The Sun.
London, England, 1820-02-28 00:00:00

Tut LAIL Ant Tile ACTOII.

The following biographical sketch of this Gentle-
mars' is copied from a country paper
" Born of a respectable family in the county of
Dorset, this gentleman, at an early period of life, was
tineipectedl,y conipetlett to depend for subsistence
on his own resources. In These circumstances he
• turned his thoughts to the stage; and having de-
termined to enter upon the profession of an actor,
he studied the elements of the art under the tuition
of the veteran Macklin. After going through a
course of reading with this able instructor, he
made his debst on the Richmond stage, in the
charaiter of ChArlei Surface. The commence-
ment of his theatrical career Was inauspicious.
He had the mortification to learn, that the critics
pronounced his first effort to be a complete failure.
Conscioui, hoWevei, of talent, and gifted with
spirit and perseverance, be applied himself with
unwearied diligence to the study of his profession,
and soon' surmounted ttse difficulties which ob-
strocted his prbgress. His merits-were soon ap-
preciated by Mr; Wilkinson, manager of the York
Theatre, who is universally acknowledged to have
had a nice discernment of histrionic genius. In
Mr. Wilkinson's company Mr. Knight continued,
till he was at length advanced to Ilse more re-
spectable boards'of Balls, whence Ise was speedily
transf,:r'red by obtaining the summit of Isis wishes,
to a lucrative engagement Covent-garden.
" Mr. Knight poSsessed, in a high degree, the
requisites of an actor•—••• 3 handsome person—a
good address—a melodious voice—great flexibility
of countenance—and above all, that self-posses-
sion guided by good sense, which is well denomi-
nated fact. Hence, whatever he undertook in the
line of his profession, he did well. On this topic
to dwell upon particulars would be superfluous,
Whilst his Memory is yet green. But our readers
will pardon us, when we remind them of the
ta-
lent which he evinced in the characters of Count
Cassel, Farmer Ash6eld, and Corporal Foss.
" education had not beets so
rutrch of a literary cast -as might have been es
peered froth the station and circumstances of his
family. That early deficiency he eudeavotu•ed to
remedy by extensive reading, and by cultivating
the 8-octety of 'men of science and original thought.
The late Mr. Nicholson, who was pre-eminent
for I►is knowledge of natural philosophy, was one
of his 'earliest friends ; and he was for• some years
in the liabit of frequent 'discussion with HolcrOft
and Godwin. Thongh, in consequence 'of this
association, he perhaps valued metaphysical in-
quiries ton highly, he made them of use fir his
profession. 'He read our drithatie 'authors with
philosophical views, and orre'or two iisinur•pieces
of his composition, which still i,eep possession of
the stage, evince that be had Dot studied:human
riarnre in Vain.

`• During the whole of his life, 'Mr. Knight
was laudably ambitious of being Omitted into good
society, and to this end Isis good sense fugges,ed so
hint the necessity of conducting hintselt as a Gentle-
man and a-man of honour. 'By acting tipon'this
principle, even while his talents were•visnfioed-to
the subordinate walk of a provincial theatre, he was
well received by families of rank 'and'fortune. Of
course, as' he rose in his profession 'these intima-
cies were confirmed and extended ; and it may be
Mentioned to his honour, that, though this cir-
cumstance necessarily-superinduced no small ex-
pence, so prudent was his management of his al-
tails, that he bad for some time before his death
realized a comfortable independence.
" Ile was married early life to Miss Farren,
sister to the present Countess of Derby. His Wife
died some years ago. Not being blessed wifh
children, he gave scope to the kindness of his
feelings in liberality to his relations, and in hos-
pitalityto his intimate acquaintance. On the oc-
casion of his death, which was awfully sudden,
the public will ruminate for a passing momegt on
the extinction of amusing talent; but those who
knew him as the writer of this memorial knew
him, :will mourn the loss of an enlightened com-
panion and a sincere friend."

A grand ball was given in the Long-room, Mal-
low, on Monday se'nnight, at which all the
neighbouring gentry were present. Dancing was
led off. at 10 o'clock by Mrs. Wtuxos 136cm:ft'
(late Miss O'NRILL) and Mr. Powea, of Kilfane,
and continued until an early hour next morning.
DR, WATSON.---On Friday afternoon, 111 r.
Brown, the marshal, and other city officers, went
to ‘Vhirecross-street prison, and, having com-
municated to Dr. Watson the purport of their
visit, proceeded to search for papers in his pos-
session. In the interim, other officers went to
his late lodgings in Three Kings'-court, Meet,
street ; but, after a minute search at both places,
nothing was found tending to implicate the .Doc-
tor in the late infamous conspiracy.—(Sunday
Paper.)

IMPORTAS7T INFORMATION.—From etticul'ation
by the College of Physicians, no-less-titan 40:00C
die annually in Great Britain of -Con-sumption;
and at least 10,000 in London. The late William
Turnbull, Esq. a very ingenious Surgeon, ascer-
tained that every . 20ili person was ruptured.—
These complaints are truly alarming to every in-
dividual who uses the least exertion. It is also
incredible the number that suffer from a ct.rtain
Disease, by being improperly treated. It, was
those circumstances induced Dr. Coopsa to select
eminent Physicians and Surgeons, of at least 30
years' experience, to form a Medical Board; anti
since the establishment upwards of 30,000 Pa-
dents have been cured without confinement—
many of them after hospitals had failed.,
Messrs. COOPER and Co. are consulted at
Woodstock-street, Oxford-street ; anti at Char.
lotte House, Great Charlotte• street, opposite the
Rev. Rowland Hill's, daily, front eight till eight.
Mechanics'have advice gratis every evening, ft run
six till eight ; and on Sunday mornings until 12
o'clock.

*** RUPTURBS of SO years standing radically
cured without coutinement.
*4.* There are private doors at each house, and
,wfvate,roorns for Females.
N B. The Afflicted would do well 'to read
Messrs. CooPaa and Co's Lectures on two pre-
vailing Diseases, published at oue shilling, by Mr.
Harvey, 22, Blackfriars-road. They will also
prove neful to yuting Practitioners.