Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/57

48 alarmed at his threats, threw herself for protection on the gentleman, who imprudently locked her up with himself in a bed-chamber adjoining. The husband assailed the door, and threatened destruction to the parties; whilst the other as resolutely defended the pass. However, the door was at length broke open; but, whether from beholding the partner of his heart in distress, or the fears of receiving the contents of a pistol which his antagonist held in opposition to his, be peaceably conducted her out of the room, placed her in a post-chaise, and drove to town. This anecdote (with a little embellishment) fed, for a while, half the Dublin tea-tables with scandal. All the caricature painters were at work; and every newspaper and magazine produced a fresh pun or epigram. On the night after her arrival in Dublin she played Sylvia, in the Recruiting Officer where Melissa's salutation to her, on her first appearance, is "Welcome to town, cousin Sylvia;" the house instantly caught the aptness of the allusion, and bestowed on it the applause usually given on those occasions. Soon after this event her husband died, and left her in the possession of every thing but money: she had youth, beauty, and great theatrical talent. Nor were the gallant world insensible of them, as she had many suitors in her train; all of whom she rejected, for the Irish Roscius (Mr. Barry) had secured her heart; and, like a second Stella, she drank the delicious poison of love by the vehicle of tuition. From this period we find her rising to the very top of her profession. Her alliance to the manager secured her all the first-rate parts; and she likewise received so much instruction from him in private rehearsals, that, in a short time, she added all his tire to her own softness. In 1766 Mr. Barry, finding the Irish theatres not answer his expectations, rented them on advantageous terms, to Mr. Mossop; and, with Mrs. Barry, arrived in London, where (as has been stated) she made her début in Desdemona, and afterwards performed the parts of Belyidera, Rutland, and Monimia, in tragedy; and Lady Townley, Beatrice, and Rosalind, in comedy. Her first appearance, after Mr. Barry's death, was in Lady Randolph, when she spoke an occasional address, said to be written by Mr. Garrick; she likewise continued to maintain her former pre-eminence; and was supposed to have accumulated such a fortune as might have rendered her independent; but her improvident marriage with Mr. Crawford quickly dissipated her former savings. She performed soon after this event in Dublin; but frequently with such indifference, that she could only be said to have walked through her characters.

Her husband, in virtue of his conjugal office, became also acting proprietor and manager, not only of the lady but of the theatre, which last did not thrive under his auspices. His civil list was constantly in arrear; his ministers, from the first-rates down to the scene-shifters, murmured for expression, that Garrick, who was then in the pit, declared her an actress gifted with superior talent; and, as a proof that he was serious in his assertion, he very soon