CONTENTS

OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Importance of Biography fairly given-Memoirs written by

Mrs. Inchbald, and destroyed; by whose advice-Her birth-Let-

ter from the Duchess of Norfolk-The family of Simpson-Their

connexions-Instruction domestic-Early desire to see the world

-Impediment in her speech-Thinks of the Stage as a profession

-Applies to Richard Griffith, manager of the Norwich theatre-

His answer-Her girlish fondness-His harmonious name-Her

brother, George Simpson, becomes an actor-Bury Fair-In 1771

pays a visit to her sister in London-Mr. Inchbald an early ad-

mirer - Reply to proposals from him-Standingfield-Griffith-

Steals his picture-Quits home in April, 1772, leaving behind a

letter to her mother-The letter itself

CHAPTER II.

page 1

Juvenile indiscretions-Her secret arrival in London-Adven-

tures-Two Inns-Reddish-King Her brother Slender meets

her-Writes at length to her sister-Dodd and his impudence—

Gets into hot water-Mr. Inchbald counsels her, and marries her

in June, 1772, by the Catholic and Protestant rites-Leave London

together for Bristol-Begins her studies professionally-Cordelia

-Garrick on Shakspeare-Stolen from the French-Becomes

acquainted with Mrs. Hartley-First appearance on the Stage-

Parallel lives of Centlivre and Inchbald

19

CHAPTER III.

With Mr. Inchbald revisits Standingfield-Voyage to Leith-

Engages with Digges-Glasgow rather discouraged-Matrimonial

disputes-Acts Shore at Edinburgh-Catholic Chapel-Mr. Inch-

bald a painter-Mr. Sterling's attentions-Consults the Priest-

Superior to a female friend, why?-Indiscreet in corresponding—

Male party of pleasure; an accident-Greenock-Edinburgh again;

and again Mr. Sterling-Sail for Aberdeen; but obliged to land

and journey in the Thespian fashion-Ague and fever-Moves with

the Company-Present from the Manager-Performs Imogen-

Loses her wedding-ring-Studies French with a master-Mr. Inch-

bald disputes with the audience-A riot in consequence--They quit

Edinburgh, and resolve upon a visit to France

CHAPTER IV.

page 39

St. Valleri-Abbeville-Arrive at Paris 28th of July, 1776-

Objects of both husband and wife-French declamation-Corneille,

Racine Mrs. Inchbald's abstracts-Suddenly quit Paris-In Sep-

tember back to Brighton-Bad circumstances-London-Wilson,

Digges-The Inchbalds arrive at Liverpool-Engage with Younger

-She is well received-Commences a friendship with Mrs. Siddons

and Miss Farren-Their reverse of fortune-Steam improvement-

Baggage by sea in old times-Studies at Liverpool-Manchester-

First sees Mr. Kemble-Much unsettled-Northwick-Mode of

living at that time-A Catholic doubt-Mr. and Mrs. Siddons at

York-They go to Birmingham and live en famille-Separation-

London, Canterbury

62

CHAPTER V.

Peculiar feelings of actors-Mr. Inchbald improves as a painter

-Holcroft her literary adviser-Two months at Canterbury-

Aspire to the York Company-Visit Standingfield-Join Wilkin-

son's Company at Hull-York-Davis dresses her hair-Little

jealousies The Kemble family at Liverpool-Driven from the

stage-Had not acted before the King-Mrs. Inchbald at last acts

Lady Sneerwell-Scene-painting-Kemble writes to Mrs. I.—His

tragedy at Hull-The Inchbalds are rising in professional im-

portance-Sudden death of Mr. Inchbald-Kemble's epitaph upon

him-Translation by Mr. Twiss-Friendly intimacy with Kemble

-Finishes her novel-Dr. Brodie sends it to Stockdale-He de-

clines the risk-Kemble a guardian of her reputation. page 85

CHAPTER VI.

Year 1780-Her conduct greatly admired-Six months a widow

-Dicky Gossip offers her his hand-No joke either-Suett trusts

Kemble with his suit-Differs with Tate Wilkinson-Wishes a

town engagement-Goes again to Edinburgh-Receives varieties

of attention-some rude, some religious-Dr. Geddes applied to

on her account-His admirable letter in reply-Bishop Hay-

Quits the York Company 19th September, 1780-Arrival in Lon-

don; interview with Mr. Harris-Fletcher and Shakspeare com-

pared Remarkable features in her provincial course The

Covent-Garden Company when she joined it-The rival Theatre

also

-

. 105

CHAPTER VII.

First appears in Bellario-Lewis and Mrs. Mattocks, the Phi-

laster and Arethusa-Highly applauded in Angelina-Another

suitor, Don Jerome of the Duenna-Letters from Wilson-Lodgings

at 9s. per week-Her intimates-Dr. Brodie-Mr. Francis Twiss-

The Booths-The Whitfields-Her low salary-How this can be

called liberal-Harris and his friend-Alarming symptoms as to

her health-Her farce on the subject of Polygamy-Walks for her

bread in the Pantomime-Dr. Grey sends her into the country-

'The Ancient Law' sent to both Harris and Colman-Disagreeable

business, too, on the stage-Seems not averse to a second marriage-

Dr. Brodie rather particular-Goes in male attire to a masquerade

- Marquis Carmarthen's calls upon her - Remembered in her

Simple Story'-In June visits Standingfield-Kemble's letter to

her about Henderson and Sir Giles Overreach-Returns to town-

Holcroft his life contrasted with Gifford, another shoemaker-

Reform, the " Ecce Homo"-Part of Mrs. Inchbald's letter to

Mr. Harris

126

CHAPTER VIII.

-

Exercises herself in the pantomime as usual-Her friend Wilson

discharged-Tries to get to Bath-Turns out her lover, Dr.

Brodie Her mind almost entirely philosophic-Slander as to

herself and Harris-Mr. Pratt solicits her friendship-Engages

with Colman in the summer; and, discharging her sitting-room,

reduces her rent to 3s. 6d. per week-Colman gave her Thirty

Shillings salary-Harlequin Teague-In September doubles her

rent Her sister Dolly writes to her about their mother— Her

affectionate and admirable reply Makes an engagement with

Daly Acts at Shrewsbury-Journey with Hitchcock-They ar-

rive in Dublin, where she meets Kemble in high favour-Daly

engages Mrs. Siddons after the Drury-Lane season Kemble

evidently a favourite with Mrs. Inchbald; his honour and pru-

dence-Daly her lover, as usual with him; foiled here, and ex-

asperated of course— -Buys her benefit-Kemble brings her guineas

for the amount-She embarks for England-Appears on the Hay-

market stage without powder - Theatrical degrees of virtue, a

scrap of Mrs. Inchbald's own writing-Description of her person

by an amateur August, 1783, Kemble arrives in town Her

friend Davis in difficulties; pays him £43. 88.-Discouraged as

a writer, she studies the harder

-

-

.

page 156

CHAPTER IX.

-

- The spot described

-

-

Recently

Kemble takes her lodgings

surveyed - The Whitfields and she quarrel-Twiss, the mutual

friend, tries to reconcile them-A lodging taken in Hart Street-

At length has a farce accepted by Colman-Was induced to act

in it Was at the reading, not known to be the writer - The

'Mogul Tale' brings her 100 guineas Stammers on the first

night of it-Letters from Twiss and Kemble-Lovers attracted by

the honey of success-Reminds Colman that he has a comedy also

in his hands-Now then he reads it, admires it, christens it I'll

Tell You What'-Writes both Prologue and Epilogue-Its original

Letters from Mr. Twiss of great importance - Draft for

£300-Buys into the Funds-" Appearance is against them "-

Royal command-Liberal as she was covetous

cast

-

181

CHAPTER X.

-

The Morells kept a Faro-table in Hart Street-She dines with

Mr. Twiss every Sunday- In the evening Kemble and he give

readings-The residences of performers in past times-Peter Pin-

dar wooes the Muse An honorable lover, Mr. Glover, offers

marriage, a carriage, and a settlement of £500 a year-She vainly

preferred Sir Charles Bunbury-Mr. Twiss marries Miss Kemble

-Relieves her brother George Simpson-Dramatic concerns-

Haymarket season-Hayley's Plays in rhyme-Author's esteem

for Hayley-The Widow's Vow'-Its success-Robinson buys

her I'll Tell You What'- City again Buys £200 Five per

Cent. Stock-Begins to grow upon the Manager-Asked to write a

pantomime-‘Such Things Are'-Buys during the run of it £18 per

annum Long Annuities, for which she pays £4101. 28.-Howard

now in this country-Odd coincidence with Haswell in the play-

Does the 'Midnight Hour' Buys £200 Three per Cents, and

£200 Five per Cents Stock-A hurried Comedy fails-Visits her

friends in Suffolk - Mrs. Wells Topham, Este, The World'

newspaper-Her lovers or friends seldom apart

CHAPTER XI.

-

page 228

Fate of the Hue and Cry'-' Animal Magnetism,' its profits-

Le Texier-The Child of Nature'-Removes to Frith Street-

Dr. Warren; greatly admires him-Her near connexions-The

Whitfields-Female Glee-Mr. Babb visits Rome-Spring of 1789

-Close of her Covent-Garden engagement-Colman's season: acts

there but once-Re-engagement offered by Mr. Harris, refused:

retrenchment in consequence-Horace Walpole, Gen. Conway--

Recovery of the King-Public reception of the Queen-'The Mar-

ried Man'-Her two novels; combines them in one story-Davis-

Holcroft's bad advice: Mrs. Broadhead's 'The World'-Topham

and Este-Mr. Hastings-Mrs. Wells imitates the Impeachment-

Mrs. Inchbald has her fortune told-Her illness in 1790-Dr.

Warren's kindness-Sells her 'Simple Story' to George Robinson

-Sundry adventures-Sits to Russel, the crayon painter. . 255

CHAPTER XII.

The Simple Story'-Sketch of it-Connexion of its two parts

VOL. I.

b