Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/519

 SHERIDAN. 515 Garrick, he by no means answered the public expectations, With many peculiarities in his manner, not of the pleasing kind, nature seemed to have forbidden him by her parsi mony ever to have become a popular performer. Even those who were willing to praise, and could with justice applaud his skill and judgment, generally came away with out that complete satisfaction which was to be found at Drury-lane theatre, where Garrick and Nature carried every thing before them. These circumstances a l l com bining, i t will b e n o surprise t o know, that a t the end o f the season his engagement was not renewed. The leisure h e now found naturally led him t o recur t o his former scheme o f education. I n April 1756, h e wrote t o Mr. Lee a proposal for engaging him for the ensuing season i n Dublin, and therein said, “I have been long weary o f the stage, and a s I have a much more important point i n view, am determined t o quit i t a s soon a s possible; and n o con sideration should have induced ine t o undertake i t this year, but the want o f a proper person t o supply my place." A proper person, however, i t was difficult t o find, and the term o f the lease which h e had l e t being now expired, and the minds o f the people o f Dublin b y this time inclining t o receive him again with favour, h e resolved upon return ing t o his native country, and resuming the management o f the theatre again but i n the execution o f this design unexpected difficulties arose. A t the beginning o f this season h e also met with a mortification, t o which h e was obliged t o submit, however reluctantly. Previous t o his appearance, a n apology for his former conduct was de manded b y the public, and with s o much earnestness, that i t became necessary t o promise i t unconditionally. The night was accordingly fixed, and every part o f the house crowded soon after the doors were open. When the curtain drew u p h e advanced t o the centre o f the stage with a paper i n his hand, fearing ( i n that unavoidable con fusion) t o trust entirely t o h i s memory. I t was the opi nion o f some o f the best judges, that n o man within their observation ever appeared before the public with s o much