Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 39.djvu/341

 made a considerable sum by his 'Apprentice' and his benefit, retired from the stage the owner of 100l. after his debts had been paid. On 30 March 1757, for Mossop's benefit, was played at Drury Lane the 'Upholsterer, or What News?' a two-act farce by Murphy, avowedly taken from the 'Tatler,' but owing more to Fielding's 'Coffee-house Politician.' Superbly acted by Garrick, Yates, Woodward, Palmer, Mrs. Olive, and Mrs. Yates, the piece long held possession of the stage. In 1763 Murphy made alterations in it, and in 1807 an additional scene by Joseph Moser [q. v.], printed in the 'European Magazine,' vol. lii., was supplied. It shows a number of meddling tradesmen neglecting their own business to discuss political issues, and is a fairly clever caricature. Meanwhile, in 1757 he applied for admission as a student to the Middle Temple, and was refused by the benchers on the ground that he was an actor. He then began, in opposition to the 'Contest' of Owen Ruffhead, the 'Test,' a weekly paper, in which he supported Henry Fox, afterwards Lord Holland [q. v.], by whom Lord Mansfield was induced to take up the cause of Murphy, and secure his admission at Lincoln's Inn. In opposition to the 'North Briton' he also edited a weekly paper called 'The Auditor.'

Murphy's first tragedy, 'The Orphan of China,' 8vo, 1759, was produced at Drury Lane 21 April 1759, and played nine times. It was built upon the 'Orpheiin de la Chine' of Voltaire, produced 20 Aug. 1755 at the Theatre Francais. Reshaped by Murphy it was played with indifferent success at Covent Garden, 6 Nov. 1777, and was acted in Dublin so recently as 1810. On 24 Jan. 1759 two pieces by Murphy were produced at Drury Lane. 'The Desert Island,' 8vo, 1760, is a dull dramatic poem in three acts, imitated from Metastasio. 'The Way to keep him,' a comedy, 8vo, 17GO, was played and printed originally in three acts. On 10 Jan. 1761 it was produced in five acts, the characters of Sir Bashful and Lady Constant being added and other changes made. Garrick on both occasions played Lovemore. The piece, which had a considerable success, was reprinted in its enlarged form, 8vo, 1761. It satirises with some cleverness women who after marriage are at no pains to retain their husbands. 'All in the Wrong,' 8vo, 1761, an adaptation of Moliere's 'Cocu Imaginaire,' was brought out by Foote and Murphy in partnership during a summer season at Drury Lane, 15 June 1761. On 2 July 'The Citizen,' 8vo, 1763, printed as a farce but acted as a comedy, and 'The Old Maid,' 8vo, 1761, a comedy, both by Murphy, were played under the same joint-management. The earlier piece owes something to the 'Fausse Agnes' of Destouches, produced two years earlier in Paris ; the second, a two-act comedy, is indebted to 'L'Etourderie' of Fagan. 'No one's Enemy but his own,' 8vo, 1764, a three-act comedy, subsequently shortened to two acts, given at Drury Lane 9 Jan. 1764, a version of 'L'Indiscret' of Voltaire, was unsuccessful, as was a second piece by Murphy, taken from the 'Guardian,' No. 173, and called at first 'What we must all come to,' 8vo, 1764. This was hissed from the stage before the performance was completed. Revived 30 March 1776 it was successful, and has since been frequently played as 'Three Weeks after Marriage.' ' The Choice,' not printed apparently until 1786, was played at Drury Lane 23 Feb. 1764. 'The School for Guardians,' 8vo, 1767, was given at Covent Garden 10 Jan. 1667. It is founded on three plays of Moliere, ' L'Ecole des Femmes' being principally used, and was subsequently at the same house turned into a three-act opera called ' Love finds the Way.' Murphy's tragedy 'Zenobia,' 8vo, 1768, 1786, was given at Drury Lane 27 Feb. 1768, and is a translation from Crébillon. It was followed, 26 Feb. 1772, at the same theatre by 'The Grecian Daughter,' 8vo, 1772, Murphy's best-known tragedy. 'Alzuma,' 8vo, 1773, a tragedy, 23 Feb. 1773, saw the light at Covent Garden. It is an unsuccessful compilation from many plays. 'News from Parnassus,' a rather sparkling satire on actors, critics, &c., printed only in the collection of Murphy's works, was given at Covent Garden 23 Sept. 1776. 'Know your own Mind,' 8vo, 1778, a rendering of the 'Irresolu' of Destouches, was played for Woodward's benefit at Covent Garden, 10 April 1777. 'The Rival Sisters,' 8vo, 1786, was not acted until 18 March 1793, when for her benefit Mrs. Siddons produced it and played Ariadne. Another tragedy, 'Arminius,' included in the 1786 collection, was not seen on the stage.

Murphy retired from the bar in 1788. He had made very considerable sums by his dramas, and had inherited a bequest of West Indian slaves, which he sold for 1,000l., but remained in straitened circumstances, and was appointed by Lord Loughborough a commissioner of bankrupts. At the recommendation of Addington'he was granted a pension of 200l. a year by George III, beginning 5 Jan. 1803. He involved himself in considerable debt, however, in his attempts to publish his translations, and was compelled to sell his residence, the westernmost house in Hammersmith Terrace, and a portion of