Page:Once a Week June to Dec 1863.pdf/73

11, 1863.] and laudatory verses. Instance the following: “Lines addressed to Mrs. Woffington appearing in the part of Sylvia in the ‘Recruiting Officer.’

When first in petticoats you trod the stage,

Our sex with love you fired—your own with rage.

In breeches, next, so well you played the cheat,

The pretty fellow and the rake complete,

Each sex was then with different passions moved,

The men grew envious and the women loved.”

In the season of 1741-42, Mrs. Woffington was engaged at Drury Lane. Among other characters she appeared as Rosalind in “As You Like It,” Nerissa in “Merchant of Venice,” Lady Brute in the “Provoked Wife,” and Mrs. Sullen in the “Beaux Stratagem.” On her benefit, she played Clarissa in the “Confederacy,” by Sir John Vanbrugh. But public attention was this year averted. On the 19th October, 1741, at the theatre in Goodman’s Fields had been performed, “A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music, divided into Two Parts. Tickets three, two, and one shilling. N.B. Between the Two Parts of the Concert will be presented an Historical Play, called the ‘Life and Death of King Richard the Third,’ the part of King Richard by a gentleman, who never appeared on any stage.” This gentleman was, who had, however, sustained several characters at Ipswich during the preceding summer. The concert was charged for and not the play, which was presumed to be performed gratis, in order to evade the terms of the Licensing Act. The fame of the new actor was of course noised abroad; the public crowded to the eastern part of the town, hitherto neglected. “From the polite ends of Westminster the most elegant company flocked to Goodman’s Fields, insomuch that from Temple Bar the whole way was covered with a string of coaches.” In the following season Garrick was playing at Drury Lane both in tragedy and comedy. Mrs. Woffington played Mrs. Sullen to his Archer in the “Beaux Stratagem,” Charlotte to his Millamour in Mr. Fielding’s unsuccessful comedy of the “Wedding Day,” and Lady Anne to his Richard the Third. On the occasion of her benefit, she resigned to him her part of Sir Harry Wildair, and assumed that of Lady Lurewell in the same comedy. Of her performance of Sir Harry, Garrick would say: “It was a great attempt for a woman, but still it was not Sir Harry Wildair.” The public, however, did not agree with him, or at all events, they preferred her interpretation of the part to his. On Mrs. Woffington’s benefit, in 1745, the part of Cherry in the “Beaux Stratagem,” was played by Miss M. Woffington, “being her first appearance on any stage.” She was probably the younger sister of Mrs. Woffington, afterwards married to the Hon. and Rev. George Cholmondeley, of whom mention is made in “Boswell’s Life of Johnson.”

During the summer of 1742, Garrick and Mrs. Woffington had visited Dublin, where an extraordinary reception awaited them. We read that “Garrick’s success exceeded all imagination, he was caressed by all ranks of people; at the same time, it must be acknowledged that Mrs. Woffington was nearly as great a favourite.” However, the crowds attracted to the theatre during the hottest months of the year, brought about very serious consequences. An epidemic distemper, which was called the “Garrick Fever,” prevailed greatly; and proved fatal to many.

Returning from Dublin, Mrs. Woffington took lodgings in the same house with Macklin the actor. Garrick, as the friend of both, was a frequent visitor, and always warmly welcomed. But in 1743, a division arose between Garrick and Macklin. With other performers they had revolted against the misrule of Fleetwood, the manager of Drury Lane; but Garrick, finding the Lord Chamberlain opposed to the mutineers, and the struggle for reform quite hopeless, had made a separate peace for himself. But he was never again on terms of friendship with Macklin. Mrs. Woffington was now keeping house with Garrick, bearing, by agreement, the monthly expenses alternately. Garrick was accused of being parsimonious. “With his domestic saving we have nothing to do,” said Dr. Johnson: “I remember drinking tea with him long ago, when Peg Woffington made it, and he grumbled at her for making it too strong.” When the Doctor told the same story to Reynolds, he mentioned an additional circumstance: “Why,” said Garrick, “it’s as red as blood!”

The lady was certainly in love with Garrick. The fact is not so much to be marvelled at. He was handsome, sprightly, courtly, and witty; his genius had not merely brought him wealth, it had placed him absolutely at the head of his profession; and it is probable that for some time he encouraged her in the idea that he would ultimately propose marriage to her. She indeed informed Murphy that she was so near being married to Garrick, that he had tried the wedding-ring on her finger. But at last he came to the conclusion that such a union would be unadvisable. He professed that the idea of the marriage haunted his dreams, and disturbed his sleep. At last he took an opportunity of intimating to her as gently as he could, that it was out of his power to offer her matrimony. She was very angry: all attempts to soothe her were in vain. “Go, sir,” she said; “henceforward I separate myself from you for ever. From this hour I decline to see you or to speak with you except in the course of professional business or in the presence of a third person.” And she kept her word.

Some time before he had addressed her in a song which had been much talked of at the time, called “Lovely Peggy,” beginning with the lines,

Once more I’ll tune my vocal shell,

To hills and dales my passion tell—

A flame which time can never quell,

Which burns for thee, my Peggy.

But this was all over now. She packed up all the presents he had ever given her and returned them to him with a farewell letter. Soon their quarrel became town talk. Many absurd exaggerations of it were current, and caricatures no way flattering to the gentleman appeared in the print shops and amused the public. He returned her presents to him: although he is alleged to