138 
lectures to subscribers and giving private lessons to pupils, being 
assisted by his son Charles, and so getting a living ‘‘ sometimes 
abundant and sometimes meagre,’* until about October, 1772. 
Miss Linley, on her first appearance in the Bath concert 
room, was much admired both as a charming girl and for 
her voice; and two years later with a little more develop- 
ment, when only fourteen she was dubbed “an angel” and was 
known as the Syren.t Receiving the highest praises everywhere, 
complimented in private, and applauded in public for her singing ; 
of her beauty it was written that tenderest sensibility was the 
character of her countenance, the most perfect proportion that of 
her frame ; it was impossible to contemplate her without affection.t 
Her accents were so melodious that listening Envy would have 
dropped her snakes and stern eyed Fury’s self have melted at the 
sounds.§ Pages of this sort of thing could be quoted. Thus 
“sung by bards,” she was soon “fought for by heroes.” 
The story of her wooers is a sad one. The life of this young 
girl in her teens was made unbearable.|| Of these troublers three 
only need be mentioned here. Mr. Walter Long, a gentleman of 
property, declared himself and with every honourable intention. 
As his income was estimated at £10,000 a year, the parents 
received the proposal with rapture, but Miss was not so willing, 
yet, after some pressure consent was nominally obtained, and the 
usual preparations made for the wedding, when the young lady 
made excuse and resolutely refused to proceed further.1% She 
pleaded that she could not give up her public appearances and yet 
this very thing, the exhibiting her person for money, was the one 
thing she most disliked. The difference in age, she was sixteen 
and he was sixty, was also pleaded. In the end the young lady 
* *» Life of Frances Sheridan.’ + London Magazine, Vol. 27. 
+ Mew Lady’s Magazine, Vol. 7. ; 
§ Historical and Biographical Magazine, Vol. 2. |! Oliphant. 
q ‘‘ Sheridan,” by an Octogenarian. 
{4 ‘* Craftsman,” 10th October, 1772, p. 4. 
’ Pp 
