to Lady Stanhope, when assured that, while "paragon'd by few," she had "A countenance as sweet as either Forbes, or Crewe!" WHERE the loveliest expression to features is join'd, Where blushes unbidden, and smiles without art, Is my mind on distress too intensely employ'd, Or by pleasure relax'd, by variety cloy'd? For alike in this only, enjoyment and pain Both slacken the springs of those nerves which they strain. That I've felt each reverse that from fortune can flow, But, though vers'd in extremes both of pleasure and pain, I am still but too ready to feel them again. And escape from a snare might catch wiser than me; warms: As on suns in the winter with pleasure we gaze, But feel not their warmth, though their splendor we praise, So beauty our just admiration may claim, But love, and love only, the heart can enflame! RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN. 1772. Mr. Sheridan is descended from a family of considerablerespectability. His grandfather, a learned divine, was the friend and biographer of Swift: with the literary merits of his father, the public are sufficiently acquainted; and to maternal assiduity he has to attribute, like many other eminent men, his earliest course of instruction. He was born in Dorset Street, Dublin, in October 1751. From the tuition of Mr. Whyte, of that city, he was removed to Harrow, in 1763. Without the intervening advantages of a university, he afterwards entered at the Middle Temple; supplying by the honourable exertion of his pen, the necessities which his situation imposed. Visiting Bath, shortly after, he became acquainted with Miss Linley, a daughter of the Musical Composer of that name, highly celebrated for her vocal powers, the accomplishments of her mind, and the beauty of her perHe was married to this lady in 1773. Accumulating demands require augmenting resources. Thus circumstanced, and having directed his attention to the advantages consequent on the acquisition of dramatic fame, Mr. Sheridan, in 1775, produced the comedy of the "Rivals;" during the same year, appeared his "St. Patrick's Day, or the Scheming Lieutenant." In 1776 he not only produced the celebrated opera of the son. Duenna," ," but was assisted to purchase, in conjunction with Mr. Linley, his father-in-law, and Dr. Ford, a considerable property in Drury-Lane Theatre, on Garrick's relinquishment of the concern. The "School for Scandal," and "Trip to Scarborough," appeared in 1777; "The Camp," in 1778. "The Critic, or a Tragedy Rehearsed," in 1787; and the adopted play of 66 Pizarro," close the present list of his theatrical pieces. Under the auspices of Mr. Fox, in 1780 Mr. Sheridan commenced his parliamentary career, as member for Stafford. He has been twice in office. During the Rockingham reign, he acted as Secretary to his friend Fox; and he was appointed Secretary to the Treasury in 1783, under the Duke of Portland. His pen, which has frequently assailed the antagonists of the Opposition, is reported to have been engaged in "The Englishman,” and “The Jesuit," as well as in various periodical journals. Mrs. Sheridan died in June 1792. There seems no doubt of her having been almost romantically loved by her husband; whose life was twice imminently risked in defending her reputation, and whose amatory verses, inspired by her, breathe the warmth and delicacy of early passion. It has been stated, that he was greatly indebted to the charm of her voice for the attachment since subsisting between himself and Mr. Fox, in whose company, on her retreat from the stage, she was accustomed to sing the Songs afterwards made public in the "Duenna," with eneffable and irresistible magic. From this time, it is understood, that great man became deeply interested in the fate of Mr. Sheridan, to whose table he was continually allured by the fascination of melody and wit. She left a son, Thomas. Three years after the decease of his first wife, Mr. Sheridan became the husband of Miss Ogle, youngest daughter of the present Dean of Winchester, by whom he has a second son. He addressed some animated lines to this lady, on the loss of a near relation, who was slain in an action during the late revolutionary war. Though far from amatorial, they evinced the tenderest solicitude for those to whom she was attached. If this be not a direct tribute of affection, it certainly is an implied one. 56 RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN. MARK'D you her cheek of roseate hue? YE swains whom radiant beauty moves, Or music's art with sounds divine, Think how the rapturous charm improves When two such gifts together join. Where Cupid's bow, and Phoebus' lyre, And trembling notes are taught to wound. Enquire not out the matchless Fair If her enchanting voice you hear, Or view her eyes, too soon you'll know ! DRIED be that tear, my gentlest Love! Hush'd be that sigh, be dry that tear; |