Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 11.djvu/402

 further castigation (ix. 246). These poems, frequently reprinted, were collected under the title of 'The Humorous Works of George Colman,' London, no date, 8vo. Colman wrote in addition many prologues and epilogues to occasional pieces and many songs, principally comic. The best-known of these are 'Mynheer Van Dunck,' set to music as a glee by Bishop, and 'Unfortunate Miss Bailey.' He published 'Posthumous Letters from various Celebrated Men addressed to Francis and George Colman the Elder,' London, 1820, 4to. Colman is said by Peake, his biographer (Memoirs of the Colman Family, ii. 331), to have espoused in secret nuptials Mrs. Gibbs, a pretty and an accomplished actress, who played successfully the heroines of many of his pieces, the characters being in many cases designed for her. The legitimacy of this union is called in question by the theatrical publications of the day. All admit, however, that Mrs. Gibbs was a woman of character generally good, and many striking stories are told of her generosity and nobleness of nature. She was a Miss Logan, made her debut at the Haymarket on 18 June 1783 as Sally in the elder Column's 'Man and Wife,' and is first heard of as Mrs. Gibbs during Palmer's tenure of the Royalty, 1787. Colman suffered much from gout; a severe attack in November 1830 disabled him. On 17 Oct. 1836 he died in Brompton Square, and was buried beside his father under the vaults in Kensington Church.

'The Circle of Anecdote and Wit,' which bears Colman's name, went through many editions, but was disowned by him. ' Memoirs of the Life, Public and Private, of Madame Vestris, by Arthur Griffinhoofe,' London, no date (1836?), 8vo, bears a pseudonym of Colman, but there is no evidence on which to fix on him the reproach of authorship. 'The Rovers, or the Double Arrangement,' is reprinted in the 'Dramatic Magazine,' vols. ii. and iii. (1830-1), from the 'Anti-Jacobin,' 1797, as by George Canning and George Colman. An alteration of this, in which is the famous song on 'The University of Gottingen,' under the title of 'The Quadrupeds of Quadlinburgh,' was played at the Haymarket on 26 July 1811. This was assigned to Colman and is probably by him. 'Some Remarks on Colman's Preface to the "Iron Chest,"' which appeared in the 'Monthly Mirror,' 1796-7, were reprinted in 8vo, 1796. Colman was an entertaining companion and a genuine humourist. He was, however, disorderly if not profligate in his writings and in his life. The trustworthiness and stability of his father did not descend to him. As a manager he was capable, but his extravagance led to constant difficulties and feuds. 

COLMAN, WALTER (d. 1645), poet, was descended from an ancient family in Staffordshire. His parents, being Roman catholics, sent him to the English college at Douay, Flanders, and he subsequently studied in France. He then returned to England, but afterwards returned to Douay, and entered the convent of the English Franciscans of the Strict Observance. Soon after being ordained priest he was sent to the mission. On landing he was apprehended and searched, and beingfound to be without a shirt, according to the rule of his order, he was exposed to much ridicule. In the end he was committed to prison for refusing to take the oath of allegiance; but he procured his release through the influence of friends and money, and served the mission for several years. Being again apprehended, he was, after a long imprisonment, brought to trial at the Old Bailey, with six other priests, in December 1641, and received sentence of death. By the favour of Charles I he was reprieved from time to time, and he died a lingering death in Newgate in 1645, 'continuis aerumnis et loci psedore extinctus, prse media et squalore in carcere.' There is a fine engraved portrait of him in the 'Certamen Seraphicum.'

Colman is the author of a poem in 262 stanzas, entitled 'La Dance Machabre, or Deaths Duell, by W. C.,' London [1632 or 1633], sm. 8vo. The dedication to Henrietta Maria, consort of King Charles I, is in French. This is a work of great rarity, only three or four copies being known to exist. 