2. THE LIFE OF DAVID GARRICK, Esq. BY ARTHUR MURPHY, ES Neque, Si chartæ fileant, quod bene feceris, Obftaret meritis invida Romuli? HOR. Lib. iv. Od. viii. ` Dublin: PRINTED BY BRETT SMITH, FOR MESSRS WOGAN, BURNET, PORTER, MOORE, COLBERT, FITZPATRICK, JONES, DORNIN, STOCKDALE, MERCIER AND CODD. 1801. TO THOMAS COUTTS, Esq. Piccadilly, Stratton Street. 1 SIR, AMIDST the fcenes of important business that attract your attention, the following Work, of a colour fo different from your pursuits, will feem to be obtruded upon you with a degree of impropriety. That impropriety will appear still more glaring, when it is added, that this Address has not the fanétion of your previous knowledge or permission. The fact is, it occured to me that, if I applied for leave, I should not have fuc. ceeded. A mind like yours, that loves to do good by ftealth, I was fure, would blush to find it fame. But, permit me fay, you will have no reafon to be alarmed: I infcribe THE LIFE OF GARRICK to you, but not in the ufual ftile of DEDICATIONS. To that language I have ever been a stranger; and even now, however fair. the opportunity, I do not mean to trouble you with a páne gyric on the virtues, which you are known to poffefs. The attempt, I know, would offend your delicacy. Luckily, I am called another way: I have now before me the elegant Letter which you did me the honour to write to me feveral months fince, on the subject of the following hects. The Taste and Judgment which appeared in the ftile of yours, awakened my attention to the points you recommended. I was not then to learn, that you ever were, even in the hurry of great concerns, a diftinguished Lover of polite Literature, and of Dramatic Poetry in particular. I knew that you had made a just estimate of the genius of GARRICK, and was, at the fame time, a warm admirer of the wonderful powers of BARRY. I hope, Sir, you will find that I have done fome degree of justice to the last most excellent performer, who certainly was, in fome parts, a formidable rival, if not fuperior even to GARRICK. In the progress of my undertaking, I often regretted that BARRY did not come more frequently in my way he was abfent in Dublin for more than twelve years, and to follow him thither would have been a digreffion from the plan in which I was engaged. I find myself in danger of running into length: I cannot, however, lay down my pen, without avowing a truth, which I have for a long time felt warm at my heart. Gratitude extorts it from me: I muft, therefore, take the Liberty to fay, that the favours I have received from MR. COUTTS, have made an impreffion on my mind, which nothing 4 Σ I DE nothing can efface. I fhall only add, that to you DICATE the following Piece, in hopes of leaving (as long as any thing of mine can laft) a PUBLIC MEMORIAL of the Efteem and Gratitude with which Ihave the bonour to be, Sir, your most obliged, and most obedient, bumble Servant, ARTHUR MURPHY. Knightsbridge, February 2, 1801. |