Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/418

 414 MACKLIN. take 100l. worth of tickets for his daughter's benefit; 100l. worth of tickets for his own benefit; and 100l. worth of tickets for the benefit of the theatre on the first night of his being reinstated in his employment.” After this, he occasionally performed, and paid a visit to Dublin during Mr. Daly's management. November 27, 1788, while representing the character of Sir Peter Pertinax Mac Sycophant, in his own comedy (The Man of the World), he suddenly lost his recollection, and addressed the audience, informing them, that unless he found himself more capable, he should not again venture to solicit their attention. After this, however, he appeared again, and in the middle of the character of Shylock, for his own benefit, May 7, 1789, his memory failed him in the same manner, and the part was finished by Mr. Ryder. Finding himself now wholly incapable of performing, he retired with regret from the stage, and about four years after, by the advice of his friends, his two pieces, “The Man of the World,” and “Love à-la-Mode,” were, under the superintendance. of Mr. Murphy, first printed, and offered to the public, by subscription; when the large contributions of several distinguished characters amounted to upwards of 1500l. which, under the direction of Dr. Brocklesby, John Pal mer, Esq. and Mr. Longman, trustees, was laid out (agreeable to the proposals) in purchasing an annuity of 200l. for Mr. Macklin, and of 75l. for Mrs. Macklin, (his second wife) in case she survived him. This great Nestor of the stage (who latterly became very languid and defective in memory) died July 11, 1797, and his remains were interred in a vault at the north side of Covent-garden church. The following gentlemen attended the funeral:— Mr. Hull, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Barlow, Mr. Kirkman, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Macdonald, Dr. Atkinson, Dr. Kennedy, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Davies, Mr. Ledger, and Mr. Munden. The corpse was taken into the vestry, and prayers read over it by the Rev. Mr. Ambrose, who came from Cam bridge on purpose to perform this last act of kindness to his tutor, and a great number of spectators were assembled,