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register of St. Mary’s, Dublin” :—‘“ Richard Brinsley, son of Mr. 
and Mrs. Sheridan, baptized 4th November, 1751.”* And 
another, so late as 1886,f gives a similar “extract.” But the Mr. 
and Mrs. will not pass as so extracted. These later notices are 
clearly not extracts but only copied variants from the first. In 
these researches it is rarely possible to learn the date of birth, but 
the date of baptism is an authenticated fact, and as this ceremony 
took place as soon as convenient after the birth, the birth date here 
late in October would be nearer the truth than one in September. 
One other account of 1812 says he was born at Quilca, near 
Dublin, in 1752. Besides that Quilca isnot near Dublin ; it was 
his father, Thomas, who was born there on a farm the property of 
his mother, who was a Miss McPherson.§ Finally, but most 
remarkable, the latest biography || seems to show that neither of 
these former statements could have been really literally extracted 
as in the register as seen and read by the author, the name is 
entered as Thomas Brinsley, not Richard. In due time, by 
reason of his father’s better position after the pension grant, 
Richard, as he must be called, was sent to Harrow School, where 
he was considered careless and indolent, although at times giving 
evidence of a “quick ingenuity.” So presently this “ elegant 
sluggard”” was sent into the world to do the best he could for 
himself.4] 
In 1770, about October, Mr. Thomas Sheridan, now a widower 
with daughters and two sons, moved to Bath, his intention being 
to carry on his business there and lecture on elocution. Here, 
as being both public entertainers, the earlier acquaintance with 
Linley was soon renewed, and even business relations commenced ; 
this being all made further mutually agreeable by the presence of 
the young people of both families. What exactly Mr. Sheridan 
* «© Authentic Memoirs of R. kB. S.” + Fitzgerald. 
+ ‘* Biographica Dramatica.” § ‘* Hist. and Biog. Maga.,” Vol. 2. 
|| **Sheridan,” a biography, by W. Fraser Rae. 
{| “Life of R. B. S.,” Lefanu. 
