plains in a letter dated 1824-The author's opinion of that document-The document itself-Some remarks upon it inserted impartially, rather than from any impression in their THE LIFE OF MRS. JORDAN. CHAPTER XV. Benefits for the family of John Palmer, at Liverpool, and in London-The Stranger acted by Kemble, safely, throughout -The melancholy leave which Palmer, in the summer, took of the Author-Cambro-Britons-Jackson of Exeter-The Author's second Ghost, an absolute apotheosis-Powell from Norwich-Captive of Spilsberg-Mrs. Siddons absent, from family calamity-Aurelio and Miranda-Fine acting of Kemble-Banquet Gallery-An antiquary-His annoyances displayed-The Secret, by Morris-Rosa acted by Mrs. Jordan-Admirable epilogue, spoken twice by Mrs. JordanBegs the author's opinion of the East Indian-An interview upon the subject-Her son, the present Colonel George Fitzclarence-His travels from India, commended-The Birth-day-Kotzebue and Sterne-East Indian acted for Mrs. Jordan's benefit-Pizarro-Sheridan's behaviour in his VOL. II. B box-As irritable as Voltaire-Real character of Elvira -Her usual dress in the original is the male-Mrs. Siddons did wear an helmet-Sheridan did not like Mrs. Jordan's Cora-Her system differed from the school of Declamation-She thought of acting, as Burke did of writingThe great author's criticism on Murphy-Application of Burke's principle-Sheridan's ear as to diction-His own declamation of the Old School-His prologue-Thirty-one repetitions of so fatiguing a drama-Receipts 15,000l.— Rant in Elvira of Sheridan's muse-His sublimity rather sentimental-False humanity. THE fate of poor Palmer excited infinite benevolence for his family, which his Wellclose Square attempt against the great patentees, had rendered totally dependent upon it; among such testimonials of public sympathy, was a benefit play at Liverpool, on the 13th of the month. Holman delivered an address, which Mr. Roscoe wrote for the occasion, of which, perhaps, the following tetrastic best merits preservation. "Not all that breathes in morning's genial dew, Revives the PARENT PLANT, where once it grew; Yet may those dews, with timely nurture, aid The INFANT FLOW'RETS drooping in the shade." On the 18th, for that night only, Mr. Colman's company acted at the Opera House the Heir at Law, and the Children in the Wood, for the same kind purpose, and Drury Lane theatre opened on the 15th of September; and to give the greater, or indeed the greatest attraction to the night, also destined for Palmer's orphans, the Stranger itself was the play, acted by Kemble and Siddons, without accident; and Mrs. Jordan performed Maria in the Citizen, to young Philpot, by Bannister. The audience, deeply penetrated by the story from Liverpool, was quite astonished to hear Kemble pronounce the fatal truism, "There is another and a better world," to his man Francis, as he had always done; and suspected him to have transposed the ominous line from the fourth act to the second; and there was a perceptible debate, sotto voce, in the house about it. But he played on, turning neither to the right hand nor the left, and his mind engrossed by the character. We now missed Palmer himself in the Baron, the first perception of a loss that extended through both tragedy and comedy, and which no man was so accomplished as to supply. The whole went off with the proper feelings, and the house was crowded to the very roof. I speak of Palmer with that respect that is excited in the breast of an author by zealous and honest service; and remember, with a melancholy pleasure, the leave he took of me before he quitted town. We were on the stage of Colman's theatre, where Barrymore and Charles Kemble were studying to become Palmers, rehearsing my play of Cambro-Britons. Upon turning my head, I saw Mr. Palmer standing at the wing, and motioning to speak with me; for he was too punctilious to interrupt the performers by coming upon the stage. I went towards him, and he drew me a little back from the view of the actors. He said that "he could not quit London, without, in a particular manner, thanking me for the part of Schedoni, in the Italian Monk. He expressed his concern that he could not aid me on the present occasion; and, with very singular emotion, wished that I might always meet with men as sensible to kindness, as he himself should ever be." He even wrung me by the hand, and took his leave precipitately, and in tears. He had a reputation of polishing up such valedictions; and perhaps he might love to leave |