MRS. SIDDOXS 69 



this consummate actor. What a pity it is that such lofty 

 gifts should have been marred by the most vulgar of 

 vices ! 



It may be considered foreign to the subject, but I 

 cannot quit this part of my life without recording my 

 equal admiration of his more classic rival, more particu- 

 larly in his Roman characters ; and my youthful and 

 afterwards my more matured adoration of his illustrious 

 sister. Some actors, it must be acknowledged, have put 

 forward pretensions to emulate the performance of the 

 two former — the latter stood alone and remained un- 

 rivalled. Shakespere's Lady Macbeth and Mrs. Siddons 

 have gone to the o-rave too;ether. 



After spending some months in London, without any 

 benefit to my still declining health, I was sent to my 

 father's residence in the country, where I spent my time 

 principally in reading ; for I had begun to acquire 

 sedentary habits. Sometimes I employed myself in 

 gardening ; at others I was induced to accompany an 

 affectionate sister in rambling over the neighbouring 

 downs, and often in gossij^ing with and listening to the 

 tales of the villagers ; one of whom, I remember, was an 

 old smuofSfler, who would amuse me with accounts of his 

 feats of courage, or of cunning — telling 



" Of most disastrous chances, 

 Of moving accidents by flood and field, 

 Of hair-breadth 'scapes." 



Following no occupation, I became idle and listless. 



Suddenly I was called away to the Isle of Wight to 

 attend the dying bed of my elder brother. I have not 

 passed through a long life without having been much 



