Mrs. Bland, the mother, his Dublin, in the year 1758, lo, and, indeed, almost every at time Miss Grace Phillips. fatigued with the journey, and of the manager sufficed to actheir indifferent circumstances. an introduction, which, like that ers, is always strong; she had r. Wilkinson in the campaigns of nd it was not unlikely, that the

rited some theatrical talent, as the soil she sprang from. However, he onically, whether her line was tragedy, opera? To which, in one word, she ALL."

ling her story afterwards, she always point of it-" Sir, in my life, I never rly gentleman more astonished!" Mrs. found herself at full liberty to dilate daughter's merits; and, fond as she alof her, it is possible that even a mother's lid not overrate them. Upon the virtues art, she was copious with equal reason

22

CHAPTER II.

Miss Francis arrives at Leeds in July, 1782-Her interview with Tate Wilkinson-His determination in her favourHer first appearance was in tragedy, in the part of Calistaher reception-the Greenwood Laddie, and its effect-Tate prophesies that she will reach the summit-Change of name at York, the choice of one on that occasion-Her aunt, Miss Phillips, dangerously ill at York, makes her niece her heirThe application of Mrs. Jordan when a young actress-Mr. William Smith sees her in the race week-She acted Rutland and the Romp before him-Interests himself warmly about her-She acts Arionelli-Mr. Knight-Lady Leake -Swan, the critic, teaches Mrs. Jordan Zara-Sheffield, an alarm-The Duke of Norfolk-Mrs. Jordan's rivals-Mrs. Smith, and her march extraordinary.

It was early in the month of July, 1782, that Tate Wilkinson, manager of the York company, then at Leeds, was informed that Miss Francis, with her mother, brother, and sister, were arrived, and requested to see him at his earliest convenience. That worthy man immediately visited them at their

inn; and found, in Mrs. Bland, the mother, his own Desdemona, at Dublin, in the year 1758, when he acted Othello, and, indeed, almost every thing. She was at that time Miss Grace Phillips.

The party was fatigued with the journey, and the first glance of the manager sufficed to acquaint him with their indifferent circumstances. The mother had an introduction, which, like that of brother soldiers, is always strong; she had served with Mr. Wilkinson in the campaigns of their youth; and it was not unlikely, that the young lady inherited some theatrical talent, as the quality of the soil she sprang from. However, he asked her laconically, whether her line was tragedy, comedy, or opera? To which, in one word, she answered, ALL."

When telling her story afterwards, she always said, at this point of it-" Sir, in my life, I never saw an elderly gentleman more astonished!" Mrs. Bland now found herself at full liberty to dilate upon her daughter's merits; and, fond as she always was of her, it is possible that even a mother's fondness did not overrate them. Upon the virtues of her heart, she was copious with equal reason

She was a girl of nineteen, and the whole family depended upon her.

The most benevolent man is often obliged to shape his kindness by his interest. Before Mr. Wilkinson opened a negociation, it became necessary for him to reflect a little; and he withdrew accordingly to another room for a few minutes, to decide whether he should give the common negative, that his company was too full at present; or enter upon the business with that friendly concession, that left the terms of the engagement alone to be adjusted. It is not too much praise here to say that his heart determined him. On his reentering the room, which he soon did, his smile told the adventurers they were likely to gain some provision, however trifling, and a friend who was to be secured by zeal and attention to the concern in which he was engaged. But the heroine, at that time, exhibited not a vestige of her comic powers, either in feature or manner. On the contrary, like the player in Hamlet, she had, with a slight parody,

"

Tears in her eyes, dejection in her aspect,

A broken voice, and her whole function suited

With forms to her distress."

When Wilkinson besought her to favour him with the usual "taste of her quality," a passionate speech-the languor that sat upon her frame, pronounced her just then to be incapable of any assumed passion. She wished to merit an engagement by a fair trial on the boards, and the manager assented to this, the fairest of all propositions. Their considerate friend now ordered a bottle of Madeira to be brought in, and the friendly charm soon revived the spirits of the travellers, who chatted gaily upon the subject of the Irish stage, and the general news of that kingdom, till at length the manager espied a favourable opportunity of repeating his request for the speech, which was to decide in some degree his opinion of her value; and the interesting woman spoke for him a few lines of Calista, which they settled she was to act on the Thursday following, with Lucy, in the Virgin Unmasked. The exquisite and plaintive melody of her voice, the distinctness of her articulation, the truth and nature that looked through her, affected the experienced actor deeply! his internal delight could only be balanced by his hopes; and he poured out his praise and his congratulation