The Republican journal., 1870-12-15
PEG WOFFiNGTON.

At Drury Lane, Garrick found himself as
sociated with his old friend Mackln, who
was deputy manager, and with that daily
ing and dangerous beauty, Peg Wellington.
under whose spell he appears to have fallen
as early as 1740. AS an actress, she was ad
mirable for the life, the nature, and the grace
which she threw into all she did, set off by n
fine person, and face which. as her portraits
show, though habitually pensive in its ex-
preston, was capable of kindling into pas
sion, or beaming with the sudden and fitiul
lights of feeling and fancy. She had been
literally picked out of the streets of Dublin
as q child crying 'halfpenny salads" and
trained by rope dancer, Nine. Violante, as
one OF Lilliputian company, in which she
figured in such parts as Captain Macheath
Like Rachel and many other celebrated
women, she contrived, it is hard to say how.
to educate herself so that she could hold her
own in conversation in any society; and such
was her natural grace that she excelled in
characters like Milament and Lady Townly
III which the well-bred air of good society
was essential. Frank, kindly, and impulsive.
She had also wit at will to give piquancy to
the expressions of a very Independent turn
OF mind. She never scruplcd to avow that
she preferred the company Of men to that OF
women, who talk ed" she said, ''of nothing
but silks and scandal" The men returned
the compliment by being very fond of hercom-
pany. Forgive her one female error" says
Murphy, "and it might fairly be said of her
that she was adorned with every virtue, "a
truly modest plea, when it is considered that
Peg was not more chaste, and certainly not
less mercenary, than Horace'S Barine. To
whom, indeed she was likened in some point
cd but very heartless verses by one of her
many lovers, Sir Hanbury Williams. "By
Joye,' she exclaimed, as she ran into the
@rren-room one night from the stage. when
she had left the house cheering her exit rs
Sir Harry Wildair they are in such delight,
believe one-half of them fancy | am n
man. Madam" rejoined Quin, "the other
half then, has the best reason for knowing
| the contrary" But when Garrick first fell
under her fascination, these frailties had not
been developed She was then in the bloom
Of her bcauty-and how charming that was
we can see from Hogarths exquisite pOr-
trait (in the Marquis of Landsdowne's collec-
tion). which forms one of the chief attractions
of the portrait exhibition now at South Ken
slngton-and though suitors of wealth and
rank surrounded her, genius and youth had
probably more charms for her than gold and
fine living. Garrick was deeply smitten by
her. and he seems for a time to have thought
her worthy of an honorable love.
For one session he kept house together
with her and Macklin, and they were visited
by his friends, johnson, and Dr. Hoadley
among the number. 1t was thought he would
marry her; but Pegs aberrations-her tone
female error'-grew too serious. She was,
in truth, an incurable coquctte. 1t was the
old story OF Lesbia and Catullus. Garrick's
heart was touched, hers was not. 1t cost him
a good many struggles to break his chains.
but he broke them at last and left her, final