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he also produced a play called, "Henrey the Second;" and although there were such incongruities in both, as were not inconsistent with Shakspeare's dramas, both plays contained passages of beauty and originality. The ingenuous admission of the son did not, however, screen the responsible father from obloquy, and the re-action of public opinion affected his fortunes and his health. Mr. Ireland was the dupe of his zeal on such subjects; and the son never contemplated, at the outset, the unfortunate effect which took place, being partly consummated, by the enthusiasm of certain admirers of Shakspeare, some of whom, as Drs. Parr and Warton, fell on their knees before the papers; and, by their idolatry, inspired hundreds of others with a similar enthusiasm. The juvenile author was filled with astonishment and alarm, but, at that stage, it was out of his power to check it. Mr. Ireland died about 1802: his son is still living.

MRS. SIDDONS'S FIRST RISE.

IN 1775, Mrs Siddons appeared at Drury Lane Theatre, in Mrs. Cowley's insipid comedy, "The Runaway;" but, although she displayed talents, the piece did not succeed.

VOL. II.

It was still confidently asserted, that she needed only to be brought forward in parts equal to her genius, to shine forth a theatrical star of the first magnitude; and her friends lamented the selfish policy of Garrick, who avoided bringing her forward, from a fear, that she would divide the public attention with him. As his jealousy, even of female performers, was well known, the truth of the assertion was never doubted; and an anecdote in particular was circulated, that on an occasion of dispute with Miss Younge, who had begun, as well as other actresses, to show a refractory temper, he had said, "I'll tell you this; you had better not give yourself airs, for there is a woman in the house, who, if I choose to bring her forward, would eclipse you all in youth, beauty, and talent."

These mysterious expressions were considered by Yates, Younge, and Abington, the three reigning female favourites, as merely an empty boast; and much mirth was excited by the idea of Garrick's "Green Room Goddess," for such was the name she had obtained, in consequence of the praises he had bestowed on her. Her attraction, however, was not sufficient to enable her to obtain a renewed engagement at the end of

the season. Sheridan had

A few years after Richard Brinsley succeeded to the direction of the Theatre, the elder Mr. Sheridan, while at Bath for his health, was strongly solicited to go to the play, to witness the performance of a young actress, who was said to distance all competition in tragedy.

Though in general he had a dislike to provincial exhibitions, Mr. Sheridan was influenced by the warm commendations bestowed upon this young performer, to depart from his usual practice, and go to the Theatre to see her. He found, to his astonishment, that it was the lady who made so little impression on him, some years before, in "The Runaway," but who, as Garrick secretly declared, was possessed of tragic powers sufficient to delight and electrify an audience. There prevailed at that time, and long afterwards, a very disagreeable clause in the articles of the Bath company, by which they were obliged to perform also at Bristol, and, in consequence, by some mistake in their frequent and hurried. journey, the stage clothes of this admired actress were not arrived on the night Mr. Sheridan saw her, and she was obliged to perform in one of the dresses she usually wore in private life. But

no disadvantage of dress could conceal her transcendent merit from an eye so penetrating as that of Mr. Sheridan; and, after the play was over, he went behind the scenes, to get introduced to her, and to compliment her, in the highest terms, on her performance.

Such a distinction, from a judge of his acknowledged merit, could not fail of being highly flattering. Mr. Sheridan said, "I am surprised, madam, that, with such talents, you should confine yourself to the country; talents, that would be sure of commanding, in London, fame and success." The actress modestly replied, that she had already tried London, but without the success which had been anticipated; and that she was advised, by her friends, to be content with the fame and profit to be obtained from Bath, particularly as her voice was deemed unequal to the extent of a London Theatre.

Mr. Sheridan, who had judged very differently of this actress's powers from what her modesty induced her to do herself, spoke, immediately on his return to London, to Mr. King, the acting manager of Drury Lane Theatre, strenuously recommending to him, if he had any regard to the interests of the Theatre, to engage a performer

of abilities so distinguished. His zeal for the success of his protegée did not stop here; but, upon her being engaged, he directed her, with a truly kind solicitude, in the choice of a part for her first appearance. With the usual preference of young and handsome actresses for characters of pomp and show, she inclined to that of Euphrasia, in "The Grecian Daughter;" but the juster taste of Mr. Sheridan determined her in favour of the far more favourable and affecting character of Isabella; and the judgment with which the selection was made, was amply confirmed by the bursts of rapturous admiration, which hailed, after the long obscurity to which the jealousy of contemporary talent had condemned her exertions, the full blaze of the transcendent merit of Mrs. Siddons!

The kindness of Mr. Sheridan, which did not now terminate, shewed itself in every possible way in her behalf, and was gratefully acknowledged by the object of it; who, when at the height of her professional prosperity, was wont to term him "The father of my fortune, and my fame."

FARINELLI.

THIS Italian singer flourished in 1736. “One

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