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THE

MONTHLY VISITOR.

DECEMBER, 1801.

SKETCH

OF THE MEMOIRS OF

WILLIAM PARSONS, ESQ.

THE CELEBRATED COMEDIAN.

Enriched with a capital Portrait, taken from Life.

Here PARSONS lies--oft on life's busy stage
With nature, reader! hast thou seen him vie ;
He science knew-knew manners-knew the age,
Respected knew to live-lamented die!

IN

PARSONS' EPITAPH.

N former Numbers of our Miscellany we have presented to the public a variety of characters, whose theatrical talents have attracted the admiration of our countrymen. Delighted with their exhibitions on the stage, we naturally investigate their private history-particularly the several steps by which they have attained to their present celebrity. Oftentimes their previous career has resembled a subterranean current, whose meanderings we cannot trace-though, on other occasions, we have it in our power to behold them gradually rising to the pinnacle of popularity. Let us, however, with respect to the present subject of our Memoirs, endeavour to obtain some gratification of our cu riosity.

Vol. 14, No. 60.

MR. WILLIAM PARSONS was born about the year 1736, in Cheapside, London, where his father lived with a very decent reputation. Neither ele. vated by riches, nor depressed with poverty, he preserved the sober tenor of his way. His son was sent at a proper age to St. Paul's School, where he applied himself with ardour to the various parts of learning which claimed his attention. Here he formed intimacies with his school-fellows which lasted through life. Such connections are often serviceable to us in our progress through the world—be this as it may, in the case before us, we must remark, that such friendships indicate a heart endued with sensibility. To such sensations Mr. P. was by no means estranged.

At so early an age as fourteen, Mr. Parsons was placed with Sir Henry Cheere, an architect, with the view of being a surveyor. How long he remained in this situation we cannot tell; but he must have possessed considerable knowledge for such a profession. In particular, mathematical science in some degree must have been cultivated. These qualifications, however, were not long called forth into exercise. The dramatic taste had been cherished, and the gratification of it was become the object of ambition. Here then opens upon us the first rudiments of that genius which afterwards delighted mankind. Natural inclination finds out for itself a channel, in which it flows with increas ing rapidity. It combats with every difficulty lying in its way. It seldom fails of obtaining a victory.

Having accustomed himself with several young associates to frequent Spouting Clubs, his talents for exhibition were greatly improved. Neglecting his business, and having his attention absorbed by this entertainment, he at last quitted his master and friends. He then ventured to make his appearanceTM

in King Lear at the Little Theatre, Haymarket, 1756. Of the success of this his first attempt we know nothing. It was sufficient to encourage him to proceed-for he henceforward devoted himself to the stage with the greatest attention.

Leaving the metropolis, Mr. P. went to York, where he made his appearance in the Earl of Essex. His reception was flattering, but he did not continue long in this situation.

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Edinburgh was the next object of his destination. During a period of five years, he exerted his powers to amuse the inhabitants of the Scotch metropolis, He first performed inferior characters, and that for some time. But at last, owing to the removal of a famous character on the stage, he came forward in the Miser, and obtained distinguished ap probation. He now, therefore, rose to eminence and soon became a man of celebrity, at least in that part of Great Britain.

It was at this period that Mr. Garrick, hearing of his reputation, invited him to London, where he soon arrived. At Drury Lane he appeared, for the first time, on the 21st September, 1762, in the character of Filch, a celebrated personage in the Beggar's Opera. This was a complete introduction to the favour of the British public, which he ever afterwards cherished with the most sedulous attention.

It is said that Mr. Garrick, that consummate master of theatric exhibitions, took him under his instruction as well as patronage. Hence we can account for that degree of excellence to which he attained. Even summer engagements were declined that he might, by incessant study, approach nearer to the acme of perfection. It was a remarkable trait in the genius of our hero, that he imitated old men; their tremulousness and garrulity were hit off with a very singular and impressive effect.

His chief characters were Griskin, in the Trip to Scotland-Whittle, in the Irish Widow-Skirmish, in the Deserter-Davy, in Bon Ton-Crabtree, in the School for Scandal-Doctor Bartholo, in the Spanish Barber-Deiley, in Who's the Dupe-and Sir Fretful Plagiary, in the Critic. We might also mention Foresight, in Love for Love-Money Trap, in the Confederacy-Don Manuel, in She would and she would not-together with other characters, well calculated to excite risibility.

At Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol, he in the latter part of his time acted in the summer season with great applause. But for Drury Lane he entertained the most decided predilection; refusing any other permanent engagement, with whatever advantages it might have been attended.

After a long series of active labours in the service of the public, Mr. PARSONS found his health declining he was attacked by a violent asthma, which baffling the power of medicine, terminated his career upon the 3d of February, 1795. He was interred at Leigh Church, near Blachkeathit is a most retired and romantic spot-the writer of this narrative has more than once frequented it, and surveying the spot where the remains of the Comedian are laid, felt melancholy but interesting sensations. It reminded him, indeed, of the churchyard which Gray describes in his Elegy-the objects around were so picturesque and impressive.

In one of the public papers the following lines appeared, descriptive of Mr. PARSONS' merits, which, on account of its justness, shall be here transcribed

Disdaining imitation's servile plan,

Vers'd in the various whims of changeful man,
As long as genuine humour can invite,
PARSONS will still be seen with keen delight;

Borrowing from none, original and true,
He nature's mirror always holds in view.
His chief success is seen in lower life,
In noisy drunkenness, and peevish strife;
And in the petulance of testy age,

Superior merit ne'er enrich'd the stage-
'Tis said, the common passion for applause,
Sometimes aside his better judgment draws:
That loud extravagance, and wild grimace,
Too oft are seen usurping nature's place;
But in the scenes our living Congreve drew,
Where Crabtree's spite so well pourtray'd we view;
Or where Sir Fretful, rankless with the smart,
Of struggling passions that degrade the heart,
Can e'en malignant envy say he's found,
Beyond the verge of modest nature's bound:
Biass'd by pleasures past, perhaps my mind
Is to some casual faults in PARSONS blind,
For in the limits of his proper sphere,
To me, I own, no errors e'er appear;
And tho' some critics may the judgment blame,
PARSONS, to me-seems worthy of a name
Of highest eminence in comic fame!

The talents of our memorable Comedian, are here appreciated with an accurate and emphatic brevity.

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