Biographia Dramatica: pt.1. Authors and Actors: A-HLongman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1812 - Dramatists, English |
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Page 390
... occasion , that he was forced to read it from a paper . Mr. Barrymore attempted to announce a second representa- tion , but found it impossible to procure a hearing , and the inten- tion was abandoned . Soon after this , our author ...
... occasion , that he was forced to read it from a paper . Mr. Barrymore attempted to announce a second representa- tion , but found it impossible to procure a hearing , and the inten- tion was abandoned . Soon after this , our author ...
Page 393
... occasion we may observe , that the appro- bation of the India Company , and of the public at large , has done justice to his Lordship's exertions and success ; and if the execution of an important trust , in the ma- nagement and control ...
... occasion we may observe , that the appro- bation of the India Company , and of the public at large , has done justice to his Lordship's exertions and success ; and if the execution of an important trust , in the ma- nagement and control ...
Page 398
... occasion his usual satirical turn , which had obtained him the name of the Mor- tal Momus . But this restraint was not frequently used ; in a debate on removing the custom - house of Dublin ( March 7 , 1779 ) , and in that on a motion ...
... occasion his usual satirical turn , which had obtained him the name of the Mor- tal Momus . But this restraint was not frequently used ; in a debate on removing the custom - house of Dublin ( March 7 , 1779 ) , and in that on a motion ...
Page 403
... occasion was such as he commonly wore , viz . a suit of black velvet , with a long white flowing periwig . It is said , that Sir Robert Walpole promoted the success of his piece as far as lay in his power , making it serve to di- vert ...
... occasion was such as he commonly wore , viz . a suit of black velvet , with a long white flowing periwig . It is said , that Sir Robert Walpole promoted the success of his piece as far as lay in his power , making it serve to di- vert ...
Page 406
... occasion , how- ever , Mr. Baker , the original compiler of this work , was mis- taken . The last speech he has quoted can boast of little origina- lity or invention ; being only a copy from Epistemon's Vision of Hell and the Elysian ...
... occasion , how- ever , Mr. Baker , the original compiler of this work , was mis- taken . The last speech he has quoted can boast of little origina- lity or invention ; being only a copy from Epistemon's Vision of Hell and the Elysian ...
Common terms and phrases
acted actor afterwards appeared bachelor of arts became Ben Jonson born buried called Cambridge character Christ Church College church College comedy court Covent Garden daugh daughter death died dramatic pieces Drury Lane Drury Lane Theatre Dublin Duke Dunciad Earl edition England entitled Farce father favour fortune friends genius gentleman Henry honour humour Ireland JOHN King Charles lady Langbaine late Leicestershire letters lished lived London Lord Love married master matic ment merit Middle Temple Oxford performed person play poems poet poetical poetry printed profession published Queen racter received returned Richard Royal says Shakspeare Sheridan soon stage success talents theatre Theatre Royal THOMAS thor tion tleman took the degree Trag tragedy translated Trinity College university of Cambridge verses vols volume Westminster school wife WILLIAM writing written wrote young
Popular passages
Page 517 - The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates PROVING THAT IT IS LAWFUL, AND HATH BEEN HELD SO THROUGH ALL AGES, FOR ANY WHO HAVE THE POWER TO CALL TO ACCOUNT A TYRANT, OR WICKED KING, AND AFTER DUE CONVICTION TO DEPOSE AND PUT HIM TO DEATH, IF THE ORDINARY MAGISTRATE HAVE NEGLECTED OR DENIED TO DO IT.
Page 416 - But he has done his robberies so openly that one may see he fears not to be taxed by any law. He invades authors like a monarch; and what would be theft in other poets is only victory in him.
Page 416 - In his works you find little to retrench or alter. Wit, and language, and humour also in some measure, we had before him ; but something of art was wanting to the drama, till he came. He managed his strength to more advantage than any who preceded him. You seldom find him making love in any of his scenes, or endeavouring to move the passions ; his genius was too sullen and saturnine to do it gracefully, especially when he knew he came after those who had performed both to such an height.
Page 416 - If there was any fault in his language, it was that he weaved it too closely and laboriously, in his comedies especially.
Page 416 - As for Jonson, to whose character I am now arrived, if we look upon him while he was himself (for his last plays were but his dotages), I think him the most learned and judicious writer which any theatre ever had. He was a most severe judge of himself, as well as others. One cannot say he wanted wit, but rather that he was frugal of it.
Page 417 - Shakespeare was the Homer, or father of our dramatic poets; Jonson was the Virgil, the pattern of elaborate writing; I admire him, but I love Shakespeare.
Page 567 - Reason thus with life : If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing That none but fools would keep. A breath thou art (Servile to all the skyey influences) That dost this habitation, where thou keep'st, Hourly afflict.
Page 501 - Seven years, My Lord, have now passed since I waited in your outward rooms or was repulsed from your door, during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it at last to the verge of publication without one act of assistance, one word of encouragement or one smile of favour.
Page 699 - Tarlton before they would go to the queen, and he was their usher to prepare their advantageous access unto her. In a word, he told the queen more of her faults than most of her chaplains, and cured her melancholy better than all of her physicians. Much of his merriment lay in his very looks and actions, according to the epitaph written upon him: Hie situs est cujus poterat vox, actio, vultus, Ex Heraclito reddere Democritum.
Page 413 - Here was deposited, the mortal part of a man, who feared GOD, but not death; and maintained independence, but sought not riches ; who thought none below him, but the base and unjust, none above him, but the wise and virtuous...