The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-08-19 00:00:00

We this day conclude our extracts from those
interesting and vialunble eninfaes :
EDMUND BURKE.
The Right Hon. E. Burke wai'born in Dublin, January 1,
1730. His father was • respectable Protestant attorney,
who had removed from Brief, county Limerick, his native
town, and settled is Dublin. Parke received the gronnd-
work of his education at the gasket Academy of Ballytore,
near Carlow, under Abrahem Sheckletno, which distinguish.
ed school has been continued ever slice by Sheckleton's
immediate deeeendants. He himself •ever after crossed
over to Ireland without visiting the family of his old pre.
eeptor. From Ballytore Burke entered Trinity College,
where he was made a scholar of the home in 1746; lint he
sever studied at St Omer, or professed the Roman Catholic
religion. He married • daughter of Dr. Nisgent, at whose
Bosse he was domesticated. By this Lady he had an only
son, Richard Burke, whose premature death hastened that of
his father.
••••• • • • •
A well-written life of Burke is still a desideratum
in
British biography. All the family of Burke were men of
talents, and distinguished themselves, though at an awful
distance from the head. His brother, William Burke, was
Recorder of Bristol, sod published some pamphlets, esteem-
ed in his day. His son Richard was just beginning • pro-
mising career in Parliament, when he died ; toed his cousin,
Burke, was • political writer of some eminence.
HENRY BROOKE.
This gentleman was the sou of the Rev. Mr. Brooke, of
Bantams, county of Cavan, Rector of Killiercar, lee. He
was educated at Doc-or Sheridan's sc►ool, and seat early to
Trinity College, Dublin, from whence, at the age of 17, he
removed to the Temple. In due time he was called to the
bar, and practised in Dublin as Chamber Counsel. After
some time, however, he returned to Eaglsad, took up his
residence at Twickmb•m, and became the friend and com.
peaks of Pope, Swift, Lord Littleton, and Lord Chatham,
by whom he was introduced to Frederick Prince of Wales,
who skewed him many marks of good-will. Under this
patronage he wrote Gustavus Vasa; or the Deliverer of his
Getenhyr. This noble drams was first prepared for exhibi-
tins at Drury-lane, bat w►en every thing was ready for the
representation, the Lord Chamberlain interfered, and pro-
hibited it. Mr. Brooke sow returned to Dublin, and as the
authority of the Chamberlain did not reined to the Irish
stage, the ploy was prepared with great care for a Dublin
audience, and was represented, for the first tinse,al Aungier-
street, in February, 1741, where it was received with the
highest applause, and kept possession of theaters for many
yearn. His Next play was The Earl of Westasorloutd ;or
the Betrayer of his Conslry, as a companion to the former,
acted alto is Dublin, for the first time, in the year 1741. The
independent spirit of Mr. Brooke's dramatic muse seemed ill
to accord with the thee government of either England or Ire-
land. la 1748, his piece, called Jack the Giant Killer, was
brought nut by Mr. Sheridan at Smock-alley. It was, as
usual, highly relished by the audience; but the nest day an
order was issued by the lords Justiee• p►ohibiting the farther
representation of it, and she play was accordiagly with-
drawn. The piece continued I reflections on bad
Governors, which the Shea Administration applied to them-
selves. Mr. Brooke, after enjoying the *tibiaes of applause
and from a public who admired his talents, and
respected his worth for a long period, received a violent
shock by the death of his wife, which impaired his faculties,
and clouded the evening rays of that geoids whose me-
ridian was so brilliant. He became as enthusiast on
religious subjects, and died in Dublin, October 10, 1789.
His talents will be justly appreciated perhaps by the es-
timatiors in which lie was held by his cootenepuraries. He is
mentioned with distinguished praise by many. B. White-
head thus characterises him in reference to Stiakspeare—
" Lured by his laurels fading bloom,
You boldly snatched she trophy from his tomb;
Taught the declining Mare spin to soar,
Aud to Britannia gave one Poet more."
GEORGE FARQUHAR.
G. Farquhar was born at Derry. is the North of Ireland,
in the year 1678, and entered the Unive►sity of Dublin in
1694. His father dying scent after, he was left to follow the
bent of his own inclinations, which led him to the stage.
He appeared at Smuck.elley Theatre iu the year after Isis
entrance into College, and commenced at a salary of
a week. His first character was Othello, in which he gained
some applause, though he had prisons! defects which pre-
cluded the possibility of his ever rising to eminence as an
actor—a weak voice which nobody could distinctly hear,
and a timidity which nothing could assure. Ile was, how-
ever, drive,. from the stage by s wily &Screw cause.—
Ile was performing the part of Grammer, is The I sdkin
Emperor; by some negligence he fudged to change his sword
for a foil, and when Ire encountered Vasquez, he severely
wounded a Mr. Price; who played that character. Ile now
determined to leave • profession which reudered hiss liable
to a• accident he deeply felt and deplored, sad be applied
Irinsaelfoolely to write ter the shage. He soon composed Lore
surd a Bonk, and set out from Dublin, with the manuscript
in his pocket, to try his fortunes is another couutry. This
play was well received ifs Loudon, and he soon after pro-
doted This Constant Couple, which had ■n astunielinie run
both in England and Ireland. He bail now obtained • com-
mission its the army, but he felt ass irresistible 1111111411fily
to retinas once mule to his native country, and play
r•unspicuons part in (rye of his own celebrated comedies.
For this purpose it was necessary to oblate the periete:aion
the Duke of Ormond, the then Viceroy of abide
was granted. By his su mud attempt on the IJs.bsin stage
lie gained more profit thsu fame, add is after 'darned to
England. where he was persuaded to sell his commission, ott
tlor faithless promise of • Nobleman, who piotlered to pro-
cure loin another. The fe ',strati tttt of Isis hopes looke his
heart. He prematurely duel its 1707,1 easing Lebiml bile
character, as ■ dramatic writer, a hich shed • haw.- his
motive country. It was said, that be leas valets so much
liberty with his country sad his profession, iu some of his
conselies, that had he not b•ra an hideout's and a roldier,
hr would have berm called to • severe account fur it.

PRICE OF STOCKS YESTERDAY.'
3 per Cent. Ited. 72131 I lodia 80ur10..111 15 pr.
3 per Ct. C0ng..... 71iii I Ex. Bilk, I. .2 pr.
3i per Cent st2 I Ditto C0m..... 15 die.
4 per Cents 91fif I Lottery Tickets 191. IS..
5 !wet. N. Atm... MOI Omuium.. 41 5 4,i pr.
Book L Atm. 19 3-16 I Coos. for Acc.... 71in
bop. 3 per Cent. 71 7