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The first four Chapters of this work were written nearly seven yearsago. My task was then suspended during a long absence from England; andit was only in the course of the last year that I applied myselfseriously to the completion of it.
To my friend, Mr. Charles Sheridan, whose talents and character reflecthonor upon a name, already so distinguished, I am indebted for the chiefpart of the materials upon which the following Memoirs of his father arefounded. I have to thank him, not only for this mark of confidence, butfor the delicacy with which, though so deeply interested in the subjectof my task, he has refrained from all interference with the execution ofit:—neither he, nor any other person, beyond the Printing-office,having ever read a single sentence of the work.
I mention this, in order that the responsibility of any erroneous viewsor indiscreet disclosures, with which I shall be thought chargeable inthe course of these pages, may not be extended to others, but restsolely with myself.
The details of Mr. Sheridan's early life were obligingly communicated tome by his younger sister, Mrs. Lefanu, to whom, and to her highly gifteddaughter, I offer my best thanks for the assistance which they haveafforded 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.
Birth and Education of Mr. Sheridan.—His First Attempts in Literature.
Duels with Mr. Mathews.—Marriage with Miss Linley
Domestic Circumstances.—Fragments of Essays found among his Papers.—
Comedy of "The Rivals."—Answer to "Taxation no Tyranny."—Farce of "St.
Patrick's Day."
The Duenna.—Purchase of Drury-Lane Theatre.—The Trip to Scarborough.—
Poetical Correspondence with Mrs. Sheridan
The School for Scandal
Further Purchase of Theatrical Property.—Monody to the Memory of
Garrick.—Essay on Metre.—The Critic.—Essay on Absentees.—Political
Connections.—"The Englishman."—Elected for Stafford
Unfinished Plays and Poems
His First Speeches in Parliament.—Rockingham Administration.—
Coalition.—India Bill.—Re-election for Stafford
The Prince of Wales.—Financial Measures.—Mr. Pitt's East India Bill.—
Irish Commercial Propositions.—Plan of the Duke of Richmond.—Si