112 
characters, and to conduct the affairs of the theatre with 
the same spirit and success as he had formerly done... 
In the month of March 1773, Garrick lost an able 
coadjutor by the death of Mr Lacy, the joint-patentee 
of Drury-Lane. The whole burden of management 
now fell upon him, at a time when his infirmities ren- 
_dered him unequal to the task. He therefore appeared 
_as seldom as possible in the laborious parts of tragedy ; 
but still continued to perform his favourite comic cha- 
racters. In the beginning of the year 1776, he formed 
the resolution of retiring from the stage, and this in- 
tention was first intimated to the public in the prologue . 
which he wrote to Mr Colman’s farce, called the Spleen, 
or Islington Spaw. After describing a tradesman, who 
quits his business to enjoy the air of Islington, he 
_adds, 
The master of this shop too seeks repose, 
Sells off his stock in trade, his verse and prose, 
His daggers, buskins, thunder, lightning, and old clothes. 
On the 10th of. June, he made. his last public appear- 
ance. For some time he proposed to finish his theatrical 
eareer with the part in which he at first set out ; but 
he thought that after the fatigue of so laborious a cha- 
acter as that of Richard III. it would be out of his 
power to utter a farewell address to the audience, and 
he therefore chose the part of Don Felix in the comedy 
of the Wonder. The npaotee of the night were assigned 
to the fund for the relief of those who should be obli- 
ged by their infirmities to retire from the stage, After 
the play he came forward and addressed the audience 
in a few words, which he uttered in a manner that suf- 
ficiently indicated the feelings which agitated his mind. 
He then bowed respectfully to all pos of the house, 
and in a slow pace, and with much hesitation, with- 
drew forever from the scene of his well-earned fame, 
amidst the regret of all those who knew how to appre- 
eiate his unrivalled genius, 
Garrick now retired to his villa at Hampton, resol- 
ved to pass the evening of his life in peace and rural 
tranquillity. Here he enj Hig the occasional society 
of a numerous circle of friends. He lived in an elegant 
style, and to the luxuries of the table added the charms 
of his conversation, ‘and the polished manners of one 
who had enjoyed the best company. During the 
year 1778, his former complaints. returned with in- 
ereased violence. But his courage had not ‘deserted 
him; and he endeavoured to conceal his sufferings by 
assuming an air of gaiety. He was invited to pass the 
Christmas of that year at, Altrop Park, the seat of Earl 
Spencer, in Northamptonshire ; but his enjoyment of 
that party was soon interrupted by a violent attack of 
his inveterate disorder, He arrived at his house in 
the Adelphi on the 15th of January 1779. Medical 
aid was found to be in vain. During the last four or 
five days he suffered excruciating pain with great for- 
titude, and on the 20th of January, at eight in the 
morning, he expired without a groan. On the Ist of 
February his remains were conveyed from the Adelphi 
to Westminster Abbey, and deposited in Poets’ Corner, 
near the monument of Shakespeare. The funeral was 
magnificent ; it was attended by many noblemen and 
gentlemen of rank and fashion, and by almost all the 
admirers of polite literature. The train of carriages 
reached from Charing-Cross to the Abbey. A prodi- 
gious concourse of people lined the way, and by their 
mournful silence gave the most evident demonstration 
of their sorrow. A handsome monument was erected 
to the memory of Garrick by the late Mr Albany Wal- 
lis, at his own expence, 
3 
had a fine flow of animal spirits, and a 
GARRICK. 
Garrick’s stature did not rise above the middle size $y 
his frame was delicate; his limbs well i :> 
his countenance animated ; his voice clear, flexible, and 
_melodious ; 2nd his eyes were remarkably keen and pe- 
netrating. In private life he was greatly esteemed for 
his amiable dispositions, as well as on account of his 
various accomplishments and agreeable manners. . He 
great share of 
wit and humour; he delighted in polite and liberal ~ 
conversation, but generally avoided the discussion of 
political topics. In the. outset of life, when his means ~ 
were slender, he'was a strict observer of economy, and 
his enemies gave it the name of avarice; but as soon 
as his circumstances would afford it, he was distin- 
guished by hospitality and munificence: He loved his 
friends, and his purse was often at their service. To 
merit in distress his benevolence was sure to be ex- 
tended. Dr Johnson has been often heard to say, that 
when he saw a worthy family in distress, it was his 
custom to collect charity among such of his friends.as 
he knew to be in a state of affluence; and, on those 
occasions, he received from Garrick more than from 
,.any other person, and always more than he expected. 
He was tremblingly alive to his professional reputa- 
tion, and his anxiety upon this subject sometimes be-« 
trayed him into strange revolutions of temper. How- 
ever, he had a quick discernment of merit in others, 
and was ever ready to acknowledge and reward it. 
As an actor, Garrick burst forth at once in a style of 
unrivalled excellence, and continued, during the whole 
course of his career, to stand at the very summit of his 
rofession. It is impossible for us to convey a just no- 
tion of the striking effects of his performance, or to do 
ape to his various merit, Those traits of excellence, 
vy which an actor draws forth the admiration of his 
contemporaries, are unsubstantial and evanescent ; and 
leave nothing behind from which an adequate jud, 
ment can be formed by ity. As Mr Seiden i 
has said, in the language alike of truth and of poetry,— 
«* The grace of action, the adapted mien, 
Faithful as nature to the varied scene $ : 
Th’ expressive glance, whose subtle comment draws 
Entrane’d attention, and a mute applause ; ; 
Gesture that marks, with force and feeling fraught, 
A sense in silence, and a will in thought ; 
Harmonious speech, whose pure and liquid tone 
Gives verse a music, scarce confess’d its own $ 
As light from gems assumes a brighter ray, 
And, deck’d with orient hues, transcends the day ! 
Passions wild break, and frown that awes the sense, 
And ev’ry charm of gentler eloquence, 
All perishable !—like the electric fire, 
But strike the frame, and, as they strike, expire 5 
Incense too pure a bodied flame to bear, 
Its fragrance charms the sense, and blends with air.” 
Monody to the Memory of Garrick. 
We are therefore left to form a faint idea of his ta- 
lents, from the testimony of those who were eye-wit- 
nesses of his performance. Toa quick and just con- 
ception of the peculiarities of every character, he added 
a wonderful power of adapting his looks and gestures 
to the circumstances and situation of the person repre- 
sented. If we may be allowed the expression, his very 
silence spoke ; his countenance was itself a language. 
Before he uttered a single word, the varying passions 
visibly began to work, and wreught such gee) 
in his features, in his action, bis attitudes, and the ex- 
pression of his eye, that he was almost every moment 
a new man. His talents were versatile as they were 
powerful] ; and he was equally sure of attaining his db- 
