Chap. XII.

N the beginning of the year 1785, Mr.

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Daly, the Dublin manager, came from Ireland to engage performers for the Smockalley theatre. To fecure Mr. Macklin was his principal object, and he accordingly made him very advantageous propofals; but Mr. Macklin, not chufing to play with the Dublin manager, the enfuing after feafon, on fhares, declined the offer of Mr. Daly on that point, obferving, at the fame time, that he had no objection to perform at his theatre for a certain fum, viz. fifty pounds per night, and a clear benefit. This was a very confiderable falary, but Mr. Daly, being determined to procure fo valuable an actor as Mr. Macklin, at any expence, acceded to the propofition of the latter, and the bargain was concluded.

Mr. Macklin now made preparations to set out for Ireland, and, for fear any accident fhould

befal him, which might naturally be expected at his then very advanced stage of life, fettled all his worldly concerns previous to his departure.

Among other things, Mr. Macklin wrote the following letter to his banker, which breathes the tendereft affection for, and bestows the highest poffible encomium upon, his wife (the prefent Mrs. Macklin) than whom we know not a more amiable, a more worthy, or a more deferving woman. But the letter will fpeak for itself.

"Dear Sir,

April 14, 1785.

"Whatever property I have in this life, I "have, by will, bequeathed to my wife, Eliza"beth Macklin, and, were it as great as any fubject, in this realm enjoys, her affection, order, fobriety, and good morals, as a wife, a "mother, and a friend and neighbour, fhe "would deferve it. Therefore I hope, that

you will, on my decease, pay her whatever "balance you may have in my favour. I wish

(< you well in health, and profperity in your

Mr. Macklin arrived in Dublin in the month of May, and foon after performed Shylock and Sir Archy Macfarcafm, to an uncommonly crowded audience. His next performance was Sir Pertinax Mac-Sycophant, in the Man of the World; and he supported this very long and laborious part, with a chasteness, a spirit, and a vigour that astonished every body. Mrs. Egerton was the Lady Rodolpha, and fhe fuftained this fingular character with infinite ability.

Never was an actor more careffed or respected in Dublin than Mr. Macklin. He was vifited daily by perfons of the first rank, and conftantly dined at the tables of the most eminent and distinguished characters. In fhort, he was the wonder and admiration of the fifter

kingdom. Mr. Macklin's faculties continued undiminished, in a most surprising manner, to a very protracted period of life. He performed feveral nights, this feafon, at Smockalley theatre, with uncommon ability, and gained wonderful applaufe. He took a benefit on the 22nd of Auguft, and was advertised for Sir Pertinax, in the Man of the World, and Sir Archy, in Love-a-la-Mode. This was an arduous undertaking, for a man at his time of life. Mr. Macklin was refolved, however, to attempt it. As soon as the doors of the playhouse were opened, the theatre was filled in every part, and his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and several members of the court, graced the ftage and other boxes. Mr. Macklin went through the first act with great fpirit, but was taken fuddenly ill in the middle of the fecond, and was obliged to be affifted off the stage. The audience being informed that Mr. Macklin was fo much indifpofed, that he could not appear again on the stage that night, very politely accepted of Mr. George Dawson as his fubftitute, and the entertainment of the evening paffed off without any fur

ther interruption. The concern and anxiety manifested by the audience, on the occafion of Mr. Macklin's illness, reflected the highest credit on their humanity, and afforded no fmall teftimony of the eftimation in which the father of the stage ftood. This was the first time that the memory of Mr. Macklin began to betray fymptoms of decay and imbecility. When he was dreffing at the theatre, on his benefit night, he was seized with a kind of shivering, which lafted feveral minutes. He also complained of a pain in the head, and, when he first went on the stage, he declared that his fight was fo much affected, and dazzled, as it were, that he could scarcely diftinguish the people in the pit. In a few moments he recovered himself, and went thro' the first act tolerably well; but the shivering fit returning again, he felt a total incapacity to proceed with his part. In a few days, however, he recovered, and appeared in public, to the no small joy and fatisfaction of his numerous friends and admirers.