PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY, RFD 11ON COURT, FLEET STREET.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following Biography has been prepared from MRS. INCHBALD'S Autograph Journals, kept regularly for a period of fifty years, and from at least two hundred of her own letters, written unreservedly to her dearest friends. In addition, to these valuable materials, the letters of some of the most distinguished characters of her day, with whom MRS. INCHBALD was in habits of intimacy, are interspersed throughout the narrative. These are also now first printed from the originals in the possession of Mrs. Phillips, her executrix.

May, 1833.

CONTENTS

OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

Importance of Biography fairly given - Memoirs written by

Mrs. Inchbald, and destroyed; by whose advice-Her birth-Let-

ter from the Duchess of Norfolk-The family of Simpson-Their

connexions-Instruction domestic-Early desire to see the world

-Impediment in her speech-Thinks of the Stage as a profession

-Applies to Richard Griffith, manager of the Norwich theatre-

His answer-Her girlish fondness-His harmonious name-Her

brother, George Simpson, becomes an actor-Bury Fair-In 1771

pays a visit to her sister in London-Mr. Inchbald an early ad-

mirer-Reply to proposals from him-Standingfield-Griffith-

Steals his picture-Quits home in April, 1772, leaving behind a

letter to her mother-The letter itself

page 1

CHAPTER II.

Juvenile indiscretions-Her secret arrival in London-Adven-

tures Two Inns-Reddish-King Her brother Slender meets

her-Writes at length to her sister-Dodd and his impudence-

Gets into hot water-Mr. Inchbald counsels her, and marries her

in June, 1772, by the Catholic and Protestant rites-Leave London

together for Bristol-Begins her studies professionally-Cordelia

-Garrick on Shakspeare-Stolen from the French-Becomes

acquainted with Mrs. Hartley-First appearance on the Stage-

Parallel lives of Centlivre and Inchbald

19

CHAPTER III.

With Mr. Inchbald revisits Standingfield-Voyage to Leith-

Engages with Digges-Glasgow rather discouraged-Matrimonial

disputes-Acts Shore at Edinburgh-Catholic Chapel-Mr. Inch-

bald a painter-Mr. Sterling's attentions-Consults the Priest-

Superior to a female friend, why?-Indiscreet in corresponding—

Male party of pleasure; an accident-Greenock-Edinburgh again;

and again Mr. Sterling-Sail for Aberdeen; but obliged to land

and journey in the Thespian fashion-Ague and fever-Moves with

the Company-Present from the Manager-Performs Imogen-

Loses her wedding-ring-Studies French with a master-Mr. Inch-

bald disputes with the audience-A riot in consequence--They quit

Edinburgh, and resolve upon a visit to France

CHAPTER IV.

page 39

St. Valleri-Abbeville-Arrive at Paris 28th of July, 1776——

Objects of both husband and wife-French declamation-Corneille,

Racine-Mrs. Inchbald's abstracts-Suddenly quit Paris-In Sep-

tember back to Brighton-Bad circumstances-London-Wilson,

Digges-The Inchbalds arrive at Liverpool-Engage with Younger

-She is well received-Commences a friendship with Mrs. Siddons

and Miss Farren-Their reverse of fortune-Steam improvement-

Baggage by sea in old times-Studies at Liverpool-Manchester—

First sees Mr. Kemble-Much unsettled-Northwick-Mode of

living at that time-A Catholic doubt-Mr. and Mrs. Siddons at

York-They go to Birmingham and live en famille-Separation-

London, Canterbury

62

CHAPTER V.

Peculiar feelings of actors-Mr. Inchbald improves as a painter

-Holcroft her literary adviser-Two months at Canterbury—

Aspire to the York Company-Visit Standingfield-Join Wilkin-

son's Company at Hull-York-Davis dresses her hair-Little

jealousies The Kemble family at Liverpool-Driven from the

stage-Had not acted before the King-Mrs. Inchbald at last acts

Lady Sneerwell-Scene-painting-Kemble writes to Mrs. I.-His