French Revolution.-Mr. Burke.-His Breach with Mr. Sheridan. Dissolution of Parliament.-Mr. Burke and Mr. Fox.-Russian arma- Drury-Lane Theatre.-Society of "the Friends of the People."-Madame Speech in answer to Lord Mornington.-Coalition of the Whig Seceders with Mr. Pitt. Mr. Canning.-Evidence on the Trial of Horne Tooke. The "Glorious First of June."-Marriage of Mr. Sheridan.— Pamphlet of Mr. Reeves.--Debts of the Prince of Wales. -Shakspeare Play of "The Stranger."-Speeches in Parliament.-Pizarro.-Ministry of Mr. Addington.-French Institute.-Negociations with Mr. Kemble. 387 State of Parties.--Offer of a Place to Mr. T. Sheridan-Receivership of the Duchy of Cornwall bestowed upon Mr. Sheridan.-Return of Mr. Pitt to Power. Catholic question.— Administration of Lord Grenville and Mr. Fox.-Death of Mr. Fox.-Representation of West- minster. Dismission of the Ministry. Theatrical Negotiation.- Destruction of the Theatre of Drury-Lane by Fire.-Mr. Whitbread.— Plan for a Third Theatre.-Illness of the King.-Regency.-Lord Grey and Lord Grenville.-Conduct of Mr. Sheridan.- His Vindication of PREFACE. THE first four Chapters of this work were written nearly seven years ago. My task was then suspended during a long absence from England; and it was only in the course of the last year that I applied myself seriously to the completion of it. To my friend, Mr. Charles Sheridan, whose talents and character reflect honour upon a name already so distinguished, I am indebted for the chief part of the materials upon which the following Memoirs of his father are founded. I have to thank him, not only for this mark of confidence, but for the delicacy with which, though so deeply interested in the subject of my task, he has refrained from all interference with the execution of it; -neither he, nor any other person, beyond the Printingoffice, having ever read a single sentence of the work. I mention this, in order that the responsibility of any erroneous views or indiscreet disclosures, with which I shall be thought chargeable in the course of these pages, may not be extended to others, but rest solely with myself. The details of Mr. Sheridan's early life were obligingly communicated to me by his younger sister Mrs. Lefanu, to whom, and to her highly gift d daughter, I offer my best thanks for the assistance which they have afforded me. The obligations, of a similar nature, which I owe to the kindness of Mr. William Linley, Doctor Bain, Mr. Burgess, and others, are acknowledged with due gratitude, in my remarks on their respective communications. |