banker of Dublin, for the sum of sixteen thousand pounds.* The melancholy fate of his Grace's younger brother, and the recent death of his amiable Dutchess, appear to have greatly affected him, and for the present, at least, to have withdrawn him from public life. He is at this time in the fifty-third year of his age. W. Y. MRS. INCHBALD. ON laying before our readers a few particulars relative to a lady of eminent abilities, it might be natural for us to introduce our remarks with complimenting the advocates of the Rights of Woman; and, when speaking of a lady equally dis *The liberality of Mr. John La Touche in this transaction deserves to be noticed. His newly erected country-house, which is spacious and costly, in the centre of an extensive and highly improved demesne, stands within this borough; and, when he found the Duke of Leinster was about to dispose of it, he communicated with his Grace to know the price, which the Duke laid at fourteen thousand pounds. Just at this time, several boroughs were in the market: among others, the Earl of Westmeath was disposing of the borough of Fore to the late Colonel Bruen; when Mr. La Touche replied, that, as his house and demesne were upon this borough, it ought to bring as much money as any other borough, and accordingly he paid the Duke of Leinster what some others had sold for, viz. sixteen thousand pounds. tinguished for the attractions of her person, as the superiority of her talents, it might be expected of the writer to express himself in terms of the highest admiration. There is, unquestionably, ample room for complimentary language, and many rhetorical flourishes, on the present occasion. But, in Mrs. Inchbald, there are still higher grounds for eulogium. Her moral character constitutes her principal excellence; and, though useful talents and personal accomplishments, of themselves, form materials for an agreeable picture, moral qualities give the polish that fascinates the heart. The history of this amiable woman is, in a very great degree, interesting, and, to speak the truth, not a little romantic. But a hint only will be here attempted; for, a complete view of the most important events of such a life would require a considerable volume; and a work of this kind, it is expected, will be shortly laid before the public, written by Mrs. Inchbald's own pen, a work which, whenever it makes its appearance, will, we doubt not, excite great interest, and convey much useful instruction. Retirement, generally speaking, has been the nursery for the most distinguished characters. The birth-place of Mrs. Inchbald was an obscure village, five miles from Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk. Her father's name was Simson, a farmer, who had a large family, distinguished for the beauty of their persons. Elizabeth, the present Mrs. Mrs. Inchbald, was particularly handsome; but, having a natural impediment in her speech, she contracted, very early in life, an attachment to retirement, and a great fondness for reading, which excited in her, at the age of seventeen, a strong desire of visiting the metropolis, of which she had read so much in novels. She accordingly rambled from her father's house, without acquainting an individual with her intentions, and came to London, a mere inquisitive adventurer. This first important step in her life will, doubtless, by many be reckoned a rash and imprudent one. But the common rules of custom and prudence are not the ordinary measure of minds bent on adventure and experiment. The difficulties to be encountered form an apology in the breast of the adventurer; and, if success attend the experi ment, it is followed with admiration. On Mrs. Inchbald's arrival in London, and disappointment, (for, the friend, on whose counsel she relied, had left her place of residence in the metropolis,) she thought that the profession which most readily offered itself to her was that of an actress; a profession, however, in which she might have expected to meet with some difficulties. Nor need we be surprised, if she encountered considerable mortification, ere she accomplished her purpose; and that she did not at first, notwithstanding the charms of a most alluring person, succeed with managers. . In London, she married Mr. Inchbald, of DruryLane Theatre, and went with him to Edinburgh, where she continued four years, and performed the principal parts on the Edinburgh Theatre, when she was but eighteen years of age. From this circumstance we may draw a conclusion, that Mrs. Inchbald's unsuccessful attempts, hitherto, proceeded principally from natural impediments and private 'prejudices: for, one who could with tolerable acceptance appear at so early a period, as a principal actress, must have possessed a considerable degree of intellect, and no common insight into the human character. At length, Mrs. Yates, who had been long in possession of the public approbation in London, retired to Edinburgh, in consequence of a disagreement with the manager of Drury-Lane house, and became a formidable rival to Mrs. Inchbald. We shall not enter on a detail: suffice it to say, that our fair actress experienced many incivilities from Mrs. Yates; in consequence of which she and her husband quitted Edinburgh Theatre, and passed two years at York in the theatrical charac ter. Indifferent health, brought on by trials of a private and delicate nature, occasioned Mrs. Inchbald's quitting York to pass a twelvemonth in the South of France, whence she returned to England with a new stock of health, and with a mind stored with new ideas, prepared to encounter the other difficulties that make up this life of adventures. Soon Soon after her arrival in England, she lost her husband; and, though her marriage had been rather the result of gratitude than of the tender affection, (for, there was a great disproportion in the ages of Mr. and Mrs. Inchbald,) her conduct, on this occasion, reflected on her the highest honour. She now continued to act, for four years, at Covent-Garden Theatre, and experienced some mortifications. At the end of which, she accepted a place, not a very advantageous one, on the Dublin Theatre. Thus was she fated to be passed from theatre to theatre. On quitting the Dublin Theatre, Mrs. Inchbald returned once more to Covent-Garden, where she continued an actress for some years; which situation she suddenly relinquished, continuing, however, to reside in London, though in great obscurity, and oppressed with poverty. Considering the obstructions that even nature had thrown in her way, Mrs. Inchbald had no reason to complain of that share of the public attention which she obtained. She, however, was now quite satisfied in relinquishing for ever all thoughts of the stage, as an actress. It must not, however, be passed unnoticed, that, during the whole period of Mrs. Inchbald's theatrical engagements, she maintained an unblemished character; that the incidents of her life, though they have been made the subject of much conversation in the gay world, could never expose her to the censure of even the most serious and severe, that the worthy part |