In Garrick's last season, he looked youthful parts as well as ever he did. It was the reverse with Barry, who gave up Douglas for Old Norval, and who was so ill, while dressing for Jaffier, that acting it seemed impossible; and yet the great player, at whom Walpole sneers, entered on the stage only to be inspired; he was warmed by the interest of the scene, and, brightening with the glow of love and tenderness, communicated his feelings to all around—but he fell almost into insensibility on reaching the green-room. He played Evander to Mrs. Barry's Euphrasia, on the 28th of December 1776[104]—the last time on which his name appeared in the bills. Death took him, and Shuter, and Woodward, close upon one another; but Garrick and Kitty Clive retired to enjoy a season of luxurious rest—Garrick at Hampton, and Mrs. Clive, between Margaret Woffington's grave, and Horace Walpole's mansion at Teddington.
The great actor, in his retirement, used to smile when his friends told him he had surpassed Betterton. Whether the smile showed he accepted the flattery or differed from the opinion, I do not know; but Garrick would remark, that Booth, in "Cato," had never been excelled; and yet, when Quin first played the part, the pit rang with "Booth outdone!" and encored the famous soliloquy,—an honour never enjoyed by either Betterton or Garrick. Let us now accompany the latter to Hampton, and, sojourning with him there, look back over his past career.
FOOTNOTES:
[96] I think Dr. Doran must mean twoscore years. Havard made his first appearance in 1730; his last in 1769.
[97] "Zingis" was played eleven or twelve times, an indubitable proof of success.
[98] Played nine times.
[99] Yet it was played ten times!
[100] "Alonzo" was a fairly successful play, being acted eleven times.
[101] This conveys a very wrong impression, and is founded upon a reported speech of one particular person, who, when asked whether he had hissed, said, "How could I? A man can't hiss and yawn at the same time." The piece ran for nine nights, so Kelly must have made some money by it, and he got £200 from the booksellers for the copyright.
[102] The letter is dated 19th November 1773.