ROB 



R O B 



about in the treble at their pleafure. But on a harpfichord 

 with pedals to fhort-lived founds, the clatter of linking 

 them fo often is abominable ; it is not mufic, but noife. 



Robinson, Mrs. Anastasia, a moft amiable and ac- 

 comphfhed perlon, who performed as a finger in our firlt 

 Italian operas, from the year 1714 to 1724. This per- 

 former, defcended from a good family in Leicefterfhire, was 

 the daughter of a portrait painter, who, having vifited 

 Italy for improvement in his art, had made himfelf mailer of 

 the Italian language, and acquired a good tafte in mufic. 

 And finding that his daughter Anaftafia, during her child- 

 hood, had an ear for mufic, and a promifing voice, he had 

 her taught bv Dr. Crofts, at firft as an accomplifhment ; but 

 afterwards being afflicted with a diforder in his eyes, which 

 terminated in a total lofs of fight ; and this misfortune de- 

 priving him of the means of lupporting himfelf and family by 

 his pencil, he was under the neceffity of availing himfelf of 

 his daughter's difpofition for mufic, to turn it to account 

 as aprofeflion. She not only profecuted her mufical iludies 

 with great diligence, but by the affiftance of her father had 

 acquired fuch a knowledge in the Italian tongue as enabled 

 her to converie in that language, and to read the belt poets 

 in it with facility. And that her talle in finging might ap- 

 proach nearer to that of the natives of Italy, fhe had vocal 

 inftruevtions from Sandoni, at that time an eminent Italian 

 finging mailer refident in London, and likewife from the 

 opera finger called the Baronefs. - 



Her firft public exhibition was at the concerts in York- 

 buildings, and at other places, where fhe ufually accom- 

 panied herfelf on the harplichord. Her general education 

 had been purfued with the utmoll care and attention to the 

 improvement of her mind, as well as to ornamental and ex- 

 ternal accomplifhments ; and thefe advantages, feconded by 

 her own difpofition and amiable qualities, rendered her con- 

 duct ftri&ly prudent and irreproachable. And what ftill 

 entitled her to general favour, was a behaviour full of timi- 

 dity and refpedt to her fuperiors, and an undiffembled gen- 

 tlenels and affability to others, which, with a native cheer- 

 fulnefs that diffufed itfelf to all around her, gained her at all 

 times fuch a reception from the public, as feemed to enfure 

 her fuccefs in whatever ihe fhould undertake. Encouraged 

 by the partiality of the public towards his daughter, and 

 particularly by the countenance and patronage of fome 

 perfons of high rank of her own fex, Mr. Robinfon took a 

 houfe in Golden-fquare, where he eftablifhed weekly con- 

 certs and ailemblies in the manner of converfazioni, which 

 were frequented by all fuch as had any pretentions to polite- 

 nefs and good tafte. 



Thus qualified and encouraged, fhe was prevailed upon 

 to accept of an engagement at the Opera, where fhe made 

 her firft appearance in Crefo, and her fecond in the cha- 

 racter of Ifmina, the principal female part in Arminio. 

 From this period till the year 1724, fhe continued to perform 

 a principal part at the Opera with increasing favour and ap- 

 plaufe. Her falary is faid to have been 1000/., and her 

 emoluments, by benefits and prefents, were eltimated at 

 nearly as much more. When file quitted the ftage it was 

 fuppofed to have been in confequence of her marriage with 

 the gallant earl of Peterborough, the friend of Pope and 

 Swift, who diftinguifhed himfelf fo heroically in Spain 

 during the reign of queen Anne. Though the marriage was 

 not publicly declared till the earl's death in 1735, yet it was 

 then fpoken of as an event which had long taken place. 

 And luch was the purity of her conduct and character, that 

 fhe was inftantly vifited at Fulham as the lady of the man- 

 sion, by perfons of the highefl rank. Here, and at Mount 

 Bevisj the earl's feat near Southampton, fhe refided in an 



exalted flation till the year of her deceafe, 1750, flirvii i 

 her lord fifteen years ; who, at the time of the connexion, 

 mull have been confiderably beyond his prime, as he was 

 arrived at his feventy-fifth vear when he died. 



The following anecdotes of Mrs. Anaftafia Robinfon 

 having been communicated to us in 17S7, by the late vene- 

 rable Mrs. Delany, her contemporary and intimate acquaint- 

 ance, they will doubtlefs be read with confid ., j !ea- 

 fure, not only by fuch as had the happinefs of knowing her 

 perfonally, but by all thole to whom rumour has conveyed a 

 faithful account of her longevity, virtues, and accomplifh- 

 ments ; for this excellent perfoti having been allowed by 

 Providence to extend her exiflence to the great age of eighty- 

 eight, in the conftant enjovment of all the felicity which the 

 friendfhip and admiration of rank, virtue, and talents could 

 bellow ; it feems as if, without hyperbole, lhe may be faid 

 to have been " beloved by God and man." 



" Mrs. Anaftafia Robinfon was of a middling ftature, not 

 handfome, but of a pleating, modeft countenance, with 

 large blue eyes. Her deportment was ealy, unaffected, and 

 graceful. Her manner and addrefs very engaging ; and her 

 behaviour, on all occafions, that of a gentlewoman, with 

 perfect propriety. She was not only liked by all her ac- 

 quaintance, but loved and carefledby perfons of the highefl 

 rank, with whom fhe appeared always equal, without af- 

 fuming. Her father's houfe, in Golden-fquare, was fre- 

 quented by all the men of genius and refined tafte of the 

 times ; among the number of perfons of diilinction who 

 frequented Mr. Robinfon's houfe, and leemed to diftinguifh 

 his daughter in a particular manner, were the earl of Peter- 

 borough and general H ; the latter had fhewn a long at- 

 tachment to her, and his attentions were fo remarkable, that 

 they feemed more than the effects of common politenefs ; 

 and as he was a very agreeable man, and in good circum- 

 ftances, he was favourably received, not doubting but that 

 his intentions were honourable. A declaration oi a very 

 contrary nature was treated with the contempt it deferved, 

 though Mis. A. Rubinfon was very much prepoffeffed in his 

 favour. 



" Soon after this, lord P. endeavoured to convince her 

 of his partial regard for her; but, agreeable and artful as 

 he was, fhe remained very much upon her gJiard, which 

 rather increased than diminifhed his admiration and paflion 

 for her. Yet flill his pride ftruggled with his inclination ; 

 for all this time (he was engaged to ling in public, a circum- 

 ftance very grievous to her, but urged by the bell of mo- 

 tives, fhe fubmitted to it, in order to affift her parents, 

 whofe fortune was much reduced by Mr. Robinfon's lofs of 

 fight, which deprived him of the benefit of his profeifion as 

 a painter. 



" At length lord P. made his declaration to her on ho- 

 nourable terms ; he found it would be vain to make pro- 

 pofals 011 any other ; and as he omitted no circumftance that 

 could engage herefteem and gratitude, fhe accepted t'nem, as 

 fhe was flncerely attached to him. He earneilly requelled 

 her keeping it a lecret till it was a more convenient time for 

 him to make it known, to which fhe readily contented, 

 having a perfect confidence in his honour. Among the per- 

 fons of diltinftion that profefled a friendfhip for Mrs. A. 

 Robinfon, were the earl and countefs of Oxford, daughter- 

 in-law to the lord-treafurer Oxford, who not only bore every 

 public teftimony of their affection and efteem for Mrs. A. 

 Robinfon, but lady Oxford attended her when fhe was 

 privately married to the earl of P., asd lady P. ever ac- 

 knowledged her obligations with the warmeit gratitude ; 

 and after lady Oxford's death, fhe was particularly diftin- 

 guifhed by lhe duche-fs of Portland, lady Oxford's daughter, 

 c and 



