Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/126

 122 FARQUHAR. circulated, that she was what is termed, “a great fortune,” and she took an opportunity of letting our poet know, that she was in love with him. Vanity and interest both uniting to persuade Farquhar to marry, he did not long delay it; and though he dreamt in courtship, and in wed lock woke, yet, to his immortal honour be it spoken, al though he found himself deceived, his circumstances embarrassed, and his family increasing, he never once upbraided her for the “gross cheat put upon him,” but treated her with all the affection and tenderness of an indulgent husband. Early in 1704, a farce, called “The Stage Coach,” in the composition of which he was assisted by another, made i t s appearance, and was well received. His next comedy, entitled, “The Twin Rivals,” was performed i n 1705; and i n the year following, h e brought out his amusing comedy, “The Recruiting Officer,” which was performed fifteen nights during the first season. This h e dedicated “To all Friends round the Wrekin,” a famous hill near Shrews bury, where h e had been stationed t o recruit for his com pany, and where, from his observations o n country life, the manner i n which sergeants inveigle clowns t o enlist, and the loose behaviour of the officers towards the milk maids and country girls, h e collected materials sufficient t o form a comedy, which still retains i t s popularity. The character o f Captain Plume, i t i s said, h e intended t o b e a portrait o f himself; o f Sergeant Kite, the recruiting ser geant o f his regiment”. His last piece was entitled “The characters o f the Recruiting Officer were taken b y Captain Farquhar from the following originals:— Justice Balance, was a Mr. Berkely, then Recorder o f Shrewsbury. Mr. Hill, a n inhabitant o f Shrewsbury, was one o f the other justices. Worthy, was a Mr. Owen, o f Russason, o n the borders o f Shropshire. Captain Plume, was Farquhar himself. Brazen, unknown. Melinda, was a Miss Harnage, o f Balsadine, near the Wreakin. Slyvia, was a Miss Berkely, daughter o f the Recorder o f Shrewsbury, above mentioned. The story supposed t o b e the author's own invention. The above information was communicated t o Dr. Percy, Bishop o f Dro