motives of his request. Thi» letter was received by Miss Seal, just after her recovery from her first lying-in of a son. In the violence of her resentment she en- closed Lord Blessington every letter she had received from her lover. Among these was one she had just received by the same post, and which she sei-.t unopened. In this letter, Lord Tyrawley, after explaining the .necessity of his marriage, added, that " he should stay no longer with his intended wife, than was necessary to receive her fortune, when he would immediately fly on the wings of love to share it with her ; that he had made choice of Lady Mary Stewart, who was both ugly and foolish, in preference to one with an equal for- tune, who was beautiful and sensible, lest an union with a more agreeable person might be the means of de- creasing hisaffection for her, &c. &c— Lord Blessington, highly irritated on the peru.-al of this letter, instantly for- bade his daughter ever to see or write again to her perfidious lover. But his injunction came too late ; they had been already privately married. .Lord Tyrawley, however, was disap- pointed of his expected fortune ; his mistress renounced her connection with hiin ; a separation from his lady endued ; and his lordship, the disap- pointed victim of his duplicity, was sent, at his own solicitation, in a pub- lic character to Lisbon. On her se- paration from Lord Tyrawley, Miss Seal embraced the theatrical profes- sion, and going over to Ireland, per- formed the first characters there, for several years, with some reputation. But a disagreement aiising between the proprietors of the theatre and herself, she, on a sudden, took the 'strange resolution of embarking for Portugal, in order to renew her inti- macy with Lord Tyrawley. Hi< lord- ship, who had previously sent her many pressing, but hitherto ineffectu- al imitations, had lately fuiborne them. He now received her with open arms ; but having recently formed a connection with a Portu- guese lady, a circumstance of which he did not care to inform Miss Seal, he placed the latter in the house of an English merchant. In this family she became acquainted with Capt. Bellamy, who having in vain solicited her to accent his hand, and sus- pecting that ner refusal was occa- sioned by a secret partiality for Lord Tyrawley, who likewise visited at the same house, informed her of his lord- ship's connection with Donna Anna. Rage accordingly supplied the place of affection ; she immediately mar- ried the captain, and set sail with him for Ireland. After the arrival of Capt. Bellamy and his new married lady at the place of their destination, our heroine was born, on St. Ceorge's Day, 1733, some months too soon for the captain to claim any degree of consanguinity to her. Her mother had so carefully concealed her preg- nancy and connection with Lord Tyrawley from her husband, that he had not entertained the least suspicion of her incontinence. Her birlh, how- ever, discovered the whole, and so exasperated was the captain at her duplicity that he immediately left the kingdom, and never after either saw or corresponded with her. Lord Ty- rawley though greatly displeased at Miss Seal's sudden departure from Lisbon, wrote to his adjutant in Ire- land, to request, if she proved preg- nant in time, to consider the child as his, and to take care of it as soon as born, without, if possible, suffering the mother to see it : for his lordship did not conceive her connection with Capt. Bellamy to be of an honourable nature. Accordingly, our apologist was put out to nu^e till she was two years old ; and,atthe age of four, was placed, for her education, at a con- vent at Boulogne, where she conti- nued till she was eleven. On being ordered home, a Mr. Du Vail, who had been a domestic of his lordship's, but now lived in St. James"s Street, was directed to meet her at Dover ; and with liim she resided till his lord- ship's return from Portugal, when he received her in the most parental manner, BE BE manner, and soon took her to a little box lie had hired in Bushy Park. Here she was introduced to all his visitors, who were chiefly the witty and the gay ; and who, the more ef- fectually to please Lord Tyrawley, were lavish in their praises of his daughter, and very early tainted her mind with the pernicious influence of flattery. His Lordship being soon after appointed Ambassador to Rus- sia, she was left under the care of a lady of quality, with an annual al- lowance of 1001. and under an ex- press injunction not to see hermother. The latter, however, who had mar- ried again, and whose husband, after «tripping her of every thing valuable, had deserted her, prevailed upon her daughter to quit her kind protectress, and live with her. In consequence of this, the ample allowance, which had been her mother's inducement to this imprudent step, was withdrawn, and Miss Bellamy was renounced by her father. Soon after, Mr. Rich, of Covent Garden Theatre, having by accident heard her repeat some pas- sages in Othello, engaged her as a performer. She had perfected her- self in the characters of Monimia and Athenais, and the former was fixed on for her first appearance. Mr. Quin, when she was introduced to htm, and who governed the theatre with a rod of iron, while Mr. Rich, though proprietor, was through his indolence a meer cypher, insisted on the impropriety of a child's attempting a character of such importance, and recommended to her to play Scrina instead of Monimia. Rich, however, persevered in bringing her forward in her chosen character. A rehear- sal was called, when the fair adven- turer was treated by the company with sovereign contempt. Mr.Q.uin, who was to play Chamont, was ab- sent, Mr. Hale mumbled over Castalio, and Mr. Ryan whistled Polydore ; but as she had the opportunity of seeing the piece performed at Drury Lane Theatre the night before her appear- ance, it gave her a sufficient know- ledge of the business of the play. Her performance met with universal ap- probation, and the congratulations of Q.uin, &c. while Rich expressed as much triumph as he usually did on the success of one of his darling pan- tomimes. Having thus happily com- menced her theatrical career, she had the good fortune to acquire the pa- tronage of the first ladies of distincti- on ; and, at the same time, had among the gentlemen, many professed ad- mirers, among whom was Lord By- ron ; but as she would listen to no- thing but marriage and a coach, his lordship chagrined at her rejecting his own terms, contrived a plan to be revenged; in consequence of which the Earl of , a friend of his lord- ship's, called, one Sunday evening, to inform her, that Miss B , an inti- mate of her's, was in a coach, at the bottom of Southampton Street, and wished to speak to her ; when, on going to the coach door, without hat or gloves, she was suddenly hoisted into it by his lordship, and carried off as fast as the horses could gallop. When a little recovered from her as- tonishment, which at first had depriv- ed her of utterance, she gave free vent to her reproaches. The coach soon stopt in a lonely place at the top of North Audley Street, fronting the fields ; Oxford Street, at that time, not extending so far as it does at pre- sent. Here the earl got out, and took her into his house. He then left her, as he said, to prepare a lodg- ing for her, which he had already seen at a mantua-maker's in Broad Street, Carnaby Market. He soon returned; and with him came the person she least expected to see— - her own brother. She instantly flew into his arms, but was repulsed so violently, that she fell to the ground. The shock of such a repulse from a brother, in the moment in which she hoped to find him her protector, de- prived her of her senses. On her return to sensibility, the only object that appeared, was an old female ser- vant, who told her that she had orders to convey her to the lodgings that had been prepared for her. From tliis old woman she learned, that her bro- ther had bestowed manual chastise- ment upon the earl ; but that, as he seemed to suppose that she had consented to the elopement, he had declared he would never see her move. BE BE more. The woman added, that he had threatened the earl and his as- sociate with a prosecution, which had so terrified her master, that he gave orders to have her removed out of the house as soon as possible, as her being found there might make against him. This elopement having been misrepresented in the news-papers, the wrote her mother a true account, in hopes to retrieve her favour ; but Mrs. Bellamy, at the instigation of a wicked female relation, who lived with her, returned her daughter's letter unopened. Thus abandoned by her mother, and too much depress- ed by public scandal to attempt a reinstatement in the theatrical line, the anguish of her mind brought on a fever, that had nearly proved fatal, but of which her youth and constitution at length got the better. On her recover)', she paid a visit to a female relation of her mother's, nam- ed Clarke, at Bramtree, in Essex, whose family being quakers. it was probable, had not heard of her dis- grace ; and here she met with a very cordial reception. The remains of recent il ness would have appear- ed a sufficient motive for this visit, had it not been supposed likewise, that she came to claim a legacy of 3001. that had been left to her by a sister of Mrs. Clarke's, on condition that she never went upon the stage, and which they paid her immediately, without enquiring whether she had forfeited it. The famous Zachary Moore, who from possessing an estate of ".5,0001. a year, was reduced, by his extravagance, at the age of forty, to the necessity of accepting an en- signcy in a regiment at Gibraltar, happened to be on a visit in that neighbourhood, and unfortunately discovered that this picture of sainted simplicity was no less a personage than Miss Bellamy, the celebrated actress. This discovery put a period to her sojourning withher Quaker re- lations. from Clarke-Hall she re- i 1 paired to Ingatestone, in order to visit || Si : ;s V\ hite. another quaker relation ; whose family happening then to be at the yearly meeting at London, she pr cure i admittance into the house of a Reman Catholic far.r.er, near the town, with whom she boarded for some time. Her account of her residence here, and of the unexpected sight of her mother, has the pleasing air of romance, with the interesting charms of truth. All the letters which she had sent to her mother had been unanswered ; for they had all been intercepted by the wicked relation before-mentioned; whose death pro- duced this discovery, and terminated in a reconciliation between Mrs. Bellamy and her daughter. On her return to town [1745] she was en- gaged by Mr. Sheiidan, to accompany him as a theatrical recruit to Ireland. On her arrival there, she was ac- knowledged by Mrs. O'Hara, Lord Tyrawley's sister, as her niece ; and she was introduced, in course, into the first circles in Dublin. Here she continued for two seasons ; and be- came acquainted with a Mr. Crump, on whose account, in the sequel, she suffered much persecution. On her return to England, she was again en- gaged at Covent Garden Theatre, and by the kind interposition of Mr. Quin, reconciled to Lord Tyrawley. This, in the sequel, terminated in an- other elopement from this theatre ; for his lordship being extremely ur- gent with her to marry Mr. Crump, she suffered herself one evening to be carried off from the theatre by Mr. Metham, while the audience were waiting for her appearance in the character of Lady Fanciful, in the fifth act of the Provoked Wife. — In this part of her narrative she relates i laughable incident, that happened at a rehearsal of Coriolanus, while it was preparing for the benefit of Thomson's sisters. Mr. Quin's pronunciation was of the old school. In this Mr. Garrick had made an alteration. The one pronounced the let'er ■: open ; the other sounded it like an e ; which occasioned the following hi icrous mi. take. In the piece", when the Roman Ladies come in procession to solicit Coriolanus to re- turn to Rome, they are attended by the tribunes. And the centurions of the Volscian army bearing /';.r-., their ensign>s of authority, they are or- dered by the hero (the part of which was plaved by Mr. Q.uin) to lower I) them BE B E them as a token of respect. But the men who personated the centurions, imagining, through Mr. duin's mode of pronunciation, that he said their faces, instead of their fasces, all bow- ed their heads together. ---Mr. Met- ham hired an elegant house for her at York, where in a few months she was delivered of a son. In the ensu- ing season she was again engaged at Covent Garden Theatre ; and soon after effected another reconciliation with LordTyrawley. By a deception of Mr. Lacy, she was engaged the season after at Drury Lane ; and, in a subsequent one, again at Covent Garden. Her connection with Mr. Metham did not prove permanent, through jealousy on his part, and resentment on hers. She vowed never to live with him again, either as mistress or wife ; and, though he would fain have purchased a recon- ciliation by making her the latter, she continued inflexible in her resolution. She determined, moreover, never to form a connection with any other man; but, through circumstances of persuasion and deception, was induced to listen to the proposals of Mr. Calcraft; though she declared him a man it was not in her power to love. With this gentleman she lived about nine years and a half; but a connection, in which, according to her own account, her extravagance was boundless, and his meanness in- supportable, could not be permanent. She next married, as she thought, Mr. Digge,-, the player, in Ireland. Her debts at this time amounted to 10.3001. about 6,0001. of which, she sai I, was expended in Mr. Calcraft's house-keeping. Here it will be suf- ficient to observe, without following our heroine through her excursions to the continent, and her subsequent engagements at the theatres, both in London and Dublin, that as Mr. Cal- craft refused to perform his promise of discharging her debts, they con- tinued ever after to involve her in in- extricable difficulties, and fienuent arrests ; till, at last, she was obliged to take lodgings under the name of West, at Walcut Place, Lambeth, and to be even tempted to put a period to her existence. A kind of fatality, indeed, seemed ever to pursue this lady ; for among other untoward cir- cumstances of tier life, it must not be forgotten, that a fortune of several thousand pounds was left to her by a Mr. Sykes, who died in Fiance ; but of which she was deprived by the villainy of his servant, who ab- sconded with his will and effects ; that having incurred the displeasure of Mr. Colman, by refusing (with some other performers) to sign an approbation of his conduct as acting manager of Covent Garden Theatre, during his dispute with Messrs. Har- ris and Rutherford, she was finally discharged from that theatre ; and that Mr. Woodward, the actor, hav- ing boarded some time with her, at Strand-on-the-Green, after the dis- sclution of her connection with Mr. Digges, (who, like Mr. Calcraft, it seems, was discovered to have a wife) he left her, in 1777, all his plate, jewels, and a reversion, on the death of his brother, of 700A the whole of which, except 59/. she lost through the chicanery of the law. She took her leave of the stage in 1784. The managers of Drury Lane having generously granted her a benefit, at the request of her friends — the play was Braganza ; and Mrs. Yates appeared, on the occasion, in the character of the Dutchess. She died February 16, 1788. BENSLF.Y, (Mr. factor, now retired, was an officer in the marines, previous to which, it is said, he at empted the stage. During his military life, he pet formed in private plays, which were got up by the officers for their own amusement. He served in North America, and on the conclu- sion of the peace, returned to Eng- land, and having been strongly re- commended to Mr. Gariick, procur- ed an Engagement. His lirst appear- ance at Drury Lane was in Pierre, (Venice Preserved) 1765; when he was supported by a large body of his brother officers. lie then engag- ed at Covent Garden, where, on the death of Messrs. Powell and Holland, he became a more conspi- cuous performer. Afterwards he re- turned to Drury Lane and retired from the stage in 1796. BENSON, B E BENSON, (Mr.) actor, and author ef two dramatic trifles, " Britain's Glory ; or, A Trip to Portsmouth," 1794; and " Love and Money; or, The Fair Caledonian," 1795, was in several provincial companies, where he was esteemed a hero, particularly at Windsor. Having married the sister of Mrs. S. Kemble, he procured an Engagement at Drury Lane, and a summer one at the Haymarket. He rendered himself exceedingly use- ful, by being a ready substitute in case of sudden indisposition, arid willing to undertake any character in comedy, tragedy, &c. Being afflicted with a brain fever, he threw himself out of a garret-window in Brydges Street, Covent Garden, where he lodged, about 3 o'clock in the morn- ing, May 20, 1796, and dadied his brains out. It is said, he first attempt- ed to get out of the two pair of stairs window. BENTLEY, (RICHARD), drama- tist, was the son of Dr. Bentley, a great critic. Heproduced a comedy, called ''The Wishes," 1761 ; and a tra- gedy, called " Philodamus," 1767. He died Oct. 23, 1782 : and an opera called " The Prophet," which he left in the hands of Mr. Harris, was actcdin 17SH. Thoughhis literary abi- lities were considerable, his dramatic writings were unsuccessful. BERNARD, (Mr.) actor, born in Portsmouth. His father was a Ger- man, and afterwards a lieutenant on board a man of war. The son was intended for the navy, but as the ser- vices of his father had been unre- warded, he was placed as a super- inlendant in a shop, and, therefore, resolved to so on board some vessel, either at Plymouth, or Bristol ; when meeting with a theatrical company, he accidentally became a performer under an assumed name. A favour- able repi rt of his talents procured him an engagement at Norwich, where he married Miss Roberts, the then heroine ofthecompany. He now gradually advanced in reputation and profit, and became proprietor and manager of the 1'iymouth The- atre. He made hi- first appearance at Covent Garden in Archer, (Beaux Stratagem), 1787. BE BERNARD, (Mrs.) maiden name Roberts, wife of the preceding. She accompanied her husband to Dublin, and performed at the Little Theatre, Capel Street, during the management of two unsuccessful adventurers, about the year 1780. She acquired considerable fame in Lucy, ( Beggars Opera). She sustained the station of heroine in several country com- panies, and succeeded Mrs. Siddons at the Bath Theatre. Her first ap- pearance at Covent Garden was the same night of her husband's, (Mrs. Sullen), though she was previously announced for Lady Randolph. BETTERTON, (THOMAS), dra- matist and actor, was born in Tot- hill Street, Westminster ; and, after having left school, is said to have been put an apprentice to a book- seller. It is supposed he made his first appearance on the stage about the year 1657, at the opera-hou^e, in Charter House Volume, under the direction of Sir William Davenant. He went over to Paris to take a view of the French scenery, and on his re- turn, made such improvements, as added greatly to the lustre of the English stage. About the beginning of the eighteenth century, (on which account we introduce his name in our volume), his patrons opened a subscription for building a theatre in the Haymarket, which was finished in 1706. Bctterton, however, being now upwards of seventy years of age, resigned the management of it to Sir John Vanhrugh and Mr. Con- greve. In the spring of 1709, a benefit, which was then an uncom- mon favour, was granted to him on account of his infirmities, and some embarrassments. The play was " Love for Love ;" he performed Valentine, and Mrs. Bracegirdle, and Mis. Barry, who were actresses of cele- brity, though they had retired from the stage, appeared.cn this occasion, in the characters of Angelica, and Frail. When the play was over, these two ladies led on Bctterton, and Mrs. Barry spoke an appiopriate address, written by Mr. Rowc. By this benefit he got 5001. and a pro- mise was given him that the favour should he annual!) repeated: but he D 2 only BE BI only lived to have one more; for being sorely afflicted with the gout, and having submitted to external applications, in order to enable him to appear occasionally on the stage, the distemper flew into his head, and he died April 28, 1710. He was interred in Westminster Abbey. He revised several pieces, which were publi.-hed with his alterations, and wrote a comedy called " The Woman made a Justice." BETTERTON, (THOMAS), actor, is said to be a native of Ireland, which stage he ha^ often visited. In 1793, he was with Mr. Daly, and conceiving that the manager's con- duct had been injurious to him, made a complaint to the audience on the stage. Mr. and Mrs Daly, after a temporary retirement, were to re-appear before the public the succeeding week, in Oakley and Mrs. Oakley, (jealous Wife). The manager, as is usual in those cases, was called upon for an explanation, an t Mr. Daly's vindication, was both accepted and approved of. He has been with his daughter at Bath ; and, previous to their Engage- ment at Covent Garden, at York, where Miss Betterton was introduced by a grand preparatory puff. The father's tirst appearance at Covent Garden was in Belcour, (West Indi- an', Oct. 21, 1797 The daughter's in Elwina, (Percy) Oct. 12. This lady was married in 1800, to Mr. Glover of Birmingham, and was ridiculously announced in the play- bills afterwards, " Late Miss Better- ton," vice Mrs. Glover. BEVERLEY, (Mr.) actor, is a na- tive of Hull, in Yorkshire, and has been in several country companies. He opened a theatre at Sheerness, in conjunctionwith Mr. Russet of Mar- gate, and late of Drury Lane ; but the scheme was unsuccessful. He mar- ried a sister of Miss Chapman, and, through her interest, procured an engagement at Covent Garden, where he appeared for the first time, Oct. I, 1800, in David, The Rivals'. BICKERSTAi'Fk, ISAAC), dra- matist, was a native of Ireland. He was an officer of marines, and a successful writer for the stage ; but was obliged to take refuge abroad ; leaving behind him a disgraceful name. His pieces are " Leucothee," dramatic Poem, 1756 ; " Thomas and Sally ; or, The Sailors Return," burletu, 1760; " Love in a Village," 1762 ; "The Maid of the Mill," 1765 ; " Daphne and Amintor," 1765, operas; " Plain Dealer." comedy, altered from Wicherly, 1765; " Love in the City," opera, 1767, reduced to an afterpiece ; called " The Romp," 1767 ; " Lionel and Clarissa," opera, 1768 ; " Royal Garland," interlude 1768, " Absent Man," farce, 1768; " Padlock," musical entertainment, which was falsely ascribed to Mr. Dibdin, 1768 ; " The Hypocrite," comedy, 1768; " Ephesian Matron," burletta, 1769 ; " Dr. Last in hh Chariot," comedy, 1769 ; " The Captive," opera, 1769 ; " Tis Well its no Worse," comedy, 1770 ; " The Recruiting Serjeant," burletta, 1770; ■' He would if he could ; or, An Oil Fool worse than any," burletta, 1771 ; and " The Sultan," 1787. BIGGS, (JAMES) actor, was born in Suffolk ; his father being a country manager he commenced performer when very young, and' his theatrical abilities recommended him to the Bath managers; he became a favour- ite there ; and was, consequently, engaged at Drury Lane, where he made his first appearance, Sept. 27, 1798, in Ralph (Maid of the Mill); but he did not live to exert his powers, unquestionably original, on London boards, for be died the same year, Dec. 9. BIGGS, (ANNE) actress, sister of the preceding, was born at Deben- ham in Suffolk, 1775 ; like her bro- ther she entered the theatrical list when very young. She performed at Bath and' Biistol in 1796, and at Birmingham, Plymouth, &c. Her first appearance at Drury Lane was in the " Irish Widow," 1797, where she continues to hold a re?.pectable situation. BILLINGTON, (Mrs.) actress and singer, maiden name Weichsell. Her father was a German musician, and her mother a celebrated singer at Vauxhall : the daughter's first in- troduction to the pubiic was at the Haymarket BL BL •Haymarket Theatre, in a concert, for ihe benetit of Mrs. Weichsell; after which, she officiated at many private and public concerts. About 178'2, she married Mr. Billing ton. and applied her mind to the stage. Accordingly she engaged with Mr. Daly, the Dublin manager, and her husband, likewise, for the orchestra. Herreceptionwas favourable, though she frequently performed to empty benches. She left Mr. Daly, and went to Capel Street Theatre ; but soon after, returned to Smock Alley. Her recommendations to Mr. Harris were so great, that she made her first appearance at Covent Garden, by command of their majesties, in Rosetta, (Love in a Village) Feb. 13, 1786, and, gradually, acquir- ed the reputation of a first rate singer. In 179 1, she made the tour of Italy, where she received the most distinguished honours. Before her departure, some needy scrib- bler gave the public her Life ; but, l.ke the " Memoirs of Mrs. Bad- deley," it was justly consigned to oblivion. The death of Mr. Billing- ton, took place during his wife's tour abroad, and she was said to be afterwards married to a Venician no- nobleman. She has, however, re- turned suddenly to London, and it is expected that she will shortly make her re-appcarance on the Eng- lish stage. B1KCH, (SAMUEL) dramatist, is a pa>try-cook in Cornhill, and deputy of Cornhill Ward. His dramatic works are " The Mariners. - ' acted 17*0; "The Packet Boat,' actedl794 ; "The Adopted Child," 1795; „ The Smugglers, 1796; " Fast Asleep," 1797; condemned, toivakeno more! These are all musical entertainments, and except the last, were produced on benefit nights. As the author generouslytakes a considerable num- ber of tickets on the occasion, he always fin Issome eminent performer ready and willing to accept his ser- vices. BLANCH ARD, (THOMAS) actor, being of theatrical parentage, was brought up to the stage from his in- fancy, and introduced to the public injuvenile characters. His manly re- presentations were at Plymouth, Ehc". ter, &c. and his abilities soon re- commended him to the Bath ma- nagers, where he became a favour- ite performer. He here married Miss Wright, formerly, of Drury Lane Theatre. In 1787, he accepted an engagement, which had been repeat- edly offered, at Covent Garden, and his first appearance on this stage was in Hodge, (Love in a Village) He acquired considerable fame; but an unfortunate attachment to the bottle, deprived him of this and other situ- ations, and he was, at length, oblig- ed to accept of an engagement at the Circus. Being invited to Edin- burgh, the manager Mr. S. Kemble, was determined to keep him, if pos- sible, sober, till the first night was over. He accordingly brought him home to dinner, and leaving a pro- per allowance of wine before him took his- usual nap ; but Tom, having' finished his pint of Port, made free with a bottle of brandy on the side- board. The manager awoke, found his guest insensible, and was obliged to dismiss anovertlowinghouse! This unfortunate, but excellent comedian, finished his davs in Dublin. BLANCHARD, (WILLIAM) ac- tor, is a native of York, born in 1769, where his uncle is an eminent printer, and proprietor of a news- paper, to whom the nephew was apprenticed. At the age of seven- teen, he left his uncle, and, under an assumed name, joined a company of comedians, when his success was so great, that he resumed hisown name, and became a theatrical hero. In 1793, he was engaged by the mana- ger of Norwich. His first appear- ance in London was at Covent Gar- den, Oct. 1, 1800, when he perform- ed in both play and farce— Acres, (Rivals), and Crack, (Turnpike Gate). He is a married man, with a family. BLAND, (Mr.) actor, brother to Mrs. Jordan, (which see) ; he was in St. Patrick's choir, Dublin, but left that kingdom on his sister's departure from the Irish stage. He became actor in the country, and made his first appearance at Drury I„ine, in Sebastian, (Twelfth Night), Feb. 10, 1790. BO BO 1790. He married Miss Romanzini, of the same theatre, and was a mem- ber of the Haymarket company. In consequence of a separation from his wife, he retired from the Lon- don boards, and, occasionally, per- forms at provincial theatres. BLAND, (Mrs.) maiden name Romanzini, actress, is daughter of a Jewess, and was articled to the Royal Circus, having, while young, discovered a fine voice. She, gradu- ally, acquired fame, and soon be- came the greatest favourite of the place. On the expiration of her articles, she aspired to a regular stage, and was engaged by the Dub- lin manager, where she was well received, though not always brought forward in those characters, which were most adapted to her abilities. She succeeded Mrs. Wrighten in Drury Lane, and soon became a favourite with the public. The suc- ceeding summer season, she was em- ployed at Liverpool ; but was after- wards engaged for that period by Mr. Colman. This lady, both as actress and singer, has given much pleasure ; but an unfortunate ma- lady, occasioned by the accidental Joss of a child, has lately deprived the public of her performances. BOADEN, (JAMES) dramatist, is a student in the temple, and was born in the West of England. He wrote " Osmyn and Daraxa," a musical entertainment, 1793; " Fon- tainville Forest," a tragedy, 1794 ; " The Secret Tribunal," a tragedy, 1795 ; " The Italian Monk," a mu- sical drama, 1797 ; " Cambro Bri- tons," a musical drama, 17b8 ; and " Aurelio and Miranda," drama, 1799. His Plays are generally found- ed onpopularromances. This gentle- man was the first who attacked the MSS. which were imposed upon the public as Shakespeare's, and in a spirited and well written pamphlet, 1796, anticipated the most consider- able remarks that were afterwards made by Mr. Malone, in a volumi- nous work on the same subject. BODENS, (CHARLES), author of a comedy, called " The Modish Couple," 1732 : which was reduced to an afterpiece, and acted for Mrs. Yates's benefit, 1760, under the tide of " Marriage Alamode." He had a commission in the foot guards, and, for many years, was one of the gentlemen ushers to George II. BOLOGNA, (Sen. and Jun.) actors of pantomime, to which the whole family have been brought up. Mr. Bologna, jun. is the chief support of the Circus, where he has long practised. He is at present, the motley hero of Covent Garden. BOND, (WILLIAM) altered and revised a play written by a gen- tleman deceased, called " The Tus- can Treaty ; or, Tarquin'a Overthrow," 1733. Mr. Hill gave him his tragedy of " Zara," which, having been of- fered to the managers of both the- atres, and delayed for two years, was acted at the Great-Room in York- buildings, for the benefit of Mr. Bond, who, himself, represented Lusignan ; but, being in a very weak state, he fainted on the stage, was carried home in his chair, and died next morning, 1735. BOOTH, (BARTON) actor, who chiefly excelled in tragedy, was born in the county palatine of Lancaster, 1681. He was put to Westminster- school at the age of nine years, where he soon discovered an excel- lent genius. His first theatrical at- tempt was in a Latin play at school, which gained him universal applause, and gave him an inclination for the stage. He was intended for the church ; but at the age of seventeen, when about to be sent to the Univer- sity, he eloped from school, and went over to Ireland with Mr. Ashbury, then master of the company at Dub- lin. Here he was soon distinguished by his theatrical abilities, and after a stay of three seasons, he returned to England, and was recommended to Mr. Betterton. Hisfirst character on the English stage was Maximus, in the tragedy of" Valintinian ;" in this and other parts he acquired considerable fame, which was afterwards stamped by his performance in the tragedy of " Cato," which was brought on the stage in 1712. Hisreputation procured him a share in the management of the theatre, and a new licence being procured, his name was added to those BR those of Cibber, Wilkes, and Dog- get ; but the last gentleman was so chagrined at the addition, that he threw up his share. He was now in the highest reputation as an actor ; but his health heginning to decline, though only in the thirty-third year of his age, he could not perform as often as usual, and, consequently, when he did, he drew crowded audiences. He died of a complication of distem- pers, May 10, 1733. BOOTH, (Mrs.) actress, has, for some time, filled the characters of trifling old women, at Drury Lane and the Haymarket. Her husband, who is a taylor, is employed at the former house. BOWDEN, (W.) actor, was bom in Manchester, where he was put an apprentice to a cotton manufactory. After he had served his apprentice- ship, he set up business for himself; but, not meeting with the expected success, ami having at an early age discovered an excellent voice and taste for music, agreeable to the ad- vice of his friends, he attempted the stage, and made his first appearance on London boards, having in 1787, procured an engagement for three years from Mr. Harris, who was then in want of a deep tenor singer. His voice goes down to U. and rises near- ly as far as E ; his tones are manly and natural. The character he chose for his (kbutv/dii Robinhood. BRACEG1RDLE, (Mrs.) actress, who had retiredfrom the stage about thirty years before Mr. Garrick's first appearance, and, at that time, was visited by many persons of condition and taste, from whom, she heard the most extravagant account of this young performer's merit. Colley Cibber, however, with whom she happened to have a conversation, after Garrick's performance of Bayes, (RehearsaO, spoke of him with af- fected derogation : saying, '• He was well enough, but nut superior to his son Theophilus," who had li.tle more to recommend him in the part, than pertness and vivacity ; but this lady, reproving his malignity, gene- rously, said, " Come, come, Cibber, tell me if there is not something like envy in your character of lliii young BR gentleman? The actor who pleases every body, mustbe a man of merit." The old man felt the force of this sen- sible rebuke : he took a pinch of snuff, and frankly replied, " Why, faith Bracey, I believe you are right — the young fellow is clever." This lady had acquired a handsome fcr- tune by her theatrical abilities. She died, Sept. 12, 1748. BRAHAM, (Mr.) See LEONI, BRAND, (HANNAH) wrote s tragedy, called " Huniades," and afterwards, " Agmunda," in which she played herself at Drury Lane, 1792. BRENT,( Miss) actress, was a scho- lar of Dr. Arne, and had been em- ployed in an oratorio, performed at Drury Lane, in the spring of 1762. Her voice had not then reached that full strength and melody, to which, by frequent practice, it afterwards attained : however, it was clear, pleasing, and harmonious, arid gave a very fair promise of rising to great perfection. Arne made a tender of her abilities to Mr. Garrick, at a very moderate income. A taste for music, or even a tolerable ear for a song, was not amongst Mr. Garrick's en- dowments ; and, notwithstanding he was strongly pressed by several of his friends to employ Miss Brent, he persisted in refusing. It was one of this manager's failings, to reject, fre- quently, propositions from others, though apparently for his advantage. He would always seem at least to be the first mover himself of every undertaking ; as if he thought listen- ing to the advice of his friends, im- plied a degradation of his under- standing. The ensuing winter, how- ever, he had full leisure to repent his obstinacy; for Mr. Reard made Miss Brent his most powerful engine to demolish the success and humble the pride of Drury Lane. Her Polly, and Beard's Captain Mac- heath, drew crowded houses for seve- ral nights. BKERETON, (WU.I.TAM) actor, was born in 1741, his father, Major lirereton, was a gentleman well known in Bath. At the age of seven- teen years, young Brereton made his first appearance on the stage at Drury Lane, in the character of Dou- glas BR BR gias, November 10, 1768. He was instructed by Mr. Garrick ; but con- tinued long in a state of mediocrity, till, fortunately, the exigency of the theatre threw on him the part of Jaffier to Mrs. Siddons's Belvidera. From this time he gradually arose In public favour. He vent to Dub- lin in 1785 : when a malady, not easily accounted for, impeded his theatrical performances, and de- prived him of his faculties. During his insanity, he was put under the care of a person at Hoxton, where, after about twelve months residence, he died, February 17, 1787, and was buried in Shoreditch Church- yard, in which a stone is erected to his memoir. BREVAL, (JOHN DURANT) dra- matist, was son of Francis Durant de Breval, D. D. prebendary of West- minster, and was educated at West- minster School, from whence he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was elected fellow about 1702. In consequence of a dispute be- tween him and Dr. Bentley, then master of that college, he either quitted or resigned his fellowship and went into the army, then in Flanders, as an ensign. He wrote the" Confederates," a farce, 1717; and " The Play is the Plot," comedy, 3718. He died in January, 1738-9. BREWER, (GEORGE) is a native of England, and author of a comedy, called "How to be Happy," 1794; and of a musical entertainment, called " Bannian Day," 1796. BRIDE, (Miss) actress, belonged to Drury Lane Theatre in Mr. Gar- rick's time, 1763, and held a respect- able situation. BRIDGES, (THOMAS) was born in Yorkshire, and produced an opera, called " Dido," 1771 ; and a musical entertainment, called " The Dutch- man," 1775. BROADHURST, (Miss) actress, was pupil of Mr. Percy; and not more than sixteen years old when she made her first theatric essay at Covent Garden, in Polly, (Beggar's Opeia), Jan. 15, 1791. Though full grown. she evinced that artless simpli- city which is the charm of youth ; possessing a good figuie, pleasing face, and a voice clear, sweet, and capable of great compass. BROOKE, (HENRY) dramatist, was born in Ireland. In 1738, his tragedy of " Gustavus Vasa," was rehearsed at Drury Lane, and the actors were all ready in their parts; when an order came from the lord chamberlain to prohibit it. Having publivhed it by subscription, he is said to have made by it 8001. In 1741, he produced a tragedy, called " The Earl of Westmorland ; or, Betrayer of his Country," which was first acted in Dublin with success. About 1746, his dramatic opera, called " Little John and the Giants," was played in Dublin one night, and prohibited. His other tragedies are " The Earl of Essex ," first acted in Dublin, 1761 ; " Anthony and Cleo- patra ;" " The Impostor ;" " Cym- beline ;" " Montezuma ;" and " The Vestal Virgin." His come- dies are " The Contending Bro- thers ;" " The Charitable Associa- tion ;" " The Female Officer;" and " The Marriage Contract ;'' all printed in his works, 4 vols, 1778. He died in November, 1783. BROOKE, (FRANCES) dramatist, maiden name Afontr, was the daugh- ter of a respectable clergyman. Her first production was a novel, " Ju- lia Mandeville," which recommend- ed her to the public. Her husband was chaplain to the garrison at due- bee ; and having accompanied him to Canada, she there formed her ad- mired novelof " Emily Montague." On her return to England, accident introduced her, and congenial senti- ments attached her to Mrs. Yates; in consequence of which connection, she became acquainted with Mr. Garrick. Her first dramatic per- formance was the tragedy of " Vir- ginia," 1756. Having some reasons to be dissatisfied with Mr. Garrick's behaviour as manager, she made " The Excursion," a novel, the vehicle by which she exhibited to the public her manifold complaints, again>t the king of Drury : but though her anger was just, the retribution was too severe, which she herself afterwards thought, for she la- mented and retracted it. Her tra- gedy BR BR Scdy of the " Siege of Sinope," writ- ten principally with a view of placing Mrs. Yates in a conspicuous charac- ter, was brought out by Mr. Harris, but was received with cold approba- tion Her next and most popular production was " Rosina," than which, few musical entertainments have been more successful ; but to the composer Mr. Shield, some share of the merit was due. In 1788, she brought out another musical enter- tainment, " Marian," of which, Mr. Shield may claim all the merit. She likewise translated several books from the French. This lady was esteemed by Dr. Johnson ; valued by Miss Sew- ard ; and her company courted by all the first characters. She died, five days after her husband, Jan. 26, 1789. BROOKS, (Mrs.) maiden name Watson, actress, her father lived in the county of Horfar, in North Bri- tain, and by his adherence to the Stuart family in 1715, forfeited his property. He afterwards married and settled in London in the mercan- tile line. He went on business to Jamaica in 1763, where he died, leav- ing a widow wiih six children, of whom, Mrs. Brooks is the joungest. Her mother gave her an education in a genteel school, and sent her to France to complete it. On her re- turn, she became tutoress in a Noble- roan's family, and at the age of eighteen, married Mr. Brooks, a pa- per-hanging manufacturer, who be- came a bankrupt through mis- fortunes, which induced her to at- tempt the stage. Her first appear- ance was at the Haymarket in 1786, in Lady Townley, and her reception insured her an engagement. She played then in Dublin with some applause, and afterwards went to Edinburgh and Glasgow, where she was the original representative of Varico. BROWN. (ANTHONY) was a member of the temple, and author of a damned tragedy, called " The Fatal Retirement," 1739. BROWN, (Mr.) actor, was much esteemed as a comedian. He was manager of die Dublin theatre, hav- ing succeded Mr. Sheridan in 1759, where he gave general satisfaction as a performer, particularly, in the Cop- per Captain. His memory was fre- quently treacherous ; but he had, on this occasion, a peculiar laugh which always put the audience into goodhumour, and gave himself suf- ficient time for recollection. There have been and are still several per- formers of this name. BROWN, (Mrs.) actress, made her first appearance at Covent Gar- den Theatre in Miss Prue, (Love for Love) 1785. Her husband was like- wise engaged; but seldom perform- ed characters of any consequence. The lady was a useful actress, and her daughter. Miss Anna Ross, pro- ducedan opera at anearlv age, called " The Cottagers," 1788.' BROWNE; (Dr. JOHN) author of two tragedies, " Barbarossa," 17:^5, and " Athelston," 1756 ; was born at Rothbury, in the county of Northum- berland. He was at die University of Cambridge, and after taking his de- gree of Batchelor of Arts, was or- dained by the Bishop of Carlisle. He remained in obscurity at Carlisle for several years, until the rebellion, 17 15, when he acted as a volunteer at die siege of the Castle, and be- haved with remarkable intrepidity. In 1749, he took the degree of M. A. Disappointments and vexation ren- dered him melancholy insane ; and, in his 51st year of his age, during an interval of deprivation of reason, he cut his throat, Sept. 23, 1766. BROWNE, (Mr.) actor, came, it is said, from America. He performed at Edinburgh, Dublin, Bath, &c. with much applause, and was en- gaged at the Haymarket Theatre in 1787, where he made lus first appear- ance in Hamlet. BRLNTON, (JOHN) actor, was the son of an eminent soap-maker ot Norwich, and was educated in a grammar school of that city, then under the care of the Rev. Mr. Wil- ton, prebendary of Bristol. At the expiration of the time allotted for his studies, he was bound appren- tice to a wholesale grocer at Nor- wich, with whom he served the usual term of seven years. He then mar- ried a Miss Friend, daughter of a E mercer BR BU mercer of that city. He went after- wards to London, and carried on business as a grocer and tea-dealer in Druiy Lane. During his resi- dence here, he became acquainted with Mr. J. Younger, then prompter of Covent Garden Theatre, who, from some specimen which his friend gave of his theatrical abilities, first en- couraged him to attempt the stage, and in the year 1774, prevailed upon him to appear for his benefit in the character of Cyrus. During this sea- son, also, he plaved Hamlet for the benefit of Mr. Kniveton. The en- couragement he received, induced him to retire from business, and en- gage himself at the Theatre Royal Norwich, where he was esteemed the best actor that had ever appear- ed on that stage. He then received an engagement from Bath, where he continued five years. He became afterwards manager of the Norwich theatre; and. havinga numerous fami- ly, seven children, applied the fruits of his industry to their education. BRUNTON, (Mi.) actor, and son of the preceding, was intended for the law ; but, tempted by the success of his father, at the eaily age of eighteen, without the approbation of his friends, he joined a company at Lincoln, on his return home, he assisted his father as leader of his band, for which he was well quali- fied. His inclination for the stage still increasing, he appeared, with the approbation of his friends, on the Norwich stage in 1799, and met with considerable applause. His first ap- pearance at Covent Garden was in Frederick, (Lovers' Vows) Sept. 22, 1890, after which, he performed Hamlet, Romeo, &c. but liis powers were not deemed adequate to those parts. BRUNTOV, (ELIZABETH) ac- tress, made her first appearance in London for her sister's benefit, in Miss Hoyden, (Man of duality), at Covent Garden about 1788. Her terrors for some time entirely de- prived her of utterance ; but, animated by the encouragement of the audience, she collected her spirits, and went through the part with very promising vivacity. Her sister (See Merry, Mrs.) introduced her with a very elegant poetical address, which she recited with af- fecting sensibility. BULLOCK, ( CHRISTOPHER ) dramatist and actor, and whose fa- ther was esteemed a good performer. He became joint manager with Mr. Keene, and another actor of the the- atre, in Lincoln's-inn Fields. He married in 1717, a natural daugh- ter of the famous actor Mr. Wilkes, by Mrs. Rogers, an actress, who was likewise bred up to the stage. His dramatic writings are " The Wo- man's Revenge," comedy, 1715 " The Slip," farce, 1715; " Adven turesof Half an Hour," farce, 1716 " The Cobler of Preston," farce, 1716 " The Perjuror," farce, 1717 ; Wo man's a Riddle," comedy, 1718 and " The Traitor," tragedy, 1718 He died in 1724. BURGESS, (Mrs.) is author of a comedy, called " The Oaks; or, Beauties of Canterbury," 1780, se- veral times acted in that city, where shekeepsashoj>in St. George's Street. BURGOYNE, (JOHN) dramatist, was a privy counsellor, lieutenant- general in the army, colonel of the 4th regiment of foot, and M. P. for Preston. In 1774, he conducted the Fete Champetre, given by the Earl of Derby at the Oaks, June 9, which furnished the idea of his dramatic entertainment of the " Maid of the Oaks." The scenery, which had been painted on purpose, cost 15001. The year following he wasordered on the service in America ; where, after various successes, he was cap- tured, together with his whole army. He returned from thence Dec. 11, 1776. His match with Lady Char- lotte Stanley having been an affair of love, contracted at Preston, when the general was a subaltern, was at first vehemently resented by the late Earl of Derby, her father, who vowed never to see him more. As time, however, unfolded the general's cha- racter, the earl became convinced that his daughter had married an ac- complished and benevolent gentle- man. Lady Charlotte had, according- ly, during his lordship's life, the same stipend as her sisters, (3001. pet- annum) BU annum), and, at his death, the same legacy, (25,0001.) Her ladyship died without issue, June 7, 1776. In 1779, our author resigned all his emoluments to the amount of 35001. a year. His death, which happened in London, Aug. 4, 1792, was occa- sioned by a sudden attack of the gout ; he had been out, apparently an good health, the day before. He died richer in e.teem than in money ; for in the saving or securing of that, he had no talents. Besides the above- mentioned drama, he produced an opera called " The Lord of the Manor," 1781. which is spoken of with contempt in the Kiographia Dramatica. though superior to the ge- nerality of optras. Also, "The Heiress, ' comedy, 1785, which met with much applause, though liable to much criticism, but the defects of BY the piece were concealed by the united merits of die performers; and " Richard Cocur de Lion," musical entertainment, I78f>: in this he was assisted by other authors. BURTON, (Mr.) actor, was son of an old performer at Drury Lane, who was greatly befriended by Mrs. Abington. He supported little comic part, at the Haymarket Theatre, and died a few seasons ago. BYRNE,(Mr.^ actor of pantomime, dancer, &c. has been a practiser from his infancy, and a visitor at many provincial theatres, particularly at Richmond, where he has generally presided as ballad-master, and has been a hornpipe-dancer occasionally between the acts. He is the present Harlequin of Drury Lane Theatre, where he has produced some ballads, " Acueon and Diana," &c. c. CAMPBELL, (Miss) actress, belong- ed to Mr. Stephen Kemble's company at Newcastle, and performed at Mar- gale, &.'c. This ladymadeher appear- ance at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Sept. 10, 1799, in Julia, (Surrender of Calais . She was much alarmed at first ; but the repeated approbation of the audience dissipated her fears. She appeared the preceding sea.-on at Drury Lane in Fanny, (Clandestine Maniage). CAMPBELL, (Mrs.) maiden name WaUis, actress till married, when .-he retired from the sta^e. she was born at Richmond, in Yorkshire, and performed on the stage, when a child, under Mr. Daly's management in Dublin. In these children's cha- racters she discovered uncommon merit, and for her father's benefit, announced in her name, she carica- tured the line Lady in '• Lethe." After thU six accompanied her father to different provincial theatres, where she soon improved, and fortunately met with trie kind patronage of a certain dignified character and his lady. At this time her mother died, and her father was left with eieht chil- dren, of whom, she was the eldest, when her generous patroness availed herself of this opportunity of extend- ing her liberality. Having now pro- cured an engagement at Bath, she became such a favourite there that she soon received an offer from Mr. Harris, to whom she had before ap- plied in vain. She, accordingly, en- gaged with the Covent Garden ma- nager at 181. per week for a stipu- lated time ; at the expiration of which, 1797, she left the stage. CAPELL, (EDWARD) commen- tator on Shakspeare, was a native of the county of Suffolk, and re- ceived his education at the school of St. Edmund's Bury. He was deputy inspector of the plays, for which he had a salary of '20X11. per annum. He brought out his Edition of Shaks- peare in 1768, ten volumes, small octavo, and, after his death, were published his " Notes," and various readings of Shakspeare. in 3 vols, Ho. 17s.;. He d.ed Jan. 24, 1781, and while he was 23 years engaged in collecting, collating, compiling and transcribing, his labours were anticipated by the more active E 2 critics, C A C A critics, Steevens, Malone, Farmer, &c. He altered the play of Antony and Cleopatra, as acted at Drury Lane, in 1751. CAREY, ( HENRY ) dramatist, was a musician by profession, having been first instructed by OlacisWestein- son Linnert, a German, afterwards by Roseingrave, and, lastly, by Geminiani. He taught at boarding schools, and in private families. He distinguished himself by the compo- sition of songs, being the author of both words and music ; and was a fortunate writer and composer for the stage ; his dramatic pieces, though trifling, being humourous burlesques on tragedies, Italian operas, &c. — viz : " Hanging and Marriage; or, Dead Mens Wedding," farce, 1715 ; " The Contrivances," farce, with songs, 1715 ; " Amelia," opera, 1732 ; " Teraminta," opera, 1732 ; " Chrononholonthologos," mock tragedy, 1734 ; " Honest York- shiremen," farce, 1736 ; " Dragon of Wantley," ballad opera, 1737 ; " Margery; or, A Worse Plague than the Dragon," ballad opera, 1738 ; " Betty ; or, The Country Bump- kins," ballad farce, 1738 ; and " Nancy; or, The Parting Lovers," musical interlude, 1739. He was re- markable for his low humour, which gained him the title of the facetious Carey. In a fit of despair, occasioned, it is thought, by pecuniary embar- rassments, he put a period to his existence, by means of a halter, Oct. 4, 1755, at his house in Warner Street, Cold-hath Fields. His charac- ter was irreproachable— his humour inoffensive, and his writings void of indecency. CAREY, (GEORGE SAVILLE) dramatist, son of the preceding, was an actor for about one season at Covent Garden Theatre ; but made no figure as a player, though his powers of imitation are reckoned considerable. He was bred a prin- ter, but declined business ; and hav- ing written a lecture on " Mimicry" visited all the chief country towns where he has delivered it with some success and profit. His dramatic works are " The lnoculator," petit c ledy, 1766 ; " The Cottagers," opera, 1766 ; " Liberty Chastised 5 or, Patriotism in Chains," burlesque, 1768 ; " shakspeare's Jubilee," masque, 1769; " Three Old Women Weatherwise," interlude. 1770; " The Magic Girdle," burletta, 1770 ; " The Nut-Brown Maid," opera, 1770 ; " The Dupes of Fancy ; or, Every Man his Hobby," musical en- tertainment, acted for a benefit at Drury Lane, 1792. Several songs which he has written have been falsely ascribed to Mr. Dibdin, of whom, as a writer, he speaks con- temptuously ; though, it must be ac- knowledged, Mr. Dibdin, both as dramatist and actor, has been more successful. He expected a pension on his father's account, who, it is said, was the author of the popular song of " God Save the King ;" but, notwithstanding, his own and his fa- ther's merit, his hopes were disap- pointed. He was twice married and is now a widower. CARGILL, (Mrs.) maiden name Brown, actress, was eminent in the vocal line. She made her first ap- pearance at the Theatre Royal, Co- vent Garden, and was afterwards engaged at Colman's Theatre. In 1782, she went to India , and was remarkably successful in her theatri- cal excursion. She played all her favourite opera characters at im- mense prices, and likewise attempt- ed tragedy with considerable ap- plause. Her benefit at Bengal a- mounted to the astonishing sum of 12,000 rupees. On her return home, (1784) she was unfortunately lo.st with several other passengers on board the Nancy, East-Inx>\ was the young- est daughter of Colley Cibber, who was put to school at eight years old, and had an education more suitable to a boy than a girl. As ihe grew up she accordingly delighted in mascu- line amusements, shooting, hunting, riding, Arc. Her actions were not only mischievous, but frequently at- tended with danger: this wildness, however, was put some check to by her marriage, when very young, wiih Mr. Richard Charke an eminent performer on the violin ; but a dis- agreement between the parties after- wards occasioned a separation. Here- upon she applied herself to the stage, but as much from inclination as ne- cessity. Her first character was Mademoiselle CH CH Mademoiselle in the " Provoked Wife'', and from this she rose to Alicia in " Jane Shore" and Andro- mache in the " Distrest Wife ;•' in all which she met with a favourable re- ception. She was then engaged on a good salary at the Haymarket, and after that at Drury Lane. She now enjoyed a comfortable situation, and was likely to have made no inglorious figure in theatric life, had not that ungovernable impetuosity of temper, which ran through all her actions, in- duced her to quarrel with Fleetwood, the then manager, whom she not only left on a sudden without any previous notice, but even vented her spleen against him in public, by a little dramatic farce, called " The Art of Management ;" and though Fleetwood not only forgave that in- jury and restored hertoherformersla- tion, yet, by her own account, she un- gratefully left him a second time, without any blame on his part. She then " like a poor stroller fretted her hours," enduring all the distresses of a wandering actress, and returned to London in 1755, when she published a Narrative of her Life, in which she says, that when she had thrown herself out of employment, she set up as grocer and oilwoman in Long Acre ; but was robbed and cheated by sharpers. She then opened a puppet-shew, which failed. Soon after the death of Mr. Charke, she was arrested for a small sum, and procured her discharge by a subscrip- tion among the ladies who kept cof- fee-houses in and about Covent Gar- den. Disguising her sex, she then became a performer among the low- est of actors, and afterwards engag- ed with a noble gentleman as valet- de-chambre. She also made and sold sausages for tho support of herself and child, and this failing, became a waiter at the King's Head Tavern in Marybone. In short, she filled a variety of characters, and died April 6, 1760. CHATTERTON, (THOMAS) au- thor of " The Tournament," " JtLWa.," interludes; " Goddwyn," a play unfinished; and Poems supposed to have been written by Thomas Row- ley in the Fifteenth Century, was born at Bristol, Nov. 20, 1752, and edu- cated at a charity school on St. Au- gustine's Back, where he was only taught reading, writing, and ac- counts. At fourteen years of age, he was articled clerk to an attorney at Bristol, with whom he continued about three years. This young man, notwithstanding his education was thus confined, soon discovered an extraordinary genius. He left Bris- tol in 1770, disgusted with his pro- fession, and came to London in hopes of deriving subsistence from his pen. He wrote for several peri- odical publications, and produced " The Revenge," a burletta, for Marybone Gardens ; but, notwith- standing his wonderful exertions of genius, he was soon reduced to ex- treme indigence ; and urged by fre- quent disappointments, terminated his life with poison, Aug. 1770, aged not quite 18. He left another play unfinished, called "The Dowager." The works, passed for Rowley's, have been tbe subject of much controver- sy ; but it is the general opinion that Chatterton was the real author. However, he conducted the business with so much ingenuity, that he put it in no one's power to bear certain testimony either of his fraud or veracity. CHERRY, (Mr.) actor, is a favour- ite comedian in Dublin, Manchester, Bath, &c. where he is known by the familiar appellation of little Cherry. In 1798, lie played Drugget with Lewis's Sir Charles Racket, at the Theatre Royal, Manchester; when, in the quarrelling scene, Cherry observ- ed—" Egad, he looks as if he was going to eat me."—" Eat you ! (repli- ed Lewis,) yes— damme, I would not make two bites of a Cherry.'''' He is said to be the author of an opera, called " The Outcasts; or, Poor Bess and Little Dick," which is occasionally performed on his benefit nights. CHETWOOD, (WILLIAM RU- FUS) prompter upwards of twenty years to Drury Lane Theatre ; and for some time kept a bookseller's shop in Covent Garden. Though no actor himself, yet, from being so conversant with the stage, he was ac- counted CI CI counted a good theatrical instructor ; bv hiin the celebrated Mr. Barry was tutored, and likewise Mrs. Fitz- henry, afterwards a favourite act- ress in Dublin. By his first wife he had a daughter, who was educated for the stage. His second wife was a grand-daughter of Mr. Colley Cib- ber. In 1760. he was a prisoner for debt in Dublin, when a play was acted for his benefit, and, in an occa- sional address, it was mentioned, lhat his old pupil, Barry, had refused him his assistance. His death is sup- Eosed to have taken place soon after. [e wrote " The Stock Jobbers," a comedy, 1720 ; " South Sea," a farce, 1720 ; " The Lover's Opera," 1729 ; and the " Generous Freema- son," burlesque opera, 1731. His " History of the Stage," has been justly censured for falsities. CIBBF.R, (COU.EY) dramatistand actor, was born in London ; his fa- ther was a native of Holstein, who came to England to follow his pro- fession, which was that of a statuary ; and his mother was the daughter of William Colley, Esq. of an ancient family of Gluston.in Rutland. At eleven years of age, he was sent to the free school of Grantham, in Lincolnshire, where he remained five years. He was intended for the church; but instead of going to an university, he was obliged to take up arms in favour of the Prince of Orange, during the revolution, in J687. Soon after this he went on the stage, for which, he had con- ceived an early inclination ; but did not meet with much encourage- ment at first, his salary being only 10s. a week. Goodman, an old cele- brated actor, having seen him play the Chaplain, in the " Orphan," de- clared, with an oath, that he would one day make a good actor ; which commendation filled Colley with no little exultation. His salary was now augmented to lis. In consequence of the indisposition of Kyneston,who was to have played Lord Touch- wood, (Double Dealer), he under- took that character at a day's notice, and performed it so well before Queen Mary, that he was highly eoin- pLmented by Mr. Congreve, the au- thor ; and his salary was increased to 20s. He next distinguished him- self in Fondiewife (The Old Bache- lor), afterwards in Sir Novelty Fashion, in his own and first play " I ove-s Last Shift." 1695. His per- formance of the Fop was so great, that he was never thought to have his equal in those characters. " The Careless Husband," is reckoned the best comedy he ever produced; in which he perfotmed Lord Fopping- ton, and Mrs. Oldfield, Lady Betty Modish, 1704. By his play of " The Nonjuror," 1717, he incurred the resentment of the enemies of govern- ment ; but was inconsequence there- of made poet laweat, in 1730 ; at which time he quitted the stage, though he occasionally appeared on it afterwards. In tragedy-writing he was unsuccessful, but his comedies, though chiefly borrowed from others, were in general well received. He collected and published his plays in two volumes 4to. His Muse and his Spouse, as he says himself, were equally prolific; for the one was sel- dom the mother of a child, but, in the same year, the other made him the father of a play. His chief enemy was Mr. Pope, who made him the hero of his " Dunciad ;" but Colley bore all his invectives with good humour, and was frequently reveng- ed on this sublime poet by his sallies of mirth, especially as Pope's dispo- sition was ill calculated to bear his jokes: but Cibber like the generality of successful dramatists, who are chiefly endebted to managerial power for their fame, was jealous of all rival authors— he never encou- raged young writers: for it was his delight, according to his own phrase " to crush those singing birds." It seems the first offence which Mr. Cibber gave Mr. Pope, was his in- troducing in the»character of Bays, "I he Rehearsal), an extemporary al- lusion to an unsuccessful piece, called " Three Hours after Mar- riage, ' in which Mr. Pope had assist- ed Dr. Arburthnot, and Mr. Gay. 'I he audience, by a roar of applause, approve I of Gibber's wit, which was resented by Mr. Pope behind the scenes. Thjscelebtatcd Poet, having F ia CI CI in his " Dunciad," attacked Cibber for libertinism, the actor retaliated, and did not a little chagri#i his satirist, by declaring that to him the public were chiefly indebted for Mr. Pope's elegant translation of Homer, which he proved by the following story : " As Mr. ' Pope has so particularly picked me out of the number of sinners to make an example of; why may I not take the same liberty, and even single him out for another, to keep me in countenance? he must excuse me then, if, in what I am going to relate, 1 am induced to make bold with a little private conversation : but as he has shewn no mercy to Coltey, why should so unprovoked an aggressor expect any for himself; and if truth hurts him, 1 cannot help it. He may remem- ber then (or if he will not, 1 will) when Button's Coffee-house was in vogue, and so long ago as when he had not translated above two or three book-i of Homer ; there was a late young nobleman (as much his Lord as mine) who had a good deal of wicked humour; and who, though he was fond of having wits in his company, was not so restrained by his conscience, but that he ioved to laugh at any merry mischief he could do them This noble wag, 1 say, in his usual gayete de Cteur, with another gentleman still in being, one evening slily seduced the cele- brated Mr. Pope as a Wit, and my- self as a laugher, to a certain house of carnal recreation, near the Hay- market ; where his lordship's fro- lick proposed was, to slip his Utile. Homer; as he called him, at a girl of the game, that he might see what sort of figure a man of his size, so- briety, and vigour (in verse) would make, when the frail fit of love had got into him ; in which he so far succeeded, that the smirking dam- sel, who served us with tea, hap- pened to have charms sufficient to tempt the little-tiny manhood of Mr. Pope into the next room with her : at which, you may imagine, his lord-hip was in as much joy, at what might happen within, as our small triend could probably be in posses- sion of it: but I (forgive me all ye mortified mortals whom tys fell satyr has since fallen upon) observing he had staid as long as without hazard of his health he might, I, " pricked to it by foolish honesty and love," as Shakspeare says, without cere- mony, threw open the door upon him, where 1 found this little hasty hero, like a terrible torn tit, pertly perching upon the mount of love ! But such was my surprize, that I fairly laid hold of his heels, and actually drew him down safe and sound from his danger. My Lord, who staid tittering without, in hopes the sweet mischief he came for would have been completed, upon my giving an account of the action within, began to curse, and call me an hundred silly puppies, for my im- pertinently spoiling the sport; to which, with great gravity, 1 replied ; Pray, my Lord, consider what 1 have done was in regard to the honour of our nation! for would you have had so glorious a work as that of making Homer speak elegant English cut short, by laying up our little gentle- man of a malady, of which his thin body might never have been cured ? no, my Lord! Homer would have been too serious a sacrifice to our evening's merriment. Now as his Homer has since been so happily completed, who can say that the world may not have been obliged to the kindly care of Colley that so great a work ever came to perfec- tion ; "This ludicrous story occasioned several whimsical pamphlets, in which the actor and poet had each their advocates, The chief of these were " A Letter to Mr. Cibber on his Letter to Mr Pope," " Homer Preserved , by Colleys Brazen Face ; or, The Twickenham Squire laid by the Heels,"" A Blast upon Bays ; or, A New Lick at the Laureat," " Blast upon Blast ; or, A New Lesson for Mr. P." " The Cudgel; or, A Crab- Tree Lecture to the Author of the Dunciad," two or three and twenty, and Mrs. Cibber's opinion was asked about i:. She was then reading her part with her spectacles on her nose, and after a little deliberation said,she liked the character better as it was. ,r.\ i de- sired it might remain a- ;: She was at this time mere than titty F2 >ears CL CL years old ; but the uncommon sym- metry and exact proportion in her form, enabled her to represent the part with all the juvenile appearance of the age marked by the author. She died Jan. 30, 1766, and was buried in the cloysters of Westmin- ster Abbey, having one '•hild by the gentleman with whom she cohabited. Mr. Garrick, when the news of her death was brought, thus pronounced her eulogium.- " Then tragedy has expired with her, and yet she was the greatest female plague belonging to my house. I could verily parry the artless thrusts, and despise the coarse language of some of my other heroines ; but whatever was Gibber's object, a new part, or a new dress, she was always sure to carry her point by the acuteness of her inven- tion and the steadiness of her perse- verance." She produced a piece of one act, taken from the French, cal- led " The Oracle," 1752. CLENDIN1NG, (Mrs.) maiden name Arnold, actress, was born in Wiltshire. Her father was bred in the choir at Salisbury, and being much approved of as a singer, was in- vited to a situation in the cathedral of Dublin ; but in less than two years after he went over there, with his family, he died, at the early age of '20. The daughter, thus deprived of an indulgent parent, was induced to try her vocal abilities at the Rotunda, ■where she met with unexpected en- couragement. She then married Mr. Clendining, a surgeon, who took her from her public situation. For about six years she applied herself to her domestic duties, when, urged by the embarrassments of her husband, she resolved again to court the favour of the public, and with this inten- tion came over to London. Mrs. Billington, with whom she had been previously acquainted with in Dublin, gave her a kind invitation to her house, and used every means to pro- cure her an engagement ; but her application to Drury Lane managers were slighted, her services at Co- vent Garden were not required, nor was there even a vacancy for her at Vauxhall! By the advice of her friends she went to Bath, when Rauz- zini, to whom she was introduced by Mr. Ashe, took her immediately un- der his tuition. Her first appear- ance at Bath was in a concert for the - benefit of Mr. Ashe, where she met with so much applause, that the gen- tlemen of the catch-club engaged her for their concerts, and she continued to sing at them for the remainder of the season. Here she became such a favourite, that, though the season at Bath was now nearly expired, a con- cert for her benefit was proposed, which was so productive, that she was enabled to relieve the necessities of her family by a timely remittance. On her return to London, she was introduced to Mr. Harris, who not only engaged her for three years, but dissipated die natural fears of a young beginner, with generous encourage- ment. Her first appearance at Co- vent Garden, being also her first ott the stage, was in Clara, (Hertford Bridge 1 , November 3, 1792, when she met with unanimous approbation. Her husband died in 1793, and she died lately in great distress. CLINCH, (LAURENCE) actor, is a native of Dublin. During Mr. Garrick's management he received an engagement at Drury Lane The- atre, where he made his appearance in Alexander the Great ; Garnck, repenting of the engagement, of- fered him some money to be off, which the other declined ; and, con- sequently, the managergave him cha- racters which were disagreeable. He then went to Covent Garden, where his performance of Sir Lucir.s O'Trigger, (The Rivals), so pleas- ed the author, that he gave him a rarce for his benefit, " St. Patrick's Day; or, The Scheming Lieutenant." He then returned to Dublin, and be- came the hero of the In h stage. Having married a lady by whom he was rendered mdependant, he per- formed when and on what terms he pleased ; and about 1780, disapprov- ing of Mr. Daly's conduct, the then manager of Dublin, he declined playing a number of nights for which he had agreed. The manager took his usual method of complaint in the news-papers ; but Mr. Clinch, dis- daining a literary controversy with him, CL him, never condescended to answer one of his repeated advertisements ; which, perhaps, was more mortifica- tion to him than the greatest abuse he could have bestowed. With his wife, however, his fortune died, and he was i f course obliged to be more submissive to the manager's controul. He peforms in both tragedy and comedy. CLIVE, (CATHERINE) maiden name Raftor, actress, born in 1711. Her father was a native of Kilkenny, and her mother tlie daughter of an eminent citizen on Fish Street Hill. Having been acquainted with a lady who was married to Theophilus Cib- ber, and by them encouraged to at- tempt the stage r she was recommend- ed by Theophilus to his father, Cclley Cibber, who, when he heard her sing, engaged her at 20s. a week. Her first appearance was at Drury Lane Theatie, in Isinenes, a page, (Mithridates), in 1728; afterwards she performed comic characters, and with so much success that her salary soon increased with her fame. In 1732, she was married to George Clive, a gentleman of the law, and brother to Baron Ciive ; but the parties were not long happy, as a se- paration soon followed. She re- mained for some time at Drury Lane, still increasing in reputation ; having behaved with laudable fidelity to her employer by refusing to join the mal- contents, who then, with young Cib- ber at their head, revolted from the aciing manager, and set up fur them- selves in opposition to him at the Hayrnarket. In the summer of 1741, she performed at the Dublin Theatre. Jn 1743, she removed to Covent Gar- den, which she left the next year, in consequence of the manager's ill- treatment, of which she published a complaint: but it appears that they were soon reconciled, as .'-he shortly after appeared again at this theatre'; however, the next >ear (1745), she returned to Drury Lane. In 1750, she produced a farce for her own benefit, called ''The Rehearsal; or. Ba\s in Petticoats,'' which w.is re- peated twice on ihe same occasion. In 17<0, she produced another farce, called " Every Woman in her Hu- CO mour ;" and in 1763, another, called " A Sketch of Fine Lady's Rout,'' April 24, 1769, " The Wonder," and " Lethe," were performed for her benefit, on which evening she retired from the stage, and passed the re- mainder of her life in ease and in- dependance; respected by the world, and beloved by a circle of friends. In 1784, she visited the theatre to see the performance of Mrs. Siddons, and being asked her opinion of this iady, answered very forcibly, but with a rusticity not unusual to her, " That it was all truth and daylight." Mr. Garrick, it is said, dreaded an altercation with tilts actress, as much as a quarrel with an author whose play he had rejected : whenever he had a difference with Mrs. Clive, he was happy to make a drawn battle of it. This celebrated actress died Dec. 6, 1785. COATS, (Mrs.) actress, was the heroine, of the Dublin theatre, and made her first appearance at Covent Garden, in Clarinda, (Suspicious Hus- band), Sep. 20, 1797, when she was well received. COBB, (JAMES) dramatist, was born in 1756, and was elected into the secretary office, in the India House, in 1771. At the age of eigh- teen he wrote a prologue, which was spoken by Miss Pope ; and, by this lady's interest, procured an introduc- tion to the theatre. His dramatic works are " The Elders," 1780; "The Conn act," 1779; afterwards, called " The Female Captain," 1780 ; " The Wedding Night," 1780; " Who'd have Thought it.'" 1781; "Kensing- ton Gardens ; or, The Walking Jockey," 1781; " The Humourist," 1785 ; these are farces and interludes. ■' The Strangers at Home," comic opera, 1785 ; " The First Floor." farce, 1787 ; " Love in the East; or, Adventures of Twelve Hour.,"c mic opera, 1788; ''The Doctor and Apo- thecary,'' musical farce, 179.'; "The Haunted Tower," comic opera, 1789 ; " The Siege of Belgrade," opera, 1791; " Poor Old Drury," occasional prelude, 1791 ; " The Algerine Slaves," altered from the " strangers Jt Home," musical enter- tainment, 1792; " The Pirates," comic; CO CO comic opera, 1792 ; "The Cherokee," opera, 1794 ; " The Shepherdess of Cheapside," musical entertainment, condemned, 1796; " Albert and Adelaid ; or, Victim of Constancy," romance, 1798 ; " Ramah Droog ; or, Wine does Wonders," comic opera 1798 ; and " Paul and Virginia," musical entertainment, i799. There are but five of these pieces pub- lished. COCKBURN,(Mrs. CATHERINE) maiden name Trotter, dramatist in the beginning of the century, having ■written four tragedies " Agnes de Castro," " Fatal Friendship," " The Unhappy Penitent," and " The Re- volution of Sweden ;" also a comedy called " Love at a Loss; or, Most Votes carry it," 1701. She was born in London, Aug. 16, 1679. Her father was a native of Scotland, and a commander in the royal navy, in the reign of Charles II. Her mother, whose maiden name was Balle- den, was nearly related to the noble lord of that name, and to the illus- trious families of Maitland Duke of Lauderdale, and Drummond Earl of Perth. She had the misfortune to lose her father when very young, an event which also reduced her mother to narrow circumstances. She gave early evidences of genius, and was yet in her childhood, when she sur- prised a company of her relations and fiiends wiih some extemporary verses on an incident that excited her attention. By her own application, without any instructor, she learned to write, and also made herself mis- tress of the French language. But she had some assistance in the study of the Latin Grammar and Logic ; and of the latter she drew up an abstract for her own use. She was educated in the protesiant religion, but having an early intimacy with several Roman Catholic families of distinction, she was led, when very young, to form strong prejudices in favour of Popery. She had some conference, on the subjects in dis- pute between the protestants and the Papists,with several learned mem- bers of the church of England; but they were unsuccessful in their at- tempts to convince her of the errors of popery. She embraced the Roman catholic religion, and continued in it for some years. When she was only fourteen years of age, she wrote some verses, and sent them to Mr. Bevil Higgons, on his recovery from the small pox. She was only in her 17th year, when she produced a tragedy, entitled " Agnes de Castro," which was acted with applause. She addressed some verses to Mr. Con- greve on his " Mourning Bride," which gave rise to an acquaintance between her and that celebrated writer. Her tragedy, entitled " Fa- tal Friendship," was performed at the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, with great applause. Several com- plimentary verses were sent to her on producing this tragedy, and prefixed to it when printed ; and Mr. George Farquhar was so much pleased with it, that he sent her his first comedy, called, " Love and a Bottle," with a complimentary letter. On the death of Mr. Dryden, in 1701, our poetess joined with several other ladies, in paying a just tribute to his memory. Their performances were published toge- ther in that year, under the title of, "The nine Muses; or, Poems writ- ten by so many ladies, upon the death of the late famous John Dryden, Esq.'' The same year she also brought up- on the stage her comedy, " Love at a Loss; or. Most Votes carry it." It was acted at the Theatre Royal, and published, with a dedication to lady Piers, wife of Sir George Piers, an officer of considerable rank under the Duke of Marlborough. That lady, who had a literary taste, and was par- ticularly fond of poetry, had contract- ed a great friendship for Mr-. Cock- burn. But this comedy, on account of her absence from London while it was in the press, was so incorrectly printed, that she would gladly have suppressed the edition, if it had been easily practicable ; and many years after she revised the piece, and made great alterations in it, having some thoughts of bringing it again on the stage, under the title of " The honourable Deceivers ; or. Ail right at the Last." But this design was never effected. In 1701, " The Un- happy CO CO happy Penitent," was performed at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. It was printed, with a dedication to Lord Halifax, in which she expressed her doubt-., whether love was a pro- per subject for tragedy ; as it appear- ed to her not to be a passion suffi- ciently noble or sublime for that species of writing. To this tragedy some complimentary verses were prefixed, written by her friend lady Piers. In 1706, her tragedy called '• lhe Revolution of Sweden," was acted at the Queen's 1 heatre in the llaymarket. The play is founded upon the revolution in Sweden un- der Gustavus F.nckson. She had now for some time begun to enter- tain doubts concerning the Romish religion ; which led her into a thorough examination of the grounds of it, by consulting the best books on both sides of the <,uestion, and con- versing with persons of the best judgment, both papists and protest- ants, among-t her acquaintance. The result of her enquiries was, a full conviction of the falseness of the pretensions of the Romish church, and a return to the communion of the church of Lngland. This im- portant change in her sentiments took place in 1707 ; and she continu- ed a firm protestant during the re- mainder of her life. A considerable part of the summer of the year 1707, was spent by Miss Trotter at Ockham- Mills, near Ripley, in the county of Surry. During her retirement there, Mr. Fenn, a young clergyman of an excellent character, who was acci- dentally in the neighbourhood on a visit to his relations, received such impressions from her company and conversation, as inspired him with a passion for her, which he soon after discovered to her by a letter. But she had previously engaged in a friend-hip, and correspondence by- letters, with Mr. Cockburn ; and their friendship terminated in a mar- riage, in the year 170S. Mr. Cock- burn had taken orders in the church of Finland but a short time bef( re his marriage ; ancisoon after that event, he had the donative of Nayland in Suffolk. Hi- immediately repaired lliither, but Mrs. Cockburn continued for some time in London. They were afterwards settled at Nayland ; but did not long continue at that place, Mr. Cockburn removing thence to be curate of St. Dunstan's church in Fleet Street. In this situ- ation he remained till the accession of King George the First, when enter- taining some doubts about taking the oath of abjuration, though he always prayed for the king and royal family by name, he was obliged to quit his curacy; and for the ten or twelve following years, he was reduced to great difficulties in procuring sub- sistence for his family. During that period, he was employed in instruct- ing the youth of an academy, in Chancery Lane, in the Latin tongue. But in 1726, by consulting the Lord- Chancellor King, and his own father, upon the meaning and intent of the oath of abjuration, and by reading some papers which were put into his hands upon the subject, he was at length reconciled to taking it. In consequence of this, being the follow- ing year invited to be minister of the episcopal congregation at Aberdeen in Scotland, he qualified himself con- formably to the law ; and on the day of King George the Second's acces- sion, he preached there a sermon on the duty and benefit of praying for the government. Soon after his set- tlementat Aberdeen, the Lord-Chan- cellor King presented him to the living of Long Ilorsely, near Mor- peth, in Northumberland, in order to enable him the better to support and educate his family. With this view, he was permitted to continue to discharge the duties of hit func- tion at Aberdeen, till the negligence and ill-behaviour of the curates, whom he employed at Long Ilorse- ly, occasioned Dr. Chandler, Bishop of Durham, to call him to residence on that living, in 1737 ; which obliged him lo quit his station at Aberdeen, whereby his income was consider- ably lessened. Mrs. Cockburn, after her marriage, was almo-t entirely prevented from any application to her studies, for many years, in con- sequence of her dose attention to the duties of a wife, and of a mother. To the ordinary cares of an increas- ing CO ing family, were added those result- ing from the straitened circum- stances of her husband ; so that she had little time for reading;, being al- most wholly occupied in her domes- tic duties. She lost her husband on the 4th of January, 1743-9, in the seventy-first year of his t>o;e; and this was so severe a shock to her, that she did not long survive him, She died on the 11th of May, 1749, in her 7 1st year, after having long supported a painful disorder, with the utmost patience and resignation. Her me- mory and understanding continued unimpaired, (ill within a few days of her death. She was interred, near her husband and youngest daughter, at Long Horsely, witli this short sen- tence on their tomb : " Let their works praise them in the gates." Prov. xxxt. 31. In her younger years, Mrs. Cockburn was much cele- brated for her beauty, as well as for her genius, and other accomplish- ments. She was small of stature, but was distinguished by the unusual vi- vacity of her eyes, and the delicacy of her complexion, which continued to her death. COFFEY, (CHARLES) alterer of plays, &c. was a native of Ireland. His alterations of Jevons's farce of the " Devil of a wife," called by him, " The Devil to Pay," having met with applause, he altered several other pieces; but not with equal success, as most of them were justly damned. He was exceedingly deformed, but always was ready to admit of, and very frequently joined in railling a- gainst himself: as a proof of which he performed /Lsop for his own benefit, »n Dublin. He died March 13, 174.5. COLLIER, (WILLIAM) manager, in the beginning of the century, was a barrister and member of parlia- ment, who, by his convivial qualities, had acquired the favour of several people then in power. Observing the distracted state of the stage, in the hands of Mr. Rich, he applied for, and obtained, a licence to take the management of the company left at Drury Lane. The late patentee, who still continued in the theatre, though without the power of using it, was not to be removed without com- CO pulsion. Mr. Collier therefore pro- cured a lease of the house from the landlords of it, and, armed with this authority, took the advantage of a rejoicing night, Nov. 22, when, with a hired rabble, he broke into the pre- mises, and dispossessed the former owner. His scheme, however, was not attended with the desired success. The profits of the season were small, and by no means a compensation for the trouble, risk and expense, which he had been at, in seating himself on the theatrical throne. The joint sharers at the Haymarket having ac- quired both fame and money, he therefore meditated an exchange of theatres wiih them, which, by his in- fluence at court, he soon effected. The authority which he obtained in the opera-house, he afterward farm- ed to Aaron Hill, Esq. for 6001. per annum; but, before the season ex- pired, resumed the management again into his own hands. Envious of the new flourishing state of Drury Lane, he grew again dissatisfied with his station, and proposed once more to return to the stage he had aban- doned. His influence at court sup- ported him still in his caprices, and his name was joined with Wilks.Dog- get, and Cibber. Having rendered his share a sinecure, he agreed to ac- cepta certain sum annually in lieu of all claims. On the death of Queen Anne, Sir Richard Steele's name was inserted instead of Collier's, in the new licence, with those of VV ilks, Cib- ber, and Booth. COLLINS, (JOHN) actor, and who latterly gratified the public with an entertainment written by himself, called " Colltns's Brush for Rubbing off Care," &c. consisting of songs, theatrical anecdotes, &c, was born at Bath, and bred up to the busi- ness of a stay-maker. He is now resident at Birmingham, where he is concerned in a newspaper. His essavs are known by the signature of Brush. COLMAN, (GEORGE) dramatist, was son of Thomas Colman, Esq. resident atthecourtof the great Duke of Tuscany, at Pi 3 a, by a sister of the late Countess of Bath. His father died abroad in 1733. The son received hi; c o c o his education at Westminster School, tiom whence he removed to Christ Church College, Oxford, and took the degree of M. A. in 1758. He then went to Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the bar ; but, obtaining a handsome fortune by the death of the Earl of Bath, anil General Pul- teney, he quitted the law, and de- voted his attention to dramatic writ- ing. In 1768, he became one of the patentees of Covent Garden Theatre, and continued in the management thereof until 1775, when he sold his share of it to the other partners. Jn 1777, he became proprietor of the Flaymarket Theatre upon very- advantageous terms: having agreed to give Mr. Foote so much per season during life, who died die succeeding year. During the first season of Mr. Colman's management of die little theatre, he brought forward Mr. Kdwin, Mr. Henderson, and Miss Farren, now Countess of Derby. His dramatic works are " Polly Honejcombe," farce, 1760 ; " The Jealous Wife," comedy, 1761 ; '• The Musicai Lady," farce, 1762; " The Deuce is in Him," farce, 1763; "A Fain Tale." 1761; •' The Clandestine Marriage," comedy, 1766— -Mr. Gar- rick assisted in this; " The English Merchant," comedy, 1767 ; " The Oxonian in Town,'' farce, 1768 ; " Man and Wife," comedy, 1769 ; " The Portrait," burletta, 1773 ; ' : The Fairy Piince," masque, 1771 ; " Occasional Prelude," 177'2 ; Achil- les in Petticoats" opera, 177-1 ; " The Man of Business," comedy, 1774; " The Spleen ; or, Islington Spa," interlude, 1776 ; " New Brooms," prelude, 1776 ; " The Spanisli Bar- ber," comedy, with songs, 1777; " The Suicide," comedy, 1778; " Separate Maintenance," comedv, 1779; " The manager in Distress," prelude, 1780 ; " Pieludio," 1781; •' The Flection of Managers," pre- lude, 1784; " I't pectura Poesis; or, The F-nraged Music, an," burletta, 1789. Besides these, he altered seve- ral pieces, '' Philaster," " Bonduca,' " Comus," " Epecana," " Fatal fu- riosity," " Folly," '• Tit for Tat,' kc. He aKn translated Terence*! plays, and assisted l'cnudtcal works He commenced an action aga;iist Mr. Astley for performing a burletta, called " The Enraged Musician," at his riding house; but Hogarth'* pic- ture, on which it was founded, wat a subject free for any writer. At (hi* time the peralysis seized his brain, and the melancholy consequence wai the loss of senses. On this occasion, the younger Colman officiated in his. place ; and, struggling between the duties of manager and son, divided his time in the interest of the the- atre, and attention to a parent : to promote the former, he was obliged to prove the insanity of his father, which enabled him to set aside such engagements as were an incumbrance to the house. Mr. Colman died in 1794, having been manager of the Haymarket Theatre seventeen years, and of Covent Garden seven. Hit first and last dramatic productions were one-act pieces. COLMAN, (GEORGE) dramatist, son of the preceding, was intended for the bar, and, after his education at V\ estminster and Oxford, was en- tered accordingly into the temple : but being a chip of the old block, as his father announced him in a prologue to his first play, like his father he quitted the law for the muses. In 1784, he married Miss Morris at Gret- na Green, and was publicly married to her at Chelsea Church in 1788. His dramatic works are " Two to One," comedy, with songs, 17S4; "Turk and no Turk." ditto, 1785 ; " Inkle and Yarico," comic opera, 1787 ; " Ways and Means," comedy, 178S; " The Battle of Hex- ham," musical drama, 1789 ; " The Surrender of Calais," ditto, 1791 ; " Poor Old Haymarket; or, Two Sides of die Gutter," prelude, 1792; '• The Mountaineers,'' musical dra- ma. 1793 ; " New Hay at the Old Market." prelude, 1795 ; afterwards called " Sylvester Daggerwood ;" " The Iron Chest," musical drama, 1796. This was first performed at Drury Lane Theatre without success, the cau;e of which is ascril^ed by the author, in a preface (omitted in the edition of 1798), to mis-management. It wjs afterwards brought out by tl e author at his own theatre with suc- G cess CO CO cess. He also produced " The Heir at Law," comedy, 1797 ; " Blue Beard ; or. Female Curiosity," musical enter- tainment, 1798 ; "Blue Devils," comic piece, translated from the French, 1798; " Feudal Times; or the Ban- quet Gallery,"musical entertainment. 1799; " The Review ; or, Wags at Windsor," musical- entertainment, 1800; and " The Poor Gentleman," comedy, 1801. He has written several songs for pieces, prologues, epilogues, and occasional addresses ; among which is " Briti-h Loyalty ; or, A Squeeze at St. Paul's," spoken by Mr. J Bannister, at the Haymarket Theatre, 1782. To him several pieces have been indebted for considerable emendations ; and, during his ma- nagement, he has ever preserved the friendship and good wishes of his company. CONWAY, (Rt. Hon. HENRY SEYMOUR) author of a comedy pro- duced at Drury Lane, 1789, called " False Appearances." It had been previously performed at Richmond House. The characters by the Earl of Derby, Capt. Merry, Capt How- arth, Lord Henry Fitzgerald, Mrs. Damer, Miss Hamilton, Mrs. Bruce, and Miss Campbell. This gentleman is the second son of Lord Conway, and brother to the Earl of Hertford. In 1741, he was elected a member of the Irish parliament, for the county of Antrim ; and in the same year was elected a member also in the British parliament for Higham Ferrers. He was chosen member of the House of Commons in both kingdoms, in several parliaments. In 1711, he was a captain-lieutenant in the guards, with the rank of lieutenant- colonel. In 1746, he was aid-de- camp to the Duke of Cumberland. In December 1747, he married the Countess of Aylesbury, widow of the late Lord Aylesbury, and sister to the present Duke of Argyle. In 1749, he was appointed colonel of the 48th. In 1751, he was made colonel of the thirteenth regiment of dragoons, and resigned the 48th : and in 17.59. colonel of the first regiment of dragoons. In 1756, he was made a major-general ; in 1759, a lieutenant-general; and in 1772, a general. He was second in command under the Marquis of Granby, in Ger- many, and was in several actions, in which his acknowledged skill and bravery were the subjects of general encomium. His civil appointments have been, one of the grooms of the bed-chamber to the late king, and to the present until April 1764, when he was removed, both from his regi- ment and the bed-chamber, for hav- ing voted against the then ministers. A little time after the appointment of Lord Townshend, lord-lieutenant of Ireland, 1767, he succeeded his lord- ship as lieutenant-general of the ord- nance, and resigned his post of °°cre- tary of state. In February 1768, he was appointed colonel of the fourth regiment of dragoons. In October, 1774, he was appointed colonel of the royal regiment of horse-guards, which had been commanded by the late Marquis of Granby ; and in 1772, he was made governor of Jersey, upon the death of the late Lord Albemarle. In 1782, he was appointed com- mander in chief of the forces. He is the author of some prologues, &c. COOKE, (GEORGE FREDERICK) actor, was born in Dublin, 1756, his father being a subaltern in one of the regiments that composed the then garrison. He was brought to London during his infancy, and, when seven years old, was sent to school in the North if England. Here he remain- ed about eight years; during which time, he imbibed a passion for the stage. Hi> first theatrical attempt was in a private play with his school- fellows, when he performed Horatio being obliged to resign Hamtet, the character he de-ired, to a senior boy; but his triumph was ample compen- sation for his disappointment, as Horatio that night ran away with all the applause from Hamlet. In 1771, he went to sea, and afterwards was put to a business ; but when he be- came his own master, he indulged his inclination, and made his first appearance on a public stage in Castalio, (The Orphan), at the Hay- market Theatre, for the benefit of Mrs. Massey, with so much success, that he resolved to make it his profes- sion. Accordingly he joined a pro- vincial CO CO vincial company, and, having acquir- ed a competent knowledge of stage business, became the hero at York, Newcastle, Chester, - Manchester, Liverpool, &c. &c. In 1794, he was engaged by Mr. Daly, the then Dublin manager, where he perform- ed a season with such considerable success, that he repeated his visit in 1797, and remained three years with the new manager, Mr. Jones. Hav- ing then received an engagement from Mr. Harris, he made his first appearance at Covent Garden The- atre, Oct. 31, 1800, in King Rich- ard 111, which he repeated several nights, with so much success, that the manager increased his salary, and gave him an early benefit. His Shylock, Sir Archy M'Sarcasm, lago, Kitely, Sir Giles Overreach, Macbeth, &c. have given muchsatisfaction.This actor, during his theatrical career, ha- experienced both the frowns and smiles of fortune ; he is consequently soon conquered by the Tuscan grape; and, it has often happened, that when he has been announced to per- form, he has been invited to dinner by supposed friends, who have taken the unpardonable advantage of his weakness, and, Ia^o-like, made him a Cassio! His wife is also on the sta^e, and has performed at Ba'.h, Bristol, &c. In consequence of a separation, she has lately resumed her maiden name, Daniels. COOPER, (Mr.) actor, was the son of a surgeon who lived well es- tabli lied in liis profession at Harrow on the Mill; but, having quitted this situation, went to India, where he died. 11 is son received a liberal edu- cation, and was advised on account of the ui-tre-t situation of his family. to attempt tiie stage. Having ac- quired some practice at provincial theatres, he ma ie his fir-t appear- ance at Covent Garden in the cha- racter of Hamlet. 1795. As he was known to have had a friend in Mr. Holcroft, who»e pupil he was repre- sent i to have been, the prims of opposition were extravagant in their praises while those of the other suit were in the contrary extreme. CORKY, [JOHN) actor, and author of a comedy, called " A Cure fur Jealousy," 1701 ; and a farce, entit- led " The Metamorphoses," 1704. He was born at Barnstable in Devon- shire, descended from an ancient family in Cornwall. He was intend- ed for the law, and therefore became a member of New Inn ; but having a theatrical turn, and preferring the oratory of the stage, to that of the bar, he soon turned player, and con- tinued an actor for twenty years, to the time of his death, which hap- pened about 1721. His voice was bad, and his person diminutive ; but he was esteemed a just speaker. CORNELYS, (Mr.) actor, esta- blished his fame as a comedian at the Theatre Royal Dublin, under the management of Mr. Daly, where he was the first who played the charac- ter of Lingo, (Agreeable Surprise', in which he was so much approved, that several in Dublin attempted the part afterwards in vain. His wife was also an actress, and engaged by Mr. Ryder at Crow Street, (in oppo- sition to Mr. Daly of Smock-alley) where she made her first appearance in Lady Teazle, (School for Scandal) ; but, from the then distracted situation of this theatre, she was soon glad to join the other company, and pert. irm as second to Mrs. Daly. She produced a comedy for her benefit, called " The Deceptions," which was acted but once. On the death of the cele- brated Mr. Edwin, Mr. Corneiys ap- plied to Mr. Colman, and, obtaining a conditional engagement, made his rir-t appearance at the Haymarket in his favouritecharacter, 1791 ; but the impression which Mr. Edwin had left upon the English, by his repre- sentation of Lingo, was by no means favourable to Mr. Corneiys' per- formance of it here, though so highly approved of by the Irish. He re- pealed the character a few ni^h -, and afterwards pei famed others, M lingo, kc. with more applause; but iii- engagement expired with the season; and he complained, that to the ill-nature of newspaper critics he was indebted for his dismission. CORY, (Mr.) actor, was edu- cated at Dr. Barrow's academy, in Soho Square, and afterward- articled to Mr. White, solicitor to the treasury ; but CO but having Imbibed a strong desire for the stage, he quitted the study of the law, commenced actor in the country, and becoming a favourite at Manchester, Cheltenham, &c. was engaged at Drury Lane Theatre, where he made his first appearance in Reginald (Castle Spectre), 1798, with success. He has been an occa- sional substitute for Mr Barrymore, in Bluebeard, for Mr. Kemble, in Kolla, &c, and has proved himself an useful performer. Dissatisfied with his situation at Drury Lane, it is sup- posed he will soon exhibit at Co- vent Garden as a vocal performer. COWLEY, (Mr=.) maiden name Park/muse, dramatist ; her father was a native of Tiverton, in Devonshire, descended in the female line from the family of Mr. Gay. He was originally designed for the church; but, on the death of patrons, or some other disappointment, he commenc- ed bookseller in the place of his na- tivity. It was in this situation pro- bably, and from a father so qualifi- ed, that Miss Parkhouse had an op- portunity of receiving, like her great namesake, as recorded by Mr. John- son, the kernel without the husk of learning. About the year 1772, she married Mr. Cowley, in the service of the East-India Company at Ben- gal, and brother to Mr. Cowley of Cateaton Street, by whom she has several children. It was not until the year 1776, that Mrs. Cowley ap- peared as a dramatic wiiter. At the conclusion of Mr. Garrick's manage- ment, " The Runaway" was per- formed, and was the last drama re- ceived before his relinqui-hing the stage both as a performer and mana- ger. To this comedy, which was acted with great success, he contri- buted an epilogue ; and the recep- tion, the piece met with, encouraged oar dramatist to continue Iter exer- tions f x the stage. She then pro- duced " Who's the Dupe"' farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1779; " Al- bina," tragedy, 1779. In bringing forward this tragedy, which was act- ed at tlte Haymarket, she met with considerable difficulties ; and, in her preface, complains of the treatment site received. '• The Belle's strata- CO gem," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1780. This had a run of upwards of twenty nights. " The School for Eloquence," an interlude, acted at Drury Lane, for Mr. Brere- ton's benefit, 1780, not printed ; " The World as it Goes; or, A Trip to Montpelier." a comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1781. This piece was unfavourably received, which oc- casioned its being altered, and again brought forward under the title of " Second Thoughts are best," 1781. and was again unfavourably receiv- ed. Neither of these are published. " Which is the Man?" comedy, act- ed at Covent Garden, 17*2 ; " A Bold Stroke fora Husband," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1783 ; " More Ways than One," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1783 ; " A School for Grey Beards," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1786 ; " The Fate of Sparta," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1781. The poetical correspondence of " Delia Crusca," and " Anna Matilda," engrossed so much of the public attention, the utmost ingenuity was exerted to remove the veil of mystery from those two charming writers, who actually formed, in this late age, a new school for poetry, which must reign, and will have its disciples, as long as the language endures. It was at length confidently whispered, ihatthe " Anna Matilda," was Mrs. Cowley, and the " Delia Crusca," Mr. Merry; and what was very extraor- dinary, it appeared that they were per- sonally total strangers to each other, though equallv struck with admiration. CRAWFORD, (Mr.) actor, was a barrister ; but declined the profes- sion of the law for the stage, and made his first theatrical appearance at the same time that Mr. Daly, after- wards manager of Dublin, made his; but not meeting with the success he expected on London boards, he re- paire 1 to Dublin, and having mar- ried the widow of the famous Barry, for the sake of his wife he was en- gaged by Mr. Ryder. He soon left the theatre abruptly, on account of a piece of oeconomy which he practised on his benefit night, that provoked he indignation of both the per- formers CR CR formers and audience. The farce was'' High Life below Stairs," and, instead of a supper, he provided ■wond/a fowls, and other mock dishes. Mr. G. Dawson, who played one of the servants, finding the fowl so very tough that hecould not possibly carve it, "showed it to the audience, who immediately expressed their con- tempt. The supper was kicked about, and the curtain fell. Notwith- standing Mr. Ryder, on this occasion, was very satirical on Mr. Crawford, yet soon after the lattei , not only re- turned to his theatre, but became a partner in the management of it: such was, however, its detracted state, that Mr. Ryder left it all to him- self, and went over to Mr. Dal), while Mr. Crawford supported it as long as he could. His wife, how- ever, would never appear on the stage till she was paid ; and her hus- band was frequently obliged to send to, and collect the money she de- manded from the door-keepers. The band likewise mutinied, and the poor manager, one night that he was to perform Othello, there being no musicians in the orchestra, offered to play on the violin himself between the arts, which proposal being cheer- fully accepted by the audience, he played that night the double part of Moor and Fiddler, and his perform- ances in the orchestra was more applauded than that on the stage. The distracted state of the theatre soon obliged him to throw up the management ; and a separation after- wards took place between him and his wife. CRAWFORD. (Mrs.) actress, was born at Bah, the daughter of an eminent apothecary in that town ; who, preferring temporary gratifica- tions to the f tture prospects of his family, gave into a'.l the expences of tint 'fashionable place; so. that, though his profession was extensive, it was at lea-t balanced by his ex- pen-es. This lady, from her child- h >od, amidst many promising quali- fications, expressed a warm prefer- ence for theatrical amusements, which, joined to a figure pleasingly feminine, great natural sweetness of temper, and t'ue fashionable station she filled, made her, as she grew up, an object of general attachment, When she was about seventeen years of age, she was particularly noticed by a young gentleman of very exten- sive fortune, and the brother of a. noble lord, who was then at Bath. From seeing her only in the rooms, he was so struck with her manner, that he contrived to drink tea with her at a third person's house. Here herconversation established what her exterior charms had begun; and, after a few visits to the house, he formal- ly asked permission of the father to become his son-in-law. So advan- tageous an offer was readily embrac- ed by all parties— the parent was flattered with the idea of noble con- nections—the daughter with ingros- sing the object of her affections. Whilst things were in this train of maturation, an unexpected letter arrived, advising the lover of the death of an uncle in London, which required his immediate attendance. He unwillingly obeyed, after having pledged his affections for his instant return. But the air of London soon dissipated his vows. whilst theamiable object of them, after waiting two months, in expectation of hearing from him, had nothing but sighs and painful recollections to comfort her. The chagrin she was thrown into on this account, so visibly impaired her health, that it was thought a Iviseable by her physicians to go into the country. A near relation in York- shire made an offer of his house, which was accepted ; and. as people usually run from one extreme to an- other, she entered at first with ficti- tious vivacity into every species of amusement, till by degrees she caught the sprightliness of the place, and perfectly recovered her spirits. Amongst the amusements of the county, the Yorkshire playhou-e, which was only distant a few miles from where she resided, was not overl »oked. Here she got acquaint- ed with Mr. Dancer; and whether it w.is from the irresistible impulse she had of appearing on the stage, (as is g -nerally thought to be the case),or the desire of banishing, by these means, the dear ingrate, who might have still fluttered CR CR fluttered about her heart; or any particular penchant she had for Mr. Dancer, she, after a little time, mar- ried him. Her relations on the first news of this were inconsolable. Their very great affection for her, aided by the pride of family, determined them en seeking every opportunity to pre- vent her disgracing them by her ap- pearance on the stage. To this pur- pose they first prevailed in dislodging them from York ; and, as their dili- gence did not stop here, wherever the unfortunate couple went, they found themselves precluded from the benefits of their profession, by an order from the magistrates. In this dilemma they turned their thoughts on Ireland, as a climate more favour- able for them to enjoy the fruits of their talents : — Here then they shap- ed their course ; and, Mr. Barry and Mr. Woodward having at that time opened Crow Street Theatre, they readily got admittance at genteel salaries. Mrs. Dancer had played in York a few nights before they were interrupted ; and it was then thought, by the best judges about that country, that she would one day turn out a great acquisition to the stage. Her first appearance in Dublin confirmed this opinion ; and she every night shewed that nothing but the want of experience was against her. There was a dancer on ihe Dublin stage, who, from the intimacy he had with our heroine and her husband, pro- posed taking an excursion into the country with the former, and another lady, for a few days ; to which the husband consented. She had been away but the second day, when it was rung into the husband's ear, by some malicious person, that they went off together. Finding his honour so closely concerned, he instantly pur- sued them, and, at a little village about twenty miles from town, got intelligence that they were at the principal inn. Here he lost sight of his prudence, and rushing into the house, demanded his wife ; who, with the other lady and gentleman, were drinking tea in the dining-room, and, alarmed at his threats, threw herself for protection on the gentleman, who imprudently locked her up with himself in a bed-chamber adjoining. The husbami assailed the door, and threatened destruction to the parties, whilst the other as resolutely defend- ed the pass. However, the door was at length broke open; but, whether from seeing the partner of his heart in distress, or the fears of meeting the contents of a pistol, which his antagonist held in opposi- tion to his, he quietly conducted her out of the room, placed her in a post- chaise, and drove to town. This anecdote fed, for a while, half the tea-ta ties about that capital with scandal. All the little caricature- painters were at work, and every newspaper produced a fresh pun or epigram. On the night after her ar- rival in town, she played Sylvia, in the Recruiting Officer, where Melinda's salutation to her on her appearance is, " Welcome to town, cousin Sylvia." The house instantly found out the allusion, and bestowed on it all that applause usually given on these oc- casions. Soon after this event, her husband died, and left her in the possession of every thing but money. She had youth, beauty, and great theatrical merit; nor were the gal- lant world insensible of them. She had imny amorous tenders; amongst the rest, one from a Right Hon. Earlj who offered her a carte blanche ; but these offers were rejected with con- tempt. The Irish Roscius (Mr. Barry) had secured her heart ; and, like a second Stella, she sucked in the poison of love by the vehicle of tuition. From this period we find her rising to the top of her profes- sion. Her proximity to the manager secured her all the capital parts ; be- sides, she received such instructions from him in private rehearsal, that in a little time she added all his fire to her own softness. Mr. Barry, in the year 1766, finding the management of the Irish theatres not turning out to his expectation, rented them on very advantageous terms to Mr. Mos- sop, and set out for London, where he had a summer engagement with Mr. Foote, at the opera-house, in the Haymarket. Othello, a part al- most forgotten since Ouin's time, was now much wished for by the public. Mr. CR Mr. Garrick, it is true, had played it I twice, but whether from not liking | the part, or not willing to risque an already secured reputation, he had for many years declined it. Mr. Barry's appearance, therefore, in this character, drew crouded audiences ; and whilst the critics allowed him all due praise, Mrs Barry, in Desde- mona (a part, previous to her play- ing it. considered as trifling) was re- ceived with equal compliment: but, when she afterwards appeared in Belvidera, Rutland, Monimia, &c. in tragedy ; — in Lady Townly, Bea- trice, and Rosalind, in comedy ; her theatrical character rose superior to criticism — it claimed admiration ! During this season our English Roscius saw them. Mr. Barry was formerly his antagonist in the tented field, therefore he knew the full extent of his powers ; but Mrs. Barry was a novelty, and such a one as this sagaci- ous manager thought could not be purchased too dearly : He therefore engaged them at Drury Lane, where, during the course of three seasons, Mrs. Barry gave such repeated proofs of her excellent performance, as in- dubitably ranked her the first actress on the English, perhaps on the Euro- pean, stage. Her first appearance, after the death of her husband, was in Lady Randolph, when she spoke an occasional address, said to be writ- ten by Mr. Garrick. On her third marriage with Mr. Crawford, she performed in Dublin ; but frequently with such indifference, that she could only be said to wait through her cha- racter ; but on Mrs. Siddons's en- gagement at the rival theatre, she was awakened by emulation, and played Belvedera, Isabella, &c. against that lady. The critics ware divided in their opinions ; but it was generally thought that, though probably inferior to Mrs. Siddons in the terrific, shewas certainly superior in the pathetic. Her last appearance in London was at Covent Garden. 1797 ; but time, alas: had destroyed those powers wiih which we were once delighted CRESWICK,(Mr.)wasformerlyan actor, and 1761, performed the cha- racter of Beau Mordecai, (love A -la- mode), at the T. R. Covent Garden. C R Afterwards he belonged to the York company ; but latterlyemployed him- self in teaching elocution, and reading lectures. He died at Kensington, Jan. 18, 1792. CRISP, (HENRY) was author of a tragedy, called " Virginia," 1754. He belonged to the Custom House. CROSS, (Mr.) was prompter to Drury Lane Theatre ; his wife was an actress, and belonged to the company. He died in 1759. CROSS, (JAMES C.) dramatist, and formerly actor at Covent Garden and Colman's Theatre — his wife was on the stage ; and soon after her death, he married Miss Jones, daugh- ter of the proprietor of the Royal Circus, by which means he became a sharer of that house ; to which he now devotes the produce of his pen. His first step, as a dramatic author, was in writing a dialogue for the in- troduction of some of Dibdin's then popular songs, which entertainment was called " The Diverti-ement," 1790. He afterwards produced the following dramatic trifles, " The Purse; or Benevolent Tar," 1794; " Brit'sh Fortitude, and Hibernian Friendship ; or, An Escape from France," 1791'; " Naples Bay; or, The British Sailors at Anchor," 1794 ; " The Apparition,' musicalentertain- ment of two acts, 1794; " The Way to get Unmarried," 1796; " The Charity Boy," two acts, unsuccessful, 1796; and " The Raft; or, Both Sides of the Water," 1798. He pro- duced some pantomimes with Mr. Farley's assistance; and one which he brought out with success at the Circu-, " Blackbeard," was repeated at Covent Garden without success, CROUCH, (Mrs.) maiden name Phillips, actress, daughter of an at- torney lately deceased: havtngdisplay- ed great powers of voice, she was ar- ticled to Mr. Linley for a certain num- ber of years. Her first appearance was at Drury Lane, Mandane(Artaxerxes), 1781, when she was much admired for her vocal abilities. She visited Dublin the succeeding season, and there became a favourite. On her return to London she married Mr. Crouch of the navy; and, during the summer seasons, performed at all tl-.e cu c u the respectable provincial theatres with increased reputation. On Mr. Linley's death she received further instructions from Mr. Kelly, and is now such a competent mistress of music, that she has herself brought forward several pupils of merit. CUBITT, (Mr.) formerly actor; at first, he was a singer at Vauxhall, and then he performed in operas at Dublin, &c. Having obtained an engagement at Covent Garden, he became more eminent as an actor th3n singer, in Ruffians, Jailers, Highwaymen, &c. Afterwards he returned to the musical line, by per- forming on the violin in the orches- tra. CUYLER, (Mrs.) actress, was the daughter of a gentleman of fortune, and was educated by a relation of his at St. James's Palace. She came out at Covent Garden Theatre,and after- wards played at the Haymarket. CUMBERLAND, (RICHARD) dramatist, is the son of Dr. Cumber- land, Bishop of Kilmore in Ireland, by Joanna, youngest daughter of the celebrated Dr. Bentley, (a lady on whom the well known pastoral of Phebe, by Dr. Byron, printed in the Spectator, was written ) and grandson to the learned Bishop of Peterbo- rough. He received his education at Trinity College, Cambridge, where his maternal grandfather had pre- sided, In 175 1 , he had taken the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts there, and wrote some verses on the Prince of Wales's death. Relinquishing an academic life, he obtained a place at the board of trade, but was not known as an author until the year 1761, when he published the "Banish- ment of Cicero," a tragedy, which had been refused by Mr. Garrick. An interval of four years from this time elapsed before the appearance of his first acted play, the " Sum- mer's Tale," and four more between rhat and " The Brothers," both per- formed at Covent Garden Theatre, and the latter with applause. In 1771, a reconciliation between him and Mr. Garrirk having taken place, he produced, at Drury Lane, his best dramatic piece, " The West Indian," and since that period has exhibited a succession of dramas, some with con- siderable, and others with slight ap- probation. It is not only as a writer that Mr Cumberland has figured. About 1780, he was sent to negoci- ate with the Crown of Spain, though without a public character ; and, it is reported, that his embassy would have been successful, but for the cap- ture of the East and West India fleet, which inspired the Spaniards with more confidence than they had be- fore possessed. During his residence in that kingdom, he collected Anec- dotes, which he published, of Emi- nent Painters. If fame may be relied on, Mr. Cumberland had no obliga- tion either to the justice or generosi- ty of his employers ; having been neglected by them in a manner hard- ly consistent with the honour of the nation. On his return to England, he again turned his attention to the stage, in which line he had hereto- fore been so successful, and in which he has the powers to become a formidable rival to the ablest of our present dramatists. Some of his bantlings, through premature birdi, have had but a short existence ; but his lietrary offspring have thrived in general : viz, " The Summer Tale," comedy, with songs, 1765 ; " Amelia," opera, 1768; " The Brothers," comedy, 1769 ; " The West Indian," comedy, 1771 ; " The Fashionable Lover," comedy, 1772; " The Note of Hand," farce, 1774; " The Cho- leric Man," comedy, 1775 ; " The Battle of Hastings," tragedy, 1778; " Calypso" opera, 1779 ; " The Widow of Delphis," comedy, with songs, acted 1780 ; " The Walloons," comedy, acted 1782 ; " The Mys- terious Husband," tragedy, 1783 ; " The Carmelite," tragedy, 1784 j "The Natural Son," comedy, 1785; " The Arab," tragedy, acted 1785 ; " The Country Attorney," comedy, acted, 1787; and afteiwards with the title of " The School for Widows," 1789 ; " The Impostors" comedy, 1789 ; " Prelude," acted at Covent Garden, 1792 ; " The Armourer," opera, acted 1793; " The Box Lob- by Challenge," comedy, 1794 ; " The Jew," comedy, 1794; " The Wheel of Fortune," comedy, 1795 ; " Fir.-t Love," cu cu Love," comedy, 1795 ; " Days of Yore," musical drama, 1796 ; " The Dependent," comedy, condemned, 1796;" Don Pedro," comedy, 1796; " The Last of the Family," comedy, 1797; " False Impressions," comedy, 1797; "The Eccentric Lover,"come- dy, 1798; " A Word for Nature," comedy, acted 1798 ; " Joanna," romance, founded on a MS. of Kot- zcbue, 1799. He is the supposed author of others, besides alterations. He wrote "The Princess of Parma," tragedy, and (as supposed) " The Elders," farce, performed at a private theatre, Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, October, 1778. CUNNINGHAM, (JOHN) actor and author of a farce, performed at Dublin in 1747, called " Love in a Mist," produced at the early age of 17, He was born in the year 1729, in Dublin, where his father, an emi- nent wine merchant, and his mother (both of whom were of Scotch pa- rents) resided. He was the youngest son, and, at twelve years old, began to exhibit specimens of his poetical powers, which are still admired. Having obtained free admission to the theare, in consequence of his little drama, he became disgusted with the business of a tradesman, and imbibed a strong inclination for the stage, though scarcely possessing a single requisite for the profession of an actor. His figure was totally against him, cither for tragedy or genteel comedy : however, he was tolerable in the petit maitre cast, and met with some success in the mock French character, which he delighted in. Without the consent or even knowledge of his friends, he applied for an appearance, and secretly left his family, and embarked for England, where he commenced itinerant play- er, experiencing all the rubs and distresses of a strolling life. He soon became sensible of his impru- dence ; but pride prevented his re- turn to his parents; and, before he ould summon resolution enough to • obey the calls of duty, he received I intelligence that his father had be- I come insolvent, which was soon tol- lowed by thestillmoredism.il mws i'f lus death. However, an affec- tionate brother, who was tlten an eminent statuary in Ireland, urged his reiurn, and offered him an asylum in his house : but a state of depend- ence was of all others the most re- pugnant to him ; and, what he had originally adopted from choice, he was now obliged to persist in from necessity. After having experienced various vicissitudes in the North of England, he became a performer at Edinburgh theatre, then under the direction of Mr. Love, 1761. The fame he now acquired was more con- spicuous as a poet than an actor ; and, by the advice of his friends, he repaired from Edinburgh to London in hopes of obtaining a more comfort- able, as well as a more respectable subsistence in the world of letters; but these hopes were baffled by the failure of the bookseller, by whom he was to be employed. lie, more- over, found that scandal, and politi- cal altercation, had at this time totally engrossed the attention of the public; and. scorning to prostitute his abilities for the sake oi gain, he left London in disgust, and returned hastily to Scotland. At this time Mr. Digges was manager cf the Edin- burgh theatre, and behaved with un- common respect and kindness to Mr. Cunningham, who continued under that gentleman's management until he quitted Scotland. He then re- turned to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he earned a scanty, but, to him, a sufficient subsistence ; and, notwithstanding his humble situation in life, he was esteemed by the most respectable characters in the country, who afforded him their support and protection. Though he was advised to try again his success in London, he rejected every solicitation of the kind, and died of a long rooted dis- order in his nerves, which brought on a lingering illness, Sept. 18, 1773. He was buried in St. John's Church- yard, Newcastle. CUSSANS, (Mr.) has been an oc- casional actor m characters of k.w humour, bin seems never to have had a j^-imancnt engagement at any theatre ; his flighty disposition being lil calculated for study and regularity. He was a member oi the law, and 11 possessed DA DA possessed of a considerable fortune, which he spent— at present he has a decent income, which was left him by a relation, and which is regularly paid to him, according to the direc- tions of the will, at half a guinea per day. His whimsical adventures are so truly romantic and ridiculous, that they exceed credibility. He has fre- quently, disguised, sung ballads in the streets— he has turned waiter, and served voluntarily for three months in a public-house, in which occupation he has behaved with all the due submission of a servant. — He has mounted an ass, and rode so many miles a day for his diversion— he has taken it into his head to be silent for a limited time, and would only answer the most interesting questions with nods and signs; but when once resolved to indulge his tongue— he has talked, he has sung, acted, roared, ranted, and played for whole hours together ! Notwith- standing all these eccentricities, he is by no means deficient in understand- ing, for, when he pleases, he can evince much rationality and learn- ing. D. DAIX, (Miss) actress, and whose father was manyyears a scene painter at Covent Garden. She was a pupil of Mr. Mazzinghi, and made her first appearance in an oratorio. After singing several times in public, she was brought forward at Covent Gar- den Theatre in the opera of the *' Woodman," owing, it is said, to the inability of a lady who had been previously engaged for the character, and whose place she supplied with only one rehearsal, and that on the day of her appearance. This part she performed '23 nights, and played, the same season, Rosetta, (Love in a Village), and Eliza, (Flitch of Bacon). On Mrs.Billington's return to Covent GardenTheatre, the following season Miss Dall went to York, where she assisted the subscription concerts ; but generously returned to perform for Mr. Munden's benefit, declining all emolument, in a new opera, (Just in Time), as Mrs. BiUington's then numerous engagements prevented her from studying a ntw character. In this piece she rendered the author (Mr. Hurlstone) considerable service, as the manager was induced, from the approbation it met with, to re- peat it for the house. DALTON, (JOHN, D. D.) adapt- ed Milton's " Masque at Ludlow Castle," to the stage, by a judicious insertion of several songs and pas- sages selected from others of Milton's works, as well as of several songs and other elegant additions of his own. He was born at Deane, in Cumber- land, in 1709. He had his school- education at Lowther, in Westmore- land, and thence was removed at sixteen to Queen's College in Ox- ford. When he had taken his first degrees, he became tutor to Lord Beauchamp, only son of Algernon Seymore, Earl of Hertford, then Duke of Somerset. Soon after, suc- ceeding to a fellowship in his college, he entered into holy orders, and was noticed as an able preacher in the university. He died in 1763. He rendered Milton's masque a very acceptable present to the public, and it still continues a favourite dramatic entertainment, under the title of " Comus," having been set to music by Dr. Arne. Besides this, it had the advantage of being at first performed by Mr. Q.uin in the character of Comus, and by Mrs. Cibber in that of the lady. During the run of this piece, Dalton industriously sought out a grand-daughter of Milton's, oppressed both by age and penury, and procured her a benefit from this play; the profits of which, it is said, amounted to upwards of 1201. DALY, (RICHARD) late manager of the Dublin theatre, and formerly actor. He is of a respectable Irish family, and finished his education at Trinity College, Dubl;u. lie came to DA DA to London to enter the temple, but finding his remittances inadequate to his expences, he attempted the stage contrary to the advice of his friends, and, returning to Dublin, engaged with Mr. Ryder the then manager of Crow Street Theatre, where he made his appearance in Lord Townly, (The Provoked Husband), Lady Townly, by Mrs. Lyster, then a widow, and celebrated as an actress in the comic line, whom Mr. Daly, after a short courtship, married ; and secretly ap- plied to Dr. Wilson, the proprietor of Smock-alley Theatre, for the use of that house to perform plays. Mr. Ryder at this time was in possession of that theatre which had been for some years shut up, and was much out of repair; but having been con- siderably in the proprietors' debt for rent, &c. he was induced to relin- quish his claim, not dreaming of the intended opposition, on Dr. Wilson's proposal of exoneratinghim from the money that was due. Mr. Daly had also secretly engaged the best per- formers that were then to be had ; and, having obtained the desired pos- session of Smock-alley house, an- nounced his intention, and, by per- mission of die Lord Mayor, opened bis city theatre with all possible expe- dition, with a new occasional pre- lude, called " Smock-alley Secrets ; or, The Manager Worried," written by Mr. Lefanue, a gentleman of Dub- lin ; the principal characters by Mr. Daly, Mr. Moss, and Mrs. Daly— the play was the " West Indian," Belcour, Mr. Daly; Stockwell, Mr. Mitchel ; Major O'Flaherty, Mr. Owenson ; Varland, Mr. Moss ; Char- lotte Rustport, Mrs. Daly ; Louisa Dudley, Mrs. Sparks; \x. and the entertainment "The Seraglio:" Rox- alana, Mrs. Daly. Besides the above, his company consisted of Messrs. Kcinble, Grist, Swindall, Young, Mrs. Melmoth, Mrs. and Miss Hitch- cock, &c. Mr. Daly, as a manager, now displayed considerable spirit and judgment— he got up the most cele- brated new pieces, as soon as they were established in London, particu- larly " The Belles Stratagem," which had a considerable run, and was re- pre : ented with magnificence not in- ferior to Covent Garden ; " The Son-in-Law," &c. The only piece in which his rival had the advantage, was Pilon's speaking pantomime of " The Touchstone ;" but his opposi- tion being too powerful, he soon add- ed to his company the manager in distress, Mr. Ryder, by which means the theatre became royal. Future opponentsstarted, but were too weak for a contention. The most formid- able was Giordani's English opera- house, in Capel Street, which, had it continued, might probably have shut up the other. In the summer, Mr. Daly had the best performers from London, and the after season (as it was called) was generally produc- tive. During the administration. of the late Duke of Rutland, a riot took place at the theatre, (the lord lieu- tenant having been there), occasioned by a political party ; when Mr. Daly, by his conduct, so ingratiated him- self with government, that a bill was passed for depriving the lord mayor of the power of licensing theatres, by which means Mr. Daly put to defiance all future opposition. He then be- came sole theatrical monarch ; and, in such a situation, naturally incurred the ill-will of many : but, to his great aNtonishment, he found a serious rival in Mr. Astley, who opened a the- atre in Peter Street, where he gave dramatic tritles, pantomimes, &c. He endeavoured to stop this oppo- nent's progress ; but found be had ant unexpected power forhis exhibition ; and, as Mr. Daly's popularity had decreased, Astley's theatre became the fashionable place of entertainment. This was succeeded by another more formidable opposition: the theatre in FLhamble Street, was opened as a private one, by subscription; the most distinguished characters in Dub- lin had joined in the undertaking, for their own amusement. They also en- gaged actresses, particularly the pre- sent Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Coats, Miss Gough, Sec. and, as no money for admission was taken, the house was, of course, filled with the most fashionable company. Mr. Daly had, in some decree, triumphed at this time, over Mr. Astley for his per- formances of farces, which belonged II 2 to DA DA to the theatre, for which he recovered some damages ; but the private sub- scription theatre was his greatest mortification. On the death of his wife, he deemed it adviseable to re- tire from the cares and fatigue of management, whenever an oppor- tunity offered ; accordingly, he made an excellent bargain with Capt. Jones, who had superintended the Fishamble Street theatricals, and seceded at a time (1797) when the state of Iiish affairs was exceedingly against the interest of a Dublin the- atre. As an actor Mr. Daly succeed- ed, being on his own boards : how- ever, impartial criticism must say, his tragedy was contemptible ; but, in light parts of comedy, he was to- lerable. It is no wonder, in the situa- tion of a manager, that he should meet with occasional abuse and slander ; every manager must experience this, for no manager should submit to the whims and caprices of his company : he had his enemies; he had his friends ; but theatrical enmity is well known to proceed from secret jea- lousy, and theatrical friendship, from secret interest: if Mr. Daly's con- duct could not always be defended, his biographer will be bold to say, that it was not always justly repre- sented ; and, as a manager, he has to boast, that he has done more than any of his predecessors ever did, for, after upwards of seventeen years ma- nagement, he has retired with a handsome provision for himself and family, while his superiors, as actors, Sheridan. Barry, Mossop, Woodward, Ryder, &c. had been unfortunate as Dublin managers. Mr. Daly re- ceived for his patent 1000/. per an- num annuity, and 100/. per annum for each of his children after his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Barsanti, appeared at the T. R. Covent Garden, in a prelude written by the late Mr. Colman fortlie purpose, 1772. She was of an Italian family, and scholar of Dr. Burney ; and displayed very poweiful talents by imitating Ita- lian and Knghsh singers. On the seces- sion of Mr. Colman from the manage- ment of that theatre, in 1777, she spoke an occasional epilogue. DARCY, (JAMES) was born in the county of Galway, in Ireland, and brought out two tragedies at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, viz. " Love and Ambition," 1732, and " The Orphan of Venice." D'ARCY, (Mr.) singer, (whose real name is Caird, but, by transposing the letters, and changing the 1 into Y, was supposed to be of foreign ex- traction) made his first appearance at the Haymarket Theatre in Capt. Greville, (The Flitch of Bacon), June 23, 1798. He had been for some time instructed by Mr. Kelly, and had practised a little in the country. DARLEY, (Mr.) singer was bred a buckle-maker, in Birmingham ; but, induced by the compliments he received for his vocal abilities, to be- come a public singer, he courted the favour of that town, first at their Vauxhall, then at theirtheatre. After which he became a chorus-singer at Covent Garden ; and, on the depar- ture of Mr. C. Bannister from that theatre, performed the first-rate cha- racters, in which he acquitted himself with credit. DAVENPORT, (Mr.) actor, has been on the stage for some time, and assisted Mr. Daly the first season of his management in Dublin. In 1795, he and his wife received an en- gagement at Covent Garden, and Mrs, Davenport being deemed the best substitute for the late Mrs. Webb, they were also engaged at the summer theatre. DAVIES, (THOMAS) author of dramatic Miscellanies, &c. ; was an actor under the management of Henry Fielding, and the original re- presentative of young Wilmot. He played in the tragedy of " Fatal Cu- riosity," at the Haymarket, in 1736. Afterwards he commenced booksel- ler in Duke's Court ; but met with misfortunes which induced him to return again to the stage. For seve- ral years he belonged to variouscom- paniesat York, Dublin, &c. At the former place he married (he daugh- ter of a Mr. Yarrow, an actor then belonging to the York theatre. He returned to London in 1752, when he and Mrs. Davies were engaged at Drury Lane '1 lieatre ; and, for several years, were in good estima- tion DA DA tion with the town, -though he fell under tlie ridicule of -Churchill's Ros- ciad. He quitted the stage in 1762, and returned to his former business, having opened another bookseller's shop in Russel Street, Covent Garden. DA VIES, (Mr.) actor, is supposed to be a native of London, where he has spent the greater part of his youth. He was bred a stone-mason ; but, desirous of theatrical fame, commenced actor in the country, Norwich, Portsmouth, &c. Having acquired some reputation, as a pro- vincial singer, he obtained an engage- ment at Drury Lane, where he made his first appearance in Lord Aim- worth, (Maid of the Mill), and after- wards performed with chearfulness every character which was given him. He then removed to Covent Garden, and became also a member of Col- man's company, in the Haymarket, appearing, as occasion required, in tragedy, comedy, opera, farce, or pantomime. There have been, and are several performers of this name. DAVY, (JOHN) composer, was born in the parish of Upton Hilion, about eight milesfrom Exeter. When about three years of age lie came into a room where his uncle was play- ing over a psalm tune on the violin- cello, and, the moment he heard the instrument, he ran away crying, and was so terrified that he was expected to fall into tits. In the course of some weeks, his uncle repeatedly tri- ed to reconcile him to the instru- ment, which at last he effected, after a great deal of coaxing, by taking the child's fingers, and making him strike the strings, which at first start- led him ; but, in a few days, he be- came so pas>ionately fond of the amusement, that he took every op- portunity of scraping a better ac- quaintance with this monster, who in the hands of his keeper, had dreadfully frightened him with his tremendous noise. Within a short time, by a little attention, he tinned the notes of this frightful animal to notes of joy. At this time there was a company of soldiers quartered at Crediton, a town about a mile from Hilion : his uncle took him there fre- quently ; and, one day, attending the roll-call, he appeared to be greatly delighted with the fifes ; bur, not content with hearing them, he borrowed one, and very soon pick- ed out several tunes, and played them decently. After this he gathered a quantity of, what the people call, biller ; it is tubular, and grows in marshy grounds ; with this biller he made several imitations of the fife, and sold them to his school-fellows. When between four and five years of age, his ear was so very correct, that he could play an easy tune after once or twice hearing it. Before he was quite six years old, a neighbouring; smith, into whose house he used fre- quently to run, lost between twentjr and thirty horseshoes : diligent search was made after them for many days ; but to no purpose. Soon after, the smith heard some musical sounds which seemed to come from the up- per part of the house ; and, having listened a sufficient time to be con- vinced that his ears did not deceive him, he went up stairs, where he discovered the young musician, and his property between the ceiling of the' thatched roof. He had selected eight horse-shoes out of more than twenty, to form a complete octave; had suspended each of them by a single cord, clear from the wall, and, with a small iron rod, was amusing himself by imitating Crediton chimes ; which he did wilh great exactness. This story being made public, and his genius for music encreasing hour- ly, a neighbouring clergyman, of considerable rank in the church, who patronized him, showed him a harp- sichord, which he soon got a familiar acquaintance with, and, by his intui- tive genius, was shortly able to play any easy lesson which came in his way. He applied himself to the vio- lin, and found but few difficulties to surmount in his progress on that in- strument. When eleven years old, he was introduced by his patron to the Rev. Mr. Eastcott, of Exeter, who set him down to the piano-forte ; and soon perceiving that the seeds of music were sown in a rich soil, he re- commended his friends to place him with some cathedral organist, under whom he might have fiee ac- cess DA DE cess to a good instrument, and get some knowledge of the rules of com- position. Accordingly, Mr. Jack- son, organist of Exeter Cathedral, was applied to, who consented to take him, and he was articled to him ■when about twelve years of age. His progress in church music was hardly credible ; and, in his volun- taries, his invention is not to be de- scribed. He continued to improve, and became an excellent performer on the organ. He likewise became a good violin, viole, and violincello player; and composed some vocal quartetos, which were thought ele- gant by the first professors of London. He then composed some dramatic pieces for Sadler's Wells, &c. and an opera (written by Mr. Holman) for Colman's Theatre. He was engag- ed by Mr. Harris to play in the or- chestra, and has since assisted the manager as a composer. For a while he followed the profession of teacher, and had several respectable pupils ; but now applies himself en- tirely to composition, in which he is reckoned wonderfully quick and cor- rect. DAWSON, (Sen. andjun.) actors, the father was manager of a com- pany some years ago in Ireland, when he married Mrs. Lewis, the mother of Mr. William Lewis, now of Covent Garden Theatre. Having failed as country manager, he opened a theatre in Capel Street, Dublin, were he brought out his young son- in-law, Mr. Lewis, in Belcour, (The West Indian), Mrs. Sparks in Clarissa, (Lionel and Clarissa), &c. He then joined Mr. Ryder's company, and oc- casionally officiated as acting mana- ger. On the failure of Crow Street Theatre, he engaged with Mr. Daly, with whom he had a violent quarrel, which occasioned an appeal to the public ; but he soon forgot the cause, and became afterwards the manager's particular friend, being occasionally his agent in making engagements, &c. His son, George, was a favour- ite comedian in Dublin, though not possessed of very great abilities. He had been instructed in dancing, and was frequently the ballet-master of the theatre : he performed at both Crow Street and Smock Alley The- atres. He died before his father, and, during the wake, (a custom in Ireland) through the neglect of the people, his body was partly consumed by fire. DEATH, (Mr.) actor, and a fa- vourite at several provincial the- atres. He was engaged by Mr. Ry- der when manager of Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, where he performed a huntsman's character in a new comedy there, called " The Benevo- lent Man," written by Maynard Chamberlain Walker, Esq. an emi- nent barrister, now in Dublin in which the critics said, " Death was was quite alive!" He was, like many other disappointed performers, en- gaged by the late Mr. Palmer for the Royalty Theatre. DECAMP, (ANNE THERESA) ac- tress, was, in her early days, a dan- cer at Drury Lane Theatre, when she occasionally represented chil- drens' characters : but increasing in years, she increased also in fame, and was brought forward in more important parts. At the Haymarket Theatre she made a greater progress by being an occasional substitute j and established her reputation by sus- taining all the characters she under- took with considerable ability. In 1779, she produced a comedy, for her own benefit, entitled " First Faults," which was a promising speci- men of literary abilities, and in 1801, she assisted Mr. C. Kemble in trans- lating and altering the play of " Deaf and Dumb." DECAMP, (Mr.) actor, brother of the preceding lady, was formerly, Edward V, Prince Arthur, &c. at Drury Lane Theatre. After which he improved himself at Edinburgh, Mar- gate, &c. and then, in consideration of his early services, and the present fame of his sister, was engaged by the Drury Lane manager, where he made his appearance in Vapour, (My Grandmother), Nov. 13, 1800. The chief character he played, during the season, was Gradus, (Who's the Dupe ?) on account of Mr. J. Ban- nister's indisposition, in which he discovered promising abilities ; and, though young, is at present an useful performer DE performer in trifling coxcombs, foot- men, &c. DEGVILLF, (JAMES) contriver of ballets, &c. is the eldest son of Mr. Peter Degville, of French extrac- tion; but born in England. He was instructed by his father, and M. Dau- berval of Paris. He married Miss Berry, who belonged to the opera- house for several seasons. In 1795, he was engaged by the proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre, for whom he furnished a grand pantomime ballet, called "Alexander the Great; or, The Conquest of Persia, " which met with considerable applause. He also assisted in the processions, &c. of " Pizarro," At present he is en- gaged at the opera-house. The general superiority of his pupils, to whom he is always more than com- monly attentive, sufficiently proves the eminence of the master. DE1GHTON, (Mr.) actor, former- ly the hero of Sadler's Wells. Being a good comic singer, he was sometime engaged for pantomimes, &c. at Drury Lane Theatre, and is now a member of Covent Garden com- pany. He follows the profession of a painter, and has considerable merit in caricature likenesses. He holds up to view several of the performers in his shop. Charing Cross; and his imitations give in general great satis- faction. DELAP, (Rev. JOHN) author of three tragedies performed at Drury Lane, viz. " Hecuba," 1761; "The Royal Supplicants," 1781 ; and " The Captives," 1786. He is a North Bri- ton, and probably a better preacher than a writer. DELL, (HENRY) wrote and alter- ed the following pieces : " The Spouter ; or. Double Revenge," farce, 1756 ; " Minorca," tragedy, 1756; " The Minour," comedy, 1756 ; and " The Frenchified Lady never in Paris," taken from Dryden and Cibber, 1757. He was a bookseller first in Tower Street, and afterwards in Holborn, where he died in humble circumstances. He once attempted the stage at Covent Garden Theatre, but without success. DELPINI, (CHARLES) actor in, and inventor of pantomime, was DE born at Rome, where he was instruct- ed by the famous Niccolini. About 1774, he was engaged by Mr. Gar- rick, and was among the several actors who then went from Drury Lane to Covent Garden ; but soon after returned to his former situation, and performed also at Colman's The- atre. He lias assisted in several pan- tomimes, particularly " Robinson Crusoe," all the pantomimical part of which he furnished, and played the character of Robinson Crusoe himself, Friday by Mr. Grimaldi. He assisted the late Lord Barrymore's private the- atricals, and performed also at the Royalty Theatre during the late Mr. Palmer's management, for whom he got up die pantomimes of " Don Juan," and " The Deserter of Naples," which were afterwards play- ed at the Theatres Royal. At present he belongs to Covent Garden Thea- tre. His wife, whom he married in 1784, has performed at several pro- vincial theatres with applause ; but has now retired from the stage. DEN MAN, (Mr.) actor, having performed at Tunbridge, Margate, &c. with considerable applause, was engaged by the proprietors of Drury Lane for the Irish characters, which had been formerly supported by Mr. Moody. His first appearance was in Foigard, (Beaux Stratagem), Oct. 'SI, 1196. The cause of his en- gagement, was chiefly on account of a new piece, called " The Charity Boy," which had been announced for representation at the Haymarket The- atre, but transferred to Druiy Lane, on account of Mr. Johnstone's then indisposition. The condemnation of this musical entertainment, in which Mr. Denman performed the charac- ter intended for Mr. Johnstone, ren- dered his stay in London but for a season. DENNIS, (JOHN) author of two tragedies, &c. was a native of Lon- don, and son of an eminent Sadler and Citizen. He was educated under Dr. Horn, at Harrow on the Hill, and thence removed to Caius College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B. A. but was expelled the college for literally attempting to sub a person in the dark ; after which DE BE which he travelled through France and Italy. At his return, he setup for a wit and a fine gentleman, and, having some fortune which was left him by an uncle, held every attain- ment in contempt that did not relate to poetry and taste. Though his abi- lities have been slighted, yet he was visited by the Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of Halifax, and Pembroke, Moyle, Dryden, Wycherly, Con- greve, Southern, Garth, &c. who had some opinion of his talents. In J704, came out his favourite tragedy of " Liberty Asserted," in which were so many severe strokes upon the French nation, that he thought they were never to be forgiven. He really persuaded himself, that the King of France, then at war with England, would never make peace till the author of the play was deliver- ed up to him ; ana, upon the full persuasion of his own importance, he is said to have waited on his pa- tron, the Duke of Marlborough, when the congress was held at Utrecht for a treaty of peace, to\lesire that no such article might be stipulated to, as his being given up. The duke told him that he was sorry lie could not serve him, for he really had no interest with any of the ministers at that time, but said, that he fancied his case was not so desperate as he imagined ; that he had indeed made no such provision for himself, yet, could not help thinking, that he had clone the French almost as much damage as the author of the play. In 1709, he published his tragedy of " Appius and Virginia," which met with no success, though for which he had invented a new kind of thunder. Heing at the theatre a few nights after the ill-fate of his own play, and hearing it thunder, he started up of a sudden, andcried out, with an oath, " That's my thunder ! How these rascals use me— they will not have my plays, yet steal my thunder !" Having attacked Mr. Pope, and abus- ed Mr. Addison's " Cato," he was represented as a madman by Swift, and rewarded by Pope with a place in his Dunciad. besides the above tragedies, he wrote other pieces, in all of wliich he shewed that he had i better talents for judging of the per- formances of others than for produc- ing any thing of himself, which made an able critic remark, that " Dennis was the fittest man in the world to instruct a dramatic writer, for he laid down rules for writing good plays, and shewed him what were bad by his own." He died in 1733, aged 77. In the very close of his days a play was acted for his benefit at the little theatre, in the Haymarket, procured through the united interests of Messrs. Thomson, Mallet, and Pope , the last of whom, notwithstanding the gross manner in which Mr. D. had on many occasions used him, and the long warfare that had subsisted between them, interested himself very warm- ly for him. and even wrote an occa- sional prologue to the play, which was spoken by Mr. Cibber,jun. DENT, (JOHN) author of the fol- lowing farces, " The Candidate," " Tou civil by half," 1782; " The Receipt Tax," 1783 ; and two pre- ludes, " The Lawyer's Pannic ; or, Westminster in an Uproar, 1785 ; and " The Telegraph ; or, New Way of knowing Things," 1795. He would have contributed more to the stage if he had met with encourage-- ment from the managers, but many of his pieces were rejected or lost. Among the latter was a farce, called " The Tarantula," presented to the proprietors of D.uiyLane. He died lately. DERBY, (Countess of) maiden name Fatreity at which time she was an actress of celebrity. She made her first appearance in Liverpool, and, at the early age of fifteen, was brought forward at the Haymarket, during the first season of the cld^T Coiman's management, in the cha- racter of Miss Hardcastle, (She Stoops to Conquer), when the re- ception she met witli confirmed the opinion which the manager had form- ed of her abilities. Her fust charac- ter at Liverpool had been Rosetta, (Love in a Village), which she now repeated in London with applause ; and, after much entreaty, was pre- vailed upon by Mr. Parsons to under- take, for his benefit, the part of Lady Townley, (Provoked Husband), wliich DE DI which she had for some time declined I through diffidence. Sogreat washer | success in this character, that she was engaged for both the winter the- atres successively, and performed at Drury Lane, and Covent Garden, in both tragedy and comedy. Hav- ing now completely established her theatrical fame, she succeeded Mrs. Abington in her chief characters at Drury Lane, and displayed all that elegance, ease, ana fashion, for which her predecessor had been so famed. Though she had supported many tragic parts with Mr. Digges in Covent Garden, and represented Juliet, the Fair Circassian, &c. at Drury Lane with great and merited applause, she now confined her ex- tensive abilities to the comic line ; but occasionally performed serious characters in comedy, (" The English Merchant," " Conscious Lovers," " Chapter of Accidents," &c.) with equal approbation. To her the "Heiress," and othermodern pieces were indebted for success, while her elegant representation of Lady Teazle is still remembered ; notwithstanding the playful manner in which Mrs. Jordan endeavours to obliterate it. Having left the Haymarket Theatre, she paid a summer visit to Dublin, and her performances there were re- ceived with universal approbation. At this time she was noticed by the most distinguished characters, and, at the particular request of several of the nobility, bad conducted the stage business of a private play, which was performed at the Duke of Richmond's house, in Privy Gardens, and in ■which Lord Derby, Lord Henry Fitz- gerald, and the Hon. Mrs. Darner, performed. Her jrivate -ivrih as well as public merit had long attracted the admiration of Lord Derby, and, as soon as his lordship was at liberty to offer her his hand, he avowed his intention of calling her his wife ; in consequence of which, she took leave of the stage, April S, 1797. Her final character was Lady Teazle, and the anxiety of the public was so great to witness the last performance of this favourite actress, that the the- atre was crowded soon after the doors were opened. Towards the conclusion of the play she appeared to be much affected, and, when Mr. Wroughton came forward to speak some lines, which were written on the occasion, her emotions enci cased to such a degree that she was under the necessity of receiving support from Mr. King. The fall of the cur- tain was attended with repeated bursts of applause, not unmingled with feelings of regret for the loss of an actress then in the zenith of her charms, and while her dramatic re- putation was higher than ever. DERRICK, (SAMUEL) translated a piece from the French of the King of Prussia, called " Sylla," a drama- tic entertainment, 1753. He was a native of Ireland, born in 1734, and, being intended for trade, was some- time placed with a linen draper in Dublin ; but, disliking business, quit- ted both it and his country in 1751, and commenced author in London. Soon after he arrived at the metropo- lis he Indulged an inclination which he had imbibed for the stage, and appeared in the character of Glou- cester, (Jane Shore), but with so little success that he never repeated the experiment. He succeeded Beau Nash in his office of master of the ceremonies at Hath, and 1 unbridge ; but, through his extravagance, was as necessitous at the time of his death, March 7, 1760, as he had been at anv period of his life. DIAMOND. (Mr )actor,wasbrought up to business, which he declined for ihe stage, and was some time under (lie tuition of Mr. Garrick. He made his appearance at the Hay- market theatre, under the late Mr. Colman's management, and after- wards went to Hath, where lie pur- chased a share of the theatre, and is at present the chief manager He is a favourite at both Hath and Bristol, where he has attained the character of a respectable, though not a great peiformer. In the summer Mr. Diamond is an occasional performer in the country, whereby he has fre- quently an opportunity of procuring some promising actors for his own theatre. It was during his perform- ance at Richmond tiiat he received and complied with Mr. Elliston's ap- 1 plication. DI DI plication. His son, a young man of promising abilities, has lately at- tempted dramatic writing. He pro- duced a musical entertainment, cal- led " The Sea-side Story," which he was promised by the manager of Co- vent Garden should be brought out when there was an opportunity; but, impatient of literary honour, he not only gave up all hopes of emolument, but almost hazarded that fame, by giving itfora benefit,(1801) as it is well known, notwithstanding the many wretched pieces performed on those occasions, several produc- tions of meiit have in this manner been sacrificed. However, the young dramatist's wish seems to have been satisfied : for, though got up with all the disadvantages of a benefit piece, it gave satisfaction, and was after- wards espoused by the manager. DIBDIN, (CHARLES) dramatist, composer, and formerly actor. His first character on the stage, which brought him into notice, was Ralph, (Maid of the Mill), and through the author's recommendation he was en- gaged by Mr. Garrick, when his per- formance of Mungo, (Padlock) 1768, rendered him a favourite with the town. His fame, however, as actor, was established by hi* excellence as a composer, and to his musical genius he is likewise indebted for his literary fame, his following dramatic writings being in general but simple vehicles for music : " The Shepherd's Arti- fice," in 1764 ; " Damon and Phei- lida," altered from Cibber, 1768 ; " The Wedding Ring," 1773. Previ- ous to the representation of this piece, a report was spread that Mr. Bicker- staff was the author. Mr. Dibdin thought proper to make an affidavit that he was not ; for as Bickerstaff 's name was then odious to the public, the fate of the entertainment seemed to depend upon the town's giving credit to Mr. Dibdin's affidavit ; ne- vertheless, on the first night of the representation of the piece, part of the audience testified their displea- sure by interrupting the actors for some time, till Mr. King came on and begged leave to read a p^iper, put into his hands by Mr. Dibdin ; the purport whereof was that Mr. D. had positively sworn that Mr. B. was not tne author, and that the public should be made acquainted with the author's name in a day or two. The piece was now allowed to be per- formed without further opposition, but, when finished, the audience be- came clamorous to have the author's name announced ; when Mr. King again came forward, made an apo- logy, hoping the town would not think hiin a party in any division, and then informed them that the managers had resolved, if Mr. Dibdin made use of the least equivocation, to dismiss him from the theatre, and that the performers would shun him as a per- jured man, and a pest to society. This declaration, however, did not produce the desired effect, for Mr. Dibdin was obliged to appear and declare he was the author of both the words and music ; which assevera- tion appeased the audience, who ap- proved of the entertainment, though containing little to recommend it. After this, he produced " The De- serter," taken from tire French, 1771 ; " The Waterman, or First of Au- gu t," 1774 ; " The Cobler, or a W ife of Ten Thousand," 1774; " The Me- tamorphoses," 1776; " The Quaker," 1776; " Poor Vulcan." burletta, 1778 ; " The Gipsies," 1778 ; " Rose and Colin,'' 1778; " The Wives Re- venged," 1778; " The Chelsea Pen- sioner," 1779 ; " The Mirror," pan- tomime, 1779 ; " The Shepherdess of the Alps," 1780 ; " The Islanders," 1780, afterwards altered and called "The Marriage Act," 1781 ; " Ju- piter and Alcmena," taken from Dry- den, burletta, 1781; "None so blind as those that will not see," 1782 ; " Liberty Hall, or the Test of Good Friendship," 1785 ; " Harvest Home," 1787 ; " A Loyal Effusion," 1797 ; " Hannah Hewit, or the Female Crusoe." acted for a benefit, 1798. He married the daughter of a re- spectable tradesman, whom he is said to have deserted without provo- cation. His want of ceconomy has plunged him into many difficulties ; and in 1777 he was under the neces- sity of residing, by pecuniary embar- rassments, abroad. He then sent his '" Poor Vulcan" to Dr. Arnold, under who.e DI DI whose auspices it wasbrought out and received with kindness. Its success enabled him to return, and he was engaged as musical composer to the theatre of Covent Garden, with a fixed salary. This situation he lost by a disagreement with the manager, for having added music to the Am- phytrion of Dryden and converted it into an opera, (Jupiter and Alcmena) he demanded to nave the benefit of three nights for it, in the same man- ner as if it had been a new piece. The demand was unreasonable. The manager bought the copy — and they separated. After this he composed music for an opera, which was brought out at the Dublin Theatre ; and brought a demand against the then manager, Mr. Daly, for the same, which he obliged him to pay. His embarrass- ments still increasing, he opened an entertainment of recitation and songs, which for the merit of the latter became popular, and his suc- cess induced him to build a theatre for himself in Leicester Street, with a convenient shop for publishing his own music. Though his success in this kind of entertainment is not so great as formerly, yet lie finds his London performances in the end pro- ductive, as his occasional visits to the country are consequently lucrative. He has endeavoured to extend his literary fame by writing novels, &c. but in the opinion of some critics he has thereby diminished it. DIBDIN, (THOMAS) dramatist and actor, son of the preceding, but not acknowledged by his father. For some time he was in obscurity in the country, where he was known by the name of Marchant, and un-'er which name his first dramatic piece, '• The Mad Guardian, or Sunshine after Kain,' i which was performed at the provincial theatres with seme applause) was published, wiih '• Ju- venile Poems, &c. As a dramatist he has been always more conspicuous than as an actor, and the success of his farce called " The Jew and the Doc- tor," in the country, procured him a recommendation to Mr. Harris, to whom the piece was sent, and by whi m it was immediate!) accepted. Before this Mr. Dibdin. howev er, had applied in vain, having met with those repulses v/tuchfrundieti authors gene- rally experience. At this time, how- ever, he caught Dame Fortune in good humour, resumed the name of Dibdin, and, previous to the repre- sentation of his accepted farce, pro- duced an occasional piece, called " The Mouth of the Nile," 1798, which so established his literary fame with the manager, that he was allow- ed a separate salary for bis writings, by which he was bound to produce so many pieces per season, and write whatever songs, &c. were required. His farce of " The Jew and the Doc- tor" having been altered, in conse- quence of Mr. Cumberland's "Jew," was this season brought forward with considerable applause After which he produced, in 1799, the following pieces : " Five Thousand a Year," a petit comedy ; " The Birth Day," another petit comedy, altered from Kotzebue. His " Sunshine after Rain" was acted one night for a be- nefit, but got up in such a careless manner as to prevent a repetition, though certainly an author, who was engaged to write for the house, ought on this occasion to have been entitled to thesuperintendance of a manager, who must have been interested in his success. " The Horse and the Widow," a comic piece, altered from Kotzebue; " The Naval Pillar, or Britannia Triumphant,' an occasional musical entertainment. In 1800, he produced "True Friends," a musical entertainment, unsuccessful; " St. David's Day," a musical entertain, ment ; " The Hermione ; or Valour Triumphant," an occasional inter- lude ; " Liberal Opinions," a comedy of three acts, afterwards extended to five, and called " The School for Prejudice , and " II Bondocani," a musical entertainment. He has also assisted pantomimes, "The Volcano," " Harlequin's Tour," &c. His wife is an actress, and belongs to Covent Garden company. His brother, for- merly known by the name of Pitt, is now supei ir.tendant at Sadler's \\ e Is. Mr. Dibdm is author of several fa- vourite snugs, which have been ge- nerally written for benefits. He has lately, during his country excursions, 1 -' given DI DO given an entertainment, called " No- thing New," consisting of songs, stories, &c. which has met with ap- plause, particularly at Oxford, where he is patronized by several distin- guished characters. D1DIER, (J.) actor, has played at several provincial theatres, and is now manager of the Theatre Royal, Richmond, Deal, Dover, &c. DIGGES, (WEST) actor, made his first appearance on the stage at Dub- lin, in 17h9. He played at Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatres with great applause, and was for some time manager at Edinburgh. H is last performances were at Dublin, where lie was suddenly seized with a para- lytic stroke, which rendered him in- capable of following his profession. He then became the manager's confi- dant and privy counsellor, for which he had an allowance, but at the same time the ill-will and envy of the com- pany. He died at Cork in 1786. He is frequently spoken of in Mrs. Bel- lamy's Apology; and in the early part of his life was distinguished by the title of the Gentleman Actor. D1GNUM, (Mr.) singer, was son of a master taylor in Wild Street, London, to which business he was brought up ; but having distinguished himself as a singer in a Catholic chapel, he was recommended to the late Mr. Linley, who immediately took him an apprentice. He made his first ap- pearance on the siage at DruryLane, in Young Meadows, (Love in a Vil- lage) when he became a principal vocal performer at a good salary. At this time his family were much em- barrassed, and with filial affection he applied the greater part of his earn- ings to their relief. He married the daughter of Mr. Rennel, a attorney, with whom he received an handsome fortune. DIXON, [CLARA ) singer, was in- structed in vocal music by Mrs. Crouch, and performed at the Opera House under the name of Signora Clara. Her first appearance on an English stage was for Mis. Crouch's benefit, in Beda, (Bluebeard) April 15, 1799. She appeared the succeed- ing season, on the same occasion, in Guita, (Siege of Belgrade) and was engaged by Mr. Harris for Covent Garden, where she made her debut in Polly, (Beggar'sOpera) September, 1800. DOBBS, (FRANCES) a native of Ireland, who produced one play, acted at Dublin, called " The Patriot King, or Irish Chief," 1774. DODD, (JAMES SOLAS) is author of one dramatic piece, which was acted once at Covent Garden, called " Gallic Gratitude, or the Frenchman in India," 1779. He published a pamphlet in defence of the Cock Lane Ghost, and afterwards com- posed a " Lecture on Hearts," which he read publicly at Exeter Change, with some success. He was bred a surgeon, and now follows the pro- fession. DODD, (Mr.) actor, was a native of London, and put to a grammar school in Holborn. Having perform- ed Darius, in Terence's " Andrea," whilst at school, he entertained a pas- sion for the stage, and commenced actor at the early age of sixteen, at Sheffield, where his first appearance was in Roderigo, (Othello) after which he undertook principal cha- racters in tragedy with considerable encouragement. He then went to Norwich, where he chiefly exhibited in comedy with flattering applause, but was still a servant to Melpomene, till, being engaged at Bath, he de- voted his study entirely to the comic muse with so much reputation that he received a very liberal proposal from the then managers of Drury Lane, (Messrs. Garrick and Lacey) which he accepted, and made his first appearance in London, 1765, in I addle, (the Foundling) with success adequate to his own and the managers' most sanguine wishes. He established himself in many characters.particularly in genteel fops, in which line he stood unrivalled. About 1781 he formed a connection with Mrs. Bulkeley, af- serwardsMrs. BarresfoH, which con- tinued for som? time ; but, suspect- ing her fidelity, a separation ensued. He died in September. 1796. DODSLEY, (ROBERT) dramatist, was born in 1703, and was in his early days a fooiman to the lion. Mrs. Lowther, from which humble -tatiun DO station his abilities soon raised him; for, having written a dramatic satire, called " The Toyshop,'^ which was shewn to Mr. Pope, the celebrated poet wasso struck with its merit, that ne l>ecame immediately Dodsley's pa- tron. -By his interest the piece was brought out at Drury Lane, 1735, where it met with the success it me- rited, as did also another farce, pro- duced the succeeding year at the same theatre, called " The King, and the Miller of Mansfield." The author was now enabled to go into business, and became a bookseller ; in which station, Mr. Pope's recom- mendation, and his own merit pro- cured him the countenance of the first persons of distinction, so that in a few years he was one of the most eminent of his profession. In 1738 he produced a farce, called " Sir John Cockle," being a sequel to "The King and Miller." In 1741 he brought out a ballet opera, called "The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green." In 1745 he made an attempt to introduce upon the stage a new species of pan- tomime, in " Rex et Pontifex." In 1749 he wrote a masque, called "The Triumph of Peace," on the peace of Aix la Chapelle, which was acted at Drury Lane. He published a col- lection of old plays, in twelve vo- lumes, 12mo. by which he has pre- served the beauties- of some antient dramatists. Having acquired a hand- some fortune by his labours, he retired from his business, and died Septem- ber 25, 1764, at the house of his friend, Mr. Spence, at Durham. DOGGFT, (THOMAS) actor, and author of a comedy, called " The Country Wake," which was after- wards altered to a ballet farce, called " Hob in the Well." He was born in Castle Street, Dublin, and made his first theatrical attempt on the stage of that metropolis, but, not meet- ing with the encouragement to which his met it was entitled, he came over to England, and joined a travelling companv ; after which, he procured an engagement at Drurv I ane and Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatres, where he was universally liked, particularly in the characters of Fondlewife (Old DO Bachelor) and Ben, (Love for Love) which Congreve, with whom he was a great favourite, wrote in somemea- sure with a view to his manner of acting. At Drury Lane Theatre he became joint manager with Wilkes and Cibber, but, in 1712, offended at Mr. Booth's being admitted to a share, he threw up his part in the property of the theatre, though it was looked on to be worth 10001. per annum. By his frugality, however, he had saved a competent fortune to render him easy for the remainder of his life, with which he retired from the fatigue of his profession in the very meridian of his reputation. He was a comedian of great merit, pos- sessing the happy art of arriving at the perfectly ridiculous without ex- ceeding the bounds of nature. His manner, though borrowed from none, frequently served as a model to many, and the propriety with which he dressed his characters gave double force to his humour. He died Sept. 22, 1721. DOSSIL, (ROBERT) was author of a musical piece acted at the Hay- market Theatre, called " The States- man Foiled," 1768. He was princi- pal secretary to the society for the en- couragement of the arts and manu- factures, and died about 1778. DOW, (ALEXANDER) author of two tragedies, acted at Drury Lane, called " Zingis," 1769, and " Setho- na," 1774. He was a native of Scot- land, but was obliged to leave his country, in consequence of a duel, and entered himself as a common sai- lor on board an East-India ship, bound to Bencoolen ; where the secretary- ship to the governor being vacant, he very fortunately obtained that of- fice, and soon became lieutenant- colonel. He died in the East Indies. 1779. DOWNHAM. (HUGH, M.D.) au- thor of the following tragedies, " Lu- cius Junius Brutus, or The Expulsion of the Tarquins," 1779; "Editha, or the Siege of Exeter," 1784; " Beli- sarius, 1786." The two last were per- formed at Exeter, with considerable applause. He isthe son of a gentleman of good foitune in the neighbourhood of D O DU *f Exeter, who died in 1789. He was brought up at the public school in that city, and took his degrees (as supposed) at Baliol College, at Ox- ford. He was designed for the church ; took orders, and performed the duties of a clergyman, for a few years, in his father's neighbourhood. But a disorder, which has since prov- ed to be a liver complaint, rendering any exertions of his voice painful and dangerous to him, he went to Edin- burgh, and took his degrees in phy- sic. An early attachment to a very amiable and accomplished young lady, which did not meet the intire approbation of his family, though she was very nearly related to Lord Courtnay, and had a genteel fortune, fixed the first essays of his muse en love. The Poems to Thespia, pub- lished at the end of the " Land of the Muses," are the genuine effusions of a poetic fancy, and of a heart fraught with those sincere and ardent pas- sions which have since marked his life. While he was in Scotland, or soon after his return, he published the " Land of the Muses." in imitation of Spencer. This fixed his reputation as a poet, and several editions of it were sold. It is probable that his attention was turned to the stage very early in life, as, it is said, several of his pieces were offered for representation, but rejected by the managers. Among these was " Lucius Junius Brutus," than which, many worse pieces have been accepted, and absolutely forc- ed upon the public. His plays which have been acted at Exeter, gave great satisfaction, and were fre- quently repeated. It is therefore much to be wished that the merits of ail new pieces, offered for representa- tion, were to be decided by a literary committee, and not to depend on (he judgment of capricious managers, too often attached to their own works, or biassed by interest and partiali- ty- DOWNING, (GEORGE) was an actor in the country, and author of " Newmarket ; or, The Humours of the Turf," comic piece, 1763; "The Parthian Exile," tragedy, acted at Coventry, and Worcester, 1774 ; and " The Volunteers : or, Taylors to Arms,*' interlude, acted at Covent Garden, 1780. He was the son of a tradesman, who gave him a genteel education. Unknown to his friends he married at the early age of nine» teen, and commencing strolling ac- tor, endured all the hardships inci- dent to the life of an itinerant play- er. He was at one time a comedian in the York company ; but, tired of the stage, he became master of a school at Birmingham, where he died about the latter end of 1780. DUBELLAMY, (Mr.) actor, was a favourite performer in the vocal line. He played for some time at Drury Lane, and the Haymarket Theatres; at the latter of which, he represent- ed the character of Cawwawkee, in (Polly), the second part of the " Beg- gar's Opera," 1777, which the late Mr. Colman then got up. He after- wards went to Dublin, and, under Mr. Ryder's management, played Capt Macheath, &c. alternately with Mr. Webster. DUBOIS, (DOROTHEA) authoress of some musical pieces, was the wife of a musician, and daughter of the Earl of Anglesea, by Anne Sympson, a lady who asserted herself to be wife of his lordship, though disowned by him. In consequence of this dis- puted right, the daughter was never acknowledged as legitimately belong- ing to the family ; but passed most of her life in great indigence, and ineffectual attempts to establish her claim to that distinction which she used in the title-pages of her works. She wrote some musical entertain- ments for Mary-bone Gardens, and produced a piece which was acted at Fishamble Street, Dublin, about 1772, called " The Haunted Grove," when a verse in the Finale, which was deemed indelicate, occasioned its sudden condemnation. She died about Jan. 1774. DUBOIS, (BAPTIST) actor in pantomime, who has acquired no in- considerable fame at Sadler's Wells, &c. In 179S, he applied to the pro- prietors of Drury Lane, and, con- trary to his expectations, received an engagement. In the character of a clown he is much admired ; but his abilities arc not confined te this part, lie ED ED He has several pupils with whom he occasionally exhibits tumbling, &c. DUDLEY, (Rev. HENRY BATE) dramatist, was the son of a clergy- man who had a living near Chelms- ford, in Essex. Being proprietor of a morning paper, he was called to an account, in 1781, for a libel which had appeared in it against the Duke of Richmond. His dramatic pieces are " Henry and Emma," interlude, 1774; " The Rival Candidates." musical entertainment, 1775 ; " The Blackamore washed White," ditto, condemned, 1776 ; " The Flitch of Bacon," ditto, 1778 ; " The Drama- tic Puffers," prelude, 17812 ; " The Magic Picture," comedy, altered from Massinger, 1783; " The Wood- man," opera, 1791; " The Travel- lers in Switzerland," ditto, 1794. His residence, Bradwell Lodge, near Bradwell, is so remarkable at sea, that it is considered by the coasting traders as a sea mark, and is almost as conspicuous as the Roman Temple, now called St. Peter's Chapel, which stands about a mile and a half frcm it. The Building, and laying out- of the pleasure grounds, cost 15,0001.. DUFFEY, (PETER) singer, was a hatter in Dublin ; but declined busi- ness for the stage, having been flat- tered by his friends into a high opin- ion of his vocal abilities. He made his first appearance before the pub- lic at Capel Street Theatre, Dublin, in a new piece, written by a lady, called " The Enchanted Island." the music by Giordani : under such a master Mr. Duffey met with consider- able applause. In 1789, he was en- gaged at Cov :nt Garden, where lie remained one season, and afterwards sung at Vauxhall. He then found it necessary to return to business, though different to his first occupa- tion, and has been lately married. DUFOUR, (Miss) singer, was first introduced to the public in a con- cert, and afterwards appeared at DruryLaneTheatre inAdela,(Haunt- ed Tower), in 179S. E. EDWARDS, (Mrs.) actress, was instructed by Dr. Arnold, who brought her forward at the Havmarket Theatre, in Captain Macheath, (Beg- gar's Opera) ; after which she per- formed second-rate vocal parts, and chambermaids ; and in I7S9, pro cured an engagement at Drury Lane, where her chief character was Lucy, in the above opera. EDWIN, (JOHN) actor, was the son of a watch-maker, who, with a liberality superior to hiscircumstances, gave him an education that after- wards rendered him essential service in life ; for it is asserted that the knowledge he acquired of music, while a schoolboy, aided by a happy invention, and droll manner of deli- very, made him one of the first comic singers of the age. He was born in Clare Street, St. Clement Danes, London, August 10, 1749 ; and, being of a sickly constitution, his fa- ther was induced to send him, at nine jears of age, to a farmhouse in a healthy situation, in the vicinity of Enfield, where he had not been long, before he gave the most decided in- dications of his future destiny, by joining some young gentlemen in that neighbourhood, in attempting to perform a play. Private theatri- cals were not then embellished and attended as they are now; for young Edwin and his associates received their audience in a stable, where the tragedy of " Alexander the Great.'' was chosen for the occasion, and the future comedian, ranted his part, un- unaided by any other qualification, than what was produced by his pu- erile presumption. Heremaineuat school till he was fifteen years of age, at which period he procured a place in the Pension Office ot the Exche- quer ; but that employment requir- ing no more than two hours daily attendance, he had an opportunity of turning his thoughts to the stage; a propensity to which seems thus early to have been his ruling passion. He ED ED Having received information of a spouting club, at the French Horn, in Wood Street, Cheapside, he be- came a member; and it was there that the singular humour of Mr. William Woodfall, in Old Mask, in (The Musical Lady), first suggested to Edwin's mind, a serious idea of assuming the character of a come- dian. The following summer, he studied the tankard scene of Scrub ; the part of Simon in the first act of The Apprentice, and the first scene of Polydore, in The Orphan, which with the song of " I followed a lass that was froward and^hy," and those of Sir Harry Sycamore, in the Maid of the Mill, he concluded might carry him very decently through the winter, at the beginning of which a new spouting society was instituted at the Falcon, in Fetter Lane. There Edwin made his first regular essay, and having passed the fiery ordeal of juvenile criticism, amid the ap- plauses of the members, was soon after chosen one of the six managers. He was always a great admirer of the professional merits of the late Ned Shuter, who, in return, entertained a high opinion of his comic abilities, and used frequently to say, " My boy, you will be an excellent actor when I am laid low." Indeed it was to his imitation of that actor's songs, and the performance, at the above-men- tioned club, of some of his parts, that he was first indebted for the patronage of Mr. Lee, of Drury Lane Theatre, who seeing his Launcelot in " The Merchant of Venice," engaged him for the ensuing summer at Man- chester, at a settled salary of one guinea a week, and the profits of half a benefit. However, before he joined this theatrical corps, a circum- stance occurred which might have been productive of great advantage to him. Mr. John Edwin, of Great George Street, Hanover Square, a distant relation, possessed of great wealth, happened to die, leaving near 50,0001. to be distributed in public charities, and appointed twelve trustees to superintend the distribu- tion. Mr. Way, the principal of these, and also one of his executors, aware of the folly of expending a fortune on objects totally unknown to him, while his own kinsman was left entirely destitute, from an im- pulse of justice made young Edwin secretary to the trust, and annexed a salary of thirty pounds a year, beside some very considerable perquisites, to the appointment. But the stage- struck mind of this young man could be contented with nothing short of theatrical reputation ; he accordingly resigned his secretaryship at the end of the year, during which he had ac- cumulated 5001. and left his family without the formality of taking leave ; but not before he had drawn his mo- ney out of the hands of Mr. Way, and presented it to his father, whose cir- cumstances were embarrassed, and whose hopes had been disappointed by his resolution to turn player. When he was only sixteen years of age, he commenced an actor of old men, at the theatre of Manchester, in 1765. Justice Woodcock, and Sir Harry Sycamore, were two characters which were performed with great applause by our juvenile adventurer, and it is here to be observed, as a circum- stance not a little remarkable, that he " played old men in his youth, and young men in his more advanced years." His fame was now so firmly established, that before the expiration of the summer, he was engaged at a salary of thirty shillings a week, at the theatre Royal, in Smock-alley, Dublin. Accordingly, when the sea- son was over at Manchester, he visit- ed London, and having received some money and a watch from his father, he set out for the metropolis of Ireland, where he at length arriv- ed in great distress, having wailed so long for a fair wind at Parkgate, that he had been obliged to pawn his watch, and expend his last shilling on the road. The first character that he performed in Dublin, was that of Sir Philip Modelove, (Bold Stroke for a Wife), a part in which much is not expected from the actor. His next was that of Lord Trinket, (The Jealons Wife) ; and here he had so little of the nobleman in his manner and address, that when ex- claiming in the course of his part, " I act a mighty ridiculous figure here, ED ED here, upon honour!" some of the wags replied with great vociferation, " S'ou do, indeed!" His success, however, in Justice Woodcock, (Love in a Village), amply repaid him for his former disgrace, and he after- wards continued through the season to attract considerable applause, either as aivold man, a thief, a clown, or a constable. After his return from Ireland, he was engaged at several of the provincial theatres in England, and particularly at Bath, where he received great applause, in the cha- racters of Perriwinkle, (The Bold Stroke for a Wife), and sir Harry Sycamore, (The Maid of the Mill) There loo he first became acquainted wilh Mrs. Walmsley, then a reputable milliner of that city, his desertion of whom, alioiit twenty years afterward, occasioned him to be frequently hissed off the stage by a London audience. In June, 177">, he was engaged to play at Foote's theatre, in the Hay- market, at a salary of three pound:- per week, and in the latter part of that month, made his first professional brw to a London audience, in the part of Flaw, in the manager's come- dy of " The Cozeners."'. His success in this attempt did not, however, equal the expectations of his friends, and it was not till he had performed lobson, (The Devil to Pav), and Billy Button, 'The Maid of Bath), that he acquired any great degree of theatrical reputation ; bit his fame was not established till Mr. Colman became manager, (1777), when he was brought forward in several new eccerfric characters, particularly in O'KeelVe's pieces, in which the author and actor were mutuall) served. In 177!), Mr. Harris engaged Edwin Pt die rate of seven pounds a week. The tir-t scenic personage he repre- sented at Covent Garden, was Touch- stone. (As you Like it ; Edwin did what he cm! l.but the effort was not entirely satisfactory. He played Midas on the ^ame evening, and in th.it part recovered all the dignity he ha I forfeited in I 'ouch-; me. The leading deign of Mr. Hani- in en gj^tng Edwin, w.ii to do the part of Punch, in Dibdin's pantomime of " Harlequin Every Where," a part to which the composer knew no other individual was competent' — His vast comic powers were first generally ac- knowledged in Master Stephen, (Every man in his Humour). From his fine acting on that night, every thing great was presaged by those whose judgment warranted the enco- miums of renown. At the conclu- s.on :>f that season, he made a new engagement with the manager, and was fixed for three years at eight pounds per week. At the expiration of that term it was increased to twelve, and thus it continued uniil he was called from the great theatre of existence He died October 31, 1790. EDWIN, (JUNIOR) actor, son of the preceding, made his first appear- ance when about ten years old, in the part of Hengist, (Bonduca) at the Haymarket Theatre, July 30, 1778, and for several seasons represented juvenile characters at Covent Gar- den, and the summer theatres. When he grew up, he assumed the more regular walks of the drama, in bo h town and country; but never ac- quired that reputation which his fa- ther did as comedian. He was for a long time the inseparable compa- nion of the late Lord Barrymorc, wh ise private theatricals at War- grave, he a»i.-ted. EDWIN. (Mis.) actress wife of the preceding, maiden name Richards: her fattier and mother belonged to the Dublin stage during Mr. Ryder's management, where the daughter made her first appearance at the ten- der age of eight years, and di>cover- ed extraordinary abilities in the cha- racter of Prince Arthur, and other iittle parts. At this ageshe also play- ed Prescilla Tomboy, (The Romp), for her ben 'fit, wan h. on her account, was afterwards occasionally made an int Tiide. Mi-- U allis, then a child, performed against her at Mr. Daly's theatre ; but Mi-> Richards as a singer had the advantage. Young as die was, -he proved the object of persecution : for, whenever her benefit was an- nounced, Mr. Dale advertised " The Hell ■ Stratagem," then a fashionable comedy, it being the first season it was represented at Smock Alley, de- K daring EG EL clarine it to be positively the last night of its being played that season. The benefit was two or three times post- poned, and each time the last night of the above play was opposed against it ; the consequence of which was that the child, or ralher her parents, had no benefit, being ai last obliged to decline it. In the country she im- proved herself, and at a proper age made her first appearance in London at Covent Garden Theatre ; and about 1792, was married to Mr. Edwin. EGAN, (Mr.) actor, belonged to the Haymarket Theatre, under the late Mr. Colman's management, where he generally supported Irish characters. In 1784, hewent to Dub- lin, having been engaged for Gior- dani's English Opera House, Capel Street; though, like several others who belonged to that theatre, in- capable of rendering it any service in the vocal line. During his stay in Dub- lin he suffered much from severe indisposition, and died shortly after his return to London. The first part which brought him into notice was the Irishman, in the speaking Pantomime of " Harlequin Teague." Having been appointed to announce the second representation of this piece, which was performed for the first time, Saturday, August 18, 1782, he continued his blunders by giv- ing it out for the succeeding night, {SundayJ. His widow takes care of the" wardrobe at Covent Gar- den. EGERTON, (Mr.) actor, was in business near White Chapel, which he gave up for the stage, and made his Jirst attempt (under this assumed name) at the Royalty Theatre. He played for a benefit or two at the Haymarket Theatre, and applied in vain to Mr. Colman for an engage- ment. He went to Birmingham in 1S(X), and performed with Mr. M'Cready ; but in consequence of a sudden separation between him and the manager. he opened the Assembly Room in that town with an entertain- ment of his own, called " Whimsi- calities," consisting of songs, imita- tions, extracts from the " Lecture on Heads,-' &c. ELLISTON, (ROBERT WILLIAM) actor, was born in Orange Street, Bloomsbury, and is the youngest son of an eminent farmer at a village, called Gidgrave, near Orford,in Suf- folk. He was educated at the ex- pence of his uncle, Dr. Elliston, mas- ter of Sidney College, Cambridge, who intended his nephew for the church, and placed him, when nine years old, at St. Paul's School. Hav- ing gained some applause in an Eng- lish oration which he delivered in public, in the year 1789, he imbibed an early inclination for the stage ; and shortly after performed Pierre (Ve- nice Preserved), at a private theatre. He quitted school at the age of six- teen without the knowledge of his friends, and, resolving to try his suc- cess on the stage, accompanied a friend to Bath, where he engaged him- self as clerk in a lottery office, and re- mained in that capacity (which was unly for a few weeks) till he found an opportunity of making his theatri- cal essay, which was in the bumble character of Tressel, (Richard III,) 1791, in which he gave so much satis- faction, that he was soon recommend- ed to the York manager, and conse- quently left Bath in hopes of making a more rapid progress. At York, however, he experienced so much disappointment and vexation, as the principal characters were all in the possession of other performers, that he soon became weary of his condition, and wrote to his uncle a supplicat- ing letter for pardon and indulgence. His application having had the de- sired effect, he returned to London, and was introduced to Mr. Kenible, who promised him an engagement at the opening of New Drury ; but his patience having been exhausted be- fore the building was completed, or, as it is still in an unfinished state, be- fore the company could act plays j there, he applied to Mr. Diamond, I the Bath manager, who was tiien per- j forming at the Richmond theatre, by whom he was immediately engaged. | He made his second appearance on I the Bath stage in Romeo, and was re- j ceived by the audience in such a ! manner as proved that his Tressel was I not forgotten. The indisposition of several EL ES several performers now afforded him the long wished for opportunities of displaying his versatile abilities ; and he occasionally appeared in tragedy, comedy, o(>era, and pantomime with so much success, that he declined the promised engagement at New Drury, and retained his present situation, as more productive of fame and emo- lument. Still anxious for an advan- tageous appearance in London, he was resolved to make personal ap- plicaion to Mr. Colman, and pro- cured leave of the manager of Bath for that purpose : hut in this excur- sion he had a donate view ; for hav- ing formed an attachment fir a young lady (Miss Rendall) who had been sent up to town, he was a^ anxious to see her as the London manager. The lady, however, unexpectedly re- turned to Bath before he quitted it, and, notwithstanding the many ef- forts which were made to prevent the union, he succeeded in obtaining her consent, and came up with his bride to London. He rehearsed the character of Octavian,; Mountaineers], before Mr. Colman, who, happy in procuring a substitute for Mr. Kem- ble. complied with his desire. Ac- cordingly he made his first appear- ance at the Haymarket Theatre in Octavian, and Vapour, (My Grand- mother), June 24, 17 u 6, having been married about three weeks before. He then played Sheva, (The Jew), Sir Edward Mortimer, (Iron Chest), &c. His success was adequate to his wishes, notwithstanding the fame of his predecessors in Octavian and Sheva ; and his performance of Sir Edward Mortimer secured the favour of the manager, as it preserved a play which had failed the previous winter season at Drury Lane. He then en- gaged with Mr. Harris for a certain number of nights with the permission of the Hath managers ; but at Covent Garden he did not experience all that success and indulgence, whicli he met with at the Haymarket; for Mr. Harris, being no author, has no bantling, to bemused: he therefore returned to his situation in Bath, and is at present the hero of that theatre. ELMY, (Mrs.) actress, was re- spectable both in tragedy and come- dy. She came from the Dublin the- atre, and was engaged at Covent Garden in 17.M). she had a tolerable share of wit and good sense ; but, by her want of powers, was prevented from making a conspicuous figure on the stage. She was living in 1790. Herchief characters were Lady Grace, Mrs. Foresight, Octavia, Mrs. Mor- wood, &c. EMERY, (Mr.) actor, his father was a performer of much repute in the country, who had his son instructed in musjc, for which he discovered an early capacity, and made such a pro- ficiency that, at the age of twelve, he belonged to the orchestra at Brighton theatre. Aspiring to the stage, he laid aside the fiddle for the notes of dramatic applause, which he obtained in his first appearance in Crazy, Peeping Tom) ; and having been equally successful in other companies with respect to fame, not emolument, he was engaged by the York mana- ger, where, though only fifteen years of age, he acquired so much repu- tation in the characters of oA/men, that in 1797, he procured an engage- from Mr. Harris for three years, at a rising salary, and made his first ap|>earance at Covent Garden in Frank Oatlands, (Cure for the Heart- ache), and Lovegold, (The Miser, re- duced to a Farce), in which opposite characters he met with equal ap- plause. On Mr. Munden's secession from the Haymarket, he was engag- ed by Mr. Colman for the summer season. The abilities of this young man (for he is now only about 25) promise much future excellence : he is as great in his representation of rustics as of old men ; and, besides his skill of music, he has discovered no small genius for painting. ESTCOURT, (RICHARD) actor and author of two dramatic pieces, viz, '• The Fair Example," comedy, 17t)6, 4to. ; and " Prunella," inter- lude, 4to. no date. He was born at Tewksbury, in Gloucestershire, and received his education at the Latin school of that town : but hav- ing an early inclination for the stage, he stole away from his father's house at fifteen years of age, and joined a travelling company of comedians then K2 at ES ES at Worcester, where, for fear of being known, he made his first appearance in woman's cloaths in the part of Rox- ana, (Alexander the Great). But this disguise not sufficiently conceal- ing him, he was obiiged to make his escape from a pursuit that was made after him, and, under the appearance of a girl, to proceed with great expe- dition to Chipping Norton. Here, however, being di-covered, and over- taken by his pursuers, he was brought back to Tewksbury, and his father, in order prevent such excursions for the future, soon after carried him up to London, and bound him an apprentice to an apothecary in Hat- ton Garden. From this confinement he broke away, and passed two years in England, in an itinerant life. He then went over to Ireland, where he met with good success on the stage; and on his return to London, was re- ceived in Drury Lane Theatre. His first appearance there was in the part of Dominic, (Spanish Friar), in which, though possessed of few natu - ral abilities,' yet by a close imitation of Leigh, who had been a favourite actor in that character, he acquired some fame. Indeed in this, and all his other parts, he was chiefly indebt- ed for the applause he received, to his powers of miinickry, in which he was inimitable ; and which not only at times afforded him opportunities of appearing a much better acior than he really was, by enabling him to copy very exactly several perform- ers of capital merit, whose manners he remembered and assumed ; but also recommended him to a very nu- merousacquaiiitance in private life.and secured him an indulgence for faults in his public profession, which might otherwise, perhaps, have never been pardoned. Among which, he was re- markable for that pitij 'til ambition of imagining he could assist his author b) making additions of his own. This is a liberty too often taken by even modern actors, who presume to in- troduce temporary matter, for the sake of obtaining an ill-judged plau- rlit, not considering that they may th"reby violate the time and place of action, and in all probability, in- jure the story by perverting die dra- matist's main intention. As a com- panion, Estcourt is said to have been perfectly entertaining and agreeable; in the spectator, he is recorded not only as a sprightly wit, but a person of ease and natural politeness. He retired from the stage a short time be- fore his death, which happened in 1713, when he was interred in the parish of St. Paul's Covent Garden, where his brother comedian. Joe Haines, had been buried a few years before. ESTEN, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Burnett. Her mother, who wrote several novels, had experienc- ed all the vicissitudes of life, but at last, through the death of her hus- band and father, who were Custom- 1 louse officers, became in 'ependent ; from her the daughter received her theatrical instruction; and after a long courtship was married, though very young, to Mr. Esten, the purser of a man-of-war, who had been in- troduced to her by her brother Thomas Pye Bennett, then a young officer in the navy. Mr. F.sten having failed in some speculation, of which great hopes were entertained, was ol li^ed to leave his wife and two children. Mrs. Esten, having now no friend hut her mother, was induced to attempt the stage, which had hitherto never been her wish. She first spoke in tragedy before Mr. Dawes, the coun- sel, who was so struck with the mu- sic of her voice, her figure, manner, and expression, that he declared it as his belief, that she would, with care and attention, become a favourite with the public. Accordingly she was introduced to Mr. I Ian is, before whom she rehearsed ; but who advis- ed her, before she appeared on a London stage, to practise in the coun- try She was recommended to the Hath managers, where she made her entre, in Belvidera, (Venice Pie- served), and became a favourite at Bath and Bristol. She then procured an engagement from the Dublin ma- nager, and performed afterwards at Edinburgh with so much success that Mr. Harris wasat last induced to give her an appearance at his theatre in Roselind, (As you like it), (Jet. VO, 17!W. The applause she met with wa> FA FA was unbounded, and she performed d jrini; the whole of the season, with- out receiving any salary; but with the indulgence of appearing in what- ever characters she chose; and to- wards the conclusion, in addition to a tolerable share of public esteem, she received a free benelit. Notwithstand- ing her success, every exertion was made for some time, in vain, to pro- cure her an engagement (agreeable to her wishes) for the ensuing season, but the characters in which she had played by her own choice, being chief- ly those in which Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Jordan, an i (then) Mi s Farren, were most admired. Mr. Harris was con- scious that though she had pleased, she was by no means ett.il to her rivals: however, by the recommendation of a noble persouage, for which, it is said, she was indebted to the kind in- tercession of Mrs. Jordan, she procured at last an engagement upon very ad- vantageous terms. SeeKEMBI.E, (S.) F.VATT. (Mr.) actor, was a shop- man in Pall Mall, and made his fust theatrical attempt in the country. He belonged some few seasons ago to Covcnt Garden and the Haymarket Theatres, where he was a useful ac- tor, though in trifling characters. In 179S he was the hero of the Rich- mond Theatre, where his wife also performed, and who has since as-isied at a private theatre. In 1799 they were the hero and heroine at East Bourne Thea're, &c. EYRE, (EDMUND JOHN) actor and author of dramas, performed at provincial theatres, is of a respectable family, and received a classical edu- cation. Anxious to becume a thea- trical hero, he neglected his studies, left his friends, and joined a com- pany near Windsor. His first attempt was Joseph surface (School for Scan- dal), and as he then performed not for emolument, but practice, was in- dulged with all the characters he de- sired. He took, however, a benefit, and while speaking an occasional ad- dress, was surprised at the appear- ance of some of his nearest relatives in the house. He applied in vain for a situation at Drury Lane, of which he had entertained some hopes ; and was engaged by Mr. Miell, for Wor- cester, &c. He performed one night at Covent Garden, for a benefit, in a farce of his own (whidi was not re- peated), called " The Dreamer Awake, or Pugilist Matched. ' 1791 ; besides which, he wrote "The Maid of Normandy, or Death of the Queen of France," tragedy, 1793 ; " Con- sequences, or The school for Preju- dice," comedy, acted at Worcester, 1794; "The Fatal sisters, or Casde of die F'orest ;" Dramatic Romance, 1797 ; and, " The Discarded Secre- tary, or Mysterious Chorus," Histo- rical Play, 1798, which he complains was in the possession of a gentleman, who never returned the copy, and that the idea of the " Cas;le Spectre," which was afterwards brought for- ward at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, was evidenily borrowed from it This accusation, however, has not been sufficiently proved by the I publication of the piece. F. FARIEY, (Mr.) actor, was b >rn near the iheatrc, and brought up to the ~u,'c from his infancy, having peiformed children's characters at Covcnt Garden, when about eight or rime years old. He was afterwards an assistant to the prompter, and as seen a- his age permitted, personated seivants. fops, &c. Having acquired a knowledge of pantomime, lie has assisted in contriving and getting up several. Being lately engaged at the summer theatre, he has attained a higher rank, and has frequently per- formed several comic characters in a respectable manner. F ARK FN, (Mr.) actor, was intend- ed for business, but during hisappren- ticeship he conceived a passion for the stage, and became a member of a spouting society in the Strand. He was recommended to Mr. Yates, then manager FA FA manager and proprietor of the Bir- mingham Theatre, who, pleaded with his voice and appearance, gave him instructions, and took him to Bir- mingham, where he made his first appearance on the stage with evident indications of ability. Having conti- nued his probation in the country, Mr. Yates brought him forward for his wife's benefit at Drury Lane, in the tragedy of " Medea," and such was his success, that he readily ob;ained for his pupil an engagement, which he retained for some time as a re- spectable second-rate actor: but ima- gining himself ill-tieated by the ma- nagers, being refused the assistance of Mrs. Siddons on his benefit-night, though that indulgence had been granted to Messrs. Palmer, Smith, Bensley, and Brereton, he left Drury Lane on the expiration of his articles, and engaged wi.h the manager of Co- vent Garden, where he made his first appearance in Othello, 1782. Though he never attained the character of a great actor, he always rose above mediocrity, and proved himself a use- ful performer. He was engaged by Mr. Colmanfor the Haymarket Thea- tre (1791), in consequence of Mr. Palmer's indisposition, where he play- ed the character intended for Mr. Palmer, in the Surrender of Calais. He died in 1795. FARREN, (Miss) See DERBY, Countess of. FAWCETT, (Mr.) actor, was born at High Wycomb, in Buckingham- shire. His parents were respectable, and at an early part of his life he wa> apprenticed to Dr. Arne, who en- gaged him at Drury Lane Theatre, under Mr. Garrick, in 1760 ; but ow- ing to some dispute between the ma- nager and composer relative to Miss Brent, the doctor's pupil was neg- lected ; but was engaged about two seasons afterwards by Mr. Beard, for Covent Garden, where he made his first appearance in Dametius (Midas), and proved a considerable assistant in the run of the piece. Dr. Arne, Giardini, and others, having now formed a scheme for performing Eng- lish Operas at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, the doctor exhibited his pupil (who could not decline the engagement) for the new undertak- ing; but through the interest of the managers of the Theatre Royal, the intended opposition was frus:rated, and on the expiration of his term with Dr. Arne, Fawcett was re engaged by Mr. Garrick, for Drury Lane. He per- formed several seasons at Richmond, where he often took the lead as singer, m Young Meadows (Love in a Vil- lage >, Lord Aimworth (Maid of the Mill), &c. He likewise played some characters of importance in London, Mungo (The Padlock), Simkin (The Deseiter), Solomon (The Quaker), &c. In 1792 he performed at Bir- mingham, and on the night appoint- ed for his benefit the theatre unfortu- nately was burnt down. His exer- tions in behalf of distrest performers have been frequently mentioned with deserved praise. A short time before his death a considerable legacy was left him. FAWCETT, (JOHN) actor, son of the preceding, was born in London about 1769, and was intended for bu- siness by his father, who, though on the stage himself, disapproved of the profession for his son, and bound him apprentice to a respectable tradesman in the city. Ambitious, however, to tread his father's steps, he eloped from his master, and joined an itinerant company with the assumed name of Foote. His first appearance is said to have been at Margate, in CourtaU" (Belle's Stratagem). Having met with encouragement at this place, he went to Tunbrtdge, where he attracted the notice of Mr. Cumberland, the dra- matist, and was particularly favoured by Lord Abington, who gave him some instructions in music. Having applied to the York manager for an engagement, which Mr. Wilkinson readily granted, he there played two characters in tragedy ; but on the de- parture of Mr. Knight from the com- pany, availed himself of the oppor- tunity of appearing in comedy, and, though he had performed Romeo, Douglas, Oroonoko, &c. with all the honours of a young beginner, yet the comic muse, from the greater ap- plause which she brought him. be- came his favourite ; an.l in a subse- quent engagement with the York manager, FA FE manager, he made a positive stipula- tion that he should never l)e obliged to perform a tragic character again. He now married Mrs. Mills, then re- cently become a widow, and lus tame in low comedy having reached Lon- don, he received for himself and wife a liberal offer from Mr. Harris, whose company had then felt the loss of Mr. Edwin, and he made his first appearance as Covent Garden in Ca- leb (He would be a Soldier), at the commencement of the season of 1791. In 1795 he was engaged by Mr. Col- man for the summer seasons, and af- terwards took several of Mr. J. Ban- nister's parts, on that gentleman's se- cession from the little theatre. Mr. Colman, io order that he might the better devote his time to the muses, has since resigned to him the direc- tion of his theatre, of which he is at present acting manager. He has lately catered for the theatre:., and brought out two historical pantomimes, " Obi; or, Three fingered Jack," performed at the Haymarket, 1800; and •' Pe- rouse, or the Desolate Island," per- formed at Covent Garden, 1801 ; in winch he has discovered much inge- nuity and invention. As an actor, his abilities are versatile ; the comic old man, or simple rustic ; the wag- gish servant, or pedantic master, he represents with equal success. FAWCETT, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name More, was born in London, and made her first appearance upon the stage at Edinburgh, where she captivated Mr. Milis, then a comedian of high repu- tation in that ciiy. They performed together at several provincial theatres with success, and came to London in 17s i; Mr. Mills having procured an engagement at Covent Garden Thea- tre. About the same time Mrs. Mills made her appearance at Drury Lane Theatre, in the character of Imog n, but was not so fortunate as to obtain an engagement, and a disagreement soon after taking place between Mr. Mills and the proprietor of Covent Garden, they left London and joined the York company, where they be- came great favourites. He died in 17SS, and on Mr. Fawcett's becom- ing a member of Wilkinson's corps, as already mentioned, she gave her hand to this promising novice, who, by her instructions, it is said, made such a rapid progress as comedian. She died in 1797, leaving behind her a daughter. FEARON, (Mr.) actor, was for several seasons at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, and was a tuefut as well as a respectable comedian. He died September 30, 17S9. FENNEL, iMr.) actor, was intend- ed for the bar, but declined the study of the law through a predilection for the stage. He went to Edinburgh in 1787, choosing that remote place for his theatrical essay, in order that his attempts, if unsuccessful, might be concealed from his friends, and, un- der the assumed name of Cambray, he there performed Jaffier, Othello, &c. The flattering reception he met with, induced him to hope for Lon- don approbation : accordingly, he made a personal application the suc- ceeding winter (without any recom- mendation) to Mr. Harris, before whom he rehearsed a few speeches, and gave so much satisfaction, that the night was fixed on for his appear- ance. He still retained his fictitious name, and made his debut at Covent Garden, in Othello, after which he played Jaffier, Alexander the Great, Sic. He then returned to Edinburgh, with the view of improving himself. The character of Jaffier was given to him, and Mr. Wood, who formerly represented it, was designed for the part of Pierre ; but, enraged at the exchange, though both characters have ever been deemed equally good, he complained to his friends of the injustice of the manager, and on the rising of the curtain, Mr. Fennel was called to an account for having taken the character of Jaffier from Mr. W r ood. Loaded with invectives by these plebeian critics, he was called upon to make an humiliating apology, which Ins pride then would not sub- mit to, but which a few nights after he condescended to make. He then left the city, and engaged with the York manager. In 1789 he returned to Covent Garden, where he per- formed for tliat season only. He then engaged in a periodical publication, called FE FI called " The Theatrical Guardian," which had not the desired effect ; for, instead of making friends he created enemies: after which he attempt- ed dramatic writing, and produced a comedy, called " Lindor and Clara, or the British Officer," which was acted at provincial theatres, and printed in 1791. FENTON, (ELIJAH), author of a tragedy called " Mariamne," was the youngest of twelve children, born at a town called Shelton, near New- castle-under-Line, in Staffordshire. He was sent to the university, and entered of Jesus College, where he took the degree of Batchelor of Arts, in 170+. He was intended for the church, but having embraced princi- ples very opposite to the government, became consequently disqualified for the taking orders. Soon after his quit- ting the university he was secretary to the Earl of Orrery : afterwards an usher to a country school, where it is supposed he was assisted by hi=; eldest brother, who had an estate of 10001. per ann. and to whom he constantly paid a yearly visit. He died July 13, 1730, and was buried at East Hamp- stead Park, near Oakingham, in Berkshire. His tragedy of " Mari- amne" met with perhaps as much applause as any play that had ap- peared for many years, both before and after it; and indeed much more than could be expected, under the disadvantageous circumstances which attended the representation of it. For, in consequence of the ill-be- haviour of the managers of Drury Lane Theatre, who, notwithstanding repeated promises to the contrary, had delayed bringing it on for three or four years together ; he was induced, and indeed advised by his friends, to carry it to the theatre in Lincoln s Inn Fields, where he was assured that his interest should be strongly sup- ported ; and indeed these promises were amply performed ; for although the theatre was then so entirely out of favour with the town, that for a long time before, the managers had scarcely ever been able to defray their charges, having frequently per- formed to audiences of about only five or six pounds, the merit of this piece not only brought crowded nouses for several nights together, but seemed, by so doing, to have turned the current of public favour into a new channel, from which, during the existence of that theatre, it never after so totally deviated, as it had done for a considerable time before. FIELDING, (HENRY) dramatist, &c. was born at Sharpham Park, in Somersetshire, April 22, 1707. His father, Edmund Fielding, Esq. (who was the younger son of the Earl of Denbigh), was in the army, and to- wards the close of the reign of King George}, or the accession of George II, was promoted to the rank of a iieutenant-general. His mother was daughter to Judge Gould, and aunt to Sir Henry Gould, one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. This lady, besides Henry (who seems to have been first born), had another son and four daughters : and, in consequence of his father's second marriage, our author had six half-brothers ; one of whom, John, succeeded Henry in the commission of the peace forthe county of Middlesex, was knighted, as being a very distinguished personage in his situation, and died in 1781. Henry received the first rudiments of his education at home, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Oliver. He was then sent to Leyden, where he studied under the most celebrated civi- lians for two years: at the expiration of which time, the remittances from England not coming so regularly as at first, he was obliged to return to England. Urged by difficulties, he commenced dramatist in 1727, before he hid attained his twentieth year, and his first piece, though it immedi- ately succeeded the long and crowd- ed run of "The Provoke! Husband," met with a favourable reception. About six or seven years af.er, he married Miss Craddock, a young lady from Salisbury, possessed of a very great share of beauty, and a fortune of 15001. About which time also his mother dying, an estate at Stower, in Dorsetshire, of somewhat better than 2001. per annum, came into his -pos- session. Thus comfortably affluent, and blest with a wife whom he was fond of to distraction, fur her sake he was FI wjs determined to bid adieu to all the follies and intemperance of a town life, to which he had addicted himself, and retire to his country seat ; but family pride brought on him all the inconveniences in one place, which youthful dissipation had in an- other. The income he possessed, though then sufficient for ea«e, and even some degree of elegance, was in no degree adequate to the support of either luxury or splendour. In short, in less than three years, from the mere passion of being esteemed a man of great fortune, he reduced himself to the displeasing situation of having no fortune at all, and through an idle ambition of maintaining an open house for the reception of stran- gers as well as friends, he soon found himself without a habitation for him- self and family. Not discouraged, however, he determined to exert his best abilities, betook himself closely to the study of the law, and, after the customary time of probation at the Temple, was called to the bar, and made no inconsiderable figure in Westminster Hall. Besides dra- matic pieces, he produced several admhed pamphlets, assisted in pe- riodical works, and invented the pleasing histories of Joseph Andrews, Tom Jc nes, &c. As a dramatist, he was not always successful, having printed in the title page of one of his farces, " As it »a- damned at the Theatre Roval Druy I ane !" which curious recommendation of a piece to readers has been lately adopted by one or two of our modern authors. His plays are twenty-seven, viz. " Love in several Masks," comedy, I72R; " The Temple Beau," ditto. 1730; "The Author's Kane, or Plea- sures of the Town," 1730, " A Tra- gedy of Tragedies, or Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great," burlesque. 1730; " The Coffee-house Politician, or the Justice caught in hisownTrap," farce, 1730; " The letter Writers, or, A New Way to keep a Wife at Home," ditto, 1731 ; " The Grub Street Opera," (called also Welsh Opera) 1731; "The Lottery," bal- lad farce. 1731; The Modem Un- bind," comedy. 1732; "The Mock Doctor, or Dumb Lady cared,"' bal- FI lad farce, 1732; "The Debauchee, or The Jesuit Caught," comedy, 1732; " The Covent Garden Tra- gedy," burlesque, 1732; "The Mi- ser," comedy, 1732; " The Intrigu- ing Clumber Maid," ballad farce, 1733; "Don Quixote in England," comedy, 1733; " The Old Man taught Wisdom," (now called "The Virgin Unmasqued,") ballad farce,' 1734; "The Universal Gallant ; or, Different Husbands," comedy, 17,34; " Pasquin," satire, 1736 ; "Historical Register, for the year 1736," comedy, 1737; " Euridic'e," farce, (damned) 1737 ; " Eui idice Hissed ; or, A Word to the Wise." (not acted) 1737 : " Tumble Down Dick ; or, Pha?ton in the Suds," dramatic enter-' tainment, 1737 , " Miss Lucy in Town," ballad farce, 1742; " Plutu*, the God of Riches," translation, (in which he was assisted by Mr. Young), 1742 ; " The Wedding Day," come- dy, 1743 ; " Interlude between Jupiter, Juno and Mercury," 1713 ; " The Fathers ; or, Gocdnatured Man," comedy, acted and print- ed in 1779. His dramatic pieces are far from being contemptible : they have a sprightliness of manner, and aforcitlenessof character, which render them entertaining. Though but a young man, he had such vio- lent attacks of the gout as rendered it impossible for him to be so constant at the bar, as the laboriousness of his profession required. At length his whole frame of body was so entirely shattered by continual inroads of i complicated disorders, and the inces- sant fatigue of business, having through necessity been obliged to accept of the office of an acting ma- gistrate in the commission of die peace for the county of Middlesex, that by the advice of his physicians, he set out fur Lisbon, and died in about '.wo months after his arrival there, 1734. His works have been published in different sizes with " An F.ssav on die Life and Genius of the Author, bv Arthur Murphy, Esq.'' I ITZHENRY. (Mrs.) actress, maid- en name t'l.innigan. Her father, an Irishman, kept the Old Kerry Roar, (a p'lhlic -house), at the lower end ot Abbey Street, Dublin, She eon- L turned FL FL timied for some time the business of embroidery, and contributed towards the support of her aged father. At intervals she entertained herself with a play-book. Mr. Flannigan's dwel- ling being then at Batchelors' Walk, contiguous to the river, the captains, and officers of the ships, lying in the vicinity, made it their place of ren- dezvous, and some occasionally lodg- ed and boarded with him. One of these, Captain Gregory, then in the Bourdeaux trade, engaged the at- tention of the daughter, and, having procured her consent, they were united, and embarked together for life; but an adverse storm inter- cepted them in their voyage, and the bridegroom was unhappily drowned. At this time her affectionate father also died, and the stage now seemed to be her only resource : accordingly she went to London, late in the year 1753, and made her first appearance at Covent Garden Theatre in Her- mione, (Distrest Mother), Jan. 10, 1754, after which she performed Alicia, (Jane Shore), twice. A pro- vincial accent impeded her success on the English stage, though her abilities were acknowledged to be great. She returned to Dublin, and was engaged by the then Irish managers, (Victor and Sowden), at 3001. pet season ; when her fame so much encreased that she ventured to perform again at Covent Garden, in 1757, which expedition was attended with both honour and emolument. After this she became the ornament of the Irish stage for several seasons, and was married to Mr. Fitzhenry, a young lawyer of family and abilities. She was left a second time a widow, with a son and daughter, for whom, by her professional exertions, she made an ample provision, and retired from the stage during Mr. Daly's manage- ment, naving in her farewell address strongly recommended Mr. Kemble (who had then played several charac- ters with her) to the notice of the public. She died at Bath in 1790. FLEETWOOD, (CHARLES) ma- nager, was a gentleman possessed of a considerable fortune at one period of his life, of which a small portion only remained at the time of his the- atrical undertaking. He purchased not only Mr. Highmore's share of Drury Lane, but those of all the other partners; and so little value was then set upon the theatre, that the whole sum which he gave for them was hardly more than exceeded the half of what Mr. Highmore had before paid. Previous to this, several of the actors had revolted, but a treaty was now opened, and concluded for their re- turn to Drury Lane. Fleetwood's management did not give much sa- tisfaction : he made use of mean at- tractions : he brought all the inhabi- tants of Sadler's Wells upon his stage, and entertained the public with sights of tall monsters, and contemptible rope-dancers. On the closing of the theatre, fn Goodman's Fields, he engaged Mr. Garrick at the annual in- come of 5001. ; but his ignorance of theatrical business proved him in- capable of displaying to advantage the talents of a Garrick, or the humour of a Clive ; and his extravagance, and absurd conduct rendered their ex- ertions vain to save the theatre from destruction. The profits which arose from the acting of his best plays were appropriated to his favourite a- musements ; the theatre was farmed to one Pierson, his treasurer, who had lent large sums of money to the manager : this fellow considered the merits of the best actors in no other view than as they contributed to the payment of his loan. The just and legal demands of the actors were treated by him with insolence and contempt. He was civil to Mr. Gar- rick, indeed, because he hoped, by his acting, to get back the money he had risqued upon the patent. In this distracted state of Fleetwood's ma- nagement, the itl treatment of the players seemed to call aloud for re- dress. Bailiffs were often in posses- sion of the theatre ; and the proper- ties, cloaths, and other stage orna- ments of the comedians, were some- times seized upon by these low im- plements of the law. Many ridicu- lous contests and foolish squabbles happened between the actors and these licensed harpies. The hat of King Richard the Third, by being a- dorned with jewels of paste, feathers, i and FL FL and other ornaments, seemed to the Sheriff's officers a prey worthy of their seizure ; but honest Davy, Mr. Garnet's Welch servant, told them, they did not know what they were about : " For, look you," said Davy, " that hat belongs to the King." The fellows, imagining that what was meant of Richard the Third, was spoken of George the Second, re- signed their prey, though with some reluctance. Fleetwood not only in- creased the displeasure of his actors, but was likewise at war with the pub- lic at large. The gentlemen or the inns of court insisted that the price of the pit should be reduced from 3;. to the then common price of 2s. 6d. and the gallery from 2t.to Is. oW.but it was urged in favour of the proprietors that having engaged foreign dan- cers at high rates to entertain the town, they must fulfil their contracts, but that another year they would not require the advanced price. To en- able them to keep their promise, they not only forbore to make other engage- ments, but refusedto give to the actors their former salaries ; without which several of them determined not to act. The following account was therefore publi>hed to shew their ex- orbitant demands in comparison of former actors. Computed at 200 days playing. In the Year 1708 and 9. /. /. d. Mr. WilksV acting and ma- nagement - 250 By benefit, paying charges 90 14 Mr. Betterton 4/. a week, and \l. a week his wife, though she did not act - 166 13 4 By benefit, paying charges 76 4 Mr. Estcourt bl. a week - 166 13 By benefit, paying charges 51 8 Mr. Cibber si. a week - 166 13 8 By benefit, paying charges 51 4 Mr. Mills, sen. 4/. a week - 133 6 8 By benefit, paving charges 58 1 Mrs. Oldiieid 4/. a week - 133 6 8 By benefit, paying charges 62 7 Cloaths - - - - 13 5 9 1419 13 1 In the fear 17 12 and'i. I. s. d. Mr. Garrick/oint- ment, and executed the articles which confirmed the latter's purchase of the former's patent, together with all his property in the Haymarket theatre. By the terms of the demise, Mr. Col- man obliged himself to pay Mr. Foote a clear annuity of 16001. per annum, by four quarterly payments ; he also stipulated to pay Mr. Foote a hand- some sum for the right of acting all his unpublished pieces. Mr. Foote, on the other hand, agreed to put Mr. Colman in immediate possession of the premises, and engaged not only to give him the refusal of all such dra- matic writings as he might hereafter produce, but also to perform on no other stage in London than that of the Haymarket Theatre. A few months afterwards, Mr. Foote was seized with a paralytic fit while on the stage ; from which he recovered sufficiently to spend the summer at Brighthelm- stone, and from thence, on the ap- proach of winter, was advised to re- move to France. He reached Dover October 20, 1777, intending imme- diately to proceed to Calais ; but complaining of a shivering next morn- ing, went to bed, where he was seized with another fit, which tasted three hours : he then seemed composed, and inclined, to sleep, but soon began to breathe in a moaning tone, and at length, fetching a deep sigh, expired. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. As an actor, his powers of imitation- were so great as to give additional force to his merit as a dramatist. As an author, his abilities have been cen- sured for the introduction of real characters on the stage, and his per- sonality raised him many enemies, the chief of whom was a printer, ridi- culed in the character of Peter Para- graph : but a writer who thus exposes folly takes the best method to correct it, and though his works may not be relished by posterity, yet he not only entertains tne present age, but tends to reform the vices of mankind. This dramatist indeed did not seem to aim at immortality— his plays, written for the present moment, are hasty sketches — but though unfinished, are the evi- dent productions of a man of genius. Few authors can boast of having writ- ten so many different pieces. Some are stilt occasionally represented, and though much of their satire is lost, afford entertainment, and promise to live longer than many of our mo- dern comedies of five acts, which boast of no characters either living or dead. His forte was the exhibition off character, or rather caricature, in which, though he was more a painter for effect, than the holder of a delicate pencil, for boldness of outline, and strength and truth of colouring, he stood unrivalled. His dialogue in' general is terse, easy, and witty. His scenes teem with true humour, and, under the mask of infinite pleasantry, convey the strongest satire. No dra- matic writer ever paid less attention to the fables of his plays, and yet there are not to be seen, in the whole round of modern pieces, so many striking pictures of vice and folly as have been drawn by this author ; he may be truly said to have " caught the living manners as they rose," and to have had the happv art of present- ing whatever he designed to exhibit, in a point of view so truly ridiculous, that every auditor was under the ne- cessity FQ FR tessity of joining in the general laugh- ter excited, and left the theatre not the less amended for having been un- commonly well entertained. FOOTE (SAMUEL) actor and ma- nager at Plymouth, &c. is of a respec- table family, and for many years held a commission in the army ; but dis- appointed of the promotion to which he justly looked forward, he was in- duced to quit the service, and retire into private life ; soon after which, having, by his occasional performances in the fashionable private theatricals, acquired a taste for the drama, he be- came the purchaser of the Plymouth theatre, which he rebuilt and fitted up in an elegant style. He then be- came performer, and acquired con- siderable reputation at the provincial theatres in the contrasted characters of the Stranger and Doctor Lenitive, i Prize) Macbeth, and FarmerHarrow, Ghost) Charles Surface (School for Scandal) and Walter (Children of the Wood,) &c About the year 1796, he managed the theatre at Exeter for Messrs. Hughes and Trueman, the proprietors. He married (about 1798) Miss Hart, daughter of Charles Hart, Esq. of Hampshire, a young accomplished lady, with a handsome fortune, and has consequently de- clined any further theatrical pursuit beyond Plymouth, the place of his re- sidence, at the distance of two miles from which is a neat winter theatre, opened in the town adjacent to his ^fajesty's dock-yard, called the Dock Theatre, which belongs to Mr. Hughes; but these gentlemen (Messrs. Foote and Hughes) now find it to their mu- tual advantage, particularly in the Summer, to consolidate their interests and to have performances in both the theatres alternately, Mr Foote always taking the direction of the business. ] FORREST (THEOPHILUS) author of a musical entertainment called " The Weather Cock," performed only twice at Covent Garden Theatre, and which took its name from an observation " that woman's mind is like a weathercock," was an attor- ney, and had been concerned many years in adjusting the law affaits, which arise in the theatrical world. He died Nov. 5, 178 K FOTTERAL, (JAMES) actor, born in Ireland, and was for some time a performer at Smock Alley, and Crow Street Theatres. His indiscrimi- nate ranting in tragedy, frequently afforded so much diversion to the galleries, that, with partial plaudits, they have seemed to vie with him in noise. In some few comic parts, par- ticularly the dancing-master in tiie " Son in Law," of which character he was the original representative in- Dublin, he met with deserved ap- plause. He has performed at several- provincial theatres in England. FRANCIS, (PHILIP) author of two tragedies, which were but coolly re- ceived, " Eugenia," 1752, and " Con- stantine," 1754, was the son of a dig- nified clergyman, who was born in Ireland, dean of some cathedral, and also rector of St. Mary, Dublin ; from whence he was ejected by the court- on account of his Tory principle?, after he had enjoyed his living eigh- teen years. The son was also bred to the church, and had a Doctor's degree conferred on him. He was a considerable political writer, and at the desiie of Lord Holland, was pro- moted to the rectory of Harrow, in Suffolk, and to the chaplainship of Chelsea Hospital. He died at Bath, March 5, 1773. FRANCIS, (Mr.) author of a legen- dary drama, called "The Enchanted Wood," acted at the Haymarket Theatre, 1792. It was founded on Parnell's Poem of " A Faiiy Tale, in the ancient English style." I he au- thor is said to have been very young when he produced it, and it appears from the great difficulty he met with in bringing it forward, and the little encouragement which was afterwards given to his promising muse, that he has laid aside his pen. FRANCKI.1N, (Dr. THOMAS) dra- matist, was the son of Richard Franck- lin, printer of a ministerial paper, called the Craftsman. By the advice of Mr. Pulteney, it is said, he was de- voted to the church, with a promise of being provided for by that patriot, who afterwards forgot his undertak- ing, and entirely neglected him. He was educated at Westminster school, from whence he went to the Univer- sity GA GA siry of Cambridge, where he became fellow of Trinity College, and was some time Greek professor. In Dec. 1758, he was instituted vicar of Ware and Thundrich, which, with the lec- tureship of St Paul, Covent-Garden, and a chapel in Queen Street, were all the preferments he had. His dra- matic works for the stage are " The Earl of Warwick," 1766, Orestes, translation, acted for Mrs Yates's be- nefit, 1769 ; " Electra," translation, acted 1774 ; " Matilda," 1775, all tragedies. " The Contract," co- medy, 1776. His name is to a trans- lation of Voltaire's works, and of a ylay from Lucian. He had great merit, which was eclipsed by envy. He died March 15, 1784. FRANKLIN, (ANDREW) drama- tist, is a naiive of Ireland, and brought out a musical entertainment on the Irish stage about the year 1785, called " The Hypochondriac," the music by Giordani. In 1792, he produced a farce, called "The Mermaid.' which was acted at the Theatre Royal, Co- vent Garden — not printed. He also wrote "The Wandering Jew; or, Love's Masquerade," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1797 ; " A Trip to the Nore," an occasional musical enter- tainment, ditto, 1797 ; " The Out- laws," musical entertainment, ditto, 1798— not printed ; " Gander Hall," farce, acted one night for a be- nefit at the Havmarket Theatre, 1799 ; " Embarkation," musical en- tertainment, 1799 ; and the " Egyp- tian Festival," comic opera, 1800. See FLORIO. FROWDE, (PHILIP) was author of two tragedies, acted as Lincoln's Inn Fields, viz. " The Fall of Sagun- tum," 1727, and " Philotas," 1731, neither of which met with much suc- cess, Jhough allowed to have consi- derable merit.' His father was post- master general in the reign of Queen Anne, and the son, while at Oxford College, was particularly distinguished by Mr Addison. He died at his lodg- ings in Cecil Street, Strand, Dec. 19, 1738. G GARDINER, (Mrs) actress, maiden name Cheney, made her first appear- ance at Drury Lane in 1763, in the character of Miss Prue, (Love for Love) and afterwards performed at the Haymarket in several of Mr Foote's pieces, with applause. Her husband was also on the stage, but never appeared in characters of con- sequence. August 9, 1777, she pro- duced a comedy at the Haymarket, for her own benefit, called " The Advertisement ; or, A bold Stroke for a Husband," and leaving England the same year, went to Jamaica. On her return, she visited Dublin, and per- formed at the little theatre in Capel Street, about-theyear 1781, when she quarrelled with the managers about a piece which she had written, and which, according to promise, they were to have brought out : but such was the then miserable situation of that theatre, that if they had, she could not either have derived from it fouie or emolument. On iicr return to London, (1782^ she brought out a farce, with songs, on the same occa- sion as before, at the Haymarket. called " The Female Dramatist," and afterwards played occasionally, and attempted (sola) an entertain- ment of her own composition. GARRICK, (DAVID) dramatist and actor, was born at Hereford, tit the year 1717. His father, who was a captain in the army, and had distin- guished himself in Queen Anne's wars, and in the suppression of the rebellion two years before, was just returned from Ireland, and upon his march to the head-quarters at Litch- field, when bis wife was suddenly taken ill. Her indisposition termi- nated in the birth of this astonishing theatrical genius, who was a few weeks afterwards conveyed to Litch- field, where he was educated, with several brothers, at the Free School, and then placed under the tuition of Dr. Johnson ; who in a great measure formed that taste and judgment, for M which G A G A ■which his pupil was so remarkable. After he had finished his studies, be- ing designed by his father for a mer- chant, he embarked for Lisbon, where his uncle was established in a very extensive branch of the wine trade. He continued with this gentleman near twelve months ; but upon some disagreement soon after returned to this metropolis. His separating from his uncle by no means forfeited the esteem of the latter; for, upon his embarking for England, he presented him with the sum of 10001. In the year 1736, he was entered in the honourable society of Lincoln's Inn, and from his wit and humour soon became an acceptable visitor in the best companies. Having h?d a re- commendation from Mr. Wahnsley to Mr Colson, master of the school at Rochester, he went there with a view to finish his education. He after- wards engaged in the wine trade with his brother, Peter Garrick. His passion for the stage, with which he was early possessed, at length seemed to absorb all others ; and he deter- mined to make an experiment upon it, without hazarding his reputation. With this view, being very intimate with Mr Giflard, the manager of the theatre at that time in Goodman's Fields, he went with him upon a sum- mer's excursion to Ipswich, where he passed for Mr Giffard's brother-in- law, and assumed his wife's maiden name of Lyddal. His first perfor- mance in thistown was Abcan (Oroo- noko) after which he played Sir Harry Wildair, (Trip to trie Jubilee) Clodio, (Fop's Fortune) and Cha- mont, (Orphan.) The warm recep- tion he met with determined him to quit the law, and pursue the profes- sion of an actor ; and in the month of December following, he played at Goodman's Fields. The character he first represented in London was that of King Richard 111. in which, lrke the sun bursting from behind an ob- scure cloud, he displayed, in the very earliest dawn, a somewhat more than meridian brightness. In short, his excellence dazzled and astonished every one ; and the seeing a young man, in no more than his 24th year, and a Hovice to tlie stage, reaching, at one single step, to that height of perfection which maturity of years, and long practical experience, had not been able to bestow on the then capital performers on the English stage, was a pha?nomenon which could not but become the object of universal speculation, and as universal admiration. The rumour of this bright star appearing in the east flew with the rapidity of lightning through the town, and drew all the Theatrical Magi thither, to pay their devotions to this new-born son of Genius. The theatres towards the Court End of the town were deserted ; persons of allranksflockingtoGoodman'sFields,- where Mr Garrick continued to act till the close of the season ; when, having very advantageous terms of- fered him for performing in Dublin, during some part of the summer, he went over thither, where he found the same just homage paid to his me- rit, which he had received from his own countrymen. To the service of the latter, however, he esteemed himself more immediately bound, and therefore, in the ensuing winter, en- gaged himself to Mr. Fleetwood, then manager of Drury Lane Playhouse, where he continued till the year 1745. Mr Garrick was particularly cautious in his choice and repetition of cha- racters ; his ambition never over- came his prudence ; he always con- sulted with the best critics, and sub- milted cheerfully to their corrections. On his fir>t performance of King Lear, several defects were pointed out to him by Mr. Macklin, and when he re- peated the character, and enquired his further opinion, being told that he played it worse, he declined the cha- racter for some time, and afterwards performed it to the delight and astonishment of that veteran critic. It was not in Lear alone that Garrick exercised this caution : he carried his prudence thro'almost all the principal parts of comedy and tragedy, and particularly those characters which had been preoccupied by persons of established reputation. In ihus pur*- suing his reputation with caution and foresight, he was scarcely ever misled to persevere in characters where he lost ground. His Othello was a re- markable G A GA markable instance of this i willing to take in such a conspicuous part m the great circle of his professional ta- lents, he attempted this very difficult character, where, independent of all judgment and taste, there is a demand of figure and tones of voice perhaps superior to the who'e range of the drama ; but though his ainbi ion templed him to a trial, his judgment would not suffer him to continue in it. Two addi tional motives may have probably determined him to abandon this character. The one was, the great success of Mr. Barry in it, and the other the sarcasm which Mr. duin made upon his performance, when asked by a lady how he liked Mr. Garrick in Othello. " Othello, " Madam (replied the Cynic) Psha ! " no such thing — there was a little u black boy, like Pompey attending " with a tea-kettle, who fretted and " fumed about the stage— but I saw " no Othello." Garrick had not only judgment in relinquishing a part that he found, upon experience, was unlit for him ; but he had such a know- ledge of his own powers in other cha- racters, " that a whole college of wit- crackers could not flout him out of his humour," when he found he was right. Quin, for instance, attempted to be equally witty and severe on his Sir John Bruie, by calling it " Jacky Brute ;" but Garrick persevered in the character notwithstanding, and the town, to the last, admitted the justice of his choice. In 1743, a sort of competition, or rivalship, was set I up between Mr. Sheridan, who had | acted several parts at Drury Lane, and Mr. Garrick, by officious friends, which occasioned a quarrel beiween them, and which was unreconciled when Sheridan left London, (see SHL- R1DAN, THOMAS.) However, Mr Sheridan knew and acknowledged the worth of Mr. Garrick, and as soon as he heard his intention to visit Ireland again, he wrote him a letter to this purport, " That he was then sole manager of ihe Irish stage, and should be very happy to see him in Dublin, and that he would give him all ad- vantages and encouragement which be could in reason expect."' In short, be made an offer to divide all profits with him, from their united representations, after deducting the incurred expenccs. He told him, at the same tune, that he must expect nothing from his friendship, for he owed him none : but ail that the best actor had a right to command, he might be very certain should be granted. Mr. Garrick was at Colonel V\ yndham's when he received this letter, and having looked it over, he put it into the Colonel's hand, saying, •• This is the oddest epistle 1 ever saw in my life." " It may be an odd one, (the Colonel replied, after he had perused it) but it is surely a very ho- nest one : 1 should certainly depend upon that man who treated me with such openness and simplicity of heart." When Mr. Garrick arrived at Dub- lin, he soon had a meeting with Mr Sheridan, who offered to fulfil his promise of sharing profits and loss : but the former insisted upon a stipu- lated sum for playing during the winter. The other objected 10 the demand, and persisted in his first pro- posal, which, he said, was more rea- sonable, for then he would receive as much money as he earned, and others might not be losers, when, per- haps, he might be the only gainer.— After some little dispute, (which Mr. Sheridan decided by taking out hi. watch, and insisting upon an answer in a few minutes) Mr Garrick sub- mitted. The principal characters were divided between them. Some times they acted parts of importance alternately, Hamlet, Richard 111. 6cc. The IriJi theatre llii, year was more splendid and more frequented than usual,and was also assisted by Mrs. Wot j tington. Satiated with caresses from all ranks of ]>eople, and after having con- siderably added to his stock of money, Mr. Garrick left Ireland, and arrived in London, May 1746' ; when Mr. Rich having been persuaded by his friends to seize tins favourable opportunity of closing his theatrical campaign with eclat and advantage to himself, as well as with adJitional honour and emolument to Mr. Garrick, bargained with him to act five or six nights, and to share the profit;. This was the iast time Mr. Garrick performed as an hired actor, for, at the cla>e of that M 2 season, GA GA season, Mr. Fleetwood's patent for the management of Drury Lane hav- ing expired, and the new managers, who were bankers, having, from the pressure of times, stopped payment, Mr. Garrick, in conjunction with Mr. Lacy, the then deputy manager, purchased the property of that the- atre, together with the renovation of the patent, and in the winter of 1747, commenced manager with the best part of the former company, and the additional strength of Mr. Barry, Mrs. Pritchard, and Mrs. Cibber, from Covent Garden ; afterwards Mossop, Woodward, &c. July 1749, he was married to- Mademoiselle Viletti, the most capital dancer in Europe, and universally admired for her beauty and accomplishments. Thimcing this change of condition would expose him to some sarcastic wit, he endea- voured to anticipate it : indeed the guarding against distant ridicule, and warding off apprehended censure, was a favourite peculiarity with him through life : thus, when he first act- ed Macbeth, he was so alarmed with the fears of critical examination upon his new manner, that, during his pre- paration for the character, he devoted some part of his time to the writing of an humourous pamphlet on the subject, which was entitled, "An Essay on Acting ; in which will be considered the mimical behaviour of a certain fashionable faulty actor, &c. To which will be added, A short Criticism on his acting Macbeth.".— In the summer of 1754, Mr. Garrick invited the celebrated Mr. Noverre to enter into an engagement with him for the ensuing winter, and to compose such dances as would sur- prize and captivate all ranks of peo- ple. But between the planning of this public diversion, and the repre- sentation of it, hostilities commenced between England and France ; and as if we had at the same time declared war against ingenuity and the polite arts, the uninformed part of the peo- ple, stimulated by others whose envy of superior merit and good fortune is ever disguised with the specious shew of public spirit, denounced ven- geance against the managers, and particularly Mr. Garrick, for employ- ing such a large number of French- men in an English theatre, at a time of open war with their countrymen. Nothing could justify this unexpected attack but an exclusion of the English in preference of foreigners ; but that was not the case, for all England and Ireland were raisacked to fill up the various figures projected by the com- poser. The prejudices of the people were so violent, and so openly di- vulged against the "Chinese Festival," that the king was prevailed upon to give a kind of sanction to this enter- tainment, by a royal command, on the first night of representation ; but the presence of a crowned head was not sufficient to curb that ill-placed zeal against papists and Frenchmen which had seized many well-meaning people. The good old king being told the cause of the uproar, seemed to enjoy the folly of the hour, and laughed very heartily. The inhabi- tants of the boxes, from the beginning 1 of the dispute, were inclined to favour the exhibition of the festival, and very warmly espoused the cause of the managers against the plebeian part of the audience, whom they affected to look down upon with contempt.— The pit and galleries became more incensed by this opposition of the peo- ple of fashion, and entered into a strong alliance to stand by each other, and to annoy the common enemy.— Several gentlemen of high rank being determined to conquer the obstinacy of the rioters, jumped from the boxes into the pit with a view to seize the ringleaders of the fray. The la- dies at first were so far from being frightened at this resolution of the gentlemen, that they pointed out the obnoxious persons with great calm- ness. Swords were mutually drawn, and blood shed. The females at last gave way to their natural timidity ; they screamed out loudly, and a furious uproar ensued. The contest between the boxes and the other parts of the house was attended with real distress to the manager-, for they knew not now which party they could oblige with safety. One would not give way to the other, ami they seem- ed to be pretty equally balanced : at Ujt, after much mutual abuse, loud alterca- GA G A altercation, and many violent blows and scuttles, the combatants foil upon that which could make no resistance, the materials before them. They de- molished the scenes, tore up the benches, broke the lustres and giran- doles, and did in a short time so much mischief to the inside of the theatre, that it scarce could be repaired in several days. During the heat of this ruinous business, Mr Garrick felt himself in a very odd situation ; he thought his life was in danger from the ungovernable rage of the people, who threatened to demolish hu, house. He who had been so long the idol of the public, was now openly abused and execrated. He found himself re- duced to the necessity of seeking pro- tection from the soldiery. The mob in- deed went so far as to break his win- dows, and to commit other acts of vio- lence. In l76\},thisgreatactor, accom- panied by his wife, made the tour of France and Italy, her native country, and was received with the highest marks of distinction by the first cha- racters in the principal cities he visit- ed. A circumstance happened while he wasat Rome, which shews his won- derful powers of expression in too striking a light to be omitted. Hav- ing dined one day with some of the most celebrated English, French, and Italian artists, particularly Battoni, Cochin, Mr. Dance the painter, and his brother the architect ; the conver- sation turned upon the delineation of the passions ; in the course of which, Mr. Garnck made many judicious ob- servations, and illustrated them by alternately throwing his features into the representations of love, hatred, terror, pity, jealousy, desire, joy, &c. in so rapid and striking a manner as astonished the whole company, who acknowledged it the first mutation of nature they had ever met with. He exhibited before the Duke of Parma, by reciting a soliloquy of Macbeth, and he had friendly contests with the celebrated Mademoiselle Clairon, at Paris. He returned to London, April 1765. But before he set out from Calais, put in practice his usual me- thod ol preventing censure, and blunt- ing the edge of ridicule, by antici- pation, in a poem called " The sick }lonkey, M which, at his desire, a friend in London got printed, to prepare his reception there. The. pleasure of the public on his return was universal, and the king honoured his first appearance by commanding the play of u Much ado about No- thing," in which he was received with loud and repeated applau-.es.—- On the death of Mr. Lacy, joint pa- tentee of Drury Lane with Mr Gar- rick, in 1773, the whole management of the theatre devolved on the sur- viving sharer of the patent. He was now advanced to within a few years of threescore ; he had been much af- flicted with chronical disorders, some- times with the gout, which was rather an occasional visitor than a constant companion ; but more often with the stone an 1 gravel, which never left him without an unkind token of a speedy return. To relieve himself from the excruciating pains of this dreadful dis- order, lie was persuaded to use lixi- vium,and other soapmedicines,which\ in tlie end, proved very prejudicial to his health. Notwithstanding the fre- quent relapses into this distemper were alarming, his friends thought that a retirement from the stage, while he preserved a moderate share of strength and spirits, would be more unfriendly to him than the prosecution of a business which he could make a matter of amusement, rather than a toilsome imposition. When it was once known that Mr. Garrick was in earne>t to part with his moiety of the patent, several bidders offered them- selves immediately. Not to dwell long on a transaction so publicly known, in the beginning of January, 1776, he entered into articles with Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Thomas Linley, and Richard Ford, Esqrs. for the sale of his moiety, on paying the sum of thirty live thousand pounds.-— He finished his dramatic race with one of his favourite parts, Felix (the Wonder, a Woman keeps a Secret.) In Christmas, 1778, Mr. and Mrs. Gar- rick were invited to the country seat of Earl spencer, where they had fre- quently been welcome guests. In the midst of that social happiness and rational pleasure which every body enjoys with that noble family, Mr. Garnet GA Garrick was seized with a terrible fit of his old disorder. His having the herpes, or what is commonly called the shingles, at the same time, which perfectly covered his loins, alarmed Mrs. Garrick greatly, though the phy- sicians said it was a matter of no im- portance. He was so well recovered of his disorder, the gravel and stone, that he determined to set out for London. He arrived at his house in the Adelphi on Friday the 15th of January, 1779. The next day he sent for his apothecary, Mr. Lawrence, who found him dressing himself, and seem- ingly in good health, but somewhat alarmed that he had not, for many hours, discharged any urine, when his constant practice had been. Tor some years, to make water every four hours. Mr. Lawrence observed to him, that this was no sufficient cause to make him uneasy ; but when, on the next day, he found the same symptom con- tinue, he judged it proper to acquaint Dr. Cadogan with it. The doctor conceived it to be of so serious a na- ture, that lie told Mr. Garrick his dis- order was so uncertain in its progress that it was necessary to inform him, if he had any worldly affairs to settle, it would be prudent to dispatch them as soon as possible. Mr. Garrick as- sured him, that nothing of that sort lay on his mind ; and that he was not afraid to die. The distemper was incessantly gaining ground ; the fluids not passing in their natural course brought on a kind of stupor, whicli increased gradually to the time of his death, which happened on Wednes- day morning, January 20, 1779, at eight a'clock, without a groan. Mr. Garrick 's disease was pronounced by Mr. Potts to be a palsy in the kidnies On Monday, February 1, his body was conveyed from hi? own house in the Adelphi, and most magnificently in- terred in Westminster Abbey, un- der the monument of his beloved Shakespeare. He was attended to the grave by persons of the first rank , by men illustrious for genius, and fa- mous for science ; by those who loved him living, and lamented his death. Twenty-four of the principal actors of both theatres, who composed the two committees of the playhouse funds, G A were also attendants at the funeral; and, with unfeigned sorrow, regretted ihe loss of so great an ornament to their profession and so munificent a benefactor 1 1 their charitable institu- tion. His first dramat c piece, i- The Lyinp Valet," was written and pro- duced while he was at Goodman's Fields Theatre, 1741. This was fol- lowed by •' Miss in her Teens ; or, the Medley of Lovers," farce, 1747; " Lethe," dramatic satire, 1740, af- terwards performed with the addi- tional title of " yEsop in the Shades," 1745 ; " Florizel and Perdita," pas- toral, 1756, printed 1758 ; " Lilliput," dramatic entertainment, 17.V7 ; " The Male Coquet ; or, Seventeen Hun- dred and Fifty Seven," farce, 1757 ; " The Guardian," comedy, in two acts, 1759 ; " The Enchanter ; or, Love and Magic," musical drama, 1760; " Harlequin'slnvasion," speak- ing pantomime, 1761, not printed; " The Farmer's Return from Lon- don," interlude, 1762 ; " The Clan- destine Marriage," comedy, 1766, (Mr. Colman assisted in this, — the parts written by Mr Garrick were Lord Ogilby, Canton, and Mrs Heidel- berg ;) " Neck or Nothing," farce, 1766; " Cymon," musical romance, 1767 ; " A Peep behind the Curtain ; or, the New Rehearsal." farce, 1767 ; " The Jubilee," dramatic entertain- ment, 1770. This piece, though it contains several fine passages, is in- ferior to Mr. Garricl»>s other produc- tions and the Jubilee, in honour of his favourite Bard, was, from the pro- digious c influx of company, a conti- nued scene of confusion, and, in the opinion of many, juady merited the following satirical description of it given by Mr. Foote, in his Devil upon Two Sticks : " A Jubilee, as it hath lately appeared, (said the humourist) is a public invitation, circulated and urged by puffing, to go post without horses to an obscure borough without representatives, governed by a Mayor and Aldermen who are no Magi- strates, to celebrate a great poet whose own works have made him immortal, by an Ode without poetry, music without melody, dinners without vic- tuals, and lodgings without beds ; a masquerade where half the people ap- GA G A appeared bare-faced, a horse-race up to tfte knees in water, fire-works ex- tinguished as soon as they were light- ed, and a gingerbread amphitheatre, which, Hke a house of cards, tumbled to pieces as soon as it-was finished !" — " The Institution of the Order of the Garter," occasional piece, 177! ; "The Irish Widow," farce, 1772; "A Christmas Tale," 1774 ; " The Meet- ing of the Company," prelude, 177 1, not printed ; " Bon Ton ; or, High Life above Stairs," farce, 1775 ; " May Day," ballad opera, 1775; and "The Theatrical Candidates," prelude, 1775. He altered the following pieces : " Romeo and Juliet," " Every Man in his Humour," (Ben Jonson's) ; "The Tempest," " Catherine and Petrucio," farce, (Shakespeare's Taming the Shrew); " The Game-ters," (Shirley's); " Isabella; or, Fatal Marriage;" " Cymbeline," " The Country Girl." (Wycherley's) ; " King Arthur," (Dry- den's); "The Chances," (Beaumont and Fletcher's) ; '• Albumazar," (Tom- kin's); "Alfred," (Tompson's) ; 'tRule a Wife, and havea Wife," (Fletcher's) ; " Mahomet," (Miller's,) &c. He was supposed to be the author of " High Life below Stairs" and other anony- mous pieces. His prologues, epi- logues, songs, &c. are numerous ; and he amended the works of several play- wrights. GAUDRY, (Mr.) actor, has per- formed at almost all the provincial theatres, and has ftequently been seen in London. During Mr. Ryder's ma- nagement he played in Dublin, and was at the RoyaltyTheatiewben open- ed by the late Mr. Palmer. His wife assists in chorusses, &c. and his daugh- ter was brought up to the stage from her infancy, having played the Prince in " The Battle of Hexham," the first season of its representation. GAY. (JOHN) dramatist, was de- scended from an anuent family in Devonshire, and born at Exeter, in 1688. He received his education at the free school of Barnstable, in that county, under the care of Mr. Wm. Rayncr, and was bred a mercer, in the Strand : but having a small tor- tune independent of business, and considering die attendance on a shop as a degiadation of those abilities which he found himself possessed of, he quitted that occupation, and ap- plied himself to the study of the muses. In 1712, he became a secre- tary, or rather domestic steward, to the Dutchess of Monmouth, in which station he continued till the year 1714, when he accompanied the Farl of Clarendon to Hanover, whither that nobleman was dispatched by Queen Anne. On the death of the queen he returned to England, and lived in the highest estimation with persons of the first distinction. He was particu- larly noticed by Queen Caroline, then princess of Wales, to whom he had the honour of reading in M.S. his tragedy of " 1 he Captives." Thus countenanc- ed, he had numberless promises of preferment, and naturally expected to have been genteely provided for. Instead of which, in 1727, he was of- fered the place of gentleman usher to one of the youngest princesses, whice he thought proper to refuse, as he deemed it rather an indignity to a man whose talents might have been so much better employed. This occa- sioned some warm remonstrances ; and his sincere and zealous patrons, (he Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, mortified at the manner in which he was slighted, withdrew from court in disgust. However, the very ex- traordinary success Mr. Gay met with from public encouragement, made him ample amends, both with respect to satisfaction, and emolument, for those disapointments he experienced through the fal:e promises of the great. In the season of 1727-8, ap- peared his " Beggar's Opera," the vast success of which was not only- unprecedented, but almost incredible. During the first season in London, it had an uninterrupted run of 63 nights, and met with equal approba- tion the ensuing season. It spread into all the great towns of England — was played in many places to the thirtieth aud fortieth time, and at Bath an. I Bristol fifty. It made its progress into Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, in which last place itwasacted for twenty- four successive nights, and ia-t of all it was performed at Minorca. Nor was the fame of it confined to the reading and representation alone, for the G A GE the card-table and drawing-room ' shared with the theatre and closet in this respect ; the ladies carried about the favourite songs of it engraven on their fan-mounts ; and screens, and other pieces of furniture, were deco- rated with the same. Miss Fenton. who acted Polly, though till then in obscurity, became suddenly the idol of the town — her pictures were en- graven, and sold in great numbers— her life written—books of letters and verses to her published— pamphlets made of even her sayings and jests — and she herself received to a station, in consequence of which she attained the highest rank a female subject can acquire, having been married to the Duke of Bolton. In short, the satire of this piece not only exposed the follies of the great, by which mean? the author triumphed over his false friends, but retarded the progress of the Italian Opera, which had hithert< been the idol of the fashionable, who, as is still the practice, delighted in hearing what they did not understand, and applauding what deserved no praise ! The profits of this piece was so considerable both to the author and Mr. Rich, the manager, that it gave rise to a quibble, which became fre- quent in the months of many, name- ly, " that it had made Rich gay, and Cay rich ;" and it was asserted, that the author's emolument was not less than two thousand pounds. The uncommon success of this piece in- duced Mr. Gay to write a second part to it, called " Polly," 1729, which was prohibited by the Lord Chamberlain, in consequence of the disgust which subsisted between him and the court, at the very time when every thing was in readine&s for the rehearsal of it. This appearance of persecution, however, raised the au- thor many subscribers, and he reaped no small profits from its publication in quarto, and still preserved his fame, which, probably, the represen- tation of the piece might have in- jured, it being very inferior to the first part. His other dramatic pieces were, "The Mohocks." an occasional satire, 1712; "The Wife of Bath," comedy, 1713; "The what d'ye call it," burlesque, 1715; " Three hours after Marriage," comedy, 1717 ; " Dione," pastoral, 1720 ; " The Captives. " tragedy, 1723 ; " Acis and Galatea," pastoral opera, 1732; " Achilles," opera, 1733; " The Distre t Wife," 17 3 ; and " The Re- hearsal at Gotham," 1754. These three last were posthumous works.— He is said to have been morally ami- able, affable, gene. ous, agreeable and entertaining. His only foible, which is too common with men of great literary abilities, was an excess of indolence which prevented him from exerting the full force of his talents. He died in December, 1732, at the house of the Duke and Dudiess of Qjieensberry, in Burlington Gardens, and was bu- ried at Westminster A I bey, where a monument was erected to his me- mory at the expence of his afore- mentioned noble benefactors At the time of his death, he had saved se- veral thousand pounds. It is to be remarked, that the " Beggar's Opera," whi h still continues a favourite en- tertainment, is generally performed without the characters of the Beggar and Manager, which not only destroys the title of the piece, but spoils even the plot and satire. The second part, •' Polly," was performed (without much success) during the elder M r. Col- man s management at the Ilaymarket. GENTLEMAN, (FRANCIS) dra- matist and actor, was born in Ireland October 23, 1728, and received his education at Dublin, where he was schoolfellow with Mr Mossop. His father was in the army, and at the age of fifteen the son obtained a com- mission in the same regiment ; but at the conclusion of the war in 1748, was dismissed the service, by his regiment being reduced. On this event he in- dulged his inclination for the stage, and made his first appearance at Dublin in the character of Aboan COroonoko.) Understanding that a legacy was left him by a relation, he came to London, and spent the little property he had in a fruitless expedi- tion. He then was engaged at the theatre in Bath, where he remained for some time. Afterwards he went to Edinburgh, and belonged to several companies at Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, &c. Tired of a public lift-, he GI GI he then settled at Malton, a market town about twenty miles from York, •where he married, and, expecting to have been provided for by the Mar- quis of Granby, to whom lie was re- commended, he removed to London, but was disappointed in his expecta- tions by the sudden death of his pa- tron. In 1770, he was engaged at the Haymarket by Mr Foote, where he remained for three seasons, having been discharged at a time of peculiar embarrassment known to the ma- nager, without any satisfactory reason being assigned. He then returned to Dublin, and was engaged by Mr. Ryder. Having experienced all the hardships of a wandering actor, and all the disappointments of a friendless author, he died December 18, 1784.-— He altered * Sejanus," " Oroo- noko," '• Tobacconist," and " Ri- chard II." He took a farce from Benjonson. called "The Coxcombs," 1771, and produced '•The Stratford Jubilee,"comedy, 1769; " The Sultan; or, Love and Fame," tragedy, 1770 ; " Cupid's Kevenge," pastoral, 1772; *' The Panthe'onites," dramatic enter- tainment, 1773 ; and " The Modish Wife," comedy, 177.5. He also pro- duced several other pieces, not pub- lished, and some not performed. GEORGE, (Miss) actress, was some years ago member of the Haymarket Theatre, where she was the original Wowski, in Inkle and Yarico. She married -a gentleman well known in the fashionable world, whom she ac- companied abroad, and has since per- formed at Philadelphia. GIBBS, (Mrs.) actress, whose god- father was the late Mr. Palmer, made her rirst appearance when very young at the Haymarket Theatre, in Sally, (Man and Wife) 1783, and was re- ceived with much applause, but quit- ted the stage at the conclusion of the season, on account of her tender age. In 1787, she played Biddy, (Miss in her Teens) the first night of the illegal opening of the Royalty Theatre, and gave universal satisfaction. She con- tinued at this theatre during Mr. Palmers management, performing in pantomime, and speaking occasion- ally in addresses. On the secession ot Mrs. Stephen Kemble from the Hay- market, she was engaged by Mr. Col- man, where her vivacity in chambet- maids her simplicity in country girls, &c. not only obtained the approba^ tion of the public, but insured her a permanent situation. Occasionally she performs at Covent Garden, but her voice is not so well calculated for the great winter theatres, as it is for the little summer one. GIFFARD, (Mr.) actor, was ma- nager of the old theatre in Goodman's Fields, where he met with some suc- cess, notwithstanding the scheme was abandoned by the original proprietor, Mr. Odell, who for building and open- ing this theatre met with a great op- position from many resectable mer- chants and citizens, and even from the clergy, who preached against it. — Mr. Giffard also purchased Mr. Booth's share at Drury Lane about the year 1733, which he sold a^ain to Mr. Fleetwood, being concerned in a new magnificent playhouse, built by subscription, at Goodman's Fields, notwithstanding the ill fortune which attended the other theatre at diis place, and opened October 2, 1732, with the play of " King Henry IV." Here, however, Mr. Giffard did not long remain. By the advice of his friends, he took the theatre at Lin- coln's Inn Fields, which was then de- serted through the departure of Rich's company to the new playhouse at Covent Garden in 1733 ; and having opened this theatre in 1735, continued manager of it two ensuing years.— Still he retained his interest in the house at Goodman's Fields, to which he afterwards returned ; and, under his management, Mr Garrick made his first appearance in London.— During Mr Garrick's performances, this theatre flourished ; but on his de- parture, Giffard and his wife made the best terms they could with the proprietor of Drury Lane. GILDON, (CHARLES) dramatist in the beginning of the century, was born of Romish parents at Gillingham, near Shaftsbury, in Dorsetshire, in 1665, where he received the first ru- diments of his education, and was | sent, at the early age of twelve years, to Doway, in Hainault, where he was entered in the English college of sc- I N cular GI GL cular priests, with a view of being brought up to the priesthood. His inclination, however, took another turn, and at nineteen years of age he returned to England. When he be- came of age, and possessed of his pa- ternal estate, he came up to London, and being of a gay disposition, soon dissipated his fortune, and encreased his embarrassments, bymanyinga lady without property. Necessity then prompted him to write for the stage, and his first attempt was at the age of thirty-two. He brought out two tra- gedies in the beginning of the century, viz. " Love's Victim ; or, the Queen of Wales," 4to. 1701 ; " The Patriot; or, Italian Revenge," 4to. 1703 ; pre- vious to which, he wrote two other tragedies, " The Roman Bride's Re- venge," 1697 ; and " Phaeton ; or, the Fatal Divorce," 1698. He also altered Shakespeare's " Measure for Measure," giving it the additional title of " Beauty the best Advocate," 1700. He likewise wrote two cri- tiques in a dramatic form, entitled, " A Comparison between the two Stages ; with an Examination of the Generous Conqueror, and some Cri- tical Remarks on the Funeral, or, Grief Alamode, The False Friend, Tamerlane, and others, in Dialogue," 8vo. 1702 ; and " A New Rehearsal ; or, Bays the Younger; containing an Examination of the Ambitious Step- mother, &c. all written by Nicholas Rowe, Esq. also a Word or two upon Mr. Pope's Rape of the Lock ; to which is prefixed, a Vindication of Criticism in general, by the late Earl of Shaftesbury," 12mo. 1714. Mr. Pope rewarded this critic with a place in his Dunciad. None of his dramatic pieces met with much success. He died Jan. 12, 1723—4. GIORDAM, (THOMASO) com- poser, ami was manager, in conjunc- tion with Mr. Leor.i, of Capel Street Theatre, Dublin, in 1783—4. He is of foreign extraction, and, while in London, his name was frequently confounded with that of another com- poser's, Giardini, who. about the year 1761, had, with Dr. Arne, formed a scheme of performing English Operas at the King's Theatre in the Hay- market, which was frustrated by the managers of the Theatres Royal,- wh« exerted their interest effectually against it. Mr. Giordani married in Dublin the daughter of Mr. Wilkin- son. He composed music for several pieces, which lie brought out at his own theatre, and afterwards for Mr. Daly's, by whom he was engaged in 178.5. His compositions, though not always original, gave great satisfac- tion ; for even where he borrowed, he displayed considerable judgment.--- He is now teacher of music in Dublin, and has pupils of the first distinction. GLENVILLE, (PHILIP) actor, is a native of Ireland, and has performed on all the Irish stages, sometimes a tyrant in tragedy, and at other times a servant, cooler, Serjeant, or Irishman in comedy. He also takes vocal parts. With the profession of an actor, he has generally united some business, having been formerly a hatter, and being now a dealer in spirituous li- quors. GLOVER, (RICHARD) author of two tragedies, viz. " Boadicea," act- ed at Drury Lane 1753, and " Me- dea," 1761. This last was written on the model of the Greek tragedy, and was several times acted for the be- nefit of Mrs. Yates, who performed the principal character. Mr. Glover was brought up in the mercantile way, in whicli he made a conspicuous figure, and, by a remarkable speech that he delivered. in behalf of the merchants of London, at the bar of the House of Commons, about the year 1740, previous to the breaking out of the Spanish war, acquired, aud with great justice, the character of an able and steady patriot. In 1751, having, in consequence of unavoid- able losses in trade, and perhaps in some measure of his zealous warmth for the public interest, to the neglect of his own private emolument, some- what reduced his fortune, he conde- scended to stand candidate for the place of Chamberlain of the City of London, in opposition to Sir Thomas Harrison, but lost his election there by no very great majority. After which he lived in retirement, and declined taking any active part in public affairs. Having, at length, sur- mounted difficulties, he was elected Member GO GO Member for Weymouth, in I7(il, ami on several occasions diplayed a truly patn ilicspirit. HediedNov.'2">, 1785. GLOVER, ' Mrs.) See Retterton, Mr. GOLDSMITH, (OLIVER) drama- tist, was born at Forney, in the county of Longford, in Ireland, 17J1. His father, who possessed a small estate in that county, had nine sons, of which Oliver was the third. He was originally intended for the church; and, with that view, after being well instructed in the classics, was, with his brother the Rev. Henry Goldsmith, placed in Trinity College, Dublin, about the Litter end of the year 1749. In this seminary of learning he con- tinued a few years, when he took a Bachelor's degree, but his brother not being able to obtain any prefer- ment after he left the college, Oliver, by the advice of Dean Goldsmith, of Cork, turned his thoughts to the study of physic, and, after attending some courses of anatomy in Dublin, pro- ceeded to Edinburgh in the year 1751, where he studied the several branches of medicine under the different pro- fessors in that University, which was deservedly ranked among the first schools of physic in Europe. His be- neiicent opposition soon involved him in unexpected difficulties, and he was obliged precipitately to leave Scotland, in consequence of engaging himself to pay a considerable sum of money for a fellow student. A few days after, a')out the beginning of the year 1754, he arrived at Sunderland, near Newcastle, where he was arrest- ed at the suit of one Barclay, a taylor, in Edinburgh, to whom he had given security for his friend. By the good offices of Laughlin Maelane, Esq. and Dr. Sleigh, who were then in the col- lege, he was soon delivered out of the hands of the bailiff, and took his passage on board a Dutch ship to Rotterdam, where, after a short stay, he proceed- ed to Brussels: he then visited great part of Flanders, and, after passing some time at Strasbourg and Louvain, where he obtained a degree of Ba- chelor in Physic, he accompanied an English gentleman to Berne and Ge- neva. On his arrival at Geneva, he wa> recommended as a proper person to travel Willi a young man, who had received a considerable fortune by the death of his uncle. They conti- nued together until they arrived at the south of France, where, on a dis- agreement, they parted, and our au- thor was left to struggle with all the difficulties that a man could feel, who was in a state of poverty in a foreign country without friends I lis desire of seeing the world, was not abated by any hardships ; he per- sisted in his scheme, though his finances were so low" as to oblige him to travel on foot, and acquire a lodging and subsistence from almost the charity of the peasants, who were repaid by his entertaining them with some tunes on a German flute. At length his curiosity being gratified, he bent his course towards England, and arrived at Dover about the be- ginning of the winter, 1758. When he came to London, his stock of cash did not amount to two livres. An en'ire stranger in this metropolis, his mind was filled with the most gloomy reflections on his embarrassed situa- tion. With some difficulty he disco- vered that part of the town in which his old acquaintance Dr. Sleigh re- sided. This gentleman received him with the warmest affection, and li- berally invited him to share his purse till some establishment could be pro- cured for him. Goldsmith, unwilling to be a burden to his friend, a short time after eagerly embraced an offer which was made him to assist the late Rev. Dr. Milner, in instructing the young gentlemen at the academy at Peckham, and acquitted himself great- ly to the Doctor's satisfaction for a short time ; but, having obtained some reputation by the criticisms he had written in the Monthly Review, Mr. Griffith, the proprietor, engaged him in the compilation of it ; and, re- solving to pursue the profession of writing, he returned to London, as the mart where abilities of every kind were sure of meeting distinction and reward. As his finances were by no me.ins in a good state, he determined to adopt a plan of the strictest orco- nomy, and took lodgings in an ob- scure court in the Old Bailey, where he wrote several ingenious little pieces. The l.-ue Mr. Newberv; wiio N 2 at GO GO at that rime gave great encourage- ment to men of literary abilities, Be- came a kind of patron to our young author, and introduced him as one of the writers in the Public Ledger. — Fortune now seemed to take some notice of a man she had long ne- glected. The simplicity of his cha- racter, the integrity of his heart, and the merit of his productions, made his company very acceptable to a num- ber of respectable families, and he emerged from h» shabby apartments in the Old Bailey to the politer air of the Temple, where he took handsome chambers, and lived in a genteel style. The publication of his "Traveller," and his " Vicar of Wakefield," was followed by the performance of his comedy of the " Good-narired Man" at Covent Garden Theatre, 1768, and placed him in the first rank of the poets of the day. During the last re- hearsal of his comedy, intitled, " She stoops to Conquer ; or, the Mistakes of a Night," 1772, which Mr. Colman had no opinion would succeed, on the Doctor's objecting to the repetition of one of Tony Lumpkin's speeches, be- ing apprehensive it might injure the play, the Manager, with great keen- ness, replied, " Psna, my dear Doctor, do not be fearful of squibs, when we have been sitting almost these two hours upon a barrel of gunpowder." The piece, however, contrary to Mr. Colman's expectation, was received with uncommon applause by the au- dience ; and Goldsmith's pride was so hurt by the severity of the above observation, that it entirely put an end to his friendship for the gentle- man that made it. He had been for some years afflicted, at different times, with a violent strangury, which con- tributed not a little to imbitter the latter part of his life ; and which, united with the vexations he suffered upon other occasions, brought on a kind of habitual despondency. In this unhappy condition he was attack- ed by a. nervous fever, which, being improperly treated, terminated in his dissolution on the 4th day of April, 1774. His remains were privately deposited in the Temple burial- ground, and a monument afterwards erected to liis memory at the expence of a literary club, to which he belong- ed. Besides his two comedies, he brought out a farce called " The Grumbler," altered from Sedley, 1772, not printed. As to his cha- racter, it is strongly illustrated by Mr, Pope's line, " In wit a man, simpli- city a child." The character of the " Good-natured Man," in his co- medy of that name, he drew for him- self, but notwithstanding the benevo- lence he boasted, his biographers in- sist that it was tainted with envy, and it is said that he carried his jealousy to such a childish extreme, that he was emulous both of every thing and every body. The first knowledge M r. Garrick had of his abilities was from Goldsmith's attack upon him in a pamphlet entitled " The present State of Learning in Europe." Little did the author imagine that he should be one day obliged to ask a favour from the director of a theatre. However, when the office of Secretary to the Society of Arts and Sciences became vacant, the Doctor was persuaded to offer himself a candidate. He was told that Mr. Garrick was one of the leading members, and that his interest would be of consequence. He wait- ed upon the manager, and requested his vote and interest. Mr. Garrick could not avoid observing, "thatitwas impossible he could lay claim to his recommendation, as he had taken pains to deprive himself of his assis- tance, by an unprovoked attack upon his management of the theatre."-- Goldsmith bluntly answered, " in truth he had spoken his mind, and believed what he said was very right." The manager dismissed him with civility, and Goldsmith lost the office by a very great majority. When he had finished the " Good-natured Man," he offered it to Mr. Ganick. The ma- nager was fully conscious of his merit, and perhaps too ostentatious of his own abilities to serve a dramatic author. Goldsmith was, on his side, as fully persuaded of his own impor- tance. Mr. Garrick, who had been so long treated with the complimen- tary language paid to a successful pa- tentee, expected that the writer should esteem the patronage of his play as a favour. Goldsmith rejected all GO GO all ideas of kindness in a treaty that was intended to be of mutual advantage, and in this he was certainly right.—- M r. Garrick was willing indeed to ac- cept the play, but he wished to be courted to it; and the Doctor was not disposed to purchase his friend- ship at the expence of his sincerity.— He then applied to Mr. Colman, who accepted his comedy without hesita- tion. Another striking feature in his character should not be omitted. He received the sum of one hundred gui- neas for the copyright of a poem, which a friend remarked to him was a great price for what had cost him but little trouble. The author agreed it was too much, and absolutely went to the bookseller and returned him his money, declaring that his remu- neration should be according to the profits of the sale of the piece, and which he left entirely to the pub- lisher. Notwithstanding the great success of his pieces, by some of which it is asserted, upon good authority, he cleared 18001. in one year, his circum- stances were by no means in a pros- perous situation, which was partly owing to the liberality of his disposi- tion, and partly to an unfortunate ha- bit he had contracted of gaming, the arts of which he knew very little of, and consequently became a prey of tho e who were unprincipled enough to take advantage of his simplicity.— The following anecdote, relative to his embarrassments, is recorded by Mrs. Piozzi; " In 1765 or 1766, Dr. Johnson was called abruptly from our house, and returning in about three hours, said, he had been with an en- Taged author, whose landlady pressed hiin for payment within doors, while the bailiffs beset him without ; that he wasdrink'ng him>elf drunk with Ma- deira to drown care, and fretting over a novel, which, when finished, was to be his whole fortune ; but he could not get it done for distraction, nor could he step out of doors to offer it to sale. Mr. Johnson therefore set away the bottle, and went to the bookseller, recommending the perfor- mance, and desiring some immediate relief, which, when he brought back to the writer, he called the woman of the house directly to partake of punch, and pass their time in merriment- It was not till ten years after, that something in Dr. Goldsmith's beha- viour struck me with an idea that he was the very man, and then Johnson confessed that he was so ; the novel was the charming " Vicar of Wake- field." GOODALL, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Stanton. Her father was ma. nager of a Sharing Company, in Staf- fordshire, and the daughter was con- sequently introduced to the public when very young. Her first attempt was in tragedy, and through her fa- ther's interest she procured an ap- pearance at Bath, where her per- formance of Rosalind (As you like it) gave much satisfaction, and ensured ner an engagement for the comic line. In about three years after, she became the wife or Mr. Goodall, a native of Bristol, and a lieutenant of the navy. In 1788, she procured an engagement at Drury Lane, where she made her first ap- pearance in Rosalind ; and in the summer of the following year was also engaged by Mr. Colman. Being admirably formed for male attire, she frequently represented those charac- ters which are thus disguised. GOUGH, (Miss) actress, is of a re- spectable family in Ireland. When Mrs. siddons's fame was established, and that this lady was engaged by Mr. Daly, the then manager of Dublin, for a certain number of nights, Miss Gough constantly attended her per- formances, and became one of her greatest admirers. She then imbibed an inclination for the stage, which, from the laudable motive of relieving an embarrassed parent, she indulged, and her first attempt was at the private theatre in Fishamble Street. — Having, through the intercession of friends, been promised an appearance at Covent Garden, she made her debut at that theatre in the character of Alicia (Jane Shore) with much approbation, and repeated the cha- racter with increased applause ; but the manager was pleased to tell her, that the applause she met with proceeded from the good-nature of the audience ; to which she very pertinently replied, that she was much sur- HA HA surprised they did not extend that goodnature to others in his company, who stood in greater need of it. Her stay at this theatre was consequently short, it having concluded with her benefit, when she performed Her- mione (The distrest Mother.) Though possessed of powers, they were not considered extensive enough for so great a theatre, but allowance must be made for the natural timidity of a novice ; and, as her last perfor- mance was superior to the _/$>.<•/, more might certainly have been expected from every future essay. She after- wards played at Bath, and other places, (and though at some with the disadvantage of having immediately succeeded Mrs. Siddons) met with a flattering reception, and is now be- come the heroine of the Irish stage, where she has acquired considerable fame. GREATIIEED, (BERTIE) author of a tragedy called " The Regent," is the son of Samuel Greatheed, Esq. of Guy's Cliff, near Warwick, by a sister of the Duke of Ancaster. This gentleman was a great patron of Mrs. Siddons. who accordingly exerted herself in the support of his play, which, it must be acknowledged, is superior to the generality of modern tragedies. On account of its title, and the indisposition of his Majesty, in 1789, the performance of it was stop- ped by an order from the Lord Chamberlain. GREEN, (Mrs ) See Hippesley. GRIFFITHS, (ELIZABETH) dra- matist, maiden name the same, of a Welsh descent, and author of several admired novels. Her husband was of a good family in Ireland, and well known in the literary world. This lady's dramatic pieces are, " The Platonic Wife," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1765; " The Double Mistake," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1766; " The School for Rakes," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1769 ; " A Wife in the Night," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 176'2 ; and " The Times," comedy, acted at Drury Lane 1779. GRIFFITHS,(Mr.)formerly promp- ter at Drury Lane Theatre, and actor at several provincial theatres. Dur- ing his situation as prompter, he be- came attached to the late Mr. Palmer, and assisted him at the Royalty Thea- tre, for which he was one of the per- secuted. He now officiates in the same capacity at the Circus. GRIFFITHS, {Miss). See Kelly, Mr. GR1MALDI, (JOSEPH) .actor in pantomime, was originally a dentist, and came to London in that capacity with her present Majesty. He was ballet master at Drury Lane Theatre, and died March 14, 17S8. His son has frequently been the clown at Sadler'sWells, and lately at Drury Lane. GRIST, (Mr.) actor, and was one of Mr. Daly's principal tragedians, when that gentleman became the Dublin Manager. He has performed at several provincial theatres with ap- plause, and his daughter has also ac- quired some fame. GRUBB, (JOHN) purchased a share in Drury Lane Theatre, in 1795, and officiated as manager for a season. He had also some interest in the Margate Theatre. This gentle- man is an attorney, and has been more successful as practiser in the Common Pleas, dian as a manager ofa playhouse. H. HAGLEY, (Miss) actress, was a pupil of the late Mr. Linley, who brought her forward in the oratorios at Drury Lane, in 1788. She was en- gaged the succeeding season at the same theatre, and made her first ap- pearance as an actress in Gillion, (the Quaker) which situation she re- tained with some credit. HALE, (Mr.) actor, was in person tall and well proportioned ; his voice strong and harmonious ; his deport- ment manly, and his action not dis- pleasing; but his ear was so unfaith- ful, that he was generally monotonous, and he wanted that judgment which alone knows how to give dignity to sen- timent, or warmth and variety to pas- sion. HA KA tion. His liest performance was Hot- spur; lie was always to be endured when he restrained himself from doing too much. A t Bristol he was a favourite actor, where it is supposed he died in 1746. He was so fond of wearing large full bottomed wigs, that, to the astonishment of the audience, he acted the part of Charles the First in one which was remarkably long and fair. His wife was on the stage, and was married again to Mr. Harrington, an actor. They both belonged to Covent Garden in 1758. Barrington, though not a very good comedian, was, in the characters of law Irishmen, the best performer the stage at that time af- forded. HAMILTON, (NEWBURGH) was the author of a comedy and farce, viz. " The Doating Lovers ; or, Li- bertine reclaimed ;" acted at Lin- coln's Inn Fields, 1715; and "The Petticoat Plotter," acted at Drury lane and Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1720. Nei- ther of these met with much success. The first was supported through three performances for the sake of the au- thor's night ; and, though his interest was so great, and his acquaintance so exten-.ive that he was enabled on his benefit to lay the boxes and pit toge- ther at the advanced (though now common) price of six shillings each ticket, yet tlie piece afterwards pen?h- ed in oblivion. He also produced an Oratorio, " Samson", at Covent Gar- Jen, 1743. He lived in the family of the Duke of Hamilton, to whom it is supposed he was related. HAMILTON, (Mr*.) actress, be- Jonged to Covent Garden in 1758. — This lady and Mrs. Bellamy had a vio- lent altercation. The latter's benefit being fixed on a night that happened to be Mrs. Cibbers at the other house, she requested Mrs. Hamilton to let her have her Monday, and take in exchange her Saturday ; who, as her interest did not lie among the box people, and for the credit sake of hav- ing the first benefit in the season, complied. She accordingly fixed on the " Rival Oueens," and, notwith- standing it happened to be a wet af- ternoon, a great concourse of people for the second gallery attended. As soon as that part of the house was full, she disposed of the overflow i* the boxes and on the stage, wisely preferring their two shillings a piece to empty benches. In the words of Mrs. Bellamy, " the heat of the house occasioned the wet clothes of the dripping audience to send forth odours not quite so sweet as those of Arabia." This lady having cast some reflections on the vulgarity of Mrs. Hamilton's audience, the latter took the following mode of revenge on the night of Mrs. Bellamy's benefit: the play which she had fixed on was the " Careless Husband," thus cast; Sir C. Easy, Mr. Ross, (first time); Lord Foppington, Mr. SmiUi, 'first time); Lord Morelove, Mr Ririout ; Lady Easy, Mrs. Elmy ; Edging, Miss Nos- siter, (first time) ; Lady Graveairs, Mrs. Hamilton ; and Lady Betty Mo- dish, Mrs. Bellamy, (first time) ; witli the Entertainment of " Florizel and Perdita." Florizel, Mr. Smith ; Auto- licuj, Mr. Shuter ; King, Mr. Ridout, Shepherd, Mr. Sparks ; Clown, Mr. Costollo ; and Perdita, Mrs. Bellamy. At half an hour after six, just before the play should have begun, she sent Mrs. Bellamy word that she would not perform the character of Lady Grave- airs. It became necessary, from so late a disappointment, to make an apology to the audience for the delay that must ensue. Ross, who loved mischief as well as he had done whilst at Westmin-ter School, and in which he had generally a share, as he had this evening, by having stimulated Mrs. Hamilton to the refusal of her services, enjoyed the storm, and con- sequently would not make the apo- logy. Smith was so agitated, it being the first time of his attempting Lord Foppington, that he could riot do it. Poor Lady Betty Modish was'therefore obliged to show her flounces and fur- heloes before their time, in order to request the patience of the audience till Mrs. Vincent could dress for the part which Mrs. Hamilton was to have performed. Mrs. Bellamy's petition was granted, as she herself relates, " with repeated plaudits, and with an assurance from Mr. Town, and his associates, that they would revenge her cause." This they did the very next night, when Mrs. Hamilton play- ed HA H A ed the Queen in the Spanish Friar, and Mrs. Bellamy Elvira, for the be- nefit of Mr. Sparks. The majesty of Spain then, appeared in all the pomp of false jeSl . She was so remark- ably fond of these artificial gems, that CoUey Cibber compared her head to a furze-bush stuck round with glow- worms, as her hair was extremely dark, and she had an objection to wearing powder. Upon her entrance she was saluted in a warmer manner than she wished, and was prevented for some time from speaking by that most disagreeable of all sounds to a dramatic ear, whether author or per- former, hisses I At length, upon the tumult ceasing a little, she advanced, and addressed ihe audier,~e in the fol- lowing Demosihenian style : " Gem- men and Ladies, I suppose as how you hiss me because I did not play at Mrs. Bellamy's benefit. I would have performed, but she said as how my audience stunk, and were all tripe }>eople." When the fair speechifier tad got thus far, the pit seemed one and all transported at her irresistible oratory, for with one voice they en- cored her, crying out at the same time, " Well said. Tripe .'" a title which she retained till she quitted the theatre.— There have been, and are, several performers of this name, par- ticularly Mr. Mrs. and Misses Hamil- ton, who have played at different sea- sons in Dublin, &c. This family have, by theirown united endeavours, and without the assistance of any other performer, frequently afforded entertainment in the country. HAMILTON,! Mrs. )actress, maiden name Peters, is the daughter of an at- torney in Dublin. Having performed at Brighton, &c. she made her first appearance at Covent Garden, in Lady Amaranth, (Wild Oats), Oc- tober 17, 1800, in which she displayed muchjudgment. Her person is agree- able, and her voice articulate and powerful. She appeared afterwards in the character of Portia, (Merchant of Venice ) but not with equal success. Being a substitute for Miss Murray, who was indisposed, in all proba- bility she attempted it at too short a Botice. HAMMERTON, (Mr.) actor, is a native of Dublin, and has performed on almost all the Irish stages. He has also played at Liverpool, &c. His Rover (Wild Oats) was so much ad- mired in Dublin, that when Mr. Lewis, of Covent Garden, performed that character, at Crow Street, he did not meet with the applause in it to which he had been accustomed. HANDEL, (GEORGE FREDERIC) composer, was born at Hall, a city of Upper Saxony, February '24, 1684, by a second wife of his father, who was an eminent physician and surgeon of the same place, and then above sixty years of age. From his childhood he discovered such a propensity for mu- sic, that his father, intending him for the civil law, was very much alarmed at it, and took every method to op- pose his inclination by keeping him out of the way of, and strictly forbid- ding him to meddle with, any musical instrument. The son, however, found means to get a little clavicord pri- vately conveyed to a room at the top of the house, and with this used to amuse himself when the family were ail asleep. When scarcely seven years of age, he accompanied his father to the Duke of Saxe Weisenfels, where it was impossible to keep him from harpsichords, and other musical in- struments. One morning, while he was playing by stealth on the organ after the service was over, the Duke was in the church, and was so affect- ed with the harmony of the notes, that he enquired of his Valet de Chambre, who was Handel's brother-in-law, who was playing on the organ. The Valet replied, it was his brother. The Duke demanded to see him, and, after making proper enquiries about him, expostulated very seriously with his father, who still retained his pre- positions in favour of the civil law. But the Duke urging the vanity of disposing of a child contrary to his in- clinations, and curbing a natural genius, prevailed upon the old man to tolerate his passion for music, and indulge him with the best masters. He was, accordingly, put under one Zackaw, organist to the cathedral church, who was so pleased with his promising pupil, that be paid him every attention. The scholar soon sur- HA HA surpassed his master, and in 1698 went to Berlin, where the opera was in a flourishing condition, under the encouragement of the king of Prussia. Handel's abilities soon recommended him to his Prussian Majesty, who fre- quently sent for him, and made him large presents. Jt was now resolved to send him to Hamburgh for further improvement, but his father soon dying, and his mother being in em- barrassed circumstances, he endea- voured to procure scholars, and ob- tain some emplojment in the or- chestra, and by this means, instead of being a burthen, he proved a great relief to her. From conducting the performance, he became composer to the house; and " Almeria," his first opera, was made here when he was not much above fourteen years of age. 'i he success of this piece, which ran thirty nights without interruption, encouraged him to attempt others ; and, during his stay at Hamburgh, which was about four or five years, be produced several sonatas, which now are not extant. Soon after he went to Italy, and Florence was his first destination ; where, at the age of eighteen, he composed the opera of " Rodigro," for which he was presented with one hundred sequins, and a service of plate. Being ear- nestly importuned to produce ano- ther, he finished his " Agrippina," in three weeks, which was performed twenty-seven nights, and with which the audience were so delighted, that they expressed a kind of distracted pleasure. From Venice he went to Rome, where his arrival was no sooner known than he received polite mes- sages from persons of the first dis- tinction. He then went to Naples, and afterwards made a second visit to Florence, Rome, and Venice. He returned home, but was determined to travel again. At Hanover, he met with Steftani, with whom he had been acquainted at Venice, and who was then master of the chapel to George I. when he was only elector of Hanover. He mei also with Baron Kilmanseck, a nobleman who had taken great notice of him when in Italy, and now introduced him at court, and so re- commended lain to his Electoral Highness, that Handel was immedi- ately offered a |>ension of 1500 crowns per annum, as an inducement to stay; but the acceptance of this high favour he declined, having*, promised, he said, the court of thefclector Palat ne, and being aUo obliged to pass over to England, in consequence of pres- sing invitations from the Duke of Manchester ; but leave being pro- posed for his absence for a twelve- month or more, and to go whither- soever he pleased, on these conditions he thankfully accepted the pension. After paying a visit to his mother, who was now very aged, and blind, and to his old ma.-ter Zackaw, he set out for Dusseldorp, and, passing through Holland, embarked for Eng- land, and arrived at London in the winter of 1710. He was soon intro- duced at court, and honoured with marks of the (iueen's favour, who settled on him for life a pension of 2001. per annum. All this made Handel forget his obligation to return to Hanover, so that when his Majesty came over at the death of the queen, conscious how ill he had behaved, he durst not appear at court. Being, however, restored to favour, he was honoured with the highest approba- tion ; as a token of which, the king- was pleased to add a pension for life of °,001. per annum to that which queen Anne had before given him, besides other favours. The first piece which he composed in Kngland was Hill's opera of " Rinaldo." While Handel was thus settled, and well pro- vided for in England, a project was formed by the nobility fur erecting an aca emy in the Haymarket j the in- tention of which was, to secure a constant supply of operas, to be composed by Handel, and to be performed under his direction. For this purpose, the king subscribed one thousand pounds, and the nobility four thousand pounds ; and Handel went to Dresden in quest of singers, from whence he brought senesino and Duristanti. The academy went on prosperously for the cour e of ten years; but one day Handel having a dispute with Cuzzoni, on her refusal to sing something he allotted her, he took her suddenly up by the waist, O and HA HA and swore vehemently he would fling her out of the window. This imprudent conduct occasioned great confusion among the company ; a rebellion immediately commenced, with Senesino at the head of it, and the academy, notwithstanding its flourishing state, was at once dis- solved. His fortune was not now more impairei than his health and understanding. His right . arm was become useless from a stroke of the palsy, and his senses were greatly disordered at intervals for a long time. In this unhappy state, it was thought necessary that he should gu to the vapour baths at Aix la Cria- pelle, and from them he received a cure, which, from the manner, as well as the quickness of it, passed with the nuns for a miracle. Soon after his return to London in 1736, his " Alexander's Feast" was per- formed at Covent Garden, and ap- plauded ; and several other attempts of the like nature were made to rein- state him, but they did not prevail : the Italian party were too powerful ; so that, in 1741, he went to Dublin, where he was well received. At his return to London 1741—2, the minds of most men were disposed in his favour, and the asra of his prosperity returned. He immediately began his oratoriosin Covent Garden, which he continued with uninterrupted success, and unrivalled fame. The last was performed April 6, 1759, and he died on the 14th. He was buried at West- minster Abbey, where, by his own desire, and at his own expence, a monument is erected to his memory. In 1751, a gutta serena deprived him of his sight, but his faculties remained in their full vigour almost to the hour of his dissolution. He is said to have been a most uncommon epicure. HAKGRAVE, (Mr.) actor, belong- ed to the Dublin stage, where he met with some applause. He appeared at Covent Garden Oct. 6, 1796, (hav- ing played there once before) in the character of Octavian, (Mountaineers) but his representation of the love-sick Madman was by no means equal to that of his predecessors, Kemble and Elliston, HARLEY, (Mr.) actor, was in- tended for the mercantile line, which; for some time, he followed, but feel- ing an inclination for the stage, and having been instructed by Mr. Hen- derson, whose reputation was then lixed as an actor, he assume! the above name, that in case of failure, he might assume his own, (Davis J and return to his situation, without being exposed. His first appearance on the stage was at Norwich, (through letters of recommendation) in the character of Richard III, April 20, 1785, and, by practice and in- dustry, he became the hero of the company. His fame having reached London, he was engaged by Mr. Harris, and chose the same character for his first appearance at Covent Garden in 1789 ; after which he per- formed Lear, Jago, &c. He conti- nued two seasons representing the principal characters with great and deserved applause at the humble salary of forty shillings per week, while others of inferior abilities, and less service to the theatre, had more than double the sum. Accordingly he withdrew himself in 1761 till his salary was raised to five pounds per per week, which he retained four seasons. HARLOWE, (Mrs.) actress, made her first appearance in the country, and performed at Windsor under the management of Mr. Waldron ; after which she became the heroine at Sadler's Wells, where she acquired so much fame as an actress and singer, that she procured an engagement at Covent Garden, and though she did not aspire to the first walk, like too many theatrical candidates of less abi- lities, yet she gradually increased in favour with the public, representing first chambermaids, &c. with consi- derable applause. In 1794, she was engaged at the Haymarket, and has since appeared on Drury Lane boards. HARPER, (Mr.) actor, and one of those comedians who in 1733, re- volted from the patentees of Drury Lane, and set up for themselves at the Little Theatre in the Haymarket. Harper was committed to Bridewell by Sir Thomas Clarges, upon the act made against common strollers, but having HA HA having been brought up by Habeas Corpus to the Court of King's Bench, it was agreed he should be discharged from Bridewell upon his own recog- nizance. These comedians, while they were 3ctmg in the Haymarket under the auihonty of the Master of the Revels, brought an ejectment up- on a lease against the Patentees of Drury Lane 1 heatre. The cause was tried in the Court of King's Bench, (Monday, November 12, 1733) and went in favour of the players, it hav- ing appeared that they took the lease of the two trustees appointed by the thirty six sharers of Drury Lane House, with the consent of twenty seven of those sharers, and (March 8, 1734) the company of comedians from the Haymarket took possession of Drury Lane, by virtue of this ejectment. HARRINGTON, (Mr.) actor, was in the army, and having imbibed an early inclination for the stage, not- withstanding many repulses, per- severed in his design. He made an unsuccessful attempt at the Hay- market, and afterwards performed Orlando (As you like it) at the Roy- alty Theatre, on its first illegal open- ing widi regular entertainments. lie is the author of some pleasing trifles, (particularly the novel of "The Sor- rows of the Heart") and it must be acknowledged, that managers have retained in their service many per- formers of less merit, but perhaps more confidence. The above is sup- posed to be an assumed name. HARRIS, (THOMAS) chief pro- prietor of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, is descended from a respec- table family, and was brought up to business. He received a liberal edu- cation, which he improved by a con- stant application to literature ; and having, l>y industry, acquired a com petent fortune, in the summer of 1767 he joined wiih Mr. Rutherford in purchasing all the property of Co- vent Garden Playhouse. The advan- tage of having a capital performer as one of the sharers, being suggested to them, Mr. Powell was invited to join them, ana, by his recommendation. Mr. Colman was admitted as the then properest person to conduct the bu- siness of the stage. The proposal being assented to by the several par- ties, the property of the theatre was assigned in August, 1767, and the house opened by the new managers septemper 14, with the comedy of " The Rehearsal,"' and an occasional Address, written by Paul Whitehead, Esq. and spoken by Mr. Powell. —Disputes soon afterwards arose amongst the new managers, and much virulence and acrimony were displayed by each party, but after they had continued a long time, and had received a judicial determina- tion, they were amicably settled. In the season of 1771, there was an al- tercation between Mr. Harris and Mr Colman, which derived its source from a lady's theatrical abilities not being sufficiently brought into play (as insinuated) by the latter gentle- man. Her cause was espoused by Mr. Harris, her avowed friend and protector, which professions he sud- denly relinquished, on account of some infidelities afterwards discover- ed on the part of the lady. The cause of quarrel accordingly subsided, and an amicable termination took place to all differences. On Mr. Cohnan's secession, (1776), Mr. Harris under- took the management of the stage business, which, it must be confessed,, has been ever since conducted with peculiar regularity. Like his prede- cessor Rich, though, he seems attached to pantomime exhibition, or pieces which have more shew than sense, more pageantry than merit ; but, probably, experience lias taught him, that such entertainments are more consonant to the public taste, and more productive to the treasury. It is, however, to be wished, that in the Theatres Royal, rationality was pre- feired to buffoonery, and that dumb shr/w was confined only to those boards on which performers had no authority to speak. In many instances, Mr. Harris has evinced much libe- rality ; he has voluntarily raised the salaries of performers, whose exer- tions h.ve been crowned with success, and hi ought forward and encouraged authors, who might hitherto have been unknown : but such encou- ragement may naturally be expected from a manager who is no author O 2 himself: II A HA himself : however, it is to be remark- ed, that in some cases he is too diffi- dent of his own judgment, and con- sults men who are both partial and interested. It is also to be remarked, that the encouragement which he lias lately given to dramatists, at present prevents his extending and affording fresh instances thereof: for those very authors whom he has brought forward, seem now to monopolize the literary department of his theatre. Every successive season the same company of play-wrights bring out their pieces in rotation, and it is mure by chance than choice, that the production of an infant muse is ever represented at Covent Garden. This was not the case with the late Mr. Colman, tbo' an author himself, and an author of no common abilities : he was conti- nually introducing young writers to the public, and even at his little theatre in the Haymarket, when his seasonswere seldom much longer than three months, (though four according to the patent) the merit of an O'Keefe or Inchbald, did not exclude the merit of others! HARTSON, (HALL) author of a tragedy called " The Countess of Salisbury," which was first acted in Dublin, then at the Haymarket ( 1767) and afterwards at Drury Lane. He ■was a native of Ireland, and was brought up at the University. He was patronized by the celebrated Dr. Leland, who is supposed to have assisted him in the above play, and became tutor to a young gentleman of fortune, whom he accompanied to London. Before lie had attained the age of thirty, he had made the tour of Europe three times, and was deem- ed a young man of fine parts, great accomplishment;, and amiable man- ners. He became acquainted with the celebrated Hugh Boyd, who in- vited him to his house at Kenion Green, that he might have the benefit of change of air, being then of a con- sumptive habit, and in extreme ill health ; but his malady was too far advanced to admit of any cure, and neither the power of medicine, nor the soothing, but cheerful friend-hip of Boyd, could afford him any relief. After being many weeks at Kenton Green, Mr. Hartson returned to town, and died in a few days, [March, 1773) without leaving any other effects than a few manuscript poems and plays to Griffin the bookseller, whom he had appointed his executor, and to whom he had been probably indebted. Boyd, knowing Hanson's distressed circumstances, called on Griffin the moment he heard of his death, and humanely offered his services. Griffin begged he would order and manage the funeral, which, though at this time as much embar- rassed as had been his deceased friend, he generously did, and for which Griffin afterwards refused to pay, scandalously, if not falsely, plead- ing in excuse, that the manuscripts were of no value. HATCHET, (WILLIAM) actor, and author of two tragedies, " The Rival Father ; or, Death of Achilles," acted at the Haymarket, 1730, and " The Chinese Orphan," altered from a specimen of Chinese tragedy in Duffaldi's History of China, 1741. He never was an actor of eminence. He performed in "The Rival Father," as did Mrs. Haywood, with whom he lived upon terms of friendship, and joined with her in converting Fielding's " Tom Thumb'' into an opera. IIATTON, (Mr.) actor, belongs to the company at Windsor, and has performed at Weymouth, ike. He is allowed some merit in the comic line, particularly in the characters of coun- trymen, sailors, &c. He has also performed Hotspur, Pizarro, Gle- nalvon, &c. His chief characters are said to be lark Junk, (Birth Day) and Crazy, (Peeping Tom.) He pays great regard to character and dress, but is sometimes imperfect in his parts, owing, probably, to the short time allotted for study at those the- atres. HAUGHTON, (Miss) actres?, be- longed to Drury Lane in Mr. Garrick's time. She was a young lady of strong feeling, but the weakness of her voice prevented her from making so good an impression as her judgment en- forced. She had life and spirit in comedy, and always gave satisfaction, .she performed several parts in Mrs. Cibbers's cast, and succeeded that lady HA HA lady for a short time in the second Constantia, on Garrick* revival of " The Chances," by command of George II. in which she meiited a good share of applause. HAVARD, (WILLIAM) dramatist and actor, was the son of a vintner in Dublin, and served his time as an apprentice to a surgeon, but having an early inclination for the stage, he quitted the profe>sion for which he was intended, and engaged himself at the theatre in Goodman's Fields, from whence he removed to the Theatre^ Royal, in both of which he was at different times well received. He was a great favourite with the public, and deservedly. His person was comely and genteel ; his voice clear and articulate ; and, in every character he represented, he display- ed a critical judgment, and perfect understanding of the meaning of his author. He did not want feeling, but from a degree of monotony, which seemed natural to his voice, he some- times fell short with respect to im- passioned execution. He was, how- ever, always decent, sensible, and perfect, and acquired an ease in his manner and deportment, which it is uncommon to meet with, and which rendered him, if not capital, at least a very useful performer. When, through necessity or accident, lie was obliged to appear in characters above the rank of those which he usually filled, he constantly made way through them with less di-gust than some per- formers would have done, who, with greater particular beauties, inter- mingled an equal number of glaring deformities. As an author, he stood nearly in the same predicament as he did as an actor; tor, though much inferior in the first-rate dramatists, he was, at the same time, a. greaily superior to many whose pieces have even met with success. His plays, particularly one, were all successful, viz. " Scandcrbeg," tragedy, acted at Goodman's Fields, 17.1.5 ; " King Charles the First," historical tragedy, written in imitation of Shakespeare, and acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 17:i7 ; " Regulus," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1741; and '-The Elope- ment,': farce, acted for Ills own be- nefit at Drury Lane, 1763, notprinted. He continued on the stage until 1769, when, finding the infirmities of age encreasing, he took leave of it in form, in an Address written and spoken by himself, after the play of " Zara," in which Mr. Garrick acted for his benefit. He retired first to Islington, but being there not so near his friends as he wished, he returned to the lodgings he had formerly oc- cupied in Tavistock Street, where, after a lingering illness, he died Feb. 20, 1778, aged 68. HAWKER, (ESSEX) actor; he be- longed to the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, where he produced one piece, called " The Wedding" a tragic, comic, pastoral, farcical opera, 1729. HAWKF.SWORTH,(JOHN)L.L.D. author of " Edgar and Emmeline," a fairy tale, in two acts, performed at Drury Lane, 1761 ; was born about the year 1719, and was originally- brought up to a mechanical profes- sion, said to be that of a watchmaker. He was of the sect of presbyterians, and a member of the celebrated Tom Brodbury's meeting, from which he was expelled for some inegularity. He afterwards devoted his attention to literature, and became an author of considerable eminence. In the early part of his life, his circumstances were rather confined, and he resided some time at Bromley, in Kent, where his wife kept a boarding school, which they relinquished in order to accom- modate two women of fortune, who came to reside with them. Through the recommendation of a lady of great property and interest in the East India Company, he was chosen a di. rector of that body. When the de- sign of compiling a narrative of the discoveries in the South Seas was sug- gested, he w.t^ employed on the oc- casion, and is said to have received for the task the enormous sum of six thousand pounds. In consequence of his situation as an East India Di- rector, and of his connection with the Admiralty while writing the above work, it was supposed that he in- jured his health by too freely indulg- ing in the pleasures of the table, which brought on a fever, of which he died at a friend's house in Lime Street, HA HE Street, November 17, 1773. He al- tered " Amphytrion," and " Oroo- noko," and produced two oratorios, called " Zimri," performed at Co vent Garden, 1760, and " The Fall of Egypt," performed at Drury Lane, 1774. HAYLEY, (WILLIAM) author of " Plays of three acts, written for a private Theatre," 4to. 1780, of which " The Two Connoisseurs," and " Lord Russell," was brought on the stage at the Haymarket, 1784, and " Marcella," at Drury Lane and Co- vent Garden, in 1789. He was born in Sussex, and educated at Eaton, and from thence went to Trinity College, Cambridge. His infancy was marked with misery, and but for the attention of an affectionate mother, he had probably gone to the grave unknown. An ill state of health prevented him from entering into scenes of active life, and he devoted himself entirely to literary retirement. He married a lady, who seems to possess some portion of his taste and genius. In 1790, he brought out a tragedy, call- ed " Eudora," at Covent Garden Theatre. HAYMES, (THOMAS) actor,, is a native of Devonshire, and was in- tended for the business of either a coachmaker or wheelwright, which he quitted for the stage, and became a favourite performer at Exeter. His brother, following his example, like- wise trod the boards, but a derange- ment of mind, it is said, prevented his obtaining any permanent situation. Mr. Haymes made his first appearance at Drury Lane in Belcour (West In- dian) 1789, but failing in his attempt, was afterwards obliged to represent characters of inferior note, and the hero of Exeter now sunk into an underling ! Dissatisfied with his situ- ation, he procured an engagement at Covent Garden, and having made choice of a character more suitable to his talents, which was Farmer Giles, (in the Maid of the Mill) he met with so much success, that he repeated it several nights, and also by command of their Majesties. This success, how- ever, was but temporary ; he was suddenly discharged, and his dismis- sion from the theatre was ascribed by his friends to the jealousy of the act- ing manager. At this time he was manager of the Theatre Royal, Rich- mond, but, like liis predecessors, per- formed to empty benches, except when a Jordan attracted ; and then so much was paid for the attraction, that little remained to reimburse the caterer. He was, therefore, soon obliged to forego the honour of a manager's title, and retain only the name of an actor at Brighton, &c. His wife, whom he married at Bath, formerly kept a small day school, and was a milliner, which latter profession she followed in town, and also during her occasional excursions at Rich- mond and Brighton, by which her husband obtained the epithet of ha- berdasher in the Gazette, November- 1, 1800. HEAPHY, (Mr.) was a native of Ireland, and manager of the Cork Theatre, but afterwards disposed of his wardrobe, &c. to the Dublin ma- nager. Hi-; wife was a celebrated actress in the line of old women, and belonged many seasons to Smock Alley and Crow Street Theatres. His daughterwas married to Mr. O'Keefe, the dramatist. HEARD, (Miss) actress, was brought up to the stage at Drury Lane, from her infancy; her first characters hav- ing been the Duke of York, (Richard 111.) Page, (Orphan) kc. At the Haymarket Theatre, she first attempt- ed characters of more importance* and met with approbation in both the hoyden and sentimental line. Her father, Mr. William Heard, was the son of a bookseller, who lived in Piccadilly, and wa» bred to the me- dical profession: He was author of several poems, and two theatrical pieces, viz. " The Snuff Box ; or, A Trip to Bath," comedy, acted at the Haymarket, 1775; and "Valentine's Day, 'musical entertainment, acted at Drury Lane, 1775. He died at the early age of thirty four, on the shores of Africa. His widow belonged to Drury Lane Company many years, and latterly performed the characters of old women. She died about the year 1799. Miss Heard has proved herself always an useful actress, by be- ing a ready substitute in case of in- disposition HE HE disposition or absence ; and though she may not prove equalj to her pre- decessors, yet she generally exceeds the expectations of the audience. One evening while on the stage with ano- ther lady, who was scarcely audible, a gentleman in the pit, (probably in clined to deafness) said to his neigh- bour, " I cannot hear a single word one of these ladies says, but the other is plain enough." " Oh, Sir, (re- plied his neighbour) that other is HEARD." HEARTWELL, (HENRY) author of " The Castle of Sorrento," a mu- sical entertainment, in two acts, taken from the French, and acted at the Haymarket, 1799. He had previous- ly published a translation of the ori- ginal, called " The Prisoner ; or. Re- semblance," comic opera, in one act. The piece, as acted, was materially altered, and derived no small as- sistance from the pen of Mr. Colman : it is certainly better for being divided into two acts, for it must be acknow- ledged it has too much incident for one. The translator is said to be a gentleman possessed of some property. HENDERSON, (JOHN) actor, was of a family originally Scotch, setUed in Fordell, a town in the north of Scot- Jand. He was descended in the right line from the famous Dr. Alexander Henderson, whose name frequently occurs in the English History, on ac- count of his conference with King Charles I. in the Isle of Wight. His grandfather was a quaker, and a very warm adherent to the celebrated Mr. Armesley in his suit with Lord An- glesea, in supporting which, he spent a considerable sum of money. His father was an Irish factor in the city of London, and resided in Goldsmith Street at the time of the birth of this his son, who was baptized March 8, 1746-7. One year after his birth, the father died, and left his widow and two children, bodisons, with a very slender provision. The mother's care and attention, in some measure, made up fur the loss of theii father, of which this her son always spoke in terms of the most grateful acknowledgment. At the at;e of two years, he was re- moved, with his mother, to Newport Pagncl, in Buckinghamshire, where he continued ten years, and af'er- wards went to a boarding school kept by Dr. Stirling, at llemel Hempstead, where he redded little more than twelve months. From thence he re- turned to London, and having dis- covered a taste for drawing, wag placed for a short time as a pupil to Mr. Fournier, a very extraordinary character, who, with great talents, seems to have possessed too little prudence to preserve himself from distress and ridicule. While he re- mained with Fournier, he made a drawing, which was exhibited at the Society of Arts and Sciences, and ob- tained a premium about the year 1767. With a person of Founder's habits, it is not surprising that Mr. Henderson should not continue long. On quitting him, he went to reside with Mr. Cripp, a silversmith, and near relation, of considerable business, in St James's Street, with whom it was intended he should be connect- ed ; but the death of that relative put an end to this scheme, and it is be- lieved that from henceforward Mr. Henderson bent his attention entirely to the stage. In the very early part of his life, his mother put into his hands a volume of Shakespeare, which he perused so often, and with so much delight, that he became in- spired with a passion for representing on the stage characters which he read with so much satisfaction. His recep- tion into the theatre, met with many and very extraordinary impediments. So early as about the year 1768, he had got himself introduced to Mr. George Garrick, who, on hearing him rehearse, gave it as his opinion, that his voice -was so feeble, that he could not possibly convey articulate sounds to the audience of any the- atre ; and it cannot he denied that there was then some ground for the observation, as his friends were ap- prehensive that he was in danger of falling into a consumptive habit. Not discouraged, however, by this repulse, he continued to pursue his favourite object though with little pro- spect of success. In a few years, his health became more established, and having formed an acquaintance with Mr. Becket, the bookseller, through his means HE HE means he obtained an introduction to Mr. Garrick, the manager. At this gentleman's levee he attended for a great length of time, both noticed and neglected, till at last he grew weary of so irksome a state of dependence, and resolved to attempt, by other means, to exhibit himself before the public. Still, however, he expe- rienced the mortification of being rejected in every offer. In 1770, he applied to Mrs. Philippine Burton, a lady who was about to produce a comedy of her own writing at the Haymarket, but was not received. He offered himself to Mr. Colman, who would not condescend even to hear him. It is said the first essay he made in public.was by delivering Mr. Garrick's Ode on the Jubilee in a room at Islington, for the benefit of one of the inferior retainers of the theatre. At length, after more than two years attendance, Mr. Garrick was prevailed upon to hear him re- hearse, but the opinion which this trial produced was by no means fa- vourable. The manager declared, that his voice was not sufficiently me- lodious or clear, nor his pronunciation articulate enough ; or, to make use of his own terms, " that he had in his mouth too much wool or wcrsted, which he must absolutely get rid of before he would be fit for Drury Lane stage." However, not to discourage him entirely, he furnished him with a letter to Mr. Palmer, the manager of the Bath company, who, on this recommendation, engaged him at a salary of one guinea a week. On his arrival at Bath, he assumed the name of Courtney, and his first appear- ance on the stage there was October 6, 1772. in the character of Hamlet. He met with universal applause, and after performing the character twice, repeated Mr. Garrick's Ode, and re- presented, in the course of the season, the following characteis: Richard 111, Benedict, Macbeth, Captain Bobadil, Bayes, Don Felix, Earl of Essex, Hot- spur, Fribble, Lear, Hastings, Alonzo, and Alzuma. After he had repeat- edly played the first nine characters, and found his reputation was fixed on a firm basis, he resumed his real name, and spoke an Addre-.s to the town on the occasion, (December 22.) He performed in the play and farce almost every night during the season, and had the satisfaction of continuing to encrease in fame every time that he appeared. At the close of the Bath season, he visited his friends in London, and passed the remainder of the summer in the metropolis, entire- ly disengaged from all theatrical em- ployments. In the autumn, he re- turned to his situation at Bath, and during that year, added the characters of Pierre, Don John, Comus, Othello. Archer, Ranger, Sir John Brute, Bel- ville, (School for Wives) Henry II, Beverley, (Man of Business) and Zanga, to tho»e he had already repre- sented. By this time, the chief ma- nagers of the London theatres had seen his performances on the stage, and knew the reputation he had ac- quired ; but, steady to the opinions they had originally entertained, they could not be prevailed upon to think him worihy of being received into their service. During the course of this summer, application was made both to Mr. Garrick and Mr. Foote in his favour, but without effect. In the autumn of 177 I, he was obliged again to resume his former situation in Bath. After many ineffectual efforts to appear in London, accident at last brought him forward without any ap- plication on his part. In 1777, Mr. Colman having purchased the patent of Mr. Foote of the little theatre in the Haymarket, and convinced of the necessity of novelty, engaged Mr. Henderson for that summer. So ad- vantageous was this union to the manager, that in thirty-four nights' performance no less a sum than four thousand five hundred pounds was taken. The first character Mr. Hen- derson represented was Shylock, (Merchant of Venice) June 11. This was followed by Leon, Falstaff, Ri- chard III, Don John, Bayes, and Falstaff, (Merry Wives of Windsor.) The avidity of the public filled the Haymarket Theatre every night he performed. Even during the heat of summer, the ho,use was crowded with people of the first fashion and first- rate abilities. The manager, who de- rived so much advantage from his success, HE HI success, gave him a free benefit, which produced him a considerable sum ; and before the winter commenced, he was engaged by M r. Sheridan (who then succeeded Mr. Garrick) for two years, at Drury Lane Theatre, at a salary of ten pounds per week, with an indemnification from the penally of his articles with the Bath manager. In the summer of 1778, he went to Ireland, and was introduced to most of the literati of that kingdom. Jan. 13, 1779, he married, and that sum- mer went again to Ireland ; and, at the commencement of the winter season, removed to Covent Garden Theatre, with an encreased stipend. He was now as much courted by the managers, as formerly he courted them ! he was exceedingly zealous in the service of the theatre, and always ready to attend his duty there. In the course of the last three months of his life, he performed several nights successively very long and fatiguing characters, and sometimes when he should have been with more propriety in his bed. His last perf rmance was Horatius, (Roman Father) Nov. 3. 1785. He was soon after seized with a fever, which seemed to have submit • ted to medicines, but at a time when his disorder put on every favourable appearance, he was unexpectedly seized with a spasm in the brain, and died November 25. He was interred in Westminster Abbey. He under- stood French perfectly, and spoke it fluently. He read with so much judg- ment, that Mr. Sheridan and he during the last season of 1785, enter- tained the town at Freemason's Hall, with reading some of the works of our best English writers. His poetry, of which he left but little, shews that if he had cultivated his powers, he would have arrived at considerable excfllence. HEWIT, (J.) author of a comedy called " A Tutor for the Beaux ; or, Love in a Labyrinth," acted at Lin- coln's Inn Fields, 1737 ; and a tra- gedy called " Fatal Falshood ; or, Distressed Innocence." acted at Drury Lane. He was, tt is supposed, the son of Jamrs Hewit, Esq. second Commissioner for trade to his Impe- rial Majesty of Russia, by whom he was neglected, and was obliged to leave the kingdom. HEY WOOD, (Mrs. ELIZA) acta* at Dublin in the year 1715. She wrote " The Fair Captive," tragedy, 1721, which, as the advertisement stales, was originally written by Capt. Hurst ; " A Wife to be Let," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, in which she performed herself, 1724 ; " Frederick Duke of Brunswick," tragedy, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1729 ; and she joined with Mr. Hatchet in the " Opera of Operas," (Tom Thumb) I73.J, /'see Hatchet.) She was born at London, and her father was in the mercantile way. In the early part of her life, her natural vivacity — her sex's constitutional fondness for gal ■ lantry, and the passion which then prevailed in the public taste for per- sonal scandal, guided her pen to works in which a scope was given for great licentiousness. She was a very vo- luminous writer, and her genius lay, for the most part, in the novel kind She provoked the indignation of Mr. Pope, who rendered her conspicuous in his " Dunciad." She died Feb, 25, 1756, aged about 63. HIFFERNAN, (PAUL) author of " The Lady's Choice," petite piece, acted at Covent Garden, 1759; "The new Hippocrates," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1761, not printed, and others printed, and not acted, was a native of Ireland, and received part of his education in the University of Dublin. His pen was his only sub- sistence, and when he came to Lon- don, he was employed by the book- sellers in various works of transla tion,compilement, Ike. Hisconduct created him many enemies, and he died in extreme indigence, 1778. — He assisted in compleating the tra- gedy of " The Heroine of the Cave," which met with little success. HIGHMORE, (JOHN) manager of Drury Lane Theatre, about 1731.— He was a gentleman of fortune, who unhappily had contracted an atiach- ment to the stage from liaving per- formed one night for a wager, the part of Lothario, ( Fair Penitent.) He purchased, for the sum of 25001. one half of Mr. Booth's share, with the whole of his power in the manage- P ment. H I HI ment. Before his admission, Mr. Ellis was deputed to attend to the conduct of the theatre in behalf of the widow Wilks. Mr. Cibber, dis- satisfied with the introduction of two persons, who were totally unqualified either by their abilities or experience to superintend a theatre, and not choosing to be troubled with the im- portance of the one, and the igno- rance of the other of his brethren, authorised his son Theophilus to act for him as far as his interest was con- cerned. Mr. Highmore, hurt by the continual impertinence of young Cib- ber, determined to get rid of his in- terference, and purchased the father's share for the sum of 3000 guineas, (1733.) Soon after, young Cibber stimulated the best performers in the company to revolt, and set up for "themselves, at the little theatre in the llaymarket, and Highmore, by their desertion, found the attractions of his house considerably weakened, fie endeavoured to supply their places with all the best actors the country companies then afforded, and buoyed him-eif up wiih hopes of obtaining redress, first from the Lord Chamber- lain, and afterwards by putting the laws concerning vagrants in force against the delinquent players, (see Harper.) In both these expectations, he found himself disappointed, and the losses fell so heavy upon him, that he was soon under the necessity of giving up the contention in order to secure a small part of the property which he had thus imprudently risked in an undertaking for which he was so little qualified. (See Fleetiimod.) HILL, (AARON) dramatist and manager, was born in Beaufort Build- ings, London, February 12, 1(584-5. He was sent to Westminster school, which he left at fourteen years of age, on account of his narrow circum- stances, occasioned by his father's mismanagement, who had been a gentleman of Malinesbury Abbey, in Wiltshire. Having formed the reso- lution of paying a visit to his relation, Lord Paget, then ambassador at Con- stantinople, he embarked on board a ship going there, March 2, 1700. When heairived, Lord Paget received him with much surprise, as well as | pleasure, wondering that a person so young should run the hazard of such a voyage, to visit a relation, whom he only knew by character. The ambassador immediately provided for him a very learned ecclesiastic, in his own house, and under his tuition sent him to travel, so that he had an opportunity of seeing Egypt, Pales- tine, and a great part of the Eastern country. With Lord Paget he re- turned home about 1703, and, in his journey, saw most of the courts in Europe. A few years after, he was desired to accompany Sir William Wentworth, who was then going to make the tour of Europe, and, with him, he travelled two or three years. On his return, he became known as a poet, and being made master of the theatre of Drury Lane, produced his first tragedy, " F.lfrid ; or, the Fair Inconstant," 1709. This was written at the request of the famous actor, Booth, and was completed in little more than a week. In 1710, he was master of the Opera House in the llaymarket, and then wrote an opera called " Rinaldo," which met with great success, and was the first that Handel composed after he came to England. His genius seems to have been best adapted to the business of the stage ; and, while he held the management, he conducted both the theatres to the satisfaction of the public ; but having some misunder- standing with the then Lord Cham- berlain, he relinquished it in a few months. In 17 Hi he produced ano- ther tragedy, called " The F'atal Vi- sion ; or, the Fall of Sion." In 1728, he made a journey to the north of Scotland, where he had been about two years befoie, having contracted with the York Buildings Company concerning many woods of great ex- tent in that kingdom, for timber for the use of the navy. After much la- bour spent in vain, and after a stay of several months in the Highlands, he quitted Scotland, and went to York, where he wrote a poem, called " The Progress of Wit, being a caveat for the use of an eminent writer," intended for Pope, who was the ag- gressor in the " Dunciad," and was supposed to have been made very uneasy HI HI uneasy by it. In 1731, he lost his wife, to whom he had been married twenty years. She was the daughter of Edmund Morris, Esq. of Stratford, in Essex, by whom he had nine chil- dren, and also a handsome fortune. He wrote several pieces in poetry and prose, particularly the " Art of Acting," a poem, and " The Promp- ter," a periodical work. His last production was a tragedy, called " Merope," which was brought upon the stage at Drurv Lane by Garrick, 1749. He died February 8, 1749, as it is said in the very minute of the earthquake, after enduring a twelve- month's torment of body, with great calmness and resignation. He was interred in the same grave with his wife in the great cloister of Wesmin- ster Abbey. Besides the dramatic- pieces alreadv mentioned, he wrote " The Walking Statue ; or, the Devil in the Wine Cellar," farce, printed 4to, with " Elf rid," and no date; " King Henry V. or, the Conquest of Trance by the English," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 17'J3 ; " Athel- wood," altered from " Elfrid." 1732; " Zara," ditto, 1736; and " Alzira; or, the Americans," tragedy, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1737. His posthumous pieces are, " The Roman Revenge," tragedy, acted at Bath, 1753; " The Insolvent; or, Filial Piety," tragedy, acted at the Hay- market, 1756; " Merlin in Love," pastoral opera, 1759; ''The Muses in Mourning," comic opera, 1759 ; " The Snake in the Grass," dramatic- satire, 1759, " Saul," tragedy, 1759 ; and " Daraxes," tragedy, 1759. His dramatic works alsocontain " The Fa- tal Extravagance," tragedy, ascribed to Joseph Mitchell. Mr. Hill is also said to have written a comedy, called " Trick upon Trick ; or. Squire Brainless," not printed. After the success of his "Merope," he adapted to the English stage Voltaire's nlay o' " Caesar," and tried all his arts to make Garrick perform in this his favourite trage.iy. He told him. '• he had written lhi< character expressly for the exhibition of his powers, and to show that eitffgv of pass'nn in which he stood so much unrivalled." He stooped even to the most bare- fared flatteries, and in a letter to him on this subject, talks " of a mouth, together with such eyes and attitudes, fee. as would outdo all his former outdoing*." But Garrick, though a good deal impelled by flattery as well ' as fear upon other occasions, never let either interfere with his theatrical reputation. He politely parried all thete soltcita'ions, and was deter- mined, like Brutus, not to he tyran- nized by Ccrsar. In short, upon the receipt of this letter, Garrick gave such reasons to the author for his not appearing in his tragedy to any ad- vantage, that he gave up all designs of bringing it forward, and this offspring; of his muse accompanied him to the grave in silence and ob curity. HILL, (Sir JOHN) author of three dramatic pieces, was the son of Mr. Theophilus Hill, a clergyman, in Lin- colnshire. The year of his birth is not absolutely ascertained ; but, from a collection of circumstances, it is supposed to be about 1716 or 1717, as, in the year 17+0, he was engaged in a controversy with Mr. Rich, in regard to an opera, called " Or- pheus," in which much personal abuse appeared on both sides. He was originally bound apprentice to an apothecary, and, afier serving his time, he set up in that profession in St. Martin's Lane ; but, having very early incumbered himself with the cares of a family by an hasty marriage with a young woman of no fortune, the daughter of one Mr. Sauver, who was household steward to the then Earl of Burlington, he found the bu- siness he had m his profession insuffi- cient for the support of it, and there- fore was obliged to apply to other resource . to help out what he could not obtain by his egular vocation. Having, during his apprenticeship, constantly attended on the botanical lectures, which are periodically given underthe patronage of the company of apothecaries, and being possessed of quick natural parts and ready abili- ties, he had made himself a very com- plete master of the practical, and, in- deed, the theoretical part of botany; and, having procured a recommen- dation to he then Duke of Richmond, and Lord Petre, he was by them em- P 'i ployed HI HI ployed in the regulation of their re- spective botanic gardens, and the arrangement of such curious dried plants, as they were in possession of. Assisted by the gratuities he received from these noblemen, he was enabled to put a scheme in execution of tra- iling over several parts of this kingdom, to gather the more rare uncommon plants ; a select number of which, prepared in a peculiar manner, he proposed to publish, by Subscription, at a certain price. The labour and expences attending on an undertaking of this kind, however, being very great, and the number of even probable purchasers very few, the emoluments accruing to him from all his industry, which was indeed in- defatigable, were by no means ade- quate either to his expectations or his merits. The stage now presented itself to him as a soil in which genius might stand a chance of flourishing. But this plan proved likewise abor- tive, and, after two or three unsuc- cessful attempts at the little theatre in the Haymarket, (where he played Oroonoko and Lothario) and at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, particularly in the characters of Con- stant (Provoked Wife) and the se- cond Spirit of Comus, which he per- formed during the first run of that masque, as altered by Dr. Dalton, (and in the Dramatis Persona; of which Mr. Hill's name may to this day be seen) he was obliged to relin- quish his pretensions to the sock and buskin, and apply again to his bota- nical pursuits, and his business as an apothecary. During the course of these occurrences, he was introduced to the acquaintance of several gen- tlemen, eminent in the literary and philosophical world, by all of whom he was received and entertained, on every occasion, with the utmost can- dour and warmth of friendship, being esteemed as a young man of very considerable abilities, struggling with the most laudable assiduity against the stream of misfortune, yet with a degree of bashful diffidence, which seemed an unsurmoun table bar to his ever being able to stem the torrent, or make that figure in life which his merit justly entitled him to. la this point of view, Mr. Hill appeared for a considerable time, admitted to every literary assembly, esteemed and caressed by all the individuals which composed them, yet indigent and distressed, and sometimes put to dif- ficulties for the obtaining even the common necessaries of life. At length, about the year 1745 or 1746, at which time he had a trifling ap- pointment of apothecary to a regi- ment or two in the Savoy, he trans- lated fiom the Greek a small tract, written by Theophrastus, on stones and gems, which, by the addition of a great number of very judicious and curious notes, he enlarged into an octavo volume, which formed al- most a complete system of that branch of natural history. This work he pub- lished by subscription ; and, being extremely well executed, and as strongly recommended by all his li- terary friends, it not only answered his expectations from it with respect to pecuniary advantages, but also established a reputation for him as a writer ; in consequence of which, he was immediately engaged in works of more extent, and of greater im- portance. In short, the rapidity of his pen was astonishing, nor will it perhaps readily gain credit with pos- terity, that, while he was thus em- ployed in several very voluminous concerns at one time, some of which were on subjects which seemed to claim singly the whole of his attention, and which he brought to perfection with an expedition that is scarcely to be conceived, he solely, and without any assistance, carried on a daily pe- riodical essay, under the title of the Inspector. Nor was this the only extraordinary circumstance attending on it ; for, notwithstanding this em- ployment, so much leisure did he find means ever to reserve to himself, that he was, at the same time, a constant frequenter of every place of public amusement. No play, opera, mas- querade, or assembly, but Mr. Hill was sure to be seen at, where he col- lected, by wholesale, a great variety of private intrigue and personal scan- dal, which he as freely retailed again to the public in his Inspectors and Magazines. Having, in one of his numbers HI HI numbers of the Inspector, severely reflected upon the character of Mounteney Brown, Esq. late go- vernor of the Bahama islands, that gentleman met our author at Rane- lagh, and resented his treatment in such a manner that Mr. Hill was con fined to his chamber for a consider- able time. He also lost some repu- tation in a contest with Mr. Wood- ward, the actor, who had been base- ly insulted by the brother of an Irish nobleman, whose cause Hill attempt- ed to support with his pen. About this period, his first wife died, and he set up his chariot, and assumed the character of a man of fashion and gal- lantry. Having offered himself a candidate as Fellow of the Royal So- ciety, he was rejected by a great ma- jority, chiefly, as it was sajd, for having ridiculed that learned body, some months before, in a pamphlet. This affront so irritated him, that he soon after published a Review of the Philosophical Transactions, in which he treated some papers, which can- dour must allow were proper objects of criticism, with great acrimony and contempt. Hill now became an ob- ject of consideration both in the learn- ed and polite world ; he obtained a Doctor's degree from St. Andrew's, was chosen a member of the Academy of Bourdeaux, and entered into a correspondence with Sir Charles Lin- naeus and the most distinguished fel- lows of the Swedish Society. During these transactions, he married Miss Sally Jones, sister to Lord Ranelagh, an Irish peer, with whom he lived very happily till the time of his death. His pen continued as prolific as ever, and, in the course of a tew months, he produced several novels and other works. In the latter part of his life he was honoured by the kins; of Sweden with the order of Vasa, (a badge of knighthood) and died in November, 1775, of the gout, a dis- order which, though he professed to cure in others, he was unable to root out of his own constitution. He was buried at Denham. His dramatic pieces are, " Orpheus," rejected by Rich, folio, 1740; " The Maiden Whim ; or, Critical Minute," farce, acted at Urury Lane, 1756, not print- ed ; and " The Rout," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1758. HILL, (JAMES) actor, is a native of Kidderminster, in Worcestershire. Having lost his father at the age of four years, he was educated by an uncle, and apprenticed, at the age of sixteen, to a painter. On the expi- ration of his indentures, he visited London, where he remained about a fortnight, and then went to Bristol, where he was introduced to the ma- nager of the Bath and Bristol theatres, to whom he communicated his wish to attempt the stage, but was inform- ed that the company was already filled, and that there was no prospect of a speedy vacancy. He then re- quested permission to perform one night, to gratify his inclination, with which the manager complied, and he appeared, in June 1796, in the charac- ter of Belville (Rosina) when he met with such a flattering reception, that full as his company was, the manager now contrived to make room for him, and he was engaged for five seasons, during which time he became ac- quainted with Signora Storace, who recommended him to Rauzzini, by whose advice Mr. Hill placed himself under the tuition of Mr. Richards, the leader of the band, at the Bath the- atre, and having received a few les- sons from Xeamenes and others, finished his instructions with Rauzzini. Having performed a variety of vocal characters the two first seasons, with increased approbation, MH£ Harris, wishing to engage him f8r Covent Garden, applied to Mr. Diamond to release him from his articles, with which that manager obligingly com- plied. His first appearance in Lon- don was in 1798, in the character of Edwin, (Robinhood) and ever since he lias retained a respectable situa- tion, but more as a singer than actor. H1PPESLLY (JOHN), actor, and author of a farce, called " A Jour- ney to Bristol ; or, The Honest Welshman," acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1731. He was reckoned an excellent low comedian, and his per- formance was much heightened by a distortion of his face, occasioned by an accidental burn in his youth. His siuu- HI HO situation in the theatre was at first very insignificant, being no more than a candle-snuffer ; but on the death of Pinkethman, a comedian, he succeeded to all his characters, and became a favourite with the public; in the Collier, Recruiting Officer, Scrub, &c. He built a theatre at Bristol, and had another in some for- wardness at Bath when he died. At one period of his life he kept a coffee- house, near Covent Garden. He had two daughters, both actresses ; and one of them, Mrs. Green, was excel- lent in the characters of envious la- dies and Abigails. She belonged to Covent Garden. He had a son, who died governor of a fort in Africa, whom he intended for the stage ; but Mr. Quin observed, that it the young gentleman was absolutely to make his appearance in public, it was high time to bum him ; meaning, that he should have his father's face. Old Hippesley was a man of letters, and wrote several very sensible pamph- lets. " Hippesley's Drunken Man " is a piece of humour, which is still occasionally delivered on the stage (particularly bv Mr. Lee Lewis). He died at Bristol,' Feb. 12. 1748. HITCHCOCK (ROBERT), author of two comedies, called " The Ma- caroni," 1773; and, "The Coquet; or, Mistakes of the Heart," 1777 ; both acted at York, where he was for- merly an actor. He was prompter at the Haymarket, in the late Mr. Col- man's tircpf* when his daughter made her first appearance on the stage, in " The Silver Tankard," 1781: after which he became prompter in Dub- lin, and his wife and daughter great favourites on the Irish stage. The latter retired in consequence of her marriage with a gentleman, now an eminent barrister in Dublin — but her mother still retains her situation as actress. Mr. Hitchcock, while in Dublin, wrote the " History of the Irish Stage," but has not yet brought it down to the present period. He has a son, who was bred in the uni- versity of Dublin, and is now at the Irish bar. HOADLY (BENJAMIN), authorof the still admired comedy of " The Suspicious Husband," 1747, was eld- est son of the Bishop of Winchester, and born Feb. 10, 1705-6. He was educated at Dr. Newcomb's, Hack- ney, and Benet College, Cambridge, being admitted pensioner April 8, 1722. Here he took a degree in phy- sic in 1727. In 1728 he was upon the list of gentlemen to be created doctors of physic, but in the last list his name was omitted, and he had not his degree of M. D. till about a month after, by a particular manda- mus. He was F. R. S. when very young— was made registrer of Here- ford while his father filled that see, and was appointed physician to his majesty's household June 9, 1742. His first marriage was with Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Betts, Esq. of Suf- folk, councellor at law, by whom he had one son, that died an infant. His second marriage was with Ann, daughter and coheiress of the honor- able General Armstrong, by whom he left no issue. He died in the life- time of his father, August 10, 1757, at his house at Chelsea, which he had built ten vears before. HOADLY (JOHN), author of the " Contrast," a comedy acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1732, not print- ed, was brother of- the preceding, born Oct. 8, 171 1. He was educated at the same school, where he got great applause by performing the character of Phocias (Siege of Da- mascus'. June, V 30. He was admit- ted at Corpus Christi College, Cam- bridge, and about the same time at the Temple, intending to study the law, which design, however, he abandoned. lie took the degree of L. L. B. in 1735, and in Nov. 29 following was appointed chancellor of Winchester, ordained deacon by his father, Dec. 7, and priest Dec. 21. He was immediately received into the Prince of Wales's houshold, a- his chaplain, and afterwards in that of the Princess Dowager. He died March If-, 1776; and with him the name of Hoadly became extinct. Besides the above piece, he wrote two oratorios, " Jephtha," 1737; and " The Force of Truth," 176+ ; and two dramatic pastorals, " Love's Re- venge," 1745 ; and " Phoebe," 1748. He revised Lillo's " Arden of Fever- sham," KO HO sham," and wrote the fifth act of Mil- ler's " Mahomet." He is supposed to have assisted his brother materially in the comedy of "The Suspicious Hus- band. Several dramatic pieces he left behind him in M.S. particularly, " The Housekeeper," a farce, on the plan of " High Life below Stairs;" in fa- vour of which piece it was rejected by Mr. Garrick. A comedy, called " The Tatlers," was acted at Covent Gar- den, for Mr. Holman's benefit, 1797, said to have been from a M. S. of Benjamin Hoadly, but if written by any of the family, it is more likely Dr. John Hoadlv. HOARE (PRINCE), dramatist, is e native of Bath, and younger son of William Hoare, who was long a dis- tinguished artist of the same place. He was placed early in Mr. Hele's grammar school, at Bath, and, during the intervals of school hours, was in- structed by his father in painting, which he made a considerable pro- gress in. At seventeen he was sent to London, and became a student of the royal academy, where he mani- fested' his attachment to the arts, by devoting more than the regular time to labour, and frequently writing the whole day without intermission. Agreeable to the practice of other artists, he commenced his travels in 1776, and, after an absence of four years, returned to England, and set- tled himself in London. He conti- nued in his profession with consider- able success, but an ill state of health obliged him suddenly to decline it, and withdraw to the sea coast for the benefit of the air. He now, for amusement, attempted dramatic writ- ing; and whtle on his way to Lisbon, which voyage was recommended to him for the recover)' of his health, he presented the first offspring of his inuse, a tragedy, to the managers of the Bath Theatre, and at Lisbon had the gratification to hear of its success. He returned to England in 1788. hav- ing derived much benefit from his ex- cursion, and, by the persuasions of Mr. Storace. who then was eminent a 5 a composer, and the flattering recep- tion of his fu>t play, he applied his mind entirely to dramatic composi- tion, tut rinding the managers of London less compliant than the ma- nagers of Bath, he was obliged, at first, to bring out his pieces for bene- fits, and consequently forego the cus- tomary emolument. Their success soon induced the managers to accept what tliey had Ixfore rejected, and having thus established his fame, he finds no difficulty now in procuring their favour and indulgence ; and, indeed, the general success of hi* writings gives him a tide thereto, which few modern dramatists can boast. His works are "Julia, or, Such Things were," a tragedy, acted at Bath, 1785, and at Drury Lane, for Mrs. Siddons's benefit, 1796 ; "No Song no Supper," musical entertain- ment, acted at Drury Lane, for Mr. Kelly's benefit, 1790 ; " The Cave of Trophonius," ditto, for Mrs. Crouch's benefit, 1791 ; " Dido Queen of Car- thage," serious opera, 1792; "The Prize, or 2, 5, 3, 8," musical en- tertainment, for Signora Storace's benefit, 1793; " My Grandmother," ditto, acted at the Haymarket, for Signora Storace's benefit, 1793 ; "The Three and the Deuce," opera, acted at the Haymarket, 1795 ; " Lock and Key," musical entertainment, acted at Covent Gardsn, 179 i; " Mah- moud," opera, acted at Drury Lane, 1796; " The Friend in Need," mu- sical entertainment, acted at Drury- Lane, 1797 ; " The Italian Villagers," opera, acted at Covent Garden, 1797; "The Captive of Spilsburg," musical entertainment, acted at Dru- ry I.ane, 1798 ; " Sighs, or the Daugh- ter," comedy, altered from Kotze- bue, acted at the Haymarket, 1799 ; " The Children, or Give them their Way," farce, acted at Drury Lane, for a benefit, 1S0O; and, " Indiscre- tion," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1800. Few of his pieces are printed. HUDSON (WILLIAM), author of two tragedies, " Arsaces," 1775; and " Zoraida," acted at Drury Lane, 17K0; and of a farce acted at Drury Lane, called " The Adventures of a Night," 1783. He was a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1770 obtained Mr. Seaton's prize. HOLCROFT, (HIOMAM drama tist, and formerly actor, is a native of the county of Lancaster, was brought 'up HO HO up to the profession of a shoemaker, and long after the attainment of man- hood was chained by the hard hand of necessity to produce daily subsist- ence by unremhted labour. The time, or the particular incident, which determined him to seek reputation among the heroes of the theatre, has never been ascertained Perhaps an aversion to a mechanical trade, in the practice of which he could not hope to indulge the power of fancy, jnight have led him to consider of ways and means to emancipate him- self; and it is well known that the itinerant or travelling companies of comedians are the asylums for those as- piring youths, whose minds are too lofty to allow them to vork. 1 his last, however, does not appear to have been his case. He did not quit his profession in pursuit of ease ; but undertook the arduous, and at pre- sent too romantic task, of ascending the heights of fame, and did not seem to think that the indefinite faculty called genius was sufficient to raise its possessor unless cultivated. Those revolutions in point of circumstances to which the " Brief chronicles of the times" are particularly subjected, were experienced by Mr. H. But his care and attention, which did not suffer his abilities to wither by neglect, soon rendered him a desirable ac- quisition to the country theatres. He perfected himself in practical music, and advanced far into the theory ; the productions of our best English poets were read by him with a very critical application. Prologues, epi- logues, ano, it is supposed, interludes of his composition were occasionally subjected to the judgment of their audiences, and received with appro- bation : so that he was in possession of some leisure and a genteel subsistence, when he determined to try his fortune in London in the year 1776. His first manoeuvre in London was to apply to the celebrated Garrick, to whom he sent an epistle explanatory of his wishes to be engaged in his the- atre, and inclosed a piece of poetry as a proof of his abilities. This was a tolerably well projected scheme, but it did not succeed for wantof? know- ledge of the personage to whom he addressed himself. Instead of en- closing a panegyric on the modem Roscius, he sent him a tale of woe, calculated to excite the tear of sensi- bility, and to encourage that pleasing How of melancholy, of which only a few of the choicest and most delicate minds are susceptible. It would not do. He called repeatedly, and at last received his ultimatum. Sheridan was then to be applied to. Holcroft, mortified at his repulse by Garrick, and still more at a rapid approach to- wards a vacuum in that part of the animal system called the pocket, sat down to write, and in a few days finished a theatrical piece, which he conveyed to the author of the " School for. Scandal." This gentleman, who possesses abilities perhaps unequalled among his contemporaries, though naturally benevolent and universally disposed to listen to and assist who- ever applies to him for advice or pro- tection, is likewise in possession of no very moderate fund of indolence. This distinguished trait in the cha- racter of the manager was exhibited to the great chagrin of our bard ; and if his piece had not fortunately fallen into the hands of the late Mrs. She- ridan, it might probably have remain- ed for ever unattended to and un- penned. However, he at length succeeded, and was received into the theatre at the very small salary of twenty shillings per week. The piece above-mentioned was probably "The Crisis; or, Love and Fear," a mu- sical entertainment, not printed, but which was acted at Drury Lane in 1778. In 1782, he produced a comedy, called " Duplicity," at Co- vent Garden, and quitted his situation at Drury Lane as actor that year.— This piece was lately compressed into three acts, and performed under the title of " The Masked Friend," a title which entirely spoils the piece, by anticipating the principal charac- ter. In 17S4 he produced an opera, acted at the Ilaymarket, called " The Noble Peasant," and a comedy, trans- lated from the French, entitled, " The Follies of a Day," which task was accomplished in three weeks, and the piece read, studied, and re- piesented in a fortnight after at Co- vent HO H O vent Garden. The author performed the character of Figrou in it , and the considerable run of the piece esta- blished his fame as an author, but as an actor, he never acquired much reputa- tion in London, though he was high- ly appro- ed of in the country in old men's characters, and others of low comedy. Accordingly he now quit- ted the stage entirely, and applied himself to literature, having produced several poems, novels, translations from the German and French, and, among the latter, sacred dramas.— His other pieces for the stage were " The Choleric Fathers," opera, Co- vent Garden, 178.5; " Seduction," comedy, Drury Lane, 1787 ; " The School for Arrogance,'' comedy, Co- vent Garden, 1791; "The Road to Ruin," ditto, 1792 j " Love's Frail- ties ; or. Precept against Practice," ditto, 1794; "The Deserted Daugh- ter," ditto, I79> ; "The Man of Ten Thousand," ditto, Drury Lane, 1796 ; " The Force of Ridicule," ditto, 179o ; " Knave or Not," ditto, 179S ; and he is supposed to be the author of " lie's much to blame," comedy. Covent Garden, 1798. He assisted several periodical works, and in 179), about the beginning of October, was, with eleven others, indicted by the crown for high treason ; three of whom having been tried and acquit- ted, in consequence of the Attorney General declining to bring evidence against the other nine, (among whom was Mr. Holcroft) the Judge directed the Jury to find a verdict of Not Guilty, Dec. 15. He is a married man, and has a familv. HOLLAND, (CHARLES) actor in Mr. Garrtck's time, and when that gentleman left London to take the tour of Italy for his heal'h, was witli Messrs. G. Ganick, Lacy, and Pow- ell, acting manager, lie was a very useful, and had great requisites for a capital performer, — a line ap- pearance, a strong, melodious, arti- culate voice, and a good understand- ing ; in short, he was a favourite with the public, of which, by industry and application, he rendered himself worthy, lie died at the age of thirty- si v of the small pox, December 7, 17<>9 : his rela.ions obtained lease from the Duke of Devonshire, it the request of Mr. Garrick, to place a monumental inscription [written by the manager) in the chanrel of Chii- wick church, to his memory. HOLLAND, (Mr. a< tor, who hav- ing acquired much credit on the pro- vincial theatres, made his first ap- pearance at Drury Lane in die mo- dest character of MarceHes, Hamlet. ) —This respectable, but unassuming pet former, was for some time before he obtained an opportunity of exert- ing his abilities on London boards : at last, on the death of Mr. Palmer, Mr. barrymore having performed his character in the " Stranger," (Baton Steinfort) Mr. Holland succeeded Barrymore in Count Wintersen; and some time after, on the indisposition of Mr. C. Kemble, he performed Alonzo, (Pizarro) and Palmer's cha- racter of Sydenham, (Wheel of For- tune) when he sufficiently proved that his talents were entitled to mora attention and encouragement from the managers, and that he only want- ed that encouragement to be far su- perior to others who were already advanced in the theatre. HOLLINGSWORTH, (Mr.) actor, was instructed by Mr. Younger, tinder whose protection he played some trifling characters at Covent Garden, and was then taken by his tutor to Liverpool, where he soon distinguish- ed himself as a low comedian. Here he met with an unfortunate accident: one evening, between the play and farce, peeping, according to custom, through the aj>erture in the curtain, he received an apple with a pen- knife stuck in it, near his eye, which endangered his sight, and was the cau-e of a long confinement. Having performed at Edinburgh, York, Man- chester, &c. with applause, he was engaged at Drury Lane Theatre in 17-^S, and retained his situation with credit. 1IULMAN, (JOSEPH GEORGE) dramatist and actor, is descended from a most respectable family, and received his education at Sorio aca- demy. In 178", he entered Queen's College, Oxford, and was particularly noticed by that honourable society, who gave him his degree after he be- U came HO HO came a member of the theatre. At school, he performed several charac- ters, and Mr. Garrick, who saw him represent Hamlet there, expressed the highest approbation of his juve- nile excellence. His first appear- ance on a public stage was at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in Romeo, October 26, 1784, and the manager paid him every attention, there having been several rehearsals on the occasion, and particularly a general one, when they were all dressed in character, and the house filled with private company. After this he played Chamont, Richard III, &c. with much approbation. At the end of the third season, he left Covent Garden, in consequence or some dif- ference about an encrease of salary. He then visited Dublin, where he had played before during an after season, and in consequence of the approba- tion he then met with, now made advantageous terms with Mr. Daly for the winter season. At the time of his first playing on the Irish stage, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Pope, Mr. Kem- ble, Mr. Aicken, &c. were also en- gaged ; and it should be remarked, that Mr. Henderson, Mr. Kemble, and Mr. Holman, played Hamlet several nights alternately, and though the two former had many admirers, Mr. Holman had also his share. Hav- ing performed at Edinburgh, Birming- ham, Liverpool, Manchester, &c. with considerable applause, he was re-engaged by Mr. Harris, and re- sumed his situation at Covent Garden with encreased approbation. In the season of 1890 a disagreement took place between the proprietors of Co- vent Garden, and eight of their prin- cipal performers, viz. Messrs. Hol- man, Johnstone, Fawcett, Pope, Knight, H. Johnston, Munden, and Incledon, when a statement of their grievances (drawn up with clearness and precision) was accordingly signed and published by the above gentle- men. The ground of difference rest- ed principally upon the proprietors depriving their performers of the cus- tomary orders of admission,— in en- larging the fine of five pounds for refusing a character to thirty pounds, — and in raising the charge of a be- nefit from one hundred and forty pounds to one hundred and sixty pounds. The proprietors contended that orders had ever been held as a gratuitous indulgence, and that they had never been allowed without spe- cial leave of the managers : that with respect to the fine for refusing cha- racters, much disgust had been given to authors, and much injury done to the property by the rejection of such characters : and that on the subject of encreasing the amount of the be- nefit charge, they were perfectly au- thorized in that proceeding by the encrease of the night-expences of the theatre, which the te-.timony of the treasurer, proposed to be substan- tiated by affidavit, estimated at more than one hundred and sixty pounds. The performers observed in answer, that orders had not been held by any gratuitous indulgence, but by an esta- blished privilege, for which they re- ferred to a former declaration of the manager : that the advance of the fine from five pounds to thirty pounds gave to the managers the power of depressing and degrading professional talents, and of extorting from the first actor of the theatre, by that main engine of oppression, the whole of his salary : and that the benefit charge had experienced an advance, in the course of twenty years (for it was only sixty-four pounds five shillings in 1780) of ninety-five pounds fifteen shillings. With respect to the first complaint, it must be acknowledged that orders are at the option of the managers ; but when orders are pro- miscuously issued, (being at times of as much service to the proprietors as to the performers) surely the per- formers have some claim to that in- dulgence ; of course, they had some reason to complain, for they had been denied that indulgence though the house had been frequently filled with them. The second was certainly a serious complaint ; for though mana- gers might say, that many good cha- racters have been rejected by actors of even inferior abilities, this was no argument for compelling performers to hazard their reputation : every actor should be the guardian of his own fame, and never attempt a part, HO HO or at least repeat it, which was either beneath him, or to which he was inadequate. Garrick could never have attained that honour he had ac- quired, had he been subject to such arbittary measures. He not only re- signed, but rejected characters, (see Garrick and Hill, (Aaron) and, doubtless, it is owing to this mana- gerial despotism that we too often see many actors and actresses of abilities rendering themselves ridicu- lous on London boards: The thud complaint has some groun Is, when we consider that performers have not the same opportunity (by orders) of mak- ing friend- as before: and when we also consider that the additional ex- pences have been incurred by the managers themselves, who have thought proper to rebuild, enlarge, and add to the exterior ornaments of their winter theaties: why, it may be asked, should performers pay for their caprice and whims, especially as the public pay by the additional prices of admission to boxes and pit ! When the benefit charges were only sixty- four pounds live shillings, it is well known ihat a performer derived more profit from his night* than he generally does now, even though the wimer theatres are thcice as large : and it is also well known that many a distinguished performer at present lias no more, and sometimes in the hou^e less than the charges and cur- sory expences ; so thai, in fact, he has solicited the service, of his friend, not for his own, but for the benefit of the managers t— This disagreement was left (by mutual consent) to the Lord Chambeilain for decision. His lordship wished to have declined the office of arbitrator, but gave at last his opinion in favour of the proprie- tors, recommending, at the same time, an amicable adjustment and oblivion of ihe past. The complaints, of course, were dropped, and the performers reinstated, except Mr. Holman, who either was not offered, or would not accept of a re-engage- ment. — Tiie writer of this has too I great a respect for the m ist noble I Marquis to disapprove of his conduct ! in this affair. Hi lordship, no doubt, i spoke his sentiments, but was proba- | | bly influenced by the speciout decla- rations of the managers. How often i do even judges and jury disagree f I an I had his lordship referred the uiat- j ter to a committee of twelve, (sup- I pose four managers, four ttuthir-, and four actors) theie is linle doubt but ] that the complaints, especially the two , last, would have been acknowledged just.-- Mr. Holman having n< w quit- i ted a theatre which gave birth to his j talents, pet formed a few nights at the Haymarket, and then accepted of an engagement for the en uing winter from the manager of the Dublin the- atre, who proposed the same to all, or any of the performers, who might leave Covent Garden in consequence of die above disagreement. Such was Mr. Holman's success in Dublin, that it was said he was in treaty with the manager for his patent. In 17! '8, he married the daughter of the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Hamilton ; in conse- quence of which union, it was re- ported, he would shortly leave the siage for the pulpit: should this ever he the case, Mr. Holman will certain- ly add to the number of the very few preachers who can write their own discourses, and deliver them with proper eneigy; not like too many, who tediously d.awl over their pur- chased jermons, or think to awaken conscience by thumping a dusty cushion • His dramatic works are " Abroad and at Home," comic opera," acted at Covent Garden, 1790. It was originally called "The King's Bench," but was prohibited under that title by the licenser; ''The Vo- tary of Wealth, "comedy, 17! 1 !! ; " Red Cross Knights," play, with songs, act- ed at the Haymarket. 171)9,— '-this is an alteration of" f'ne Robbers;" ami '• What a Blunder?" comic opera, acted at the Haymarket, 1800, — all printed. Before lie produced a piece of his own, he assisted in several. HOME, .JOHN) dramatist, was a native of Scotland, and, as his name has been sometimes spelt with an U, was supposed to be related to the historian Hume. He was bred to the ministry in the kirk of Scotland, but offended the elders by having written a tragedy. (Douglas 1 which was accepted by the managers of the U. 'i Kdio HO HO burgh Theatre, (then in some repute) and intended for immediate repre- sen;ation. Thee zealots having in vain endeavoured to convince the author of the great sin of writing a play, endeavoured, but l.kewise in vain, to terrify the performers from representing it. The incensed elders accordingly expelled, and for ever disqualified for the ministry, not only this disobedient son, but even others for being his friends, and witnessing the performance of a play, in which the principles of virtue, of morality, of filial duty, of patriotic zeal, and of reverence for an over-ruling power were in the strongest manner incul- cated and enjoined. They also thun- dered their anathemas in advertise- ments, pamphlets, &c. against those implements of Satan, the actors, who had thus led aside, or at least abetted in his wandering, this lost sheep of their flock. However, as persecution most commonly defeats its own pur- poses, so did it happen in this case, for the ill treatment which the author met with in his own country, pro- cured him a mo»t valuable protection in another. Having been known to the Earl of Bute, who represented the circumstances of this unreasonable oppression to our present Sovereign, then Prince of Wales, his Rojal High- ness settled a very handsome pension on him, and, sheltering a man of ge- nius under his own patronage, put it out of the power of either bigotry or malevolence to blast his laurels. He obtained a place under government, and never resumed his clerical pro- fession, but continued to write tra- gedies, which were performed at the London Theatres. His dramatic works are " Douglas," 17.57 ; '' Agk" 1758; " I'he Siege of Aquileia," 17, 0, " The Fatal Discovery," 1769 ; " Alonzo," 1773, " Alfred," 1778. • --The first was the most successful, which still continues a favourite piece. HOOK, (Miss) actress, made her first appearance at the llaymarket Theatre in Polly, (Beggar's Opera June II, 1782, and was supposed to be some near relation of the fol- lowing. HOOK, (JAMES) composer, is a native of England, and his wife (maiden name Madden) wrote " The Double Disguise," opera, Drury Lane, 1784. He has two sons, one of whom was bred at the University of Oxford, where he is now settled with a wife and family, and is ihe reputed author of " Jack of Newbury," opera, acted at Drury Lane, 1795 ; and " Dia- mond Cut Diamond ; or, Vene- tian Revels," mu-ical entertainment, acted at Covent Garden for a bene- fit, 1797, and repeated a few nights for the theatre.— Mr. Hook has com- posed for the stage, the above pieces, and some others, '• The Peruvian," " Wilmcre Castle," &c. He has long assisted Vauxhall, for which, in- deed, his compositions are better adapted, being very happy in ballad airs, but wanting variety and spirit sufficient for operas. HOOLE, (JOHN) author of three tragedies acted at Covent Garden, viz. " Cyrus," 1768 ; " Timotheus," 1770 ; and " Cleonice, Princess of Bithynia," 1775. He al.-o translated Tasso, and part of Ariosto, and was auditor to the East India Company.- — His son, the Rev. Richard Hoole, L. L. B. is author of poems, &c. HOPER, (Mrs.) maiden name Har- ford, produced three dramatic pieces, . viz. " The Battle of Poictiers ; or, j Edward the Black Prince," tragedy, acted at Goodman's Fields, 17-1-7 ; I " 'i'he Cyclopaedia," farce, acted a-t ! the Hayniarkei, 1748; " Q.ueen Tra- i gedy restored," ditto, 1749, which i last is the only one printed. She was ■ the daughter of an eminent uphol- i steier and cabinet-maker in the city, ! and her husband, to whom she brought ; no inconsiderable fortune, followed 1 the same occupation in Cirnhill.— Being left a widow, with a son too young to conduct the business, she was obliged to entrust it to journey- men, but finding it decrease, became prudent in time, and sold off her stock in trade, she then applied her mind to dramatic writing,, but having written the above pieces, was mor- tified at their having been rejected by the managers : however, she found means, at her own expence, to have them represented, but their success not being adequate to her wishes, she retired HO HO retired with her son, now grown up, to infield, in Middlesex, where the latter, who had a liberal education, set up a preparatory school, in whii:h he met with good s access ; and which, since his death, which hap|>en- ed some years ago, was continued under the care of his mother. HOPKINS, Mrs.) actress, was a member of Drury Lane company twenty years ago, where she repre- sented old ladies. She was engaged at the Haymarket as a substitute for Mrs. Webo, but did not seem to be o: the same weigh/, for the several miserable puns which were intro- duced in some pieces, relative to that lady s corpulence, lost theif effect when Mrs. Cheshire died ! HOPKINS, (Miss) actress, daugh- ter of the preceding, belonged to Drury l.arie Theatre in 1777.- — It was for her benefit that Mr. Hol- croft's tirst dramatic piece, called " The Crisis," was performed. HOULTON, (ROBERT) author of " Wilmore Castle,' musical enter- tainment, acted at Drury Lane, 1800, is a native of England, and studied phy-ic at Edinburgh, which he prac- ticed wirh some success in lrelan i, when inoculation was fir t introduced there. He afterwards agisted perio- dical work.-, and brought out several musical pieces on the Dublin stages, viz. '' The Contract." opera, the mu- sic by Mr. (now Dr.) Stevenson, act- ed a; smock Alley, and afterwards at Capel Street, under the title of " The Doable Stratagem ;" " Gi- braltcr,'' opera, acted several night* at Capel Street, |7SJ; " Orpheus and Eundice," burlesque opera, act- ed at Capel Street, &c. On his re- turn to London, he assisted a morning paper, and produced some well- wntten poems,&c also songs for Vaux- hali, and prologues, paiti.'ularly one t >r Crot :het Lodge, which wa> spoken by Mr. Fawcett, and universally ad- mired. His ■' Belle's have at ye all," originally ,poken by Miss Scrace, at Crow Street, Dublin, was likewise delivered by Mrs. Mattock's on her benefit at Covent Garden. It was some time, however, before lie obtained an opportunity of becoming a dra.aatisti.i Luadou: at leneih, by the united efforts of his composer (Mr Hook) the above-men ionerl piece was accepted by the Drury Lane managers. In this the author's avow- ed hope was to revive Old English Optra in opposition to the present taste for musical pageantry and bustle ; but the attempt was unsuccessful ; and both in his preface to "Wilmore Castle," and a pamphlet which he afterwards published, and in which he takes a review of all the recent operatical productions, he seems to ascribe the cause of its failure to jea- lousy and mismanagement. HOWARD, (GORGES EDMUND) author of three tragedies, " Almeyda ; or, the Rival Kings," 1770; " The siege of Tamor," 1773 ; and " The Female Gamester," 1778. He was an attorney in Dublin, and wrote everal law books, having been better ac- quainted with the proceedings of the courts than the business of a theatre. ---According to his own account, he did not begin to court the tragic muse till he was fifty years of age ; and, probably, the lady thought him at too advanced a period of life to bestow on him any of her gracious smiles. — The first tragedy was played for a benefit at Smock Alley, Dublin, and universal laughter attended the dis- ! tresses of his hero and heroine. The second wa; performed to empty benches at Fishamble Street. He produced a volume of poems, but complained, that " though they were published for the beneiit of a cha- nty, the envious town refused to encourage the sale." He died a few years ago. HOWELL, (Miss F.) singer, was ; introduced to the public at Vauxhall, I where her sister also sung, and at the I early age of fifteen made her first ap- ' pearance on the stage at Covent Garden in Daphne, (Daphne and : Amintor) Sept. '.'9, 1800. So great }' was her timidity, that she was near I fainting on her entrance, but having recovered herself, gave general satis- i faction, and reneated the character I with much applause. She afterwards !j pciformed Clara (Duenna 1 and I.eo- j nora. (Padlock. 1 Her voice is sweet I and flexible, and she is possessed both ! of taste and a good ear. I HOY HO HU HOY, (Mr.) present manager of the theatre in Wolverhampton ; whose company lately consisted of Mr Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Blandford, Mr. and Mrs. duantrell, Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Farren, Mr. Shuter, Mis. Chambers, Mrs. Field. &c. HUDDART, (Mr.) actor, is of a respectable Irish family, and having performed three nights in Dublin with some applause, made his first appearance in London, (being his fourth upon any stage) in Othello, October 15, 1798. Probably had he been less aspiring, he might have been more successful. HUGHES, (JOHN) dramatist, was the son of a worthy citizen uf London, by Anne, the daughter of Isaac Bur- gess, Esq. of an ancent family and a competent fortune in Wiltshire, where, in the town of Marlborough, our author was born, Jan. 29, 1677. He was early brought to London, re- ceived the first rudimen's of letters in some of the lesser schools of this metropolis, and, by the extraordinary care of his master, invited by his own diligence, his various acquisitions, and the manner in which they were ap- plied, did no small honour to a pri- vate education. He became early and thoroughly acquainted with the ancients, which gave him a true taste and a correct judgment, at an age when, by many who are yet intended for scholars, th.«se terms are scarce understood. He had a weak, or at least a delicate constitution, which, perhaps, diverted him from several studies, and inclined him to seek, in the company of the sister arts, of de- signing, poetry, and music, that amusement, which his valetudinary state of health rendered one of the greatest blessings of life. At 19 he drew the outlines of a tragedy, and about the same time turned into Eng- lish one of the most celebrated, but at the same time one of the most dif- ficult, odes in Horace, in a manner and with a facility that indicated true genius. His acquaintance with the muses did not render him averse to business ; he had a place in the office of ordnance, and was secretary to several commissions under the great sea! for purchasing lands, in order to the better securing the royal docks and yards at Portsmouth, Chatham, and Harwich. He continued, how- ever, to pursue his natural inclina- tion to letters, and added to his tho- rough knowledge of the learned, as intimate an acquaintance with the modern languages. His numerous performance^ in verse and prose, his unblemished reputation, and his ex- emplary candour and modesty, in- troduced him, not only to the most considerable members of the republic of letters, such as Mr. Addison. Mr. Congreve, Mr. Pope. Mr. Southern, Mr. Kowe, and many others ; but also to some of the greatest men in the kingdom; and, amongst these, to Thomas. Earl, and afterwards Mar- quis of Wharton, who, to express his regard for Mr. Hughes, offered to carry him over, and provide for him, when appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland. But, depending on the pro- mises of another great man, who had undertaken to dispose of him more agreeably at home, he declined that obliging offer, which brought upon him a disappointment that gave him some uneasiness, though he had no- thing in him of a narrow and selfi h sp rit. He amused himself, about this time, with the translation of one of Moliere's plays, which he performed with equal judgment and spirit, and entertained so great a.liking for that excellent comic wiiter, that at his leisure hours he turned several scenes of his into English. His friend Mr. afterwards S;r Richard Steele, having set up that agreeable paper the Tatler, Mr. Hughes contributed Lis assistance, as he likewise did to the Spectator. In 1712, he brought up- on the stage his opera of " Calypso and Telemachus," in favour of winch, under the patronage of Duke Hamil- ton, for Mr. Hughes's merit and mo- desty procured him friends with all parties, he rai ed a considerable sub- scription. '1 he Italians were alarm- ed at this, and, when it was upon the point of being acted in the theatre in the Haymarket, they obtained from the then Lord Chamberlain, the Duke of Shrewsbury, an order, either to act at common puces, or not to act at all. Under HU HU Under this discouragement, however, it was |>erformed, andwiih applause , justifying fully the sense of it- author, that the English language, though not so soft, is nevertheless as capable of harmony as the Italian. He had the honour to find, besides the approba- tion of the public, the judgment of the most able critics on his side ; and, which must have given him singular satisfaction, the open te-timony of Mr. Add son in his favour. It appears from the preface prefixed to the Guardian, that Mr. Hughes, amongst the other great wits and able writers of those times, contributed not a little to the support of that agreeable as well as useful work ; but there is no account of the particular papers that he wrote, except one, which conlains very- judicious remarks upon ihe tra- gedy of Othello, in which the beauiies and the blemishes of that affecting play aie critically and candidly repre- sented In 1716, his " Apollo and Daphne" appeared upon the stage, in ihe fate of which his friend Sir Ri- hard Steele interested himself very much. Their acquaintance had been of a long standing ; and we may re- mark, to the honour of our author, that, though he very easily made, he very rarely lost, a friend. He was no less in the good graces of Mr. Pope, and lived also in a constant course of intimacy and friendship with Mr. Rowe. In 1717 Earl Cowper, to whom he had been but lately made known, appointed him secretary to the commissions of the peace, an ho- nourable employment, and of consi- derable value , and conferred upon him many other maiks of friendship and favour. Thee were returned by Mr. Hughes with all possible tesli- monies of the most respectful grati- tude, as appears by several poems ad- dressed to that noble Lord, whose concern for Mr. Hughes was so great, that, when he resigned his own em- ployment, he, by a letter, of which Mr. Hughes himself was the bearer, made it his request to Lord Parker, afterwards Earl of Macclesfield, to continue him in the office which lie had bestowed upon him; which his Lordship, who was also a true lover of learning, and a kind patron to learned men, very willingly did. Hit circumstances were now easy, but his health, which was never good, gre\r daily worse and worse, from the na- ture of his distemper, a lingering incurable c insumption. His tragedy, unified " The Siege of Damascus," was brought upon the stage February 17, 17l9-'20, the very night its author died, and met wi h the highest ap- plause. It is worthy of observation, that very few plays have succeeded so well as this, more especially when it is remembered, that the author could not lttend the rehearsals to give those directions which were necessary. — Agreeable to the wishes of the mana- gers, but contrary to his own inclina- tion, he consented to make an apos- tate of his hero, who in the original copy was true to his religion. He was privately buried in the vault un- der the chancelof St. Andrew schurch, in Holborn. HUGHES, (RICHARD) actor and joint manager of the theatres of Exeter, Weymouth, Plymouth, &c. is said to he a native of Birmingham, and of Welch extraction. He was intended for business (his brother being a printer), and frequently assists at liis own theatres in scene-painting, in which he discovers considerable taste. He has occasionally performed in London for benefits, particularly the character of Jobson (Devil to Pay.) His success, as manager, enabled him to become the chief proprietor of Sad- ler's Wells; and no man, perhaps, is better calculated for the management of the above theatres than Mr. Hughes; for though he is not always agreeable to his performers, it is be- cause he is determined that they shall be as agreeable as possible to the company who visit his theatres: he wi 1 sutler no actor, nor actress, to appear on his boards in an improper dress, nor allow those liberties which counlry performers are too apt to take. R. ing strictly punctual in his payments, lie is resolved that they shall be strictly attentive to their busi- ness: and under such management, it is no wonder that the theatre of Weymouth should have so many royal \isits. Mr. Hughes has had a large family, but has lately buried three daughters, HU HU daughters, one of whom was mar- ried to Mr. Grimaldi, of Drury Lane Theatre, Sadler's Wells, &c. HULL, (THOMAS) dramatist, and one of the o'dest actors now on the London stage. When Mr. Colman relinquished the management of Co- vent Garden Theatre, Mr. Hull was appointed deputy-manager, which situation he filled three years with great credit ; but finding it ton labo- rious for his constitution, he was ob- liged to resign it. and he was succeed- ed by Mr. Lewis, the present acting manager. To this gentleman's credit. it must be added, that the theatrical fund for the relief of distressed actors and actresses was founded by him. This laudable and philanthropic insti- tution Mr. Hull had long in agilation, but had no opportunity of promoting it till Mrs. Hamilton, an actress once eminent, was reduced to extreme po- verty. Availing himself of this fa- vourable crisis, in conjunction with Mr. Mattocks, he called a meeting of the c raising a fund for that purpose. The plan was agreed to. and also adopted at Drury Lane, where Mr. Garrick annually performed for its benefit. The only persons who dissented from this laudable undertaking were Mr. and Mrs. Yates; and their reason, as recorded, was, That they should never want its assis:ance! Mr. Hull, though considerably advanced in years, still officiates at Covent Gar- den, and, during the summer, occa- sionally performs in the country. His parts are in London confined to old men. He has altered and written se- veral piece, viz. "The Twins; or, Co- medy of Errors," altered from Shake- speare 1762; " The Absent Man," farce, 1764 ; " Pharnaces," opera, altered from " Metastasio," 1765 ; " The Spanish Lady," musical enter- tainment, 1765 ; " All in the Right," farce, translation, 1766; " The Per- plexities," comedy, 1767 ; " The Fairy Favour," masque, 1767; "The Royal Merchant," opera, 1768 ; ' Henry 11. or the Fall of Rosa- mond, ' tragedy, 1774 ; " Edward and Eleonora," altered from Thomp- son, 1775 ; " Love will find out the Way," comic opera, 1777 : " Iphige- nia ; or, the Victim," tragedy. 1778; " Timon of Athens," altered from Shakespeare, 1786 ; " Disinterested Love," altered from Messina, 1798. Some are not printed. He has also produced s oine favourite oratorios. — He has likewise employed his pen in poems, having published in 1797 " Moral Tales in verse, founded on real facts," which have been written at different periods of his life, and one bears the date of the year 1762. Mr. Hull has ever felt his attention peculiarly engaged by stories related in company, which have contained any thing of the marvellous and super- natural, and on such stories his Moral Tales are founded. A numerous list of respectable subscribers to this work, proves the high esteem in which the venerable author is held. HUMPHRIES, (Miss) actress, made her first appearance at Drury Lane October i4, 1797, in Lady Emily, (The Heiress.) She was announced as a second Miss Farren, and, like Miss Goddard from the Margate Theatre, who appeared the same season in Letitia Hardy, (Belle's Stratagem) fell a sacrifice to the Art of Piiffing. HURLSTONE, (THOMAS) author of " Just in Time," an opera, per- formed for a benefit at Covent Gar- den, 1792, and repeated the follow- ing season for the house, with some success; "To Arms; or, the British Recruit-," musical interlude, per- formed at Covent Garden for a be- nefit, 1794; and " Crotchet Lodge," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1795, He holds a situation in the Morning Herald Office, to which his brother also belongs. HURST, (ROBERT) author of a tragedy called " The Roman Maid," which was acted with no great success at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1725. He was in the armv. 11LRST, (Mr.) actor, belonged to Drury Lane several years ago, and was with Ryder and Daly in Dublin, and almost ailthe country managers. J AC KM AN, JA JE I.&J. JACKMAN, (ISAAC) dramatist, was the son of a clerk in the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin, and in that city lie learned and practised for some years the profession of an at- torney ; but not navin.r succeeded so well as he expected, he en'ered into partnership with another attorney, on the following plan, — the one partner was to reside in Dublin, and the other in London, with the intention of collecting private debts due from the one country to the other. This was a plan well calculated to accom- modate the public, and it was carried into execution for a time with consi- derable spirit ; but Mr.Jackman made his fortune easy, by a marriage with a lady possessed of a comfortable an- nuity for life. She did not live long, however, and at her death the an- nuity dropt. Mr. Jackman now com- menced dramatic writer. His first piece was refused by the managers of Drury Lane, and. in consequence of the disappointment, was brought out at a performer"* benefit. Its suc- cess, however, induced that very ma- nager, who before rejected it, to solicit the author to give it to the house as a stock-piece ; he after- wards produced others, but with less success. On the rupture between Mr. Bate Dudley and the proprietors of the Morning Post, he wa- made edi- tor of that pa per, in which situation he remained for some time. He then visited Dublin, and became editor of an Irish paper. His dramatic works are, " All the World's a Stage," farce, 1776. This was acied with an additional scene (added by the au- thor) in Dublin, 1784, which was a considerable improvement. " The Milesian," ballad opera, acted at Drury lane, 1777; " The Divorce." farce, ditto, 178'2 ; and " The Man of Parts ; or, A Trip to London," acted at Smock Allev, Dublin, 178.1. JACKSON, (Mr.) dramatist, actor, and la:e manager of the Edinburgh Theatre, was born in the county of Westmorland, and was brought up to trade, but relinquished it for the stage. He had a good person, and some judgment, but a nar»h voice, and provincial accent. His wife was an actress at Covent Garden. In 1777 Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were with Mr. Ryder in Dublin, where he brought out a tragedy, called " Giralda; or, the Siege of Harlick." He also wrote " Flfrid," tragedy, acted at the Hay- market, 1775; " The British He- roine," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1778, (this was probably " Giralda"); and " Sir William Wal- lace," tragedy, acted at Edinburgh, 1760. JACKSON,(WlLLIAM)composer, is a native of Exeter, where he is sub-chanter, organist, and iufrtrmator piurorum to the cathedral church of St. Peter. He resides at the Circus, and his musical compositions have been so universally admired, that he is called the Harmonist of Exeter. He produced a musical entertainment, (with the music) called " Lycidas," acted at Covent Garden, 1767 ; and a comic opera, of two acts (with the music), called " The Metamorpho- sis," acted at Drury Lane, 1783. Not meeting with much success as a dra- matist, he applied his pen to other works, and published " Thirty Let- ters," of great merit; likewi-e a mis- cellaneous volume, called " The Four Ages," in which he has touched on a variety of subjects, poetry, painting, music, literature, architecture, &c. in all of which he has displayed consi- derable genius, taste, and discern- ment. JACOBS, (Miss) singer, is a pupil of Mrs. Crouch, and personated one of theGraces in Iloare's opera of" Di- do," 1792. She has since appeared before the public as a singer and ac- tress JEFFREYS, (GEORGE) author of two tragedies, " Edwin," and " Me- rope," both acted at the Theatre Koyal Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1724 and 17il— and published by subscription in a 4to. volume of Miscellanies, in R 1754. JE JE 1754. He was the son of Christopher Jeffreys, Esq. of Weldron, in Nor- thamptonshire, and nephew to James Lord Chandos. Having been edu- cated at Westminster school, under Dr. Busby, he was admitted of Trinity College, Cambridge, in the year 1694, where he took the degrees in arts, was elected fellow in 1701, and presided in the philosophy-schools as mode- rator in 1706. He was also sub-orator for Dr. Ayloffe, but not going into or- ders within eight years, as the statutes of that college require, he quitted his fellowship in 1709. Though called to the bar he never practised the law, but often acted as secretary to Dr. Hartslonge, bishop of Derry ; at the latter end of dueen Anne's and the beginning of George the F'.rst's reign, he spent most of the remainder of his life in the families of the two last dukes of Chandos, his relations. The ano- nymous verses prefixed to " Cato" were by this gentleman, which Addi- son never knew. He died August 17, 1755, aged 77. JENNENS, (CHARLES) undertook not long before his death an edition of Shakespeare, 1772-3, which did him but little credit. He was a non- conformist gentleman, of considera- ble fortune, at Gopsal, in Leicester- shire, and was descended from a fa- mily which was among the many who have acquired ample fortunes at Bir- mingham, where they were equally famous for industry and generosity. In his youth he was so remarkable for the number of his servants, the splendour of his equipages, and the profusion of his table, that from this excess of pomp he acquired the title of Solyman the Magnificent. He is said to have composed the words for some of Handel's oratorios, and par- ticularly those for the " Messiah," an easy task, as it is only a selection from Scripture verses. He died Nov. 'M, 1773. JEPHSON, (ROBERT) dramatist, having entered, early in life, into the military line, was advanced to the rank of captain in the 73d regiment of foot, on the Irish establishment, when that regiment being reduced in the year 1763. he was put on the half pay list, on which he aftetwards con- tinued. The study of war did not totally engross Mr. Jephson's atten- tion ; the arts of peace, and the Belles Lettres strongly occupied his mind. He displayed good natural parts, well improved by education ; he spoke pleasingly, his language was good, and he had a vein of satirical humour, very agreeable to all, but those against whom it was pointed. These qualifications recommended him to the attention of Lord Town- shend, who came to the government of Ireland in 1767, and who made Cap- tain Jephson master of the horse, and procured him a seat in the house of commons. Indeed the captain was grateful for these favours, and con- stantly supported the measures of go- vernment; and strenuously defended the character of Lord Townshend, when it was openly attacked in the hou?e, after he had departed. Fe- bruary 11, 1774, when the great de- bate came on respecting a bill to re- lax the severity of the laws against the papists, Captain Jephson took a conspicuous part, and marie a very long and eloquent speech in their fa- vour. His style was flowery; he stuck to solid argument, and aimed at moving the passions ; quitting, on that occasion, his usual satirical turn, which had obtained him the name of the Mortal Momus. But this restraint was not frequently used ; in the de- bate on removing the custom-house of Dublin (March 7, 1779), and in that on a motion for sending 4000 troops from Ireland to America, he indulged his talent for humour. Lord Townsend having left Ireland, his successor, Lord Harcourt, had not that taste for wit and humour, which distinguished his predecessor, and made Captain Jephson very agreeable to him.The captain, indeed, continued in his office, but did not seem to have that countenance shewn him in the castle as before ; and on thcgeneral election, in 1776, he was not returned. However, Mr. Hugh Massey being made a peer, the lord lieutenant was convinced Captain Jephson's talents would be useful, and he was elected in October 1776, to fill Lord Massey's vacant seat of Old Leighlin, in the county of Carlow, a borough JE a borough at the disposal of the Bishop of Leighlia and Femes. How- ever, Captain Jephson did not distin- guish himself so much in the house as formerly, but frequently gave his si- lent vote. Having applied his mind to dramatic writing, he produced " Braganza," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 177.) ; " The Law of Lom- bardy," ditto, 1779 ; " The Count of Narbonne, 1 ' tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1781 ; "The Campaign; or, Love in the East Indies," opera, first acted at Dublin, and then at Covent Garden, 1785, without success, and afterwards reduced to an entertain- ment of two acts, under the title of " Love and War," 1787; " Julia; or, the Italian Lover," tragedy, act- ed at Drury Lane, 1787 ; and, " The Conspiracy," ditto, 179(>. He alter- ed a faice of Vaughan's, called " The Hotel; or, Double Valet," which (for the second title) he called " The Servant with two Masters," 178 i, and which was acted at Covent Garden, under the title of " Two Strings to your Bow," 1791. Of this piece he was said to be the author, though the real author was living; a title which altertrs nowadays assume ! His tragedies, like all other drama- tic productions, have had their op- ponents and defenders, but it must be confessed, that f ew >:iod:rn ones can excel them. It did not seem enough to Captain Jephson to figure as the soldier, shine as an orator, ex- cel as a man of wit and humour, and please the greater number of critics as a dramatic writer, but \\t resolved to attempt the buskin. In this design he met with an agreeable oppor- tunity. The Right Hun. Duke Gar- diner, member for the county of Dublin, and keeper of the Phoenix Park, hid a great love for the stage, and had erected a most elegant thea- tre in the Park. The tragedy of " Macbeth," and the farce of " The Citi/.en," were thrice performed there to a most brilliant audience, in Janu- ary 1778, and the character of Mac- beth ably supported by our author. JERNTNGHAM. (EDWARD) dra- matist, is the youngest son of a re- spectable family in the county of >otfolk. Early in life he was placed IL at the English college at Douay, but soon removed to Paris. His immedr- ate preceptor was the Rev. Dr. How- ard, then president of that seminary. He has produced several admired poems, and is a frequent visitor at Carlton House. His dramatic works are, " Margaret of Anjou," historical interlude, acted at Drury Lane, 1777 ; " The Siege of Berwick," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1794 ; and " The Welch Heiress," comedy, act- ed at Drury Lane, 1795. JEWELL, (Mr.) treasurer of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, which si- tuation he has held ever since Mr. Foote's time. His wife was on the stage, and belonged to Mr. V'ootc's and the late Mr. Colman"s com- panies. ILIFF, (EDWARD HENRY) actor, is the son of a clergyman, and in his rary days went to sea as a mid- shipman. On his return home, he procured, through the interest of his father, a comfortable situation in the India House ; but an attachment for the stage seduced him from his em- ployment, and he made his first ap- pearance at Brighton, under the as- sumed name of Williams. Towards the conclusion of the season he quar- relled with the manager, and became necessitated for cash. Miss Palmer, who had been a favourite vocal per- former at Dublin, Edinburgh, &c. and at this time belonged to the Brighton company, perceiving his dis- tress, offered him pecuniary assist- ance. Pleased with her generosity, he accompanied her to Sheffield, where they were married, and after- wards to Edinburgh, where he per- formed several characters with some applause, and re-assumed his own name. His wife having been engaged at Vauxhall, he accompanied her to London, and was recommended to the late Mr. Colman, who enter- taining an opinion of his abilities, gave him an engagement in 1788, when he came before a London audi- ence in the character of Douglas- Lady Randolph by Mrs. Farren, whose maiden name was Man-el. On the younger Colman's becoming ma- l nager, and disannulling the engage- I merits which his father had made, R* Mr IL IN Mi". Iliff was discharged; and after- wards attempted novel-writing. ILIFF, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, was daughter of Mrs. Pal- mer, who many years officiated as housekeeper to Mrs. Crawford, then Mrs. Barry. To this lady, (who in every respect treated her as her own child) she was indebted for her edu- cation ; she brought her forward in Prince Arthur, and other little cha- racters, at Drury Lane; but as she cncreased in years, took her from the stage, and provided her with proper masters, intending her for some less dangerous situation in life. Her mind, however, being bent on the drama, she eloped from her pa- troness, and commenced actress in a country company in the wi.st of Eng- land. (See Iliff, Mr.) The season after her husband's appearance at the Haymarket Theatre, she was also en- gaged by Mr. Colman, but not meet- ing with that success to which she had been accustomed at provincial theatres, she soon afterwards sunk into a chorus singer. She is now se- parated from her husband ; a differ- ence of political sentiments having, it is said, obliterated the love which gratitude had inspired. INCHBALD, (Mrs. ELIZABETH) dramatist, and formerly actress, maiden name Simpson,was the daugh- ter of a reputable farmer near Bury St. Edmund's, in Suffolk, who had a numerous family. Having lost her father during her infancy, she was under the care of her mother, who continued to occupy the farm, and brought up her children with all due attention. Miss Simpson unfortu- nately had an impediment in her speech, which prevented her from being much in company, being scarce- ly intelligible to any who were not well acquainted with her. During her many solitary hours, she applied herself to books ; and. anxious to be- come acquainted with the customs and manners of the world, of which she had read so much, she formed the romantic resolution of visiting the metropolis ; but finding her intention was contrary to the wishes of her friends, she seized an opportunity early one morning in February, 1772, of eloping from her family. She had previously packed up a few neces- saries in a handbox, and, with these, ran about two miles across some fields, and there waited with impa- tience for the stage, which conveyed her to London. At this time she was about sixteen years of age, and re- markable for the beauty of her fea- tures, and elegance of figure. Hav- ing often heard her family speak of a distant relation who lived in the Strand, on her arrival in London she took a hackney coach, and sought this asylum ; but on reaching the place, was, to her great mortification, told, that her relation had retired from bu- siness, and was settled in Wales. — Heralarm atthese unexpected tidings, and evident distress, (it being near ten o'clock at night) moved the com- passion of the people of the house where she enquired, who, at her re- quest, generously accommodated her with a lodging. This civility, however, awakened suspicion : she had read in novels the various modes of seduction which were practised in London, and apprehended that she was in a dan- gerous house : this suspicion seemed confirmed by the entrance of an old corpulent lady, whose appearance corresponded exactly with the de- scription she had read of a procuress. While, therefore, they were whisper- ing their pity for her youth, and ex- tolling her beauty, she snatched up her handbox suddenly, and without uttering a single word, rushed out of the house, leaving the good people to stare at each other, and repent of their compassion. Much fatigued and alarmed, she knocked at a house where she saw a bill signifying " lodgings to let," pretending she was a milliner's apprentice, whose mistress had unexpectedly a number of visitors from the country, that oc- cupied all her beds, and therefore desired her to seek a temporary ac- commodation. The veracity of her improbable story was naturally doubt- ed ; but she still persisted in the tale, till, on turning about, to her great surprise and confusion, she perceived the identical tradesman, whose house she had so precipitately left, listening attentively to her solemn assertions. —Impelled IN IN — Impelled by curiosity, and deter- mined on knowing who and what she was, this man had followed her to the present house. Confounded at this detection, she attempted ano- ther escape, but the door was locked, and she was detained as an impostor. Sincerity was all that she had now left ; and, with a flood of tears, she candidly confessed her real situation. But even now her truth was doubted, and the savage woman of the house desired a constable to be sent for ; but her son, a boy of twelve years of age, more humane than his mother, joined his tears with those of the poor wanderer, and threatened never to go to school again if a constable came. By his intercession the fair adven- turer was dismissed, and left to wan- der the streets of London again. — She now walked where chance di- rected, exposed to all those insults which unprotected females must en- counter. At two o'clock in the morning she found herself at Holborn bridge, and seeing the stage set off for York, which she understood was full, she entered the inn, pretended herself a disappointed passenger, and solicited a lodging. This scheme suc- ceeded, though the landlady much suspected her character, and took therefore the precaution of locking the door where she slept. In vain she rose at her usual hour, for having no bell, she could not apprize the family that she was up. She was therefore obliged to wait till noon, when the landlady was pleased to li- berate her, informing her that the York stage would set out again that evening. This intelligence having been delivered with an air of suspi- cion which was very cutting to Miss Simpson, she immediately took out all the money she had, to the last half crown, and absolutely paid for a journey she Hid not intend to take.— The landlady, now satisfied, invited her to breakfast, but she excused her- self, pretending she was in haste to visit a relation, in order to inform her of the disappointment she had expe- rienced in not leaving London the preceding evening. Thus she escaped the expence of a breakfast, and, hav- ing returned to the inn, said her re- lation had requested her to remain in town a few days longer; by which means she secured her apartment, and, while she daily took a walk to purchase what she could afford, it was supposed by the people of the inn, that she was feasting with this relation. At this time she was in great distress ; and, during the last ten days of her residence in the inn, subsisted on only two half-penny rolls, and the water which the bottle in her chamber contained. During one of these daily rambles, she at- tracted the notice of a performer of Drury Lane noted for nis gallantry, who employed every art to obtain repeated interviews, and learn the nature of her situation. Having at length succeeded in her confidence, he recommended to her the stage as the most probable means of support, assuring her that the impediment in her speech was no insurmountable obstacle, for, by previously studying her characters, she would be enabled to articulate perfectly before an an- dience. A few meetings having con- vinced her that his designs were not honourable, she prudently declined his company, but determined to fol- low his advice. Accordingly she ap- plied, without recommendation, to Mr. King, of Drury Lane, then ma- nager of the Bristol Theatre during summer, and having communicated her intention with stammering, which was increased with her anxiety, the comedian listened to the fair candi- date with natural astonishment. She rehearsed a part before him, and many whimsical jests were related concerning this interview, which were, no doubt, the fabrications of Green Room wit. It seems, how- ever, Mr. King did not discourage the lady, though lie declined giving her an engagement. To Mr. Inchbald, of Drury Lane, whose name she remem- bered in the playbills at Bury St. Edmund's, she now resolved to apply for advice respecting an engagement. This gentleman, with whom she had been hitherto unacquainted, but had frequently seen in her own neigh- bourhood, introduced her to another performer of Drury Lane, who had purchased a share in a country the- atre, IN IN •tre, and -who, struck with her beauty, gave her an immediate engagement, without any trial. He became also her instructor, and she imagined that in him she had found a friend : but one evening while she was reciting a part, an altercation arose, and her master coolly intimated, that he meant to be repaid for the engage- ment he had given her with other services than those required for a theatre, and which, if not granted, the engagement should be void. Indig- nation at his proposals seized the lady, and not being perfect mistress of her tongue, she availed herself of the tea equipage, which lay on the table, and discharged the contents of a bason of scalding water in his face. — 1 his spoke sufficiently plain her re- sentment; and before he recovered from his surprise, she had vanished down stairs. She repaired to Mr. lnchbald, and informed him of every circumstance. Affected by her sor- row, this gentleman endeavoured to soothe it ; he recommended marriage as a security against insult. " But who would marry me?" cried she. — «< i would," he replied, with warmth, " if you would have me." — " Yes, Sir,— and would for ever think myself obliged to you." — " And for ever love me :"--- She he- sitated, — but not doubting her love, in a few days they were married, and thus, unexpectedly, she became botli a wife and an actress. Mr. lnchbald introduced her on the stage in Scot- land, where they remained four sea- sons, and the two succeeding years they performed at York. Mrs. Inch- bald's health being now much im- paired, a tour to the south of France was recommended, and after staying abroad about a year, she returned with her husband, with whom the lived in the most perfect harmony, notwithstanding all the arts which a certain high-born gentleman had practised to blast that love which had originated in gratitude! Two years after their return, Mr. lnchbald died. She now visited London again, and obtained a situation in Covent Gar- den Theatre, but was suddenly dis- missed for some trifling inattention, or rejection of a required article. — She then visited Dublin, and perform.- ed under Mr. Daly's management.— On her return, she procured a rgin.- statement at Covent Garden. It was during her absence from this theatre, that, to divert a melancholy mind, she applied her attention to dramatic writing. Having produced a co- medy, she read some of it to Mr. Harris, who disapproved of the piece, and accordingly sent it, anonymously, to Mr. Colman, then manager of the Haymarket, when it remained in that gentleman's possession near three years unnoticed. Notwithstanding this discouragement, she persevered, and availing herself of the then rage for balloons, sent him her farce of " A Mogul Tale ; or, Descent of the Balloon," The subject probably in- duced Mr. Colman to pay this more attention. He read, approved, and accepted it. Its success (1784) in- duced Mrs. lnchbald to remind him of her dormant comedy, whereupon he immediately replied, " I'll go home this moment, and read it." He did, and having approved of that also, gave it himself the title of " I'll tell you what," and brought it out in 1785. Much has been said relative to Mr. Colman's not having read that piece when it was first sent to him : the truth is, according to that gentle- man's own words, he admired modest merit, and seldom attended to the Jive-act productions of anonymous writers, which generally proved the vain attempts of soaring authors; but delighted in encouraging young be- ginners, who, like himself, began with one and two acts. To these pieces she added, " Appearance is against them," farce, acted at Covent Gar- den, 1785; "The Widow's Vow," farce, acted at the Haymarket, 1786 ; " Such Things are," play, acted at Covent Garden, 1787 ; " The Mid- night Hour," petit comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1789 ; " All on a Summer's Day," comedy, acted at Covent Garden without success, 1787; "Animal Magnatism," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1788 ; " The Child of Nature," comedy, ditto, 1788 ; " The Married Man," comedy, acted at the Haymarket, 1789 ; " The Hue and Cry," faice, acted without success IN success at Drury Lane, 1791 ; " Next Door Neighbours," comedy, acted at the- Haymarket, 1791 ; "Young Men and Old Women," farce, acted at the Haymarket, 1792 ; " Every one has his Fault," comedy, acted at Co- vent Garden, 1793; "The Wedding Day," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1795 ; " Wives as they were, and Maids as they are," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1797; " Lover's Vows," comedy, altered from Kotze- bue, acted at Covent Garden 1798, and '• The Wise Man of the East," ditto, 1799. In consequence of some difference of a literary nature with the manager of Covent Garden at the close of the season of 1789, she re- tired from the stage. Her mother died in 1786, and her brother having been left executor, took upon himself the conduct of the farm. He was killed in a duel 1795, aged forty-two. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Simpson, was for- merly the heroine of the Bath Theatre. — It was lately stated in some of the papers, that she was dead, when she was performing at Buxton, and though occasionally a Specirt, (in the " Castle Spectre") there was no visible want of e;ther riesh or blood. Besides the above pieces, some of which are taken from the Krench, she has produced two novels, " The Simple Story," and " Nature and Art," which are supe- rior to die modern productions of this kind. INCLEDON, (CHARLES) singer, is the son of a respectable apothecary in Cornwall, where he was born. — At an early age, he was put an ap- prentice to Mr. Jackson, of Exeter, and went afterwards to sea, in which service he remained upwards of two years. On his return, having been much praised in private for his vocal abilities, he was determined to make a trial of them in public. He was re- commended by Lord Mulgrave and Admiral Pigot to the late Mr. Col- man, but having met with no encou- ragement from that gentleman, he joined a company at Southampton, where his first theatrical essay was in Alphonso, (Castle of Andalusia). — Here he continued upwards of a year, when he was engaged at Bath, where he attracted much of *tjf public JO attention, and obtained the patro- nage of Kauzini, who not only took him under his tuition, but introduced him in his concerts. Having made another application in vain to the managers of London, he accepted an engagement at Vauxhall, ana the ensuing winter made his first ap|>ear- ance at Covent Garden, in Dermot (Poor Soldier), with so much success as to obtain a permanent situation, on liberal terms. In 1798 he objected to sing in pantomime, but as the ma- nager was determined he should leave the theatre, or comply, he chose the latter: we need not, therefoie, be surprised to find him one of those performers who afterwards complain- ed of the manager's oppressive con- duct. See Halman. Mr. Incledort has been twice married— he had chil- dren by his first wife, on whom, be- fore he entered the second matrimo- nial engagement, (which was soon after) he made a settlement of all he possessed. JOHNSON, (CHARLES) drama- tist, was originally bred to the law, having been a member of Middle Temple ; but quitted this studious labour for the more spirited amuse- ments of dramatic writing; and hav- ing contracted an intimacy with Mr. Wilkes, found means, through that gentleman's interest, to get his plays on the stage without much difficulty. Some of them met with very good success, but, by being a constant fre- quenter of those grand rendezvous of the wits of that time, (Will's and Button's coffee-houses) he, by a po- lite and inoffensive behaviour, formed so extensive an acquaintance and in- timacy, as constantly insured him great emoluments on his benetit nights ; by which means, being a man of oeconomy, he was enabled to sub- set very genteely. At length he mar- ried a young widow, with a tolerable fortune, on which he set up a tavern in Bow Street, Covent Garden; but quitted business at his wife's death, and lived privately on an easy com- petence which he had saved. It is supposed he died about 1744. Mr. Pope, on some private pique, thought proper to give him a place in " The Dunciad," but his enemies, it seems, could JO JO could find no other defects, except those of his person, to rail at. Hi': dramatic works are, " The Gentle- man Cully," comedy, 1702 ; " For- tune in her Wits," ditto, 1705 ; " Love and Liberty," tragedy, 1709 ; " The Force of Friendship," ditto. 1710 j " Love in a Chest," farce. 1710; " The Wife's Relief; or, Hus- band's Cure,'* comedy, 1712; "The Successful Pirate," play, 1713; "The Generous Husband ; or, CofTee- House Politician," comedy, (no date); " The Victim," tragedy, 1714 ; " The Country Lasses ; or, Custom of the Manor," comedy, 1715 ; " The Cob ler of Preston," farce, 1716; "The Sultaness," tragedy, 1717; "The Masquerade," comedy, (no date) ; " Love in a Forest," comedy, 1723 ; " The Female Fortune-Teller," dit- to, 1726; " The Village Opera," 1729; " The Ephesian Matron," farce, 1730; "The Tragedy of Me- dea," 1731; and, " Celia ; or, the Perjured Lover," farce, 1733. JOHNSON, (SAMUEL) author of a tragedy, called " Irene," 1749, was born at Litchfield, in 1709, and was the son of Michael Johnson, a reputable bookseller in the above place. In the earlier part of his life rie was an assistant to the famous An- thony Blackwall, in the grammar- school of Market Bosworth. He en- tered Pembroke College, Oxford, October 31, 1728, but left the uni- versity without taking any degree in the church. About the beginning of J735, he undertook, as private tu- tor, to instruct Mr. Garrick, and some other youths, in the Belles Let- tres. In March, 1737, he came to London, and having met with disap- pointments which disgusted him with the town, was desirous of returning again into his native country, and ap- plied for the office of master of a charity school in Shropshire, then vacant, but was rejected ; the sta- tutes of the school requiring the per- son who should be elected, to be a master of arts. He then produced several poems, translations, and bio- graphical works, which met with a good reception ; but his tragedy not having been as successful as was expected, he never attempted an- other play ; but rested his literary fame on his celebrated Dictionary, and " The Lives of the British Poets." The reputation of his works gained him the honorary degree of doctor of laws in the university of Dublin col- lege, whicli was soon followed by the same degree from Oxford. He died Dec. 13, 1784, and a monument has been lately erected to his memory in St. Paul's cathedral. JOHNSON, (SAMUEL) dramatist and actor, and though a namesake of the preceding, was quite an op- posite character. He was a native of Cheshire, was bred to, and, for awhile, followed the profession of a dancing-master.. Though apparently a madman, his company was courted by most of the gentlemen of fortune in that county. Having been once on a visit with a person who had a great regard for him, the gentleman's wife was so alarmed at his wild con- duct, that, at her particular request, it was intimated to him how much his presence affected her. With great coolness, hedeclared that he was much obliged to the gentleman and his wife for their civility and hospitality: that he was very sorry he should be instrumental to the lady's unhappi- ness, and would therefore leave the house immediately — that he would never trouble her again as long as he lived ; but that she might depend upon it that, after his death, she should be the sexy first person in this world to whom he should think him- self bound to pay his respects. The lady having been informed of this, was more alarmed than before, and immediately sent a message, request- ing his speedy return, for that, with all his wildness, she would much ra- ther see him alive than dead. His dramatic pieces are, " Hurlothrum- bo ; or, the Supernatural," comedy, acted at the Haymarket, 1729 ; " Cheshire Comics," ditto, 1730 ; " The Blazing Comet;" " The Mad Lovers; or, the Beauties of the Po- ets," play, ditto, 1732; "All Alive and Merry," comedy, acted at Lin- coln's Inn Fields, 1738 ; " A Fool made Wise ;" operatical comedy, act- ed at the Haymarket, 1741 ; and " Sir Jo^n Falstaff in Masquerade," farce, JO farce, ditto, 1741. The first of these took an amazing run, owing to the whimsical madness and extravagance which ran through the whole piece ; and the author, who performed bird Flame, the principal character in it, and into which he threw such a mix- ture of fine thoughts, and unintelligi- ble fustian, that no one could possibly understand what he was aiming at. Whenever this unintelligibleness was objected to him, as a fault in the piece, he remarked that the fault did not lie in the play, but in the au- dience, who did not take die proper method of comprehending it, for that it was impossible for any person to understand the works ot an author unless he began such examination in the same situation and state of mind as when they were written ; and, .therefore, as he never sat down to write widiout a Jidtik in his hand, whoever wished to comprehnd his productions, must consequently take up a fiddle to quicken their under- standing. It seems, however, that he wished to remedy, in some mea- sure, this deficiency in the audience, for he afterwards performed his cha- racter with a riddle in his hand, on which he occasionally played, and sometimes walking in high s.ilts. His dress, on this occasion, was such as he usually wore, a suit of black vel- vet, with a long white flowing perri- wig. It is said that Sir Robert Wal- pole promoted the success of his piece for political purposes. Soon after the exhibition of this whimsical play a meeting was formed, called the Hurlothrumbo Society. This ec- centric author died May 3, 1773. JOHNSON, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name For,/, is the daughter of a ma- jor of Ipswich, and was the heroine of the Philadelphia stage. Her hus- band was formerly a comedian .it the ] lay-market, and performed also in Dublin, under Mr. Daly's manage- ment. This lady's first appearance in London was at Covent Garden, early in the season of 1798, in LadyTown- ly (Provoked II u band', when she was well received. She afterwards performed Sylvia (Recruiting Offi- cer'. Agatha (Love 's Vowi), &c. JOHNSTON, (HENRY EKSKLNL) JO ! was born at Edinburgh, May 1777. | \\ hile at school he performed in se- | veral private plays, often the hero, and, for want ot female assistance, as often the heroine. On leaving school, he was placed by his father in the office of a writer to the signet ; but his active spirit discovering an aversion to this sedentary life, he was apprenticed to an eminent linen- draper, whom, after about three years servitude, he left, and gratified his inclination for the stage. In 1794 he ma le his first appearance on the Edin- burgh stage, when he recited " Col- lins'* Ode on the Passions," for the benefit of a friend. Though young, being only seventeen years of age, the manager, struck with his abilities, offered him such terms as removed all the objections of his parents and friends. The opposite characters of Hamlet and Harlequin were the fir't he performed on a public stage, and sucli was the reputation he establish- ed, that in the course of the season he acquired the appellation of the Scotch Roicius. He was afterwards engaged by the manager of Dublin, to perform at his theatre .twelve nights, seven of which were devoted to his representation of Douglas, a character which had been so fre- quently mis-represented by the ma- nager himself (Mr. Daly), that John- stone's appearance in it was to greater advantage. In this, his fa- vourite part, he made his first ap- pearance in London, at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, 1797, where the greatest objections were a pro- vincial accent, and redundancy of action, which his industry and judg- ment soon corrected. During the summer seasons he has performed at Birmingham, Manchester, and other respectable country theaties, with considerable applause, and has lately become a member of Mr. Colman's theatre. He was one of the eight principal performers who published their grievances in 1800 — v See Hol- man)— in consequence thereof, his dismission from Covent Garden was apprehended ; but Mr. Kawcet ge- nerously refused to accept of a re- engagement, without Mr. John-ton was also reinstated. This geutleman S ts JO is certainly an improving actor, and useful in tragedy, comedy, and pan- tomime. JOHNSTON, (Mrs.) actress, maid- en name Parker, wife of the preced- ing : her mother is a pantomime per- former, and lately belonged to Covent Garden, Circus, &c. Mrs. Johnston was married in 1796, and made her first appearance on the London stage at the Haymarket, 1798, in Ophelia, (Hamlet) which character she re- peated the succeeding season at Co- vent Garden, and has since appeared in comedy, &c. with considerable applause. She has a young family. JOHNSTONE, (JOHN) actor, was born at Kilkenny, Aug. 1, 1759. His father was quarter-master, riding- master, and pay-master to one of the regiments of horse in Ireland ; and Mr. Johnstone was then intended by his father to be made a member of the army, had not death cut short him and his intentions, in the year 1770. — At twelve years old he was articled to Mr. Jones, attorney, in the city of Dublin, and with whom he conti- nued for five years. He used fre- quently to call on Mr. Ryder, the then manager of the Dublin Theatre, to transact his official business, and by that means obtained an optionable admission into the theatre. This gained him an acquaintance with the performers, and made him entertain a favourable opinion of the stage.— He often expressed a wish to become a candidate for theatrical fame, but at this time his profession and youth banished the idea. He was a re-, markably great favourite of his mas- ter, and would have succeeded him in his business, had not an unfortu- nate altercation taken place. A gen- tleman having eloped with Mr. Jones's daughter, and a fruitless search hav- ing been made by the distracted pa- rent, he returned home much cha- grined and agitated, and in his angry humour was going to horsewhip liis poor clerk, who very spiritedly resented the intended affront, and a separation soon after ensued. Mr. Johnstone having saved about one hundred and thirty pounds during his clerkship, resolved to abandon Dublin, and take a peep at London, JO where he was soon disburthened of his hard-saved pecuniary emoluments. — His money, clothes, and all his pro- perty having vanished, he might have wandered an hapless stranger, had not hood-winked fortune sent over a merchant from Dublin, who was im- portuned by his mother to seek him out, and, if he required assistance, to relieve him. All this was happily and speedily effected, and Johnstone returned home with the merchant: but having now refused to return to his business, his mother spoke to a distant relation, who was a lieutenant- colonel in the army, to procure him a respectable situation in his regi- ment. This was complied with, and accomplished. Johnstone was made a cadet, and remained in that situation for two years : he was a remarkable great favourite with the officers, and used to write his colonel's letters, and transact all his official business for him ; and would no doubt have met with speedy promotion, had he not quarrelled with a lieutenant who be- longed to the same regiment. The lieutenant had attached himself to one of those frail fair ones, who, once having stepped aside from the paths of honour, are rendered destitute of real affection and lasting attachment. This lady preferred Johnstone to her paramour ; jealousy ensued ; and in an altercation between the rivals, the lieutenant made use of certain terms of reproach, which did not altogether agree with the spirit of John>tone tamely to receive; he therefore, in return, gave his antagonist a very severe castigation. This breach of discipline could not be overlooked, though it was never intended to be resented. He was called to a court- martial to be held in Clonmell, where the regiment was then quartered ; but unwilling to undergo the trial, he immediately rode off to Dublin ; and through the interposition of his patron the colonel, a further investigation of tlie business was instantly dropped. —Being now a second time thrown upon the world, he thought it a fa- vourable opportunity of putting his youthful inclination in execution ; he applied for an engagement to Mr, Ryder ; and, notwithstanding every oppo- JO opposition of his mother and friends, he made his appearance at the the- atre n Smock Alley, in "Lionel and Clarissa," as the hero of the piece : his reception was every way natter- ing, and his merit obtained him a profitable and permanent engage- ment. Mr. Macklin having l>een engaged during the summer months in Inland, had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Johnstone perform, and conceived a most favourable opinion of his abilities, both as an actor and singer. On his return to London, he recommended both him and his wife to Mr. Harris who accordingly en- gaged them for three years at the weekly salary of fourteen, sixteen, and eighteen pounds per week ; and October 3, 1783, Mr. Johnstone, in his former character of Lionel, made his appearance in London with suc- cess, having been upwards of seven years on the Irish stage. He remain- ed several seasons at Covent Garden, in the vocal line, but at length was induced to become more the acior than singer. The characters of Irish- men were at this time ill supported at all the London Theatres. Moody wanted more spirit — Rock more re- Jinement — and R. Palmer more nature. Mr. Johnstone accordingly made the attempt. His humour was genuine, and characteristic ; and so great was his success, that it may now be said he has made those characters his own ; though many have since endeavour- ed, but in vain, to usurp them. His reputation procured him an engage- ment during the summer, at the Hay- market Theatre. He was one of the principal performers who remon- strated with the proprietors at Co- vent Garden in 1800, respecting their new regulations, (see Holman) ; not- withstanding which, his engagement has been renewed, and he still retains the favour of the manager. He has been twice married ; and, by his present wife, (daughter of Mr. Bolton, wine-merchant) has a girl of pro- mising abilities. He belongs to the Wes, minster Cavalry Association, and is on terms of intimacy with persons of the first distinction. It should also be observed, that he ha» never dis- graced his profession, like too many. JO (particularly in the vocal line) who, though they maintain a high rank in the theatre, meanly condescend to be the hired instruments of entertain- ment at dinners &c. JOHNSTONE, (Mrs.) actress, first wife of the preceding, was for many seasons the heroine of the Irish stage in the operatical department. She made her first appearance in London at Covent Garden on the opening of the theatre for the season of 1783, in Rosetta, (Love in a Village) Sept. 17. She met with considerable applause, but did not live long to enjoy the fa- vour of the public, as she died about two seasons after. JONES, (HENRY) author of two tragedies, "The Earl of Essex," at Covent Garden, 1753 ; and " The Cave of Idra," unfinished, was a na- tive of Drogheda, in Ireland, and bred a bricklayer. Having a natural in- clination for the Muses, he pursued his devotions to them even during the labours of his mere mechanical avocations, and composing a line of brick and a line of verse alternately, his walls and poems rose in growth together. His turn, as is most gene- rally the case with mean poets or bards of humble origin, was pane- gyric, which procured him some friends, through whose recommenda- tion he was taken notice of by tlie Earl of Chesterfield, when that no- bleman was in Ireland as lord lieu- tenant. His Excellency, who was not more remarkable for his own shining abilities; than for his generous patro- nage of genius, delighted with the discovery of his mechanic muse, brought Jones with him to England, and not only by his influence and in- terest procured hiin a large subscrip- tion for the publishing a collection of poems, but even took on him the al- teration and correction of a tragedy- he had then written, and also tlie care of prevailing on the managers of Covent Garden Theatre to bring it on the stage. He also recommended hiin in the warmest manner to Colley t'ibber, who shewed him many acts of friendship, and even made strong efforts, by his interest at court, to have secured to him the succession of tlie laurel alter his death. With S 2 these JO JO these favourable prospects, it might have been expected that Jones would have passed through life with so much decency as to have ensured his own happiness, and done credit to the partiality of his friends ; but this was not the case ; for, after ex- periencing many reverses of fortune, which an overbearing spirit, and an imprudence in regard to pecuniary concerns consequently drew upon him, he died in great want, April, 1770, in a garret belonging to the master of the Bedford Coffee House, by whose charity he had been some time supported ; leaving an example to those of superior capacities and attainments, who, despising the com- mon maxims of life, often feel the want of not pursuing them when it is too late. His " Cave of Idra" was completed by Dr. Hiffernan, and performed for Mr. Reddish's benefit at Drury Lane, 1774, under the title of " The Heroine of the Cave." JONES, (FREDERICK EDWARD) present patentee of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, is a native of that city, was bred at Trinity College, and came early into the possession of a paternal estate in the county of Westmeath, of about 12001. per annum, which he reduced to 5001. per annum, the re- mainder of which, it is said, he still retains. His mother lived in Paradise Row, Dublin, and he belonged to a corps of volunteers, from which he derived the title of captain. About the beginning of 1793, he superin- tended a private subscription theatre, which was supported by the chief no- bility of that city. It should be ob- served, indeed, that fond as the Irish are of private theatricals, they are only established there by persons of independence ; and such only should be tolerated ; but in London private •theatres are opened, and conducted by needy adventurers, for the recep- tion of infatuased clerks, apprentices, &c. who probably might have shone in the respective stations of life for which they were intended, but thus unfortunately are courted to a pro- fession for which they are by no means calculated; for it is well known that not one in twenty, who belongs to a London private theatre, is fit to> appear on public boards, both through the want of instruction, and imbibing erroneous habits. It is surprising that those learned gentlemen, who could see the improprieties of opera dancers, and the sin of Sunday news- papers, could not perceive thisgreatest evil, and have endeavoured to pre- vent it— an evil which has already brought youth to the gallows ! But it is more surprising that young men can be encouraged by blind, partial friends, to put in practise " Wild Oats," and turn out " Strolling Gen- tlemen ;" and most of all surprising, that young ladies can be suffered by their'relativesto study "The Road to Ruin." The private theatre in Fisham- ble Street, Dublin, was not for the destruction of adults and mechanics, but for the improvement of scholars and critics, and was supported and frequented by the first characters of distinction. It was found, however, necessary to engage actresses, for Irish ladies, to their credit be it said, are tenacious of their reputation ; ac- cordingly they brought forward Miss Gough, the present Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Addison, who performed lately in the vocal line at Covent Garden, Mrs. Mills, &c. This opposition was so formidable to the public theatre, as it ran away with all the Hox company, that Mr. Daly was obliged to give rope dancing. &c. in order to encrease his gallery visitors. Mr. Jones conti- nued to superintend this private sub- scription theatre till 1797, when, hav- ing made proposals to Mr. Daly for his patent, terms were at length agreed upon, (see Daly) and, by the as- sistance of some of the nobility who had subscribed to this private theatre, the required security was given. The commencement of Mr. Jones's public management was by no means auspicious : the then distracted state of the country obliged the theatre to be closed for some time, and there is little doubt, if he had waited till this period, but that he might have had possession upon more easy terms.— As soon as these disturbances had subsided, the Theatre Royal, Crow Street, resumed its exhibitions, and the new manager gave early proofs of liberality and attention. The follow- ing JO JO ing were the principal performers who were selected from a numerous company, and whom lie then had en- gaged at advanced salaries : Mr. Cooke, Mr. Montague, Mr. Rawing, Mr. 1 ullain, Mr. Mansell, Mr Uel- lamy, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Lee, Mr. King, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Stewart, &o— Mrs. Berry, ilate Miss Grist, of Covent Garden Theatre) Mrs. Hitchcock, Mrs. St. Ledger (late Miss Williams), Mrs. Garvey, Mrs. Blanchard, Mrs. Addi- son, Miss Ryder, Miss Davidson, Mrs. de Volney, Mrs. Rawling (late Mrs. Mason), and Mrs. Cooke date M.ss Daniels, from Manchester). JORDAN, (DOROTHEA) actress, maiden name Biaiui. Her mother, formerly .in actress, was the daughter of a Welch dignified clergyman, and liad eloped with a captain, a gentle- man of some property, then on duty in Wales, to Ireland, where they were married, and had nine children.--- His relations, however, procured the marriage ti> be annulled, and no provision was made for the abandon- ed wife and her family. Miss Bland, when she grew up, with a laudable spirit, determined to attempt the stage for the support of herself an.l parents. Her first appearance was in Dublin, under the management of Mr. Ryder, in the character of Phebe, in '• As you like it." Orlando, Mr. Clinch— Jacques, Mr. Glenville--and Touchstone, Mr. Ryder,-— Audrey, Mrs. Heaphy— and Rosalind, Miss Scrace, then the heroine of die Irish stage. Kearful of drawing any odium on her family, whose future favour she still hoped for, she assumed the name of Miss Francis, but afierwaids plajel a few nights by her own, in consequence of some proud r:-ilec- tions they ha 1 made, but of which, probably, the; repented, as she after- wards resumed her lictitious name. — She was little noticed as an actress in Dublin, till she performed at Mr. Daly's theatre, where she appeared to some advantage in tragedy, parti- cularly in the character of Adelaide, (Count of Narbonne), but having b. en insulted by this manager, she left Dub:in, accompanied by her mo- ther, and went to Leeds, where the York company were then performing. She applied to Mr. Wilkinson, the manager, for an engagement, who asked her what line she chose, whe- ther tragedy, genteel comedy, low comedy, or opera f She answered, to his great astonishment, she would at- tempt all. Though he much doubled such versatile talents, he promised her a trial, and she was accordingly announced for Calista, (Fair Penitent) songs after the play, and Lucy, ( Vir- gin Unmasked) all which she ac- complished in one night, uniier the name of Mrs. Jordan, which, for motherly rea ons, she assumed. Her success was so great, that the manager gave her every encouragement. — Having quitted Dublin, however, be- fore the expiration of her ai tides, Mr. Daly threatened to arrest her for the forfeiture, if she did not immediately return. In this crisis, she met with a friend in an elderly gentleman, who having enquiied into every circum- stance, found that she was most un- justly and cruelly persecuted, and therefore relieved her from her fears, by paying the demanded sum, which was 2.501. In this company she con- tinued three years with encreasiug- reputation ; when Mr. Smith, then belonging to Drury Lane company, happened to see her perforin during the York races, and was so plea ed with her abilities in tragedy, that he recommended her to the managers of that theatre, to play second to Mrs. Siddons, and she was according- ly engaged at four pounds per week. On her arrival, she was prompted by her natural ambition, to aim at be- coming the first in comedy, ratiier than the second in tragedy, and there- fore chox' the "Country Girl" for her intro iuction. This comedy had been some time lying on the shelf, and the revival of it, aided by her inimitable acting, in which she dis- played so much novelty and humour, caught the attention of the public, and, according to her wishes, she be- came Thalia's best servant at that house. The managers doubled her salary, and soon afier raised it from eight pounds to twelve pounds, with two benefits in the season. Duiing the summer vacations, she has per- formed at Cheltenham, Edinburgh, &c. I R I R &c. with much applause, and has now so established her theatrical re- putation, as to posses the best salary in DruryLane. Her mother died in 1789, and by the death of another relation, she received a considerable addition to her income. Like all great actresses, she has been involved in some theatrical disputes, which have never tended, however, to di- minish herfame. She is kind to her relations, and generous to the dis- tressed, and has ever been found willing to perform for the benefits of all those who have stood in need of her assistance. With such laudable motives, she has been frequently seen on the boards of Covent Garden The- atre. She h s several children, and, during the summer, now resides at Richmond, where she occasionally performs, and generally practises new parts here previous to her attempting them in London ; for she has lately augmented her list of characters, and has particularly added sentimental ones, Ophelia (Hamlet), &c. She has also, on the secession of Miss Farren (Countess of Derby), appear- ed in Lady Teazle (School for Scan- dal), but whether she has hereby en- creased or diminished her fame, is a dispute among the critics, which the writer of this has not the vanity to think he can decide. IRKLAND,(SAMUEL)waspossessor of certain MSS. ascribed to Shakes- peare, a quarto volume of some of which he published, for a specimen, at four guineas the book. Among these MSS. were two historical plays, " Vortigern," and " Henry II," the former of which was accepted by the managers of Drury Lane as a lately- discovered play, by William Shakes- peare. The fac similes were attacked by Boaden and Malone as spurious, and a large pamphlet by the latter gentleman made its appearance at the very time the play was announced for representation. On Saturday, April '2, 1796, the play of Vortigern was performed. All the avenues leading to the theatre were crowded at an early hour, and thousands were forced to return, who could not. from the immense crowd, gain admittance into any part of the house. The fol- lowing hand-bill (in the publication or circulation of which the managers had no concern) was dispersed among the multitude at the several doors : " A malevolent and impotent attack on the Shakespeare MSS. having appear- ed, on the eve of representation of the play of Vortigern, evidently intended to injure the interest of the proprietor of the MSS. Mr. Ireland feels it im- possible, within the short space of time that intervenes between the publishing and the representation, to produce an answer to the most illi- beral and unfounded assertions in Mr. Malone's Enquiry: he is there- fore induced to request that the play of Vortigern may be heard with that candour that lias ever distinguished a British audience." This request was scrupulously attended to by the au- dience, for a more candid or liberal hearing was never bestowed on any piece within our recollection ; and it was not until their patience was ex- hausted at the wretched and miser- ahle attempts to imitate the style of the glorious Sovereign of our Drama, without the most distant appearance of even a single spark of that fire which animates all his productions, that his admirers, indignant at the weak effort to dim his brilliancy, and tarnish his fair fame, shewed any re- sentment to the puerile imposition.— The verdict of condemnation, which was pronounced by the audience, was certainly not uncivilly delivered, for the laughter afforded them during the most part of the repsesentation of the tragedy, kept them so chearful, that the sentence of guilty was deli- vered with the utmost good humolir, after a most impartial and candid hearing. In the fourth act, the merry op/msition increased to so great a height that it was impossible to hear the performers ; on which Mr. Kern- ble came forward, and begged to re- mind the house that the fate of the piece depended on their decision, and that a candid hearing only could ena- ble them to judge fairly t.f its merits. —This address procured a temporary silence; but the laughter-provoking incidents which foil wed, involved the audience in a general roar, which continued to the end of this curious bur- IR IR burlesqued tragedy. The prologue very modestly claimed Shakspcare for the parent of the deformed bantling. Mr. Whitfield was so much flurried on the occasion, that he was forced to read it from a paper. Mr. Barry- more attempted to give the play out for a second representation, but found it impossible to procure a hear- ing : — the non-contents were very general indeed. Mr. Kemble then came forward to announce the " School for Scandal" for Monday, which he experienced considerable difficulty in accomplishing, the audi- ence supposing that he wanted to plead the cause of the wretched and unfortunate Vortigern. Soonafter this his son, Mr. Henry Samuel Ireland, published a pamphlet, entitled, " An authentic Account of the Shakesperian Manuscripts," in which, with an un- paralleled^ confidence, highly unbe- coming such an occasion, he exulting- ly avowed himself the author of the silly imposition, and appeared to glory in the reflection of his having, in some measure, succeeded in his endeavours to deceive the public. — Notwithstanding the just reprobation which the audacious attempt to sully the fair fame of the immortal Bard ex- perienced, this modest young gentle- man declared his triumph complete, inasmuch as the puerile production received the sanction of many learn- ed doctors, as authentic and genuine ; nay, he had the unblushing effrontery to assume to himself the credit of hav- ing, in some instances, made impor- tant improvements in the style and language of Shakespeare. Ibis as- surance is an high aggravation of the offence, and every individual, who feels a generous interest in vindi- cating insulted excellence, must en- tertain the deepest indignation at such an instance of unprecedented audacity. His father's credulity, the author says, first induced him to try the experiment of writing with a kind of ink, which, when dried by the fire, turned compleatly brown. Finding the deception succeed, he set to work, and in the course of time produced these voluminous papers. After tell- in:; the whole story with undaunted freedom, he concludes with the fol- lowing passages: — " Before I con- clude, 1 shall sum up this account, and am willing to make affidavit to the following declarations, as well as to the whole of this narration. — — " First, 1 solemnly declare that my father was perfectly unacquainted with the whole affair, believing the papers most firmly the productions of Shakespeare.— Secondly, That 1 am myself both the author and writer, and have had no aid or assistance from any soul living, and that 1 should never have gone so far, but that the world praised the papers so much, and thereby flattered my vanity. — Thirdly, That any publication which may appear tending to prove the manuscripts genuine, or contradict what is here stated, is false ; this being the true account. — Here then I con- clude, most sincerely regretting anv offence I may have given the world, or any particular individual, trusting, at the same time, they will deem the whole the act of a boy, without any evil or bad intention, but hurried on, thoughtless of any danger that await- ed to ensnare him. Should 1 attempt another play, or any other stage per- formance, I shall hope the public will lay aside all prejudice my conduct may have deserved, and grant me that kind indulgence which is the cer- tain inmate of every Englishman's bosom." He published the plays of " Vortigern" and " Henry II," and though he has declared the former to be the entire production of his pen, it is said to have been written by a gen- tleman in Dublin. However, it must be allowed, that Mr. Ireland, jun. had some hand in the imposition, for he transcribed the whole with his foxy ink, to give it the appearance of antiquity. He has since published some novels — ballads in imitation of the ancient— and a play, " adapted for representation," called " Mutius Scsvola ; or, the Roman Patriot," 1801. Mr. Ireland, his father, was the author of some elegant and es- teemed works : he was originally a manufacturer in Spital Fields, but having a taste for the arts and litera- ture, he abandoned his commercial pursuits, and became a collector of | paintings, and an author. A short time KE KE time before his death, which happen- ed in 1800, he had finished a history of the Inns of Court, with Views, &c. He wrote a life of Henderson, and two volumes of Graphic Illustrations of Hogarth. These should not, how- ever, be confounded with the truly ingenious illustrations of the same painter by Mr. John Ireland, publish- ed also in two volumes. It is singular that two contemporary writers of the same name should thus have publish- ed works on the same subject, al- though they were in no degree re- lated, nor we believe acquainted with each other. How far Mr. S. Ire- land was privy to the forgery of the Shakesperian papers cannot be de- termined : but certain it is, that it was a work of time, a labour which could not have been accomplished without great assistance, and that therefore it was impossible for his son, however ingenious, to have contrived it alone. These MSS. were sold for 130 guineas: Mr. Malone, who had been their greatest enemy, offered 120. K. KANE, (JOHN) actor, was a na- tive of Dublin, and belonged to the Irish stage for several seasons, having been latterly retained by the mana- gers more through compassion than for any service he rendered them. — Though he afforded but little enter- tainment on the stage, yet, for his blunders, he was reckoned very di- verting behind the scenes. He was once of a theatrical party who had occasion to cross the water ; and, while in the packet boat making merry with the c< mpany, he gave for a toast — " The Land we live in." Perceiving a general smile, he added — " Yes, gentlemen, the Land - -that is— that is the Ocean gentle- men." When informed of the death of Mr. O'Reiley, who was a favourite comedian in Dublin, he said — " Dead ! — poo — you mean dead drunk— faith and troth, no man liv- ing has been so often dead as poor O'Reiley :— Eut having been at length assured that he was, bona fide, gone— " Oh the Powers, (he cried) he'll never forgive me— he'll lay his death at my door— I know he will— for 1 was the first man that ever taught him to drink ichisiey.'" Is is certain, however, that he accelerated his own exit by a fatal partiality for this perni- cious liquor. KEAN, (MOSES) imitator, was bred a taylor, and had the mifortune to lose his leg. He gave his imita- tions of several performers at the different towns with success, and be- came himself the object of imitation, in a piece, of one act, called " Thim- ble's Flight from the Shopboard," acted at the Haymarket, 1789, but which was disapproved of for its un- just personality. Death at length toot off him who was so happy in taking off others. KELLY, (JOHN) dramatist, was a member of the honourable society of the Middle Temple. He assisted a daily periodical paper called the " Universal Spectator," and was con- cerned in other literary works. His pieces for the stage were " The Mar- ried Philosopher," comedy, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1732 ; " Timon in Love ; or, the Innocent Theft," ditto, acted at Drury Lane, 1733, and others, which, it does not appear, were ever acted. The time of his death is not ascertained. KELLY, (HUGH) dramatist, was a native of Ireland, being born on the banks of the much celebrated lake of Killarney, in the year 1739. His father was a gentleman of a good fa- mily in that country, who-,e fortune being reduced, not by misconduct, but by a series of unforeseen misfor- tunes, he was obliged to repair to Dublin, in order to endeavour to sup- port himself by his personal industry. He gave his son, however^ a very to- lerable school education ; but the narrowness of his finances would not permit him to indulge his natural pro- KE KE pensity to study, by placing him in the higher schools of Dublin. He was therefore bound apprentice to a stay-maker, an employment but ill suited to his inclination ; he never- theless continued with his master till the expiration of his apprenticeship, and then set out for London ( 1760) in order to procure a livelihood by his business. On his arrival he found it very difficult to get employment, and, of course, was reduced to the utmost distress for the means of subsistence. — In this forlorn situation, a stranger, and friendless, he used sometimes to endeavour to forget his misfortunes, and passed some of his heavy hours at a public-house in Russel Street, Covent Garden, much resorted to by the young players belonging to the Theatre Royal. Having an uncom- mon share of good-humour, and be- ing lively, chearful, and engaging in hi; behaviour, he soon attracted the notice, not only of these gentlemen, but of a set of honest tradesmen who frequented that house every evening, and who were much entertained with his- wit and vivacity. In a little time Mr. Ke'.ly became so well ac- quainted with the characters of the club, that he was enabled to give a humourous description of them in one of the daily papers ; and the like- j re ses were ±o well executed as iom draw their attention, and excite their curiosity to discover the author. — Their suspicions soon fixed on Mr. | Kelly, and from that time he became I distinguished among them as a man i of parts and consideration. One of the members of the society, in parti- cular, an attorney of some reputation in his profession, being much pleased with Mr. Kelly's company and con- versation, made particular enquiry' into his 1.. tory, and soon learned that j lie was w rthy of a better situation than that in which f -rtune had placed j bun, he thereiore invited him to his j house, and employed him in copying and transcribing, an occupation which Mr. Kelly prosecuted with so much as iduily, that he tamed about three guineas a week , -an income which." rompured to what he had been 1 i- therti a! le to procure, might be deem- ed affluent, but this employment; though profitable, it may be easily imagined, could not long be agreea- ble to a man of hisoriginal genius and lively turn of mind. From his acci- dental acquaintance with some book- sellers, lie, jn 176J, became the Editor of the Lady's Mu i-uni, the Court Magazine, and otlier periodical pub- lications, in which he wrote so many original essays, and pretty pieces of poetry, that his fame was quickly spread among^ that fraternity, and he now found himself fully employed in various branches of that transitory kind of literature ; in the prosecution of which, he exerted himself with the most unwearied industry, being then lately married, and having an increa- sing family, whose sole dependence was upon his personal labour. About this time perceiving that Churchill's reputation had been much raised by his criticism of the stage in the " Ros- ciad,*' Mr. Kelly produced his " Thes- pis," by much the most spirited of fiis poetic compositions, in which he dealt about his satire and panegyric with great freedom and acuteness.— It is somewhat singular, that while he was making this severe attack upon tiie merits of the leading performers at our theatres, which had such an effect upon the feelings of Mrs. Barry and Mrs. Clive, that they both for some time refused to perform in any of his pieces, he was actually writing fi ir the stage ; for, in 176S, his comedy of " False Delicacy" made its appear- ance at Drury Lane, and was received with such universal applause, as at once established his reoutation as a dramatic writer, and procured him a distinguished rank among the wits of the age. The sale of this comedy was exceedingly rapid and great, and it was repeatedly performed throughout I' itain and Ireland to crowded au- diences. Nor was its reputation con- tined to the Biitish dominions; it was translated into mo t of tiie modern languages, viz. into Portuguese, by command of the Marquis du Pombal, and icted with great applause at the public the are at Lisbon ; into French t,.- the ceie'o.a.ed Madame Ricoboni ; into the same language by another hand, at ihe Hague ; into Italian at Paris, where it was acteQ at the 'I iiea- T tre K E K E tre de la Comedte Italienne ; and into German. The success of this play induced Mr. Kelly to continue to write tor the stage ; and he soon produced another comedy, entitled, ** A Word to the Wise," which, on a report then current, that he was em- ployed to write in defence of the mea- sures of Administration, met with a Yery illiberal reception at the same theatre, 1770 ; for, by a party who had previously determined on its damnation, after an uncommon up- roar, it was most undeservedly driven from the stage. Of this treatment he severely complains in ' an " Address to the Public," prefixed to an edi- tion of that play, soon aftc- published by subscription, before which above a thousand respectable names appear as his encouragers. Thus, though the pride of the poet must certainly have teen hurt by so unexpected a recep- tion of his play on the stage, by its publication his fortune was improved, and his friends were considerably in- creased. The ill fate of the " Word to the Wise," cast no damp on the ardour of our poet in the prosecution of theatrical fame ; and, as his friends were strongly of opinion, that his ge- nius excelled in the sentimental and pathetic, he was persuaded to make a trial of it in tragedy, and soon after presented the public with " Clemen- tina," acted at Covent Garden, 1771. — In 1774, under the patronage of Justice Addington, who kindly helped to conceal the name of the real au- thor, by lending his own to that per- formance, he produced his " Prince of Agra," tragedy, altered from Dry- den, acted at Covent Garden, and his " School for Wives," comedy, acted at Drury Lane. By this manoeuvre he slily stole a march upon the critics, who had not yet forgot their resent- ment ; for the play was prepared fur the stage, and represented, without the least discovery of his relation to it ; though they had all along pre- tended to be perfectly acquainted with Mr. Kelly's style and manner of writing. However, after the cha- racter of the play was fully establish- ed, and any further concealment be- came unnecessary, Mr. Addington very genteely, in a public advertise- ment, resigned his borrowed plames, and the real author was invested with that share of reputation he was thence entitled to. But, whilst Mr. Kelly was employed in these theatric pur- suits, he was too wise to depend sole- ly on their precarious succe^s for the support of his family. He had there- fore, some years before this period, resolved to study the law, had be- come a member of the society of the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar so early as the year 1774. — Mis proficiency in that science was such as afforded the most promising hopes that, had he lived, he would in a little time have made a distinguish- ed figure in that profession. His next production was the farce of " A Ro- mance of an Hour," acted at Covent Garden, 1774. This performance, though borrowed from Marmontel, he so perfectly naturalized, that it bears every mark of an original. — The comedy of " The Man of Rea- son," acted also at Covent Garden, 1776, was attended with less success than any of his former productions. This play, it must be acknowledged, was not only inferior to his other works, but was supposed to have suffered greatly by the misconception of the actor who performed the prin- cipal character in it. The curtain, however, dropped upon this last of his dramatic productions with evident marks of general approbation, which made him with the less regret with- draw it ; for he clearly saw, that the further perseverance of his friends in its favour would only serve to rekin- dle those embers of party resentment, which, though they had been of late smothered, were by no means totally extinguished. Unhappily for our author and his family, the sedentary life, to which his constant labour sub- jected him, proved the bane of his health ; for, early in the year 1777, an abcess, formed in his side, after a few days illness, put a period to his life on the 3d day of February, at his house in Gough Square, in the 3sth year of his a^e. He left behind him a widow and five children, of the last of which she was delivered about a month after his death. His stature was below the middle size. His com- plexion ' r/ v y/// * / ///// / 'v K E K E plexiou was fair, and his constitution rather inclined to corpulency; but he was remarkably chearful, and a most pleasing and facetious compa- nion. Though very fond of talking where he found his conversation agreeable, he was so well bred, as to listen to others with the most becom- ing attention. Having, according to Iris wish, been introduced to Samuel Johnson, after some time he got up to take his leave, saying, he would not leave him so soon, but feared his visit might be troublesome ; when the Cynic observed, " Not in the least, Sir, for I have not so much as thought of you since you came in." His works were published for the benefit of his widow. KELLY, (MICHAEL) composer and singer, is a native of Dublin, and was instructed in music by the son of the famous Arne. His father is mas- ter of the ceremonies at Dublin Cas- tle, and this, his eldest son, having sung at the early age of eleven in se- veral private concerts, with consider- able applause, was sent to the college in Naples, and became a pupil of the celebrated Apprilli, with whom he went to Palermo, &c. He perform- ed at Rome, Prague, and Berlin. — H;s first appearance on the London stage was at Drury Lane, in 1787, in the character of Lionel, where he soon established himself in the first line of vocal business. He has since visited Dublin, and almost every town of repute, with equal success, and now occasionally performs at Mr. Colman's theatre. He is likewise a superintendant at the Opera House, and has instructed several in music. The most distinguislied of his pupils who have been hitherto introduced to the public, was Miss Griffiths, who, though scarcely 15, made her appear- ance at the Haymarket Theatre ( 1798) in Polly, (Beggar's Opera) with uni- versal applause. Her voice, though not powerful, was sweet and flexible, and her recitation and deportment were equal to a veteran's. During the season, she performed several other characters with equal approba- tion.— On the death of Mr. Storace, Mr. Kelly undertook musical compo- sition, and in this department assisted " Blue Beard," " The Castle Spec- tre," " Feudal Times," " Pizarro,'* " Of Age to-morrow," &c. But hii claim to the title of composer has been disputed by the critics, and indeed by some who have pretended to criticize without any knowledge of the science of music. If, however, those who only translate and alter plays may assume the name of authors, certainly compilers have an equal right to the title of composers: and, indeed, our best composers (Storace particularly) have occasionally borrowed; for, in; furnishing operas with music, plagia- rism of this kind has been long tole- rated, probably as music, thus pro- vided, is generally better flian what could be made. Much taste and judg- ment are also required in compila- tion, and in these qualifications Mr. Kelly is by no means deficient. His brother is on the stage, and has per- formed at Dublin, &c. with some suc- cess; but his sister, Mrs. Trevor, made an unsuccessful attempt at Co- vent Garden Theatre in the season of 1800. KEMBLE, (ROGER) formerly ma- nager of a country company : he married Miss Ward, whose father was likewise a manager in and about Wales. Mr. Kemble's company per- formed in Lancashire and the adja- cent counties. At the advanced age of seventy, he appeared the first time in London, at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in the character of the " Miller of Mansfield," for the benefit of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Stephen Kemble, August26, 1788. He never intended any of his children for the stage. His daughters are all married. The eldest now Mrs. Siddons; Miss E. Kemble, now Mrs. Whitlock, (see Siddons and Whitlock) and Miss F. ' Kemble, now Mrs. Tviss. KEMBLE, (JOHN PHILIP) actor, eldest son of the preceding, and now one of the proprietors of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, was born, it is supposed, in the year 1757, at Pres- cot, in Lancashire. He was placed at a school in Staffordshire, called Sedgeley Park, and was sent about the year 1770 to the University of Douay, where he became master of the Greek, Latin, and French lan- T 2 guages. K E K E guages. His attention to his studies procured him several premiums.--- On his return to England, he disco- vered an inclination for the stage, notwithstanding it was his father's in- tention that he should have devoted his life to religious study. He made his first appearance on any stage at Wolverhampton, ( 1776) in the cha- racter of Tneodosius, (The Force of Love) with so much success, that he pursued his theatric fame at Leicester, Manchester, Liverpool, and York. — He then joined Mr. Daly's company in Smock Alley, Duhlin, where he made his first appearance in Hamlet, and was particularly noticed in his scene with the players. In the " Count of Narbonne," he acquired much fame, though it was the author's opinion, when applied to, that it was impossible for Mr. Daly to get it up, but he afiersvaids.acknowledged, that the Count was better performed tlian it was in London by Mr. Farren. — The other chief characters were-— Austin, Mr. Digges ; Theodore, Mr. Daly ; Countess, Mrs. Melmoth ; and Adelaide, Miss Francis, (Mrs. Jordan). — In comedy, Mr. Kemble was never successful : lie performed Sir George Touchwood when Mrs. Cowley's " Belle's Stratagem" was first repre- sented in Dublin, but he discovered more spirit behind the scenes than on the stage, for one evening after the second act, the manager, who 'played Doricourt, told him, be must exert himself more, and desired he would take example after him. — Such imperious conduct offended Mr. Kemble, who immediately changed his dress, and said he might get some one else to finish the part ; nor did he resume the character till the ma- nager begged his pardon. Though not so happy in comedy, he was re- markable for risibility, and (at this time especially) the mo^ trifling in- cident would spoil his serious counte- nance in tragedy. During his first performance in Dublin of Mark An- thony. (All for Love) he happened to look up, and perceiving a pedantic- old figure, who was leaning over the upper box, with a listening trnm/et to his ear, he began to smother a laugh. This, at first, appeared agi- tation, it having been in the most pa- thetic scene of the play, where he was surrounded by his wife and children, (Octavia, Mrs. Inchbald) but no longer able to contain himself, to the great astonishment of the audience, his laugh became loud and immode- rate, and it was some time before he was able to finish the character. In 1781 he made his first appearance in London at Drury Lane, in Hamlet, and was received with much ap- plause. His conception was allowed to be great, and his execution ade- quate to his judgment. On the se- cession of Mr. King, in 1788, he was appointed stage manager, which situation he resigned in 1796, but which he has since resumed, and has also a share in the property. He has endeavoured, during his manage- ment, to correct the present vitiated taste, by the revival of many excel- lent old pieces, in several of which he has made judicious alterations. In 1786, he produced a farce, called " The Projects ;" in 1788, another called " The Pannel," taken from the comedy of " It's well it's no worse ;" and in 1789, " The Farm House," taken from the " Custom of the Manor." He altered Mrs. Behn's comedy of "The Rover," and called it " Love in many Masks," 1790 ; and he translated from the French a musical romance, called " Lodoiska," which was acted with great applause 1794, and continues still to be a favourite piece. As an actor, Mr. Kemble ranks high in the theatre : he has been the entire sup- port of many new pieces, particular- ly "Julia; or, the Italian Lover;" " The Wheel of Fortune;" "The Stranger," " Pizarro," &c. and to him several old pieces are indebted for preservation." In some of these he boasts of as much excellence as his predecessors, and though in others inferior, (for lie is not a Garrick in Richard, a Macklin in Shylock, a Barry in Othello, or a Mossop in Zanga) his merit is sufficient to afford satisfaction. It has been indeed re- marked, that there is more art than nature in his performance ; but let it be observed, that our best actors have always found stage-trick a necessary practice ; K E K E practice ; and Mr. Kemble's methodical powers are so peculiar to himself, that every imitator (for there have l>een some who have endeavoured to copy his manners) has been ridicu- lous in the attempt. In short, we have no reason to complain of this gentleman's want of judgment, or ability to keep pace with that judg- ment, but when he deviates from a line of business in which at present he is unrivalled. He is possessed of the best dramatie library in the king- dom. KF.MBLE, (Mrs.) formerly actress, and wife of the preceding, maiden name Hopkins. Her mother was on the stage, (see Hopiins) and her fa- ther a prompter for several seasons. Her sister was likewise a favourite actress, who having retired, in conse- quence of marriage, from the stage, this, the younger sister, became the representative of her characters, and consequently rose more in public favour. She then married Mr. Bre- reton, who died in 1786, and in 1787 she became the wife of Mr. Kemble, and retired from the stage in 1796. KF.MBLE, (STEPHEN) manager at Edinburgh, and actor, son of Mr. Roger Kemble, was put apprentice to an apothecary, but stimulated by the example of his brother and sisters, then on the stage, sought for theatri- cal glory in an itinerant company.— He was then engaged at the little theatre, Capel Street, Dublin, where he made his first appearance in Shy- lock. Mr. Harris wishing to antici- pate the designs of his rival mana- gers of Drury Lane, who ha I made overtures to Mr. John Kemble, dis- patched a secret messenger to Dublin, who having mistaken the brothers, engaged Stephen for the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, where he made his debu, in Othello, (1783).— He became afterwards a member of the Haymarkct company, where he performed some characters. Sir Chris- topher Curry, (Inkle and Yarico) &c. with applause; but in conse- quence of becoming manager at Edin- burgh, he relinquished this engage- ment. Here he was opposed by Mrs. Esten, who laid claim to the theatrical management of Edinburgh. At this time she was parted from Mr. Esten who, having been much involved, signed articles of separation from hii wife in 1789, Jo which he was in- duced by his mother-in-law, who, on that condition, furnished him with the means of escaping from his creditors. -—This lady having found a protector in the Duke of Hamilton, Mr. Esten on his return brought an action against his Grace for criminal inter- course with his wife, but was non- suited. Through the interest of his Grace and other friends, she endea- voured to supplant Mr. Kemble, but finding him too powerfully sup- ported, particularly by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, she re- l'nquished her pretensions for a va- luable consideration, and Mr. Kemble obtained the management. KEMBLE, (ELIZA, Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name Satchel!, was born in London, whore her father was musical instrument maker to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Having imbibed an early inclination for the stage, which her friends perceiving it was impossible to subdue, she was ac- cordingly instructed in music, and made Tier first appearance on the stage at Covent Garden, 1780, in Polly, (Beggar's Opera) which she repeated several nights with distin- guished applause. She then perform- ed several characters in tragedy, par- ticulaly Adelaide, (Count of Nar- bonne) with considerable success.— !n short, she became a most valuable acquisition to the theatre in tragedy, comedy, and opera. On Mr. Ste- phen kemble's first appearance in Othello, she performed Desdemona ; a mutual attachment took place, and, with consent of their relations, they were married. In consequence of Mr. Kemble's being discharged, she left Covent Garden, and was engaged with her hu-band at the Haymarkct Theatre, where his first appearance was in ITSti, in Ophelia. Here she performed ten summer seasons, and relinquisl ed her engagement in con- sequence of her husband becoming the manager of the Edinburgh The- atre. &c. where she isjustlyadmired as the heroine. Since her departure from K E K E from the London boards, it may in- deed be said, our Inkle has parted with his Yarico. While on a visit to her sister-in-law, Mrs. Siddons, she appeared for one night at Drury Lane Theatre, 1801, in her favourite character^ of Ophelia and Cowslip, (.Agreeable Surprize). KEMBLE, (CHARLES) actor, and youngest son of Mr. R. Kemble. He made his first appearance in London on the opening of the new theatre in Drury Lane, 1793, in the characters of Malcolm (Macbeth) and Papilion, (Liar.) lie soon after obtained an engagement at Colman's theatre, where he performed characters of more importance. He has translated a play from the French, cal'^d " The Point of Honour," which was acted with some applause at the Haymar- ket, 1800, and another, with the as- sistance of Miss De Camp, called " Deaf and Dumb," acted at Drury Lane, 1801. KENNEDY, (Mr.) actor, had been near fifty years upon the stage, and, if not of an eminent, had supported at least the character of an useful actor, and an honest man. His being well studied in a variety of characters, procured him engagements in Lon- don, Dublin, and Edinburgh ; but this truly unfortunate man, in reso- lutely rushing through the flames to save his wife (who was lost in a fire which happened in King Street, Co- vent Garden) was so much burnt in the face, that it did him considerable injury in his profession : this misfor- tune was followed by a paralytic stroke. From that time he by de- grees fell into distressed circumstances, which were in part relieved by the liberality of his friend, the late Mr. Henderson. On this gentleman's death, the situation of poor Kennedy, who was a man of spirit and strict in- tegrity, liecame insupportable ; and he made his last exit with a razor, in the 66ih year of his age, (Julv, 1786.) KENNEDY, (Mrs.) actress, and was considered eminent in the vocal line at both Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatres. Being possessed of a powerful voice, she frequently appeared in male characters, and was the original representative of Patrick, in the " Poor Soldier," 1783. She introduced to the public on two of her benefit nights, her neice, Miss Reynolds, who afterwards performed Arbaces, in " Artaxerxes," at Covent Garden, 1788. About this period Mrs. Kennedy died. KEN1UCK, (WILLIAM) drama- tist, was the son of a citizen in Lon- don, and was brought up to a mecha- nical business, having, as it is said, been very often illiberally reproached by his adversaries for having served an apprenticeship to a brass-rule :naker. Whatever was his original destination, he seems early to nave abandoned it, and to have devoted his talents to the cultivation of letters, by which he supported himself during the rest of his life, which might be said to have passed in a state of war- fare, as he was seldom without an enemy to attack or to defend himself from. He wa for some time student at Leyden, where he acquired the title of J. U. D. Not long after hig return to England, he figured away as a poet in an avowed defence of in- fidelity, written whilst under confine- ment for debt, and with a declara- tion " that he was much less ambi- tious of the character of a poet than of a philosopher." From this period he became a writer by profession, and the Proteus shapes under which he appeared, would, however enter- taining, be a fruitless attempt to trace. —He was for a considerable time a writer for the " Monthly Review," but quarrelling with his principal, began a " New Review" of his own. - -He was the original editor of " The Morning Chronicle," whence, being ousted for neglect, he also set up a new one in opposition. He made himself likewise conspicuous in po- litics, and quarrelled with his friends. He was at one time on terms of the strictest intimacy with Mr. Garrick, but took occasion afterwards to at- tack his honour, and endeavoured to sully the reputation of a man, with whom he had constantly been, by an infamous, unmanly publication, the title of which we shall not call to recollection, as the contemptible thing was justly despised, and has long since perished in oblivion. He was R£ KI •was author of several ■worts, original and translated, and of the following dramatic pieces : " Fun," parodt- trtgi-comical satire, 1752 ; " Falstatf's Wedding," comedy, acted at Drury Lane for Mr. Love's benefit, April 12, 1766; "The Widowed Wife," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1768 ; " The Duellist." do. acted at Co- vent Garden, 1773; "The Lady of the Manor," comic opera, acted at Covent Garden, 1778 ; and " The Spendthrift ; or, a Christmas Gam- bol," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1778. He died June 9, 1779. KEYS, (SIMON) actor, for several seasons, but afterwards retired from the stage, and lived at Ringwood, in Hampshire. His daughters became (and with success) candidates for public favour. See Lee, (Mrs.) and Mills, ( Mrs. ) 11 is wife wason the stage. KING, (THOMAS) dramatist and actor, was, according to the Biogra- phia Dramatica, born in London in August, 1730 ; but by the majority of his biographers, U said to be the son of a gentleman in the northern part of the kingdom, who, after giving nim a good education, placed him with an attorney. To a disposition like Mr. King's, then volatile and thought- less, the dry practice of the law was not likely to afford much gratification. He became enamoured of the stage, and forfeited the favour of his father by an elopement from the authority of his master ; when, engaging in a strolling company, he experienced most of the miseries incident to that vagabond and desultory mode of life. This, however, could not have conti- nued long, f r, in October 19, 1748.. he appeared at Drury Lane Theatre, in the character of Allworth, in the revived comedy of " A new Way to pay old Debts," which was. as the play- bill of the day declared, his first ap- pearance in any character. At Christ- inas, on the revival of " The Lmperor of the Moon" at both houses, he had the pari of Cinlhio assigned him ; but, from whatever cause it might have happened, the eaily essays of his the- atrical hie in London were not much noticed. He continued at Drury Lane two seasons, and being engaged at Bristol in the summer of 1749, was seen there by Mr. White- head and Mrs. l'ritchard, who, con- ceiving a favourable opinion of him, the former procured for him the part of Valerius in "The Roman Father, *' and the latter was the means of his being put into the part of " George Barnwell." He had also a small cha- racter in the then new play of " Ed- ward the Black Prince." Of the me- rits of his tragic efforts the memory is lost, and perhaps without any in- jury to his reputation. He himself, however, judged rightly of his own powers, which certainly were con- fined to comedy. In this walk he had then no chance of signalizing himself, all the cltaracters to which he aspired "toeing engrossed by Wood- ward, Yates, and Snuter, at this time engaged at Drury Lane. He there- fore determined to seek another field to display his abilities in, and at the end of the season of 1749 quitted Drury Lane, and went to Ireland, where, and at Bath, he continued im- proving himself by practice, until he arrived at a degree of excellence, which made his return to Drury Lane easy to him a few years afterwards. In 1753 he had the direction of the theatre at Bath, and in 1757, when the formidable opposition to Mr. She- ridan in Dublin, by Barry and Wood- ward, commenced, Mr. King was of so much importance, and had become so great a favourite with the public, that each party was desirous of having his assistance. He was then engaged with Mr. !>heridan,who, in a splenetic moment, had refused to give some security, which had been required, for the due payment of the salaries, and by that means threw Mr. King into the arms of his opponents. This defection was one of the misfortunes which brought on the ruin of that theatre. At length the time arrived when Mr. Kin? was to return to Drury Lane. In 1759 he was en- gaged by Mr. Garrick, and, October 'i, appeared in the character of Tom, (Conscious Lovers). He afterwards performed Brass, (Confederacy); Sir Harry, (High Life below Stairs); Sir Amorous Vainwit, (Woman's a Rid- dle) ; Harlequin, (The Invasion) ; William, (The Way to Keep Him): and and other characters, which establish- ed his reputation as one of the first comic performers of the times. In 1763, he produced a musical farce, called " Love at first Sight," in which he exhibited himself in a new light, that of a singer ; and in 1766, by his performance of Lord Ogleby, (The Clandestine Marriage) reached the summit of his reputation. His exhi- bition of this character was totally different from that in which Mr. Gar- rick had conceived and intended to have represented it. On hearing Mr. King's rehearsal of it, however, he declared himself satisfied with it, and encouraged him to expect, what he afterwards received, the universal applause of every spectator. The tremulous, feigned voice which Mr. King adopted, has been said to be an imitation of a very respectable printer at Lxeter. Before the end of the season which produced " The Clan- destine Marriage," Mr. King had the misfortune, by a fall from his horse in May, to break his thigh, which, how- ever, was set, and he was restored to the stage, after five months confine- ment, in November folk-wing. In the course of this summer he married Miss Baker, then an eminent dancer belonging to Dtury Lane Theatre. ~ In 1768, he produced another farce at Mr. Cautherlcy's benefit, entitled " Wit's last Stake," and continued adding to his reputation by the num- ber and variety of his performances, until the retirement of Mr. Garrick from the stage, in 1776. On that oc- casion, the quondam manager shewed his respect for Mr. King, by present- ing him with his stage foil, which he received with a letter, in which he says—" Accept a :ma'l token of our long and constant attachment to each other. 1 flatter myself that this sword, as it is a theatrical one, will not cut love between us, and that it will not be less valuable to you for having dangled at my side for some pan of the last winter. Farewell! Remem- ber me !" — In the summer reason of 1770 and 1771 he was partly proprie- tor and sole manager of the Bristol Theatre ; but having sold his share the succeeding summer, (it is sup- posed to tire late Mr. Dodd) he pur- KI chased three-fourths of Sadler's Wei's, which he extended and beautified, and conducted in such a manner, that it became a fashionable place of en- tertainment. In 1782, on being soli- cited to become deputy-manager at Drury Lane, he disposed of his in- terest in Sadler's Wells to Mr.Wrough- ton, and commenced manager of Old Drury, with a dramatic Oue, written and spoken by himself. In this situa- tion he continued until 1788, when he resigned his situation in disgust, for reasons which he assigned to the public. Hereupon he went to Dub- lin and Edinburgh, at each of which places he met with great patronage, and returning to London, engaged for part of the season of 1789 at Co- vent Garden Theatre, where he pro- duced a farce, taken from Vanbrugh's " Mistake," entitled " Lovers Quar- rels." This piece, however, had been previously altered and reduced to a farce by others. He soon after- wards returned to his situation at Drury Lane, and in the summer of 1792 performed at the Ilaymarket, where he appeared, for the first time, in Sir John Kalstafl, but it was the general opinion of the critics, that the attempt was no addition to his fame. In consequence of si me al- tercation with the principal proprietor of Dtury Lane, lie suddenly declined his services, (1801) and advertised his .mention of informing the public of the reasons of his withdrawing, but as the promised publication never appeared, and as he returned soon after to the theatre and took his be- nefit, it was naturally supposed the parties wei e reconciled. KING, (Mr.) actor, belonged ori- ginally to the Circus, where he was instiuctedin dancing, riding, &c.-- - He became afterwards an harlequin at the Hells, Royalty Theatre, Uc. and at length his attentiun and in- dustry procured him engagements at die Theatres Royal, Covent Garden and the Haymarket, at the latter of which he 1 , as commenced actor, f 1801 ) and will probably be of service as such, if he can divest himself of that dbgustingburi'oonry which he has de- rived from pantomime practice, lie has been lately married. 'J here have been KN KN been, and still are, several performers of this name. KLANERT, (Mr.) actor. wa» bred to the law, which (and it is said, the otter of a very lucrative situation in that profession) he relinquished for the stage. Having played at Chel- tenham, &c. he appeared at Covent Garden in Count Paris, (Romeo and Juliet) October 8, 1798, and after- wards at Colman's Theatre, but the characters he represents are of little or no importance. KNAP, (HENRY) wrote " The Exciseman," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 178t>, and " Hunt the Slip- per" musical entertainment, acted at the Haymarket, 1784— neither of them primed. The author is a cler- gyman. 'KNIGHT, (THOMAS) dramatist and actor, is a native of Dorsetshire, and the son of a respectable country gentleman in that county, who gave him a liberal education, as he was ori- ginally destined for the bar. Having been instructed in oratory by Mr. Macklin, he began to ente.tain a greater inclination for the drama than the law, and accordingly made his first theatrical attempt at York, where he performed five seasons with con- siderable applause. He then pro- cured an engagement at Bath, and for eight seasons filled a respectable line of business there with so much reputation, that he received an invi- tation from the manager of Covent Garden, which he accepted, and made his first appearance in London ( 1796) in the characters of Jacob, (Chapter of Accidents) and Skirmish, (Deserter); and by his chaste repre- sentation of rustic characters and flippant coxcombs, gradually became a favourite with the public. When Mr. Knight was about to leave town, he waited on his venerable tutor. Mr. Macklin, and politely thanked him for the great benefit he lud received from hi* instructions ; he lamented that it was not in his power to make a suitable return, and having only pecuniary gratification to bestow, begged his acceptance of a testimony of his gratitude. " If 1 have served you (replied the veteran) 1 am well satisfied." Mr. Knight, however, persisting in his benevolent intention, Macklin,' like old Lear, felt what he once had been, and pushed him out of the door. In 1797, Mr. Knight made a farce of the play of " The Committee," which he called " The Honest Thieves," and which was act- ed with so mixh success for Mr. John- stone's benefit, that it is now an esta- blished piece. In 1799, he produced a musical entertainment, called "The Turnpike Gate," which was well received; also "Tag in Tribulation," an interlude, acted for hii own be- nefit, 1799; and "What would the Man be at'" prelude, do. 1801. — He was one of the eight performer's who complained of the managers new regulations. See Holtnan. KNIGHT, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name barren, and younger sister of the present Lady Derby. She was a favourite on the Bath stage, and having been engaged at Covent Garden with her husband, (to whom she was married about the year 1788) made her first appearance on London boards the same night in Bridget, (Chapter of Accidents) which she performed with considerable ap- plause. That she had not, however, a fair opportunity of exerting her abilities, is eudent from the following card, which appeared in a diurnal print : — " Momus presents his compli- ments to the managers of Covent Garden 1 heatre, and would gladly be informed whether Mr. and Mrs. Knight are laid upon the shelf, because they indiscretely discovered, on their first appearance, those comic powers, which, to say truth, are not, now a days, of.en exhibited on either stage." —This lady having shortly alter relin- quished her engagement at Covent Garden, returned to the Bath The aire, and was received with a hearty welcome. 1ACEY LA LE L. LACEY, (WILLOUGHBY) for- merly one of the proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre. His father having been joint purchaser with Mr. Garrick, died January 3, 1774, and left his pro- perty to this his son, who continued to carry on the business of the stage in great harmony with his father's old friend and partner, Mr. Garrick. Garrick having retired from the stage, 1776, his share was purchased by Messrs. Sheridan, Linley, and Dr. Ford, and these partners soon after came into possession of Mr Lacey's share. This gentleman has been for many years much embarrassed, and has generally an annual benefit at the theatre, when he performs a prin- cipal character himself. He lost his wife January 11, 1783, and the year following was man ied to Miss Jack- son. His son has attempted the stage, and played Hamlet at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, for a benefit, 1801. LAMASH, (PHILIP) actor, was instructed by Mr. Garrick. who brought him forward at iiruryLane. He was taught fencing, &c. by his father, who was French tutor to the Duke of Gloucester's children. He was a favouiite at Edinburgh, &c. and, in 1787, was re-engaged at Drury Lane as a substitute for Mr. Dodd.— He afterwards supported the charac- ters of Frenchmen, Fops. &c. in Dub- lin, where he died, 1800. LANGFORD, ABRAHAM) was author of "The Judgment of Paris," entertainment, 1730 ; and " The Lover his own Rival,' 5 ballad opera, acted at Goodman's Fields, 173b. — He was a celebrated auctioneer, hav- ing succeeded the great Mr. Cock in that profession. Asa dramatic writer, he met with little success. He died Sept. 18 1774. LASCl'LLES, (Miss) actress, made her first appearance at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in Lady Elea- nor Irwin, (Every one has his Fault) June 3, 1800, and the succeeding season appeared again (but only one night) in Clarinda, (Suspicious Hus- band) October 24. LEDGER, (Mr.) actor at the The- atres Royal, Covent Garden and the Haymarket, but is raoie employed off than on the stage, being the managers' and performers' ready messenger on all theatrical business, and, to his cre- dit, it must here be added, that his integrity and diligence have insured him the esteem and confidence of both proprietors and actors, by the latter of whom he is generally called " Honest Ledger," In general, he represents himself on the stage, being frequently a messenger or trusty set- vant. LEAK, (Miss) singer, was bom at Reckam, in Norfolk, where her father followed the occupation of farming. —Having lost her parents when very young, she was brought up under the care of an uncle and aunt. She was first instructed in music by Mr. Sharp, of Norwich, and in 1792 caine to London, and was articled to Dr. Ar- nold. Her first public essay was in a concert at Freemason's Hall, and her success, though only fourteen years of age, induced the Doctor to bring his pupil forward the succeeding season at the Haymarket Theatre, in the character of Rosetta (Love in a Village) when she met with unbound- ed applause. Having repeated this, she performed other characters with equal approbation, and the winter following assisted the oratories at the opening of the new Drury Lane Theatre, where she was immediately engaged for three years, and sup- ported several of Signora Storace's characters with much credit. She also played three seasons more at Mr. Colman's summer theatre, and after- wards performed at Birmingham, Li- verpool, Manchester, &c. with uni- versal approbation. LEDIARD, (THOMAS) author of an opera called " Britannia," acted at the Haymarket, 1732, was in one part of his life secretary to his Ma- jesty's Envoy Extraordinary in Ham- burgh, L E L E burgh, and many years director of the Opera House in that city. After lus return to England, he was appoint- ed a Justsce of Peace for the liberty of Westminster and county of Mid- dlesex, in which station he became a useful and active magistrate, iie died in December, 1759. LEK, (JOHN) actor,, belonged to Drury Lane in Mr Garrick's time, which, on account of some disagree- ment, he left, and went to Edinburgh, where he became a competitor wuli Mr. Ross for tlie management of the theatre there ; but his rival having procured die patent, he returned, and joined Mr. Barry at the Opera House in die Haymarket, which that gen- tlemen on an emergency had hired for a certain number of nights, during the summer of 176<>. He opened it with the tragedy of '' Othello," which bad not been played for some time, as Barry had been long absent from Covent Garden, and Garrick diought proper to decline die character. Lee performed Jago, in which he was very respectable. This actor was not without considerable pretensions, but they were more than allayed by his vanity. He had a good person, a good voice, and a more than ordi- nary knowledge in his profession, which he sometimes shewed without exaggeration ; but he wanted to be placed in the chair of Gariick, and, in attempting to reach this, he often deranged his natural abilities. He was for ever, as Foote said, " doing the honours of his face ;" he affected uncommon long pauses, and fre- quently took such out-of-the-way pains with emphasis and articulation, that the natural actor seldom appear- ed. In this coxcombry he was sup- ported by many of his bottle compa- nions, as wed as those disappointed cnt.cs who were glad of an engine against Garrick ; but the consequence i.t this temper was, he was banished from almost every theatre but that of Bath, of which he was acting manager, and where, between lecturing and acting, he continued till he died. His death was caused by an inflam- mation in the bowels. He left be- hind him one son and four daughters. He altered " Macbedi" for the Edin- burgh stage; also Wicherley's " Coun- try Wife," and " Vanburgh's Relapse," which he called " The Man of Qua- lity." Both these comedies being, from peculiar circumstances, render- ed unpalatable to the then taste of the times, were curtailed by Mr. Lee, and modelled into the shape of after- pieces, and in that size were well re- ceived at the two theatres of Drury Lane and Covent Garden. These alteradons, however, are denomi- nated murders in the Biographia Dra- matica. LEE, (Miss) dramatist, eldest daugh- ter of the preceding, lost her mother when young, and lived with her fa- ther at Bath, where, soon after his death, she opened a school with her sisters, called " Belvidere Ho^e," which they still continue with credit and advantage to both themselves and pupils. Miss Lee having produced ner comedy of " The Chapter of Ac- cidents," sent it to Mr. Harris, who, not willing to reject the piece, on ac- count of her theatrical parentage, and yet not inclined to bring it out, returned it, with his opinion her co- medy would make a better opera.— She accordingly, from necessity, not inclination, converted it into a mu- sical piece, and sent it to the same manager, but, displeased wilh his fur- ther evasions, (for Mr. Harris, it seems, had another piece in his hands by die late Mr. Macklin, which con- tained a similar character) she with- drew her play, and submitted it. ano- nymously, to the late Mr. Colnian, the then manager of die Haymarket Theatre. This gentleman approved of the piece, but remarked, that her opera would make a better comedy.- — Miss Lee soon restored it to its for- mer state, and it was immediately got up with great care and attention, (August.5, 1780) and acted with con- siderable advantage to die theatre, but more credit than profit to the writer. She soon added to her lite- rary fame by the elegant novel of " The Recess," and other similar works. In 17yd. she produced a tra- gedy, called ' ; Almeyda, Queen of Grenada," which met with applause. Her sister, Harriot Lee, also wrote a comedy, entitled, "New Peerage; U 2 or, L E L E or, Our Eves may deceive us," acted at Drury Lane, 1787, with some suc- cess. LEF,. (Mr.) actor and manager of the Salisbury Theatre with Mr. Thet- ford. He belonged to Covent Gar- den in 1795. He "produced a farce, called " Throw Physic to the Dogs," at the Haymarket Theatre, 1798, which, though unsuccessful, has fur- nuhed the popular piece of the " Re- view ; or, Wags at Windsor," with the best character that is in it. He is also the author of several fugitive pieces of poetry. LEE, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name Keys, and sister to the present Mrs. Mills, ma e her first appearance on th» stage at Salisbury, and became the wife of the manager in 1793. The applause which she met with at several pro- vincial theatres procured her an en- gagement at Covent Garden, where she supported the characters of romps, Sec. with considerable success. It was said that she imitated Mrs. Jor- dan, but she had never seen that iady perform till some time after her ar- rival in London. She was an excel- lent breeches figure, but death de- prived the public of her abilities be- fore they had scarcely witnessed tiiem. LEE LEWIS, (Mr,) actor, was a favourite comedian at Covent Garden about 30 years ago. He occasionally delivered Steven's celebrated " Lec- ture on Heads," altered and im- proved by Pilon, in London, and all the reputable towns, with consider- able applause. He assisted Palmer at the Royalty Theatre, and on the failing of that unprofitable scheme, went abroad with his family, but was still unsuccessful in his speculations. On his return, he performed at the pro- | vineial theatres, and in Du:>lin,( 1792-3) | where he was a favourite in low co- medy. He is remarkable for his repartees, but certain it is. many jests have been made for him, which he never made himself. While at the Royalty Theatre he recited the famous ballad of "Johnny Gilpin." but not having created that merriment among his audience which he expected, he came off the stage disgusted with Gilpin, declaring he would give his Lecture on Heads the next night in- stead of it. A friend observed to him, that if he had worn a comical citizen's wig, and thrown it off, when he was describing Gilpin's fall from his horse, he would have made all the people laugh. — " My dear Sir, (replied Lee Lewis) it is not wigs the people want now-a-days — but heads.'''' LF.IGH, (JOHN) actor, in the be- ginning of the century, and author of '• Kensington Gardens; or, the Pre- tenders," comedy, acted as Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1720 ; and " Hobb's Wed- dings," farce, about 1722, was a na- tive of Ireland, and made his first theatrical essay on the stage in Dub- lin. From thence he came over to London, where, from his having the advantage of a good figure, he was engaged by Mr. Rich in a campany, with which he opened the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, in 1714; but though he continued on the stage for twelve years after, he made no con- siderable advance towards theatrical excellence. He died in 1726, aged 37. There was another Leigh, an actor of superior abilities, who was a contemporary with Underhill, Bet- terton, &c. LENOX, (Mrs. CHARLOTTE) maiden mame Ramsay, produced a dramatic pastoral, called " Philan- der," 1757, and a comedy called '' The Sister," acted only one night at Covent Garden, 1769. She alter- ed Chapman's play of " Eastward Hoe," as performed at Drury Lane under the title of " Old City Man- ners," 1775. She was born at New York, and was the daughter of a North American gentleman. Her husband belonged to a public office. She has written several admired no- vels, and has contributed more to the advantage of the circulating libraries than the stage. LEONI, (Mr.) singer, and a Jew, but was permitted by the synagogue to attempt the stage. His first ap- pearance was at Covent Garden ( 177.5) in Arbaces, ( Artaxerxes).— He brought a good house, (as it was then deemed) the receipts being 2501. but, though his success was great, on the L E the second night of his appearance there were 50i. less. He joined Gi- ordan! in the management of an Eng- lish Opera House in Dublin , but ttvi' they met with con iderable encou- ragement, the partners became bank- rupts, owing, probably, to several im- frudent engagements they had made, le was also one of the several per - formers who was engaged by the late Mr. Palmer for the Royalty The- atre, where he brought out a pupil whose name was Braham, properly Abraham, being also a Jew, but the name, it seems, was contracted, in order that it might have a Christian- like appearance in the play bills. This young gentleman made nis appear- ance at Drury Lane in the new opera of '• Mahmoud," 1796, with great applause, and afterwards accompa- nied Signcra Storace to several the- atres, where they performed together, which gave birth to some pieces of low wit in the newspapers. Mr. Leoni has for some time retired from the stage. As a singer, he was much admired in London and Dublin. LEWIS, ;\VM.T.) actor, was born at Ormskirk, in Lancashire, in the year 17*8. His grandfather was a clergyman, rector of Trahere, in Car- marthenshire, and second son of Erasmus Lewis, Esq. (p.ivate secre- tary to Mr. Harley, minister to Queen Anne) the confidential friend of Pope and Swift, whose name appears so often in their correspondence. His father, Mr. William Lewis, served his time to a linen-draper on Tower Hill, but quitted business for the siage. He performed in Dubl n at the same time with Mr. Garrick, under the direction of the then manager, Mr. Sheiidan. In 1749. young Lewis was carried to Ireland, and educated at a grammar s hool at Armagh, kept by Mr. Heaphy, whcse son lost a leg in | the service of the Eat India company, and in ron c equence theieof obtained a considerable post in the India House. — Mr. Lewis went on the stage very yuannr, and early distinguished him- self at Edinburgh, under the manage- ment of Mr. Digges. In the year 1771 he was at Dublin, and by his performance of Belcour, ( I'he West ludian) drew the town to the little LE theatre, Capel Street, where he waj engaged, in opposition to Mr. Mos- sop, who attempted the same part at the rival theatre, Crow Street. In the gay scenes, Lewis was superior, but Mossop had the advantage in the impassioned ones: it was, however, one of Mossop's worst characters. — Happily for Lewis, Macklin was in Dublin when he was performing, who, on his return to England, made so favourable a report of him to Mr. Colman, then manager of Covent Garden, that he immediately sent for him. His first appearance was October 13, 1773, in his favourite character of Belcour ; in which he fully answered the expectation of hii employer, who the same season al- lotted him a principal part in his then new comedy of " The Man of Busi- ness." From this time he has been gradually rising in the estimation of the publ c, succeeding first by the indisposition, and afterwards the deaths of Mr. Barry and Mr. Wood- ward to their principal characters, which he performed from the year 1776 to I7S2, when he became deputy manager of Covent Garden Theatre ; and one of his first acts shewed his good sense, in quitting the buskin for the sock, in which latter his supe- riority was very apparent. This gen- tleman has had several children ; his eldest son went out to India witli re- commendations equal to any ever sent from this country, and which, to the credit of father and son, were both voluntarily offered and given : he has also a son on the stage, who has acquired much reputation at Hull, &c. Tew who officiate as act- ing managers can escape the ill will of either authors or pei formers ; the former, however, Mr. Lewis makes his friends, for he is in general the chief support of modern comedies, but the complaints of the latter he is sometimes obliged to bear. Should he think proper to dismiss any useless lumber, jtali immediately the whisper ; and if, on the discovery of merit, he should give it due en- couragement, then the murmurers alter their tone, and mutter partia- lity: of course, the reports of a green room should meet with little atten- tion. L E L I tion. As an actor, Mr. Lewis is at present unequalled in sprightly co- medy, but criticism must acknow- ledge there is a great sameness in his performance. Though full of life and spirit, he is Vapid in all ; and, however versatile his abilities might formerly have been, when he played both in tragedy and comedy, he is at present so deficient in the art of dis- crimination, that it would be difficult for his judges to point out the differ- ence between his Belcour and Ranger : however, justice must freely own, that in characters of the latter descrip- tion, Mr. Lewis is, notwithstanding the advances of age, the first per- former now on the stage. His Mer- cutio and Copper Captain are unri- valled. LEWIS, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name Leeson, was the daughter of a printer in St. John's Square, and having been instructed by Mr. Macklin, made her first thea- trical essay in Dublin, at the theatre where Mr. W. T. Lewis was then performing. A mutual attachment led the way to matrimony, and when her husband was engaged at Covent Garden, she also became a member of the company. LEWIS, (MATTHEW GREGORY) dramatist, was born about the year 1733, is son of the deputy secretary at war, and member of parliament for the borough of Hindon. In 1797, he produced his musical drama of " The Castle Spectre" at Drury Lane. — This piece met with extraordinary success. During tiie rehearsals, the second appearance of the Spectre was objected to, but the author insisted that the piece should conclude as he had written it ; and though it was allowed by the audience, impartial criticism must acknowledge, that it is a shameful violation of dramatic order, and is justly omitted at several provincial theatres. This play Mr. Lewis has published, with notes by himself. In 1799, he produced a farce, acted for a benefit, called " The Twins ; or, Is it he or his bro- ther '." also a come r ly, for a benefit, called " The East Indian," which was repeated for the house, but the author was displeased diat the proprietors should afterwards lay aside a piece which brought but little money, for the play of " Pizarro," wliich al- ways brought crowded houses. lj» 1801, he produced a musical ro- mance, called " Adelmorn die Out- law," which was not well received, and he was obliged to omit much of the marvellous and supernatural, in which this writer seems so much to delight Mr. Lewis has been accused of borrowing some pans of " The Casde Spectre," (see Eyre) and the writer of this has reason to think that a MS. play, which had been in the hands of his composer, furnished him with an idea for " Adelmorn." This, however, may not be the case ; but if it was, he has profited so little by it, dm the audior of the MS. has little to complain of. He has trans- lated some plays from the German, and written several admired poems, romances, &c. LILLO, (GEORGE) dramatist, was the son of a Dutch jeweller, who mar- ried an English woman. He was born somewhere near Moorfields, in the year 1693, and brought up to his father's business, having been his partner in the same trade several years. He was a dissenter, but not of that sour cast which distinguishes some of tiie sectaries ; and so far from being poor, as Mr. Hammond assert- ed he was, in his prologue to Elme- rick, he died in very easy circum- stances, and rather in affluence than want ; for he bequeathed several legacies, and left the bulk of his for- tune to Mr. John Underwood, his nephew, in which was included an estate of 601. per annum. This story of Lillo's distressed fortune, which has been believed by some, may perhaps owe its origin to the following parti- cularity in our author's conduct. — Towards the latter pai t of his life, Mr. Lillo, whether from judgment or hu- mour, determined to put tiie since- rity of his friends, who professed a very high regard for him, to a trial. — In order to carry on this design, he put in practice an odd kind cf stra- tagem : he asked one of his intimate acquaintance to lend him a consider- able sum of money, and for ihis he declared that he would give no bond, nor L I L L nor any other security, except a note of his hand ; the person to whom he applied, not liking the terms, civilly refused him. Soon after, Lillo met his nephew, Mr. Underwood, with whom he had been at variance for some time; he put the same ques- tion to him, desiring him to lend him money upon the same terms. — His nephew, either from a sagacious apprehension of his uncle's real in- tention, or from generosity of spirit, immediately offered to curnply with his request. I.illo was so well pleased with this ready compliance of Mr. Underwood, that he immediately de- clared he was fully satisfied with the love and regard that his nephew bore him ; he wa_ convinced that his friend- ship was entirely disinterested, and assured him that he should reap the benefit such generous behaviour de- served. In consequence of this pro- mise, he bequeathed him the bulk of his fortune. His dramatic works were " Sylvia ; or, the Country Bu- rial," acted 1730 ; " George Barn- well," 1731 ; " The Christian Hero ;» 1733 ; " The Fatal Curiosity," 1736 ; " Marina," 1731 j " Limerick." 1739, in which year the author died, September 3. In his person he was lusty, but not tall ; of a pleasing as- pect, though unhappily deprived of the sight of one eye. LIN LEY, (THOMAS) composer, had a shaie in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in conjunction with Mr. Sheridan and Dr. Fold, the former of whom became his son-in law. He composed the music of several operas, and was reckoned eminent in his profession. In the course of a few months, several of his family died, particularly Mrs. Sheridan, who was universally esteemed, and these mis- fortunes probably hurried the old gentleman to his grave. His son, William Unify, has also composed and written for Drury Lane Theatre, viz. " The Honey Moon," comic opera, acted at Diury Lane, 1797 ; and " The Pavilion," musical enter- tainment, do. 17sA3, afterwards al- tered and called •' The Ring ; or, Love me for myself." As a composer, he possesses murh of his father's taste ana melody, but as a dramatis! he has been very unsuccessful. LINTON, (Mr.) singer, belonged to the Theatres Covent Garden and Haj market, and was' useful in cho- russes. He died lately. LITCHFIELD, iMrs.) actress, maiden name Sylvester, made ber first public essay at Freemason's Hall for the benefit of Mr. Bellamy, who had been proprietor and editor of " The General Magazine," and was at this time in distressed circum- stances. He was the author of a pre- lude called " The Friends ; or, Bene- volent Planters," which wasperform- edfora benentatthe Haymarket.-- He died suddenly, Sept. 1800. The task which Mrs. Litchfield generously un- dertook on this occasion was reaiiing s-lect pieces, and herein she discovered so much judgment, bothinthecorrect- nesv of her pronunciation and pro- priety of delivery, tliat by the advice of her friends she attempted the stage. Having practised, with considerable encouragement, at Richmond, she procured, on the secession of Miss Wallis, an engagement at Covent Garden, where she made her first appearance in Marianne, (Dramatist) 1796, and on the death of Mrs. Faw- cett undertook the character of Emi- lia,{Othello) &c.and has been gradu- ally rising in public favour. Siie has been engaged this summer (1801) at the Haymarket, where she has per- foimed Julia, (Surrender of Calais) and it must be acknowledged that the animation of her performance makes ample compensation for the di»advantage of figure. Her husband is well known in the literary world. He has assisted die stage with occa- sional ad. resses, prologues, &c. — His various contributions to several periodical works, sufficiently deciare h.m to be the scholar, gentleman, and critic. LLOYD, (ROBERT) author of " The Tears ami Triumphs of Par- nassus," ode, reciled at Drury I-ane, 17m), (4to.) ; " Arcadia ; or, the Shep- herd's Wedding," dramatic pastoral, acted at Drury Lane, 1761 ; " The Capricious Lovers," comic opera, do. 176 K &c. was the son of the Rev. Dr. Lloyd, second master of Westminster school, by whom he was so early ini- tiated in the classics, that his fertile genius LL LL genius soon became pregnant with the stores of Greek and Roman liter- ature. Thus qualified, he repaired, at a proper age, from Westminster to Oxford, where he pursued his studies, and made such an' occasional display of his genius, as to reflect no little on his tutorage, if not some honour on the University, which, in due time, conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. From Oxford he returned to Westminster school, where, for some time, he assisted his father as an usher. With this situation, the duties of which he was particularly well qualified to discharge, he appears, nevertheless, to have been highly dis- satisfied, and it is more than proba- ble, that this impatience of restraint and disgust at scholastic confinement was heightened by his intimacy with those excentric geniuses, Messrs. Churchill and Thornton, whose con- genial talents and disposition might serve to encourage each other in the pursuit of such youthful amusements as insensibly betrayed them into a liberality of life and conversation, which the prudential part of the world, perhaps, too severely con- demned. The first performance which established Mr. Lloyd's reputation as a poet, and of course rendered him respectable in the literary world, was the "Actor." addicted to his then intimate and libeiaiftiend Mr. Thorn- ton. It is supposed, that the reputa- tion he acquired by this poem first stimulated his friend Churchill to enter the lists of poetical fame, and write his celebrated " Rosciad."— - The superior popularity of this piece gave our author at first some little dis- gust; buton the farther exertionof Mr. Churchill's abilities, the superiority in force of numbers, and power of ima- gery, appearing so greatly on the side of his friend, Mr. Lloyd, with the mo- desty becoming real genius, and the complacency of a disposition untaint- ed bv envy, joined the rest of his ad- mirers in the unlimited applause be- stowed on that eminent poet. Hav- ing resigned the ushership of V\ est- minster School, Lloyd cecame an au- thor by profession ; and, notwith- standing his decided merit, expe- rienced most of the vicissitudes of < fortune to which gentlemen of thai precarious profession are liable. It is so natural a transition for a man of wit to become a man of the town, and for the expences necessary to support the latter character to exceed the income of the former, that it is no wonder Lloyd was induced to en- gage in publications that promised to produce profit rather than praise — Among these was the St. James's Magazine. This work not meeting with that success which might be rea- sonably expected, he found himself unable to discharge some obligations of a pecuniary nature, which he had improvidently laid himself under on the flattering prospeet of such success. —He was, of course, confined within the walls of the Fleet ; even Mr. Thorntrn, though his bosom friend from their infancy, refusing to be his security for the libei ty of the Rules; a circumstance which, giving rise to some ill-natured altercation, induced this quondam friend to become an inveterate enemy, in the quality of his most inexorable creditor. It has been said on this occasion, that, while this unhappy, but most excellent poet, was under such re.-trictions, the Fleet became the seat of the Muses, and all the men of wit and genius in the age repaired to this gloomy tem- ple; but almost all the friends and companions of his youth turned their backs on him, especially those on whom he had lavished many enco- miums in his own writings, and whom he had occasionally assisted in the composition or correction of theirs ; a striking proof of the instability of school boy friendships and college connections ! The news of Mr. Churchill's death having been an- nounced somewhat abruptly to Mr. Lloyd while he was sitting at dinner, he was seized with a sudden sickness, and saying, " I shall follow poor Charles," look to his bed. from which he never rose again. In his sickness, he was attended by a favourite sister of his deceased friend, Miss Patty Churchill, of whom it is said, that she possessed a considerable portion of the sense, spirit, and genius of her brother. This young lady is reported to have been betrothed to Mr. Lloyd, and L O LO and that so mournful was the effect which the melancholy catastrophe of her lover and brother had on her sus- ceptible mind, that she caught the contagion of grief, which pre>ed on her spirits, and did not permit her long to survive them. He is described to be of a tacit disposition, reserved and attentive, and that he often sat the auditor of conversation rather than the promoter. Having been once invited to dinner by a nobleman, who was a great admirer of his wit and genius, Lloyd accepted the invi- tation, but to the great disappoint- ment of the noble peer, uttered not a syllable during the whole enter- tainment. Notwithstanding, he de- lighted in jovial companions, and was too much attached to the pleasures of die table, particularly to those of the bottle. LOVE, (JAMES) dramatist and actor, whose real name was Dance : he wai one of the sons of Mr. Dance, the city surveyor, whose memory will be transmitted to posterity on account of the clumsy edifice which he erect- ed for the residence of the city's chief magistrates. Ihis, his son, received, it is said, his education at Westmin- ster school, whence he removed to Cambridge, which, it is believed, he left without taking any degree.— About that time a severe poetical sa:ire against Sir Robert Walpole, then minister, appeared under die title of '• Are these things so '." which, though written by Mr. Miller, was ascribed to Mr. Pope. To this young Dance immediately wrote a reply, called "Yes they are, what then;" which proved so satisfactory to the person whose defence was therein undertaken, that he made him a hand- some present, and gave him expec- tations of preferment. Pos-essing all the vanity of a young.author, and all the credulity of a young man, he considered his fortune as established, and neglecting every other pursuit, became an attendant at the minister's levees, whore he contracted habits of indolence and expence, without ob- taining any advantage. The stage now presented it-.ell as an asylum from tin difficulties he had involved himsel: in, and therefore, assuming the above name, lie made his first essays in strolling companies. He afterwards performed both at Dublin and Edinburgh, and at the latter place re»ide I some years as manager. At length he received (in 1762) an invi- tation to Drury Lane theatre, where he continued during the remainder of his life. In 1765, with the assistance of his brother, he erected a new theatre at Richmond, and obtained a licence for performing in it, but the success thereof by no means an- swered his expectations. He died in the beginning of 1774. He neither as actor or author ever attained any de- gree of excellence. His performance of Falstaff was by much the best. — His productions are "Pamela," co- medy, acted at Goodman's Fields, 1712; "The Village Wedding," pas- toral entertainment, acted at Rich- mond, 1767; and"The Lady's Frolic," comic opera, acted at Drury Lane, 1770. For Richmond theatre he al- tered Shakespeare's " Timon of' Athens." 17b8 ; and Massinger's " City Madam," 1771. LOWE, (THOMAS) singer and ac- tor, made his first appearance at Drury Lane in September, 1740, in the part of Sir John Loverule, (Devil to pay) and soon afterwards in Capt. Macheath, which character he sup- ported with peculiar ease and spirit. On the opening of Rockholt hou : e, a place of entertainment, he was em- ployed as a principal singer, after which he engaged at Vauxnall, where he continued upwards of twenty sea- sons. His engagement at Covent Garden lasted as long a period ; but on Mr. Beard's becoming the manager of that theatre, he quitted it for Drury Lane, wh. re he was in a short time supplanted by Mr. Vernon. He then took Marybone Gardens, and brought out Miss Catley as one of his vocal assistants. The first season was ex- ceedingly succe.- fill, but a wet ensu- ing 5 i:mmer washed away all his good fortune, anil he was reduced to great distress soon afterwaids. Hereupon he took the wells at Otter's pool, near Walford, and made other successful attempts to procure a comfortable livelihood. When Mr. King pur- chased the property of Sadler's W eils X la- MA MA his natural liberality suggested to him that he might here find a situation for his old friend, Tom Lowe. Ac- cordingly an engagement was offered to him at the Wells, where he conti- nued to gain an easy income, with undiminishing reputation. Notwith- standing he was between 20 and 30 years in the receipt of an income lit- tle less than 10001. per annum, yet he constantly dissipated the whole of it, and became, in the decline of his life, an object of charity as well as pity. He died March 2, 1783. LOWE, (CHRISTOPHER) many years bill distributor for the Theatre Royal, Chester, and from the follow- ing remarkable circumstance is cer- tainly worthy a place in this collec- tion. He was a native of Preston, and at fifteen years of age was afflict- ed with a severe fever, of which he apparently died. He was laid out, shrouded, and confined, and nearly three days after his supposed demise, while carrying on four men's shoul- ders to the grave, he suddenly knock- ed at the lid of the coffin, and, to the ineffable amazement of the carriers and attendants, on opening it they found honest Christopher in a com- plete state of resuscitation. He lived after this 77 years, and died April, 180 1 . LYON, (WILLIAM) actor, who altered a farce from Vanbrugh's co- medy of "The Misiake," winch he railed " The Wrangling Lovers ; or, Like Master like Man," a piece which has since been altered by others, and tailed " Lovers Q.uarrels," " Like Master like Man," &c. Lyon was a strolling player, and frequently per- formed at Edinburgh : his principal character was Gibby, (The Wonder.) He was possessed of an uncommon retentive memory, which the following anecdote must prove :— One evening, while over his bottle, in company with some of his brethren of the the- atre, he wagered a crown bowl of punch, (a liquor of which he was very fond) that next morning at rehearsal, he would repeat a Daily Advertiser from beginning to end. The players, who considered this boast as words, of course paid it no great regard, but as Lyon was positive, one of them laid the wager. Next morning at the rehearsal he put him in mind of it, imagining that as he was drunk the night before, he certainly must have forgot the wager, and rallied him on his ridiculous bragging about his memory. Lyon pulied out the paper, desired him to look at it, and be judge himself whether he did or did not win his wager. Notwith- standing the unconnection between the paragraphs, the variety of adver- tisements, and thegeneralchaoswhich composes any newspaper, he repeat- ed it from beginning to end without the least hesitation or mistake ; an instance of a strong memory, the pa- rallel of which cannot be produced in any age or nation ; and there is little doubt of its authenticity, as Baker, who records it, fHiog. Dram. J was probably a witness, or had un- doubtedly good authority. Lyon died at Edinburgh about 1748. M. MACARTNEY, (C. I.) actor, be- longed to the theatres at York, Edin- burgh. &c. He made his first ap- pearance at Cuvent Garden, Dec. 9, 1799, in Romeo, but did not procure an engagement. Previous to this, he performed at Margate, where a dis- pute arose between him and some gentlemen, who took an opportunity of insulting him when on the stage, but Mr. Macartney explained the business so much to the satisfaction of the audience, that the gentlemen were immediately silenced, and the actor allowed to go on. He performed at Birmingham in 1800, wht-re, after a short courtship, he married Miss Min- ton, aged 1.5, who was then perform- ing with the company. MACDONALD, (Mr.) author of a tragedy called " \ imonda," acted at the Hayiruiket in 17S7. He wrote several MA several ingenious pieces, &c. for (he newspa|>ers, and generally used the signature of Matthew Bramble. He died in great distress at Kentish Town, August 22, 1790. MACKENZIE, (J. H.) author of " The Prince of Tunis," tragedy, act- ed at Edinburgh, 1777 ; " The Ship- wreck," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1781; and ''The Force ot" Fashion," comedy, do. 178!), He is a native of Scotland, and has been more successful as a novel-writer than a dramatist. MACKLIN, (CHARLES) drama- tist and actor, was born in the nor- thern province of Ireland, about the beginning of the eighteenth century, and descended from a respectable fa- mily of the name of M'Laughlin, which, in his own words, he English- Jied on becoming an actor. He was placed by his mother, then a widow, under the care of a Mr. Nicholson, a gentleman of Scotland, who at this time kept a respectable school in Dublin. In I7'26, he came over to England, and having a passion for the stage, joined several strolling compa- nies, and was afterwards engaged at Lincoln's Inn Fields, where he first discovered his merit in a small cha- racter in Fielding's " Coffee House Politician." For several seasons he performed comic characters, and in Yli'.i was unfortunate enough to kill Mr. Hallam, an actor tn the same theatre with himself, and probably grandfather to the present Mrs. Mat- tocks. The dispute originated about a wig which Hallam had on, and which the other claimed as his pro- perty, and in the warmth of temper (to which he had been always addict- ed' lie rai-ed his cane, and gave him a fatal stroke in the eye. He was brought to trial in consequence, but n i malicious intent appearing in evidence, he was acquitted. In 1741 (February 14) he established his f.tme as an actor, in the character of Shy- lock, in the '' Merchant of Venice," for his own benefit, and restored to the stage a play which had been forty years supplanted by Lord Lands- downe's "Jew of Venice." which was a miserable alteration of the above. Macklin's performance of this MA character so forcibly struck a gentle- man in the pit, that he exclaimed, " This is the Jew— -which Shakes- peare drew." It has been said, that this gentleman was Mr. Pope, and that he meant his panegyric on Mack - lin as a satire against Lord Lansdowne. —The characters of the " Merchant of Venice" were thus cast: — Anto- nio, Mr. Quin j Bassanio, Mr. Mil- ward ; Gratiano, Mr. Mills ; Laun- celot, Mr. Chapman; Gobbo, Mr. Johnson ; Solanio, Mr. Berry ; Moro- chius, Mr. Cashell; Lorenzo, Mr. Ha- vard ; Prince of Arragon, Mr. Tur- butt ; Duke, Mr. Wiiutone ; Tubal, Mr. Taswell; Polarino, Mr. Ridout; Portia, Mrs. Clive ; Nerissa, Mrs. Piitchard; and Jessica, Mrs. Wood- man. The manager and performers, having now disagreed, Macklin and several of the most eminent of the company revolted, among whom was Mr. Garrick, and a formal agreement was signed, by which they obliged themselves not to accede to any terms which might be proposed to them by the patentee without the consent of all the sub- scribers. The contest between the manager and the seceders became soon very unequal. The latter found ail applications for a new patent inef- fectual. There was now no remedy left, but to agree with the manager upon the best terms that could be obtained. Some of the principal ac- tors, and such as were absolutely ne- cessary to the conducting of the thea- trical machine, were admitted to favour upon equal terms, and were allowed the same annual stipends which they enjoyed before the seces- sion , others of less consequence were abridged of half their income. I he manager ascribed this revolt of tha players principally to Mr. Macklin ; and him he determined to punish for his ingratitude. To the rest he was reconciled ; but eternal banishment from his theatre was the doom which he pronounced on the man who had been once his favourite adviser, and his bosom friend. Macklin had no inclination to become the 'scape goat in this business, and he urged Mr. Gamck to perfect the articles of their agreement, by which it was cove- X i named, MA M A nanted, that neither of the contract- ing parties should accommodate matters with the patentee without a comprehension of the other. Mr. Garrick could not but acknowledge the justice of Macklin's plea ; he de- clared that he was ready to do all in his power to fulfil his agreement ; but as the manager continued obsti- nate in his resolution to exclude Mr. Macklin, it could not reasonably be expected that he should, by an obsti- nate perseverance in a desperate con- test, greatly injure his own fortune, and absolutely be the means of starving eight or ten people, whose fate depended on his accommodating the dispute with Fleetwood. He of- fered Mr. Macklin a sum to be paid weekly out of his income, for a cer- tain time, till the manager could be brought into better temper, or he should have it in his own power to provide for himself suitable to his rank in the theatre. He obtained a promise of Mr. Rid) to give Mrs. Macklin a weekly salary of 31. These proposals were strenuously rejected by Macklin, who persisted in his claim of Mr. Garrick's absolutely fulfilling the tenor of their compact. Mr. Gar- rick, notwithstanding the perseve- rance of Macklin, accepted Fleet- wood's proposals, and entered into covenant with him, for that season, at a very considerable income. His reception, however, in the part of Kays, (Rehearsal) was very disagree- able. When the curtain drew up, the playhouse shewed more like a bear garden than a Theatre Royal. —The tea in a storm was not moie terrible and boisterous than the loud and various noises which issued from the boxes, pit, and galleries. Gar- rick, as soon as he entered, bowed very Jow several times, and intreated to be heard. Peas were thrown up- on the stage, and he was saluted with oud hisses, and continual cries of— Off: Off.' This theatrical tempest lasted two nights. At last, the ardour of Macklin's party began to relax, and Garrick recovered the public j favour. James Lacey, however, who succeeded Fleetwood in the manage- ment, brought about a revolution in ! the theatre : m 1747-8. He forgot all | former disputes, and engaged Mack- lin and his wife at a very considerable salary. At this time he produced his first play of " Henry the Seventh ; or, the Popish Impostor ;" afterwards " A Will or no Will ; or, a new Case for the Lawyers," farce, 1746; " The Suspicious Husband criticised ; or. the Plague of Envy," do. 1747 ; and " The Fortune Hunters ; or, the Widow bewitched," do. 1748. In the spring of 1748, Sheridan, the then manager of the Dublin theatre, offered him and his wife 8001. per year for two years, which he accepted, and they soon after landed in Dublin to perform their engagements. But Macklin's disposition to jealousy and dissatisfaction still prevailed ; for scarcely had he been a month in Dub- lin, when he began to find out, that the manager chose to perform tra- gedies as well as comedies at his the- atre ; that his name stood in larger characters in the play-bills; and a variety of such grievous matters ; not considering that he and his wife's salary was fixed at all events for two years, and that any reasonable ar- rangement which the manager might adopt for his own emolument would the more enable him to perform his contract ; but consideration was lost upon a man of Macklin's temper, when once resolved ; he therefore gave a loose to his passions, which at last became so intolerable, that, ac- cording to the language of Trinculo, " though Sheridan was King, Mack- lin would be Viceroy over him ;" which the former not agreeing to, determined him to shut the doors of his theatre against both him and his wife. This, however, so far from bringing him to reason, provoked his irritabilities the more. lie several times presented himself at the stage- door — no admittance. He then sent the manager an attorney's letter —no answer. He then commenced a chancery suit; and, after waiting the whole winter unemployed, he returned to England with several hundred pounds minus, and a snug law suit upon his shoulders into the bargain. On his return to England, he commenced manager at Ciiester for that season ; and m the winter was MA MA was engaged at Covent Garden The- atre, where he performed Mercutio during the celebrated run of " Ro- meo and Juliet" between the two houses. How Macklin could liave been endured in a character so totally . untitled to his powers of mind and body, is a question not easily resolved at this day — particularly as Wood- ward played this very character at the other house, and played it in a style of excellence never perhaps before, or since, equalled ; yet what is still more strange, Macklin always spoke of Mercutio as one of his fa- vourite parts, and enlarged upon it in full confidence of his power. He produced at this theatre a dramatic satire, called " Covent Garden The- atre ; or, Pasquin turned Draw- canser," 1752 ; and towards the close of the year 1753, having obtained from Mr. Garrick the use of his the- atre for that night, iook a formal leave of the stage, in a prologue writ- ten on the occasion, in which he in- troduced his daughter as an actress to the protection of the public. — What induced him to quit the stage in ihefull vigour of fame and con-ti- tution, (as he was then, according to his own calculation, but fifty-four was one of ihose schemes which he long previously indulged himself in, of suddenly making his fortune by the establishment of a tavern and coffee-house in the Piazza, Covent Garden, to which he afterwards ad- ded a school of oratory, upon a plan hitherto unknown in England, found- ed upon she Greek, Roman, French, and Italian societies, under the title of "The British Inquisition." The first part of this plan was opened on the 11th of March, 1754, by a public ordinary, (which was to be continued every day at four o'clock, price three shillings) where every person was permitted to drink port, claret, or whatever liquor he should choose— a bill of fare, we must confess, very encouraging, even in those times, and which, from its cheapness and novelty, drew a considerable resort of company for some time. Dinner being announced, by public adver- tisement, to be ready at four o'clock, :ust us the clock had struck that hour, a large tavern bell, which he had af- fixed to the top of the house, gave notice of its approach. This bell con- tinued ringing for about five minutes: the dinner was then ordered to be dished ; and in ten minutes after- wards it was set upon the table ; af- ter which the outer room door was ordered to be shut, and no other guest admitted. Macklin himself always brought in the first dish, dress- ed in a full suit of clothes, &c. with a napkin slung across his left arm. — When he placed the dish on the table, he made a low bow, and retired a few paces back towards the side- board, which was laid out in a very superb style, and with every possible convenience that could be thought of. —Two of his principal waiters stood be ide him ; and one, two, or three more, as occasion requited them.— - He had trained up all his servants several months before for this attend- ance ; and one principal rule (which he had laid down as a sine qua nnri) was, that not one single word was to be spoken by them whil t in the room, except when asked a question by one of the guests. The ordinary, there- fore, was carried on by signs, previ- ously agreed upon ; and Macklin, as principal waiter, had only to observe when any thing was wanted or called for, when he communicated a sign, which the waiters immediately un- derstood, and complied with. Thus was dinner entirely setved up, and attended to, on the side of the house, all in dumb shew. When dinner was over, and the bottles and glasses all laid upon the table, Macklin, quitting his former situation, walked gravely up to the front of the table, and hoped " that all things were found agreeable;" after which, he passed die bell- rope round the back of the chair of the person who hap- pened to sit at the head of tiie table, and, making a low bow at the door, retired. 'I hough all this had the shew of a formality seemingly touch- ing too much on the freedom of a social meeting, it appeared to have a general good effect : the company not only saw it as a thing to which they had not been accustomed, but it gave them by degrees, from the ex- ample MA MA ample of taciturnity, a certain mix- ture of temper and moderation in their discourse ; and it was observed, that there were fewer wrangles and disputes at this ordinary, during the time Macklin kept it, than could well be expected in places which admitted of so mixed an assembly of people. — The company generally consisted of wits, authors, players, templars, and lounging men of the town. Of the other part of this plan, which he cal- led " The British Inquisition," it is impossible to think, without ascribing to the author a degree of vanity al- most bordering on madness. By this plan, he not only incited a discussion on almost the whole circle of arts and sciences, which he was in a great measure to direct, but took upon him- self solely to give lectures on the Co- medy of the Ancients — the use of their masks, flutes, mimes, panto- mimes, &c. He next engaged to draw a comparison between the stages of Greece and Rome. To con- clude with lectures upon each of Shakespeare's plays, commenting on the different stories from which his plots were taken, the uses which he made of them, with strictures on his fables, morals, passions, manners, &c. —In respect to his knowledge of Ancient Comedy, and his attempt to draw a comparison between the Greek and Roman stage, he must have obtained it (if he made any li- terary enquiry at all) from Dryden's prefaces, and other detached English writers on the subject, as he was total- ly unacquainted with either the Greek or Latin languages, and did not un- derstand French well enough to avail himself of their criticisms. As to the original of Shakespeare's stories, and the uses he made of them, &c. he was still in a worse predicament, as this required a course of reading in the cottmporary writers of Shaks- peare's age, too multifarious either for the grasp of. his mind, or for the time which, from other avocations, he could bestow on it— so that to every body, but himself, Macklin stood in a very ridiculous point of view— under the responsibility of large promises, with very little capital to discharge them. Of his illustration J ofShakespeare'splayswe believe there are no records, as he was not quite fool enough to print them, nor has even ridicule consigned them to me- mory : but, as a proof of what he was- capable of doing as a critic in this line, we subjoin the following -pro- posal he made to Garrick, as a kind of grateful compensation to him, for giving him the use of his theatre for one night, and for writing a farewell epilogue for him on the same occa- sion. In his conversation with the manager about the great run of Ro- meo and Juliet, he told him, that as the town had not properly settled whicli was the better Romeo, Barry or him, he meant ultimately to de- cide that question in his next lecture on that tragedy. Garrick, who was all alive to fame, instantly cocked up his ear, and exclaimed, " Ah ! my dear Mac, how will you biing this about!" " I'll tell you, Sir; I mean to shew your different merits in the garden scene. Barry comes into it, Sir, as great as a lord, swaggering about his love, and talking so loud, that, by G— , Sir, if we don't suppose die servants of the Capulet family almost dead with sleep, they must have come out and tossed the fellow in a blanket. Well, Sir, after having lixed my auditors' attention to this part, then I shall ask, But how does Garrick act this? Why, Sir, sensible that the family are at enmity with him and his house, he comes creeping in upon his toes, whispering his love, and looking about him just lite a thief in the night." At this Garrick could hold out no longer— he thanked him for his good intentions, but begged he would decline his purpose, as, after all, he thought it a question better left to the opinion of an auiience than the subject of a lecture. With these qualifications as a critic, much success could not be augured from the lectures. The event turned out so ; as, in a little time, the few who resorted to his rooms gave up all ideas of improvement, and the whole assumed an air of builesque, which was still heightened by the gravity of Macklin, who, trusting to the effi- ciency <>t' his own powers, appeared every night full dressed, dictating to the MA MA the town in all the aire of superior in- telligence. Foote stood at the head of the wits and laughers on this oc- casion. To a man of his humour, Macklin was as the dace to the pike, a sure prey, lie accordingly made him his daily food for laughter and ri- dicule, by constantly attending his lectures, and, by his questions, re- marks, and repartees, kept the audi- ence in a continual roar. Macklin sometimes made battle — but it was Priam to Pyrrhus :— he now and then came out with a strung remark, or bitter sarcasm ; but in wit and hu- mour, Foote was greatly his superior. Foote likewise had the talent of keep- ing his temper, which still added to his superiority. One night as Mack- lin was preparing to begin his lecture, and hearing a buz in the room, he spied Foote in a corner, talking and laughing most immoderately. This he thought a safe time to rebuke him, as he had not begun his lecture, and consequently could not be subject to any criticism : he therefore cried out with some authority, " Well, Sir, you seem to be very merry there : but do you know what I am going to say now:" " No, Sir," says Foote'; " Pray do you f n The ready and unembarrassed manner of this reply drew on such a burst of laughter, as silenced the lecturer for some mi- nutes ; nor could he then get on, till called upon by the general voice of the company. Another time, Mack- lin undertook to shew the causes of duelling in Ireland ; and why it was much more the practice of that na- tion than any other ' In order to do this in his own way, he began with the earliest part < f the Irish history, as it respected the customs, the edu- cation, anil the animal spirits of the inhabitants; ami after getting as far as the reign of Clueen Elizabeth, he was again proceeding, when Foote spoke to order. " Well, Mr; what have you to say upon this subject ;— " Only to crave a little attention, Sir, (says 1 oote. with much seeming mo- dest) when 1 think I can settle this point in a few wolds." " Well, Sir, ." •• Why then, Sir," s.-.ys 1 , c ; .-. ■• to begin, \\ hat i it:'' " O'clock:' says Macklin, " what has the clock to do with a dit- sertation on duelling t" " Pray, Sir." says Foote, "be pleased to answer my question." Macklin, on this, pulled out his watch, and reported the hour to be half past ten. " Very well," says Foote; "about this time of the night, every gentleman in Ire- land, that can possibly afford it, is in his third bottle of claret, consequent- ly is in a fair way of getting drunk ; from drunkenness proceeds quar- relling, and from quarrelling duelling; and so there's an end of the chapter." —The company seemed fully satis- fied with this abridgment; and Mack- lin shut up his lecture for that even- ing in great dudgeon. Another night, being at supper with Foote and some others at the Bedford, one of the company was praising Mack- lin on the great regularity of his ordi- nary, and in particular his manner of directing his waiters by signals. " Aye, Sir," says Macklin, " I knew it would do. And where do you think I picked up this hint? Well, Sir, I'll tell you. I picked it up from no less a man than James Duke of York, who, you know, Sir, first invented signals for the fleet." " Very apro- pos, indeed," says Foote, " and good poetical justice, as from the fleet they were taken — so to the Fleet both mas- ter and signals are likely to return." — All this, though galling to Macklin, was fun for the public ; and if it end- ed here, would, perhaps, have served Macklin in a pecuniary way, as much as it hurt his feelings in another : — but Foote did not know when he had enough of a good thing: he intro- duced him into his theatre at the Hay- market, where neither cut so good a figure as they did in the British Inqui- sition ; and Macklin, in return, re- torted in all kind of abuse and ca- lumny. The public at last grew tired of the controversy, from being taken out of its proper place ; and the Bri- tish In mi-ition soon after this began to feel a gradual decay in all its de- partments. M ist people beside the projector saw the seeds of a speedy j dissolution in the first principles Of this scheme. In the first plate, it was upon a large expensive scale, and quite novel ui this county ; it, ihere- toie M A MA fore, not only required a greater ca- pital than Macklin was master of, hut much greater talents, as he had neither learning, reading, figure, or elocution, for the oratorical part ; nor assiduity, knowledge, or temper, for keeping a coffee-house and ta- vern. Whilst he amused himself with drilling his waiters, or fitting himself for the rostrum, by poring ever the Athenian Oracle or Parlia- mentary Debates, his waiters, in re- turn, were robbing him in all direc- tions; his cook generally went to market for him, and his principal waiter was his principal butler : in short, Macklin had left himself little more to do in the essential parts of this business, than paying the bills ; and these soon poured in upon him so fast, that he could not even acquit himself of this employment. Ac- cordingly, the next winter did ulti- mately decide the question, as we find him a bankrupt on the 25th of January, 1755, under the title of vint- ner, coffee-man, and chapman. On his examination before the Commis- sioners of Bankruptcy, every thing turned out to his character but his prudence, as it appeared he lost his money partly by the sums incurred in building and fitting up the rooms, and partly by the trade not being ade- quate to such a scale of expenditure. One circumstance, however, should not be omitted here, which redounds to his character as a father, which was, that it was proved, by sufficient documents, that he laid out no less than twelve hundred pounds on the education of his daughter— an edu- cation not ill bestowed, as it respect- ed exterior accomplishments, &c. but which made so little impression on her gratitude, that, at her death (which happened when her father was above eighty years of age, and when, it was well known, he was far from being independent) she be- queathed the best part of her fortune to strangers, giving him, at the same time, such an eventual title to the other part, as was worse than ab- solute neglect — it was a legacy in mockery, as if she only thought of her father to tantalize him with fruitless expectations. Though Miss Macklin was not handsome, she was genteel in her person, and being highly educated, was fashionable in her manners and deportment. She was, beside, a very rising actress, and gave specimens of her singing and dancing in occasional entertainments, which made her a great favourite with the town. Some days previous to her benefit, whilst Macklin was sitting at breakfast, a loud knocking at his door announced the name of a Baronet, at that time as well known on the turf, as he has since been in the character of a noble Lord, and Great Legal Practitioner. After the ceremonies of introduction were oyer, Macklin hoped " he would do him the honour of breakfasting with him;" which the other very frankly accepted of, and the conversation be- came general— the stage, of course, formed one of the topics ; when the Baronet took this opportunity to praise Miss Macklin in the highest strains of panegyric. This Macklin thought a good omen for his daugh- ter's benefit night, and bowed most graciously to all his encomiums. At last, after a short pause, (arising, as Macklin thought, from his embarrass- ment about the manner of asking for tickets) the Baronet began the fol- lowing curious conversation : " After what I have said of your daughter, Mr. Macklin, you may sup- pose I am not insensible of her merits. — 1 mean to be her friend, not in the article of taking tickets for her be- nefit, and such trifling acts of fiiend- shij), which mean nothing more than the vanity of patronagc--l mean to be her friend for life." " What do you allude to, Sir :" says Macklin, rousedat this last expression. " Why," said the other, " I mean as 1 say, to make her my friend for life ; and as you are a man of the world, and 'tis fit you should be considered in this business— I now make you an offer of four hundred pounds per year for your daughter, and two hundred pounds per year for yourself, to be secured on any of my estates during both your natural lives." " 1 was at that time," say^ Macklin, "spread- ing some buHeronmy roll, and hap- pened to have in my lut;d a large case MA MA case knife, which grasping, and look- ing steadily at the Baronet, desired him instantly to quit my apartments, telling him at the same time, that 1 was as much surprized at liis folly as his profligacy, in thus attempting the honour of a child through the medium of her parent. He affected not to mind me, and was proceeding with tome coarseness, when instantly I sprung from my seat, and holding the knife near his throat, in a menacing manner, bid him make the best of his way down stairs, or 1 would in- stantly drive that instrument into his heart, as the due reward of such base and infamous proposals. Sir, (con- tinued die veteran; 1 had no occa- sion to repeat my menaces a second time. By G- -, the fellow made but one jump from his chair to the door, and scampered down the stairs as if the D---1 was in him. He ran across the garden in the same manner, thinking 1 was still at his heels : and so, Sir, I never spoke to the rascal since.'' He now joined Barry in founding a new theatre in Dublin, and in the spring of 1757. Macklin went to Ireland al ng with Barry and Woodward, who was admitted as partner, and was pre ent at laying the foundation stone of Crow Street Theatre. About die September of Jie same year, Barry having obtained sufficient number of subscribers to his new theatre, and arranged every other matter relative to his great de- sign, returned to London, leaving Macklin as his locum tenuis, who, to do him justice, was so very vigilant and industrious in all the departments of his trust, that, upon Barry's return to Dublin, towards the close of the summer of 1758, the theatre was nearly ready for their performance. —Mrs, Macklin diedabi>ut this time, before her husband could receive any benefits from her engagement, and he seemed much afflicted at her loss, as her judgment and good sense often kept him within the pale of propriety. This was his first wife.— She was the widow of a respectable hosier in Dublin, of the name of Grace, where the marriage took place about 17J1-'J. She made her debut at Chester in the "Nurse," in "Romeo andjuliet." She wasesieemed an ex- cellent actress in the walk of her pro- fession—a very considerable reader, and possessed the accomplishments of singing and dancing to that degree, as would have enabled her to get her bread in these lines, was not her acting considered as the most profi- table employment. She had been some months before her death in a declining state, but her dissolution in said to have been hastened by her husband's losses and bankruptcy.-— Crow Street theatre opened on the 23d of Oct. 1758, with an occasional prologue spoken by Barry, after which was performed the comedy of " She Would, and She Would Not ; or, die Kind Impostor." Macklin joined thU corps as soon as decency for the lost of his wife would admit ; but such was the versality of his temper, that he not only quitted his engagements with Barry and Woodwaid, and re- turned to London the middle of De- cember, 1759, but made an engage- ment to perform at Smock Alley (the opposition house) towards the close of that season; which, however, he did not fulfil. Macklin, now, had greater projects than joining the Irish theatres : at this time he got an en- gagement at Drury Lane at a very considerable salary ; and besides had it in meditation to bring out his farce of " Love a la Mode," which, though it met with some opposition in the beginning, afterwards received such applause, both in London and Dub- lin, as made amends for all hi, former dramatic miscarriages, and crowned him with no inconsiderable share of reputation. This farce was first act- ed at Drury Lane, 1760, and after- wards he bi ought "tit at Covent Gar- : den " The Married Libertine," en. raedy, 17t.il ; " The Iri.h fine Lady," i farce, 176" ; and '• The true-born Scotchman," comedy, which was af- terwards acted under the title of |" The Man of the World," 17Vi. In 177 1, he attempted the character of " Macbeth," which met with a moit violent opposition. The ground of complaint against this actor was changed after his second appearance in the character, and from a critique upon his acting, fn» antagonists at- V ucVed MA MA tacked him with regard to his eon- duct: this arose from a speech which he then made, wherein he asserted that Mr. Sparks and Mr. Reddish had hissed him in the gallery on the first night of his appearance. These gen- tlemen made affidavits to the con- trary, and, during the whole week, the papers were filled with squibs on both sides. On his third appearance ki Macbeth, previous to the play, he came on in his own character, with a manuscript in his hand, and after much contest, was allowed to read a part of it, which contained the proofs of his former assertion. He then went through the character with some applause. This second address to the public produced a letter from Mr. Reddish to Mr. Macklin, to which the latter published an answer. An account having appeared in one of the papers of a tumult that occurred upon his fourth appearance in the character, in which it was said " Mr. Smith's friends openly avowed the cause," this gentleman applied to the printer, and finding Mr. Macklin to be the author of that declaration, addressed a letter to him the next day in the same paper, positively de- nying the charge. These altercations created a very strong party against Mr. Macklin, Nov. 18, when he was to have played Shylock. They had stationed themselves in proper places of the pit and balcony boxes, for the better application to the managers. When the curtain drew up, the cry was general for Mr. Colman to make his appearance ; but Bensley being sent to learn the sense of the house, he was not suffered to speak. Mack- lin then advanced in the dress of Shy- lock from behind the scenes, and humbly supplicated to be heard — but a general uproar took place, and he was forced to retire. He next ap- peared in his own cloaths, but the attempt was fruitless. Messrs. Miles and Sparks seemed to be the leaders of the opposition, and the latter stood up upon his seat with a written pa- per, anxious to communicate its con- tents to the house, but he was not suffered to read it. During this time successive embassies were dispatched from the manager, in the persons of Bensley, Woodward, Reinhold, and Clark — but all to no purpose : No- thing would satisfy but the appearance of Mr. Colman. Macklin was on and off the stage every two minutes, but could not get leave to speak.— He soon learnt, by the delivery of a written paper, that it was the sense of the company he should never play there again. This he received with an affectation of contempt, at which the house was exceedingly incensed, and declared unless Mr. Colman would come forth, they would tear up the benches. Soon afterwards Mr. Bensley brought in a board, on which was written in chalk in large characters, " At the command of the public, Mr. Macklin is discharged :" A roar of applause ensued. An at- tempt was then made to perform '• She Stoops to Conquer ;" but the cry was still for Mr. Colman to con- firm the written declaration in per- son. To pacify them, Mr. Fisher made his appearance, but was hoot- ed off. Matters now became very serious. The ladies were desired to withdraw ; and the gentlemen in the pit and boxes united. On their be- ginning -to tear up the seats, Mr. Colman advanced. The house be- came quiet ; and the manager be- gan with observing, that, " as this wai his first appearance on any stage, he hoped for their indulgence." — This seasonable piece of wit conci- liating the general favour, he told them with an audible voice, that " it was the intent of tiie proprietors of that theatre to comply with the com- mands of the public even to the mi- nutest particulars, and asked them if it was their pleasure that Mr. Mack- lin should be discharged !" The whole, as with one voice, cried " Yes." Mr. Colman replied, " he is discharged ;" and begged to know, " whether it was their pleasure that the play of " She Stoops to Conquer," should be performed;" " No, No, No," was the universal cry. " Since this is the case," replied Mr. Colman, " the money must be returned, for it is not in our power to perform any other," and then retired However, the house still seeming dissatisfied, a fresh attempt was made to perform it. MA MA It, bat in vain ; the clamour conti- nued, and nothing remained but Mr. lewes to give out the play for the next day, which lie did with, '• Gen- tlemen, (for the Ladies were gone) to-morrow will be [>erforme i " L:>ve in a Village:'' Thi, ended the alter- cation of the evening about eight o'clock. Mackhn now went to law with his adversaries, Lee, James, Al- dus, Miles, and Clarice, and substan- tiated his losses. May II, 1775, the Court proceeded to state the Judges' report, in order to pronounce judg- ment against the offenders ; and after it was determined that they should make Macklin a reasonable compensation in damages for two years salary at one hundred pounds each, two benefits at two hundied pounds each, and the whole of his expences out of pocket,— Macklin generously relinquished the whole of Ills damages, upon the following terms : '' To have his law expences reimbursed him ; the gentlemen to take one hundred pounds worth of tickets for his daughter's benefit ; one hundred pounds worth of tickets for his own benefit ; and one hundred pounds worth of tickets for the be- nefit of the theatre on the first night of his being reinstated in his employ- ment." After this, he occasionally performed, and paid a visit to Dub- iin duiing Mr. Daly's management. —November 'SI, 17SS. while repre- senting the character of Sir Pertenax Mai Sycophant, in his own comedy, (The Man of the World' he suddenly lost liis recollection, and addressed the audience, informing them, that unless he found himself more capa- ble, he should not agaiu venture to solicit their attention. After this, however, lie appeared again, and in the middle of the character of Shy- lock, for his own benefit, May 7, 17S9, his memory failed him in the same manner, and ihe part was tin. shed by Mr. Kyder. finding himself now wholly incapable of per- forming, he reined with regret troin the stage, and about four years after. by the advice of his friends, his two pieces, " Ihe Man of the World," and '• Love-a-laMode," were, un- der the lUjrcrmttndance u Mr. Mdr- phy, first printed, and offered to the public, by subscription, when the large contributions of several distin- guished characters amounted to up- wards of liOOI. pounds, which, under the direction of Or. Brooklesby, John Calmer, Esc), and Mr. Longman, trustees, was laid out (agreeable to the proposals) in purchasing an annuity of SiOOI. for Mr. Macklin, and of 751. for Mrs. Macklin, (his second wife) in case she survived him. This great Nestor of the stage (who lat- terly became very languid and de- fective in memory) died July 11, 1797, and his remains were interred in a vault at the north side of Covent Garden church. The following gen- tlemen attended the funeral: — Mr. Hull, Mr Grimth, Mr Barlow, Mr. Kirkman, Mr Hughes, Mr. Mac- donald, Dr. Atkinson, Dr. Kennedy, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Davies, Mr. Led- ger, Mr. Munden. The corpse was taken into the vestry, and prayers read over it by the Rev. Mr. Am- brose, who came from Cambridge on purpose to perform this iast act of kindness to his tutor, and a great number of spectators were assem- bled, among whom were many of the deceased's theatrical friends. MACNALLY, (LEONARD) dra- matic, was born in Dublin ; his fa- ther and grandfather were merchants, and he is descended on the side of father and mother from ancient Iri-h families. Mr. Macnally is related to many of the principal Roman Ca- tholic families in Ireland, to tiie fa- mily of Netlisdale in Scotland, and Howard in England. His predeces- sors suffered much by forfeitures under English acts of parliament, in consequence of the various revolu- tions of property in his country. His grandfather made a very considera- ble personal property, which he laid out iu building in Dublin, but having taken leases liable to discovery of tins property, in consequence of a b II under the Popish laws, he was stiipt oi it. Hi- father died when he was an infant, at which tine the bill ". y wa filed, and very little attention was paid to his education. He owes more to nature than to art, andmay strictly be said to be a self- V 'i ' educate* MA MA educated man, having never been at a public school or seminary, and having received but very trifling as- sistance from private tuition. He entered a student of the Middle Tem- ple in 1774, was called to the Irish bar in 1776, where he argued several questions with reputation ; but finding that the expence of living in the cha- racter of a barrister in Ireland ex- ceeded his finances, he returned to London, and qualified himself for the English bar. Early in life he had the misfortune to receive a hurt in his right knee, which broke the bone, and lamed him for life ; and when about eighteen he was shot through the left hand, and suffered the am- putation of the thumb. In Dublin fie brought out an opera, called the " Ruling Passion ;" and while in London, he produced " Retaliation," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1782 ; Prelude for Do. 1782; " Tristram Shandy," farce, do. 1783; " The Coalition," do. 1783 ; '' Robinhood ; or, Sherwood Forest," comic opera, do. 1784 ; " Fashionable Levities," tomedy, do. 1785 ; " April Fool ; or, the Follies of a Night," farce, do. 17S6; and " Richard Courde Lion," opera, do. 1786. Having married, he returned to the Irish bar, where he now practises, and has since pro- duced on the Dublin stage a musical entertainment, called " The Cottage Festival," 1796. MACREADY, (WILLIAM) actor and author of " The Irishman in Lon- don," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1792; and "The Bank Note; or, Lessons for Ladies," comedy, altered from Taverner, 1795, is a native of Dublin, and was bred to the business of an upholsterer by his father, who tarries on that trade there to a con- siderable extent. He declined this business for the stage, and having performed on almost all the Irish boards, was in Mr. Daly's company when Mr. Macklin paid his last visit to Ireland. Desirous of appearing in his own comedy of " The Man of the World," he allotted the character of Egerton to Mr. Daly ; but as he gave his instructions too harshly, the manager resigned the part to Mr. Macrea.ly, who paid such attention to the author, and performed the character so much to his satisfaction, that he procured him an engagement at Covent Garden, where he made his first appearance in Flutter, (Belles Stratagem) 1786. He afterwards became manager at Birmingham, and having left Covent Garden in conse- quence of a disagreement about sa- lary, opened the Royalty Theatre on the plan of Sadler's Wells, for the winter. This scheme proved unsuc- cessful, and he then undertook the management of Sheffield Theatre.-— His company at Birmingham gene- rally consi-.t of the best performers belonging to the London winter the- atres. His wife is likewise on the stage. MAHON, (ROBERT) singer, be- longed to the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (1775) for several seasons, and afterwards to Mr. Ryder's company in Dublin. He went abroad, and married a West Indian lady. His brother was likewise a singer, and on the stage. MALLET, (DAVID) dramatist, was a native of Scotland, and by the l>enury of his parents compelled to be Janiter of the high school of Edin- burgh, a mean office, of which he did not afterwards delight to hear ; but he surmounted the disadvantages of his birth and fortune, and became tutor to the Duke of Montrose's sons, with whom he made the tour of Eu- rope. Having cleared his tongue from his native pronunciation, he changed his name from Scotch Mal- lock to English Mallet. In 1734, he took the degree of M. A. at St Mary's Hall, Oxford, and became Under Secretary to the Prince of Wales in 1740. Towards the latter end of his life he went to France with his wife, but finding his health declining, re- turned alone, and died April, 1765. —He was twice married, and, by his first wife, had several children. His plays are "Euridice," tragedy, 1731 ; " Mustapha," do. 1739;'" Alfred," masque, (in conjunction with Thomp- son) 1751; " Britannia," do. 175.-> ; and " Elvira," tragedy, 17H3 ; all brought out at Drury Lane. He con- sidered pathos to be so peculiarly the characteristic of his poetry, that he once MA MA once turned Jones, author of the Earl of Essex, out of a public room, for pretending to the least share of it. MALONE, (EDMUND) commen- tator, to whose indefatigable labours the public are indebted for various illustrations of Shakspeare, and se- veral curious discoveries, is a native ot Ireland, descended from a family of distinction and property, and bro- ther to Lord bunderhn, of Dublin, who received that title in 1785. The industry of this studious writer is evi- dent from his voluminous works. — His " Enquiry into certain papers, &c. attributed to shakspeare," (see Ireland) made an octavo pamphlet of four hundred and twenty-fouf pages, being " A Letter addressed to the Earl of Chartemont." On such a frivolous subject, a few pages would have been sufficient, (see Boaden). He likewi.-e published " Some account of the life and writings of John Dry- den," exceeding Jive hundred and sixty-nine pages. He has assisted the theatre with prologues, &c. MARA, (Madame GERTRUDE ELIZABETH) singer, maiden name Scheneling, was the daughter of a respectable musician of Hesse Cassel, who having been engaged to play at concerts both in London and in the country, brought her to England, when she gave early and astonishing specimens of her musical abilities. — She accompanied her father to Italy and Germany, and her first appear- ance on the public stage was in the opera at Berlin, where she attracted the notice, and received the patro- nage of Frederick, king of Prussia, and at this time she became the wife of Mr. Mara. Desirous of visiting Italy, she made known her intention to Frederick, who gave strict orders to prevent her from leaving his domi- nions. She was, therefore, obliged to make use of artilice. A large harpsichord, of which she was very fond of, seemed to the king a secu- rity for its mistress; but under pre- tence of having it repaired, she or- dered it to be removed, and instead of haung it brought back to her own house, sent it out of the kingdom, and immediately followed it, having told the officer that stopped her, the king had changed his mind. u Hera is his permission, (says she) in which he has given me leave to go," pro- ducing a letter from thegreat Fre- derick, but of a very different pur- port from what it was represented, and the officer knowing her influ- ence at court, did not presume to read more tlian the signature. Hav- ing thus escaped, she went to Italy, and was present at the Carnival in 1783, from whence she came to Eng- land. Her first appearance on the stage was in 1788, at Drury Lane, in the part of Mandane, (Artaxerxes) for the benefit of Mr. Kelly, with whom she had been acquainted in Italy and Germany, and her success was so great, that she was engaged to perform six nights that season. In 1791-2, when the Drury Lane com- pany were performing at the Opera House, Haymarket, while the new theatre was building, she was en- gaged for Hoare's serious opera of " Dido." For several seasons after- wards, she represented many of the principal characters in English opera, at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, and having practised in that school with much success, was engaged by Mr. Harris in 1797. Her representation of Polly (Beggar's Opera) gave great satisfaction : though entirely different from that of Mrs. Billington, it was not less captivating : she sung the airs with the utmost simplicity, and scarcely ever called in the aid of a shake or a flourish. Her husband, it is said, has died latelv at Berlin. MARSHALL, (Mr.) actor, was born in London, near Covent Gar- den, and was bred to the same busi- ness of his father, which he relin- quished for the stage. His first at- tempt was at the Haymarket in 1781. He then performed in the country, where he married an actress, who was famed for her musical abilities. This union, however, was followed by a separation, and entirely dissolved by that grim tyrant. Death, who seized the lady near Newcastle upon Tyne. Mr. Marshall having acquired much fame at Manchester, Birming- ham, York, &c. was engaged as a substitute for Mr. Wewitzer, at Co- vent Garden, iu 1790, where he made hi: MA MA his first appearance in Bagatelle, (Poor Soldier) with distinguished ap- plause. His fame in the character was chiefly owing to a song written for that part by Mr. Murray, then of the Bath Theatre, and now of Covent Garden, in which he was constantly encored. This gentleman is now in America. MARTYR, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Thorton, made her first public appearance at Vauxhall, and the following season was engaged at Co- vent Garden, where the character she fixed on for her debut was Rosetta, (Love in a Village) in which she was received with much applause, and performed several other characters with equal approbation. Being a neat breeches figure, she acquired considerable fame in the Page, in the " Follies of a Day." Soon after her engagement at Covent Garden, she was married to Captain Martyr, who died in the King's Bench, for debt. — Her daughter, having been previous- ly instructed in music by Madame Mara, has lately performed at Rich- mond, &c. with considerable ap- plause. See Norton, (Mrs.) MASS1NK, (Mr.) machinest, and pantomime inventor, belonged to the Theatre Royal, Dublin, in Mr. Woodward's time, and was also en- gaged at Drury Lane by Mr. Garrick, where he brought out a pantomime, called "The Elopement," Dec. 1767, with great success. He assisted " The Jubilee," iic. and died Nov. 20, 1789. MASON, (WILLIAM) was author of " Elfrida," dramatic poem, alter- ed by Mr. Colman, and acted at Co- vent Garden, 177'J; and again alter- ed by the author, and acted 1779, and '" Caractacus," do. 1776. His father, a clergyman, was possessed of the vicarage of St. Trinity, Hull. — Mr. Mason was admitted, after a preparatory education, of St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of 1). A. and M. A. and, in 1747, he obtained a fellowship in Pembroke Hall. In 1754, he emei- c-U into hoi) orders, and was patro- nized by the ilien F.ail of Holderness, who obtained for him the appoint- ment of chaplain to the king, and presented him with the valuable ree- toryof Aston, in this county. This gentleman was an acknowledged scholar, and possessed a well-founded claim to a high degree of poetical re- putation. His tragedies of " Llfrida," " Caractacus," and other effusions of his pen, particularly his elegies on the death of his wife, and the demise of Lady Coventry, are justly ranked among the superior productions of the age. H is death was not occasion- ed either by old age or inveterate disease : as he was stepping into his chariot, his foot slipped, and his leg grazed against the step. This acci- dent had taken place several days before he paid any attention to it j and on April 3, 1797, a mortification ensued, which, in 48 hours time, closed his life ! MATTOCKS, (Mrs. ISABF.LLA) actress, maiden name Htitiam, was born in 1746. Her uncle, William Hallam, was manager of the theatre in Goodman's Fields, where her fa- ther performed, and was much ap- proved of in low comedy. She is also related to the family of Mr. Rich, who was manager of Covent Garden. Her father was obliged, through em- barrassments, to quit England, and try his fortune in America, where, soon after his arrival, he became ma- nager of the theatres in New York, Charlestown, and Philadelphia, and realized a fortune of 10,0001. but his family kw the whole in the American war. Miss Hallam, on her father's departure, was educated by her auntj Mrs. Barrington, who was an actress of merit, and at the age of four years and a half, her little niece performed the part of the Parish Girl, (What d'ye call itf) for her uncle's benefit, at. Covent Garden. She was so di- minutive at this time, a gentleman in the pit observed, " 1 can hear her very well, but I can't see her without a glass." At fifteen, she appeared in the character of Juliet, at the same theatre, and for several seasons filled a respectable line of business in tragedy, comedy, and opera, but now entirely comedy. Ilrjr husband, Mr. Mattocks, was a performer at Covent Garden, and for some time manager at Liverpool, iler grand- father ME ME father was killed by Mr. Macklin in a dispute, (see Macklin* but some bio- graphers have injudiciously asserted it was her father. Her daughter, who was at Liverpool, is lately mar- ried to a gentleman of the Inner Temple. MAZZINGH1, (JOSEPH) com- poser, was born, it is said, in England, but is of foreign extraction, his father (who had a large family) having been an eminent musician abroad. He has composed for the Opera House, and lately for the Theatre Royal, Co- vent Garden, in conjunction with Mr. Wm. Reeve, who, in 1787, assi>ted the late Mr. Palmer at the Royalty Theatre, and has (singly) composed the music of several pieces for the regular theatres. Mr. Maz- zinghi furnishes the serious airs, and his partner the comic, and both in each department, discover much science and ingenuity. — The pro- ductions of their united efforts have been the music of " Raman Droog," " The Turnpike Gate," Hcc. Of Mr. Reeve alone, ''Joan of Arc," " The Purse," " Escape from Pri- son," " Charity Boy," &c. In " Ramah Droog," Mr. Mazzinghi in- troduced a pupil of his, Miss Waters. —Her countenance was expressive —her figure elegant— but her abili- ties as a singer, and especially as an actress, require more cultivation.— As a composer, Mr Mazzinghi pos- sesses much elegance of conception and mastery of execution, but fre- quently trifles wiih his genius. His wife died early in the year of 1800. MELLON, (Miss) actress, wasfur- merly the heroine at Liverpool, and ether towns, and now belongs to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where she is frequently seen with much pleasure. MELMOTH, (COURTNAY) see Pratt. MELMOTH, (Mrs. CHARLOTTE) actress, has performed in almost all the Dublin Theaircs, and was a fa- vourite in both tragedy and comedy. She was supposed to be the wife of Oiurtnay Melmoth. One season, pre- vious to her lienefit in Dublin, | 1786) she reported her intention of becom- ing a Roman catholic, and regularly ' every morning visited chapel, but the receipts of the house not corre- sponding with her expectations, the found it was likely to be of no benefit to her in this world, and therefore did not think proper to change her road to the next. She is now in Ame- rica, where she keeps a rcs)>ectable tavern, and performs at the New Theatre. MENAGE, (Miss BELLA) actrest at the Theatres Royal Drury Lane and the Haymarket, was intended for a pantomime performer only, having: been instructed in dancing by Mon. Didelot, and afterwards by Mr. Degville, particularly in the hornpipe, which she has introduced with so much success in the pantomime of " The Corsairs," and in which she has been regularly encored. She be- came, however, an actress when very young, having represented children's characters with more than common abilities. At this time it was remark- ed by a certain performer in the Green Room, whose merit was not above mediocrity, that children, when so wonderfully great at the begin- ning, seldom made good performers when they grew up : upon which little Bella very archly replied, " Then, Sir, 1 suppose you were wonderfully great when you were a child." As far as criticism now may judge, this lady promises to be an ex- ception to the gentleman's remark. Her elder sister is on the stage, but chiefly assists in chorusses. Her bro- ther, though very young, has already displayed so much merit in panto- mime at Covent Garden and the Haymarket, that should his abilities increase with his years, he will be a desirable acquisiiion to any the- atre. MF.NDF.Z, (MOSES) author of the following musical entertainments, '• The Double Disappointment," act- ed at Covent Garden, 1746, 8vo. 1759 ; " The Chaplet," acted at Drury Lane, 1749; " Robin Hood," do. 1751 ; and " The Shepherd's Lottery," do. 1751, was a Jew, and supposed to have been either a stock broker, or notary public. He was possessed of considerable genius, was an agreeable companion, and a pleading ME ME pleasing poet. He died February 4, 1758, worth, as it was thought, 100,0001. What a fortune for an author ! MERRY, (ROBERT) dramatist, but more renowned as a poet, was born in London. His father had ac- quired more than a competency by trade, and had a relish for its advan- tages and profits : but the aunt of our young heio, had sentiments of a loftier cast, and she prevailed on her brother to allow her to prescribe the regimen for her nephew's education. —This proposal was readily acqui- esced to by the father, from a well poised consideration of interest ; and as his fond aunt was afraid the coun- try air might be too severe for the young cockney' 's tender frame, he was never carried abroad unless wrapt in furs, or other equally warm clothing. Notwithstanding all which, he ap- peared luckily to have escaped the dangers which J. J. Rousseau de- scribes the children of great per- sonages to undergo from too much parental fondness. The first founda- tion of the gentleman in young Merry, waslaid by that great literary character Dr. Parr. From the Doctor he went to Christ College, Oxford, where he made an intimate acquaintance, which, at one time, was thought might have greatly aided his advance- ment in life. This acquaintance, however, did not ripen into the ex- pected fruit; probably for want of cultivation. The profession of divi- nity and law were canvassed by Mr. Merry's relations, in order to make a choice for him. But as he was not grave enough in countenance for the parson, it was resolved, he should be a lawyer, and he accordingly entered a student of Lincoln's Inn. Why this line was not pursued, does not ap- pear ; as, en the death of his father, he purchased a commission in the horse-guards. A military life, how- ever it might for a while gratify the youthful vanity of our hero, did not long engage his heart. A lieutenancy and adjutancy were the highest com- missions he ever held in the army, and these he disposed of with the resolution to travel on the continent. Like the bees on llybla's banks, our rover tasted of every sweet within his reach: but Florence chiefly en- gaged his attention, not to say his affection. The charms of a well- known married lady of quality fasci- nated his eyes, penetrated his heart, and for a time fixed him to the spot Italy, in his mind, surpassed all coun- tries under heaven for realizing the pleasures of the imagination. By the engagingness of his manners, he had made an acquaintance with several persons, natives as well as foreigners, distinguished as literati in the circles of fashion. He was elected a mem- ber of the celebrated academy Delia Crusca, and was easily persuaded to engage with several of his country folk of both sexes in the Florentine Miscellany, printed under the eye and superintendance of the judicious and learned Mrs. Piozzi. While wit and taste were thus publicly diffused through the elegant part of the world, private scandal did not want for pub- lishers. Tales were circulated, which, becoming every day more current, failed not to give great uneasiness to the enamorato, as well as to his friends. Mr. Merry's indignation at the authors of these reports, which he found among his collaborators, urged him to take up the pen of satire in revenge. He employed it in ri- diculing the greater part of the circle, and in some measure occasioned its breaking up. This incident hastened Mr. Merry's return to his native coun- try, and he now produced several poetical pieces, which gained the ad- miration of all. Such were his beau- tiful verses published in the World, under the title Delia Crusca, &c. his satirical and witty epigrams pub- lished in the Argus, under the signa- ture of Tom Thorne. During the last months of that paper's existence, it might be truly said, a certain Ra. indus- triously dispersed in the taverns, coffee-houses, &c. complaining of the managers of the theatres refusing admittance at the end of the third act of a play, for half-price. At Drury Lane Theatre, in the eveuing, upon the drawing up of the curtain, when Messrs. O'Brien and Holland began the play of " The Two Gen- tlemen of Verona," they were in- terrupted by a confused noise ; upon which Mr. Garrick came upon the stage, and attempted to speak, but an uproar immediately began ; and the ladies withdrawing, the benches were torn up — the glass lustres broke, and thrown upon the stage— and a total confusion ensued, which prevented the play from going on, and about nine o'clock the house was cleared, the money being return- ed. On this occasion Mr. Moody considered himself bound to protect the theatre from mischief, and en- deavoured to secure some of the rioters ; one in particular, who, with a lighted torch menaced to set fire to the house. This was an offence not to be overlooked, and accordingly an atonement was to be demanded at the proper season. At Covent Garden Theatre redress having been demanded in the same manner, it was readily promised, on which the performers at tliat theatre were per- mitted to proceed. January 28, the following Address to the Public ap- peared in the Public Advertiser :- — " The managers of Drury Lane The- atre having been suddenly called upon, last night, to answer the charge of an innovation in regard to their prices, Mr. Garrick acquainted the audience, That he was not conscious that the managers had done any thing in this respect, in which they were not fully authorized by the established usage of the theatre ; ami thai if there had been the slightest innovation, it should be rectified. And this unex- pected complaint being grounded on the assertions contained in a printed paper, which had been, the same day, industriously circulated in coffee houses, and distributed through every part of the theatre, Mr. Garrick pro- mised to publish a full answer to the charges contained in that paper: but the clamour still continuing, the per- formance of die play was entirely prevented. The managers, there- fore, find themselves under the neces- sity of informing the public, that a full and satisfactory an»wer will be published accordingly : and it is hoped that they will, with their usual candour, suspend their judgment on this occasion till the appearance of such answer, which will be in a few- days." At night, when the third music began at Drury Lane, the au- dience insisted en " Britons strike Home," and "The Roast Beef of Old England," which were -played accordingly. Mr. Holland coming MO MO fn to speak the prologue to* " El- vira," he was hissed off. Mr. Gar- rick immediately came on, but could not obtain a hearing. After a con- fused uproar, which lasted some time, during which he remained on the stage in a state of mind that may be more easily conceived than expressed, a hundred voices calling out, Hear him I Hear him ! while as many others called out, Hear the Pit ! he was ask- ed from the pit " Whether he would answer the questions that should be put to him!" He respectfully said, " He would." The following ques- tion was then put: " Will you, or •will you not, give admittance for half- price, after the third act, except during the first winter of a new pantomime t n *— Mr. Garrick wanted to explain the reasons of his conduct, in asking full prices during the first run of a new play, but could not obtain leave : He was required to give an explicit an- swer, Yes or No. After again at- tempting to speak to explain his con- duct, he called out, in some agony, not without a mixture of indignation, we may suppose, at the uncandid treatment he had received, yes; and the audience expressed their triumph in the manner they usually express their applause. Mr. Ackman, an actor who had incurred some dis- pleasure on the preceding night, was next called upon to make an acknow- ledgment ; which he did. Mr. Moody was then called upon to apologize for the offence he had given. He, imagining that he should bring the audience into good humour by a laughable absurdity in the tone and language of a low-bred Irishman, said, " He was very sorry that he had displeased them by saving their lives in putting out the tire." This speech was so ill taken, that it rather in- flamed than cooled the rage of the rioters ; and they loudly and vehe- mently insisted that he should go down en his knees and ask their par- don. Mr. Moody was so far from complying with this positive com- mand, that he had the courage abso- lutely to refuse, saying, " 1 will nor, by G— !" When he came off the stage, Mr. Garrick was so pleased with his behaviour, that he received him with open arms, and assured him, that " whilst he was master of a guinea, he should be paid his in- come; but that if he had been so mean as to submit to the required abasement, he would never have forgiven htm." The tumult was so great on Mr. Moody's refusing to comply witli the demand of the au- dience, that to appease their wrath Mr. Garrick promised he should not appear on the stage again during the time he was under their displeasure. —Mr. Moody's situation was by no means eligible : he was reduced to the necessity of either taking leave of the capital, and joining the itinerant actors in the country, or of depend- ing upon the generosity of the ma- nager. He could expect no mercy from the gentlemen who had en- joined so severe a penance for an act of duty : he was therefore deter- mined, after weighing all conse- quences, to seek redress from the ori- ginal plotter of all the mischief, Mr. Fitzpatrick himself, and accordingly waited upon him at his chambers in the Temple. Mr. Fitzpatrick, per- ceiving that Mr. Moody was deter- mined to exact satisfaction, asked him what reparation he wished to have. Mr. Moody said, he expected that he would sign his name to a paper, and repair the injury, by acknowledging that he had acted to- wards him in a most unjust and im- proper manner ; at the same time that he would request his friends not to insist on the penance prescribed to Mr. Moody, but to receive him to favour, on his making any reasonable excuse. Mr. Fitzpatrick now as- sumed the man ; he declared that no power on earth should prevail on him to sign such a writing. Mr. Moody then renewed his positive re- solution to right himself. After some further altercation, Mr. Fitzpatrick proposed to serve Mr. Moody in ano- ther way, and perhaps more effec- tually than the signing any instru- ment whatever: he wrote a letter to Mr. Garrick, in a strain very conde- scending, and to a proud man very humiliating. The chief purport of his epistle was to acquaint him, that whenever he thought proper to in- troduce MO MO txoduce Mr. Moody to the audience, be and all his friends would attend, and contribute to his being reinstated in the favour of the public In this manner this troublesome affair con- cluded, and Mr. Moody returned to the stage, on which he remained till the end of the season of 1796, when he retired. He latterly seemed too negligent of his fame, and however great his early representations of the Hibernian characters might have been, his late performances of them were so tarae and indifferent, that he was a Sir Lucius O'Trigger with- out humour, and a Major Dennis O'Flaherty without spirit. These are qualities which in Churchill's time he must have possessed, or how could he have created " Mirth from their Follies — from their Virtues praise." MOKE, (HANNAH) dramatist was born in Bristol, where for some time she kept a boarding school for ladies. She produced a tragedy, called "The Inflexible Captive, " which was acted one night at Bath, 1774 ; also " Percy," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1777 , and " Fa- tal FaUehood," do. 1779. Mrs. Cowley produced a tragedy the suc- ceeding season at the Haymarket, called " Albina," which was so si- milar to " Fa;al Falsehood" that the critics complained of plagiarism, and a paper war commenced between Miss More and Mrs. Cowley. The former had certainly the advantage, for her play wa, performed previous, and was well represented. Mrs. Cowley s tragedy, which succeeded it, was ill supported. The character allotted to Mrs. Montague was so op- posite to that lady's feelings, that. notwithstanding her exertions, she failed in it. Mrs. Massey also, who performed Albina, was to have spoken the prologue, but she was so confused, she could not deliver it.— The literary contest between these ladies was very violent, and proba- bly i: is owing to this that Mi*s More has never since written for the stage. —She published a volume, entitled " Sacred Dramas," I7S2, and lias endeavoured to correct the present mode of Female Education, for which lauuable endeavour she has lately received the commendations of the chinch. She has complained of the immorality of the German Drama, which has proved contagious to the English, and has inferred, that till the introduction of those plays, the crimes of adultery and seduction were never rendered amiable on our stage. Miss More, however, has forgot the comedy of " The Chapter of Acci- dents:" still there is much truth in her assertions ; and it would be happy for every young lady if she had so capable — so excellent a pre- ceptoress. MOORE, (EDWARD) dramatist, was bred a linen-draper, and mar- ried the daughter of Mr. Hamilton, table-decker to the princesses, who had also a very poetical genius. Mr. Moore produced " The Foundling," comedy, 1748 ; " Gil Bias," do. 1751 ; and " The Gamester," tragedy, 1753 ; all acted at Drury Lane. He died Febnaary 17, 1757. There is a Mr. Moore, who this season (1801) produced a musical entertainment at the Haymarket, called " The Gipsy Prince." He is a native of Ireland, and has written some ele- gant poems, he. MOOREHEAD, (JOHN) com- poser, was born in Ireland, of respec- table parents, who had a large family. He discovered an early attachment to music, and, by constant applica- tion, became a considerable profi- cient in that science. He was em- ployed in the orchestra at several provincial theatres, and first display- ed his abilities as a composer in a piece which was performed with great applause at Sadler's Welis, about three seasons ago. In 1798, he accepted a situation in the or- chestra at Covent Garden, but with the laudable view of introducing his music when an opportunity offered. —The manager soon discovered his merit, and his assistance was solicited in the pantomime of '• I he Volcano," after which lie composed some of the music of " Pcrouse," " II Konda- cani," &c. During the rehearsal of one of his pieces, he left the band to make some necessary observations to the performers, and' to lus gre.u sur- prise wiijincd for being absent from the MO MO the orchestra. Having:, in vain, ex- patiated on the injustice of such fine, he spiritedly quitted a situation where his abilities had created so much envy. As a composer, he cer- tainly possesses more scientific know- ledge and originality than many who assume that name. His brothers are likewise in the musical line, and have always found in John what few bro- thers are, and what every brother should be. MORGAN, (M'NAMARA) au- thor of a tragedy called " Philoclea," acted at Covent Garden, 1754, was a native of Ireland, and called to the Irish bar. Through the interest of Mr. Barry (with whom he had con- tracted a friendship) the above piece was performed, which, having been well supported by the author's friends, met with some success. He died in the year 1762. MORRIS, (EDWARD) dramatist, was a student in the Temple, when he produced "The Adventurers," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1790 ; " False Colours," comedy, acted at the Opera House, by Drury Lane company, 1793 ; and " The Secret," comedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1799. The first piece was written at a very early age, and betokened abilities which only required cultivation.— His comedies have merit, particularly the last, but he has still the secret to learn of pleasing a corrupted taste. There was an actress of the name of Miss Morris, who was a favourite in the country, and belonged to Covent Garden Theatre previous to her mar riage to Mr. Pierce, in 1797. MORTON, (THOMAS) dramatist, was born in the county of Durham. — His father died when he was very young, and the care of his education and fortune devolved on his uncle, Mr. Maddison, who sent him to Soho Square Academy, where he was a contemporary performer in the pri- vate plays of that seminary, with Mr. Holman. He became afterwards a member of Lincoln's Inn. His dra- matic works are " Columbus ; or, the World Discovered," historical drama, acted at Covent Garden, 1792. Mr. Thelwall, then a famous political lecturer, laid claim to this piece. He had sent an opera nine months before to Mr. Harris, on the same subject, which was rejected, and he complained that several inci- dents and characters in it were similar to those in " Columbus," but the fact is, both pieces were chiefly taken from Marmontel, and consequently a similitude was unavoidable. " The Children in the Wood," mu- sical entertainment, acted at the Haymarket, 1793 ; " Zorinski," mu- sical drama, do. 1795 ; " The Way to get Married," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1796 ; " A Cure for the Heart Ache," do. 1797 ; " Se- crets worth knowing," do. 1798 ; " Speed the Plough," do. 1799 ; " The Blind Girl," opera, ditto, 1800. MOSS, (Mf.) actor, was born in Dublin, and at an early period was sent over by his friends to England, where he was engaged in an active profession. His engagements in bu^ siness he quitted for the stage, and joined a company of performers at Enfield, in Essex. By perseverance he became a favourite comedian, particularly at Edinburgh, and thro' Macklin's recommendation was en- gaged for the Dublin theatre, where he performed " The Miser" thirteen nights successively. Having been on all the Iiish stages, he procured an appearance at Drury Lane, where he made his debrt'in Lovegold, (Miser) 1786, but declined an engagement on account of the salary offered. — - Soon after this he was arrested by Mr. Daly, the then Irish manager, either for the forfeiture of articles, or some account between them j what- ever it might have been, it was ad- judged an oppressive case, for Mr. King (then acting manager at Drury Lane) and the late Mr. Colman. were about uniting their efforts for his en- largement, but previous to their in- tention, Mr. Daly thought proper, through his agent, to liberate him, on condition of his subscribing an ad- vertisement, which afterwards ap- peared in (he London papers, ac- knowledging his liberality and gen- tleman-like conduct. The law will not admit of the validity of any paper that is signed by a person in durance, with- MO MO without his attorney is present, and common sense must have been as- sured that Moss's pen was at this time guided by liberty, and not truth. — He now performed a few nights at Bath, and the succeeding summer was engaged at Colman's theatre, and afterwards at Drury Lane, but in consequence of not being brought forward as often as he wished, he solicited his discharge, which was granted 1789. He then went to Edinburgh, and Mr. Daly ha\ing been, in the season of 1791, distressed for a low comedian, Moss was en- gaged by him, on considerable terms, which the manager thought to re- duce by weekly fines ; but Mr. Moss not submitting to these arbitrary de- ductions, went to law with him every week, and recovered his salary. Of course, Mr. Daly and he did not part on very friendly terms. MOsSOP, (HENRY) actor, was born in the year 1729. His father, a clergyman, was rector of Tuam, in the province of Connaught, in the kingdom of Ireland. Henry, as well as his father, was bred in Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, where he obtained his degree. His first appearance on the stage was at Smock Alley, Nov. 28, 1749, in the character of Zanga, (Revenge) which he played three successive nights with uncommon applause. His next character was Richard ; after which he quarrelled with the manager, went to London, and appeared at Drury Lane in the last character with considerable suc- cess. He continued acting in Lon- don, and occasionally in Dublin, till the year 1761, when he became ma- nager of Smock Alley, in opposition to Barn- and Woodward. 'Ibis con- tention, which led to the ruin of his rivals, completed his own, and after various turns of fortune, excluded from Drury Lane and Covent Garrien 'J heatres, he died at Chelsea, Nov. 1773, in extreme poverty, having only one halfpenny in h\- possession at his decease. Mr. Garrick pro- posed to bury him at his own expence, hut his uncle prevented that offer fiom taking place. This actor ex- celled most in characters of ire, am- bition, an 1 regal tyranny. He had a strong and harmonious voice, which could rise from the lowest note to the highest pitch of sound, and was indeed one of the most comprehen- sive ever heard. Notwithstanding, in his accents there were frequent im- proprieties, as Churchill has remark- ed, and in tender passages he was very aukward. He was exceedingly vain of his abilities, and that vanity (as is generally the case) was accom- panied with jealousy. He was of- fended that Garrick should play Richard after his performance of it at Drury Lane, when the play, and perhaps the player, was commanded by the Prince of Wales. In acting, he frequently worked himself up to a belief that he was the very person he represented, and one night that he returned home to his lodgings after performing King Richard, he riew into a violent passion with his servant, who appeared before him with a small candle, and asked him if that was a taper fit to light hi* Majesty to bed ? Notwithstanding all his defects, he was in London* after Garrick and Barry, the most ap- plauded and valuable actor. MOTTLEY, (JOHN) dramatist, was born in 1692. and received the first rudiments of his education at St. Martin's Library School, but was soon called forth into business, having been placed in the Excise Office at sixteen years of age, under the Comptroller, Lord Viscount Howe, whose brother and sister were both related by marriage to his mother. — This place he kept till 1720, when, in consequence of an unhappy con- tract he had made, probably in pur- suit of some of the bubbles of that infatuated year, he was obliged to resign it. Soon after the accession of George I. he was promised the place of one of the C-r.nmissioners of the Wine Licence Office ; hut when the day came that his name should be inserted in the patent, a more power - ful interest, to hi-, ^rrat surprise, had stepped in between him and the pre- ferment. He was likewise disap- pointed of a place in the Exchequer, which had been absolutely given to him by Sir Rnheit Walpole, but the minister afterwards reelected, th.it A a he MO he had made a prior promise of it to another. Finding his fortune in some measure impaired, and his prospects over-clouded, he applied to his pen for the means of immediate support, and his first play, and some of the succeeding ones, met wiih tolerable success. He died October 30, 1750. His dramatic pieces are "The Im- perial Captives," tragedy, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1720; " Antio- chus," do. 1721 ; " Penelope," bur- lesque opera, acted at the new the- atre in the Haymarket. 1728 ; " The Craftsman ; or, Weekly Journalist," farce, 1728; "The Widow bewitch- ed," comedy, acted at Goodman's Fields," 1730. He also assisted in the farces of " The Devil to Pay," and " Penelope." MOUNTAIN, (Mrs.) actress and singer, maiden name Wilkinson, was born in London about the year 1770. On the opening of the Circus, ( 1782) where her father and mother were also employed, she made her first appearance before the public in a burletta, (the characters having been all sustained by children from six to twelve years old) and gave early spe- cimens of her ability and judgment. Having performed a few nights at the Haymarket, she was introduced to Mr. T. Wilkinson, (no relation to her family) who brought her out at Hull, in the character of Patty, (Maid of the Mill) where she met wiih en- couragement, and so rapidly im- proved in her profession, that as soon as the company commenced their season at York, the manager liberal- ly raised her salary. Here she be- came a great favourite, and when Mrs. Jordan quitted the company for Drury Lane, was appointed her substitute. After this she played at Liverpool, and in 1786' was engaged at Covent Garden, where she appear- ed in the characters of Fidelia, (Foundling) and Leonora, (Padlock) wiih general applause ; but during the season, had not frequent oppor- tunities of exerting her abilities. She now married Mr. Mountain, a native of Ireland, then leader of the theatre and concert hall, Li- verpool, and who afterwards became leader of the band at Covent Garden. MO — In the summer of 178% she visited Dublin, where her performances were highly approved of. At the close of the season of 1791, she was discharged from Covent Garden for having demanded her salary when indisposition had rendered her inca- pable of performing. She then visited Dublin again during a winter season, and afterwards recovered her situa- tion at Covent Garden, but on the expiration of her articles, in conse- quence of another difference about salary, an additional trifle having been desired, she was finally dis- missed. She dien sung at Vauxhall, and has lately procured engagements for winter and »ummer at Drury Lane and the Haymarket. Though not a first-rate actre»s and singer, she soars far above mediocrity, particu- larly as a singer, and her utility as both to a theatre is evident, since her place at Covent Garden has not yet been supplied to the satisfaction of the public. MOZART, (W. A.) composer, from whose works much has been borrowed for the English stage, was born at Saltzburg in 17.it), where his father was master of the chapel. — Young Mozart, at the age of three years, attending to the lessons which his sister, then seven years old, was receiving at the harpsichord, sudden- ly became captivated with the har- mony ; and when she had left the instrument, he would instantly place himself at it, find the thirds, sound them with the liveliest joy, and em- ploy whole hours at the exercise.-— His father, urged by such earlv and striking indications of genius, imme- diateh began to teach him some lit- tle airs; and soon perceived thai his pupil improved even beyond the hopes he had formed of him. At the age of six years, he had made such progress as to be able to compose short pieces for the harpsichord, which his father was obliged to com- mit to paper for him. From that time nothing made any impression upon hun but harmony ; and infan- tine amusements lost all their attrac- tions unless music had a share in them. His father returning home one day with a stranger, found little Mozart MO MO Mozart with a pen in his hand.— • " What are you writing'" said he, " A concerto for the harpsichord," replied (he child. " Let us see it :" rejoined the father, " It is a marvel- lous concerto, without doubt." He then took the paper, and saw nothing at first but a mass of notes mingled with blots of ink by the mal-address of the young composer, who, un- skilled in the management of the pen, hail dipped it too freely in the ink ; and having blotted and smear- ed his paper, had endeavoured to make out his ideas with his fingers ; but on a closer examination, his father was lost in wonder; and his eyes, delighted, and flowing with tears, became rivetted to the notes. " See," exclaimed he to the stranger, " how just and regular it all is : but it is impossible to play it: it is too difficult." " It is a concerto," c aid the child, " and must be practised till one can execute it. Hear how this part goes." He then sat down to perform it ; but was not able to execute the passages with sufficient fluency to do justice to hi-, own ideas. Extraordinary as his manual facility was universally allowed to he for his age, it did not keep pace with the progress of his knowledge and in- vention. In the year 17b'J, his father took him and his sister to Munich, where he performed a concerto be- fore the elector, which excited the admiration uf the whole court ; nor was he less applauded at Vienna, where the emperor called him the little sorcerer. His father gave him lessons only on the harpsichord ; but he privately taught himself the violin : and his command of the instrument afforded the elder Mozart the utmost surprise, when he one day at a con- cert took a second violin, and ac- quitted him 5 elf with more than 'passa- ble address. True genius sees no obstacles. It will not, therefore, ex- cite our wonder, if his constant suc- cess in whatever he attempted begot an unbounded confidence in his own flowers: he had even the laucLihlc] lardihood to undertake to qualif) [ himself for the fint violin, and did I not long remain shut of the neces- sjry proficiency. In the year )ToJ he made, with his father and sister, his first grand musical journey. He visited Paris ; and was heard by the French court, in the chapel-royal at Versailles, where his talent on the organ was admired even more than on the harpsichord. At Paris, the musical travellers gave two concerts, which procured them the highest re- putation, and the distinction of pub- lic portraits. It was here that a set of sonatas for the harpsichord, some of his earliest compositions, were en- graved and published. From Paris, they went to London, where they also gave two concerts, consisting of symphonies composed by young Mo- zart, who even at that early age, sang also with much expression, and prac- tised publicly with his sister. From London, where Mozart also publish- ed six sonatas for the harpsichord, the musical family went to Holland, thence again to France ; and in 176d returned to Salzburg. In 1768 he again vi-ited Vienna, where Joseph the second engaged him to set to mu ic a comic opera, entitled " La Finta Semplice," which obtained the approbation of Masse and Meta- t.iMo. It was at this time also, that, although bu; twelve years of age, he composed the music for the conse- cration of the church of orphans, at the performance of which he himself presided. In i7fi!) Mozart again re- turned to Sal/burg, where he became maitrt tk concert. Not having yet seen Italy, in the December of the same year, he set out for that seat of the fine arts. Those talents which had already excited the admiration of Germany, France, and England, now awakened in that land of mu- sical taste the most lively entl-.usi.iin. — -In 1771 he had no sooner given personal proofs of his genius, than la scr:ttt/r.i for the following carnival was conferred upon him. He visit- ed Bologna, then as famous for har- monious excellence as Naples, where the celebrated theorist, Martini, was amazed t" see a Gentian boy w<_rk an ! execute the tiieme of a fugue which he pre.enled to him, in the extraordinary style in which Mozart acquitted himself. He next went to Florence: Florence even enhan ed A a J t!.e MO MO the eulogiums which Bologna had la- vished upon him. During the holy week he arrived at Rome, and assist- ed at the " Miserere" in the Sixtine chapel, which performance is justly considered as the ne plus ultra of vocal music. This circumstance claims particular notice, as inducing a proof of another faculty of his mind, only to be equalled by those won- derful powers which he had already demonstrated. He was prohibited from taking a copy of this miserere, and therefore picqued himself on retaining it in his memory. Having heard it with attention, he went home, made out a manuscript from recollection ; returned the next day to the chapel, heard the piece a se- cond time, corrected the rough draught, and produced a transcript which surprised all Rome. This miserere formed a scorer numerous in its parts, and extremely difficult of execution. His mind had em- braced and retained the whole !— He soon after received from the Pope the order of the gilt-spnr ; and at Bo- logna was complimented, by an una- nimous decision, with the title of " Member and Master of the Phil- harmonic Academy." As a proof, fro forma, of his qualifications for this academical honour, a fugue, for four voices, in the church style, wa> required of him, aud he was shut up alone in his chamber. He completed it in half an hour ; and received his diploma. The opera which he com- posed for Milan, was called " Mithri- dates : this piece procured him la tcrittura for the grand opera of the carnival of 1773, which was his Lucia Sul'a. At length, after a tour of fifteen months, he returned to Saltz- burg. In 1777 Mozart visited Paris: but the music of that capital, which so little accorded with hi., taste, to- gether with the disgust he conceived from the base intrigues of the late French court, soon determined him to quit that capital, and return to his domestic comforts. In 1781, at the request of the elector of Bavaria. he composed the opera of " Ielves on the circumstance that this opera was composed for their entertainment. But this fame, this great and universal applause, had not yet produced to the admired artist any solid advantages ; he had obtained no place, no settled in- come ; but subsisted by his operas, and the instructions and occasional concerts which he gave. The pro- fits of these proved insufficient for the style which he was obliged to support ; and his finances became much deranged. The critical situa- tion in which he now found himself, made him resolve to quit Vienna, and seek an asylum in London ; to which metropolis he had been often invited ; but Joseph nominating him compositeur de la ckambre, though with a very inadequate salary, he was induced to accept it ; and Ger- many had the advantage of retaining him. In the year 1791, Mozart, just after he had received the appoint- meht of Mailrt de chapclle of the church of St. Peter, and when he was only thirty-rive years of age, paid the last tribute ; and left the world at once to admire the briliancy, and lament the shortness of his earthly sojournment. Indefatigable, even to his death, he produced during the last few months of his life, his three great ma>ter pieces : " La Flutte Enchantee," " La Clemence de Titus," and a " Requiem," his last production. a La Flutte Enchantee" was composed for one of the theatres at Vienna ; and no dramatic Olio could ever boast a greater success.— " La Clemence de Titus" was request- ed by the states of Bohemia, for the con nation of Leopold. The com- poser began it in his carriage during his route to Prague, and finished it in eighteen days. Some circum- stances attending the composition of the last piece are too interesting to be omitted. A short time Ijefore his death, a stranger came to him with the request that he would compose as specdilyas possible, " A Requiem" for a catholic prince, who, perceiving himself on the verge of the grave, wished, by the execution of such a piece, to soothe his mind, and fami- liarize it to the idea of his approach- ing dissolution. Mozart undertook the work ; and the stranger deposit- ed with him as a security, four hun- dred ducats, though the sum demand- ed was only two hundred. The composer immediately began the work, and during its progress, felt his mind unusually raised and agi- tated. He became at length so in- fatuated with his requiem that he employed not only the day, but some hours of the night, in its composition. — One day, while he was conversing with Madame Mozart on the subject, he declared to her that he could not but be persuaded that it was for himself he was writing this piece.— His wife, distressed at her inability to dissipate so melancholy an im- pression, prevailed on him to give her the score. He afterwards ap- pearing somewhat tranquillized, and more master of himself, she returned the score to him, and he soon relapsed into his former despondency. Oa the day of his death, he asked for the requiem, which was accordingly brought to his bed. " Was I not right," said he, " when I declared that it was for myself 1 was compo- sing this funeral piece !" and the tears trickled from his eyes. This production of a man impressed during its composition with a presentiment of his approaching death is unique in its kind, and contains passages which have frequendy drawn tears from the performers. Mozart, at the time of his death, was considerably involved in debt ; but Vienna and Prague disputed the honour of pro- viding for his widow an I children; and M. Van Switten lias been a fa- ther to them. ---This account is chiefly extracted from a Memoir of him, wriuen bv Mr. Thomas (now Dr.) Hrnhv, a gentleman who has lately distinguished himself in musical com- position, and whose fust dramatic effort was the music of " Joanna," acted atCovent Garden, 1800, which evinced MU MU evinced much science and grandeur. He also composed an Oratorio, called " The Prophecy," &c. MOZEEN, (THOMAS) actor, and author of a farce called " The Heir- ess ; or, Antigallican," acted at Drury Lane, 1759, printed 1762, was bred to the law, and quitted it for the stage. He belonged to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, but made no very conspicuous figure. He published a book, called " Young Scarron," which contained some curious and entertaining adventures of country comedians. He died March 28, 1768. MUNDF.N, (JOSEPHS.) actor, is a native of London, born in 1758. He lost his father in his infancy, and re- mained under his mother's protection till he had attained his twelfth year, when he was placed with an apo- thecary ; but after a month's trial he became disgusted with the pro- fession, and being celebraied for his penmanship, was apprenticed to a writing stationer. His master died widiin two years, and lie was turned over to another in the same line.— Having had an early inclination for the stage, his unsettled situation in- creased his desire, and he followed a performer, with whom he had form- ed an acquaintance, to Liverpool.— The first employment he here re- ceived was to write out the parts, and occasionally he assisted on the stage in silent characters. On the closing of the season, and departure of the company, a number of gentle- men in the town got up the play of 41 Henry the Fourth," when Munden cheerfully assisted, and for the first time spoke on the stage, as one of the Carriers, and as Baidolph. He then joined a strolling campany at Rochdale, in Lancashiie, ind after having experienced all the varieties of an itinerant life, returned to Lon- don, and was kindly received by his mother, notwithstanding her aver- sion to the path he had chosen. — Having now assisted in two or three plays, which weie represented during winter at the Haymarket, by permis- sion of the Lord Chamberlain, his performance was noticed by the Can- terbury manager, (Mr. Hurst) who immediately gave him an engage- ment. Here he attempted the first line of low comedy, ( 1780) and his merit gained him both the good-will and applause of the town. He then played at Biighthelmstone with equal success. At this fme the principal comedian in Chester died, and he was immediately applied to by the then managers, Austin and Whitlock, to supply his place. — Mr. Austin had been a performer at Drury Lane un- der Mr. Garrick's management. — He had been also his confidant, and, on many occasions, his very slave ; but having been only repaid by false promises, he was under the necessity of leaving the manager, (to whom he never returned) his friends, and country, and seeking refuge in Ire- land. — Munden having accepted this invitation, had for some time to con- quer the impression which his fa- vourite predecessor had made on that audience in his respective cha- racters, and his perseverance at length removed their prejudices.— From Chester he went to W hitehaven, thence to Newcastle upon Tyne, and afterwards visited Lancaster, Preston, and Manchester : in short, the actor soon became manager. Austin re- tired, and Munden purchased, in coniunction with Mr. Whitlock, the whole of the company's concerns in the theatres of Newcastle. Lancaster, Preston, Warrington, and Chester: to these they soon after added Shef- field Theatre. At last, wearied with the vexations of management—— teazed with disputes— and disgusted with the complaints of performers, who, though they think themselves gods, are incapable of acting like men, he availed himself of an oppor- tunity of disposing of his share, and cheerfully resigned his authority. On the death of Mr. Edwin, he procured what he had long wished for, an en- gagement in London, and made his lirst appearance at Covent Garden ( 1790) in Sir Francis Gripe, (Busy Body) and Jemmy Jumps, {Farmer) where he met with considerable ap- plause. He had, however, as at Chester, to subdue prejudice, and gradually win the public favour. On the secession of Wilson and Q.uick, he joined MU MU joined a different line of business with the- former, and with equal suc- cess. He performed two seasons at the Haymarket, (1797-8) and also at Dublin with manager Jones. He was one of the performers who com- plained of the grievances at Covent Garden, (see Holman.) As an actor, he is one of the first in the comic line, and not only acts, but dresses his characters with considerable judg- ment. MURPHY, (ARTHUR) drama- tist, and formerly actor, is a native of Ireland, and wasborn in the county of Ro.coinmon, near Elphin, Dec. 'Zl> 1730. His father, Richard Mur- phy, was a merchant in Dublin, and fiis mother, whose maiden name was French, was the daughter of Arthur French, of Tyrone, in -the county of Gal way, and sister to. die late Jeffery French, of Argyll Buildings. Our author was brought to London by his mother, with an elder brother, (since deceased) when eight years old, and was sent to an aunt, Mrs. Plunket, then residing at Boulogne. This lady, in consequence of an ill state of health, was obliged to visit tlie south of France, and previous to her journey, sent her nephew to the college of St. Omers, 1740. At this seminary, he remained six years and a half, and on his return, was sent to the counting-house of Mr. Hanold, an eminent merchant in Cork. Hav- ing spent two years with that gentle- man, by his uncle's desire, he revisited London, and was placed as an as- sistant Iwok-keeper in the banking limine of Ironside and Belchier, in Lombard Street. The cause of his having left Cork has been ascribed to a theatrical dispute which arose in the town, and in which Murphy had taken an active part. Having cul- tivated a taste for literature, he quit- ted iiis mercaniile employment, an. I commenced author in 175'A when he >et up •• The Gray's Inn Journal," which continued two years. I le then attempted the stage, and matte his first appearance on the boards of Covent Garden, in the character of Othello, Oct. 18. 1751. At the end of .the first year, lie removed to Drury Lane, where he remained until the season closed, and renounced the) name of an actor for that of a dra- matist. Though he possessed figure, voice, and competent judgment, yet, like many other authors, he found he could write much better than he could act. Not choosing, however, to depend entirely upon the produc- tons of his pen for support, he deter, mined to study the law, but on his first applications to the Societies of both the Temples and Gray's Inn, he was refused admission, on the illi- beral ground of his having acted on the stage. He was, however, re- ceived as a member at Lincoln's Inn, and in due time called to the Bar. — His dramatic pieces for the stage are, ■' The Apprentice," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1756 ; " The English- man from Paris," do. 1757 ; " The Upholsterer; or, What News?" do. 1758 ; " The Orphan of China," tra- gedy, do. 1759 ; " The Desert Island," dramatic poem, do. 1760 ; " The Way to Keep Him," comedy, three acts, do. 1760 ; the same enlarged to five acts, do. 1761 ; " All in the Wrong," do. 1761 ; "The Old Maid," farce, do. 1761 ; " The Citizen," farce, do. 1761, acted at Covent Garden, 1763; "No One's Enemy but his Own," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1764 ; " What we must all come to," farce, do. 176t, altered and called " Three Weeks after Marriage," 1776; "The Choice," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1765 ; " The School for Guardians," co- medy, acted at Covent Garden, 1767 ; •' Zenobia," tragedy, acted at Drurjr Lane, 1768; "The Grecian Daugh- ter," do. 1772 ; " Alzuma," do. 1773; " News from Parnassus," pre- lude, do. 1776; " Know your own Mind," comedy, do. 1777 ; and "The Rival Sifters," tragedy, acted at the Opera House by Drury Lane com- pany, 17W>. He wrote other pieces, which were never acted, besides translations, poems, prologues, &c. lie has lately published some account of Garrick. but there are few anec- dotes in it that have not been already known. Churchill, in his Rosciacf, was pleased to ascriiie to him a lack if brn'-ns ; but h.id that ri^iri critic witnessed some of the productions of MU MU of the present day, he might well have complained of the barrenness of other heads, and wished them half the furniture of Murphy's Upper Story. MURRAY, (CHARLES) actor, was born in Cheshunt, near London, 1754. He is the son of Sir John Murray, at Broughton, baronet, whose name stand, so conspicuous in the annals of the Rebellion of 1745, as secretary to the Pretender ; and who, on account of the active part which he took in the cause of that unfortu- nate prince, was arraigned for high treason, but afterwards pardoned by the king. Charles, under the imme- diate guidance of his father, received a very excellent classical education, and at a proper season was sent to France, to acquire the language of that country. On his return to Eng- land, he was placed under a medical gentleman in London, and having attained a competent knowledge of pharmacy and surgery, became a surgeon's mate in the sea service, in which capacity he remained during several voyages which he made up the Mediterranean. In 1774, he was appointed at Liverpool, in whose infirmary he was a student, to a ves- sel bound to the coast of Guinea, but relinquished the post from a pie- sentiment that he should not survive the fatal influence of the climate. — Having performed with some ap- plause at a private theatre in Liver- pool, he determined, in spite of his friends, to quit the sea service, and venture on the stage. This intention he communicated to Mr. Younger, te in music, and was very happy in producing rhymes, and adapting new words to old music- He latterly became blind, and em- ployed an amanuensis, who was constantly with him, as he was con- stantly making alterations. His })ieces are chierly burlettas, and tho' lis style has been imitated, it has never been equalled. The first of these, " Miila's" (ai'ted at Covent Garden, 17t>4) was a favourite piece at an elegant puppet show in Dub- lin, which was supported by sub- scription, for the reception of select parties, and was honoured with a I visit from the late Duke of Rutland, I when lord lieutenant of Ireland. — | lie also wrote -'The Golden Pip- pin," burletta, acted at Covent Gar- | rien. 177J : this and " Midas" were afterwards reduced to two arts ; *' The Two Misers," musical enter- tainment, do. 1775; -'April Day," burletta, aaed at the Haymjvket, 1777 ; and •* Tom Thumb," bur- lesque, acted at Coven*. Garden, 17m). O'KEEFL, (JOHN) dramatist, and formerly actor, is a native of Ireland, and originally was intended for a painter. He was a student at the Royal Academy in Dublin, under the celebrated Mr. West, and had a bro- ther who was a painter of some re- spect in Dublin. John made a con- siderable progress in drawing, but never touched the |>encil : a defect in his sight, and an early intercourse with spouters, joined to a most insa- tiable thirst for reading, turned him (from the pursuit chalked out by his patents) towards the drama ; he wrote many dramatic trifles, which, though never offered to the public, are said, by his friends, to bear strong marks of genius, taste, and theatrical knowledge. At fifteen he wrote a comedy of five acts, which, though wild, and in many instances puerile, he conducted to the denouement with ingenuity. Filled with those inclinations, he now entirely devoted himself to such books, and earnestly sought the company of such men of all ages, as could help to the attain- ment of what was become his fa- vourite wish, a situation in the the- atre. Accident brought it about.-— He accompanied a friend to Mr. Mosson, merely to learn how such meetings were managed ; he took courage, confessed the bent of his in- clination ; Mr. Mossop desired to hear him — he attempted Jaffier't speech, scene the first, pleased Mr. Mossop, and, before parting, was en- gaged for three years in the Dublin Theatre, while his friend was reject- ed. He played in that city, and in the most respectable towns to which they made summer excursions, about twehe years. Though tragedy was his first choice, an accident soon dis- covered his forte to be comedy, to which study he turned his mind, and became the prime favourite ; finding: himself fully po-aessed of the public opinion as an actor, his ambition to figure as an author discovered itself, a:id he produced every year some local triile at his benefit.' His first piece, a pastoral, " Colin's wel- come," replete with pleasant -itua- don, was universally well leceive !. lhe songs were of his own adapnn.-. i> b •£ Uc OK O K He has an excellent taste for music, though no theoretic knowledge, and wrote many essays, epigrams, &c. but his chef cfacuvre in dramatic ■writing in Ireland, was a kind of his- trionic interlocution, called " Tony Lumpkin's Rambles through Dublin" (himself the original performer there of that character in Goldsmith's co- medy). This piece gave unbounded scope to that inclination which he gives manifest proof-, of in all his writings-- broad humour. He was not, however, much encouraged as an author in Dublin, for his " Positive Man" was first acted at Smock Alley Theatre, during the management of Mr. Mossop, under the title of " The Gallant ; or, Square Toes outwit- ted ;" and " The Agreeable Sur- prise," during the management of Mr. Ryder, under the title of "The Secret enlarged," without suc- cess. His " Tony Lumpkin ; or. The Dilettante," was also first acted in Dublin, which he sent anonymous- ly to the late Mr. Colman, and which was played with success at the Hay- market, 1772. This was succeeded by " The Son in Law," musical en- tertainment, do. 1779, which be- came a favourite piece in Dublin, and was played by Mr. Daly one night at Smock Alley, in opposition to Mr. O'Keeffe's benefit at Crow Street.-— Soon after this he left Dublin, in con- sequence of an unavoidable separa- tion from his wife, who is the daugh- ter of Mr. Heaphy, now called the father of the Irish stage, (see Heaphy. ) —She performed the chief characters in tragedy and sentimental comedy, and was once the favouri'e Juliet of Smock Alley, but her abilities were ceitainly over rated, Mr. O'Keeffe, on his arrival in London, applied for an engagement, when his services as an actor were rejected, probably owing to the character he bears as such in the new edition of Baker's Biographia Dramatica, which was published about this time, wherein he is denied any genius or abilities as an actor, though it was allowed by many judges in Dublin that he had considerable merit in the profession. Sometimes, indeed, he overacted his fiart ; but in Tony Lumpkin, Uigg:-ry, and such characters, where he could" indulge his humour for eccentric stage-trick, he was unrivalled. He was also excellent in some old men, Don Manuel, (She would and She would not) ; Old Philpot, (Citizen), &c. He now applied himself en- tirely to dramatic composition, hav- ing produced " The Dead Alive," musical entertainment, acted at the Haymarket, 1781; " The Agreeable Surprize," do. 1781; "The Ban- ditti ; or, Love's Labyrinth," opera, acted at Covent Garden, 1782: this was condemned, and was afterwards produced with success under the title of " The Castle of Andalusia ;" " Positive Man," farce, acted at Co- vent Garden, 1782 ; " Lord Major's Day; or, a Flight from Lapland, speaking pantomime, do. 1782 ; " The Maid's the Mistress," farce, acted for Signora Se tini's benefit at Covent Garden, 1783 ; " The Sham- rock ; or, Anniversary of St. Patrick," musical entertainment, acted for Mr. Lewis's benefit at Covent Garden, 1783, afterwards altered and called " The Poor Soldier ;" " The Young- Quaker," comedy, acted at the Hay- market, 1783; •'The birth Day ; or, l-'rince of Arragon," occasional enter- tainment, do. 1783; "Friar Bacon: or. Harlequin's Adventures in Lilli- put," pantomime, Covent Garden, 1783 . " Peeping Tom" musical en- tainment, acted at the Haymarket, 178+ ; " Fontainbleau ; or, Our Way in France," comic opera, acted at Covent Garden, 1781; 'The Black- smith of Antwerp, ' farce, do. con- demned 1785 ; " A Bt ggaron Horse- back," dramatic proverb, acted at the Haymarket, 178.5, " Omai ; or, A Trip round the World," panto- mime, acted at Covent Garden, 1785 ; " Love in a Camp ; or, Pa- trick in Prussia," musical entertain- ment, do. 1786 ; " '1 he Siege of Cur- zola," comic opera, acted at the Haymarket without success, 1786; " Tbe Man Milliner," musical enter- tainment, acted at Covent Garden without success, 1787 ; " The Far- mer." musical enteitainment, acted at Covent Garden, 1787; "Tantarara Rogues all," do. without success, 1788; " The Prisoner at large,'' farce, acted OK OL acted at the Haymarket, 1788 ; "The Highland Keel," comic opera, acted at Cuvent Garden, 1788 ; " The Toy ; or. a Party at Hampton Court," comedy, do. 178V,— this was said to be a piece left by Pilon unfinished; it was afterwards reduced, and cal- led " The Lie of the Day," 17%. (See Pibn). " The Little Hunch- back ; or, a Frolic at Bagdad," farce, do. 1789 ; " The Czar," comic opera, do. without success, 1790, afterwards reduced, and called " The Fugitive;" " The Basket Maker," musical en- tertainment, acted at the Haymarket without success, 1790 ; " Modern Antiques; or, the Merry Mourners," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1791 ; " V\ ild Oats ; or, The Strolling Gen- tlemen," comedy, do. 1791; "Sprigs of Laurel," musical entertainment, do. 1793, afterwards called " The Rival Soldiers," 1797; "The Lon- don Hermit ; or, Rambles in Dorset- shire," comedy, acted at the Hay- market. 1793 ; " The World in a Village," do. acted at Covent Gar- den, 179.) ; " Life's Vagaries," do. 1795; "The Irish Mimic; or, Blun- ders at Brighten," musical enter- tainment, do. 179.5 . " The Magic Banner ; or, Two Wives in one House," musical drama, acted at the Haymarket without success, 1796; " f'he Lads of the Hills ; or, Wicklow Gold Mines." comic opera, acted at Covent Garden, 1796, afterwards reduced, and called by the latter title; " The Doldntm ; or, 1803," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1796 : the manager had so little opinion of thi, piece, that he did not attend the rehearsals. '• she's Eloped," comedy, acted at Drurv Lane, and condemn- ed, 1798; " the Eleventh of June ; or, Daggerwoods at Dunstable," farce, acted at Drury Lane for a be- nefit. 17:'S ; " A Nosegay of Weeds ; or. (Jld Servants in New Places," do. 1 7'is. Mr. Harris gave the author the idea of this piece, (in which all the chief chancers in his former plays were introduced together) hut the manner in which it was executed did not meet « ;t ! i his approbation.— It wjs a!-o re* I in the Green Room at the Haymarket, and disap- proved of. Perhaps no author ever altered his pieces so much as Mr. O'Keeffe. The second act of " The Sonin-Law," is entirely dif- ferent from what it was originally. " The London Hermit" which is a comedy of three acts, was originally five. He alwa>s complied with the advice of the managers, and readily omitted any character, \c. that was objected to. His works, except some few belonging to the Haymarket Theatre, for the publication of which he could not obtain leave, but in- cluding all those belonging to Co- vent Garden, with the permission of the manager, were published b) sub- scription, 4 vol. 8vo. 1798. He has been lately almost deprived of his sight, which from his infancy, as al- ready remarked, liadbeen defective, and the manager of Covent Garden, mindful of the services he has render- ed the theatre, generouly gave him a benefit in 1800, when the season concluded on that occasion with " The Lie of the Day," " Three Weeks after Marriage ; and " Paul and Virginia." At the end of the second act, Mr. O'h'eell'e was led on the stage by Mr. Lewis, and delivered a poetical address, in which humour and pathos were whimsically blend- ed. The subject of this address was miscellaneous. It contained some high eulogiums on Shakespear, and some modest allusions to himself, with a tribute of gratitude to the actors who supported his cause, and to the public, who had so long patro- nized his works. The address was delivered with simplicity and feeling, and with some attempts at plea- santry, which, however, his own sen- sibility interrupted, and which, in- deed, hardly accorded with 1 he sym- pathy of the audience, who seemed, throughout the recitation, to he deep- ly affected. He was led away amidst the warmest testimonies of public compassion and applause. — On this occasion Mr. Uuick and Mrs. Jordan gave their gratuitous services. OLDFIELD, (ANN1 actress, was horn in I6S3. Her father rode in the guards, and had a commission under King lames, hut left hi, family in a condition that made it necessary for Miss Oldtield to be put to a semp- stress OL OL stress, !n King Street, Westminster. Her mother and she lived for some time with a relation who kept the Mitre Tavern, in St. James's Market. The talent, in which she so eminent- ly shone, displayed itself very early in life, though it was owing to an odd circumstance that, it was first pro- perly discovered. Mr. Farquhar was accidently at the tavern above- named, when he was struck with the voice of a person reading a comedy in the room behind the bar, with so just a vivacity and humour, as gave him, at the same time, infinite sur- prize and satisfaction : he soon ac- quainted Sir John Vanbrugh, who was a friend to the family, and had a share in the theatre, witu the jewel thus fortunately found ; but it was some time before she could be pre- vailed upon to appear on the stage, though she afterwards was ajit to con- fess, that she only wanted a few de- cent intreaties. Sir John Vanbrugh, thoroughly satisfied with so promising a genius, recommended her to Mr. Rich, then patentee of the King's Theatre, who engaged Miss Oldfield at the low salary of sixteen shillings a week. This was in the year 1699 ; and here she remained for a twelve- month, considered almost as a mute, and disregarded, till Sir John Van- brugh gave her the part of Alinda, in the " Pilgrim" of' Beaumont and Fletcher. This gentle character hap- pily became that want of confidence which is inseparable from young be- ginners, who, witltout it, seldom rise to excellence : indeed, so extraordi- nary a diffidence did she set out with, as to keep her despondingly down to a formal, flat manner of speaking : nor did she get forward till the year 1703, when, in the cha- racter of Leonora, (Sir Com tly Nice) Miss Oldfield surprised the audience into the opinion of her having all the innate requisites of a good actress. — Upon this unexpected sally of her powers, the " Careless Husband," which had been thrown aside by the author, in despair of having justice done to the character of Lady Betty Modish, was now finished, and was brought upon the stage in the following season of 170 t. The un- common reception this comedy met with, was owing, in a great measure, not only to the excellence of Mrs. Oldfield's action, but even to her petsonal manner of conversing. — Many sentiments in this character may be said to be originally her own. Had her birth placed her m a higher rank, she had certainly appeared in reality what, in this play, she only excellently acted. All that nature had given her of the actress seemed now to have risen to its full perfec- tion ; but the variety of her power could be known only by variety of character, which, as far as they fell to her, she equally excelled in. The last new character in which she shone, was that of Lady Townly, (Provoked Husband) and was a proof that she was still able to do more, if more could have been done for her. The managers, sensible of their obligations to her, upon this occasion, made her a compliment of fifty guineas more than her agreement. In her full round of glory in comedy, she was rather inclined to slight tragedy, and would often say, " I hate to have a page dragging my tail about." — When " Mithridates" was revived, it was withdifficuhy she was prevailed on to take her part ; but she perform- ed it to the utmost length ot perfec- tion, and was afterwards much better reconciled to tragedy. In Calista she was inimitable ; in Cleopatra, majesty itself. So finished a figure* perhaps, never adorned the English stage. A less degree of praise must fall to her moral character. Soon after her first appearance on the stage, she contracted an intimacy with Mr. Maynwaring, which conti- nued for nine or ten years, till tlie time of his death in 17 12. After this gentleman's death, she engaged the regard of Brigadier-General Charles Churchill. It has been said of her, that, even in her amours, she seemed to lose that glare which ap- pears round the persons of the failing fair; and that it was never known that she troubled the repose of any lady's lawful claim. In honour of her generosity of mind, we mention in this place Mr. Savage, son of the Earl of Rivers, who, when persecuted l.y OL O W by an unnatural mother, and reduced } to great indigence, received from her a bounty of fifty pounds a year, so long as she lived. She was once proposed to be one of the managers of the theatre ; but her sex was thought to be an objection to that measure ; and, when she was re- quested to name her own terms, and to continue in her former station, she asked no more than two hundred a year and a benefit. Her salary, however, was soon raised to three hundred guineas, without her ever after desiring to have it increased. — To the last scene she acted in, she continued to be the delight of her spectators ; and may be said, in con- junction with Mr. Wilks, by their so frequently playing against each other in our best comedies, to have been the supjMirt of that humour and vivacity which is so peculiar to the English stage. The last character she appeared in was Lady Brute, (Provoked Wife) April 18, 1730.— She had been long in a declining state of health, though the natural chear- fulness of her temper kept it out of sight, and she continued acting with universal applause ; but in the midst of loud claps, the tear often trickled down her cheeks. In the last two months of her illness, when no longer able to assist, she declined receiving her salary, though by agreement she was entitled to it. She died, Oct. 23, 17,;o, leaving generous legacies to her relations and friends, and very handsome fortunes to Mr. Mayn- waring and Mr. Churchill, her two natural sons, the latter of whom af- terwards married Lady Anna Maria Walpole, natural daughter to Sir Ro- bert Walpole, Earl of Orford. Her corpse lay in state at the Jerusalem chamber, and was, with great funeral pomp, interred at Westminster Ab- bey, atlorned, at her own request, with a head-dress of Brussels lace ; » holland shift, with tucker and dou- ble rulries of the same lace ; and a pair of new kid gioves. Her pall was supported by Lord de la War, Lord Harvey, the Right lion. George Bub Doddington, Charles Hedges. !erformers, Mr. Ban- nister, Mr. Delpitii, Mr. Griffiths Arc. wete at different times commit- ted as vagrants. With these disad- vantages, and, the worst of all, in- different house-, Mr. Palmer peise- vered, and the managers of Drury Lane having announced " The School for Scandal," and ''The Quaker," for the opening of their theatre this season, on the unexpected secession of Mr. Palmer, who still continued at the Royalty, and having no substi- tute for the character of Joseph Sur- face, lost a night. Mr. Palmer, that this loss might not be wholly imputed to him, published his reasons for withdrawing from the theatre, in- cluding his correspondence on that subj ct with Mr. King 1 , then deputy manager at Drury Lane, in which he set forth, that having been insulted by Mr. Linley, in conjunction with the other managers, who had stig- matized him and his brethren with the appellations of vagrant, rogue, and vagabond, that it would be meanness of spirit in him to act any longer at Diuiy Lane. However, though it was his fixed determination never again to appear on Drury Lane boards, yet if it was inconvenient to alter the play that was advertised, or impossible to find a substitute for his character, sooner than the public- should be di appointed, he would perform ; which offer again he re- peated. His offer, however, was not accepted : the managers were resolved to lose the night, in order to gain a greater cause of complaint. At this time Mr. Palmer was amused with the hopes of obtaining a patent : he petitioned Parliament, b .t it was peremptonlj negatived, and all en- deavour having proved vain, he re- tui ned to his situation at Drury lane, where he appeared in Young Wild- ing, and the applicable speech of his brother, who performed Sir J. Elliot, on meeting him, occa-ioned lo'id plaudits throughout the house. By this unfortunate scheme of the Roy- alty Theatre, Mr. Palmer was consi- derably involved, but having obtain- ed the rules of the King's Bench, he delivered his Lecture on Heads, and speeches out of various plays, at the Circus, (1789) and at length per- formed a character there in a Spec- tacle called " The Bastile," foe which he was apprehended ( 1790) upon an information for acting, con- trary to the Statute, and committed to the Surrey Bridewell, at which place Mr. Barrett had also been con- fined on a similar charge. An ap- plication was made to the Court of King's Bench on Mr. Palmer's behalf as a prisoner of that court, and a meeting of his creditors soon after taking place, it was agreed that he should perform at the established theatres, making a certain reserve out of his weekly salary towards the discharge of his debts At last he was so harrassed by the accumulated costs of atr rnies, that he determined on going to America, and with this view went with his family to Edin- burgh, for the purpose of embarking at Glasgow. Here he gave lectures in the New Town with Mr. Lee Lewis, and iheir success was so great, that they continued their entertain- ments, with the assistance of Mr. R. Palmer and Mr. Wilson. Lee Lewis was to have joined Palmer in his American scheme, but the affairs of I the latter having been somewhat ac- commodated by the kind interference of Mr. Moody, he andhisfamily re- turned again to London. For per- sonal safety, however, he was often obliged to live in the theatre, hut as he could not always be thus accom- modated at Mr. Colman's house, it is said, that one night when he was announced to perform, and conse- quently obliged to attend, that he was conveyed there in Doctor Leni- tive's box in the farce of " The Prize," which farce, with the et cetera, was borrowed by Colman from Drury Lane. Latterly' he quitted his situation at the Haymarket, and em- ployed his summer seasons in the country. His la.-t engagement was a' Liverpool, and on the morning of the day on which he was to have C c 2 per- PA PA performed " The Stranger,'' he re- i ceived, for the first time, the dis- tressing intelligence of the death of his second son, a youth in whom his tenderesi hopes were centered, and whose amiable manners had brought into action the tendered affections of a parent. The play, in consequence of this, was deferred ; and during the interval he had in vain endeavoured to calm the agitation of his mind.— The success with which he performed trie part, called for a second repre- sentation, (August 2, 1798) in which he fell a sacrifice to the poignancy of his own feelings, and in which the audience were doomed to witness a catastrophe which was truly melan- ch ly. In the fourth act, Baron Steinfort obtains an interview with the Stranger, whi m he discovers to be his old friend. He prevails on him to relate the cause of his seclu- sion from the world : in this relation the f_elings of Mr. Palmer were visibly much agiialed ; and at the moment he mentioned his wife and children, having uttered (as in the character) " Oh God ! God ! there is another, and a better world !" he fell lifeless on the stage. The audience supposed for the moment that his fall was nothing more than a studied ad- dition to the part ; but on seeing him carri.d off in deadly stiffness, the utmost astonishment and terror became depicted in every counte- nance. Hammerton, Cal'an, and Mara, were the persons who con- veyed the lifeless corpse from the stage into the scene room. Medical assistance was immediately pro- cured ; his veins were opened, but they yielded not a single drop of blood, aud every other means of re- suscitation were had recourse to, with- out effect. The gentlemen of the fa- culty, finding every endeavour inef- fectual, formally announced his death. —The surgical operations upon the body continued about an hour ; after which, all hopes of recovery having •vanished, he was carried home to his lodging, on a bier, where a re- gular inventory was immediately taken of his property. Mr Ai.:ken, the manager, came on the stage to announce the melancholy event to the audience, but so completely over- come with grief, as to be incapable of uttering a sentence, and was at length forced to retire without being able to make himself understood : he was bathed in tears, and, for the moment, sunk, under the generous feelings of his manly nature. Incle- don then came forward, and muster- ed sufficient resolution to c mmuni- cate the dreadful circumstance. — The house wa^ instantly evacuated in mournful silence ; and the peo- ple, forming themselves into parties, contemplated the fatal occurrence in the open square till a late hour next morning. Doctors Mitchell and Corry gave it as their opinion, that he certainly died of a broken heart, in consequence of the family afflic- tions which he had lately experienced. — •The theatre was shut up on the occasion for thiee days, when his funeral took place. The hearse was preceded by four mourning coaches, (being the whole the town could fur- nish) and one glass coach ; and fol- lowed by Messrs. Aicken, Holman, Whitfield, lncledon, Mattocks, and Wild. The chief mourners were, Mr. Hurst, (as his oldest acquain- tance) and a Mr. Stevens, h.s cou- sin. Next came Major Potts ; Capt. Snow, a gentleman who performed O.-man, (Zara) at Coven; Garden, October 7, 1791, under the assumed name of Harvey ; Capt. Kennedy ; Messrs. Hammerton, Farley, Tom- kins, Toms, Emery, Demaria, (the painter) Clinch, Hollmgawood, and the re.tof the company; the whole of wlrom accompanied the corpse in mournful silence from Liverpool to the neighbouiing village of Warton, where it was interred. Prayers be- ing read over the body, it was com- mitted to a grave, seven feet deep, dug in a rock. The coffin was of oak, coveied with black cloth, and on the plate was simply inscribed, " Mr. 'John Palmer, aged 53." Jie was, however, three or four years older, but there was no person in Liverpool who correcily knew his age. Not long before his death, his creditors had insured his life at Black- friars for 20001. and he was appoint- ed deputy-manager at Druiy L >r,e. He h Q • t n'» rmed ot his merit, he came out in Drury lane in the character of Fil.h, (Beggar's Opera) in 1763, and his wile, on the same night, in Mrs. Peachum. Mrs. Parsons abi- lities did not soar above mediocrity, but Mr. Parsons soon acquired a hi^h rank in the theatre as low co- median. His line of business not interfering with thai of the manager's, he was both encouraged and instruct- ed by Mr. Garrick ; and in order to avail himself of these instructions, he declined all summer engagements in the Country, lie joined Mr. Col- man's company at the Haymarket, a:ul was for many season: the chief support of that theatre. He died February, 1795, and was attended to the grave by the present Mr. Col- man. This actor was p issesse t of infinite humour, and had a perfect knowledge of the stage. His chief characters were, Foresight, (Love for Love) Sir Fretful Plagiary, (Critic) Uoiley, (Who's the Dupe!) ttc. — His representations of old men were rich and finished, yet he possessed a greater portion of art than nature; but in this art he displayed such con- summate judgment, that he never failed in extorting true applause-— universal laughter ! He has had, and still has, many imitators, who rather disgust than entertain ; for, by practi ing his art, without displaying any share of his judgment, which ren- dered his performances apparently chaste, they render themselves ridi- culous by their palpable grimace and buffoonery. PEARCE, (WM.) is the author of " The Nunnery," musical entertain- ment, acted at Covent Garden, 1785 ; " Hertford Bridge." ditto, 1792; " The Midnight Wanderers," do. 1793; " Netley Abbey," do. 179* ; " Arrived at Portsmouth," ditto, 1794 ; and " Windsor Castle ; or, the Fair Maid of Kent," do. 1795. PENKETHMAN, (Mr.) actor, was a celebrated comedian in the early part of the century, but there are no particulars of him recorded. He died in 1740. PETERSON, (Mr.) actor, belong- ed to Goodman's Fields company the season in which Mr. Garrick appear- ed, and performed Buckingham to his Richard. In 1743 he played at Drury Lane, though it has been said that he declined an engagement there. He was at York, Chester, &c. and produced a farce acted at the provincial theaties, called "The Rarce Show ; or, the Fox trapt." — At one of the towns where the Nor- wich company performed, the play of " Measure for Measuie" was an- nounced for representation. The Duke, Mr. Peterson ; Claudio, Mr. Moody ; and in the scene where tiie Duke endeavours to reconcile Claudio to the resignation of life, just as he began the famous speech PH PI speech, " Reason thus with life." ice. he dropped down in an apo- plectic fit, and died immediately. PH1LLIMORE, (Mr.) actor, was brought up to the business of a coach carver, which he deserted for the stage, and made his first theatrical essay at Bristol, under the manage- ment of Mr. Quick, from whom he received particular attention and en- couragement, by an immediate in- crease of salary. He afterwards procured an engagement at Drury Lane, and an employment for his wife, as wardrobe keeper. PHILLIPS, (AMBROSE) author of three tiagedies, " The Distrest Mother," 1712 ; " The Briton," 1722 ; and " Humphrey, Duke of Glou- cester," 1723, all acted at Drury Lane, was descended from a very ancient and considerable family in Leicestershire. He was born in 1761, and received his education as St. John's College, Cambridge. When he quitted the University, and came to London, he was a constant at- tendant at, and one of the wits at Button's coffee-house, where he ob- tained the friendship of the most celebrated geniuses, particularly Sir Richard Steele, which induced him to write for the stage. Soon after the accession of George I. he was put into the commission of the peace, and in 1717 appointed one of the commissioners of the lottery. At length he purchased an annuity for life, (4001. per annum) and came over to England some time in the year 1748, but having been struck with the palsy, died at his lodg ngs in Vauxhall, June 18, 1749. Besides his plays, which were successful, he wrote poems, &c. PHILLIPS, (EDWARD) was the author of the following musical en- tertainments, " The Chambermaid," taken from " The Village Opera," acted at Drury Lane, 1730 ; " The Mock Lawyer," ac;ed at Covent Garden, 1733 ; " The Livery Rake and Count) y Lass," acted at the Haymarket, 1733 ; " The Royal Chace; or, Merlin's Cave," acted at Covent Garden, 1736; and "Bri- tons strike home ; or, tlie Sailor's Re- hearsal," acted at Drury Lane, 1739. PHILLIPS, (T.) author of " Love and Glory," masque, acted at Drury Lane, 1734 ; and " The Rival Cap- tains; or, Impostor unmasqued," ballad opera, acted at the Ha\ mar- ket, 1736. He died March 8, 1739. PHILLIPS, (Mr.) singer, belonged to the Theatres Royal, Covent Gar- den and the Haymaiket,at the latter of which (1797) he performed cha- racters of more importance. He has played at several provincial theatres, where, on account of thescaicity of vocal performers, he has met with greater success..— There is another Mr. Phillips, a vocal performer of more celebrity, who has supported the first operatic characters in Dub- lin, and is said to be now in treaty with the proprietors of Drury Lane. P1LON, .FREDERICK) drama- tist, was born at Cork, in Ireland, and at a very early -age was distin- guished for his classical attainments, and a great display of abilities in ora- tion. He fiequented a forum in Cork, in which he used to astonish his hearers by his strength of argu- ment : at length he was distinguished as the first orator of the sc ciety. tho' one of the juniors belonging to it.— — Before he reached his twentieth year, he was sent to Edinburgh, to apply himself to the study of medicine ; but finding little gratification in the attendance on lectures, and less in the inspection of anatomical subjects, he turned to pursuits more according to his feelings, and determined to in- dulge his partiality for the mu-es, by going on the stage. To his dramatic success as actor, there were, how- ever, obstacles which genius could not subdue, nor even industry re- move : his voice was deficient in harmony, and his figuie wanted grace and importance. He made his first appearance at the Edinburgh Theatre, in Oioonoko: his concep- tion was good, and his discrimination far beyond the mechanism of general acting : but his defects were too ob- vious, and a few trials convinced him that he could never succeed on tlv stage, lie now fell all the con- sequences of imprudence, as by the displeasure of his friends he was left without PI PI without any other resource. He therefore continue J to play for three or four years at the provincial thea- tres in the northern parts of tin-, kingdom. At length he returned to Cork, where he appeared once in " 'I he Earl of Essex;" but yielding to the advice of some judicious friends, lie abandoned a profession for which he found himself so unfit. — He then repaired to London, and commenced iiteraiy adventurer. — On his first coming to town, he was engaged by Mr. Griffin, bookseller, then printer of the Morning Post, to write for that paper, but through the deaih of hi> employer, he lost this situation. Thus necessitated, he ex- ercised his pen in occasional tracts ; and having produced " A critical Essay on Hamlet, as performed by Mr. Henderson," procured the friend- ship and patronage of Mr. Colman. — His first dramatic compositions were brought out for the benefit of Mr. Wilson, of Covent Garden; after which, in 1778, he procured Mr. Harris's acceptance of " The Inva- sion ; or, a Trip to Brightheluistone,'' which was well received, and was succeeded by the following farces : " The Liverpool Prize," 1779; " Il- lumination ; or, the Glazier's Con- spiracy," prelude, 1779 ; " The De- vice ; or, Deaf Doctor," 1779, alter- ed 1780; " Hie Siege of Gibraltar," 1780 ; " The Humours of an Elec- tion," 1780 ; and " The lypihora ; or, More Wives than One," 1781. — He generally caught whatever sub- ject was fixating uppermost in the public mind, and immediately adapt- ed it to the stage: of cour ; e, his pieces contained more ingenuity than correctness ; more temporary entertainment than permanent hu- mour. Notwithstanding their suc- cess at Covent Garden, and the ser- vice which he had rendered that thea:re, the manager rejected an opera which he ottered, and which, accordingly, was presented to Drury Lane, accepted, and performed 178'^; but, instead of benefiting the author, was ultimately productive of great inconveniencics and mi-fortune-.--- The piece met with little success, ar.u the compoxr, (whose music to this opera had not been much ap- proved of) though, according to dra- matic law, he should have suffered bjr its '.allure, as well as the author, sued Pilon tor a specific and considerable sum, and forced him to concealment, when he produced " jtrostation," farce, acted at Covent Garden, 1784, and "Barataria ; or, Sancho turned Governor," do. 1785. During his retirement, he also wrote a comedy, " He would be a Soldier," which he offered to Mr. Colman, and on which all his hopes now de|>ended. To his great mortification, the piece was rejected. Thus disappointed, and consequently much dejec:ed, he fortunately met with Mr. Lewis, who enquired if he had any production that he could favour Covent Garden with? Pilon mentioned he had a comedy ready, and Lewis desired him to send it immediately to Mr. Harris anonymously, observing that he was to dine with that gentleman the succeeding Sunday. On Mon- day, to his great surprise and joy, the comedy was accepted, and brought out in the course of three weeks, (1787) with considerable success. — The profits, however, were not ade- quate to his wants, for there were some deductions for money which had been long before advanced, and his old prosecutor having recom- menced his law suit, Pilon was obliged to retire into France. During his absence, affairs were ac- commodated by his friends, and he returned to England, when he mar- ried Miss Drury, of Kington, (1787), and died Jan. 1788. He had almost produced another comedy, (which he did not live to finish) called "The Ward of Chancery," and which, it is said, was purchased by Mr. Harris from his widow, and altered and completed by Mr. O'Keeffe. See O'K-effe. PITT, (Mrs. 1 actress, was a native of London, and having practised in the country with some success, pro- cured an engagement at Covent Gar- don, which she retained for forty years, and where she latterly repre- sented old wom.n's characters, such as the Nurse, (Romeo and Juliet) Dorcas, (Cymou) &c. with consi- derable PO PO derable ability. She died in Feb. 1800. PLOW DEN, (Mrs. FRANCES) wrote a comic opera, called " Vir- ginia," which was condemned at Drury Lane, 1800, and which she published, with a preface, setting forth, that it had been mutilated by the manager, and its condemna- tion predetermined by a prejudiced party ; but her husband, who is a barn.iter at law, should have known that if the latter complaint were ju«t, there were legal methods of redress, and more satisfactory, than an angry preface, which at best is accounted out a mere stratagem to promote the sale of a piece, which has derived neither fame nor publicity from the representation. POPE, (Mis) actress, is a native of London, whose father was resident near Druiy Lane, she made her first appearance on the stage at a very early age. having pet formed, as a child, the chaiaeters of the fine Lady, in " Lethe," " Miss in her Teens," and in " Lilliput," Mrs. CiLber's " Oracle," &c. Her first regular appearance was in Corinna, (The Confederacy) Sept. '/7, 1759, when she was received with univer- sal applause. On the second night of her perfUming the character, Mis. Clive called her into the green room, before she went on the stage, and sad to her, " My dear Pope" >which was a very tender appellation to come from that lady) "you played particular ly well on Saturday night a; a young actress ; now take from me a piece of advice, which I would have every beginner attend to ; you acted wi.li gieat and deserved ap- probation, but to-night you must en- deavour to act better, and expect to receive less applause ; for if you let your young heart be too sanguine, and rest on the caprice of public commendation or praise, and find yourself disappointed, you will fool- ishly let it damp your spirits, and you will sink beneath yourself. There- fore take my advice for your pro- ceeding on the stage. The violent thunder of applause last Saturday on your fitst appearar.ee, was not all deserved; it was only benevolently bestowed to give you the pleas'ng information that they were well de- lighted, and had their warmest wishei that you would, hereafter, merit the kindness they bestowed on you."— Her advice, well worthy the atten- tion of every young neiformer, was not ill bestowed ; Miss Pope conti- nued her exertions, and improved in public favour: she was the ori- ginal " Polly Honeycomb," and her rising reputation, together with Mrs. Kennedy's admit able performance of Mrs. Honeycomb, established that piece. She succeeded Mrs. Clive in several of her characters, particu- larly Nell, (Devil to Pay) Jobsnn by Mr. Love, in which she added to her fame, notwithstanding the merit of her predecessor. This lady has for upwards of forty years confined her abilities to one. theatre, with undi- minished reputation, and is still the aide representative of animated ladies and old pert chambermaids, wherein she displays all the sterling vis c mica of the old school. POPE, (ALEXANDER) actor, is a native of Cork, in Ireland, and applied himself early to the art of painting, in which he is at present reckoned a proficient. Merely to try his theatrical abilities, having been much attached to the stage, he per- formed Oroonoko, and some other parts in Cork, when his success inn- cured him an engagement at Covent Garden, where he made his debut in Oroonoko in 178 i, and repealed the character several nights \> ith great applause. On the death of Mr. Henderson, and the 'eces ion of Mr. Ilolman, he was for a few seasons the principal tragedian, but on the return of Mr. Ilolman to the theatre, Mr. Pope went to Edin- burgh, ( 1790) where he became a great favourite. After a sh< n ab- sence, he resumed his ituation at Covent Garden, which, till this pre-, sent season, he retained, both with credit to himself, and advantage to the theatre. The cause < f his dis- mission is unknown, and, according to report, be has made application to die managers of Druiy ) ane for an engagement for himself and wife. His figure is handsome — his voire P o PO sweet and powerful, and his delivery full of animation and feeling ; but his countenance wants expression, and his deportment grace and dignity. — He was one of the performers who complained of the manager's new re- gulations. See Hobr.an. POPK, ( Mrs.) actress, maiden name Young, first wife of the preceding, was born in 1740, and was in her early years apprenticed to a milliner, a profession which has frequently supplied the stage with heroines. The talents of Mis Young attracting the notice of a friend, he introduced her to Mr. Garrick about the year 1763. Her features were never very expressive; her figure, however, was graceful, and her deportment elegant. Garrick thought her powers pointed at Imogen, but she aid not then look sufficiently juvenile, and lie humourously observed, that he was at some difficulty to say what should be done for his old i'on/ig. She play- ed two seasons at Drury Lane ; but either her merits were not felt by the public, or the manager, for she soon afterwards quitted London for Dub- lin, were she performed at the the- atre in Capel Street, in 1770. J here die present Mr. Lewis acted with her, and pronounced her talents to be such, as must eventually replace her upon a London theatre. By this excursion, Miss Young had consi- ! derabiy improved herself — was a j realty and versatile actress, and Gar- rick sent Mr. Moody to Dublin, to | offer her a carte blanche. With j Moody she settled a new engage- ment, and returned to London in estimation and competence. After j remaining eight years at Drury Lane, the very high offers of Mr. Harris in- ' duced her to settle at Covent Garden i heatre, where, for the last eighteen years, she was constantly before the town, playing with and .igainst some of our greatest actresses, nearly equal- ling them in particular parts, and ex- celling them in a wider scope of cha- racters. In 17b 1. during a profes- sional excursion in Ireland, she saw Mr. Pope perform at Cork, and ap- proved so much of his power-, that she recommended him to Mr. Harris ; and at Covent Garden his success justified her opinion of his talents.-— A mutual affection arose from this circumstance, and in a season or two afterwards they were married. — In a wide range of characters ip tragedy and comedy, and in the humourous, as well as the fashionable walks of the latter, she has been uniformly distinguished with applause. In he claims to universality, she did not yield to Mr. Garrick. Her virtues in private, were equal to her merits in public. She was, in the language of a gentleman who had surveyed her journey through life, " a good child, a good wife, a good friend, and a good woman." lo authors, she was a most zealous assistant. The lead- ing trait of her performance was a sedate sensibility. She died March 13. 1797. POPK, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Campion, was born in the city of Waterford, in Ireland, where her father, whom she lost at an early age, was a respectable merchant, but who died without having been able to make any provision for his wife and two daughters. 1'his, the elder sis- ter, was taken care of by a relative, who, in consequence of the pleasure she evinced in reading dramatic pro- ductions, permitted her to visit the Waterford Theatre on the represen- tation of one of her favourite trage- dies. This encreased her attachment to the stage, and she now became an avowed candidate for theatrical fame. Her relation, finding dissua- sion in vain, wrote to Mr. Daly, the Irish manager, then in Cork, who referred the lady to Mr. Hitchcock, his agent and prompter. A day was fixed on to give her a hearing. She and her relation ailended, and Mr. Hitchcock, suppo-ing the latter to be the candidate, requested her to pro- ceed, but on finding his mistake, told Miss Campion she was too young at present to undertake the profession, and advised her to postpone the at- tempt for a few years. " Ah, Sir, but hear me," cried the young lady, detaining him by the skirt of his coat, and in such a moving theatrical tone, that the request was immediately grained. So pleased was Mr. Hitch- cock with the specimen she gave of D d her PO P o her abilities, that he strongly recom- mended her (young as she was) to Mr. Dal;-, and in 1792 her first ap- pearance on any stage was an- nounced in Monimia, (Orphan) at the Theatre Royal, Crow Street. On the approacli of the night, timidity had almost subdued her resolution ; she was in violent hysterics in the Green Room, and when the play was begun, absolutely declared her inca- pacity to appear before the audience. The stage having waited for her some time, and the audience becoming clamorous, Mr. Hitchcock advised her to look at the spectators from behind one of the side wings, in order to familiarize herself to the sight of them. She approached accordingly for the purpose, when Mr. Hitchcock immediately pushed her on the stage, and left her there to be either Mo- nimia, or Miss Campion ; still ad- hering to his duty as prompter, and whispering in her ear, " So soon re- turned from hunting," &c. The plaudits which Miss Campion re- ceived, only tended to encrease her fears, and she fainted away in the arms of Mrs. Hitchcock, who, appre- hensive of her danger, was kindly attending. After various struggles, she at last found utterance, and the tender manner in which she deliver- ed her first speech, drew repeated plaudits, and Mie went through the character to the entire satisfaction of the audience, the astonishment of the manager, and delight of her friends. She afterwards appeared in several other parts with so much success, that she was the heroine of the Irish stage. On the expiration of het articles with Mr. Daly, she was engaged by Mr. Jones for the private Subscription Theatre in Fisnamble Street, where she played a variety of characters in tragedy and comedy. — She was then engaged at Yoik, where she assumed the name of Spencer, at the request of some of her relations. Having played next at Liverpool, she returned to the Theatre Royal, Dub:in, where Mr. Lewis was then performing, who was ;o pleased with tier abilities, that he procured her an engagement at Covent Garden, whcit she made her debut, October 13, 1797, in the character of Moni- mia, which she repeated three nights, and afterwards played Cordelia, In- diana, Jane Shore, &c. with the highest approbation. She was mar- ried to Mr. Pope (who had been a widower about ten months) Jan. 24, 1798. PORTER, (Mrs.) actress of great celebrity in the beginning of the century. She lived at Hev wood Hill, near Hendon. After the play, she went home in a one-horse chaise ; her constant companions were a book and a brace of horse-pistols. The dislocation other thigh-bone was at- tended with a circumstance that de- serves to be recorded. In the sum- mer of 1731, as she was taking the air in her one-horse chaise, she was stopped by a highwayman, who de- manded her money. She had the courage to present one of her pistols to him ; the man, who perhaps had only with him the appearance of lite arms, assured her that he was no common thief; that robbing on the highway was not to him a matter of choice, but necessity, and in order to lelieve the wants of his poor dis- tressed family. He informed her, at the same time, where he lived ; and told her such a melancholy story, that she gave him all the money in her purse, which was about ten gui- neas. The man left her: upon this she gave a lash to the horse ; he sud- denly started out of the track, and the chaise was overthrown ; this oc- casioned the dislocation of her thigh bone. Let it be remembered, to her honour, that, notwithstanding this unlucky and painful accident, she made strict enquiry after the robber; and, rinding that he had not deceived her, she raised, amongst her acquain- tance, about sixty pounds, which she took care to send him. Such an ac- tion, in a person of high rank, would have been celebrated as something great and heroic: the feeling mind will make no distinction between the generosity of an actress and that of a princess.— -Mrs. Oldfield and Mrs. Porter rose gradually to excellence and fame much about the same time. They conversed together on the best terms; Porter's gravity was a con- PO PO trast to (he sprightliness of Oldfield, wiio would often, in jest, call her her mother. POWELL, (WILLIAM) actor, ap- peared at Drury Lane Theatre, Oct. ITii'i, in the character of Philaster.— I le had heen introduced by his friend, Mr. Holland, to Mr. Garrick, two or three months before the manager went to Italy, and by him approved, and instructed in the above part. His success was so great, that this tra- gedy brought crowded houses during that season. He then appeared in several other characters, but for the want of sufficient study and atten- tion, his execution was not always adequate to his feelings. In 1767, he was admitted to a fourth share of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, for which, by the help of his friends, he paid l.SOOI. and opened that sea- son there with an occasional pro- logue, wherein he declared himself an adventurous manager. At that time he was bound in an article to the managers of Drury Lane Theatre for three years, in a penalty of 10001. He was also one of the managers of the new theatre, Bristol, where he went to perform with his summer company, and died (after severe suf- ferings) in July 1769. He was bu- ried in the college church, at Bristol, with great funeral honours, attended by the dean and whole choir, who sung an anthem on the mournful oc- casion. He was respected as an ac- tor, and esteemed as a man I His father died in 1784. POWELL, (Mr.) actor, made his first theatrical essay in the country, and was a favourite at Hath, but lie otTended the managers there by ab- senting from his duty to perform in Salisbury, for which they discharged him. However, he procured an en- gagement at Mr. Colman's Theatre, and a winter one at Covent Garden, having, the previous season 1788) performed Sir Hector Strangcways, I Romance of an Hour) for Mr. and the late Mrs. Barnard's benefit, lie supported the characters of old men of the second or third rate, and died about 1799. His wife, who is siter to Mrs. Ward, of Drury lane The- atre, lias performed at seveial pro- vincial theatres, and played the Du- enna at Covent Garden during the season of 1800, with some applause. POWELL, (Mr.) actor, now be- longing to Drury Lane and the Hay- market Theatres, was some time ago the hero at Norwich, in both tragedy and comedy. He was recommend- ed to the managers of Drury Lane by Mr. Smith, as a substitute for the late Mr. Palmer, and made his first ap- pearance at Drury Lane, Oct. 'it), J 1798, in Don Felix, (Wonder) and Young Wilding, (Liar) when he met with much applause, particularly in the former character. At the Hay- maiket, he supplies the place of Mr. Aic'iin. POWELL, (Mrs.) actress, having experienced much distress in the early part of her life, was, by the ad- vice of her friends, persuaded to at- tempt the stage, and through the in- terest of a gentleman, procured an appearance at the Haymarket The- atre, where she made her debut in Alcia, (Jane Shore) 1787, by the as- sumed name of Mrs. Farmer. Her spirited performance of the character obtained universal applause, but her exertions were so great at the begin- ning, that they entirely failed her in the last act. Though it is supposed that she had never been on any stage before, the writer of this believes he saw her perform in Dublin with Mr. Diggcs, Mr. Kemble, &c. Notwith- standing this specimen of her talents, she applied to the winter managers in vain, and the ensuing summer hav- ing obtained another appearance at the Haymarket, repeated the cha- racer, Sept. 9) with a greater de- gree of success, though she had the mi>f rtune to play with a lane Shore who was not audible, even when close to the stage. This character was attempted by a la ly of the name of Wtstr.iy. She then succeeded in her application to the managers of Drury Lane, where she performed luhet, and other important cliarac- ! ters, with considerable applause. In J the summer of 17S9, she was engaged ! by Mr. Kemble, then manager of the t Liverpool Theatre, and here added \ to her h-t of characters, with en- creased reputation. • She cow be- Uil2 came PR PR eame the wife of Mr. Powell, then prompter at Liverpool, and who fills at present that situation at Drury Lane. In 1794 she had an engage- ment at Mr. Colman's Theatre, but now devotes her summer seasons to occasional excursions. She had late- ly a country house at Norwood. — This lady's abilities are more than useful to the theatre. Her person is tall and elegant, her voice melo- dious, and her countenance expres- sive. In her delivery she evinces much judgment, and a considerable share of feeling. PRATT, (ROBERT) author of " Joseph Andrews," farce, acted at Drury Lane for a benefit, 1778 ; " '1 he fair Circassian," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1780; and "The School for Vanity," comedy, do. 1783, is a native of St. Ives, in Huntingdonshire, and was brought up to the church, but he threw off the gown to at- tempt the stage, and assuming the name of Melmoth performed the cha- racters of Philaslerand Hamlet at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in 1774. His fame as an actor was by no means equal to that as a writer. Such has been the fate of many emi- nent authors ; " they wrote like gods, who could not act like nun." He then became a bookseller at Baih, where, and at other places, he occa- sionally delivered lectures on the English language. As an author, he assumed ihe name of Court nay, ;ind both his assumed names have fre- quently been united. He has pro- duced several ingenious works, and besides the above plays has published a comedy called "The New Cos- metic ; or. Triumph of Beauty," 1790. He has had for some time a tragedy in preparation for Drury Lane, but why it 3 representation has been thus deferred, particularly at a theatre where novelty has been so long required, is not easily to be ac- counted for. PRIDEAUX, (Miss) actress, is of respectable parentage, but having been unprovided for, was induced to seek support from the stage. By strong recommendations, she was both engaged and patronized at Bath, but in consequence of a dis- pute, which produced a newspaper controversy, she quitted that theatre, and made her first appearance in London at the Haymarket, in Lady Bab Lardoon, (Maid of the Oaks), and during the remainder of the sea- son performed Cherry, (Beaux Stra- tagem) &c. In 1789 she was en- gaged at Drury Lane, where her first character was Miss Prue, (Love for Love). PRITCHARD, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Vaughau, belonged to Drury Lane Theatre in 1732, and was afterwards engaged during the ma- nagement of Fleetwood. She per- formed all the principal characters in tragedy with great reputation, and she was also admired in genteel co- medy; but her chief excellence lay in sprightly characters, in which, it is thought, she never had a superior. —she was thirty-seven years on the stage, and her ease and vivacity never forsook her. When young, she was of a slim make, and though not a beauty, had a most agreeable face, with very expressive eyes : her de- portment was easy and elegant, and her voice articulate and harmonious. She came to the stage a married wo- man, and had a large family of chil- dren, whom she brought up with the greatest care and attention, .she took leave of the public in the cha- racter of Lady Macbeth, when she spoke a farewell epilogue. Mr. Gar- rick played Macbedi on the occasion, and the house was crowded with the first people of distinction, at ad- vanced prices. She died in August 1768, at the age of fifty-seven, and left behind her a respected and un- blemished name. Her daughter was an actress, who was much admired. Her brother, Henry Vaughan, was a man funned by nature for part- of low humour and busy impertinence. By fancying himself co-heir with his sister to a large property which was contested by oilier claimants, (the heirs at law) he exchanged a life of reputation and ease for disgrace and vexation of mind. He died rich, but neither happy nor respected. Still he thought that he had a right to the money of which he had acquired pos- seaiiuu, PVE QU rVF., (HENRY JAMES) author of " The Siege .of Meaux," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1799 ; anil " Adelaide," do. acted at Drury Lane, 1800, is descended from an ancient family seated at Faringdon, in Berkshire, which county he long represented in Parliament, and which QU paternal seat he sold in I7SS to Mr. llallett, of Cannons, lie succeeded Thomas Warion as poet-laureat, in 17'.X), having previously, as well as since, produced several poems, ice. His wile died Dec. 21, 1790, and hi* son is in the armv. Q. QUICK, (Mr.) actor, is a native of Loudon, where his father was many yearsan eminent brewer. At a very early age Ik- entered into a theatric life,' and having attained much fame in the country, was engaged by Mr. Foote for the Ilaymarket. Here he remained some time in obscurity, till hi* performance of Mordecai, (Love a la Mode) which he generously un- dertook for Mr. Shuter's benefit, established his fame at this theatre, and he soon after procured an en- gagement at Covent Garden. Several seasons, however, elapsed, before his abilities were called into" action ; but having, during a summer excursion, displayed his cumic powers before Mr. Younger, who was then ma- nager at Portsmouth, and prompter at Covent Garden, this gentleman procured him the character of Mungo, in the " Padlock," at the latter the- atre, which Mr. Uuick, fearful of at- tempting it after Dibdin, at first de- clined, but at la-t was persuaded to undertake it, and by his performance of this character, procured consider- able favour with the public, which he gradually improved, and established by his just and unrivalled represen- tation of Isaac, in the " Duenna."— He then became joint manager of Bristol Theatre, where he married the daughter of a respectable clergy- man, by whom he ha- several chil- dren ; but having soonafter disposed of his share, he employed his future summers at Liverpool, Weymouth, Jvc. It is -aid that his first theatrical attempt in the country was tragedy, and one night at Covent Garden he undertook the character of Richard the ihiid, for his benefit. It was his intention to make a serious attempt, but the public naturally expected a comic one, and finding his audience inclined to mirth, he indulged their humour, and gave them a complete burlesque, which met with general laughter and approbation. He was upon terms of intimacy and friend- ship with the manager, whose fami- liar style to him in the correspon- dence relative to the Royalty The- atre, procured him the appellation of Dear Quid; nor has this friendship ceased with his engagement ; for ill state of health obliged him to tesign his situation in London, which, ac- cording to the advice of his physi- cians, lie could not in justice to him- self retain, if hi, performances were to be constant ; and the manager could not possibly agTee to a limned number, as it might impede the run of a new piece. It is said that the death of Mr. Farrengave him such a shock as contributed much towards his indisposition. As an actor, he is justly entitled to praise; there is a peculiarity in his voice which ren- ders his old characters exceedingly whimsical ; but however great his early performances might have been of Tony Lumpkin, squire Richard, &cc. these young masters have lately found in him a very imperfect repre- sentative. There are. however, parts, exclusive of old men, in which he can still be seen with satisfaction and pleasure— Launcelot, (Merchant of Venice) ]>d^c, (Duenna) &c— In private, lie is much esteemed, for though not extravagant, lie is ge- nerous; and though partial to a do- mestic life, can be occasionally a cheer- ful and facetious companion abroad. GUN, QU QUIN, (JAMES) actor, was born in King Street, Covent Garden, Feb. 24, 1693. His ancestors were of an ancient family in the kingdom of Ire- land. His father, James Quin, was bred at Trinity College, Dublin, from whence he came to England, entered himself of Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the bar ; but his father, Mark Quin, who had been Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1676. dying about that period, and leaving him a plenti- ful estate, he quitted England in 1700, for his native country. His marriage was attended with circumstances which affected the future interest of his son so materially, as probably to influence his future destination in life. His mother was a reputed widow, who had been married to a person in the mercantile way, and who left her, to pursue some traffic or par- ticular business in the West Indies. He had been absent from her near seven years, without her having re- ceived any letter from, or the least information about him. lie was even given out to be dead, which report was universally credited ; she went into mourning for him ; and some time after Mr. Quin's father, who is said to have then possessed an estate of 10001. a-year, paid his ad- dresses to her, and married her. The consequence of this marriage was Mr. Quin. His parents continued for some time in an undisturbed state of happiness, when the first hus- band returned, claimed his wife, and had her. Mr. Quin the elder retired with his son, to whom he is said to have left his property. Another, and more probable account is, that the estate was suffered to descend to the heir-at-law, and the illegitimacy of Mr. Quin being proved, he was dis- possessed of it, and left to shift for himself. He received his education at Dublin, under the care of Dr. Jones, until the death of his father in 1710, when the progress of it was in- terrupted by the litigations which arose about his estate. It is gene- rally admitted, that he was deficient in literature ; and it has been said, that he laughed at those who read books by way of enquiry after know- ledge, saying, he read men— that the QU world was the best book. This ac- count is believed to be founded in truth, and will prove the great strength of his natural understanding, which enabled him to establish so considerable a reputation as a man of sense and genius. Deprived thus of the property he expected, and with no profession to support him, though he is said to have been in- tended for the law, Mr. Quin appears to have arrived at the age of 21 years. He had, therefore, nothing to rely upon but the exercise of his talents, and with these he soon supplied the deficiencies of fortune. The theatre at Dublin was then struggling for an establishment, and there he made his first essay. The part he performed was Abel, (The Committee) in the year 1714; and he represented a few other characters, as Cleon, (Ti- mon of Athens) Prince of Tanais, (Tamerlane) and others, but all of equal insignificance. After perform- ing one season in Dublin, lie was ad- vised by Chetwood, the prompter, not to smother his rising genius in a kingdom where there was no great encouragement for merit. This ad- vice he adopted, and came to Lon- don, where he was immediately received into the company at Drury Lane. It may be proper here to mention, that he repaid the friend- ship of Chetwood, by a recommenda- tion which enabled lhat gentleman to follow him to the metropolis. At that period it was usual for young actors to perform inferior characters, and to rise in the theatre as they displayed skill and improvement. In conformity to this practice, the parts which Mr. Quin had allotted to hiin were not calculated to pro- cure much celebrity for him. He performed the Lieutenant of the Tower, (Kowe's Jane Grey) the Steward, (Gay's What d' ye call it) and Vulture, (The Country Lasses) all acted in 171.5. In December 1716 he performed a part of more conse- quence, that of Antenor, (Mrs. Cent- livre's Cruel Gift), but in the begin- ning of the next year we find him degraded to speak about a dozen lines in the character of the Second Player, (Three Hours after Marriage >. Accident QU Accident, however, had just before procured him an opportunity of dis- playing his talents, which he did not neglect. An order had been sent from the Lord Chamberlain to revive the play of " Tamerlane" for the 4th of November, 1716. It had ac- cordingly been got up witli great magnificence. On the third night, Mr. Mills, who performed Bajazet, was suddenly taken ill, and applica- tion was made to Mr. (Auin lo read the pait, a task which he executed so much to the satisfaction of the au- dience, that he received a consider- able share of applause. The next night he made himself perfect, and performed it with redoubled proofs of approbation. On this occasion he was complimented by several persons of distinction and dramatic taste up- on his early rising genius. It does not appear that he derived any other advantage at that time from his suc- cess. Impatient, therefore, of his situation, and dissatisfied with his em- ployers, he determined upon trying his fortune at Mr. Rich's Theatre, at LincolnMnn Fields, then under the management of Messrs. Keene and Christopher Bullock; and according- ly in 1717 quitted Drury Lane, after remaining there two seasons. He continued at this theatre seventeen years, and during that period sup- ported, without discredit, the same characters which were then admira- bly pei formed at the rival theatre. boon afier he quitted Drury Lane an unfortunate transaction took place, which threatened to interrupt, if not entirely to stop his theatrical pur- suits. This was an unlucky rencoun- ter between him and Mr. Bowen, which ended fatally to the latter.— V rem the evidence given at the trial, it appeared, that on the 17th of April, 17 In about four or five o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Bowen and Mr. Hum met accidentally at the lleece Tavern, in Cornhill. They drank together in a friendly manner, jested with each other tor some time, until at lepgth the conversation turned on their peifonr.ances on the stage. — Kuwen said, ih.t Hum had acted 1 ..merlane m a loose sen < ! manner ; an i u-m. in i"i I; . ubsei ved QU opponent had no occasion to value himself on his performance, since Mr. Johnson, who had but seldom acted it, represented Jacomo, (Li- bertine) as well as he who had acted it often. These observations, pro- bably, irritated them both, and the conversation changed, but to another subject, not better calculated to pro- duce good humour — the honesty of each party. In the course of the al- tercation, Bowen asserted, that he was as honest a man as any in the world, which occasioned a story about his political tenets to be intro- duced by ftuin ; and both parties being warm, a wager was laid on the subject, which was determined in favour of Cluin, on his relating, that Bowen sometimes drank the health of the Duke of Ormond, and some- times refused it ; at the same time asking die referee, how he could be as honest a man as any was in the world, who acted upon two different principles. The gentleman who act- ed as umpire then told Mr. Bowen, lhat if he insisted upon his claim to be as honest a man as was in the world, he must give it against him. Here the dispute seemed to have en led, nothing in the rest of the con- versation indicating any remains of resentment in either party. Soon afterwards, however, Mr. Bowen arose, threw down seine money for his reckoning, and left the com- pany. In about a quarter of an hour Mr. Quin was called out by a porter sent by Bowen, and both Q.uin and Bowen went together, first to the Swan Tavern, and then to the Pope's Head Tavern, where a rencounter took place, in which Bowen received .i wound, of which he died on the L'Oth of April following. In the course of the evidence it was sworn, that Bowen, after he had received the wound, declared that he had had justice done him, tliat there had been nothing but fair play, and that if lie died, he freely forgave Ins antagonist. On this evidence Mr. Uutn was, on (he Uhh of July, found guilty of man- slaughter only, and soon after return- ed to his empl yment i u the stai;e. Another accident of a sinular nature happened lo him/sec WM'.twu ; and ' like- QU likewise his friend Ryan, (sec Ryan). The theatre in which Mr. Quin was established, had not the patronage of the public in any degree equal to its rival at Drury Lane; nor bad it the good fortune to acquire those advan- tages which fashion liberally confers on its favourites, until several years after. The performances, however, though not equal to those at Drury Lane, were far from deserving cen- sure. In the season of 1718-19, Mr. Quin performed in Buckingham's " Scipio Africanus," and in 1719- 20, " Sir Walter Raleigh," and in the same year had two benefits, "The Trovoked Wife," January 31, before any other performer, and " The Squire of Alsatia," April 17. The succeeding season he performed in ••Buckingham's " Henry the Fourth of France," in " Richard 11," and in " The Imperial Captives." The sea- son of 1720-21 was very favourable to his reputation as an actor. Oct. 22 ,: The Merry Wives of Windsor" «,was revived, in which lie first played Falstaff, with great increase of fame. This play, which was well supported by Ryan, in Ford; Spiller, in Doctor Caius; Boheme. in Justice Shallow ; and Griffin, in Sir Hugh Evans, was acted nineteen times during the sea- son, a proof that it had made a very favourable impression on the public. On tile revival of " Every Man in his Humour," 1724-5, he represented Old Knowell ; and it is not unworthy of observation, that Kncly, after- wards so admirably performed by Mr. Garrick, was assigned to Mr. Hippesley, the Outer or Edwin of his day. At this time, Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre had, by the assistance of some pantomimes, been more fre- quented than at any time since it was opened. January 29, 1728, " The Beggar's Opera" was acted for the first time. It is said, that when Gay shewed this performance to his patron the Duke of Queensbury, his Grace's observation was, "This is a vei> odd thing, Gay ; — it is either a very good thing, or a bad thing." It proved the former, beyond the warmest expectation <■( the author i-r his friends; though Quin. whose knowledge of the public taste cannot QU be questioned, was so doubtful of its success, that he cheerfully resigned the part of Machealh, (see Walker.) It was performed sixty-two nights, and the receipts of the house were higher than ever were known before. Two years afterwards, March 19, 1729-30, Mr. Quin had the " Beg- gar's Opera" for his benefit, and per- formed the part of Macheath himself, and received the sum of 2061. 9s. 6d. which were several pounds more than any one night the common prices had produced at that theatre ; for the highest receipt during the run of " The Beggar's Opera," was 1981. 17s. 6d. 11th April, the forty- third night. His benefit the pre- ceding year brought him only 1021. 18s. and the succeeding only 1291. 3s. December 7, 1732, Co- vent Garden Theatre was opened, and the company belonging to Lin- coln's Inn Fields removed thither : the play was " The Way of the World." Pit and boxes at 5s. each. So little attraction, however, had the new theatre, that the receipt of the house amounted but to 1151. In the course of this season Mr. Quin was called upon to exercise his talents in singing, and accordingly performed Lycomedes, in Gay's posthumous opera of •' Achilles," eighteen nights. The next season concluded his ;er- i vice at Covent Garden, and in the i beginning of the season 1734-5, he i removed to the rival theatre, Drury I Lane, on such terms as no hired actor had before received. During Mr. | Quin's connection with Mr. Rich, he I wasemployed, or at least consulted, in the conduct of the theatre by his i| principal, as a kind of deputy- manager. \\ bile in this situation, he had a whole heap of plays brought him. which he put in a drawer in his bureau. An author had given him a play behind the scenes, which probably he lost or mislaid, not troubling his head about it. Two or three days after Mr. Bayes waited on him, to know how he liked his play : Quin told him some excuse for its not being received, and the author de- sired to have it returned. " There," says Quin, " there it lies on that table." The author took up a play QU that was laving on a table, but on opening, found it was a comedy, and his was a tragedy, and told Quin of his mistake. " Faith, then, Sir," said lie, " I have lost your play." " Lost my play !** cries the bard. " Yes, by G — , I have, ' answered the tragedian ; " but here is a drawer full of comedies and tragedies, take any two you will in the room of it." The poet left him in high dudgeon, and the hero stalked across the room to his Spa Water and Rhenish, with a negligent felicity. From the time of Mr. Quin's establishment at Drury Lane until the appearance of Mr. Garrick in 1741, he was generally al- lowed the foremost rank in his pro- fession. The elder Mills, who suc- ceeded to Booth, was declining ; and Mill-uard, an actor of some merit, had not risen to the height of his ex- cellence, which, however, was not at the be.-t very great ; and Bohenie was dead. His only competitor seems to have been Delane, whose merits weie lost in indolent indul- gence. He was a young tiagedian from Dublin, who made his first ap- pearance in London at Goodman's Fields. Novelty, youth, and a hand- some figure, took off from any severe criticism on his elocution and action. In short, though so far from the fa- shionable end of the town, he diew to him several polite audiences, and bec.ime in such a degree of repute, that comparisons were made between lum and Quin ; nor was he without admirers of both sexes who gave him the preference. He was not insen- sible of this, and determined to leave Goodman's Fields, and indulge his ambition at one of the Theatres Koyal. lie onoa<;ed with Mr. Rich at Covenl Garden about the time thatUuin left it, and in two or three years gained that station which most of die other actors could not in many years attain to. He was esteemed a just player, vet was remarkable lor bis violence of voice, which, espe- cially in Alexander, pleased many; !oi the Milth n. as Colley Cibber says, are apt to be transported when the drum o' the e.ir is soundly rattled. Rut, un the contrary, tt'iin"; solemn sameness ol pronunciation, which QU conveyed an awful dignity, was charm- ingly affecting in Cato. Delane was young enough to rise to greater per- fection ; Quin was then at the height of his : if Delane had the more pleasing person, Quin had the more aliening action ; both might have appeared with greaier advantage, if they had been on the same stage. — They were the Casar and Pompey of the theatres, and one stage would have been incompatible with their ambition ; Quin could bear no one on the footing of an equal, Delane no one as a superior. In the year 173.5, Aaron Hill, in a lieriodical pa- per called " The Prompter," attack- ed some of the principal actors of the stage, and particularly Colley Cibber and Mr. Quin. Cibber, according to his custom, laughed, but Quin was angry ; anei meeting Mr. Hill in the Court of Requests, a scuffle ensued between them, which ended in the exchange of a few blows. Mr. Quin was hardly settled at Drury Lane be- fore he became embroiled in a dis- pute relative to Mons. Poitier and Madame Roland, then two cele- brated dancers, whose neglect of duty it had fallen to his lot to apo- logize for. It was insinuated in the papers that Quin had with malice accused these dancers, but the ma- nager Fleetwood, by an advertise- ment, declared that Quin had acted in this affair in his behalf, and wiih the strictest regard to truth and jus- tice. No further notice was then taken of the business, and soon after- ward.-, the delinquent dancers made their apology to the public, and were received into favour. In the season of 1735-6, Mr. Quin first performed -» Falstaff in the " Second Part of Henrj IV. "for his own benefit. In 1736-7, he performed Comus, and had the first opportunity of promoting the interest of his friend Thomson, in the tragedy of " Agamemnon."— The following anecdote illustrative of his sincere friendship for Thom- son, cannot be here oinitied. Hear- ing that this poor author was con- fined in a spunging-house for a debt of about seventy pounds, he repaired to the place, and, having enquired lor him, w.is introduced to the bard. F e I'll rason QU Thomson was a good deal discon- certed at seeing ftuin, as he had al- ways taken great pains to conceal his wants ; and the more so, as Quiii told him he was come to sup with him, being conscious that all the money he was possessed of would scarce procure a good one, and that there was no credit in tho.e houses. His anxiety upon this head was how- ever removed, upon Quin's inform- ing him, that as he supposed it would have been inconvenient to have had the supper dressed at the place they were in, he had ordered it from an adjacent tavern ; and as a prelude, half a dozen of cbret was introduced. Supper being over, and the bottle circulating pretty briskly, GUtin said, " It is now time we should balance accounts." This astonished Thom- son, who imagined he had some de- mand on him ; but Quin, perceiving it, continued : " Mr Thomson, the pleasure 1 have had in perusing your works I cannot estimate at less than a hundred pounds ; and I insist up- on now acquitting the debt." On saying this, he put down a note of that value, and took his leave with- out waiting for a reply. The season of 1738-9 produced only one new play in which Mr. Q.uin performed, ana that was " Mustapha," by Mr. Mallet ; which was said to glance both at the King and Sir Robert Wal- pole. in the characters of Solyman the Magnificent, and Rustan his Vi- zier. On the fust night of its exhi- bition were assembled all the chiefs in opposition to the court ; and many speeches were applied by the audi- ence to the supposed grievances of the tunes, and to persons and cha- racters. 1 he play wis in general well acted ; more particularly the pans of Solyman and Mustapha by Q.uin and Miilward. In 1739, March y, Mr. tiuin was engaged in another dispute with one of his brethren, which to on • who had already been convicted of manslaughter, (how- ever contemptible the person who was the party in the indifference might be) could not be viewed by him with indifference. This person was no other than the celebrated Mr. Tbeophilus (Jibber, who, at that pe- QU riod, owing to some disgraceful cir- cumstances relative to his conduct to his wife, was not held in the most respectable light. Quin's sarcasm on him is too gross to be here insert- ed. A duel was fought in the Pi- azza, Covent Garden, between thee two actors ; Qiiin having pulled Gib- ber out of the Bedford coffee-house to answer for some words he had used in a letter to Mr. Fleetwood,, relating to his refusing a part in King Lear for Mr. Quin's benefit on Thursday se nnight. Mr. Gibber was slightly wounded in the arm, and Mr. Quiii wounded in his fingers i after each had their wounds dressed, they came into the Bedford coffee- house, and abused one another ; but the company prevented further mis- chief. In the season of 1739-40, there was acted at Drury Lane The- atre, on the 12th of November, a tragedy, entitled " The Fatal Retire- ment," by a Mr. Anthony Brown, which received its sentence of con- demnation on the first night. In this play Mr. &uin had been solicited to perform, which he refused ; and the ill success which attended the piece irritated the auihor and his friends so much, that they ascribed its failure- to the absence of Mr. Quin, and, in consequence of it, repeatedly insult- ed him for several nights afterwards/ when he appeared on the stage.-— This treatment at length Mr. Quit* resented, and determined to repel. Coming forwards, therefore, he ad- dressed the audience, and informed them, " that at the request of tile- author he had read h s piece before it was acted, and given him his very sincere opinion of it ; that it was the very worst play he had ever read in his life, and for that reason had re- fused to act in it." 'I his spirited ex- planation was received with great applause, and for the future entirely silenced the opposition to him. In this season lie pel formed in Lilio's " Limerick." On the 1st of August,. 17-10, an entertainment of a peculiar kind was given by Frederick Pnncje- of Wales, father of his present Ma- jesty, in the gardens of Cliefden, in. commemoration of the accession, of King George die First, and iu honour of QU QU «f the birth of the Princess Augusta, iv>\r Duchess of Brunswick. It con- sisted of the '' Ma-guc ot Alfred," by 1 homson and Mallett ; the " Mas<;ue of the Judgment of Paris ;" and some scenes from KichN Pantomimes by him and Lalauze, with dancing by Signora Barbarini, then lately an ive.i from Paris. The whole was exhibit- ed upon a theatre in the gaiden Composed of vegetables, and deco- rated with festoons of Mowers, at the end of which was erected a pavilion tor tlw Prince and Princess of Wales, piince George [his present Majesty 1 , and Princess Augusta. The per- formers in Alfred were Quin, who represented the Hermit; Mdward, Mills, Salway, Mis. Clive, aner arrived, and performed Indiana to his Young Bevd ; and afterwards they were frequently in the same play, as in Cham ont and Monimia, (Orphan); Comus and the Lady; Duke and Isabella, (Measure for Measure'; Knar and Queen, (The Spanish Fryar); Horatio and Ca- lista, (Fair Penitent) ; &c. &c. with uncommon applause, and generally to decent houses. The state of the Iri-h stage wa^ then so low, tiiat it was often found tea: the whole re- ceipt of the house was not more than sufficient to discharge Mr. 0.uin*« engagement ; and so attentive vva, he to his own interest, and so rigid in demanding its execution, that he refused to let the curtain be drawn up until the money was regularly brought to him. lie left Dublin in February, 1741-'.!, and on the 25th ( ,f March assisted the widow and four children of Milward the actor, (who died the tv.h of February preceding) and performed Cato at Drury Lane for tluir benefit. On his arrival in Londo i he found the attention of the theatrical public entirely occupied by the merits of Mr. Garrick, who, in October preceding, had begun his theatrical caieer, and was then per- forming with prodigious success at Goodman's Fields. Fhe fame of the new performer afforded no pleasure to Quin. who sarcastica.ly observed, that " Garrick was a new religion, and that vYhitfh'ld was followed for a time ; but they would all come t» church again." In the season of 1742-13, Mr. Quin returned to his former master. Rich, at Covent Gar- den Theatre, where he opposed Mr. Garrick at Drury Lane; it must be added, with very little success. But though the applause the latter ob- tained from the pubbc was not agree- able to Mr. (Tain, yet we find that a scheme w.i- proposed and agreed to, though not carrie i into execution, in the summer of 17 !3, for them to per- form together for their mutual he- L e i nctit QU nefit a few nights at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre". On the failure of this plan Mr. Quin went to Dublin, where he had the mortification to find the fame of Mr. Sheridan, then new to the stage, more adverse to him than even Mr. Garrick's had been in London. Instead of making a profitable bargain in Dublin, as he hoped, he found the managers of the theatres there entirely indisposed to admit him. After staying there a short time he returned to London, without effecting the purpose of his journey, and in no good humour with the new performers. The tea- son of 1743-44, Mr. Quin passed without any engagement, but in that of 1744-5 he was at Covent Garden again. The next year was devoted to repose, whether from indolence or inability to obtain the terms he re- quired from the managers, is not very apparent. Both may have united. He had the next season, 1746-7, occasion to exert himself, be- ing engaged at Covent Garden along with Mr. Garrick. After one or two previous and friendly meetings, they selected such characters as they in- tended to act, without being obliged to join in the same play. Some parts were to be acted alternately. Mr. Quin soon found that his competition with Mr. Garrick, whose reputation was hourly increasing, whilst his own was on the decline, would soon be- come ineffectual. His Richard the 1 bird could scarce draw together a decent appearance of company in the boxes, and he was witli some dif- ficulty tolerated in the part, having been one night much his.-cd when Mrs. Cibber played the Queen for the first time; but Garrick acted the same character to crowded houses, and with very great applause. At last these two great performers appeared together in the tragedy of "'lhe Fair Penitent," and the shouts of applause when Horatio and Lothario met on the stage together ( 14th Nov. 1746) in the second act, were so loud and so often repealed, before the audi- ence permitted them to speak, that the combatants seemed to be discon- certed. It was observed, that Quin changed colour, and Garrick seemed QU to be embarrassed ; and it must be owned, that these actors were never less masters of themselves than on the first night of the contest for pre- eminence. Quin was too proud to own his feelings on the occasion ; but Garrick was heard to say, " Faith, I believe Quin was as much frighiened as my»elf." The play was repeated- ly acted, and with constant applause, to very brilliant audiences ; nor is it to be wondered at ; for. besides the novelty of seeing the two rival actors in the same tragedy, Calista was ad- mirably played by Mrs. Cibber. It was in this season that Mr. Garrick produced " Miss in her Teens," the success of which is said to have occa- sioned no small mortification to Mr. Quin. He, however, did not think it prudent to refuse Mr. Garrick's offer of performing it at his benefit. It was this season also in which " J he Suspicious Husband" appeared.— - The part of Mr. Stiickland was offer- ed to Mr. Quin, but he refused it; and in consequence it fell to the lot of Mr. Bridgewater, who obtained great reputation by his performance of it. In the season of 1748-9, hav- ing lost his friend Thomson, he en- listed again under the banners of Rich. On the 13th of January, 1748- 9, the orphan tragedy of " Corio- Ianus" was produced at Covent Gar- den, in which he played the principal character.^nd spoke Lord I yttleton's celebrated prologue, which had a very happy effect, lhe sympa- thizing audience saw, that then in- deed Mr. Quin was no actor; but that the tears he shed weie those of real friendship and grief. Just be- fore the performance of Coriolanus an honour had been conferred upon Mr. Quin, whicli he some years afler- wards recollected with no small de- gree of exultation. On the 4th of January " Cato" was performed at Leiceister House, by the direction of Frederick Prince of Wales, in which his present Majesty, Prince Edward, Princess Augusta, and Princess Eliza- beth, acted the parts of I'ortius, ]uba, Marcia, and Lucia. The instruction of the young performers, and the con- duct of ihe rehearsals, were given to Mr. Quin, and, it is said, he was af- terwards QU terwards rewarded with a pension for his service, It was intended that Lady Jane Gray should have been represented by the same pei formers, and accordingly that play wa. revived at Covent Garden in Dec. 1750, but for some reason the intended exhi- bition did not take place. When Mr. Q.uin heard of the graceful man- ner in which hi, Majesty repealed his first speech in Parliament, he cried out, " Ay, I taught the boy to speak." —Prince Fredeiick, perhaps through the means of Thomson and Lyttleton, was a warm patn n of Mr. ftuin. He generally used to attend his benefit ; and all the plays he commanded, un- less on some very particular occasion, were confined to Covent Garden Theatre, in compliment to this actor. This attention in his Royal Highness was so beneficial to Mr. Ouin, that his salary in the last year of his per- formance, it is said, was equal to a thousand pounds. The season of 1750-51 opened with a very power- ful company at Covent Garden, con sisting of Mr. Barry, Mrs. Cibber, Mr. Ojtin, Mrs. Woffington, Mr. Macklin, &c. The combined strength of this assemblage of theatrical ta- lents alarmed Mr. Garrick so much, that he wished to detach Mr. Quin from the party, but having had the command at Covent Garden, he did not wish to be controlled by Mr. Garrick ; he therefore continued with his old master, Rich, upon higher terms than had ever been paid to any actor. His benefit was on the 18th of March, three days before the death of the Prince of Wales, by whose command, though he was not present at the performance, Othello was act- ed ;— Othello, Mr. Barry ; Iago. Mr. Quin ; and Desdemona, Mr-. Cibber. It is recorded, that notwithstanding the novelty of this change in the per- formers, Othello being Cluin's usual part, the house was by no means a crowded one ; on the contrary, it was very thinly attended. On the 20th of May Mr. Ruin performed Ho- ratio, in '• The Fair Penitent," and with that character concluded his performances as a hired actor. He now put in execution his plan of re- tiring to Bath, but came to London QU tlie two succeeding years, to perform Falstaff for the benefit of his old friend Ryan, lite last time of his ap- pearance on the stage was the 19th of March, 1753, on which night the stage, pit, and boxes, were all at the advanced price of five shillings. The next year, finding himself disabled in some measure, by the loss of his teeth, from renewing his former as- sistance, he declined it altogether, saying, in his Usual bl nt manner, " By G— , 1 will not whistle Falstaff for any body, but 1 hope the Town will be kind to my friend Ryan ; they cannot serve an h.nester man."— - He exerted himself, however, among his friends, and disposed of many tickets for him, and it is said, that to make up the loss of his annual per- formance, he presented his friend with no less a sum than five hundred pounds. By the retirement of Mr. Uuin the stage sustained a great loss ; the characters in which he particu- laily excelled falling into the hands of actors whose talents were very inade- quate to their proper representation. In his principal tragic partshe wassuc- \ ceeded by Sparks, but in the character ) of Falstaff he left no representative.— / While Mr. Q.nin continued on the stage, there was no great intimacy be- tween him and Mr. Garrick, but when all competition for pre-eminence had ceased, it was no difficult matter for them to unite on terms of friend- ship. Both of them often spent their summers at Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire ; and one evening Iving accidentally left by themselves, Mr. Quin made the first overture towards a friendly inter- course, by enquiring after the health of Mrs. Garrick, for which he ex- pressed a very solicitous regard. -- After this his visit- at Hampton were frequent. The la-t time was in the summer of 17 occa- sion an incessant drought, which no- thing could assuage , and being will- ing to live as long as he could without ] pain, he discontinued taking any me- i dicines for upwards of a week be- j fore his death ; and during this pe- I riod was in good spirits. The day j before he died he drank .1 bottle of claret, and being sensible of his ap- proaching end, he said, " He could wish that the last tragic scene were over, though he was in hopes he should be 3ble to go through it with becoming dignity." In this hope he was not disappointed ; he died at his house at Bath, Tuesday, January 21, 1766, about four o'clock in the morning, and on the Friday follow- ing was interred in the Abbey Church at Hath, where a monument to his memory was erected, with lines, written by Mr. Garrick. Mr. Quins language in conversation was nervous, and his ban mots had a force in them that secured their remem- brance, long after their transitory effusion ; but it mast be owned, that many of them are very coarse and offensive to decency. To the master of an inn who had complained of being infested with rats, he promised a receipt to drive them away. On quitting the house, he had an extra- vagant bill put into his hands, which he paid ; and on the inn-keeper's re- minding him of his promise, he re- turned his bill to him, saying, " shew them this, and they'll come no more near you, 111 engage." See Garrick, Whiiistone, &c. In declamation, Mr. Quin was most excelled, lie recited with particular energy and judgment, but was unqualified for the striking and vigorous characters of tragedy. He gave true force and dignity to sentiment, by a well-regulated tone of voice, judicious elocution, and ' easy deportment. His chief charac-*^ ters were Brutus, Cato, the Duke in " Measure for Measure," and Fal- staff. /However, the exigencies of the theatre imposed upon him King Lear, Richard, Macbeth, Othello, Young Bcvil, Chamont, once obliged to make an apoiogy to the public for having ap- peared the preceding night in a state of inebriation, v 1776 . lie was a useful but a violent actor, and met with some applause in the characters of lago, Lord Hastings, lac. During his engagement in Dublin with Mr. Ryder, he happened, in the character ofCasialio, (Ihe Orphan! to wound his brother in reality, one Mr. Simth, who performed Poiydore. Reddish, in the heat of his acung, on the tirst ineution of coward, did not wait for Poiydore to repeat it, (" Base-born villain — coward") but took his re- venge. However, he soon recollect- ed himself, and improving upon the author's words,exclaimed, with much agnation. " Oh, by - , my sword war in his bosom." Happily it was attended with no serious conse- quence. This unfortunate actor, whose last performance is supposed to have been at Lxeter, became lat- terly delirious, and died at the luna ic asWutn m York, December, 17tij. REED, (JOSEPH) author of "Mad- rigal and I'rulletla," mock tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1738 ; " The Register Office," farce, acied at Drury Lane, 17til ; " Dido," tragedy, do. 1 66 j "' Tom Jones," comic opera, acted at Covent Garden, lTii'J ; and '• The Impostor.- ; or, Cure for Credulity," farce, ditto, 1770; besides others not acted, was born at Stockton, near Durham. aUoiu 17'.'"), and succeeded his father in the business of a rope-maker, which he carried on there till about lT.i K when lie removed to London, an : conducted a very extensive ma- nufactory at Katchtie highway. In 17S6 he appned to the managers of Drury Lane to revive his tragedy or •• Dido,'' which they refused, on which lie published a complaint, en- titled "'I ne Relort Courteous; or, a candid Appeal to the I'ublic, on the conduct of Thomas Linley, Esq. ma- nager of Drury Lane lheatre, to the aunii r of ' Di o,' containing original letters, and just remarks on the manager's arbitrary and indefensible i ejection of that t agedy." In this pamphlet [however just in some re- spects) he was guilty of an unpar- donable liberty, for in mentioning the notice taken of his tragedy in the liiographia Dramatica, he intro- duced, on very weak authority, the names of two gentlemen as the re- puted tompileis ot this work, and who, it is asseited, were not concern- ed in it. REES, (Mr.) actor, whose talents chiefly lie in inmiickry, lias been on several provincial theatres, and lately at Covent Garden. He gave his imitations formerly at the Hay- market, in the prelude of "The Ma- nager in Distress," and a few seasons ago at the Circus, where, besides actors, he mimicked Mr. Philip Ast- ley, manager of the Royal Grove, or, as he was pleased to call it, " The Amphitheatre of Arts," meaning, it is presumed, the university f. .r horses y dogs, monkeys, and pigs. This Mr. Astley, and Mrs. Astley, (since dead) made iheir tirst appearance on the boards of a Theatre Royal, at Drury Lane, but it was on horseback, in the entertainment of ''The Jubilee." — Taking Mr. Rees's imitation of him in dudgeon, he accidentally met him, and ca.lcd him to an account. Rees very good humouiedly endeavoured to shew him that it was all m the way of business, but Astley, incapa- ble of attending to reason, took Men- .*■;.. ./-like sa.istaction, and forcibly convinced him that no man in the world should copy hi s mimurs. lor this assault, Rees, with great pro- priety, brought an action against him. He la since taken him elt off, a> he lately announced his retirement from she stage. RIEvE, |\\M.) composer, (see Massingki was u.e.y a\\ actor, a; d pet funned the Grimier in " The En- raged Musician," at the Haymarket, with coiisidetable applause, 17si/. His wife ha- also sung in public. RLIMIOI.D, (Mr.) actor, belong- ed to Cut enl Garden m 17 16, and RE RI was a respectable performer in the »ocal line : his chief character was Hawthorn, (Love in a Village). He retired fiom the stage some few years ago. REYNOLDS, (FREDERICK) dra- matist, received his education at Westminster school, and having been intended for the law, in which his father made a conspicuous figure, and to which his brother now be- longs, entered the Temple, but in- stead of practising for that profession, he devoted his time to the more agreeable study of the Muses. His first piece, " Werter," a tragedy, having been rejected by Mr. Harris, was performed at bath with consi- derable applause, and afterwards introduced at Covent Garden by Miss Brunton, (Mrs. Merry) for her be- nefit, March 1, 1786. Its success in- duced Mr. Harris to accept his next piece, •' Eloisa," a tragedy, which was well received, (Dec. 21, 178G; notwithstanding which, the third night, bemg the author's, brought him only eight pounds, and it was therefore laid on the shelf. Finding the public taste was more inclined to comedy, he produced " The Dia- matist ; or, Stop him who can, ' which Mr. Harris rejected, and was conse- quently brought out for Mrs. Wells's l>enent, 1789, and though performed with the many disadvantages attend- ing benefit-productions, became a favourite piece, and secured the ma- nager's approbation of all his future attempts. This m succeeded by " The Crusade," historical romance, 1790; " Notoriety," comedy, 179'^; " How to grow rich," do. 1793 ; " The Rage," do. 1791 ; " Specula- tion," do. 1795 ; " Fortune's Fool." do. 1796. In consequence of the manager's not bringing out his pieces during the profitable time of the sea- son, he now employed his pen for Drury Lane, where he produced " The Will," comedy, 1797; "Cheap Living." do. 1797, but having no Lewis there to support his heroes, he returned to Covent Garden, and brought out, " Laugh when you can," comedy, 1798 ; " Manage- ment," do. 17'.x'9 ; and " Life," do. 1800. He has been a very fortunate writer, for all his comedies, except " The Crusade," which was written for the introduction of some splendid scenery, which had been painted for a les successful piece, have met with much applause. He married Miss Mansel, who was lately a favourite actress at Covent Garden. RICH, (JOHN) manager and ac- tor in pant mime. His father was bred to the law. and was the first of the name and family that embarked in a theatrical government. He was manager at Drury Lane, and though he had no conception himself of either authors or actors, yet his judg- ment was governed by a saving rule in both. He looked into his receipts for the value of a play, and, from common fame, he judged of his ac- tors. This, his son, had been a ma- nager above forty years, without a partner. He was a celebrated Har- lequin when young, under the feign- ed name of Luii, and gave the mot- ley hero such expressive action, that words were unnecessary. It is no wonder, therefore, that he became attached to those exhibitions, and while manager, rendered pantomime the entertainment of a Theatre Royal, for which he had a true taste, and spirit for the necessary expenees : thus it was that he was able, with an indifferent company, (sometimes the refuse of the ether theatre) to leave a considerable fortune to his family. He was manager of Lincoln's Inn Fields, which had been rebuilt by his father on Iris expulsion from Drury Lane, (see Collier). On opening this theatre, he introduced to the public John Leigh, in Capt. P.ume, (Recruiting Officer) and John Hall, who had been originally a dancing master, and having acquired some money by his profession, had joined Leigh in the management of Smock Alley, Dublin, about the beginning of the reign of George I. 'J his scheme was unsuccessful ; Hall lost his property, and returned to Eng- land with Leigh, when he acquired some fame under Ricb'smanagement, in the character of Locket, ( Beggar's Opera, first representation or it) Captain Macheath, Mr. Walker ; Peachum, Mr. Htppesley ; and Polly, . Miss RI RO "Miss Fenton. Hal! was twice mar- ried, and Ins second wife's daughter, Grace M off a it, kept tlie Bell and Dragon, in Portugal Street. In 1733 Rich removed his company to Co- vent Garden. He married Mrs. Priscilla Stevens, October 25, 174 f, and died in Dec. 1761, aged 70, during the run of a grand s|>ectacle, which he got up in honour of his pre- sent Majesty's coronation. His ill state of health, (having been long afflicted with the stone) and his ac- customed exactness in such like ex- hibitions, delayed the shew for some time. Besides his widow, he left be- hind him four daughters, all married, and an equal dividend to be made amongst them. Mrs. Rich was ac- customed to say, concerning the receipt of Covent Garden Theatre, that if the treasurer's account con- sisted of three figures in the column of pounds, she was satisfied ; of c mrsc, a hundred poinds was then thought a good receipt, but double that sum is now reckoned a bad one ; yet the present manager, since his improvements, and the encrease of charge, for benefits, had only sixty pounds one night in the house. RICHARDSON, (JOSEPH) author of a comedy called " The Fugitive," acted at Drury Lane. 1792, and one of the proprietors of that theatre. — He was born in the county of Nor- thumberland about 1756, and having been educated at a respectable pub- lie school in the north, entered at St. John's College, Cambridge, 177"). He became a student of the Middle Temple, in 1779, and was called to the bar in 178V. He was brought into parliament under the patronage of the Duke of Northumberland, and is one of the representatives for New- port, in Cornwall. This gentleman is the author of several elegant poems, and so great is the merit of his only dramatic piece, that it is to be la- mented he has not resumed his pen, and endeavoured to restore legiti- mate comedy to the stage. He has been manv \ears married. RICHARDSON. (ELIZABETH) produced a comedy, tailed " The Double Deception," acted at Drury Lane, 177y. She was the daughter I of a tradesman in the city, and died in October, the same year that her play was performed. RICHARDSON, (Mr.) actor, was born in Worcester, where his father carried on a considerable manufac- ture. At first he was intended for the church, but was afterwards bound to his father, with whom he remain- ed till he came of age. He then visited London, and lived some time in an eminent mercantile house, after which he returned to Worcester, and joined his brother in business. Hav- ing been much noticed as a singer, he was advised to attempt the stage, and made his first appearance at Bath in 1790, where he remained one season, and afterwards became a favourite singer and actor at Man- chester and Norwich. The former place he visited twice, and thence came up to London, where he was engaged by Mr. Harris, and acquired some degree of reputation at Covent Garden. ROBINSON, (Mrs. MARY) for- merly actress, maiden name Darby, was the daughter of a captain, who was born in America, ana who died in 1787 at Bristol, having lost a consi- derable fortune in a commercial spe- culation. His widow, who was of an ancient and respectable family, was left with three children, two sons and this daughter, under whose roof she died some few years ago. Miss Robinson had received part of her education in Bristol, at Miss Hannah More's seminary, and was after- wards removed to another near Lon- don. At the age of seventeen, she was introduced to Mr. Garrick, and under his auspices and friendly tui- tion, prepared herself for the stage, in the character of Cordelia ; but on her marriage with Mr. Robinson, then a student of Lincoln's Inn, she declined her intention, but which, on his embarrassment;, she resumed, and mule her first appearance at Drury Lane under the patronage of the Duchess of Devonshire, in the character of Juliet, about the year 1776. She remained on the stage till 1779, performing the principal characters in tragedy and genteel co- medy. In 1778, she produced for F t her RO RO her own benefit, a musical farce, cal- led " The Lucky Escape ;" and in 1794 a farce called "Nobody," acted at Drury Lane without success. — However, she acquired a consider- able share of literary fame by her J>cems and novels. She also pub- ished a tragedy, " The Sicilian Lover," 1796, which had been offer- ed in vain to die proprietors of Drury Lane. She died in 1801, having been for some time indisposed. ROCK, (Mr.) actor, is a native of Ireland, and a few seasons ago sup- ported the low Irish characters at 'Covent Garden and the Haymarket with some applause. He has been on several provincial stages, and per- formed lately in Edinburgh with 'Messrs. Jackson (the veteran ma- nager) and Aickin, who have suc- ceeded Mr. S. Kemble, in the ma- nagement of the theatre there. His wife had been an actress a con- siderable time in the country ; she afterwards supported the characters of second-rate chambermaids at Co- vent Garden. ROLT, (RICHARD) author of " Eliza," opera, acted at the Hay- market, 1754; " The Royal Shep- Tierd," opera, acted at Drury Lane, 1763; and " Alcmena," do. 1764, was allied to the family of Ambrose Philips, but had no learned educa- tion. He subsisted entirely by his pen, and was employed with Chris- topher Smart in some theatrical en- terprise at the little theatre in the Haymarket, and afterwards was con- cerned with Shuterin a scheme of the like nature, in consequence of which he was noticed by Churchill in his " Rosciad." He died, as he had long lived, in distress, about the year 1773. ROSS, (DAVID) actor, was born in the year 1728, and was educated at Westminster school. He was dis- inherited by his father for going on the stage, yet had the happiness and credit of retaining the steady regard of a most respectable number of schoolfellows, as well as other friends, whom he acquired in later life. He came upon Covent Garden stage about the year 1753, and having tiie advantage of a good person and edu- cation, was respectable in tragedy and comedy. He uninterruptedly enjoyed this situation till about the year 1778, when, being left out in the engagements of that time, he never afterwards recovered it. Improvi- dent, like the generality of his bre- thren, he had made no provision for the future, and was consequently consigned to severe distress. In this situation an ill-paid annuity from a mortgage in the Edinburgh theatre, (of which he had formerly been ma- nager) served rather to tantalize than to relieve him. His wants, however, unavoidably disclosing themselves, he was one day surprised by an enclo- sure of a sixty pound note, the en- velope containing only a mention that it came from an old schoolfellow, and a direction to a banker where he was to receive the same sum an- nually. This, which he afterwards found his most certain provision, was continued for many years, and the donor was still unknown. The mys- tery was at length discovered thro' an inadvertence of the banker's clerk, and Ross, with infinite gratitude, found his benefactor in the person of Admiral Barrington. The accident of breaking his leg in 1788, decided his theatrical fate, and he lived prin- cipally on the bounty of his great naval friend. His domestic life was marked by his marriage with the ce- lebrated Fanny Murray, who, what- ever her former indiscretions were, conducted herself as a wife with ex- emplary prudence and discretion.— He died September 14, 1790, and was interred in the paved depart- ment of St. James's church-yard, in Piccadilly. A great many of his friends were in the country, and the funeral was very private. The ser- vice was performed partly in the church, and partly at the grave. As an actor, he had claims to great praise in tragic characters of the mix- ed passions, as well as lovers in gen- teel comedy ; but from indolence, or the love of plea>ure, he was not al- ways equal to himself. In the year 1752, during the Christhmas holi- days, he played George Barnwell, and Mrs. Pritchard, Millwood. Soon after Doctor Barrowby, physician to St. RO St. Bartholomew's hospital, was sent for by a young gentleman in Great St. Helen's, apprentice to a very ca- pital merchant. He found him very ill with a slow fever, a heavy hammer pulse, that no medicine could touch. The nurse told him that he sighed at times so very deeply, that she was sure there was something on his mind. The doctor sent every one out of the room, and told his patient, he was certain there was a secret distress which lay so heavy on his spirits, that it would he in vain to order him me- dicine, unless he would open his mind freely. After much solicita- tion on the part of the doctor, the youth confessed there was indeed something lay heavy at his heart, but that he would sooner die than di- vulge it, as it must be his ruin if it was known. The doctor assured him, if he would make him his confi- dant, he would by every means in his power serve him, and that the secret, if he desired it, should remain so to all the world, but to those who might be necessary to relieve him.— After much conversation, he told the doctor, he was the second son to a gentleman of good fortune in Hert- fordshire ; that he had made an im- proper acquaintance wih a kept mistress of a captain of an Indiaman then abroad ; that lie was within a year of being out of his time, and had been entrusted with cash, drafts, and notes, which he had made free with, to the amount of two hundred poun Is. That, going two or three nights before to Drury Lane, to see Ross and Mrs. Pritchard in their cha- racters of George Barnwell and Mill- wood, he was so forcibly struck, he had not enjoyed a moment's peace since, and wished to die, to avoid the shame he saw hanging over him. The doctor asked where his father was? he replied, he expected him there every minute, as he was sent for by his master u|x>n his being taken so very ill. 1 he doctor desired the young gentleman to make himself perfectly easy, as he would under- take his father should make all right ; and, to get his patient in a promising way, assured him, if his father made the least hesitation, he should have RO the money of him. The father soon arrived. The doctor took him into another room, and, after explaining the whole cause of his son's illness, begged him to save the honour of his fimily, and the life of his son. The father, with tears in his eyes, gave him a thousand thanks, said he would step to his banker, and bring the mo- ney. While the father was gone, Dr. Barrowby went to his patient, and told him every thing would be settled in a few minutes, to his ease and satisfaction : that his father was gone to his banker for the money, and would soon return with peace and forgiveness, and never mention; or even upbraid him, with the past. —They soon met, kissed, and em- braced. The young man immedi- ately recovered, and lived to be a very eminent merchant. Dr. Bar- rowby never divulged his name, but the story he mentioned often in the Green Koom of Drury Lane Theatre j and after telling it one night when Mr. Ross was standing by, he said to him, " You have done some good in your profession, more, perhaps, than many a clergyman who preached last Sunday," for the patient told the doctor, the play raised such horror and contrition in his soul, that he would, if it would please God to raise a friend to extricate him out of that distress, dedicate the rest of his life to religion and virtue. Though Ross never knew his name, nor saw him to his knowledge, he had for nine or ten years, at his benefit, a note sealed up with ten guineas, and these words : " A tribute of gratitude from one who was highly obliged, and saved from ruin, by seeing Mr. Ross's performance of Barnwell." ROVVE, (NICHOLAS) dramatist, was born in 1763, and educated at a private school in Highgate, from whence he was removed to West- minster school, and at sixteen years of age became a student of the Mid- dle Temple. He was a handsome, genteel man, and as amiable as agreeable: he was twice married; had a son by his first wife, and a daughter by his second. He died December 6, 1718. His dramatic pieces are, "The Ambitious Step- f ( 2 mother,'* RY RY mother," tragedy, acted at Lincoln's || Inn Fields, 1700; "Tamerlane," do. [ 1702 ; " The Fair Penitent." do. 1703 ; " The Biter," comedy, do. 1705 ; " Ulysses," tragedy, acted at the Haymatket. 1706 ; " The Royal Convert," do. 1708; "Jane Shore," do. 1713; " Lady jane Gray," tra- gedy,acted at Drury Lane, 1715. RUSSEL, (Mr.) actor, is a native of England, and has performed at several provincial theatre.' with ap- plause. He was acting manager at Margate, where he supported the first line in conedy to the satisfaction of the town ; aid having been en- gaged at Drury Lane in 179S, made his debut in Charles, (School for Scandal) and Fribble, " Miss in her Teens) in the latter of which he had greater success, for Charles, i though many attempts have been made) has never returned to the London boards since Smith has retired. RYAN, (LACY) actor, though he was generally esteemed a native o: Ireland, was born in the parish of St. Margaret. Westminster, about the year 1694. He was the son of Daniel Ryan,ataylor, and had his education at St Paul's school, after which he was designed for the law, and was diere- fore a short time with Mr. Lacy, an attorney, who was his godfather. He had some thoughts of going to the East Indies with his brother, (who died there 1719) but a stionger pro- pensity to the stage prevailing, by the friendship of fcir Richard Steele he was introduced into the Hay- market company, 1710. One of the the first parts which was suddenly put into his hands was Scyton, an old officer, in the tragedy of Macbeth, at which time he was about sixteen years of age. Betterton, who per- formed Macbeth, and had not seen Ryan before he came on the stage, was surprised at the sight of a boy in a large full-bottomed icig. How- ever, by his looks he encouraged him to go on with wliat he had to say, and when the scene was over, commended the actor, but reproved old Downs, the prompter, for send- ing on the stage a child to represent a man advanced in years. At lin- age of eighteen he acquired consi- derable fame in the part of Marcus, during the run of " Cato," in 1712, in which he had been instructed by tlte author, and his friend Steele.— He from that time encreased in fa- vour, and arose to a very conspi- cuous rank in his prefession. The friendship which subsisted between Mr. Q.uin and Mr. Ryan was inviola- ble, and it is remaikable that they were each at the same time embar- rassed by a similar accident. June 20, 1718, Ryan was at the Sun eating- house, Long Acre, at supper, when a Mr. Kelley, who had before terri- fied several companies by drawing his sword on persons whom lie did not know, came into the room in a fit of drunkenness, abused Ryan, drew his svvoid on him, with which he made three passes, before Ryan could get his own sword, which lay in the window. With this he wounded Mr. Kelley in the leftside, who imme- diately expired.. It does not appear that Ryan was obliged to take his tiial for this homicide. He had received a shot by an accident, which rendered his voice disagreeable, till the discor- dance of it became familiar to the ear. Garrick declared the greatest part of his merit in Richard the Hid, arose from the observations he had made on Ryan's manner of playing it. He wrote the " Cohler's opera," of one act, 1729, and died Aug. 15, 1760. RYDER, (THOMAS) actor, was supposed to be an Irishman, but he declared himself a native of England, and is ;aid to have been born at Not- tinghamshire, where his father, whose name was Darley, was a printer, to which he had brought up his son, but who resigned the typographical for the mimic art, and having prac- tised in the country, particularly York, made his first appearance on the Irish stage in Captain Plume, (Recruiting Officer) December 7, 17r>7. then under jhe management of Mr. Sheridan, and was ai:crwards engaged by the succeeding manager, Mr. Brown, at a handsome saiary, when he performed all the first comic parts, wiih Mrs. Abington. He com- menced manager after the death of Mr. Mossop, in 1771, and both these gentlemen held the reins about the same RY RY tame length of time. Mossop be- became director in 1761, and Ryder finished his reign in 1782, and both experienced the vicissitudes attend- ing Irish managements, during their ten years government. The latter was more successful in his onset, hav- ing derived considerable assistance from an unexpected prize in the lot- tery. This fortunate ticket was for several weeks lying neglected, till at last Mrs. Ryder meeting with it ac- cidentally at her toilet, reminded her husband of it, who made enquiry, both to his surprise and satisfaction. The theatre in Fishamble street, was now opened in opposition to him by Messrs. Vandremere, Waddy, &c. however he got the better of a spi- rited contest, but chiefly owing to a manoeuvre. The opera of " The Duenna" having been got up by his opponents at a great expenee, soon after its representation in London. Ryder employed some confidential persons to take down the dialogue in short hand, and being thus master of the words, advertised it under the title of " The Gvocrntsi," including the songs, &c. of "The Duenna," which were published, and gave frtsh names to all the Dramatis Per- sons. The Jew Isaac, which he per- formed himself, was called Enock.--- A prosecution was the result of this, but Ryder succeeded as defendant, it being theopinionof the Iri-h judges, that any person may make memo- randa, or write all, if capable, of whatever is publicly exhibited. Not- withstanding these smiles of fortune, extravagance, which was in a great measure promoted by his wife, scon rendered him a distrest man. He kept his carriage, a splendid equi- page, his country house, &c. He began to build a most elegant town house, on which he expended four thousand pounds, and which having been afterwards sold, unfinished, for about six hundred, very justly bore the name of Ryder's fitly. The busi- ness of printer he for some timeadded to that of an atti r, and set up a thc- atiical newspaper, which was pub- lished three times a week ; he also piinted some of the plays in which he perfumed hnutclt, altering his characters, and adapting them to his own taste and humour. Pecuniary embarrassments rendered him inca- pable of paying his performers their salaries, and this naturally occasioned green room disturbances ; and one night that the play was commanded by the lord lieutenant, on the ap- pearance of his Excellency, and when the bell rung for the curtain to rise, Mr. Clinch, one of his players, came on the stage, and informed the au- dience, that the company would no longer perform, as they had been for some time without receiving their money. His Excellency and suite accordingly departed ; when, to add to the insult, the play was then per- formed. At this time Mr. Ryder was just recovered from a severe fit of illness, and still kept his room, but on being acquainted of this singular event, advertised, that ill as he still was, he would appear on the stage, and lay before the public the whole circumstances. This night was fixed for his benefit, and when he came out, his pallid countenance so moved the audience, that they called to the prompter for a chair for him. Ryder then read several papeis, for he could not, he said, trust to his me- mory, when it appeared, that they who were the most clamorous, had the least cause for complaint. On this memorable night, Mr. l)a!y, who afterwards i ppo ed him as manager, made his second appearance in that kingdom in the character of Lord Townly. (Manly, Mr. Wilder; Sir Francis Wronghead, Mr. Dawson; 'Squire Richard, Mr. G. Dawson ; Moody, Mr. Owen -on ; I ady Grace, Miss Scrace ; and Lady Townly, Mrs. Lyster, formerly Miss Barsanti. and afterwards Mrs. Daly.) The play did not begin till almost nine o'clock, and each performer on his or her ap- pearance, was received with either applause or disapprobation, accord- ing to the manager's report: among the former \v.i> Mr. v\ ilder, who met with shouts of applause, and who was ever remarked for being a favourite with every master he served : among the latter was Miss Scrace, who was much hissed. Mr. Owenson wished to have replied to Mr- K>der, but was not SH SH Hot permitted. Mr. Vandermere, in consequence of this business, with- drew himself from the theatre The poor manager still endeavoured to entertain the public. At this time be rented both theatres, Smock Alley and Crow Street, in order to prevent any rivalship, the latter of which he kept open, but not being able to dis- charge some arrears of the former, lie was persuaded to give it up, and soon found an opponent in Mr. Daly, (see Daly) against whom he exerted his best skill, having opened his op- position season with Colman's appli- cable prelude of the " Manager in Distress." Daly's motto was, " We can't command success, but we'll endeavour to deserve it." Ryder's, in answer to this, was, " The less we deserve, the more merit in your bounty." However, his rival was too powerful, bankruptcy ensued, and he was at length obliged to be- come one of Daly's company, but wtth extraordinary privileges, parti- cularly that he was to play only -what and ivhen he pleased, and that he was to choose whatever character he liked in every new piece. During Ryder's management, the following performers were engaged at differ- ent times : Mr. and Mrs. Harry, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Foote, and Mr. Hen- derson, (these had a share of the profits! ; Mrs. Abington, (five hun- dred pounds for twelve nights) ; Miss tatiey, (forty guineas per night); Miss Hope. Mr. Dodd, Mr. Smith, Mr. J. Palmer, Mrs. Hartley, Mr. Lewis, Mr. T. Aickin, Mr. Ross, Mr. Reddish, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Death, Mr. Wewitzer, Mr. and Mrs. O'Keefe, Mr. Dubellamy, Mr. Web- ster, Miss Wewitzer, Mr. Cautherley, &c. In the season of 1787 he made his first appearance at Covent Gar- den in Sir John Brute', (Provoked Wife). As he played the character in a different style to what it had been generally represented, the cri- tics were divided in their opinion, but in other characters they acknow- ledged his merit. In low comedy he was excellent, and many of his best parts he never performed in London. He was a Roscius in Dublin, where he had been successively Richard the Third — Scrub — Captain Macheath — Shylock— Cardinal Wolsey— Hob- Pierre— Scapin, &c. Though he never disgusted in any part, yet his tragedy, except some characters, was never seen with much pleasure, but his comedy was universally, and in- deed jusly admired. He died at Sandy Mount, Dublin, November '26, 1791. His daughters he brought out on the st3ge a litde before his death, at the Haymarket, in Portia and Jessica, (Merchant of Venice) Shylock by himself; but a father'* agitation abated, in a great mea- sure, the Jew's vindictiveness. His wife soon followed him to the grave. His son, who had been an actor in Dublin, and afterwards entered the army, was killed in a duel, 1796, and one of his daughters, Rose, who had been married to Mr. Pendred, died at Rathmines, near Dublin, in 1801. s. SAINT JOHN, (Hon. HENRY) au- thor of " Mary Uueen of Scots," tra- gedy, acted at Drury Lane in 17S9 ; and " The Isle of St. Marguerite," musical entertainment, do. 1789. -— He is brother to the Earl of Boling- broke. ST. LEDGER, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Williams, made her first appearance on the Dublin stage, and was engaged at Covent Garden in 1799, where she performed Ali- cia, Calista, &c. but now sustains characters of less importance. SAVAGE, (RICHARD) see Wood- fall. SC AWEN, ( JOHN ) author of " The Girl in Style,'' farce, acted, without success, at Covent Gaiden, 1786; and " New Spain ; or, Love in Mex- ico," opera, with little success, at the Havmarket, 1790. He was brought up S H SH up to the army, and fought a duel wi(h the famous George Robert Fitz- gerald, of Ireland, whose vindictive disposition brought him there to an ignominious end. The quarrel be- gan at Vauxhali, when Fitzgerald's companion. Captain Croft, had some words with the Rev. Mr. Bate Dud- ley, on account of some misbehaviour to Mrs. Hurley, an actress, who bc- Jonged to Covent Garden in 1773. Mr. Scawen having censured Mr. Fitzgerald's conduct, the latter sent the challenge. Fitzgerald tired first, and taking hold of his other pistol, stood with it in the attitude ot pre- senting to receive Mr. Scawen's fire, but immediately discharged it, de- claring it went off by accident. Mr. Scawen then tired his in the air. SECOND, (Mrs.) singer, maiden ram .Matron, having sung in orato- lios, made her lirst theatrical attempt i th character of Emily, (Woodman) atCovent Garden, October 17, 1796. Sh laboured under much apprehen- sion, but, notwithstanding, e\ecuted 1 er songs with much sweetness and taste. The lower tones of her voice were harmonious, and in the bravura strains she acquitted herself with much credit, but her delivery of the dialogue was scarcely audible, owing to her timidity. Her figure is good, her person rather tall, and her fea- tures agreeable. On her repetition of the character, she evinced more perfect ideas of acting. SES 11 M^Signora) singer, belonged to Covent Garden in 17KJ, and after- wants performed at the Haymarket. She was a winter season in Dublin, with Mr. Daly, where her Jessamy, (Lionel and Clarissa) had a consider- able run. Though not mistress of the English language, yet her action and speech justly delineated the insigniti- cant co\comb. SH1LLD, (WM.) composer, was born at Swalwell, in the county of Durham : his father was a singing master in that neighbourhood, and much resected in his profession.— Soon after the birth of this his son, here-moved to North Shields, where he had several pupils. William was taught the violin by his father when six years of age, in which he made a rapid progress. He was also taught the harpsichord, and before he was eight years old, could sing at sight, and read every cliff. In his ninth year, he lost his father, who died at the age of 33, and his mother, (who had three children besides) bound him apprentice to a boat-builder for six years. During his appretuice- ship he still cultivated his musical talents, through the indulgence of his master, and was instructed by Avi- son, who lived in that neighbourhood. He was invited to Scarborough by- Cunningham, the celebrated pastoral f)oet, when he soon evinced his talents or musical composition. When the Scarborough season ended, he was engaged to lead the band at the the- atre, in Durham, and at the concert? in Newcastle. He was afterwards recommended to Giardini, then leader of the Opera House, and pro- cured a situation in that orchestra, where he was much befriended by Cramer, Giardini's successor. He was also the leader of the band for one season atColman's little theatre, in the room of Mr. Bulkeby, ( 1778) during which season he composed " The Flitch of Bacon," his first dra- matic attempt, which task he mo- destly declined at first, in compliment to Doctor Arnold, the regular com- poser of that theatre, but was per- suaded to undertake it by the en- treaties of the author. He was soon after engaged as regular composer for Covent Garden, and his genuine compositions ensured the success of many operas, which had little or no merit to boast of but his. Having remained in this situation some years, with credit and advantage both to himself and theatre, he was induced to resign it, in consequence of a dif- ference with the manager, in respect io salary, and though Mr. Harris in- vited the united efforts of many since to supply his place, the merit of a Shield has still been wanting. He now visited Italy, in order to study the best mode of teaching singing, and for this purpose had lessons from the best masters at Rome. On his return, it was expected that he would resume his situation at Covent Gar- den, but the difference still continued between SH S H ^between him and the manager,' who is too easily guided by advisers. (See Harris). Notwithstanding this, lie has occasionally assisted the theatre, and has published " An Introduction to Harmony," 1800, a work of great merit. SHERIDAN, (THOMAS) actor, was the eldest son of Dr. Thomas Sheridan, an eminent divine and schoolmaster, and was born in 1721 at Quilca, a place which to future times will acquire a degree of im- portance, as the residence of Swift, and the HMrtli -place of most of Mr. Sheridan's family, particularly of the author of the " School for Scandal." Under his father, who was the most eminent schoolmaster of his time, he received the first rudiments of his education, and had the honour to be noticed for his proficiency in litera- ture by his godfaiher. At the age of J3, in 1734, he was admitted of the foundation at Westminster school, at which seminary he continued two years, and was by pure merit elected a king's scholar. ' His father was then so poor, thathecould not add four- teen pounds, to enable the boy to finish the year, and was forced to recal him to Dublin, at the Univer- sity of which the Doctor had friends, and procured his son's entrance on the foundation, where he took his degree in art-. In the year 1738 he lost his father, and at that juncture it was his intention to follow his steps, and devote himself to the education of youth, which he observes he ever esteemed to be one of the most use- ful and honourable stations in life.— Having his father's reputation to build upon, and some very advanta- geous proposals made to him upon that head, he had the most flattering prospect of success, and would cer- tainly have entered upon the office immediately after taking his degree of Master of Arts, but for one objec- tion. He saw a deficiency in the early part of education, that the study of the English language was neglect- ed, and that it could not be reduced to any rule, unless the art of speak- ing was revived. 'J he revival of the long lost art of oratory became there- fore the first necessary step towards his design. To obtain this there was but one way open, which was the stage ; accordingly he made his ap- pearance at Smock Alley Theatre, January 29, 1743, in the character of Richard 111. with distinguished en- couragement and applause. His theatrical career was, however, soon interrupted ; for in the month of June he was obliged both to defend his own conduct, and repel the at- tacks of Cibber, who took an oppor- tunity of involving him in a contro- versy, which was carried on with dignity and spirit by Sheridan, and with flippancy and pertness by Cib- ber. The cause of the dispute arose from the robe in which Cato used to be performed being taken away by the manager, and without it Mr. She- ridan refused to proceed in his part. On applying to Cibber for his advice, he was treated with impertinent negligence ; and continuing his re- fusal, Cibber went on the stage, and offered to read the part of Cato, and perform his own character of Syphax. This offer was accepted by the audi- ence; but Mr. Sheridan considering it an officious and insidious interference, appealed to the Town, and was an- swered by Cibber ; to whom a reply was printer!, which again was follow- ed by a rejoinder. In the progress of this controversy, much virulence was displayed, and much abuse poured forth. Both parties lost their tem- per, and probably neither had reason in the end to applaud his own con- duct. Cibber, or a friend of his, col- lected all the papers published, and printed them in a pamphlet entitled " The Buskin and Sock ; being con- troversial letters between Mr. Tho. Sheridan, tragedian, and Mr. Theo- philus Cibber, comedian," 12mo. which seems to have ended the dis- pute. The next year, 1744, Mr. She- ridan came to England, and appear- ed at Covent Garden Theatre, March 31. in the character of Hamlet, and at the commencement of the winter season engaged at Drury Lane, where a sort of competition or rival- ship was set up between him and Mr. Garrick, which occasioned a quarrel. On his return to Dublin, he undertook the management of the theatre SH SH theatre there ; and Mr. Garrick, not- withstanding the quarrel, was invited over, (see Garnet.) During that season Mr. Garrick, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Barry, and Miss Bellamy, fre- quently acted in the same plays ; yet it is remarkable, that with such a company, and in a parliament win- ter, with all their strength united, they were not able to exhibit plays oftener than two nights in a week, and could seldom insure good houses to both those nights ; and that the receipt of the whole season did not exceed three thousand four hundred pounds. Mr. Sheridan continued in the management of the theatre, which before that time liad been con- ducted in a very disorderly manner; and the abuses had continued so long as to be evidently a very arduous, if not impracticable task, to reform. — He was, however, determined to at- tempt it ; and an event soon hap- pened which afforded him the op- portunity of enforcing some new re- gulations. On the 19th of January 1746-7, a young gentleman, inflamed with wine, went into the pit, and climbing over the spikes of the stage, very soon made his way to the green room, where he addressed one of the actresses in such indecent terms aloud, as made tlietn all fly to their dressing rooms. He pursued one of them thither, but being repulsed by the door, he made such a noise there as disturbed the business of the scenes. — Miss Bellamy, whom he pursued, was then wanted on the stage, but could not come out for fear. Mr. Sheridan (who was then in the cha- racter of ./Esop) went to the door, attended by the servants and a guard, and ordered them to take that gen- tleman away and conduct him to the pit, from whence he came. This was done without the least bustle or obstruction on the part of the gentle- man ; but when he arrived- in the pit, he took a basket from one of the orange women, and when the ma- Bager came on the stage, he took the best aim he could at him with the oranges ; one of which taking place, Mr. Sheridan addressed the audience (which happened to be but thin that Bight; for protection. As there were some gentlemen in the pit who were acquainted with the rioter, they si- lenced hira with some difficulty, but not till several abusive names had passed from him, such as scoundrel and rascal: and Mr. Sheridan was so much disconcerted as to say, " I am as good a gentleman as you are ;" and these words were the next day altered thus, " I am as good a gen- tleman as any in the house." After the play, this young hero went out of the pit, and found his way to Mr. Sheridan's dressing room, and there to his face, before his servants, called him the same abusive names, which, of course, provoked him to give him some blows, which the gentleman took very patiently; and by means of another falsehood (that Sheridan's servants in the room held him while their master beat him) the club of his companions to whom he went that night with his broken nose and other grievances, were so animated and incensed that a scoundrel player should beat a gentleman, that a party was directly formed — a powerful fighting party — and the next day all persons were threatened openly in every coffee-house that dared to look as if they inclined to take the part of Sheridan. His name being in the bills some days after to perform Ho- ratio, several leiters, cards, and mes- sages were sent to him. warning him not to leave his house that evening, and to take particular care to be well guarded even there. He fol- lowed that friendly advice ; and when Mr. Dyer went on the stage to apologize for his not performing the part, and to acquaint the audience with his reasons, at that instant about fifty of the party, with the young hero at their head, rose in the pit, and climbing over the spikes on the stage, ran directly to the green room, from thence to all the dreising rooms ; broke open those that were locked ; ran up to the wardrobe, and thrust their swords into all the chests 3nd presses of clothes, by way of feeling, they said, if Sheridan was concealed" there. After many of these violences a party went off to his house ; bur finding he had provided for their reception, they thought proper to G g retire. SH SH retire This transaction happened on a Thursday night ; and from that time for several nights the theatre was shut up ; but during the interval the friends of each side employed themselves in defending and attack- ing each other from the press. The spirit of the most respectable people was by this time roused to oppose the licentiousness of the rioters. The chief inhabitants began at this junc- ture to assemble, and resolved to en- courage and protect the manager.— Several citizens, who seldom were seen in tlie theatre, were so sensible of the advantages and importance of a well-regulated stage, that they de- clared to Mr. Sheridan and his friends that they would now more than ever appear there, and doubted not being able to protect the manager and the actors in general in the discharge of their duty. With assurances of this kind, and a consciousness of his being in the right, Mr. Sheridan consented to the performance of Richard. The house filled earlier than usual. The play opened with great quietness, but at the latter end of the first act, when Richard appeared, a confused noise was heard from different parts, but chiefly from the boxes, of " Sub- mission, a submission, submission— off— off— off :" Mr. Sheridan ad- vanced with respectful bows, but was prevented speaking by louder and more distinct sounds of " no submis- sion, no submission ; go on with the play." It was in this conjuncture that the celebrated Dr. Lucas rose up in the pit, and asserted the rights of the audience, and the freedom of the stage. He expressed his astonish- ment and detestation of men's bring- ing their private quarrels with ma- nagers or players into the theatre, and such he apprehended the present case to be ; but since the dispute was introduced, it must, like other dis- putes there, be determined by the majority. He presumed every sober person in the house came to receive the entertainment promised in the bills, for which he paid his money at the door. The actors then, he ob- served, were the servants of the au- dience, and under their protection during that performance, and he looked upon every insult or inter- ruption given to them in the dis- charge of their duty as offered to the audience. He apprehended the matter in dispute was no breach of the duty of die managers or actors cognizable by any persons present ; but whether it was so, or thought otherwise by the House, the question might be easily determined. He therefore moved, that those who were for preserving the decency and freedom of the stage, should distin- guish themselves by the holding up of hands ; judging that when they should come to know their numbers and superiority, they would silence or tuin out their opponents. He was heard with great respect, and saluted with shouts of applause ; but on the division the numbers were so great against the rioters, and withal appeared so animated for action, that the minority suddenly went off, and left the performance of that night in quiet. Nothing was yet done de- cisively, but each pany by this time was more exasperated against each other. At length matters came to a crisis. There was an annual play appointed before the riot began, the " Kair Penitent," for the benefit of the hospital for incurables ; and the governors, who were all persons of consequence, demanded the perfor- mance of their benefit play ; and sent the manager word (who was to perform the part of Horatio) that they would take upon them to de- fend him that night ; resting assured no set of men would oppose a chanty play, especially as all the ladies of quality exerted their interest, and were to honour it with their pre- sence. The bills were accordingly posted up, and the governors went early to the theatre with their white wands: the boxes and pit would have been filled with ladies, if about thirty gentlemen had not taken early possession of the middle of two or three benches near the spikes of the orchestra. There were above an hundred ladies seated on the stage, and when the curtain drew up no- thing could equal the brilliant ap- pearance of the house. At the en- trance of Mr. Sheridan (who had the honour SH SH honour of being ushered in by the governors) those thirty men, all arm- ed, rose up in the pit and ordered him off; and they were joined by some few placed in both galleries. Mr. Sheridan withdrew, and then violent deputes and ihreatenings be- gan between the governors on the stage and the gentlemen in the pit, ana something very like challenges passed between several of them, as all the persons on both sides were publicly known. Among the gover- nors was a student of the college in his bachelor's gown, who behaved with some warmth against those who oppo^ed the play, and a gentleman (near the spikes) in the pit threw an apple at him, called him scoundrel, and (as he declared) said they were all a pack of scoundrels. This exas- perated the college, and the mem- bers of it were very eager to take their revenge, which in the end they obtained the next day. The play, however, was not represented, and riot and confusion reigned during the whole of the night. The Lords Justices now thought proper to order the Master of the Revels to shut up the theatre by his authority, which was accordingly done. The young gentleman who began the distur- bance was taken up for assaulting Mr Sheridan, and for the mischief done at the theatre in the dressing rooms and wardrobe ; and the ma- nager was indicted for assaulting and beating the gentleman in his dressing room. When the time of trial drew near, the Lord Chief Justice Marlay sent for the High Sheriff, and direct- ed him to make out and bring a list of sufficient and able jurors to his lordship. This was done to prevent any unfair practises being used. On the day appointed for the trials, that of Mr. Sheridan came on first ; when it appearing that the gentleman gave the manager such provoking abusive language in his dressing room, as compelled him to beat him out of it, and that no other person touched him, the jury acquitted the prisoner without going out of the box. The former prosecutor, now become the culprit, then appeared at the bar, and the tacts charged on him were proved by many witnesses. In the course of the trial Mr. Sheridan was called, and during his examination one of the counsel on the part of the prisoner got up, and said, " He wanted to see a curiosity. I have often seen (continued he) a gentle- man soldier, and a gentleman taylor ; but I have never seen a gentleman player." Mr. Sheridan bowed, and said, " Sir, I hope you see one now." The result of the trial was, that the gentleman was found guilty, and the sentence passed upon him was a fine of five hundred pounds, and three months imprisonment. After he had remained in confinement a week, he applied to Mr. Sheridan for his inter- ference in his behalf, who instantly solicited the government to relin- quish the fine, which was granted him. He then became solicitor and bail himself to the Court of King's Bench for his enlargement, and suc- ceeded in his application. Thus Mr. Sheridan emancipated the stage from the abject and ignominious state in which it existed previous to his con- nection with it ; and from this time regularity, order, and decency, were introduced. Among other circum- stances which this event gave rise to, it was the means of his becoming ac- quainted with the lady whom he shortly afterwards married. This was Miss Chamberlaine, who was born in Ireland in the year 1724, but descend- ed from a good English family, which had removed thither. She was the grand-daughter of Sir Oliver Cham- berlaine, and, during the controversy occasioned by the riots, svrote a small pamphlet in defence of the manager. So well-timed a work exciting the attention of Mr. Sheridan, he pro- cured himself to be introduced to his fair patroness, to whom he was soon after married. She was a per- son of the most amiable character in every relation of life, with the most engaging manners. With her he lived in great domestic harmony above twenty years. In the manage- ment of the theatre Mr. Sheridan now passed several years with no mere variety than usually attends the direction of so complicated a ma- chine ; with some broils with per- G g 2 formers, SH SH formers, and some complaints, but more approbation from the public. Over his performers he soon obtained a complete ascendancy, from the firmness of his conduct as well as the impartiality of it. His success was various : in some seasons the theatre produced a considerable profit, in others his gains were but small. In (his manner, however, he continued, with the prospect of a firm establish- ment for life, and the means of com- petency, if not affluence, when ano- ther storm made shipwreck of his fortune, and drove him entirely from his post, to take refuge in England.— For some time before this period, he had instituted a club, the members of which were in number about fifty or sixty persons, chiefly lords and members of parliament, who were invited to dine together in the ma- nager's apartment at the theatre ; no female being admitted but Mrs. Woffington, who was placed in a great chair at the head of the table, and elected president for the season. This club was begun without any party intention on the side of the manager, but by the means of Mrs. Woffington was, in 1753, metamor- phosed from its original design into one of a political nature ; and the conversation and general toasts of this weekly assembly, which were what might be called anti-patriotic, soon became the talk of the town ; and the manager, of course, was severely abused for being the supporter of the society, as he most certainly and ef- fectually was, when he was the per- son who paid for all. At this critical and dangerous juncture it is not to be wondered at that this assembly of courtiers, publicly supported by the manager, who being also the prin- cipal actor, was consequently at all times within the immediate resent- ment of the provoked party, should become the object of revenge. The patriots of the day resolved to watch for the first opportunity to destroy him, and an occasion soon offered.— The tragedy of " Mahomet" had been some time singled out by the manager to be revived ; the chief parts were written out and cast the winter preceding in the following manner : Palmira, Mrs. Woffington ;Zaphna, Mr. Sheridan ; and Alcanor, Mr. Digges. On February 23, 1754, the night of performance, the pit was filled very soon with the leaders and chiefs or the country party, and when Dirges spoke the following speech : " — If, ye powers divine," &c. (act 1, scene 1) the moment he had finished it, all the party in the pit roared out encore, which was con- tinued with such violence, that the actor, after discovering due astonish- ment in his countenance, very readi- ly spoke the whole speech over again, which was most remarkably ap- plauded by the audience. The fine scenes of Zaphna and Palmira, which are the best in the play, and were performed by their principal and usually-applauded actors, this night passed unnoticed, and all the ap- plause fell on the character of Al- canor. Although it would have been more prudent, from the appearances then exhibited, to have laid aside the play for the present, yet the manager unfortunately yielded to a request made him to perform " Mahomet" a second time, and contented himself with ordering a general summons to all the company to meet him in the green room on the Friday morning, the day be- fore the play was to be acted. — When the company were all assem- bled, he entered the room with a paper in his hand, and read them a lecture on the duties of an actor, par- ticularly respecting his conduct to the public ; and to shew in the most glaring colours that the actor who prostituted himself to the wanton humour of an audience, brought ine- vitable disgrace not only on himself but on all his brethren. Mr. Digges rose up and said, it was very obvious that this lecture on the duties of an actor was levelled at him ; that he was the person who had brought that disgrace upon himself and his brethren ; but as the same play was to be performed the following night, and the same demand from the au- dience was likely to fall on him, he desired to know what were the ma- nager's commands in regard to his conduct. Mr. Sheridan's reply was, that S H SH that he should give him no directions, f but leave him to do as he thought rro|>er. Digges then said, " Sir, if should comply with the demand of the audience, and repeat the speech as I did before, am I to incur >our censure for doing it >" The manager replied, " Not at all; I leave you to act in that matter as you think pro- per." The night following, March 2, was the performance. The pit was full as soon as the doors were open, the house crowded, and this remark- able speech in the first scene. As soon as ever it was out of the mouth of the actor, he was called upon to repeat it, with the same vehemence as on tlie first night. The actor seemed startled, and stood some time motionless ; at last, at the con- tinued fierceness of the encores, he made a motion to be heard, and when silence was obtained, he said, ■•* It would give him the highest pleasure imaginable to comply with the request of the audience, but he bad his piivate reasons for begging they would be so gooJ as to excuse him, as his compliance would be gready injurious to him." On his saying that, they immediately called out, Sheridan > Sheridan! the ma- nager ! the manager ! and this cry soon became universal throughout all parts of the house. After some short time Mr. Digges left the stage ; and the uproar continuing, Mr. Sheridan (who stood behind the scenes) or- dered the curtain down, and sent on the prompter to acquaint the audi- ence that they were ready to per- form the play, if they were suffered to go on in quiet ; if not, that they were at liberty to take their money again. The prompter was not heard, but obliged to withdraw. Mr. She- ridan then said, with some agitation, " They have no right to call upon me, I'll not obey their call ; I'll go up to my room and undress myself ," and up he went. Some of his best friends left the pit and boxes, and went to his dressing room after him, and entreated him not to un- dress, but to go down and endeavour to pacify an audience that knew he was there, and must be enraged at his refusal to appear before them. But at fhe were dispatched to the manager to acquaint him with the resolution of the house, but no arguments could prevail on him to return back ; ana when the hour was expired they renewed their call, and after continuing it some time, two of their leaders (persons of gra- vity and condition) rose from the pit and went off over the boxes ; that was the agreed signal. A youth in the pit then stood up, and cried out, God bless his Majesty King George, with three huzzas; and at the end of the last huzza they began to demolish the house, and the audi- ence part was all in pieces in five minutes. After this execution, some moved to fire the house, others to attack the wardrobe. Accordingly a party leaped upon the stage, and with their swords and other instru- ments cut and slashed the curtain, which was finely painted, and cost a great sum of money ; broke and cut to pieces all the scenes within their reach ; SH SH reach; and some attempts were made towards the wardrobe, but finding that place well defended, they retired ; and some who went off through the box room dragged the grate full of burning coals into the middle of the room, and laid some of the broken doors of the boxes upon it, and left them there. In that condition they were found, and time enough to prevent the intended mischief. Thus ended this memora- ble riot, which operated very fatally towards the fortune of Mr. Sheridan. Disgusted with the public behaviour, and not much satisfied with his thea- trical situation, he published his case, and after letting his theatre for two years, he embarked for England.— Here he immediately entered into a negotiation with Mr. Rich, and (be- ing desirous of compelling Mr. Barry to go over to Dublin) hastily made an engagement with him for a share of the profits on such such nights as he should perforin, without having weighed circumstances, or properly guarded against events. His first appearance was in the character of Hamlet, October 24. He also pro- duced an alteration, by himself, of Coriolanus, formed out of the plays of Shakspeare and Thomson, in which he introduced a magnificent spectacle of a Roman ovation. He performed also Cato, CEdipus, Ri- chard III. Shvlock, (Portia, Mrs. Woffington, October 30) Macbeth, (lago, Mr. Ryan ; Lady Macbeth. Mrs. Woffington, Nov. 16) Romeo, (Juliet, Miss Bellamy, Nov. 20) and several other characters ; but his gains, it is imagined, fell short of what he hoped for. As the successor of Barry, and the rival of Garrick, he by no means an-weied the public expectations. — To many pecularities in his manner, not of the pleasing kind, nature seem- ed to have forbid him by her par- simony ever to become a popular ] performer. Even those who were willing to praise, and could with jus- tice applaud his skill and judgment, generally came away without that complete satisfaction which was to be found at Drury Lane Theatre, where Garrick and Nature carried every thing before them. These circum- stances alt combining, it will be no surprise to know, that at the end of the season his engagement was not renewed. The leisuie he now found naturally led him to recur to his for- mer scheme of education. In April, 1756, he wrote to Mr. Lee a proposal for engaging him for the ensuing season in Dublin, and therein said, " I have been long weary of the stage, and as I have a much more important point in view, am deter- mined to quit it as soon as possible ; and no consideration should have induced me to undertake it this year, but the want of a proper person to supply my place." A proper person, however, it was difficult to find, and the term of the lease which he had let being now expired, and the minds of the people of Dublin by this time inclining to receive him again with favour, he resolved upon returning to his native country, and resuming the management of the theatre again ; but in the execution of this design unexpected difficulties arose. At the beginning of this season he also met with a mortification, to which he was obliged to submit, however reluctantly. Previous to his appear- ance, an apology for his former con- duct was demanded by the public, and with so much earnestness, that it became necessary to promise it un- conditionally. The night was ac- coidingly fixed, and every part of the house crowded soon after the doors were open. When the curtain drew up he advanced to the centre of the stage with a paper in his hand, fearing (in that unavoidable confu- sion) to trust entirely to his memory. It was the opinion of some of the best judges that no man within their ob- servation ever appeared before the public with so much address, or spoke to the passions with such pro- priety. Tears gushed from the eyes of several of his male auditors. After the apology was over, and his par- don having been iigned by the loud- est acclamation, he had begun to retire ; he advanced again, and with broken, faultering accents, spoke as follows: " Your goodness to me, at this important crisis, has so deeply atTected me, that I want powers to express SH SH express myself: my future actions shall shew my gratitude." He ap- peared a few nights after in the cha- racter of Hamlet to a crowded au- dience, and received the utmost ap- plause. The same success attended most of his principal characters ; hut, though he brought the celebrated dancers from the opera in London, Bugiani and Maranesi, to perform that season, at a great price, yet the audiences began to slacken for want of a capital female actress. Having been disappointed in the expected abilities of a young lady new to the stage, whom he had engaged in Lon- don, and also of the assistance he hoped to have found in Mr. Lee, he was obliged to call in every auxiliary that offered, to help a failing season. At the end of it Mr. Foote came to Dublin, and contributed, in some measure, to conclude the year in a better manner than was looked for, though still unprosperously. Duiing Mr. Barry's residence in Dublin, he had been prevailed upon to under- take the erecting and managing a new theatre on a larger and more expensive scale, in the execution of which scheme he had prevailed on Mr. Woodward, then a performer of great reputation at Drury Lane, to unite with him. (See Barry and Woodward.) Mr. Shendan made overtures to Mr. Barry to part with his theatrical interest to mm, but Barry had engaged too far to recede. Shendan then applied to parliament to stop hi. opponents, by granting him a monopoly ; he recommended a wild idea of grafting his plan of education upon the management of the theatre ; and he proposed to give up his interest to the public upon certain terms---that it might be con- ducted for the public advantage, something like the French stage.— These proposals, though enforced with warmth, and not without argu- ment, made no impression ; they were neglected by the majority, the new theatre was proceeded upon, was finished, and, as Mr. Shendan had predicted, all the parties con- cerned in it were ruined. In the season which began in October, 17.57, Mr. Shendan was obliged to continue as before both actor and manager; but having the assistance of Mrs. Fitzhenry in the capital female cha- racters, he was more prosperous than the preceding year. He also met with much encouragement from the Duke of Bedford, then lord lieu- tenant of Ireland. The favour he experienced from this nobleman en- couraged him to hope for success in his application to parliament. But finding at length that he was to ex- pect nothing from his solicitations, he determined to oppose his enemies on their own ground, with the best company which could be collected against them. On Dec. 6, 1757, he summoned together a very respec- table and numerous audience of the nobility and gentry of Ireland, at the music hall, in Fishamble Street, be- fore whom he pronounced an ora- tion, in which he, with considerable address and ability, set forth the de- fects of the then modes of education, the advantages which would attend the adopting his proposed improve- ments to individuals and to the com- munity at large. Many of the first characters in the kingdom for rank and learning were present. He was heard with respect and attention, and received the plaudits which were due to the novelty of his plan, and the intrinsic merits of it. Fruitless though his efforts were to suppress the new adventurers, he persevered, as was his custom, with great steadi- ness, until every glimmering of hope had vanished. He then found it necessary to muster his forces to op- pose them in the ensuing season, 1758, 1759. He accordingly offered terms to Mrs. Fitzhenry, who hesitating to accept them, he rashly declared against enteiing into articles with any one of the company ; the conse- quence of which was the immediate loss of Mr. King and Mr. Dexter, two performers of great use to the the- atre. He then saw his mistake, alter- ed his resolution, and signed a ge- neral article with all his company, and seemed determined on a resolute opposition. He engaged Mr. Digges and Mrs. Ward, Theophilus Cibber, and Maddox the wire-dancer, (the two last of whom were cast away going SH SH going te- Dublin) and also acceded to the terms proposed by Mrs. Fitz- henry, This lady, however, by this time, began to entertain doubts of tbe payment of her salary, and de- manded security for it ; which de- mand, unprecedented on a manager, so much incensed Mr. Sheridan, that he wrote a tetter immediately to shew Ins resentment, and at the same time expressed his doubts of his be- ing able to be in Dublin that season, as he had intended. This caused Mrs. Fitzhenry to engage with the rival theatre The remainder of the very short season was productive of nothing but disgrace and disappoint- ment ; loss succeeded to loss, the receipts fell short, the performers and tradesmen were unpaid, and on the 27th of April, 1759, the theatre on Mr. Sheridan's account was entirely closed. During this period, how- ever, Mr. Sheridan was not idle. He had composed his Lectures on Elo- cution, and began to deliver them in London, at Oxford, at Cambridge, and other places, with very great success. At Cambridge, on the 16th of March, 1759, he was honoured with the same degree he had received at Dublin, that of Master of Arts.— In the winter of 1760 he engaged at Druxy Lane with Mr. Garrick on cer- tain shares. He also represented Horatio in the " Fair Penitent," and John in "King John," to Mr. Garrick 's Lothario and Falconbridge ; and some characters, as Hamlet and Ri- chard, they each played with little difference as to the bulk of their au- diences. This union, though favour- able to both parties, was soon brought to an end. The marked approbation of his Majesty to Mr. Sheridan's King John excited the jealousy of Mr. Gar- rick, who would not permit the play to be afterwards performed. Differ- ences ensued between them, meet- ings of friends followed, but without efiect, and they parted with mutual signs of animosity. In the year 1760, the late King George the Second died, and with a new reign, under a young monarch, who loved the arts and professed to encourage them, tvery person who had any preten- sions to genius expected both notice and encouragement. Among these, Mr. Sheridan, who was on terms of intimacy with several in the confi- dence of the new sovereign, was not without his particular expectations, in which he was not altogether dis- appointed. He was one of the first to whom a pension was granted : and it was frequently his boast, that thro* his suggestion Dr. Johnson was offer- ed the independence which he after- wards enjoyed from his Majesty's bounty. This honour has, however, been' claimed by another gentleman, and each of them may have been en- titled to it. It will not be thought very surprising, that on such an occa- sion two persons, without any com- munication with each other, should think of and recommend the same person. For the two or three suc- ceeding years Mr. Sheridan was em- ployed in delivering his lectures in different parts of the kingdom. His lectures were generally approved, though they sustained some slight injury from the ridicule of Mr. Foote, who produced a burlesque on them in 1762, at the theatre in the Hay- market. In 1763, Mrs. Sheridan's comedy, " The Discovery," was per- formed at Drury Lane, in which Mr. Sheridan represented Lord Medway, though he had no engagement at the theatre, for which the proprietors allowed him the sixteenth night. — About 1764, he went to France, and took up his residence at Blois, by order of his Majesty, as it has been asserted. During his residence at this place he lost his wife, who died there on the 26th of September, 1766. Mr. Sheridan did not continue long in France after this event, and about the year 1767 he obtained an Irish act of parliament, protecting him from arrests on account of his debts, in Dublin, amounting to 16001. and having this season saved 8001. he gave notice that he was ready to pay his creditors ten shillings in the pound, and desired them to call on him for that purpose, with an account of their respective demands. Mr. Falk- ner, the printer of one of the Dublin papers, was one of his creditors.— This gentleman told Mr. Sheridan, that he would not trouble him with his ° /,: (8. His corpse was interred at Msigate. He pro- duced a farce called " Captain O'bluuder," which was written while a school-boy, and the copy lost. It was afterwards collected ' by some persons from memory, and frequent- ly performed ; but never, as Mr. Sheridan used to declare, with his consent. He altered "Romeo and Juliet." " The Loyal Lover," &c. SHERIDAN, (RICHARD B1U.V- SLEY) dramatist, and one of the proprietors of Drury Lane, son of the preceding, was born in 1752. He was brought from Ireland when very young, and placed in the school at Harrow, where he remained some years, and then became a student in the Temple. His first wife was Miss Linley, the eldest daughter of the late composer and joint-manager of Drury Lane Theatre. His second wife is Miss Ogle, the youngest daugh- ter of the Dean of Westminster. He has been a representative in three successive parliaments, and has derived as much fame from his oratorical as his literary abilities. He purchased his share in the thea- tre in 1776. His dramatic pieces are^ " The Rivals," comedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1775. This piece being too long, was withdrawn after the first night. Mr. Lee was the original Sir Lucius OTriggcr, but in consequence of his depaiture from the theatre, according to customary differences, (see Lee) his place was supplied by Mr. Clinch, (see Clinch) for whose benefit Mr. Sheiiaan pro- duced " St. Patrick's Day ; or, The Scheming Lieutenant, ' farce, 1775 - after which, "The Duenna," comic opera, acted at Covent Garden, 177.5, which, it is said, had been disapproved of by Mr. Garrick, but it was highly approved of by the public, and distin- guished by a considerable :un. He theu altered a play of 1 anbiugh's for H h . Drury SH SI Drury Lane, which he called " A Trip to Scarborough," 1777, which was succeeded by his most popular piece, " The School for Scandal," 1777. Mrs. Abington was the ori- ginal Lady Teazle, therefore the re- port that the author was apprehen- sive Miss Farren (Countess of Derby) could not represent this character agreeable to his meaning, is without any apparent foundation; it having been originally performed as a fa- shionable lady. The copy of this play was lost after the first night's repre- sentation, and all the performers in it were summoned together early the next day, in order, by the assistance of their parts, to prepare another prompter's book. — " The Cam))," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1778 ; " The Critic; or,Tragedy rehearsed," do. 1779, — the principal characters of this piece are taken from life ; u Robinson Crusoe ; or, Harlequin Friday," pantomime, with songs, 1781. It is said that one night in consequence of the unavoidable ab- sence of Grimaldi, the author per- sonated Harlequin Friday himself. — And " Pizarro," tragedy, altered from Kotzebue, for the copy-right of which Mr. Sheridan is said to have received one thousand pounds : it is well known that he refused eight hundred pounds, and it has since been suggested that he has published it on his own account. Another opera from this gentleman has been long expected, and, it is thought, will short- ly be brought forward for the purpose of being assisted by Mrs. Billington, who is engaged for the present season at both the winter theatres, the ma- nagers of which, according to agree- ment, are to share aline the profits of her performances. His sister pro- duced a farce called " The Ambi- guous Lover," which was performed with success in Crow Street, Dublin, 1781. SHERRY, (Miss) actress, belonged to Drury Lane, and acquired some reputation in the character of Lady Sneerwell, (School for Scandal). She died some years ago. SHUTER, (EDWARD) actor, was a favourite comedian at Covent Gar- den, and a facetious companion, but latterly through the levity of his dis- position was involved in numerous embarrassments, and accordingly at the conclusion of a season was offered a second benefit, when Mr. Macklin, from a wish to serve a brother in distress, proffered his services in Sir Archy Mac Sarcasm, (Love a laMode) but it was thought the piece could not be performed for the want of Mordecai. Shuter, who possessed the faculty of discovering genius as well as displaying it, obviated this seeming difficulty by choosing Quick for the representative of the Jew Beau. (See Quick.) This favourite of Thalia was so thoroughly acquainted with the vis comica, that he seldom called in those common auxiliaries, grimace and buffoonery, but rested entirely upon genuine humour. His chief excellence lay in old men. He had strong features, and was happy in a peculiar turn of face, which, without any natural deformity, he threw into many ridiculous shapes by various alterations of the muscles of the cheeks, or rather of the mouth and nose. Nature did a great deal for this actor- -education very little ; but the goodness of his head was such, that he daily advanced towards perfection. His chief characters were Scrub, Master Stephen, Tra- polin, Clincher, Launcelot, &c. He also played Falstaff. He died Nov. 1, 1776. SIDDONS, (SARAH) actress, is the eldest daughter of Mr. Roger Kemble, (see Kemble) and was born in Lancashire. She became a candidate for public favour under her father's management, as a singer, but soon abandoned the operatic line for the most sublime department of the drama— -tragedy. A mutual attachment having taken place be- tween her and Mr. Siddons, then a performer in her father's company, this Love for Love produced the Clandestine Marriage, and she and her husband performed at Liverpool, Birmingham, &c. During Mr. Gar- rick's time she appeared at Drury Lane, but as other excellent actresses were then in possession of the chief characters, she resigned her situa- tion, and accepted an engagement at ( // ////// '// / SI SM at'Bath, where she rapidly improved, and became the heroine of that stage in 1780. In 1783 she obtained an engagement at Drury Lane at ten pounds per week, and established her fame the first season in the cha- racter of Isabella, (Fatal Marriage). In the summer of 1784 she perform- ed in Dublin, and the manager made his boast of the enormous sum of one thousand pounds which he had se- cured to her for so many nights. She generally employs her summer sea- sons at the most respectable provin- cial theatres, and with the certainty of emolument. As an actress her merit is indisputable, though she does not boast of versatility. In scenes of convulsive anguish, terrific agitation, or vindictive jealousy, she excells ; likewise in characters which exceed the feminine, such as Lady Macbeth, &c. but of the gentle and pathetic parts, her representations are imperfect. SIDDONS, (HENRY) actor, son of the preceding, was at Drury Lane in 1783, where he represented the infant son in "The Fatal Marriage," with his mother's Isabella. Me was a scholar at the Charter House, and at the age of fifteen produced an in- terlude, " Modern Breakfast ; or, All asleep at Noon,'' for his aunt's benefit, Mrs. S. Kemble, at the Hay- market, 1790. Likewise a farce for Mr. Middleton's benefit at Covent Garden, called " The Sicilian Ro- mance ; or, Apparition of the Cliffs," 1794, which met with applause. He made his first appearance on the stage at Bath in the character of Othello, 179ti, and lately at Newcastle performed all the principal characters in tragedy, with his mother. He has also assisted the provincial theatres with hi> pen, and produced an opera, called " Zelida ; or, the Pirates." which was a favourite piece at Lan- caster, where it was first performed, 1799. He is at present engaged at Covent Garden, where he made his debut in the new comedy of " Inte- grity," 1801, and met with more success than the piece, which was laid on the shelf after the second night.— He afterwards performed Hamlet, Othello, &c. SIMMONS, (Mr.) actor, belong* to Covent Garden Theatre, and has been on the stage from his youth.— He has some share of the vis comic a, and represents droll waiters, arch servants, old men, &c. with appro- priate humour. SIMS, (Miss) actress, was intro- duced to the public at Sadler's Wells, and made her first regular appear- ance at Covent Garden in Fanny, (Maid of the Mill) 1797. Her father lately kept a public house, the resort of country managers and acton, in Russel court, now occupied by Mr. Baines, who was formerly a country manager himself. On his daughter's theatrical success Mr. Sims resigned his business, and accompanied her to Birmingham as her protector, where she was well received. Little spright- ly characters she sustains with suit- able vivacity, and discovers abilities which experience will improve. SMITH, (Mr.) actor, now retired, is the son ofa person who carried on the business of a grocer or tea-dealer, in the city of London. He was born about the year 1730 or 1731 ; and after an education at Eton, was sent to St. John's College, in Cambridge, probably with a view to the church. At the University his conduct was marked with some eccentricities, which, though deserving censure from the superintendants of educa- tion, not unfrequently accompany good talents and laudable disposi- tions. A little extravagance de- ranged his finances, and an unlucky elevation, occasioned by liquor, brought him into a situation, which requiring concessions too humiliating for the confidence of youth to submit to, he abandoned his prospects of college advancement, and threw him- self on the public for support and subsistence. The cause of his dis- grace at the University is said to have arisen from his joining with other young men in an evening frolic ; when, being pursued by the Proctor, he snapped a pistol unloaded at him. for this offence he was doomed to a punishment, which he reMSted, and, to avoid expulsion, left the college, and came to London, where he en- gaged himself with Mr. Rich, then II h 2 manager SM SP manager of Covent Garden Theatre. — At this period Mr. Barry and Mrs. Cibber were the principal performers at that house ; and from the former Mr. Smith seems to have received the rudiments of his new profession. His first appearance on the stage was January 8, 1753, in the character of Theodi'sius, (Force of Love). He continued twenty-two years at Co- vent Garden, with enc.e.ising repu- tation, and in the winter of 1774, en- gaged with Mr. Oarrick, and remain- ed at Drury Lane during the rest of his theatrical life, which expired in the season of 1788, when he took leave of the public in the character of Charles, (School for Scandal) to the great regret of all the admirers of the drama; but in which character he appeared again May 16, 1798, for Mr. King's benefit, owing, it is said, to a wager, which he resolved should benefit his friend. During the course of thirty-five years Mr. Smith never was absent from London one season, nor ever performed out of the me- tropolis, except the summer imme- diately after Mr. Holland's death, at Bristol, whose share in that theatre he held for a season ; and again in 1774. when he went in the summer to Dublin. His representation of Kitely, (Every Man in his H'imour) was deemed superi. r u Garrick's, and it must be confessed, that in the •' School for Scandal" he was Charles " the genteel, the airy, and the smart," yet the last night of his per- forming it he was inferior to himself, no doubt for the want of practice. His voice had a kind of monotony, but it was rich and full, and his action, tho' not alwavs perfect, was easy. SMOLLET, (Dr. TOBIAS) author of '• rhe Regicide ; or, James I. of Scotland,' tragedy, -1749; " The Reprisal ; or, Tars of Old England," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1757 ; and "The Israelites; or, Pampered Nabob," farce, acted at Covent Gar- den, 1785, was born near Cameron, on the banks of die river Eden, in 1720, was bred to the practice of physic and surgery, and was some time on board a ship of war as sur- geon. He assisted the " Critical Review," and in consequence of a prosecution which the acrimony of his strictures incurred, underwent a heavy fine and imprisonment in the King's Bench. He went abroad for his health in 1763, and which conti- tinuing to decline on his return, he went back to Italy, and died near Leghorn, Oct. 21, 1771. He was the author of several poems, and the admired novels of " Roderick Ran- dom," " Peregnne Pickle," " Count Fathom," &c. SPARKS, (ISAAC) actor, was a native of Ireland, where he was esteemed a good comedian, and an excellent clown in pantomime. He was with Mr. Ryder when he com- menced manager, and was at that time president of a facetious club, and distinguished by the title of Lord Chief Justice 'Joker. A gentleman of distinction having been introduced to this club, the president (though well acquainted widi his rank ) as- sumed a frown of austerity, and en- quired his name, to which he replied, Freak. " An excellent name," said Isaac, " for our society, but you must prove it before you can be ad- mitted : we must see one of your freaks: come — I'll give you an op- portunity : there's one Isaac Sparks who is to have a benefit at Smock Alley next week — I have some of his tickets; — now, Sir, if you'll take 201. worth, I'll say it is a freak— a whim ." The gentleman com- plied—the tickets were reckoned out —and, as soon as paid for, he threw them all into the fire. " Well," ex- claimed Isaac, " that is a freak in- deed ; — Sir, I give you credit for your mad prank." He died upwards of twenty years ago. His son, Richard Sparks, was also an actor in tragedy and comedy, and equally indifferent in both, but his wife was a favourite actress, who made her first appear- ance at Capel Street, about the time that Mr. Lewis made his. She per- formed Louisa Dudley with that gen- tleman's Belcour, and in the charac- ter of Clarissa, (Lionel and Clarissa) was particularly admired. Both she and her husband belonged to Mr. Ryder's and Mr. Daly's companies. There was a Mr. Sparks who was a respectable actor in tragedy, and a great ST S T great favourite at Edinburgh, in 1748 : he belonged toCovent Garden when Mr. Rich was manager. SPARKS, (Mrs.) actress. made her first appearance at Drury Lane in the "Old Maid," 1798; and, soon after, her husband, who is said to be a North Briton, made his in Gibby, (The Wonder). The characters of antiquated ladies, she sustains with great propriety. She is sUter to Mrs. Brown, who was once a favourite in the character of the " Romp." STARKE, (MARIANA) wrote a tragedy, called " The Widow of Ma- labar," first acted at Mrs. Ctespigny's private theatre, and performed for a benefit, with success, at Covent Gar- den, 1790. Her father was formerly governor of the country where the scene of the tragedy lies ; of course, the costume of the piece is preserved with great truth. STEELE, (Sir RICHARD) ma- nager and dramatist, was born in Dublin, of English parents, 1761, and was removed to London when very young, and educated at the Charter House school. His inclination lead- ing him to the army, he rode for some time privately in tlie guards, and when an ensign became an au- thor. By the interest of Lord Cutis he obtained a captain's commission, and was appointed commissioner of the stamp office, which place he re- signed in 17 13, and was chosen mem- ber for the borough of Stockbridge, in Hampshire, but was expelled the House of Commons for writing " The Englishman" and " The Cri- sis," periodical papers. He was concerned in others, " The Tatler," " Spectator," &c. Soon after the accession of George I. he was ap- pointed surveyor of the Royal stables, Hampton Court, and governor of the royal company of comedians, and was put into the commission of the peace tor Middlesex. In April, 171.5, he was knighted, and in the first par- liament chosen member for Borough- bridge, in Yorkshire. In 1720 lie be- gan a paper under the name of Sir John Edgar, called " The Theatre," which was continued every Tuesday and Saturday, during which his pa- tent of governor of the Royal com- pany of comedians was revoked by the king, and the loss he sustained upon this occasion was computed at almost 10,0001. He died Sept. I, 1729, at his seat in Llangusmor, near Caermarthen, in Wales, and was pri- vately interred, according to his own desire. He had been twice mar- ried : his first wife was a lady of Barbadoes, with whom he had a va- luable plantation upon the dea;h of her brother, and his second was the daughter of Jonathan Scurlock, Esq. of Uangunnor, by whom he had one son and two daughters. His dra- matic pieces are, *' The Funeral ; or, Grief a la mode," comedy, 1702 ; " The Tender Husband ; or, Ac- complished Fools," do. 1703; "The Lying Lover; or, Ladies'Friendship," do. 170 J ; and "The Conscious Lo- vers," do. 1721, all acted at Drury Lane. STEPHENS, (Miss) actress, made her first appearance on any stage at Drury Lane, in the character of Polly, (Beggar's Opera) Nov. 29, 1798, which she repeated a few nights with distinguished applause. Her voice is extremely harmonious ; her tones firm, full, and clear ; and she is evidently more indebted to nature than art for her vocal quali- fications. Her abilities as an actress are superior to many female singers. Her sister, Mrs. Carter, appeared in Little Pickle, (Spoiled Child) for her benefit, June 2, 1801. STEEVENS, (GEORGE) commen- tator, received the first part of his education at Kingston upon Thames ; he went from thence to Eton, and was afterwards a Fellow Commoner of King's College, Cambridge. He also accepted a commission in the Essex militia on its first establishment. —Adorned with a versatility of ta- lents, he was eminent both by his pen and his pencil : with the one there was nothing he could not com- pose, and with the other nothing he could not imitate so closely, as to leave a doubt which was the original, and which the copy. But his chief excellence lay in his critical know- ledge of an author's text, and the be-t specimen of his great abilities is hi> edition of Shaksyeare, in which he S T S T he has left every competitor far be- hind him ; and even Johnson could not walk by his side. It is to his own indefatigable industry and the unremitting exertions of his printer, that we are indebted for the most perfect edition of our immortal bard, that ever came from an English press. In the preparation of it for the press, he gave an instance of editorial ac- tivity and perseverance which is without example. To this work he devoted solely, and exclusively of all other attentions, a period of eighteen months ; and during that time he left his house every morning at one o'clock, with the Hampstead patrole, and proceeded, without any consideration of the weather or the season, to his friend Mr. Isaac Read's chambers, in Barnard's Inn, where he was allowed to admit himself, and found a room prepared to receive him, with a sheet of the Shakspeare letter-press ready for correction. — There was every book which he might wish to consult, and to Mr. Read he could apply, on any doubt or sudden suggestion, to a know- ledge of English literature perhaps equal to his own. This nocturnal toil greatly accelerated the printing of the work ; as while the printers slept, the editor was awake, and thus, in less than twenty months, he com- pleted his last splendid edition of Shakspeare, in fifteen large octavo volumes — an almost incredible la- bour, which proved the astonishing energy and persevering powers of his niind. In preparing each edition of his Shakspeare, he is known to have expended, out of his own pocket, from one to two hundred pounds, in the purchase of curious and illus- trative books. Mr. Steevens was a man of the greatest perseverance in every thing he undertook ; often constant, but not always consistent, as he would sometimes break off his longest habits, without any ostensible reason. lie never took a pinch of snuff after he lost his box in St. Paul's church-yard, though it had been the custom of his life, and he was much addicted to the practice, and in the habit of making his memoranda by bits of paper in his box. lie was rich in books and prints. He bought largely at Sir Clement Dormer's, where he got his Xenonhon, worth forty pounds and upwards, for twelve guineas. He had the second folio of Shakspeare, with notes, and alter- ations of the scenes by Charles II. in his own hand : he never would sit for his picture ; but had no objec- tion to illustrate his own Shakspeare with fifteen hundred portraits of all the persons in the notes and text, of which he could make drawings or procure engravings He had a happy memory richly stored, was a very pleasant tete-a-tete companion, com- municative of his knowledge, but much too jealous of other men's ; and his jealousy sometimes evinced itself in a way that bordered upon male- volence. He died in the beginning; of 1800, aged sixty five. The latter years of his life he chiefly passed at Hampstead, in unvisitable seclusion, and seldom mixed with society but in booksellers' shops, or the Shaks- peare gallery, or the morning enn- verzatione of Sir Joseph Banks. He bequeathed his valuable Shakspeare, illustrated with near fifteen hundred prints, to Lord Spencer ; his Hogarth perfect, with the exception of one or two pieces, to Mr. Windham, and his corrected copy of Shakspeare, with two hundred guineas, to his friend Mr. Read. The library will become the property of Miss Stee- vens, his relation, who will possess the bulk of his fortune as residuary legatee. STEVENS, (GEORGE ALEXAN- DER) writer and actor, was born in Holborn, and attempted the stage early in life, having passed several years in itinerant companies, till at last he procured an engagement at Covent Garden, but acquired little fame in the profession. Having composed his "Lecture upon Heads," he delivered it with so much success at different towns, as to be able to obtain a competent fortune for the remainder of his days, and which, indeed, he latterly required, for the faculties of his mind were with old age much impaired. He died Sept. (>, 1784. He produced " Distress upon Distress} or, Tragedy in true Ta>te," ST ST Taste," burlesque, 1752 j " The French flogged ; or, the British Sailors in America," a temporary piece, acted for his own benefit at Covent Garden, 1767 ; " The Court of Alex- ander," opera, acted at Covent Gar- den, 1770; and "The Trip to Ports- mouth," dramatic sketch, acted at the Haymarket, 1773. STEVENSON, (JOHN ANDREW) composer, is a native of Ireland, and through the recommendation of a respectable Irish family to Dean Cra- dock, was put under the care of Dr. Murphy, and brought up to the ca- thedral of St. Patrick's. He disco- vered an early genius for composi- tion, and while a boy assisted Mr. O'Keeffe. When that gentleman's farces of " The Son in Law," and " The Agreeable Surprize" were first brought out in Dublin, the co- pies having been surreptitiously ob- tained, Stevenson furnished the chief part of the music, for then the music belonging to them in London was not published, and it is with his music that they are still performed in Dublin. His merit procured him the degree of Doctor, with circum- stances redounding considerably to his credit ; and he lately received from the Hibernian catch club a silver cup, of the most elegant form and execution, of the value of forty pounds, in testimony of the high esteem in which they held his talents, and in consideration of the many delightful compositions which he contributed to the entertainment of the club, and the honour of the country. He has composed several pieces for the Irish stage, particularly " The Contract, ' an opera, by Dr. Houlton," and " Love in a Blaze," an opera, by Mrs. Atkinson, which latter piece could not possibly have been tolerated, only for the excel- lence of the mu^ic. He married a daughter of Mr. Morton, of the custom-house, Dublin, (she was the widow of Mr. Singleton, son of the famous cock-spur maker) by whom he has several children. STORACE, (STEPHEN) com- poser, was of foreign extraction, and the family name oiiginally s|>elt without the T. His father had con- siderable celebrity as a bass-player, and at one time kept Marybone gar- dens, where he produced a musical entertainment, called " The Co- 3uet," 1771, and "La Serva Pa- rona," translated. Stephen ac- companied his sister abroad, (see the following article) where he received instructions in music, and formed an acquaintance with Mr. Kelly, who, on his return to London, encouraged him to compose for the theatre.— Accordingly Mr. Cobb produced an operatic piece, and in the music Mr. Storace discovered so much taste and genius, as, with the further as-, sistance of the same author, esta- blished him at once in the theatre.— It must, however, be remarked, that the words were chiefly adapted to the music : indeed, Mr. Storace openly declared in a music-seller's shop in Cheapside (then Longman and Broderip's) " that it was impos- sible for any author to produce a good opera without previously con- sulting his intended composer, for, added he, the songs must be intro- duced as he pleases, and the words ( whichare a secondary consideration) be written agreeable to his directions." This is the modern mode of writing operas, which are therefore deserved- ly called vehicle! for music, but for- merly the music was provided lor the words, and not the words for the music. He died March 25, 1796, and " The Doctor and the Apo- thecary," which was the first piece he composed for Drury Lane, was performed on the very night of his death. STORACE, (Signora) singer, si-ter of the preceding, went abroad when very young, and was instructed by Sacch:ni. Her first appearance in public was at Florence, in serious opera, where she was second to Marchen, Having travelled over most parts of Italy, she was engaged at Vienna, where she met wi.h con- siderable applause, and became ac- quainted with Dr. Fisher, to whom she was married, but agreeable to a mandate for their separation from the Imperial Joseph, the Doctor was oidered to leave\ ienna ; whereupon he weut to Ireland, arm having been much ST SW much admired for his skill on the violin, endeavoured to support him- self by teaching and playing at con- certs. His wife resumed her maiden name, and returned to her native land, where she appeared in the Italian operas and concerts, wi th con- siderable success. She made her first appearance on the English stage at Drury Lane, in the new opera of *• The Haunted Tower," with such applause as contributed much to the run of the piece. She likewise per- formed for a short time at Mr. Col- man's Theatre, (1793). On the jleath of her brother she resigned her situation at Drury Lane, in conse- quence, it is said, of a difference with the manager, and accompanied Mr. Braham to Italy, which afforded the wits of the day an opportunity of exercising their little talents ; but as there may be partners in trade, why not partners in singing, when, by their united abilities, their mutual profits must be more considerable ? They are both engaged for the pre- sent season at Covent Garden, and, as reported, are to receive 20001. between them for their services. — As a singer, this lady has great claim to commendation : as an actress, she is (or was, when at Drury Lane) in- correct, not having a perfect know- ledge of the English language, but her vivacity and arch humour fully compensate for all deficiencies. STUART, (CHARLES) drama- tist, is a native of Scotland, and has been concerned (with his brother) in several newspapers. He has pro- duced " The Cobler of Castlebuiy," musical entertainment, acted at Covent Garden, 1779; " Ripe fruit; or, The Marriage Act," interlude, acted at the Haymarket, 1781 ; " Damnation ; or, Hissing Hot," do. 1781 ; " Gretna Green," musical entertainment, do. 1783 ; " The Dis- tress Baronet," farce, acted at Drury Lane, and altered after the first night, but with little success, 1787; " The Stone E3ter," interlude, do. for a benefit, 1788 ; and " The Irish- man in Spain," acted without success m the Haymarket, 1791. SUETT, (RICHARD) actor, is a native of London, and when a bov made his first appearance on the stage in a juvenile character, at the Haymarket Theatre. As soon as he attained the appearance of man- hood, he performed in the country, and became a favourite comedian in the York company. He visited Edinburgh and Liverpool, and at the latter place married Miss West, who was then a much-admired dancer. Having been recommended to the managers of Drury Lane, he made his first appearance on London boards in Ralph (Maid of the Mill) 1781, when the talents he displayed (though they did not immediately excite the admiration of the public) procured him an engagement. He gradually rose in favour, and now holds a respectable rank in the the- atre. He succeeded Mr. Parsons in several of his characters both at Drury Lane and the Haymarket.— His merit chiefly lies in old men, clownish servants, and eccentric lovers or gallants, such as Robin, (Waterman) Endless, (No Song no Supper) &c. As he is a proficient in music, he appears in some vocal characters to advantage, though de- ficient in voice. SWENDALL, (Mr.) actor, has been on several provincial stages, and was a favourite performer in Dublin, where he remained several seasons with Messrs. Ryder and Crawford, and afterwards the rival manager, Mr. Daly. He represented the character of Adam, (As you like it) at the Royalty Theatre, with con- siderable applause, (see Palmer, John) and about the year 1790 mar- ried the sister of Mr. J. Bannister, who is a respectable actress. He performed a few nights at the Hay- market, and occasionally at Drury Lane, and is now manager at Brigh- ton, where he had among his com- pany, this, his first season, Mr. Ray- mond, Mr. Brunton, (who distin- guished himself in comedy) Mr. Hol- land, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Sedg- wick, Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Sparks, Miss Wheatley, &c. As an actor, he is correct and energetic, and it is sur- prising that his abilities did not re- commend him to Druiy Lane as the best present substitute for Mr. Aickin. SWliNEY, TA TH SWINEY, MAC OWEN) former- ly joint manager of Drury Lane, and author of " The Quacks ; or, Love's the Physician," farce, acted at Drury Lane after being twice forbid, 1705, and, with alterations, 1745 ; " Ca- milla," opera, do. 1706 ; and " Pyrrhus and Demetrius," opera, acted at the Haymarket, 1709. He was a native of Ireland, and was also manager with Collier, &c. of the Queen 'i Theatre, in the Hay- market, after which he resided in Iialy several jears, and on his return procured a place in the custom house, and was keeper of the king's mews. He died October 2, 1754, and left his fortune to his favourite, Mrs. Wofhngton. See Vanbrugh and Victor. T. TALBOT, (Mr.) actor, was bred to business, and on his first attempting the stage assumed the name of Mon- tiigue He performed in Dublin, Exeier, &c. with some applause, and represented the characters of Charles Surface, Young Mirable, &c. at Drury Lane, the beginning of 1800, much better than his successor, Mr. C. Kemble. He was supposed to have been concerned in the S/uits- prrian papers, (see Inland). On his last visit to Dublin, he entered into a matrimonial engagement, for which he gave up an engagement Uiat he then had in the country. TAVERNER, (WM.) dramatist. was son of a portrait painter, and bred to the civil law, which he prac- tised in Doctor's Commons. He wroie "The Faithful Bride of Gre- nada, " play, acted at Drury Lane, 1701; "The Maid the Mistress," comedy, do. 1708 : " The Female Advocates; or, Frantic Stockjobbers," 1713; '-The Artful Husband," do. acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1716; " The Artful Wife," do. 1718; "lis well if it takes," do. 1719. He died Januarys, 1731, and is supposed to have been the author of other pieces. TAYLOR, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Valentine, became a candidate for public favour in the country, where she married Mr. Taylor, an actor at provincial theatres, who had been bred an attorney. His wife bavin;; been much approved of both as a singer and actress, obtained an engagement at the Haymarket. where she made her appearance in the petit piece of " Half an Hour after Supper," 1789, it having been the fust night of its representation. She met with a favourable reception, and afterwards appeared in opera, but was esteemed more an actress than singer. In 1789, she was also en- gaged at Edinburgh, where she was much admired. THEOBALD. (LEWIS) dramatist, was born in Settington, in Kent, where his father was an attorney, to which business he was brought up. He published an edition of Shakspeare's plays, which was once in estimation, and was concerned in a paper called " The Censor." His dramatic pieces are, " The Persian Princess ; or, Royal Villain," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1715; "The Perfidious Brother," do. acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1715; "Pan and Syrinx," opera, do. 1717; "The I. .l'ly's Triumph," opera, 1718 j " Decius and Paulina," masque, 1718; "King Richard II." tragedy, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1720; " The Rape of Proserpine," panto- mime, do. 1724; " Harlequin a Sor- cerer," do. 1725; " Apollo and Daphne," opera, do. 1726; "The Double Falsehood ; or, Distrest Lovers," play, acted at Drury Lane, 1727; " Orestes," opera, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1731; "Mer- lin ; or, the Devil at Stonehenge," pantomime, acted at Drury Lane, 17 ;t, " The Fatal Secret," tragedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1735 ; " Orpheus and Euridice," opera, do. 17 Hi. He also published others, particularly translations from Sopho- 1 i cles T H TI cles and Aristophanes. He died in 1744. THOMPSON, (JAMES) dramatist, was born September 11, 1700, at Ednam, in the shire of Roxburgh, in Scotland, and received his school education at Jedburgh, from whence he was removed to the University of Edinburgh. His father was minister of Ednam, and intended his son for the church ; but he soon relinquish- ed his views of engaging in the sacred function, and repaired to London to cultivate his poetical ta- lents. His first production (Winter, a poem) procured him the acquain- tance of Dr. Rundle, (afterwards bishop of Derry) who introduced him to the lord chancellor Talbot, and some years after when the eldest son of that nobleman was to make his tour of travelling, Thompson was chosen as a proper companion for him, and accordingly he visited most of the courts of Europe with the then Mr. Charles Talbot. On his return to England, the chancellor made him his secretary of briefs. This place fell when death, not long after, de- prived him of his noble patron, and he then found himself reduced to a state of precarious dependance, in which he passed the remainder of his life, excepting only the two last years of it, during which he enjoyed the office of surveyor-general of ihe Leeward Islands, procured for him by Lord Lyttleton. He died August 27, 1748. His dramatic pieces are, " Sophonisba," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1730; "Agamemnon," do. 1738; "Edward and Eleanora," tragedy, prohibited, 8vo. 1739 ; '■ Alfred," masque, acted at Clief- den, 1740 ; " Tancred and Sigis- munda," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1745 ; and " Coriolanus, tra- gedy, acted at Covent Garden, 1749. THOMPSON, (EDWARD) author of " The Hobby Horse," farce, act- ed at Drury Lane, 1766 ; " The Sirens," masque, acted at Covent Garden, 1776; and "St. Helena; or, The Isle of Love," musical enter- tainment, acted at Richmond, 1776. He also altered Shadwell's " Fair Quaker," 1773 ; and " The Beggar's Opera," 1777. He went early to sea, and was a lieutenant when the signal victory was obtained in Qui- beron Bay, in 1759. Afterwards he commenced author through the en- couragement of Mr. Garrick, by whose interest he obtained the com- mission of a captain, in 1772. He died January, 1786. THORNTON, (HENRY) manager of several companies in the country, and actor, is a native of Clare, in Sussex, and his real name Ford. — His chief theatre is the new one at Windsor, where he has had several Royal visits. As an actor, he boasts of that merit which constitutes a good country performer, for he can bustle through a part with considerable ease, though unacquainted with the author's words. Once that he re- presented old Dornton, (Road to Ruin) before the king, his Majesty was pleased to say, " It was very well, but an entire new edition, be- ing quite different from the old Dornton which Munden represented in London." THURMOND, (JOHN) was the composer of several pantomimes, and was bred a dancing master, in which walk he acquired considerable reputation. His father had been an actor of eminence at Drury Lane Theatre. Mr. Thurmond's panto- mimes performed at Drury Lane, are, " Harlequin Shepherd," 1724 ; " Apollo and Daphne ; or, Harlequin Mercury," 1725 ; " Harlequin Doc- tor Faustus;" "Harlequin's Meia- morphosis ; and " Harlequin's Tri- umph," which last three were print- ed, 1727. TICKEL, (RICHARD) author of " The Carnival of Venice," comic opera, acted at Drury Lane, 1781 ; and an alteration of Ramsey's " Gen- tle Shepherd," was descended from the secretary of Mr. Addison, and was intended for the law, but his disposition was too volatile and de- sultory for that study. Through the interest of Mr. Bunnell, private se- cretary to Lord North, he procured a pension of two hundred pounds per annum, and was married to Mr. Linley's second daughter. He after- wards obtained a plate in the stamp- office, TO TY office, worth about eight hundred pounds per annum. He died some Few years ago. TIDSWELL, (Miss) actress, is a native of London, and daughter of an officer, who sent her to France to be educated. On the death of her father, her family became destitute, and Miss Tidswell accordingly at- tempted the stage ; but entertaining no great opinion of her own abili- ties, (a circumstance not very com- mon) she chose a very trifling cha- racter for her appearance at Drury Lane, and, unaspiring, still continues to perform such characters as the acting manager pleases to give her. TOMS, (Mr.) actor, is the son of a fishmonger, and attempted the stage at an early period, perhaps too early, as he experienced many re- buff*, which, by perseverance, he has endeavoured to overcome. He made an unsuccessful attempt at Covent Garden in Douglas; so far un-.ucce:,sful, that it did not procure him an engagement ; but he was more fortunate at Weymouth, and other country theatres, and after some practice he appeared again at Covent Garden in Romeo, (1796) and procured an engagement for about two seasons. TOPHAM, (EDWARD) author of " Deaf indeed," farce, acted at Drury Lane, 1780 ; "The Fool," do. 1786' ; " Small Talk ; or, The West- minster Bay," farce, acted at Covent Garden, and condemned by a party of the Westminster scholars, 1786 ; and " Bonds without Judgment ; or, The Loves of Bengal," do. 1787 ; is in the army, and was concerned in the newspaper called " The World." TOWNSEND, (Mr.) actor and singer, has been on several provin- cial stages, and is a useful (though not an eminent) member of Covent Garden Theatre. He is said to be of Welsh extraction, and was early in life engaged in trade. TRUEMAN, (Mr.) actor, was originally brought up to a counting- house, but possessing a good voice, and having some knowledge of music, exchanged the mercantile for the theatrical profession, and belongs to both the 1 heatres Royal, Drury Lane and the Haymarket ; and though the line of business he sustains is not im- portant, he is a useful and respecta- ble actor, and one of those prudent, unassuming performers, who never appears in a part above his abilities; but at Covent Garden this modesty cannot be expected, for the manager of that theatre can insist upon a per- former rendering himself ridiculous, or forfeiting thirty pounds. TWISLETON, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Wattle, made her first appearance on the stage at Glou- cester, in the character of Belvidera, (Venice Preserved) for the benefit of Mr. Holman. In consequence of her success, she was engaged by Mr. Harris for a limited number of nights at Covent Garden, after which she played in Dublin, Bath, Edin- burgh, &c. She has been lately di- vorced from her husband. His rea- sons for separating by " legal and approved deed" are somewhat ex- traordinary, viz. " extravagance, bad temper, and a rage for theatri- cals." TYRER, (Miss) singer, was in- structed by Mrs. Crouch, and came first before the public in oratorios. She performed Josephine, (Children in the Wood) for Mr. Bannister's benefit at the Haymarket, 1800, where she was engaged for the en- suing season. In figure, manner of acting, and style of singing, she much resembles Mrs. Bland. 1 i ? VAN- V A VA V. VANBRUGH, (Sir JOHN) ma- nager and dramatist, was descended from an ancient family in Cheshire, which came from France. He re- ceived a very liberal education, and became eminent for his poetry, and skill in architecture, to both which he discovered an early propensity.— The first step he made into life, was in the character of an ensign in the army. He happened, somewhere in his winter quarters, to contract an acquaintance with Sir Thomas Skip- with, and received a particular obli- gation from him. He had very early discovered a taste for dramatic writing, to improve which, he made some attempts in that way, and had the draft or outlines of two plays lying by him, at the time his acquain- tance commenced with Sir Thomas. This gentleman possessed a large share in a theatrical patent, though he concerned himself very little in the conduct of it; but that he might not appear altogether remiss, he thought to procure some advantage to the stage, by having our author's play, called "The Relapse," acted upon it. In this he was not disap- pointed, for " The Relapse" suc- ceeded beyond the warmest expec- tation, and raised Vanbrugh's name very high amongst the writers for the stage. The next play which Sir John Vanbrugh introduced upon the stage was " yEsop," a comedy, in two parts, acted at the same theatre. The reputation which he gained by his comedies was rewarded with greater advantages than what arise from the usual profits of writing for the stage. He was appointed Cla- rencieux King at Arms, a place which he some time held, and at last disposed of. In August, 1716, he was appointed surveyor of the works at Greenwich hospital ; he was like- wise made comptroller-general of his Majesty's works, and surveyor of the gardens and waters, the profits of which places, collectively consi- dered, must amount to a very con- siderable sum. He formed a project of building a stately theatre in the Haymarket, for which he had interest enough to raise a subscription of thirty persons of quality at one hun- dred pounds each. In 1706, when this house was finished, Mr. Better- ton and his copartners put them- selves under the direction of Sir John Vanbrugh and Mr. Congreve. Not long before this time the Italian opera began to steal into England, but in as rude a disguise, and as un- like itself as possible; notwithstand- ing which, the new monster pleased, though it had neither grace, melody, nor action to recommend it. To strike in, therefore, with the prevail- ing fashion, Vanbrugh and Congreve opened their new theatre with a translated opera, set to Italian music, called "The Triumph of Love," but it met with a cold reception, being performed only three days, to thin houses. Immediately upon the failure of the opera, Vanbrugh pro- duced his comedy, called " The Con- federacy," The success of this play was not equal to its merit. The prospects of gain from this theatre were so very unpromising, that Con- greve, in a few months, gave up his share and interest in the government wholly to Sir John Vanbrugh, who being now sole proprietor of the house, was under a necessity to exert himself in its support. As he had a happier talent for throwing the Eng- lish spirit into his translations of the French plays, than any former author who had borrowed from them, he in the same season gave the public three more of that kind, " The Cuckold in Conceit," " Squire Treelooby," and " The Mistake." However well executed these pieces were, yet they came to the ear in the same undistinguished utterance, by which almost all their plays had equally suffered ; for as few could plainly hear, it was not likely a great many would VA VI would applaud. In this situation it appears, that nothing but the union of the two companies could restore the stage toils former reputation.— Sir John Vanbrugh, therefore, tired of theatrical management, disposed of his whole farm to Mr. Owen Swiney. He died March 26, 1726. Eesides the above pieces, he wrote " The False Friend" and " A Jour- ney to London," the latter of which he left untinished. VANDERMERE, (JOHN) actor, belonged to the Haymarket Theatre in Mr. Foote's time, and was a fa- vourite comedian in Dublin, where he was once manager, (see Waddy) and had also a company in Water- ford. He played on almost all the Irish stages, but latterly became so deaf that he was obliged to watch the motion of the lips for his cue.—. His chief characters were Lord Froth, (Double Dealer) Skirmish, (Deserter) and old men. He was once esteem- ed a good Harlequin. He died in Dublin, Feb. 12, 1786. VAUGHAN, (THOMAS) author of two farces, " Love's Metamor- phoses," acted at Drury Lane, 1776 ; and " The Hotel; or, Double Valet," do. 1776, was appointed clerk to the commission of the peace for the city of Westminster, and when for- merly the rage for militia associations took place, l>ecame captain of a company in the Westminster volun- teers A literary dispute arose be- tween him and the late Mr. Colman, who then brought out a periodical paper under the title of " The Ge- nius." Thisdi,pute was conducted with more virulence than ingenuity, and it was at this time that Mr. Col- man di tinguished him by the name of Dapper. He wrote a series of essays in " The Morning Post," on the Richmond Theatre, and through his acquaintance with Mr. Sheridan has been a great friend to candidates for the sock and buskin. VAUGHAN, ^HENRY) see Prit- chard. VERNON, (Mr.) actor, and sup- ported several operatical characters at Drury Lane about thirty years ago, with much applause. His chief part was Autolicus, (Florizel and Perdita). He died some years ago. VICTOR, (BENJAMIN) was un- der manager in Dublin with Swiney, where he was also poet laureat and treasurer at Drury Lane. He was originally a peruke-maker, and af- terwards engaged in the sale of Nor- wich stuffs. lie then commenced dramatic writer, and offered a tra- gedy to Mr. Rich, but received the usual laconic answer, that " it would- not do." Having desired the ma- nager's reasons for rejecting it, he observed, " There was too much hoi se hair in the tragedy." He pub- lished his works by subscription, in three volumes, Svo. 1776, containing " Almira," and " The Fatal Error," \ tragedies; " The Fortunate Peasant ; or, Nature will prevail," comedy, and " The Sacrifice ; or, Cupid's Vagaries," masque. His " History of the Stage" has been ridiculed for its circumstantial prolixity and ego- tism; and Churchill, the satirist, ob- served, that Victor Ego should have been its motto. He died Dec. 3, 1778. VINCENT, (Mrs.) actress, belong- ed to Covent Garden in 1758, and made her first appearance at Drury Lane in 1761, in the character of Polly, (Beggar's Opera) in which she met with considerable applause, and is highly complimented ;n Churchill's " Rosciad." WA WA w. VVADDY, (Mr.) actor, is a native of Ireland, and was brought up to the law, which he rejected for the stage. His first attempt (as sup- posed) was in Dublin, wh?re he was al?o manager with Vandermere, &c. of Fishamble Street Theatre: after- wards he became manager in the country, and acquired some reputa- tion as an actor, in Norwich. His first appearance at Covent Garden was in Connolly, (School for Wives) in 1798. In some blunt and vulgar characters, he is respectable. WALCOT, (Mrs.) actress, was a favourite at Edinburgh, was engaged at Drury Lane as a substitute for Mrs. Hopkins, wheie she made her first appearance in the character of Mrs. Rigid, (The Will) Sept. 21, 1797, and sustains that line of business with some reputation. WALDRON, (FRANCIS) drama- tist, actor, and prompter at Mr. Col- man's Theatre. He belonged to Drury Lane in Mr. Garrick's time, and was appointed by that gentle- man to take the management of the theattical fund. He was for a while manager at Windsor, Richmond, &c. and also kept a bookseller's shop.— His son was lately a performer at the Haymarket, where he represented pert postilions, &c. with some share of humour. Mr. Waldron occasion- ally appears on the stage, in the cha- racters of old men, &c. In 1773 he produced a comedy at Drury Lane, called " The Maid of Kent," for his benefit, (8vo. 1778) : in 1775, a farce, called "The Contrast ; or, Jew and Courtezan," on the same occasion : in 1783, a comedy, called " Imita- tion ; or, the Female Fortune Hun- ters," which was also performed for his benefit at Drury Lane, and after- wards brought out, with alterations, at the Haymarket Theatre, under the title of " Heigho for a Hus- band," 1794, with success. He like- wise altered a play of D'Urfey's, which was performed at Richmond under the title of "The Richmond Heir- ess," 1777 ; and " The Prodigal," taken from Hill's " Fatal Extrava- gance," for the Haymarket, 1793. He likewise wrote a continuation of Jonson's " Sad Shepherd," and " The Virgin Queen," in imitation of Shaks- peare, and as a sequel to the "Tem- pest," 1797. In the little which he produced he certainly evinces more erudition and stage knowledge than many who bring out a piece every season. WALKER. (THOMAS) actor, and who was familiarly called Tom Walker, was the son of Francis Walker, of the parish of St. Anne's, Soho, and was born in the year 1698. He was bred under Mr. Medon, who kept a private academy near his fa- ther's house. Having an early in- clination for the stage, he made his theatrical essay in a Mr. Shepherd's company, where he was first found out by Mr. Booth acting the part of Paris, in the Droll of " The Siege of Troy," who saw in him such an early promise of talent that he recom- mended him to the manager of Drury Lane, where he made his first ap- pearance in Lorenzo, (The Jew of Venice) about the year 1716. His performance of Charles, (The Non- juror) the succeeding season, esta- blished his fame, and he was then engaged by Mr. Rich for the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields. — Here accident brought him forward in the character of Captain Macheath, which was intended for Mr. Quin ; but Tom having been heard hum- ming one of the songs behind the scenes at the second rehearsal, the part was immediately transferred to him, and which, fortunately for him- self, manager, and author, he un- dertook, (Peachum, Mr. Hippesley ; Locket, Mr. Hall; and Polly, Miss Fenton) and the applause which he met with was so great, that it was said, Booth found him a hern, and Gay dubbed him a highwayman.— But WA WA But this great success checked his progress as a general actor , for his company now was so eagerly court- ed by the dissipated young men of fashion, that he was scarcely ever sober, and was frequently under the necessity of eating sandwiches (or, as they were then called, anchovy toasts) behind the scenes, to alle- viate the fumes of the liquor. He was not, however, without his hours of study and retirement, for a few years after his performance of Capt. Macheath he undertook to alter and compress some of Tom D'Urfey's plays, for which purpose he shut himself up in the theatre to accom- plish the task, and having reduced them into one piece, it was perform- ed the following winter with some success. He had also produced " The Quaker's Opera," which was acred at Lee and Hooper's Booth, Bartholomew Fair, 17'28, immedi- ately after the run of " The Beggar's Opera," and "The Fate of Vil- lany," tragedy, which was brought out at Goodman's Fields, 1730, with very indifferent success. When he was discharged from Covent Garden many years after, which his repeated dissipations rendered indispensibly necessary, he earned these two pieces with him to Ireland, and pre- vailed upon the Dublin manager to biing out the latter, under the title of " Love and Loyalty." Novelty drew a 11 audience the first night, and the second was given out for the au- thor's benefit ; but not being able to give the customary security for the expences of the house, the manageis would not sutler the doors of it to be opened. Ibis disappointment he survived but three days, and died in great distress in Dublin in the year 1744. As an actor, he was allowed considerable merit : though no pro- ficient in music, he supported his singing by so much expression of coun- tenance and inimitable action, as rendered him in Maclieatb a great favourite with the public. He had from nature great advan- tages,— a good person, good voice, and a manly countenance. In >e- veral uuits of tragedy he was highly approved of, particularly Bajacet, Flotspur, and Falconbridge. One night during his performance of this last character in " King John," at Covent Garden, one Bowman, who had been previously a dyer, acted the part of Austria, when, instead of uttering his reply as he ought to Fal- conbridge's repeated insults, he, either through ignorance or haste, in a loud vulgar tone, pronounced it thus, " Well, ruffiun, 1 must pttckut up these wrongs." The impropriety was at first unnoticed by the audi- ence, till Walker, in the Bastard, by changing the word breeches into packet, imitated Bowman's manner, look, action, and tone of voice' so ridiculously humorous, as almost convulsed the audience with laugh- ter, and quite confounded poor Bowman, who retired from the stage soon after, and filled the place of su- perintendant to a brewhouse with becoming propriety. Walker was likewise a pleasan; actor in comedy as well as tragedy; Worthy, (Re- cruiting Officer) Belmour, (bid Ba- chelor) Harcourt, (Country Girl) &c. WALLACE, (Lady) produced a comedy called " The Ton ; or, Fol- lies of Fashion," acted at Covent Garden, 1788, wherein was a cant word, D. I. O. which the critics seemingly applied to the piece itself the thiid night-— Damn it, off! She translated a piece from the French, called " Diamond cut Diamond," 1787, and was angiy that Mrs. Inch- bald should make u=e of the subject in her " Animal Magnetism " She also produced a farce called " The Whim," 1795, and was very angry became the licenser would not per- mit its representation. A woman, who had been recommended to her lady-hip from principles of humanity, anl to whom her ladyship afforded an asylum at her house in St. James's place, charged her with an assault before Mr. bond. Her ladyship, by the direction of the magistrate, com- pounded the matter, but was so very, very angry, that she declared when- ever an opportunity offered, she would go to France, and reside there during the remainder of her days. WARD, (Mrs.) actress, was the oiigmal Ladv Randolph at Edin- burgh, WA W A burgh, where the tragedy of "Doug- las" was first performed, 1757, and was a favourite actress there in 1748. The following winter she appeared at Covent Garden, in Cordelia, (King Lear by Mr. Q.uin) and the en- suing season went over to Drury Lane, where she performed Cordelia to Garrick's Lear. In 1758, she vi- sited Dublin, and shared the prin- cipal characters with Digges, in op- position to Mr. Barry and Mrs. Fitz- henry. She died about the year 1770. She had a most beautiful face ; but, according to Mrs. Bellamys account, was deficient in merit. -- Little credit, however, can be given to the opinion of a rival actiess. WARD, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Hoare, was a mantua-maker in Liverpool, where she made her first appearance on the stage, and married Mr. Ward, who was former- ly a printer in London, but at this time a favourite comedian in the company. Through the recommen- dation of Mr. Younger, the then ma- nager of Liverpool, both she and her husband were engaged at Drury Lane. Mr. Ward made his first ap- pearance in Ranger, but was not so successful in London as his wife, who became a useful member of the theatre : he therefore resigned his situation at the end of the season, and purchased a share in the Man- chester Theatre. Mrs. Sage, sister to Mrs. Ward, went up in a balloon from St. George's Fields, during the rage for aerostation. WARRELL, (Mrs.) actress, was a favourite in the country, and made her first appearance on London boards at Covent Garden, in the character of Rosa, (Fontainbleau) February 18, 1790. Her person, voice, and action, were agreeable. See Atkins. WATERS, (Miss). See Max- zinghi. WATHEN, (Mr.) actor, is the son of the late Dr. Wathen, and was brought up to the army. At the siege of Gibraltar he was raised to a lieutenancy in the 39th regiment, and on the termination of the siege went with his regiment (the 14th) to Jamaica. At the close of the war he sold out with the brevet rank of major. During his military capacity he is said to have performed in some private plays, and on his return to England was a gentleman-actor with the late Lord Barrymore, &c. His inclination for the stage still en- creasing, he became manager at Richmond, and accepted an engage- ment at Dublin from Mr. Daly, with whom he performed during a winter season, ( 1793) under the assumed name of George. During his ma- nagement of the Richmond Theatre, Mr. Colman commenced a prosecu- tion against him for performing some of his unpublished plays, but such are the ambiguities of the law, that what may be deemed self-property to- day, may be proved free-game to- morrow. Thus the tag-rag of O'Keeffe, once in high estimation with the town, was, by the long robe, adjudged of no value. The plaintiff and defendant, however, were soon reconciled, and Mr. Wathen having given up his unprofitable theatre at Richmond, became a member of Mr. Colman's house : he was likewise engaged for the ensuing winter at Drury Lane, which situation he still retains, though more than once dis- charged by the intelligent diurnal edi- tors. His line of business is comic servants and rustics, in the latter of which he has more merit, for, in the former, he imitates Mr. Bannister, jun. but in treading in his steps does not altogether fill up his tracks.— There are, however, some characters in which he has been seen with much pleasure. WATSON, (JOHN BOLES) ma- nager of several provincial theatres, was born at Silver Fort, near the city of Cashell, Trela. His father was tenant for life to an estate of 12001. per annum, which this his son joined in selling when he came of age, to follow trfe occupation of ma- nager. He played a considerable time with Mr. Roger Kemble, under the assumed name of Carleton, and purchased that gentleman^ walk.— He married Miss Bell Wilkinson, who died without issue, and, secondly, Miss Withington, by whom he has a son and daughter, the latter of whom. WE WE whom, an accomplished young lady, was lately married to Mr. Richer, of Sadler's Wells. There is a Mr. Watson who produced a tragedy called " England Preserved," acted at Covent Garden, 1795. WEAVER, (JOHN) was the first restorer of pantomimes after the an- cient manner, without speaking, several of which he wrote, or rather invented, for Drury Lane, parti- cularly l< The Loves of Mars and Venus," 1717; "Orpheus and Eu- ridice," 1718; " Perseus and An- dromeda," 17'i8 ; and " The Judg- ment of Paris," 173'A He was a celebrated dancing-master, and chiefly resided at Shrewsbury, and Ins writings, among which is " A History of the mimes and panto- mimes of the Ancients," show that his abilities were not confined to his heels. WEBB. (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Child, was born in Norwich, and was first married to Mr. Day.— She was an actress and singer in the Norwich company several years ago, and at Edinburgh with her second husband, Mr Webb. They boih received an engagement at Covent Oarden and the Haymarket, and Mrs. Webb soon distinguished her- self in many corpulent and grotesque characters. Her husband died in the King's Bench. She introduced to the public on her benefit at the Haymarket, 1788, her daughter, in the character of l~onora, (Padlock) and appeared herself, on the same occasion, at Covent Garden, in the character of Falstaff. She died N ov. 21, 1793. WEBSTER, (Mr.) actor, was much admired in the vocal line, particu- i larly in Comus, Macheath, &c. He 'I alio performed Douglas, and such- l! like characters. He visited Dublin | during Mr. Ryder's management, where Mr. Dubellamy and he played Captain Macheath, Apollo, (Midas) II &c. alternately ; but his vanity hav- jj ing led him to think that a lady of j distinction was in love with him, j| he incurred the displeasure of several respectable characters. lie died \ alwut twenty years a^o. His wife, or, a; she wa- tailed, Mrs. Webster, was a respectable actress, but, jea- lous of her nominal husband, they lived very unhappily together, and she died of a broken heart. WELLS, (Mrs. MARY) actress, maiden name Davies, was born in Birmingham, and having lost her fa- ther, who died in a madhouse, visit- ed Dublin with her mother and sis- ter, where she attempted the stage. She then played in different parts of the North, and was afterwards engaged by Mr. Miller, then ma- nager of Shrewsbury. Here she married Mr. Wells, a performer in the company, who afterwards left her, and gave his heart and name to another, who also became an actress, and was engaged with him at Fish- amble Street, in Dublin. Her abilities, like his, were not above mediocrity. He also became a mem- ber of Mr. Daly's company, and per- formed great parts, but with little pretensions. Though possessed of a good figure, there is a discordance in his voice, a rapidity in his deli- very, and a deficiency of judgment. The forsaken Mrs. Wells made her first appearance at the Haymarket about 1781. Her success was such as to procure a winter engagement at Drury Lane. She played in tra- gedy, comedy, and opera. She then removed to Covent Garden Theatre, and attempted imitations of the most celebrated actresses, which she deli- vered with great applause at the Royalty Theatre, 1786. She return- ed to the Haymarket for a few sea- sons, and afterwards employed her summers in the country. Her sister, Miss Davies, appeared for her be- nefit in the character of Amelia, (English Merchant) July 28, 1786. — In consequence of some pecuniary embarrassments, she was a pri- soner in the Meet, where she became acquainted with Mr. Sumbel, a fo- reigner, who had been a prisoner for contempt of court. She declared herself married to him, and, in con- sequence, became, or affected to become, a Jewess : however, he contradicted the marriage, but she ^till retains his name. On her re- leasement, she advertised her imi- tatiuns for the U:t week of Lent, K k which WE WE •which the bishop of London prevent- ed from taking place. WELLS, (WILMOT) manager at Margate in conjunction with Mr. Shaw, leader of the band at Drury Lane and the Haymarket, &c. See Grubb. He is also an actor, and had lately in his company Mr. Gar- ner, Mr. Denman, Mr. Allen, Mr. Beverley, (whose wife made her ap- pearance this season at Covent Gar- den) Mr. Ru'ssel, (who was acting manager) Mr. D'Arcy, Mr. Dowton, Mr. Le Brun, Mr. Richards, Mrs. Siddons, Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. William- son, Miss Arne, Miss Goddard, Mrs. Benville, Mrs. Bellfille, Mrs. Russel, Miss Richardson, &c. WESTON, (THOMAS) actor, was instructed in all the poiite accom- plishments, his father having been first cook to King George the Second, the salary and emoluments of which place were fully sufficient to enable him to live as a gentleman, and give his son a finished education : but when Tom grew up to about sixteen years of age, he became particularly attached to the stage, at the repre- sentations of which he was very often present, and by frequenting the public houses where the actors usu- ally resorted to, he soon formed an acquaintance with several of them, and also with a number of young spouters. His father had not as yet observed any thing in his son's be- haviour to give him cause to suspect his obedience, and therefore pro- cured for him the place of turn- broach, or turnspit, in the king's kitchen, worth about thirty pounds per annum, which is executed by a deputy, who is paid about seven or eight pounds a year, and which place young Weston possessed till his death. "lie got also appointed a clerk under the clerk of the kitchen, and Tom went in the yacht with the late king to Holland, in his way to Hanover, as part of his household. On his return, his father procured a recommendation for him to Sir John Bentley, who at that time was appointed to the command of the Warspite, a fine seventy-four gun ship, just launched at Deptford, and then rigging and fitting out for sea, 1 and Tom was accordingly accepted I as a midshipman. When the ship got into Long Reach, he began to be tired of his new occupation, and sigh for his old acquaintance and the spouting clubs. A thousand schemes he thought of to get out of the ship, and at last effected his escape. Not venturing to return home to his father, after some distress, he thought upon the stage as the most eligible means of subsistence: accordingly he experienced all the ups ami downs of a strolling life. By means of a friend he procured an engage- ment at Foote's Theatre, in the Hay- market, but in a very low cast of characters, for even at the coming out of " The Minor," 1760, he only played Dick. Before this he became acquainted with an agreeable young lady, a milliner, in the Haymarket, whom he had married, but by whom he never had any children. Mrs. Weston also appeared at Foote's Theatre, in Lucy, (Minor) and pro- mised, with care, to make a tolera- ble actress. By his performance of Jerry Sneak, (Mayor of Garrat) Weston stamped his fame at the Hay- market, and got an engagement at Drury Lane, where, during Mr. Garrick's absence in Italy, he per- formed the manager's character of Abel Drugger, (Tobacconist) and, it is said, excelled every one in that part. He played afterwards at Co- vent Garden, but being always in debt, he was for ever in terror of the baiiitfs, and so much addicted to liquor, that, by frequent intoxication, he destroyed his inside, and died Jan. 18, 1776. WEWITZER, (RALPH) actor, is supposed to be a native of London, where he followed the profession of a jeweller. His sister was a favour- ite actress and singer, and for her benefit he made his first appearance on any stage at Covent Garden, in the character of Ralph, (Maid of the Mill) when the low comic hu- mour he discovered in this part, pro- cured him an engagement, and he soon established his reputation as comedian by his whimsical, but just representation of Frenchmen's cha- racters. He visited Dublia during Rvder'. WE WH Ryder's management. He conti- nued at Covent Garden till 1789, when he undertook the management of the Royalty Theatre. Hereupon he advertised for performers for bur- lettas and pantomime, and received letters from about seven hundred per- sons. Having derived neither fame nor profit from this undertaking, he procured an engagement at Drury Lane. For several summer seasons he performed at the Haymarket, and h* partly invented some panto- mimes. He was the original Jew in the " Young Quaker," and by his performance of it contributed much to the success or the piece. His sister, before mentioned, belonged to Covent Garden in 1789 : she also performed in Dublin with some ap- plause. This gentleman has been re- markable for many witty sayings. — During one of his country excursions, a gentleman enquired for a certain comedian who had been for some time dead : — Oh, Sir," said We- witzer, " his last appearance was at Liverpool, in tragedy."---" Tragedy ! ---you mistake — he always played comedy."—" Ah, Sir, but not on this occasion — the tragedy was be- spoke by a Doctor and Apothecary, and he played second to the Tyrant, Death. Poor fellow ! when he made his last exit, there was not a dry eye in the house." — Similar to this, is the following epitaph in the church-yard of Gillingham, in the county of Nor- folk: — " Sacred to tl>e memory of Thomas 'Jackson,''' (he was a favourite actor in the Norwich company) "co- median, who was engaged Dec. 21. 1741, to play a comic cast of charac- ters in this great theatre, The World, for many of which he was prompted by nature to excel. The season being ended — his benefit over—the charges all paid — and his account closed, he made his exit in the tragedy of Death on the 17th of March, 179S, in full assurance of being called once inure to rehearsal, where he hopes to find his forfeits all cleared— his cast of parts bettered— and his situa- tion made agreeable by Him who paid the great s;o." Her mother, who happened to be preient, blushing for her daughter's ignorance, immediately broke out — " Oh what an infernal limb of an actress will you make!— not know the meaning of prentice, and that it is the plural number of pren- tices !" This young lady married a Mr. Burden during her summer en- gagement at Portsmouth, and per- formed as Mrs. Burden, at Covent Garden, in 1760. WHITEHEAD, (WM.) dramatist, poet laureat, and registrer and secre- tary to the order of the Bath, was born about 1715, and was the son of a baker at Cambridge, and received his education at Winchester school when under the direction of Doctors Bigg and Burton. From thence he was sent to Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he took the degree of Master of Arts, and became a Fellow. In 1754, 1755, and 1756, he accompa- nied the Lords Viscount Nuneham and Villiers. sons of the Earls of Har- court and Jersey, in their travels through Europe ; and in 1757 was appointed poet laureat. He died April 14, 1785, at his apartments in Charles Street, Grosvenor Square, and his remains were interred in South Audley Chapel. His dramatic pieces are, " The Roman Father," tragedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1750 ; " The Fatal Constancy," sketch, 1753, which Mr. Foote introduced in his " Diversions of the Morning ;" " Creusa, Queen of Athens," tra- gedy, acted at Drury Lane, 1754 ; ** The School for Lovers," comedy, do. 1762 ; and " A Trip to Scotland," farce, do. 1770. WHITFIELD, (Mr.) actor, made his theatrical essay in the country, and having acquired some reputa- tion at Norwich, was engaged at Co- vent Garden, where he came out in Trueman, (George Barnwell) about the year 1776. Not assuming great characters at first, thro' which imprudent ambition many theatrical candidates fall from heroes to servants, he gradually rose, and at last became at Drury Lane (to which theatre h* afterwards removed) a tolerable second-rate actor in both tragedy and comedy. He lately returned to his old situation, where his services seem to have been invited in conse- quence of the dearth of tragedians ; for, notwithstanding all the nu- merous and frequently superfluous engagements at that theatre, Melpo- mene is but negligently supported. Should there be a Castalio and Mo- nimia, there is some wretciied Poly- dore to "cheat his elder brother." In short, tragedy, which, more than comedy, requires general good act- ing, is here so ill attended to, that its disrepute should be imputed more to mismanagement than the taste of the tunes. — Mr. Whitfield's wdfe was formerly an actress at Covent Gar- den, and performed for several sea- sons at the summer theatre. WHITLOCK, (Mrs. ELIZABETH) actress, maiden name Kemble, is sis- ter to Mrs. Siddons, (see Kemble and Siddons) having performed at se- veral provincial theatres, was en- gaged at Drury Lane in 1783, where she remained about two seasons performing the second and third rate parts in tragedy, when she was married to Mr. Whitlock, then ma- nager at Newcastle upon Tyne. On the secession of Mrs. S. Kemble from the Haymarket, (1791) she became her substitute in a few characters, and has since appeared on the same boards, (1800) with gieater success than before. WIER, (Mrs.) actress, was the wife of one who was many years in the service of Sir Francis Delaval, who acted Othello at Drury Lane in March, 1751. Sir John (now Lord Delaval) was the Iago, and the other characters were performed by per- sons of fashion. Mrs. Wier was put into a milliner's shop by Sir Francis, but not meeting with success in trade, he afterwards took a house for her in Suffolk Street, which he furnished as a reception for boarders. In this scheme she was also unsuccessful, and turned her thoughts to the stage. Her first attempt was at Drury Lane, for the benefit of Mr. Tate Wilkinson, in Arpasia, (Tameilane) May 3 1760 WI WI 1760. She was well received, but as an actress barely reached medi- ocrity. She began her stage career too late in life, being at that time thirty-six years of age. She has been dead many vears. WIGNELL, (J.) actor, belonged to Covent Garden, and possessed the singular talent of imparting state- liness to comic dialogues, and mer- riment to tragic scenes. During a rehearsal of *'The Suspicious Hus- band," Mr. Garrick exclaimed, " Pray, Mr. Wignell, why cannot you enter, and say— Mr. Strickland, Sir, your coach is ready, without all the declamatory pomp of Booth or Qjiin f" " Upon my soul, Mr. Gar- rick, (replied the actor) I thought I had kept the sentiment down as much as possible." When Mr. Mack- lin (>erformed Macbeth, Wignell played the Doctor, and in this serious character provoked loud fits of laugh- ter. He published a volume of poems in 1762, containing " The Tiiumph of Hymen," masque, act- ed at Shuter's Booth, Bartholomew Fair, 1761; " Love's Artifice; or, Perplexed Squire," intended to have l>een acted at York. He died Jan. 85, 1774. WILD, (Mr ) was prompter for several seasons at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. He had the mis- fortune, early in life, to hurt his ancle, by which he lost the use of his leg. He died at Liverpool, August 10, 1801, aged fifty-two, and was succeeded at Covent Garden by Mr. J. Glassington,from Bath. WILDER, (JAMES) actor, was bred to the business of painting, and formerly belonged to Drury Lane. He performed under all the most respectable Irish managers, by whom he was esteemed a faithful servant. (See Ryder). His wife was on the stage. He was frequently security for Mr. Mossop, who, as a kind of compensation, offered to transfer the management to him. He took leave of the stage during Mr. Daly's management, in 1788, and has now a situation in Somerset House. His chief character was Co- lonel Oldboy, (Lionel and Cla- rissa). WILKINSON, (TATE) manager of the York and Hull Iheatres, is the son of the Rev. Dr. John Wilkin- son, who was educated at St. Bees, in Cumberland, and finished his stu- dies at the University of Oxford. — He was his Majesty s chaplain of the Savoy, where he, mistakingly. con- tinued to solemnize marriages by virtue of his own licence, notwith- standing the marriage act of the 26th of George II. for which he suffered transportation. His son, who had long entertained a passion for the stage, now resolved to indulge his inclination, though but seventeen years of age, and consequently re- jected a commission in the army which had been offered him by some of his mother's friends. He had pri- vately cultivated his talents for mi- micry, and gave imitations of Quin, Cibber, Rich, sen. and Mrs. Wof- fington. Young Rich was so pleased wiih Wilkinson's imitation of his father, that, though he had slighted his theatrical abilities on a former application, he was now willing to give him an engagement, but was prevented by Mrs. V\ oftington, who had been offended at his having made her one of the subjects of his mi- micry. His first appearance on the stage was for his friend Shuter's be- nefit, March 28, 1757, in the fine gentleman, in " Lethe," which cha- racter he repealed April 19, for the benefit of Messrs. Bencraft and Cos- tello ; but being still unable to pro- cure an engagement from Mr. Rich, joined Mr. Wignell's summer com- pany at Maidstone, where he per- formed the first line in tragedy, and received, on his first benefit, one shilling and sixpence, and two pieces of candlel He was, the ensuin;; winter season, engaged by Mr. Gar- rick for Drury Lane, but who assign- ed hiin the most insignificant busi- ness in the theatre, where his first character was Volscius, in the " Re- hearsal." Foote, however, having entertained a good opinion of his abilities, procuied his leave of ab- sence tor six weeks, and engaged him for Ireland, where he appeared in Mr. Footed "Tea" with -.o much succcs-, that the then Irish aianager, Mr. WI WI Sheridan, engaged him on a salary at three guineas per week. Not- withstanding, on his return to Lon- don, he was still discouraged and slighted by Mr. Garrick ; but during a summer season had an opportu- nity of acquiring fame at Bath, where he appeared in Othello, and " treated Mr. Foote with a dish of his own tea," for the benefit of Miss Morrison, the present Mrs. Hull. — He next visited Portsmouth, where he performed several principal cha- racters with considerable applause. His engagement at Drury Lane ter- minated in 1759, and, notwithstand- ing the manager offered to renew it, and encrease his salary, yet he had hitherto behaved to him with so much duplicity, that Wilkinson pre- ferred a temporary engagement at Covent Garden, where he performed several of Foote's characters in op- position to him at the other house. Rich now offered him terms for three years, but Wilkinson recollecting the conduct of Garrick, was unwilling to enter into articles for so long a term, and engaged with Mr. Mos- sop for the Dublin Theatre ; after which, he played at Birmingham and York, and in 1763 was invited to the Haymarket Theatre by Mr. Foote, where he appeared in Shift and Squintum, (Minor). He now acquired both fame and profit, and was engaged again for Dublin the succeeding winter by Mr. Barry, the rival manager to Mossop ; after which he performed at all the most respectable provincial theatres, with encreasing reputation. He was ad- mitted into a share of the York cir- cuit in 1763, and about a year before the death of his partner, Mr. Baker, expended the sum of five hundred pounds in obtaining Royal patents for the York and Hull Theatres. — He married Miss Jane Doughty, of Y'oik, 1768, by whom he has a son and daughter.— His company per- form also at Leeds, Pontefract, Don- caster, and Wakefield, and he has furnished the London Theatres with seveial eminent actors and actresses. He is highly respected as a manager both by the performers and public, and he has afforded much entertain- ment, not only as an actor, but as an author ; for he has written a consi- derable portion of theatrical history, and has contributed, occasionally, to periodial works. His accounts' are generally interesting ; and, as he does not boast of tint fancy of a Chet- wood, are, for their veracity, read with double satisfaction ; but he has certainly much of Victor's round-a- bout circumstantial style, there being too often a tedious prolixity in his anecdotes, which frequently destroys their effect. WILKS, (ROBERT) actor, was descended from an illustrious Irish family, and born at Rathfarnham, near Dublin, in 1670, where he re- ceived a genteel education. He wrote a masterly hand, and with such surprising celerity, that his genius recommended him to Secretary Southwell, who received him into his office as a clerk at eighteen years of age : and in this capacity he re- mained till after the battle of the Boyne, which completed the revo- lution. His first inclination for the stage is attributed to the following circumstance :- — He happened to lodge near Mr. Richards, then an actor on the Dublin stage; and, be- ing intimate with him, used to hold the book while Richards was study- ing, to observe whether he was per- fect in his part. Mr. Wilks used to read the introductory speeches with so much propriety, emphasis, and cadence, that the encomiums be- stowed on him by his friend began to fire his mind for the drama ; and another accidental circumstance con- firmed him in the intention of direct- ing his abilities to the stage. Upon that happy and unexpected turn of affairs produced by the battle of the Boyne, the people of Dublin, among other expressions of joy, determined on a play ; but, the actors having been dispersed during the war, some private persons agreed to give one gratis, at the theatre, in the best man- ner they were able. With very lit- tle persuasion, Mr. Wilks ventured to represent the Colonel, (Spanish Friar) at Mr. Ashbury's Theatre ; where the approbation he received from that great master, operated so strongly WI WI strongly on him, that lie quitted his post, to a person who afterwards raised a fortune of fifty thousand pounds in it, and commenced player. The first character Wilks appeared in, on the public theatre, was that of Othello, which he performed to the approbation of every one but him- self. He went on with great success at Dublin for two years, when his friend Richards advised him to try his fortune in England, and gave him letters of recommendation to Mr. Betterton ; by whom, though he was kindly received, he was only en- gaged at the low rate of fifteen shil- lings a week. His first appearance on the English stage was in the part of the young Piince, (Maid's Tra- gedy) a very insignificant character, that required little more than an agreeable person. Betterton per- formed Melantius ; but, when that veteran actor came to address htm on the battlements, the dignity of Mr. Betterton struck him with so much awe, that he had much ado to utter the little he had to say. — Betterton, who had observed his con- fusion, encouraged him afterwards, by saying, " Young man, this fear does not ill become you ; for a horse that sets out at the strength of his speed, will soon be jaded " But Mr. Wilks, growing impatient at his low condition, the company being so well supplied with good actors, that there was very little hope of bis get- ting forward, engaged also in another profession, and became an assistant to Mr. Harris, an eminent dancing- master at that time. In this capa- city, so favourable to the exhibition of a good figure, he, by the gentility of his address, gained the affection of a young lady, the daughter of Fer- dinand Knapton, Esq. steward of the new forest in Hampshire ; whom lie married, with the consent of her father. He found his finances now very unsuitable to the establishment of a growing family, and therefore pressed hard an addition to his salary, whii h every one be.ide the manager thought he well deserved : but this request not being complied with, he took a more expeditious step for ad- vancement, by accepting the invi- tation of Mr. Ashbury to return to Ireland ; that manager coming over on hearing of his discontent, pur- posely to engage him. He agreed with Mr. Wiiks for sixty pounds a-year, and a clear benefit ; which, in those times, was much more than any other performer ever had. — When he went to take his leave of Mr. Betterton, the manager was with him. This great actor expressed some concern at his leaving the com- pany. " I fancy," said Mr. Better- ton, " that gentleman," pointing to the manager, " if he has not too much obstinacy to own it, will be the first that repents your parting; for, if 1 foresee aright, you will be greatly wanted here." Having no compe- titor in Dublin, he was immediately preferred to whatever parts his in- clination led him ; and his early re- putation on that stage as soon in- spired him with the ambition of re- turning, and shewing himseif on a better : nor was it long before his ambition was gratified, and the pro- phetic words of Mr. Betterton ful- filled: for the unfortunate death of Mr. Mountford was a sickness to all the genteel comedies at London, until his loss could be supplied. — Mr. Wilks therefore was immedi- ately sent to with an offer of four pounds a week ; which, being a salary equal to that of Mr. Betterton himself, was too inviting a proposal to be neglected. His engagements at Dublin were, however, too strong to be openly broke through, and he therefore prepared for his journey privately. Mr. Ashbury procured an order from the Duke of Ormond, then lord lieutenant of Ireland, to prevent his goin^; but. a particular friend giving him timely notice of it, he went secretly to Hoath, where a boat waited to convey him on board, and thus he came safe to Eng- land. Upon his first arrival, Mr. Powell, who was now in possession of all the chief parts of Mr. Mount- ford, and the only actor who sto d in Wilks's way, offered him the choice of whatever he thought pro- per to make hi, first appearai • :i , a favour that was intended only to hurt him : but Wilks, who, t;om the WI WI first, had certainly formed his man- ner of acting on the model of Mount- tord, rightly judging it modest to chuse a part of Powell's, in which Mountford had never appeared, ac- cepted that of Palamedes, in Dry- tien's " Marriage a la Mode :" and here too a fortunate circumstance attended him, by the inimitable Mrs. Mountford being his Melantha in the same play. From this time he grew daily more in favour, not only with the town, but likewise with the patentee, whom Powell, before Wilks's arrival, had treated in almost what manner he pleaded. His merit was at length rewarded by being joined, in the year 1709, by Queen Anne, in the patent granted to Dog- get and Cibber ; under whose direc- tion the theatre recovered new life, and prosperity followed their judi- cious industry. He established his reputation by the part of Sir Harry Wildair, in which the vivacity of his performance was so proportionably extravagant to the character, as drawn by the author, that he was received in it with universal and deserved applause. As long as he trod the stage, he continued the un- rivalled fine gentleman, and by the elegance of his address captivated the hearts of his audience to the very last. But. while his excellence in comedy was neyer once disputed, he was equally master of that dignity requisite in tragedy ; and was as highly extolled, by the best judges, in the different parts of Hamlet ; Castalio, (Orphan) ; Ziphares, (Mith- ridates) ; Edgar, (Lear); Norfolk, (Albion Queens); Piercy, (Anna Bo- leyn); the Earl of Essex; Shore; Macduff; Moneses, (Tamerlane); and Jaffier, (Venice Preserved).— In 1714 he lost his wife, and conti- nued a widower seven years; but then manied Mrs. Fell, the relict of Charles Fell, Ksq. of an ancient family in Lancashire, who survived him. This celebrated actor died the 27th of September, 173'2, and was interred in the church-yard of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, where a monument was put over him by his widow. By his own request he was butted at midnight, to avoid osten- tation ; yet this peculiar honour was paid to his memory, that the gentle- men of the choir belonging to the royal chapel came voluntarily and performed an anthem, prepared for the solemn occasion. He was al- ways the first proposer of any joint charity from the theatrical stock; and tears were often seen in his eyes at the relation of any misfortune that befel others. When the unhappy Mr. Farquhar died, Wilks took care to bury him decently at St. Martin's in the Fields, and also provided for his orphan daughters, whom he placed out as mantua-makers, and to the last gave them several benefit- plays ; by which constant stream of bounty, he raised them above want ; so that, in losing him, they lost ano- ther parent. There is also another Mr. Wilks, who was likewise a native of Dublin, where he was a favourite actor in the same line of business, particularly Jessamy, (Lionel and Clarissa). He lately exhibited at the Lyceum. WILLIAMS, (Mr.) actor, belong- ed to Drury Lane Theatre in the be- ginning of the century, but was a subaltern player, whose name never made its appearance in the bills, and therefore will scarce be found in the annals of that period. He was a native of Wales, and was not the least nettlesome of his countrymen. He performed the part of the Mes- senger, in the tragedy of " Cato ;" and where he should have said, " Caesar sends health to Cato," he pronounced the last word Keeto, which so struck Quin, that he replied, with his usual coolness, " Would he had sent a better messenger." This reply so stung Williams, that he from that moment vowed revenge. He followed Quin into the green room when he came off the stage, and, after representing the injury he had done him, by making him appear ridiculous in the eyes of the audi- ence, and thereby hurting him in his profession, he called him to an ac- count as a gentleman, and insisted upon satisfaction; but Quin, with his usual philosophy and humour, endeavoured to rally his passion. This but added fuel to fas antago- nist's WI WI nist's rage, who, without further re- monstrance, Tetired, and waited for Quin under the piazza. Upon his return to the tavern from his lodg- ings, Williams drew upon him, and a rencounter ensued, in whichWilliams fell. — There have been, and are, several performers of this name.— Miss Williams, who was a favourite at Exeter and other provincial thea- tres, made her first appearance at Covent Garden in the character of Constantio, (Crusade) October 19, 1790; and, though she came forward with great disadvantage, as the suc- cessor of Mrs. Billington, acquitted herself to the satisfaction of the au- dience. WILLIAMES, (Mr.) actor, was born in Wales, and was intended for the business of a silk-mercer, which he renounced for the stage, and be- came a member of Drury Lane com- pany. In 1790 he married Mrs. Wil- son, maiden name Adcock, who was born at Lewes, in Sussex, and was an actress at Drury Lane. (See Wil- son). Soon after his marriage, he took the Shakspeare coffee-house, in Bow street, and his wife died about a year after. On his commencing landlord, it was judged that he could not possibly pay due attention to the duties of an actor, and was therefore discharged from Drury Lane. How- ever, he found leisure to perform at Richmond, wliere he officiated as acting manager, and went afterwards to the West Indies, where he died. WILLIAMSON, (Mr.) actor, was the son of a respectable sadler in Lon- don, whose real name was Williams. He made his first theatrical attempt in the country, and performed at Edinburgh, Liverpool, &c. where he acquired some fame. He made his first appearance in London at the Jiaymarket,in Hamlet, ( 1783) where he remained several seasons, no longer as the Prince of Denmark, but as the representative of third-rate characters. He relinquished his situation for the sake of |>erforming first-rate characters in the country, WINSTONE, (RICHARD) actor, and was esteemed the father of the stage, being about three months elder than Mackuo. He was an eleve of Quin's, and, though greatly inferior to him in point of theatrical merit, was one of ihe groupe distin- guished by his friendship, and oftcnv admitted to his convivial enjoyments. He once had a quarrel with the ma- nager, and abruptly leaving the Lon- don stage, contrary to the advice of Quin, went strolling into Wales.— After two years absence, on his return from Swansea to Bristol, by sea, he was near being drowned, having met with a storm which stranded the ship, by which he lost all his clothes, and what little money he had in his strong box. In this situation he scrambled up to Lon- don, and getting to one of his old haunts about Ihe Garden, went to bed, and sulked for two days without ever getting out of it. Quin, by ac- cident, heard of his situation, and immediately calling en the manager, had Winstone put on his usual salary, and his name actually advertised in the bills for next day's performance : he then called upon his taylor, who, having Winstone's measure, took him to Monmouth-street, and bought him a full suit of clothes. Thus ac- coutred, Quin called upon his old friend, whom he found in bed, very melancholy. After some conversa- tion, in which Winstone related all his misfortunes, Quin asked him why he was not at rehearsal > This, at first, astonished poor Winstone, till the other explaining the circum- stance, he fell upon his knees with gratitude. " But Z-ds, my dear Jemmy," says Whinstone, " what shall I do for clothes and a little mo- ney?" " As for the clothes." says Quin, " there they are ; but as for money, by G— , you must put your hand in your oit-n f octet." Winstone experienced his friend's humanity even in this expression, for, on searching the breeches pocket, he found ten guineas. He resided at the Hot Wells. Bristol, for some years before his death, where he lived partly on letting lodgings, and partly on what he saved in his earlier days, lie died Dec. 11, 1788. The per- formers at Bristol generally gave him a yearly benefit, which, as he had many friends, turned to account. On L 1 those wo w o those nights he spoke an occasional prologue. WOFFINGTON, (MARGARET) actress, and no less celebrate! for her talents and fine accomplishments than for her generosity and appro- priate feelings ; yet her origin was very humble. Her mother, on the death of her father, kept a small grocer's shop (commonly called in Ireland a huckster's shop) upon Or- mond Quay ; and under this inaus- picious circumstance did a woman who afterwards delighted nations, and attracted the highest private re- gards, begin her career in life. «Vhat first gave rise to the accomplishment of so great a change, the following circumstance will explain. There was a French woman, of the name of Madame Violante, who took up an occasional residence in Dublin about the year 1728. This woman was celebrated for exhibiting great feats of grace and agility on the tight rope, &c. &c. and, as she support- ed a good private character, her exhibitions were much resorted to at that time by people of the best fashion. Violante varied her amuse- ments to the floating caprices of taste ; and as " The Beggar's Opera" was then the rage over all the three kingdoms, she undertook to get up a representation of this celebrated piece with a company of children, or, as they were called in the bills of that day, " Lilliputian Actors." — Woffington, who was then only in the tenth year of her age, she fixed upon as her Mackheath ; and such was the power of her infant talents, not a little, perhaps, aided by the partialities in favour of the opera, that the Lilliputian Theatre was crowded every night, and the spirit and address of the little hero the theme of every theatrical conversa- tion. A commencement so favour- able got her an engagement a few years afterwards at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, where she soon fulfilled every expectation that was formed of her : and so little did her humble birth and early education bow down her mind to her situation, that her talents were found evident- ly to lie in the representation of fe- males of high rank and dignified de- portment : her person was suitable to such an exhibition, being of size above the middle stature, elegantly formed, and, though not an abso- lute beauty, had a face full of ex- pression and vivacity ; she was be- side highly accomplished for the stage, being a perfect mistress of dancing and of the French language, botli of which she acquired under the tuition of Madame Violante. Her reputation on the Irish stage drew an offer from Mr. Rich, the manager of Covent Garden Theatre, for an engagement, at a very hand- some salary, which Miss Woffington accepted, and in the winter of 1740 (when our heroine was exactly twenty-two years of age) she made her first appearance on the London boards, in the character of Sylvia, (The Recruiting Officer) and in the same month she performed Sir Harry Wildair. The publication of this part to be undertaken by a woman, excited the curiosity of the public, and more particularly as the charac- ter had for the most part lain dor- mant since the death of Wilks, (seven years before that time) who was uni- versally allowed the fiiit Sir Harry on the stage. However, this cu- riosity was fully satisfied in favour of Miss Woffington ; it was admitted by the best critics, that she represent- ed this gay, good humoured, dissi- pated rake of fashion with an ease, elegance, and deportment, which seemed almost out of the reach of female accomplishments, and her fame flew about the town with such rapidity, that the comedy had a run, and proved a considerable addition i to the treasury for many seasons af- terwards. However great her re- putation in this part, she did not rest it wholly in Sir Harry. In characters of ea-y, high bred deportment, such as Millimont, Lady Townly, Lady Betty Modish, &c. she possessed a first-rate merit ; she likewise ex- celled in many of the humorous parts of comedy, such as Lady Pliant, (Double Dealer) Mrs. Day, (Com- mittee) and others; not in the least scrupling, on these occasions, to con- vert the natural beauty of lier face w o w o to the wrinkles of old age, and put on the tawdry habiliments and vul- gar manners of the old hypocritical city vixen. At what period Garrick became acquainted with Mrs. Wof- fington, is not ascertained ; by com- putation, it must be some time be- fore his appearance at Goodman's Fields, or immediately afterwards, as we find them both engaged for the Dublin Theatre in the summer of 1742, and both embarking on that expedition in the month of June the same year. Upon their return from Dublin, Mrs. Woffington lodged in the same house with Macklin ; and as Garrick often visited there, there was a constant course of society be- tween the parties : a fourth visitor too sometimes made his appearance there, but in private — who was a noble lord, now living, and who was much enamoured with Miss VVoffing- ton's many agreeable qualifications. It, however, unfortunately happened one night, that Garrick had occu- pied Miss Woftington's chamber when his lordship took it in his head to visit his favourite Dulcinea. A loud knocking at the door announced his arrival, when Garrick, who had always a proper presentiment of danger about him, jumped out of bed, and. gathering up his clothes as well as he could, hurried up to Mack- lin's apartment for security. Mack- lin was just out of his first sleep when he was roused by his friend, who told him the particular cause of dis- turbing him, and requesting the use of a bed for the remainder of the nig it ; but what was Garrick 's sur- prise when, on reviewing die articles of his dress which he brought up with him. " in the alarm of fear," he found he had left his scratch wig be- low in Miss Wofiington's bed cham- ber. Macklin did all he could to comfort him — the other lay upon tenter hooks of anxiety the whole night.— But to return to his lordship : he had scarcely entered the apart- ment, when, finding something en- tangle his feet in the dark, he called for a light, and the first object he saw- was this unfortunate scratch, winch, taking up in his hand, he exclaimed witii an oath — " Oh: Madam, have I found you out at last' so here hat l>een a lover in the case !" and then fell to upbraiding her in all the lan- guage of rage, jealousy, and disap- pointment. The lady heard him with great composure for some time ; and then, without offering the least excuse, " begged of him not to make himself so great a fool, but give her her wig back again." " What! Madam, do you glory in your infidelity? Do you own the wig then !" " Yes, to be sure I do," said she; "I'm sure it was my money paid for it, and I hope it will repay me with money and reputation too." This called for a farther explanation : at last she very coolly said, " Why, my lord, if you will thus desert your character as a man, and be prying into all the little peculiaries of my domestic and professional business, know that I am soon to play a breeches part, and that wig, which you so triumphantly hold in your hand, is the very indi- vidual wig I was practising in a little before 1 went to bed : and so, be- cause my maid was careless enough to leave it in your lordship's way — here I am to be plagued and scolded at such a rate, as if I was a common prostitute." This speech had all the desired effect : his lordship fell upon his knees, begged a thousand par- dons, and the night was passed in harmony and good humour. Gar- rick heard these particulars with transport next miming, praised her wit and ingenuity, and laughed heartily at his lordship's cullibility. The connection between Mrs. Wof- fing'.on and Garrick soon after this became more united. They kept house logetner ; and, by agreement, each boie the monthly expences al- ternately. Macklin frequently made one at their social board, which was occasionally attended by some of the first wits of that time, parti- cularly duung Miss Woffington's irrnth, which was always distin- guished by a better table, and a greater run of good company.— During this tender connection, they often performed together in the same scene, both here and in Dublin , but when (.arnck became manager of Drury Lane in the year 1717, he L 1 2 was w o w o was not a little embarrassed in find- ing her one of the articled come- dians of his partner, Mr. Lacey. She soon after quitted this theatre for Covent Garden, where she had more scope for her talents, and where, for near four years, she shone unrivalled in the walks of elegant and humourous comedy. In 1751, she left the London Theatres for a very profitable engagement under Mr. Thomas Sheridan, who was at that time manager of Smock Alley House, and who, being an excellent judge himself of theatrical merit, was always liberal in cultivating the growth of distinguished talents. It was at this xra that Wofnngton might have been said to have reach- ed the acme of her fame — she was then in the bloom of her person, ac- complisments. and profession ; high- ly distinguished for her wit and vi- vacity, with a charm of conversation that at once attracted the admira- tion of the men, and the envy of the women. Although her article with the manager was but for four hundred ■founds, yet by four of her characters, performed ten nights each that sea- son, viz. LadyTownly, Maria, (Non- juror) Sir Harry Wildair, and Her- mione, she brought four thousand pnundsi The next year Sheridan ■liberally enlarged her salary to eight hundred pounds, and though it was to be imagined that her force to draw audiences must be weakened, yet the profits at closing the theatre did not fall short of more than three hundred pounds of the first season. Her company off was equally sought for as on the stage, and she was the delight of some of the gravest and most scientific characters in church and state : she was at the head of the celebrated beef steak club, in- stituted every Saturday at the mana- ger's expence, and principally com- posed of lords and members of par- liament for many year.-, where no woman was admitted but herself. See Sheridan, (Thomas). Though Mrs. Woffington was now only in her thirty-eighth year, a time of life, generally speaking, which may be called meridional in point of consti- tution ayid professional talents, her health began visibly to decline ; she, however, pursued her public busi- ness till the year before her death, when her disorder increasing, she retired from the stage in 1759, and died on the 28th of March, 1760. Many years before her death, per- haps in the gaiety of her heart, she made a kind of verbal engagement with Colonel C — , (a quondam inamorata of her's) that the longest liver was to have all : she, however, thought better of this rash resolution, and bequeathed her fortune, which was about five thousand pounds, to her sister ; a legacy which, though it is said greatly disappointed the Colonel, (who perhaps might have disappointed her had it been his turn to go first) was more suitable to the duties she owed to so near and va- luable a relation. Her death was considered as a general loss to the stage. WOODFALL, (WM.) prepared for the stage " Sir Thomas Over- bury," tragedy, acted at Covent Gar- den, 1777, which had been written by the unfortunate Savage, and left in pawn with the jailor of Bristol, (where he had been in confinement) with whom it remained when the author died, August 1, 1743. The manuscript was then purchased for seven guineas. Mr. Woodfall for- merly attempted the stage, and was afterwards proprietor and editor of a newspaper, when he evinced un- common retention of memory and precision, in reporting the debates of parliament. He was obliged to leave London in consequence of " Junius's Letters," which he pub- lished, and took refuge in Ireland, where he experienced much of the hospitality of that country. One of his sons, printer to the Haymarket Theatre, married Miss Collins, who was a few years ago a useful actress at Drury Lane, and the heroine of several provincial theatres during the summer seasons. She was born north of the Tweed, and her parents were likewise on the stage. WOODWARD, (HENRY) actor, was born in the borough of South- wark, in the year 1717, where his father had for some time followed the w o w o the business of a tallow-chandler, for ( which profession the son was intend- | ed. Fortunately, however, for the youth, he was placed in Merchant Taylors School, a seminary remark- able for the men of genius it has pro- duced in various professions. Here Harry made a rapid progress, and acquired a taste for the classics, which, in the future part of his life, he frequently displayed, to the sur- prise of such of his company as had not been acquainted wiih the man- ner in which he was educated. A circumstance happened, when he was about fourteen years of age, which gave him a strong bias in fa- vour of a theatrical life ; it was briefly this [-—From the uncommon run of the " Beggar's Opera," Mr. Rich, who was at that time manager of the theatre royal in Lincoln's inn Fields, was encouraged to represent it by children. In this Lilliputian company Harry performed the part of Peachum with great success ; and, having thus entertained a passion for the drama, could never after- wards divest himself of it. He had begun with the lowest of pantomi- mical characters, and went on, in a regular progression, from a frog to a hedge hog, an ape and a bear, till he arrived at the summit of his am- bition, harlequin. His talents at ) this period produced him a genteel salary at Covent Garden Theatre, and, in consequence of the death of Chapman the comedian, he had an opportunity of exhibiting his comic powers in their full force. Marplot, Lord Foppington, Sir Andrew Ague- cheek, Touchstone, Captain Parolles, were all represented by him with an uncommon degree of applause. - — In the year 17 17, Mr. Sheridan, ma- nager of Snvick Alley Theatre, Dub- lin, engaged him at no less a sum than five hundred pounds, to per- form the ensuing winter. In this engagement Mr. Woodward was ar- ticled as a comedian and harlequin, in both which departments he was extremely useful, and brought great receipts. In the former character he attacked Mr. Foote, in his favour- ite piece of " Tea ; or, the Diver- sions of the Morning," with such superior strength of humour, ridi- cule, and mimicry, as beat him out of the field ; and, in the latter, got up a new pantomime, (since altered to •' Queen Mab") which did nil invention great credit, and his em- ployer considerable service. On Mr. Woodward'* return to England, he was instantly engaged by Mr. Gar- rick, as a necessary support to esta- blish him in the management of Drury Lane, which he had at that time purchased in conjunction with Mr. Lacey : that great manager, knowing the acquisition he had got, never failed of directing such abi- lities in a proper line, and, to this purpose, revived the comedy of Ben Johnson's " Every Man in his Hu- mour," with some alterations, and an additional scene. If Mr. Wood- ward, at this time, wanted any thinj to give the full display to his comic abilities, it was his appearance in Bobadil, in this comedy ; a character, though its manners are, in a great mea-ure, obsolete, was rendered, from his judicious support of it, one of the chastest and most pleasing pieces of acting perhaps ever per- formed. The public were sensible of this, and gave it the most liberal applause : indeed, this piece will never appear to the advantage it then did, since, exclusive of Mr. Woodward's abilities in Bobadil, Mr. Garrick in Kitely, Shuter in Master Stephen, and Yates in Brainworm, there was scarce a character in the whole which was not filled with pro- priety. The increase of success, we often find, produces a de ire of more. Mr. Woodward, not content with a principal salary and benefit, by which he had saved five thousand pounds, and filling one of the first forms of Drury Lane Theatre in the comic cast, but he must be a ma- nager, aut Ccesar aut nullus ; and for this purpose joined with Mr. Barry, who was at that time at Co- vent Garden Theatre, to oppose Mr. Sheridan, in Dublin. A new house was accordingly erected for them in Crow Street, in that capital ; and, on Monday the 22d of October, 1758, they opened with the comedy of " She would and she would not ; or, w o w o or, the Kind Impostor,"' to a very thin audience. Indeed, little more could be expected, as the names of all the performers of any consequence (except Mr. King's) were out of the bills. The second night was the " Beggar's Opera," which was re- ported to be not more than twenty pounds. These disappointments brought the managers forward much sooner than they intended ; and, when they performed, the people must have wanted taste indeed not to have crowded thither. Notwith- standing this management was at- tended with some success in the be- ginning, yet the long train of incum- brances they were clogged with, there net being audiences enough in Dublin to support two houses, and, above all, the incompatible disposi- tion of the managers, rendered both their profits inferior to their salaries in England. Indeed, this last cir- cumstance alone would have been sufficient to overturn their scheme, abstracted from any other considera- tions. Bany was the Mark Anthony in life he represented on the stage- splendid, generous, and inconsi- derate ; whilst his partner, the re- verse, looked at every thing through the medium of interest. This con- trariety of tempers first produced remonstrances, from thence it blazed to newspaper quarrels, in which both parties made themselves ridi- culous : however, the dispute at last, by the interposition of friends, terminated in an amicable manner, and Mr. Woodward withdrew his share, on getting security to be paid his original expence in yearly install ments. During Mr. Woodward's residence in Dublin, a ridiculous cir- cumstance happened, that is not unworthy of our notice : the mob one morning beset the parliament house, in order to prevent the mem- bers from passing an unpopular bill. Such as were looked upon as be- longing to the court party, were treated with the grossest insults ; and some of the ringleaders, thinking it necessary to make the representa- tives swear they would not pass the bill, surrounded Mr. Woodward's door, which was opposite the parlia- ment house, in College Green, and called repeatedly upon his family to throw them a Bible out of the window. Mrs. Woodward was greatly alarmed at the request, as it unluckily happened, at that time, that, she had no such book in her pos- session. In the midst of her agita- tion, her husband, with great pre- sence of mind, snatched up a volume of Shakspeare's plays, which, tossing out of the dining-room window, he told the insurgents they were very wel- come to. Upon this they gave him three cheers, and, it is an absolute fact, that the ignorant rabble ad- ministered their oath to several of the Irish members of the House of Commons, upon the works of our old English bard, which they afterwards safely returned to Woodward. He now proceeded to London once more, after mispendmg his time, and impairing his fortune, for the course of four years. He made his first ap- pearance at Covent Garden in the character of Marplot, and was re- ceived with the warmest demonstra- tions of satisfaction by the auditors. —A prologue, however, which he spoke upon this occasion, gave great offence to the natives of Ireland, who thought themselves exceeding- ly injured by four harmless lines. His wife dying about this time, he returned to Ireland with Mrs. Les- singham, who made her appearance there in the character of Rosetta, (Love in a Village) but, on Wood- ward's advertising his name in the papers, to play at Crow Street Thea- tre, parties were formed against him, and the popular clamour was so great, in consequence of so trifling an offence, (if it may be called one) that he was frequently abused in the streets. Not willing to run the ha- zard of being insulted on the stage, he took his final leave of Dublin, and returned to London, where he con- tinued at the head of his profession, as a comedian, till the beginning of the winter, 1776, when he was seized with an abscess near the kidneys, which entirely prevented his public appearance, occasioned by an acci- dent as he was jumping on to a table, in the character of Scrub. He died the w o W R the following year, April 17, and left the interest of his fortune, which amounted to about six thousand pounds, to Mrs. Bellamy, the actress, with whom he had lived in a state of friendship for some time before his death ; and the principal to his brother and his family. As a come- dian, he was unequalled in his cast of parts; and. however the satire of Churchill, and other critics, might have ridicule I his " croaking," and placed his merit only in the outre, yet where shall we find hisequal in Bo- badil, Petruchio, Touchstone, Capt. Flash, Dick the Apprentice, Mar- plot, the fine Gentleman, (Lethe) an 1 all that cast of characters! He altered for the stage the " London Cuckolds," the " Winter's Tale," and some other pieces ; and is lhe reputed author of the "Male Co- quet," " A Lick at the Town,"' and a humorous letter to Dr. (afterwards Sir John) Hill, in con-equence of the latter abusing him in a periodical paper, published many years since, called "The Inspector." As a com- poser of pantomime, he liad inlinite meiit, having produced the three best that were ever represented, viz. " Harlequin Kortunatus," " Harle- ouin Sorcerer," and " Queen Mab." His merit likewise, as a principal actor in those amusements, was con- siderable. WOOLFRY, (Miss', actress, be- longed to Colman's Theatre in 1784, and was with Mr. Daly, of Dublin, during the winter of 1786, where she became a favourite, as much for her private conduct, as for her public performances. At this time the late Mr. Bingley set up a periodical pa- per, entitled " The F.xaminer." which was particularly severe on the Irish manager. Mr. Daly according- ly took his usual mode of justifica- tion, (see Moss) and drew up an advertisement for the ladies ami gentlemen of the company to sign, setting forth that his contluct had been always just and honourable. The paper was handed round in the green room,-— they all signed it wil- lingly, even tliose who behind the manager's back were the most bit- ter railers; but when presented to Miss Woolery, for her signature, she threw the paper aside with indigna- tion : it was a novel thing to her that a manager should be obliged to tell the public he is a gentleman ; and her acquaintance with Mr. Daly wai so short, that she could not possibly think of signing such a declaration. This refusal obtained her the highest eulogiums, and rendered the adver- tisement which appeared in the pa- pers, signed by ail the rest of the company, more prejudicial than ad- vantageous to the manager. Tho' a favourite with the public, she was naturally none with Mr. Daly, and theiefore her engagement expired with the season. She was married to a clergyman's son ; in conse- quence of which, she retired from the stage. WRIGHT, (ROGER) was for many years principal Harlequin at Drurv Lane. He died October, 1786.' WR1GHTEN, (JAMES) many years prompter to the Theatres Royal Drury Lane and tUe Haymar- ket, was originally bred a copper- plate printer, but his passion for the- atrical performances early induced him to quit that employment, and indulge his propensity by engaging and performing with some rc-pec- table provincial companies, in one of which he became acquainted with Miss Matthews, afterwards a pupil to Mr. Griffiths, whom he married, and who long maintained a distin- guished rank as a vocal performer, at the Theatres Royal and Vauxhall, till she basely eloped from her hus- ( band and children, (three daughters) i when she performed with much ce- I lebrity in the theatres of North Ame- 1 rica. but afterwards died in extreme ; distress. Mr. Wrighten died at his lodgings in Islington, April 3, 1793. ; He was succeeded in the otlice of l prompter by Mr. Powell at Drury Lane, and Mr. Waldron at the Hay- market. In consideration of his professional merit and anilities, the proprietors of both these theatres gave a night at each, for the benefit of his orphan children. WROUGHTON, Mr.' actor, was bred a surgeon at bath, where be fust tiled YA YA tried his theatrical talents, and soon left that city to make his public ap- pearance in the metropolis. He married a young lady, a native of Biddiford, in Devonshire, but at that time a milliner in Bath, who had given indubitable proofs of her affec- tion, which were repaid with honour and gratitude. His first appearance in London was at Covent Garden, in Altemont, (Fair Penitent) and, by industry and perseverance, he over- came some natural defects, and gra- dually encreased in public favour. He remained at this theatre for some time, during which he personated several first-rate characters, and on the expiration of his articles pur- chased Mr. King's property in Sad- ler's Wells. When Mr. Palmer left Drury Lane in consequence of his Royalty Theatre scheme, Mr.Wrough- ton was engaged in his stead, and made his first appearance there in Douglas, (Percy) 1788. About two or three seasons after, he parted with his concern at Sadler's Wells, and officiated as acting manager for a while at Drury Lane. He then re- tired from the sta^e for a short time, but on the illness of Mr. Aicken, and the death of Mr. Palmer, was in- vited to return. He is a useful actor, respectable in some parts of tragedy, and pleasing in many pans of genteel comedy. Y. YATES, (RICHARD) actor, be- longed to Drury Lane and Covent Garden, and was much esteemed as a comedian, particularly in the cha- racter of I ondlewife, (Old Bachelor). He was the last, except Mr. Mack- lin, then living, of the old school of the drama. He died April 21, 1796, aged ninety-seven. The day before his decease, he complained to a friend that he had been extremely ill used by the managers of Drury Lane refusing him an Order! "That was unkind indeed, lo an old ser- vant," rejoined the friend. " Yes," replied the dying comedian, " par- ticularly when my admission could have kept no soul living out of the house; for 1 only requested their order to be buried under the centre of the stage, and they were hard- hearted enough to refuse me." His brother, a lieutenant in the army, was shot three months after in a dis- pute relative to his brother's house in Pimlico, (for which the disputants stood their trial, and were acquitted). His widow made her first appear- ance on the stage in the Grecian Daughter, at the Haymarket ; and afterwards performed Mandane, (Cyrus) for Mr. Hull's benefit, at Covent Garden. On the loss of her husband, she took a benefit at the Haymarket, when she sustained the character of Margaret, (Earl of War- wick). She then accepted an en- gagement in Dublin, where she re- mained about three seasons, and per- formed next at Liverpool. February 22, 1800, she appeared at Drury Lane, in Angela, (Castle Spectie) and was well received. YATES, (Mrs. M. A.) actress, maiden name Graham, wiie of the preceding, was born, as supposed, at Birmingham, and made her first appearance in Dublin, in Anna Bul- len, (Henry VIII.) about the year 1752, under the auspices of Mr. Sheridan, who deeming her abilities very indifferent, was glad to dissolve the engagement by a present. The lady herself thought Mr. Sheridan's opinion very just, and despaired of ever attaining any degree of emi- nence in the theatrical line, for at that time, though in the bloom of youth, her voice was very weak, and her figure incumbered with corpu- lence : accordingly, she gave up her theatrical pursuits ; but as the early part of her life was mjrked with un- happiness, it is supposed that neces- sity urged her to another attempt, as she became a candidate at Drury Lane, February 2.i, 1754, in the character of Julia, the first night of the Y A YO the representation of the tragedy of " Virginia ;" when an occasional prologue was spoken by Mr. Garrick, wherein he mentioned the fears and diffidence of the new actress. In this play Mr. Garrick, Mr. Mossop, and Mr. Gibber performed; but, it was so indifferent, that it was per- formed only nine nights. Our he- roine, as yet, afforded no promise of excellence, and was dismissed the ensuing season : but on her mar- riage with Mr. Yates, she was re- ceived again by Mr. Garrick the year following. Her husband was an experienced actor, and to him, no doubt, she was indebted for her theatrical improvements ; indeed, a total change took place in her dispo- sition : on her first introduction to the public, she seemed formed of the mildest materials ; so much so, as to seem quite insusceptible of resent- ment upon any provocation ; but, afterwards, she became as remark- able for the high impetuosity of her temper; notwithstanding which, she was always a friend. The indispo- sition of Mrs. Gibber, gave her at last an opportunity of acquiring some reputation, and she established her fame by her performance of Man- dane, (Orphan of China) which cha- racter was intended for Mrs. Cib- ber. She now became a favourite, and remained so on the death of Mrs. Cibber, ( 1766) the unrivalled actress of the day. On Mr. Powell's becoming manager of Covent Gar- den, Mr. and Mrs. Yates were en- gaged by that gentleman, the for- mer at ten pounds per week and a benefit, and the latter at five hun- dred pounds for the season, and a benefit. In 176S, a difference arose between Mrs. Yates and Mrs. Bel- lamy, Mrs. Yates having refused to play Hermione, (Distrest Mother) for Mrs. Bellamy's benefit, in con- sequence of being obliged to per- form two arduous characters the preceding and succeeding nights. This contest produced a paper war between the ladies, wherein Mrs. Bellamy was sarcastically severe ; notwithstanding, when her circum- stances did require Mrs. Yates's the- atrical assistance, she experienced that benevolence which she had be- fore doubted, for this lady's last per- formance was for Mrs. Bellamy's benefit at Drury Lane, 1785. Some few months before the death of Mr. Henderson, it is said, that she in- tended to have united with him in continuing the readings at Free- mason's Hall, a task for which she was extremely well qualified, as her chief excellence lay in recitation. —It was likewise her intention to return to the theatre, had not the stroke of death made her exit final. Her disorder was dropsical, which had for some time encroached on her constitution, and after much pain and languor, she died at her house in Pimlico, May 1787, aged fifty-nine. Her remains were in- terred, as she had requested, at Richmond church, those of her fa- ther having mouldered at the same place. Among the principal at- tendants at her funeral were, Dr. Roberts, master of St. Paul's school ; Dr. Robinson ; Mr. Murphy ; the late Mr. Palmer; Mr. Grindall, sur- geon ; Mr. Keate; and Mr. Hull. —-Great as this actress was, it is re- membered that she once performed in the " Plain Dealer" with Hol- land, King, Weston, and Miss Pope, to an audience, consisting, at the beginning of the play, of four per- sons only in the whole tier of boxes, about seventy in the upper boxes, eighteen in the pit, and about one hundre I in the galleries ■!! YOUNG, (EbWARD) dramatist, was born at Upham, near Win- chester, in 1681, and was placed upon the foundation at Winchester College, and thence removed, in 1703, to New College, Oxford.— In 1708, he was chosen into a fel- lowship at All Soul*, in 1711, he became batchelor of laws, and doc- tor in 1719. He died in 1765.-— Besides poems, he wrote three tra- gedies, viz. •• Busyris, King of Egypt," 1719; '-The Revenge," 17'*? ; and " The Brothers," 175J, all acted at Drury I ane. YOUNGER, ' (JOSEPH] was prompter at Covent Garden in 177 i, and manager at Liverpool, Ports mouth. iVc. M m AD- ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. ADDISON, (Mrs.) sing?r, belong- ed to the private theatre, Fishamble street, Dublin, and made her first ap- pearance at Covent Garden in Ro- setta, (Love in a Village) 1796. She has since performed at Birmingham, &c. ANDREWS, (Miss) singer, was instructed by Dr. Arnold, and per- formed at the Haymarket Theatre in 1797. ARCHER, (Mr.) actor, having acquired much reputation at Edin- burgh, made his first appearance at Drury Lane in Shylock, (Merchant of Venice) the beginning of the sea- son, 1798. He was well received, and the succeeding winter, Nov. 13, he performed the Merchant charac- ter, (Antonio) with equal success, but did not remain long at the the- atre. AUSTIN, (Mr.) actor. See Mun- den, Joseph S. BARRESIORD, (Mrs.) actress, maiden name Wilford, was a pupil of Mr. Poecier, sen. who was a fa- vourite dancer at the opera house, Paris, and made his first appearance in London, Dec. 3, 1754. Miss Wil- ford's first appearance on the stage as a dancer was at Covent Garden, April 11, 1759. She distinguished herself as an actress under the name of Bulkeiey, but fell a sacrifice to dissipation, and died at Dumfries, in Scotland, 1792. BARTHELEMON, (F. H.) add— Mrs. Barthelc-mon died in 1799. BERNARD, (Mrs.) add— She died lately, and Mr. Bernard, who is mar- ried again, is settled in America, and has given up" the theatrical profes- sion. BEVERLEY, (Mr.) add— Hiswife, who has performed at Margate, &c. made her first appearance at Covent Garden in Cherry, (Beaux Stratagem) Sept. 30, 1801. BIANCHI, (F.) composer, is a native of France, and belongs to the opera house. He composed a bravura song, which Mrs. Billington introduced in the second act of " Ar- taxerxes," and which was well cal- culated to display that lady's unri- valled abilities. There is also John Bianchi, who ranks as a first-rate concerto player on the violin. He is a native of Paris, but no relation to the above, from whom he is distin- guished by " the celebrated violin player." He belonged to the opera house in 1795, and afterwards to the Theatre Royal, Dublin, for which he composed some pieces — " The Golden Dream," " Cosmac and Swarran," &c. BILLINGTON, (Mrs.) line 37, dele, " And she was said to be," &c. and read— And in 1797 she was mar- ried to M. Floressent, a native of Lyons, and son of a banker there. He belonged to the French army, but resigned his post when married, and settled in the neighbourhood of Venice, upon an estate purchased by his wife, whence originated the report of her marriage with a Venetian no- bleman. On her sudden and unex- pected return to London, she re- ceived proposals from the Opera House, Drury Lane, and Covent Gar- den. Mr. Harris made personal ap- plication, and so far succeeded, that her first re-appearance was at his theatre, in Mandane, (Artaxerxes) 1801, which character she also played ADDENDA. at Drury Lane, and has since repeat- ed several nights at both theatres. (See Sheridan, R. B.) She is consi- derably improved as a singer, tho' it was apprehended that she had im- bilied too much of the Italian extra- vagance, and lost all the simplicity of the English opera, which is not the ca>e. By her first hu>band, she had but one child, which died in its infancy : she has been, however, a mother toa\oung lady, now four- teen years of age, and in a convent at Brussels, whom she adopted when a twelvemonth old, and is still re- sponsible for her education. BLAKES, (Mr.) actor. See Fleet- wood. BOWMAN, (Mr.) actor. See Walker. BRACEGIRDLE, (Mrs.) add— Her husband was a respectable actor. See Quirt. BRIDE, (Miss) add— She was ori- ginally a figure dancer, and her first appearance as an actress was in Lucia, (Cato) at Drury Lane.— (Cato, Mr. Sheridan ; Sempronius, Mr. Havard; Juba, Mr. Holland; Syphax, Mr. Davies ; Portius, Mr. Packer; Marcus, Mr. Austin; Lu- cius, Mr. Burton ; Decius, Mr. Brons- by ; and Marcia, Miss Pritchard.)— She acquired considerable fame, and is highly complimented in Churchill's " Rosciad." BROADHURST, (Miss) add— She is married, and settled in America. BURDEN, (Mrs.) See White, (Kitty J. BURTON, (Mr.) d/le line 6, and read, " died in great distress in New- gate, 1797. BUSBY, (Dr.) composer. See Mozart. CARTWRIGHT, (JOHN) line 26, for " schooling club." read " shoot- ing club," and add— -The first in- ventor of the musical glasses was Capt. Puckridge, of Ireland, a gen- tleman famous for many curious con- trivances. CLARKE, (Mr.) actor, was a re- spectable performer at Covent Gar- den, in 1759. Though dead some years, the name still exists in the the- atrical world. There i* a Mr. Clark, who lias performed at Windsor, Bir- mingham, Sec. and belonged to Covent Garden in 179H. He was afterwards engaged at the Haymarket Theatre, and has since appeared on Drury Lane stage. He is a useful actor in auxiliary characters, but not capable of parts which are essential to the plot. COOKE, (GEORGE K.) add— A cause respecting the validity of the marriage of Mr. Cooke and Miss Alicia Daniels, came on to be heard at Doctor's Commons, July 4, l«01, liefore the Right Hon. Sir William Scjtt, when the learned Judge pro- nounced the marriage to be null and void. This lady was engaged at Vauxhall last summer, and is the prin- cipal vocal performer of the Bath Theatre. The play of Richard the Third was intended for the opening of Covent Garden this season, 1801 ; but the deputy manager's letter, which was addressed to Mr. Cooke, at Manchester, apprizing him thereof, was not received in time, in conse- quence of his departure from that town, and the very night that was announced for his performance at Covent Garden he played for his own benefit at Newcastle, when, in con- sequence of his exertions, he is saki to have broken a blood vessel, which retarded his return to London. On his re-appearance at Covent Garden he made an apology, which was well received A kind of rivalship has tnken place between him and Mr. Kemble in the character of Richard, which has produced two pamphlets, both partially written ; the one in praise of Cooke, and the other of Kemble. Each gentleman has pe- culiar merit ; so had sheridan, Mos- sop, Quin, Henderson, Smith, &c. wlio were also competitors in this part with Garrick ; but Garrick was s;ill reckoned ibe. Jirst Richard, while Henderson, who exceeded him in some parts, was acknowledged the second ; and, were the merits of the other gentlemen duly weighed, perhaps neither Mr. Kemble nor Mr. Cooke could be reckoned the third. CORY. (Mr.) adl—He is now a member of Covent Garden Theatre, though two years of his engagement M 2 at ADDENDA. Drury Lane remained unexpired ; but under the authority of a letter of dismissal which he received, as did several of the other performers, he engaged with Mr. Harris, and made his debut in the character of Rich- mond, with Mr. Cooke's Richard. CRAWFORD, (Mr.) line 51, for " performances," read " perfor- mance." CRESSWICK, (Mr.) add— Tho' a teacher of elocution, he was a most miserable orator himself, as he was incapable of pronouncing the letter R, which rendered some of his speeches truly laughable, particularly in " Venice Preserved," " Yats die in holes and coyneys— dogs yun mad —man has a nobley yemedy than death, yevenze," &c. DELANE, (Mr.) actor. See Quia. DOWTON, (Mr.) actor, is a native of Exeter, where his father was a grocer and fruiterer, and where his brother is a baker. He was early attached to the stage, and made his first theatrical attempt at Taunton, in Somersetshire, under the manage- ment of Mr. Davies, about the year 1787, with so much success, that he soon became an actor of eminence in several other companies. He had the good fortune to play Sheva, in the " Jew," before the author, at Tunbridge Wells, who accordingly recommended him to the managers of Drury Lane, where he made his debut in the same character, 1796. It was Mr. Cumberland's opinion that he was the legitimate represen- tative of his Benevolent Israelite, not- withstanding the able manner in which it had been sustained by Mr. Bannister, jun. and Mr. Elliston. Mr. Dowton, however, acquired more reputation in London in other characters, notwithstanding his per- formance of Sheva was well received. Mr. Suett's indisposition gave him an opportunity of playing Polonius, (Hamlet) in which he much excelled his predecessor, and afterwards he appeared in several opposite cha- racters, which proved his versatile abilities. He is a useful and respec- table performer in tragedy, comedy, and farce, and it is much to be re- gretted that he has not more frequent opportunities of displaying his abi- lities. DUBELLAMY, (Mr.) add— He. died soon after his return from Dublin. DYER, (Mr.) was an actor Of emi- nence about fifty years ago at Covent Garden Theatre. EDWIN, (JOHN, jun.) add- Since his appearance in London he is considerably improved, and is now a favourite actor at Bath, where he shares the comic business with Mr. Cherry. He is said at present to possess much of his father's humour —has some knowledge of music — and is the author of several comic songs. FENTON, (Miss) actress. See Gay. GAUDRY, (Mr.) line 8, /or "as- sists," read " assisted," and add — Mrs. Gaudry died March 15, 1788. GIBBON, (Mr.) actor, was in- spired with the cacoethes ludendi at private theatricals, and appeared on Covent Garden and Drury Lane boards alternately, in one season, for two benefits. He made his regular appearance the succeeding year at Covent Garden, in Verdun, (Lover's Vows) October 16, 1801. Had he not made this rash attempt, he might probablv have become a useful ac- tor ; but during the rehearsal of " Lover's Vows," much apprehen- sion was entertained of Verdun's cha- racter, and if it had not been sup- ported by Mr. Munden, the poetical butler might never have chimed with the English taste. GIBSON, (Mr.) actor, belonged to Covent Garden, and was a parti- cular friend of Ryan, who was a great walker, and when he meditated a sally of unusual length, as often as he could he would prevail on Gib- son to be his companion ; but much exercise not exactly suiting the dis- position and rotundity of this gentle- man, (who chose a book and his ease before a stock of health purchased at the rate of such unmerciful agi- tation) he was rarely to be tempted further than the outskirts of London. As an actor, his mode of utterance (an habitual defect) threw every line he pronounced " into strong shud- ders ADDENDA. benevo- lent, and his integrity without a blemish. He died in 1771, during one of his annual excursions to Li- verpool, where he had been long the manager of a summer theatre, first raised into con>equence by himself, and licensed at his own personal solicitation. He had accumulated eight thousand ixumis, which, except a sum bequeathed to the theatrical fund of Covent Garden, he left to the poor of Liverpool, where he was buried. GKAY, (Mr.) singer, acquired some reputation in concerts, socie- ties the Lyceum, &c. and was cm- ployed at Sadler's Well's, but latterly the loss of his hearing rendered him incapable of supporting the principal vocal parts. He became a/ierwards a chorus singer at Covent Garden, where his daughter, who made her first public appearance at the Circus when very young, was also engaged ( 17:«) as an occasional singer and pantomime pertoimer. GR1KF1N, (BENJAMIN) actor, and author of " Injured Virtue; or, the Virgin Martyr," tragedy, acted at Richmond, 1715; " Love in a Sack," farce, acted at Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1713 ; '"The Humours of Purgatory," do. 1716; "The Mas- querade; or, an Evening's Intrigue," do. 1717; and "Whig and Tory,' comedy, do. 17'JO. lie was the son of a clergyman, and b.irn at Yar- mouth in I6.S0. He receive;! his education at the free school of North Waisharn, and was put apprentice t'i a glazier at Norwich, but having become acquainted with a strolling company wiio frequented that city in 17 W, he ran away trom his master, and became an J' tor of such emi- nence in the country, that lie was engaged for the opening of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, 1714. Heie he acquired considerable fame in low comedy, particularly in te>ty old men, and became of so much consequence in a few years, that the manager, of Drury Lane, notwith- standing they had Johnson and Nor- ris, who were excellent actors in his line, thought proper to engage him at a greater salary than lie had at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Here, though he played but seldom, it was always with applause, notwithstanding the excellence of his rivals. However, he soon returned to his former situa- tion, but, it is said, afterwards removed to Drury Lane Theatre, wh ch, if true, must have been in 1721. He died Feb. 18, 1740. H A LL, (JO H N ) actor. See Rich. HOLMAN, (J. G.) add— He has since purchased a share of the Dublin Theatre, and divides the manage- ment with Mr. Jones. J he principal characters in tragedy he supports himself, and Mrs. Kniveton, from the Manchester Theatre, is the he- roine. HOPKINS, 'Mrs.) add—net husband was prompter several years at Drury Lane. She died Sept. 1801. HOPKINS, (Miss) aihl— She re- tired from the stage in consequence of her marriage with a gentleman of fortune, while several of her cha- racters were afterwards represented by her younger sister. Miss P. Hop- kins. See Kemblt, (Mis. J HULL, (T.) add— He married Miss Morrison, who was an actress at Covent Garden forty yearsago. JACKSON, (THOMAS). See Wrwitur. IBBOT, (Miss) actress, acquired | considerable fame by her perfor- i mance of Queen Elizabeth, (Farlof ! Essex) at Covent Garden, October I '. VI, 17b'l ; yet the play was not re- j ]>eated, a, Mr. Ricii, who delighted i in opposing the opinion of the pub- | he, did not concur in the approba- ; tion she received. She performed for some time in the Bath, York, and other companies She left York for tiie Norwich Theatre, in the neigh- bourhood of which city some of her relations ADDENDA. relations, who were all respectable, resided. She remained there as Mrs. Ibbot, till a rich relation died, and left her a fortune, (April 1787) when she retired from the stage. She repre- sented several parts with infinite ability, and would have been more successful on the London and Dublin stages had her features been more agreeable. JOHNSTON, (Mrs.) line 3, for " Mother," read " Mother-in-law." JONES, (F. E.) line 6,/or "West- meath," read " Meath." KEMBLE, (J. P.) add— Previous to the season of 1801, he refused to retain his situation of acting manager without he was invested with more power than before, which was ac- cordingly promised ; but after a few weeks, complaints arose among the performers of the non- payment of their salaries, and Mr. Kemble, of course, as did others, withdrew his services, and meditated an excursion to Paris. The conduct of the pro- prietors was, however, sufficiently exculpated by a trial in the Court of Chancery between them and Mr. Holland, the architect, respecting the building of the theatre and the adjacent parts ; when it was proved by Mr. Sheridan (who pleaded his own cause) and Mr. Peaks, the treasurer, that a considerable sum had been expended on the building, besides the sum stipulated ; notwith- standing which, the theatre was still in an unfinished state. It was assert- ed by the defendant's counsel, that Mr. Grub, one of the proprietors, was living in all the pomp of eastern grandeur; but this grandeur, if it could be so called, was known to be but meer tinsel. It was evident from the treasurer's account, that the money which had been laid out was for the general good of the theatre, and not for any particular purpose. The Lord Chancellor observed, that it was for the benefit of all parties that the theatre should remain open, and that the payment of the per- formers' salarit-s was a primary con- sideration, as it was from their exer- tions the proprietors, renters, &c. derived any emolument. By his lordship's interference, the differences between the proprietors and per- formers are now about to be ami- cably adjusted, and the writer of this is liappy to add, that Mr. Kemble, Mr. Bannister, jun. Mr. Dowton, &c. have already resumed their respec- tive situations. KEMBLE, (S.) add--He has been succeeded in the management of Edinburgh by Messrs. Jackson and Aickin. LEONI, (Mr.) line 2\,for " was," read " is." MIDDLETON, (J.) line 3, for " where his father is," &e. read, " where his father is an apothecary, and his uncle a respectable woollen draper." M 1 LW A R D , ( M r. ) See Qttiti. OTlARA,(KANE) add--Hedied June 17, 1782. OULTON, (WALLEY CHAMB.) dramatist, is a native of Dublin, where he received his education, under Dr. Ball. He produced several pieces at Capel Street and Smock Alley, which were well received, notwithstanding numberless puerili- ties, being the hasty productions of school vacations, and written by stealth, as his grandfather, (Dr. Wal- ker) had an aversion to dramatic composition. Intoxicated with this success, he neglected his studies, and came to London, wher. he was in- troduced to the late Mr. Palmer, by the then proprietor of a newspaper, who afterwards became Mr. Palmer's greatest adversary. For the Royalty Theatre he wrote the burletta part of " Hobson's Choice; or, Thespis in Distress," 1787, the satire of which provoked the resentment of the London managers. Finding himself then excluded from the theatres, he had recourse to stratagem, and pre- sented a piece to the late Mr. Col- man in a lady's name, ( " As it should be"') which was immediately accept- ed, and acted at the Haymarket, 1789. His female representative, who had some address, procured this gentle- man's acceptance of another piece, but the manager's sudden indispo- sition, prevented its representation. The younger Colman, who now offi- ciated as manager, behaved to the lady with his usual politeness, though probably ADDENDA. probably conscious of the deception : however, by an act of unpardonable imprudence, she forfeited his encou- ragement and favour, and for some time deceived even him who had reposed in her so much confidence ! This gentleman, not harbouring those little resentments which are too com- mon in theatrical life, gave Mr. Oul- ton every encouragement, and ac- cepted his " All in good humour," a petit piece, acted in 1792, since which, l>e has repeatedly expressed his intention of serving him, and has lately accepted another piece. In 1797', he produced "The Irish Tar; or, which is the Girl?" for Mr. John- stone's benefit at the Haymarkct j and, for the same gentleman's benefit a: Covent Garden, 1798, the farce of " Botheration ; or, A Ten Years Blunder." This piece was denied by the manager to Mr. Knight for his benefit, who had kindly undertaken the principal part on account of Mr. Fawcetl's indisposition ; and, though played during the remainder of the season, the author was not even pre- sented, as is the custom, with the freedom of the house. He is mar- ried, and has four children ; two of whom (his eldest daughters) receive their education at Miss Zeiltzkie's boarding-school, Pcntonville. He wrote a continuation of Victor's " History of the Theatres of Lon- don ;" of Egerton's " Theatrical Re- membrancer ;" several anonymous works, and others with fictitious names ; particularly Dr. Home's pamphlets respecting Brothers' pro- phecies, in answer to the late Mr. llalhed. He also wrote some of the chorusses in " Pizarro," compiled the " Beauties of the Modern Dra- matists," and the " Beauties of Kotzebue," the latter of which is entirely different from any of the translations. PYE, (II. ].) line 15, for "son," read " brother." TAYLOR, (CHARLES) actor, ii a native of Bath, where he performs the principal pails in operas, and where his mother keeps a tavern. TW1SLETON, (Mrs.) add— She it married again, to T. Sandon, Esq. Nov. 17, 1791). WALL1S, (Miss). See Campbell, (Mrs.) WATERHOUSE, (Mr.) singer, he- longed to the theatres in Dublin, and made one of Mr.Colman's company for about two seasons, where he made his first appearance in Capt. Mac- hezth. He had some knowledge of music, which he taught, but there was an imperfection in his voice, which retarded his progress on the stage. WILD, (JAMES) add- Mr. Wild had always expressed a desire of being buried in Liverpool, and for t!iis purpose wished he might die there ; having entertained a strange notion, that, if intened in London, he should be taken up, as the case of his leg, which was a compound- fracture, was remarkable, and a sur- geon had jocosely observed to him, that if he did not bequeath it to them, they would most certainly have his body. WRIGHT, (Miss). See Ante, (Miss). FINIS. PRIXTLD BY J. CITXDEF, Iw Lane. Biographical Dictionary of Eccentric Characters. JUST PUBLISHED, By T. HURST, Paternoster-Row, Neatly printed in a Pocket Size, on a fine vellum wove Paper, and embel- lished -with Portraits of the most remarkable Characters noticed in the Work : Price 4s. in boards, ECCENTRIC BIOGRAPHY; Or, SKETCHES of upwards of 300 REMARKABLE CHARACTERS, ANCIENT AND MODERN. Including Potentates, Statesmen, Divines, Historians, Naval and Military Heroes, Philosophers, Lawyers, Impostors, Poets, Painters, Players, Dramatic Writers, Misers, &c. (2c. &c. The following are amon; the Characters contained in this work : Alexander the Great Falconer, Wm. Montague, M. W. Andrews, Lancelot Fielding, Henry Mozart Aram, Eugene Fisher, Mary Oales, Titus Arkwright, sir Rd. Foote, Samuel 1 Idcastle, Sir John. Armstrong, John Forbes, Hon. John Parr, Thomas liacon, John Ford; ce, the banker Penn, Wm. Bacon, Francis Fox, George Philips. John Baddeley, Mr. Franklin, Benj. Pope. Benjamin Barclay, Robert Frederick, Col. Powell, Foster Bctter'ti.n, I homas Fuller, Th. mas Pratt, Edward Bigge, John Gainsborough, Thomas Prentice, Harry Blood, Thomas Garrick, David Quin, James Boissi, Lewi>de Gascoigne, SirW. Raleigh, Sir Walter Brown, Sir Wm. Godwin, Mary W. Roke'by, Lord Burns, Robert Gordon, Hon. Geo. Rochester, Earl Butler, Samuel Grose, Francis Rousseau, J. J. Carey, Harry Handel, Geo. Fre. Sacheverell, Henry drew, Bam. Moore Henderson, John liolingbroke, Lord C'hatterton, Thomas Henderson, corned. St. Pierre, F.usta. de Cheyne, George Hogarth, Wm. Savage, Richard Churchill, Charles Hopkins, Matthew Slmter, Edward Cibber. Siis. Maria Jenkins, Henry Spillard, Mr. Cleland, John Joan of Arc Sterne, Lawrence Coram, Capt. Tho. Kauffman, Mrs. A. Stevens, Geo. Alex. Cornelly, Mr. Killigrew, Thomas Swift, Jonathan Crichton, James Kneller, Sir Godfrey Tell, Wm. Dancer, Daniel L'Enclos, Ninon de Tyndale, Wm. De Foe, Daniel Lilburne, John Buckingham, Duke of D'Eon, Chevalier Lookup, Mr. Voltaire, M. F. A. Dogget, Thomas Lyttlcton, Lord T. Waluole, Sir Robert Drake, Sir Francis Macklin, Charles Wild, Jonathan Duck. Stephen Madan, Martin Wilkes, John D'Urfey, Thomas Montague, E. Wo. Wollaston, Win. Elwes, John Montague, Hon. W. Wolsey, Cardinal The Whole alphabetically arranged, And forming a pleasing Delineation of the Singularity, Whim, Folly, Caprice, &c. &c. of the Human Mind. " Every singular character merits .some notice to posterity." < ' Shaft. Char. *»* A few Copies of this entertaining Work are reset ved, with the Portraits printed in Colours , price ( : s. boards. This book Is DUE or 'ast Unr c