INTRODUCTION

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years 1659 and 1669; but Pepys' Journal is a unique production. Of Cicero and of Rousseau we also know something, thanks to the shameless egotism of the Genevese and the amiable vanity of the Roman. But the biographies of most men stand in the same relation to their real selves as white paint in a picture does to the sunlight it is intended to represent.

Still, what could be done for Sheridan has been done by Mr. Fraser Rae. Thanks to his conscientious exertions, we can follow the hero of the story which he tells through the vicissitudes of his existence, with a clear perception of his complex nature. Many of the absurd and spiteful misrepresentations which malice or ignorance had invented have been exploded by him once and for ever; among them, for instance, Croker's revolting and absolutely untruthful account of the sordid circumstances in which ne represents Sheridan as having died, the real facts being plainly set forth in a letter, now made public for the first time, from his son, Charles Sheridan, who attended him in his last moments, to his elder brother, who was then at the Cape of Good Hope. Nor can the record fail to excite the sympathy of the English-speaking race, for Sheridan had many claims both on their admiration and their gratitude. His own letters and those of his wife and sister clearly prove the admiration

he inspired in those who knew him best. An idea of his extraordinary talents as an orator is conveyed by the effect which they produced upon his contemporaries, who were themselves intellectual giants. The present, and each intervening generation that has basked in the sunshine of his gaiety and enchanting wit, as embalmed in his plays, can estimate his literary genius for themselves. The wisdom of his statesmanship and his strong good sense are proved by his having been the devoted champion of every cause whose eventual triumph has made England what she is; while his pathetic death, untitled and in comparative poverty, when he had had a coronet and large emoluments within his reach, bears witness to his political virtue, and to that scrupulous sense of honour which even his critics admit to have been sometimes excessive.

The highest in the land took part in his funeral procession; and he lies side by side with the most famous Englishmen in Westminster Abbey. Sheridan's titles to the envied distinction of a last resting-place in that grand temple of reconciliation and glory are clearly and fully set forth in the work to which these words form the introduction.

DUFFERIN AND AVA.

PREFATORY NOTE.

BY THE AUTHOR.

THE lineal descendants of Sheridan, of his elder brother and elder sister and of his noteworthy personal friends, who possess many unpublished papers by, or concerning him, have put them at my disposal, and these have proved of incomparable use in the composition of this biography. Other persons, who learnt from the public Press how I was engaged, have courteously and most generously offered me papers either written by Sheridan, or addressed to him by his contemporaries. Hence it is that I am able to narrate with accuracy several incidents in his career which have been disingenuously perverted, and to disclose many novel facts of much biographical interest.

Though I have expressed in footnotes my gratitude to those who have lightened and given value to my labours, I wish here to return special thanks, firstly,

b

to his Grace the Duke of Devonshire for allowing me to print some of the documents which are treasured in Devonshire House and to his sister, Lady Louisa Egerton, for her trouble in copying the passages in them relating to Sheridan; secondly, to the Lady Kinloss of Stowe for having unreservedly permitted me to examine and quote from the private papers of her distinguished ancestor, Thomas Grenville, who was Sheridan's oldest and most attached. friend. I cannot exaggerate or adequately acknowledge my obligation to Mr. and Mrs. Algernon Sheridan of Frampton Court, into whose possession many of Sheridan's letters, as well as the manuscripts of his works have passed. Mr. Algernon Sheridan naturally cherishes the memory of his great-grandfather. His wife, whose father was Motley, the eminent historian, regards with like admiration the great ancestor of the family to which she has added a fresh grace and charm. Her interest in the subject of my biography, and help during its preparation, will have largely contributed to its success, should success be its lot.

I deplore having to announce that several of Sheridan's papers have been missing for many years J from the muniments at Frampton Court. Some of them were entrusted to Moore. His custom was to

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PREFATORY NOTE

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save himself a little trouble by sending to the printer the manuscripts, with the passages marked on them, which he wished to be put in type. It is not wonderful, in these circumstances, that a few of the papers went astray, while it is very unfortunate that they should now be in other hands than those of Sheridan's lineal descendants. A laxity prevails with regard to the sale or purchase of family papers which is almost unknown in the case of family plate. An auctioneer of repute would hesitate to announce for sale, and a scrupulous collector would hesitate to bid for silver spoons bearing the Sheridan crest. Yet no auctioneer appears to have displayed any reluctance in disposing of, neither does any collector seem to have had qualms of conscience in acquiring, private papers appertaining to the Sheridan family. Some documents, which ought to be at Frampton Court now, were "collected" by the late Mr. McHenry, and Mr. Augustin Daly, in his turn, bought them after Mr. McHenry's death and added them to his library in New York. He has readily and most kindly allowed me to copy and use such of them as possess intrinsic interest. I cannot help I cannot help regretting, however, that certain letters of a purely private and domestic character should ever have been removed from the custody of their natural owners, while I cherish the