THE

POLYANTHOS.

MARCH, 1807.

MEMOIRS OF MR. FENNELL.

ΤΗ

Speak of me as I am.'

HE Drama, from its first institution to the present time, though generally allowed to be favourable to the interests of literature and morality, has had to encounter the ignorance of some, the superstitious bigotry of others, and the violent prejudice of a large portion of mankind. No class of men has suffered so much from the poisoned tongues of envy, malice, and detraction, as its followers. Though Roscius and Cicero were intimate friends, and Garrick enjoyed the caresses of the nobility; yet a majority of the world has ever been disposed to consider them as a class of beings, who live for no other purpose than to amuse their fellows; to strut an hour upon the stage merely to afford a transitory pastime ; F...VOL. 4.

but has never been willing to admit them to the privileges of social intercourse or the endearments of private friendship. Society, however, begins to assume more liberality of sentiment ; and seems willing to allow that an actor may ha e natural and moral feelings similar to other men. The torrent of prejudice is subsiding, and the followers of Thespis are not so frequently accosted with Come not near me, I am holier than thou. The American stage can proudly boast of votaries who are entitled to private esteem as well as publick approbation.

JAMES FENNELL was born in London, Dec. 11, 1766. His father, who is still living, is in the Navy Pay-Office. He received the first rudiments of his education under the Reverend Mr. French, at Bow, near London. He was afterwards placed at Eton College, and from thence removed to Trinity College, Cambridge.

Mr. Fennell was intended by his parents for the church, and not for the profession of the law, as been often erroneously stated. When he had completed his studies at Cambridge, being too young to take orders, he was placed at Lincoln's Inn, to receive the last polish of his education.

During his residence he he conceived an aversion to theological puits, and began to think of studying the la. This idea however was soon abandoned. A serious dispute arose between him and his father, respecting his expenses, which his father thought too extrava

gant. The result was, Mr. Fennell abruptly left London and went to Edinburgh, early in the summer of 1787.

While at Edinburgh he formed an acquaintance with Mr. Jackson, manager of the thea tre; and, having frequently performed with applause at private theatres, he agreed to perform a few nights with his company. After this he attended Mr. Jackson to Glasgow, where he also played a short time, and returned to London. As this was done merely for recreation, he neither asked nor received any compensation for his services.

On his arrival in London he found his rela lations so much incensed at his irregular conduct, that they refused to see him. After some time spent in fruitless in endeavours to reconcile them, he then, and not till then, began to think seriously of becoming an actor by profession. Mr. Jackson soon after came to London to engage performers for his winter campaign at Edinburgh, and made very advantageous offers to Fennell, requesting the fulfilment of a conditional engagement previously made with him,...That if he should determine to follow the profession, he would enlist under Mr. Jackson in preference to any other manager.

The flattering reception Mr. Fennell had met at Edinburgh and Glasgow induced him to hope for approbation from a London audience. He waited on Mr. Harris, about the