Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-09-03
From lnis English Pcp.r.
Sketch of Mr.. Shcridm's Life.

nat brilliant ytnlus--thht sptenuid ORATOR.
that firm hearted patriot Richard Brnsley sheri-
daa is no more Death has closed his mortal career
Tut il has only given new freshness aud FLOOR to
his fame. The calamity Of mortality has ov.rtak
en- him, bnt only to make his mind beam with new
ustre; he will be the theme OF all praise--thc OBJ
ject OF all aGoraton-the applause of all persons
and partes-and the name and works of sheridan
will be spoken of and read when Princes shall be
moulderins into dnst-but he Us no more
death has stolen array the shghtedgood"
and with heavy heart we shall trace Tor the in
formation of our readers, sketch Of ms iiie, Whose
history belongs to that OF all nations.
!" Mr.. Sheridan possessed an hereditary claim to
distinction in the republic Of letters. His grand
father the Rev. DIR. Thomas Sheridan, acquired as
much celebrity in Ireland by his skill in The insruc-
ton of youth, Dr. Busby did in England; and
he was for many years the Intimate friend and IRE
quent companion of DIR. Swift. Thomas sheridan,
the only of DR.. Sheridan and the father Of the
subject of ibis sketch seut over TO Westminster
school, where he was mere stranger but sncs
was bis merit that he procured himself to be elect
ed Kings Scholar. His fathers poverty obstruct-
ed his caresr--but he afterwards became eminent
as an actor, and teacher Of elocution. His vile
asalso lady of great genius, and the authoress
OF Nonrjshad, an Oriental Tale, Of three Coincide,
the discovery the Dupe and the Trip TO Bath and
OF some novels, one of which was Sidney Biaulph,
"h'Su win SoutiiIuCs pOpuidf.
such are the splendid and promising characters
of the parents of Richard Brinsey Sheridan, who
was born in Dublin, in October, 1851. As might
be expected from parents possessing such rare en-
dowments, they anxiously laboured particularly
his mother, during his infant years. To imprint up
on his mind the rudmenls of learning; but 50 la
mentally backward and idle were the two brothers
Richard and Charles, that on transferring them to
MIR. Whyte's academy, in letter TO the teacher
- hat he
requisite qualification for his employment e These
sons of nine," said he, twill be ycar tutors in
that virtue have hitherto been their only in
structor, and they taye sufficiently exercised mine
for such impenctrable Ounces never meet WITH"
Till his eleventh year, Richard Brinsey contin-
ued the SAME impenetrablc Ounce" He was then
placed at Harrow, and there it discovered that
the extreme iardiae" of his progress resulted rather
from Incidence thun want fpoHers. Thus il will
be seen that both father and son developed their
talents in the progress of English education. The
son, when he saw himself amidst crowd of rivals;
when he perceived that applause and distinction
would crown his successful exertions, while his
'dieness and ignorance would be punished with de-
rision aud contempt it was found that he could
rouse himself TO strenuous industry, al readily
bear away the palm from his competitors. When
he lett Harrow, such was the reputation he had
earned, he was considered capable OF any attain
lie was afterwards entered student in The
Middle Temple, where under the appearance OF
preparing hinseif for lucrative profession, he |
privately exerted his literary talents to gain sup
plies Tor bio existence, by writing anonymously in
the periodical publications of that period,
From such obscure and irregular efforts where |
indulgence hardly yielded TO the imperious voice of
necessity, Sheridan was at length reused by pas |
sion which filled his whole breast namely, violent |
affection for Miss Lialey the most fascinating and |
vocal performer Of her age, aud the hope oftri- |
unnPhisg over crowd oil admirers and rivals. But |
such was bis poverty, that Mrs Linley's fathef |
slrenuously opposed his addresses; fortunatein-
cden., however, enabled shc lover to overcome ali |
oppostion.--A Mr.. Matthews, Of Bath, moth OF I
fashion, caused to be inserted in public paper .
paragraph, rejecting on Miss Linley Having |
discovered the author, Sheridan proceeded from
Bath 10 London, ard found Mr.. Matthews at
Coiiee- house in Covent Garden, and duel on the |
spot was the result Of their meeting. They fought |
with swords. Having disarmed his adversary, h.
compelled Matthews TO sign retraction i,the de-
famatory paragraph, with which be returned in
triumph to Bath, and which he caused to be imme-
diatey published. This counter publication,
Matthews, it seems, did not expect; and, on see
'ns II he, in his turn, went in pursuit of Sheridan
TOR satisfaction. They met, and again fought. |
iheir second contest was also conducted with
swords, after one discharge of pistols and it was
fought with the utmost desperation. Alter both |
parties were wounded, and had closed and fallen,
they continued TO tight until they we're separated
by their seconds. Sheridan received several wounds
and bit of his antagonist. SWORD was left in his
car. These chvairous efforts formed an irresstl
bic Claim to Miss Linleys heart, and to escape pa.
rental control, she c0n,en ed TO accompany SO ar
dent lover TO the Continent. On their return
,hey were remarked according to the rites OF on,
church but with the dearest object of his wishes