productive of great advantage to him. Mr. John Edwin, of Great George Street, Hanover Square, a distant relation, possessed of great wealth, happened to die, leaving near 50,000l. to be distributed in public charities, and appointed twelve trustees to superintend the distribution. Mr. Way, the principal of these, and also one of his executors, aware of the folly of expending a fortune on objects totally unknown to him, while his own kinsman was left entirely destitute, from an impulse of justice made young Edwin secretary to the trust, and annexed a salary of thirty pounds a year, beside some very considerable perquisites, to the appointment. But the stage-struck mind of this young man could be contented with nothing short of theatrical reputation; be accordingly resigned his secretaryship at the end of the year, during which he had accumulated 5001. and left his family without the formality of taking leave; but not before he had drawn his money out of the hands of Mr. Way, and presented it to his father, whose circumstances were embarrassed, and whose hopes had been disappoint mer, he was engaged at a salary of thirty shillings a week, at the Theatre Royal, in Smock-alley, Dublin. Accordingly, when the season was over at Manchester, he visited London, and having received some money and a watch from his father, he set out for the metropolis of Ireland, where he at length arrived in great distress, having waited so long for a fair wind at Parkgate, that he had been obliged to pawn his watch, and expend his last shilling on the road. The first character that he performed in Dublin, was that of Sir Philip Modelove,(Bold Stroke for a Wife), a part in which much is not expected from the actor. His next was that of Lord Trinket, (Jealous Wife); and here he had so little of the nobleman in his manner and address, that when exclaiming in the course of his part, "I act a mighty ridiculous figure here, upon my honour!" some of the wags replied with great vociferation, "Yoa do, indeed!" His success, however, in Justice Woodcock, (Love in a Village), amply repaid him for his former disgrace, and he afterwards continued through the season to attract considerable ap ed by his resolution to turn player.plause, either as an old man, a When he was only sixteen years of age, he commenced an actor of old men, at the theatre of Man thief, a clown, or a constable. After his return from Ireland, he was engaged at several of the chester in 1765. Justice Wood-provincial theatres in England, cock, and Sir Harry Sycamore, were two characters which were performed with great applause by our juvenile adventurer, and it is here to be observed, as a circum. stance not a little remarkable, that he played old men in his youth, and young men in his more advanced years. His fame was now so firmly established, that before the expiration of the sun. and particularly at Bath, where he received very great applause, in the characters of Periwinkle, Bold Stroke for a Wife), and Sir Harry Sycamore, (Maid of the Mill). There too he first became acquainted with Mrs. Walmsley, then a reputable milliner of that city, his desertion of whom, about twenty years afterward, occasioned him to be freK 2 quentl quently hissed off the stage by a London audience. In Juue 1775, he was engaged to play at Foote's theatre, in the Haymarket, at a salary of three pounds per week, and in the latter part of that month, made his first professional bow to a London audience, in the part of Flaw, in the manager's comedy of "The Cozeners." His success in this attempt did not, however, equal the expectations of his friends, and it was not till he had performed Jobson, (The Devil to Pay), and Billy Button, (The Maid of Bath), that he acquired any great degree of theatrical reputation; but his fame was not established till Mr. Colman became manager, (1777), when he was brought forward in several new eccentric characters, particularly in O'Keeffe's pieces, in which the author and actor were mutually served. In 1799, Mr. Harris engaged Edwin at the rate of seven pounds a week. The first scenic personage he represented at Covent Garden, was Touchstone, (As you Like it); Edwin did what he could, but clusion of that season, he made new engagement with the manager, and was fixed for three years at eight pounds per week. At the expiration of that term it was increased to twelve, and thus it continued until he was called from the great theatre of existence. He died October 31, 1790. EDWIN (JUNIOR) actor, son of the preceding, made his first appearance when about ten years old, in the part of Hengist, (Bonduca) at the Haymarket Theatre, July 29, 1778, and for several seasons represented juvenile characters at Covent Garden, and the summer theatre. When he grew up, he assumed the nfore regular walks of the drama, in both town and country; but never acquired that reputation which his father did as comedian. He was for a long time the inseparable companion of the late Lord Barrymore, whose private theatricals at Wargrave, he assisted. EDWIN, (Mrs.) actress, wife of the preceding, maiden name Richards: her father and mother belonged to the Dublin stage du the effort was not entirely satis-ring Mr. Ryder's management, factory. He played Midas on the same evening, and in that part recovered all the dignity he had forfeited in Touchstone. The lead- || ing design of Mr. Harris in engaging Edwin, was to do the part of Punch, in Dibdin's pantomime of" Harlequin every Where," a part to which the composer knew no other individual was competent. His vast comic powers were first generally acknowledged in Master Stephen, (Every Man in his Humour). From his fine acting on that night, every thing was presaged by those whose judgment warranted the encomiums of renown, At the con where the daughter made her first appearance at the tender age of eight years, and discovered extraordinary abilities in the character of Prince Arthur, and other little parts. At this age she also played Prescilla Tomboy, (Romp), for her benefit, which, on her account, was afterwards occasionally made an interlude. Miss Wallis, then a child, performed against her at Mr. Daly's theatre: but Miss Richards as a singer had the advantage. Young as she was, she proved the object of persecution for, whenever her benefit was announced, Mr. Daly advertised "The Belle's Stratagem," then a fashionable fashionable comedy, it being the first season it was represented at Smock Alley, declaring it to be positively the last night of its being played that season. The benefit was two or three times postponed, and each time the last night of the above play was opposed against it; the consequence of which was that the child, or rather her parents, had no benefit, being at last obliged to decline it. In the country she improved herself, and at a proper age made her first appearance at Covent Garden Theatre; and about 1792, was married to Mr. Edwin. EGAN, (Mr.) actor, belonged to the Haymarket Theatre, under the late Mr. Colman's management, where he generally supported Irish characters. In 1784, he went to Dublin, having been engaged for Giordani's English Opera House, Capel Street; though, like several others who belonged to that theatre, incapable of rendering it any service in the vocal line. During his stay in Dublin, he suffered much from severe indisposition, and died shortly after his return to London. The first part which brought him into notice was the Irishman, in the speaking Pantomime of "Harlequin Teague." Having been appointed to announce the second representation of this piece, which was performed for the first time, Saturday, August 18, 1782, he continued his blunders by giving it out for the succeeding night, (Sunday). His widow takes care of the wardrobe at Covent Garden. EGERTON, (Mr.) actor, was in business near White Chapel, which he gave up for the stage, and made his first attempt (under this assumed name) at the Royalty Theatre. He played for a benefit or two at the Haymarket Theatre, and applied in vain to Mr. Colman, for an engagement. He went to Birmingham in 1800, and performed with Mr. M'Cready; but in consequence of a sudden separation between him and the manager, he opened the Assembly Room in that town with an entertainment of his own, called "Whimsicalities," consisting of songs, imitations, extracts from the "Lecture on Heads," &c. He has since performed at other provincial theatres. ELLIOT, (Miss) actress, made her first appearance at the Haymarket Theatre, during Mr. Foote's management, in Maria (Citizen). Her figure, voice, and manner were perfectly adapted to the sprightly humour and busy situations of the character. The applause she acquired in that part obtained for her an engagement at one of the other theatres, which she relinquished at the instance of the late Duke of Cumberland. ELLISTON, (ROBERT WILLIAM) actor, was born in Orange Street, Bloomsbury, about the year 1792. His father is the youngest son of an eminent farmer at a village, called Gidgrave, near Orford, in Suffolk. He was educated at the expense of his uncle, Dr. Elliston, master of Sidney College, Cambridge, who intended his nephew for the church, and placed him, when nine years old, at St. Paul's School. Having gained some applause in an English oration which he delivered in public, in the year 1789, he imbibed an early inclination for the stage; and shortly after performed Pierre (Venice Preserved) at a private theatre. He quitted K 3 school a school at the age of sixteen with- ra, and pantomime with so much out the knowledge of his friends, success, that he declined the proand, resolving to try his success mised engagement at New Drury, on the stage,'accompanied a friend and retained his present situation, to Bath, where he engaged him- as more productive of fame and self as clerk in a lottery office, and emolument. Still anxious for an remained in that capacity (which advantageous appearance in Lonwas only for a few weeks) till he don, he was resolved to make found an opportunity of making personal application to Mr. Colhis theatrical essay, which was in man, and procured leave of the the humble character of Tressel, manager of Bath for that purpose: (Richard III.) 1791; in which he but in this excursion he had a gave so much satisfaction, that he double view; for having formed was soon recommended to the an attachment for a young lady York manager, and consequently (Miss Rendall) who had been left Bath in hopes of making sent up to town, he was as anxmore rapid progress. At York, ious to see her as the London however, he experienced so much manager. The lady, however, disappointment and vexation, as unexpectedly returned to Bath the principal characters were all before he quitted it, and, notin the possession of other perform- withstanding the many efforts ers, that he soon became weary of which were made to prevent the his condition, and wrote to his union, he succeeded in obtaining uncle a supplicating letter for her consent, and came up with pardon and indulgence. His ap- his bride to London. He replication having had the desired hearsed the character of Octaeffect, he returned to London, vian, (Mountaineers), before Mr. and was introduced to Mr. Kem- Colman, who, happy in procuring ble, who promised him an en- a substitute for Mr. Kemble, comgagement at the opening of New plied with his desire. AccordDrury; but his patience having ingly he made his first appearance been exhausted before the buildat the Haymarket Theatre in Ocing was completed, or, as it is tavian, and Vapour, (My Grandstill in au unfinished state, before mother), June 24, 1796, having the company could act plays there, been married about three weeks he applied to Mr. Dimond, the before. He then played Sheva, Bath manager, who was then per- (The Jew), Sir Edward Mortimer, forming at the Richmond theatre, (Iron Chest), &c. His success by whom he was immediately en- was adequate to his wishes, notgaged. He made his second ap-withstanding the fame of his prepearance on the Bath stage in Romeo, and was received by the audience in such a manner as proved that his Tressel was not forgotten. The indisposition of several performers now afforded him the long wished for opportunities of displaying his versatile abilities; and he occasionally ap-nights the ensuing winter with peared in tragedy, comedy, ope- the permission of the Bath mana decessors in Octavian and Sheva; and his performance of Sir Edward Mortimer secured the favour of the manager, as it preserved a play which had failed the previous season at Drury Lane. He then engaged with Mr. Harris for a certain number of gers; gers; but at Covent Garden he did not experience all that success and indulgence which he met with at the Haymarket: he therefore returned to his situation in Bath, and continued the hero of that theatre. On Mr. Colman's new arrangement in 1803, he became not only his principal performer, but also his acting manager, in the place of Mr. Fawcett. The succeeding year he accepted a situation at Drury Lane, where he performed Hamlet, Richard III., Doricourt, Belcour, &c. but not to crouded houses. ELMY, (Mrs.) actress, was respectable both in tragedy and comedy. She came from the Dublin theatre, and was engaged at Covent Garden in 1750. She had a tolerable share of wit and good sense; but, by her want of powers, was prevented from making a conspicuous figure on the stage. She was living in 1790. Her chief characters were Lady Grace, Mrs. Foresight, Octavia, Mrs. Morwood, &c. EMERY, (Mr.) actor, was born at Sunderland, Durham, Dec. 22, 1777, and sent to a boardingschool at Ecclesfield, in the West Riding, Yorkshire, where he was chiefly brought up. His father was a performer of much repute in the country, who had his son instructed in music, for which he discovered an early capacity, and made such a proficiency that, at the age of twelve, he belonged to the orchestra at Brighton theatre. Aspiring to the stage, he laid aside the fiddle for the notes of dramatic applause, which he obtained on his first appearance in Crazy, (Peeping Tom); and having been equally successful in other companies with respect to fame, not emolument, he was engaged by the York manager, Mr. Bernard, where, though only seventeen years of age, he acquired such reputation in the characters of old men, that he became the hero at Hull, where he first attempted rustic characters, and with so much saccess, that in 1798, he procured an engagement from Mr. Harris for three years, at a rising salary, and made his first appearance at Covent Garden in Frank Oatlands, (Cure for the Heart-ache), and Lovegold, (The Miser, reduced to a Farce), in which opposite characters he met with equal applause. On Mr. Munden's secession from the Haymarket, he was engaged by Mr. Colman for the summer season. The abilities of this young man promise much fu. ture excellence he is as great in his representation of countrymen as of old men; and, besides his skill of music, he has discovered no small genius for painting. His mother, who has acquired much fame at the provincial theatres, made her first appearance on the Haymarket stage in 1802, in the character of Dame Ashfield. : ESTCOURT, (RICHARD) ac tor and author of two dramatic pieces, viz. "The Fair Example," comedy, 1706, 4to.; and " Prunella," interlude, 4to. no date. He was born at Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, and received his education at the Latin School of that town; but having an early inclination for the stage, he stole away from his father's house at fifteen years of age, and joined a travelling company of comedians. then at Worcester, where, for the fear of being known, he made his first appearance in woman's clothes in the part of Roxana, (Alexander the Great). But this disguise not sufficiently |
