Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-03-10


lutte aud dissipated, Mary Ann, acquired
habits not exactly congcu,al with female
delIcacy; aud was not over-scrupulous
about her engagements, ald commenced
the business of a proiessed coquette. Her
first amour was with London tradesman,
who having become enamoured OF her
charms, was easily led astiay by her wilcs,
and when she found hfseIf secure in
conquest, she drew so lhegaly from his
pockets, that in a shot ir'" he was reduc-
ed TO state of aiSolG;e b nkruptcy, when
she denied hirS her az saanco, having
aIreody s~eu.ed The OBJECTS she hao il.
view.
She was next addressed by Mr. Joseph
Clarke, stone mason, young man, who,
having just merged from his apprenticeship,
and enjoying unrestrained liberty, offered
her his hand in wedIock, which was cheer
fully accepted; and the misguided and de-
ceived husband, as he supposed, sat HIM
self quietly down with his young and beau
ttuI wife, to spend life of happiness. But
sadly was the unfortunate Clarke ceceived; !;
and all the happy and golden dreams of
bliss his fancy had generated, and ell the
| splendid castles he had erected in the air,
was destined to be dissipated by fatlless
woman. Proud ofpossessIns one so beau
tiiul and who appeared TO have been form
ed by the very graces themselves, he cher
ander; but at last betaking 20 dissipated
habits, reduced himself and wife to mis-
cry and want; and whetno longer capable
OF protecting her, she abandoned hun, and
| with her offspring sought Tor safety and for
bread upon the wide world. 1t would be
| disgusting to our readers, to nave laid be-
fore them, full history of the amours and
intrigues to which Mrs Clarke was party
previous to lier connexion with the Duke
Of Y York, and we shall spare ourselves such
| ali offensive recital.
la the year 1904, or about that period,
Mrs. Clarke assumed the profession of All
actress, and made her first appearance at
the Haymarket Theatre, London in the
character of Portia, in Shakspeare's ceie-
brated play of the Merchant OF Venice
Her personal attractions, did not more sue
cessiully operate upon the audience, than
her talents ard it is said, that the following
beautiful apostlophe to Mercy, which she
that night recited, at once established her
reputation.
"The equality ofmercy is not strained;
1t droppetb. the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath it is twice blessu;
1t besse,h him that gives, and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mghtiest; It becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown:
His sceptre shows the force Of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear OF kings;
But mercy is above this scoperd sway,
| 1t is enthroned IN the hearts o! kings.
II is an attribute TO God himself;
And earthly power doth then show ikest Gods,
When mercy seasons Justice"
1t is difficult to say what were the mo-
tives that urged her to the stage, but 1t is
generally believed, tina, desire for new
conquests was the ruling incentive; and
that she very justly entertained an opinion,
that by thus displaying her charms, united
with her talents, she would be enabled
TO accomplish all of those ambitious de-
signs for which she so ardently painted. BE
this however as it may, it had the effect
pre-supposcd, and lead to an acquaintance
with his Royal Highness the Duke of York,
and subsequently to those intrigues, which
distinguished her, and to that influence
which she so artlully exercised, till it had
in no small degree, affected the political
harmony and happiness of the British peo-
pie
1t was at Brighton, that Mrs. Clarke be-
came acquainted with her lustrious ADO
mis-; and she there laid the foundation to her
subsequent fame and fortunes. BY what
means he became acquainted with her is
not now known, but it Is said that it was
through the agency Of Mr.. John Grille,