The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-04-24
MARY ANN CLARKE


ces the following biographical skoth o
the celebrated Mrs. Clark, waosc con.
nection with the noble Duke has made
her name notorious throughout Europe
and America.
Mrs. Mary Ann Clarke was the daugh-
ter ola Mr.. Thompson, a watchmake l
OF London, who DYING when his offspring
was quite young, left her under the pro-
lection of her mother, whose circumsian-
cos were exceedingly limited, so far as
kpecuniary resources were connected
with them and anxious to improve her
! condition, she was married a second
tlmo, to a man named Farquhar, a Jour
neyman printer respectable for his tall
onts and industry, who, having thus as
sumed the guardianship OF the mother
and daughter, obtained employment for
Mary Ann IN the Same office, rs read
CT Of copy to the corrcctor of the press.
1t was whilst thus employed that she
attracted the attention of a MIR. Day,
son of the foreman Of the establishment.
who was so irresistibly struck with her
charms, and SO completely enamoured,
that he conceived the project of educa-
ting her III an1anfer commensurate with
her personal a.mrements, and to carry
ms designs INTO execution, sent her TO Il
distinguished boarding school, where she
maize great proficiency, aud soon be-
came sensible OF her powers over the
passions Of the sterncr Sex.
At this school she remained two years,
at the expense Of her bonelactor, who
now sent for her, with an Intention oil
making her his wife. On her return
home, Mr. Day found that she was moi
the same grateful and unaffected girl
that she was when she left him, but
grown Hlstere and naughty under the
culture OF her generous patron she look
ed upon HIM with disdaln, and aspirod to
an union with some one of higher dis
tinction. She treated HIM with cold in
difference and contempt, and after hay-
INC one OF two alterations with her, he
withdrew himself from her acquaintance,
and abandoned her to her fatc.-lIer
mother now resided in part ofthe town
not particularly famous for the morality
of its inhabitants ; and thus having fire.
qucnt opportunities Of associating with
the dissoute and dssi pated, Mary Ann
acquired habits not exactly congenli
with female dclicacy: and was not ov-
or scrupulous about her engagements,
commenced the business OF 4 protessea
coquetto. Her first amour was with Il
London tradcsman, who having become
enamoured of her chrms, was easily led
astray by her wles, aud when she found
herself secure in conquest, she drew so
literally from his pockets, thatin short
lutte bankruptcy, when she denied him
her acquaintance, having already secured
the objects she had in view.
She was next addressed by a Mr.. Jo-
scph Clarke, a stone mason, young
man, who, having justemerged from his
apprenticeship, and enjoying unrcstrain-
ed liberty, offered her his hand in wod-
Hook, which was chcorfuliy accepted !;
and the misguided and deceived husband,
as he supposed, sat himselfqaietIy down
with his young and beautiful wife, 10
spend life of happiness. But sadly
was the unfortunate Clarke deceived !,
and all the happy and golden dreams Of
bliss his fancy had generated and all the
splendid castles he had erected in the
air, were destined to be dissipaed by IA
faithlcss woman. Proud Of possessing
one so beautiful and who appeared to
have been formed by the very graces
themselves, he chcrishel her with all
/ the fondncSs of Leanuet but at last
| bclaking TO dissipated habits, reduced
! himself and wife to misery and want;
and when no longer capable OF protect
ing her, she abandoned him, and with
her ofspring,sought for safety and for
bread upon tho wide world. 1t would
be disgusting to our readers, to have
laid before them full history of the Il
mours and intrigues to which Mrs.
Clarke was party, preyiousto her con-
neXion with the Duke Of York, and we
shall spare ourselves such an offensive
recital.
In the year 1904, or about that peri
cd, Mrs. Clarke assumed the profession
of an actress, and made her first appear
ance at the Hay-market Theatre, Lon
don, in the character Of p ortla, in Shak
spoare's celebrated .pIay of the Mcr-
chant of Venice. Her personal attrac-
tons did not more successfully operate
upon the audience, than her sand
it is said, that the following beautiful a.
postrophe to Mercy, which sire that night
reciled, at once established her ropata-
ton
"Thc equality ofmercy is not strained;
II droppeth, as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath it Is twice blessed
Itblesseth him that gives aud INN that takes
IT'S mlghtiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown: