Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/403

 MACKLIN. 399 miserable alteration of the above. Macklin's perform-, ance of this character so forcibly struck a gentleman in the pit, that he exclaimed, “This is the Jew — that Shakspeare drew.” It has been said, that this gentleman was Mr. Pope, and that he meant his panegyric on Macklin as a satire against Lord Lansdowne. — The characters of the “Merchant of Venice” were thus cast: — Antonio, Mr. Quin; Bassanio, Mr. Milward; Gratiano, Mr. Mills; Launcelot, Mr. Chapman; Gobbo, Mr. John stone; Solanio, Mr. Berry; Marochius, Mr. Cashell; Lorenzo, Mr. Hayward; Prince of Arragon, Mr. Turbutt; Duke, Mr. Winstone; Tubal, Mr. Taswell; Polarino, Mr. Ridout; Portia, Mrs. Clive; Nerissa, Mrs. Pritchard; and Jessica, Mrs. Woodman. The manager and per formers having now disagreed, Macklin, and several of the most eminent of the company, among whom was Mr. Garrick, revolted; and a formal agreement was signed, by which they obliged themselves not to accede to any terms which might be proposed to them by the patentee, without the consent of all the subscribers. The contest between the manager and the seceders, became soon very unequal. The latter found a l l applications for a new patent ineffec tual. There was now n o remedy left, but t o agree with the manager upon the best terms that could b e obtained. Some o f the principal actors, and such a s were absolutely necessary t o the conducting o f the theatrical machine, were admitted t o favour upon equal terms, and were allowed the same annual stipends which they enjoyed before the secession; others o f less consequence were abridged o f half their income. The manager ascribed this revolt o f the players principally t o Mr. Macklin; and him h e determined t o punish for his ingratitude. To the rest h e was reconciled; but eternal banishment from his theatre, was the doom which h e pronounced o n the man who had been once his friend and adviser. Macklin had n o inclination t o become the 'scape goat i n this busi ness, and h e urged Mr. Garrick t o perfect the articles o f their agreement, b y which i t was covenanted that neither