Garrick, David

the most celebrated actor that has ever appeared on the English stage, was descended from a French family, who, being Protestants, fled to England on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. His father, Peter Garrick, was a captain in the army, and generally resided at Lich field; but being on a recruiting party at Here ford, G. was B. there in 1716. He received his education partly at the grammar-school at Lich field, and partly under Dr. Johnson, with whom he first came to London in 1736, and prepared himself for the study of the law. The death of his father, however, disturbed Fig . 1123.GARRICK. this arrangement: and having been left $5000 by his uncle, he went into partnership with his brother in the wine-trade. A love for the stage had long been deeply rooted in his mind, and, abandoning the wine-trade, her resolved on being an actor. His first attempt was at Ipswich in 1741, under the a umed name of Lyddol ; and the applause he met with induced him to make his appearance at the theatre Goodman's Fields, in the character of Richard III. The effect of this was immediate and decisive. The other theatres were quickly deserted, and Goodman's Fields became the resort of people of fashion, till that theatre was shut up. G. then formed an engagement with Fleet wood, the le ee of Drury Lane Theatre. The remainder of his career was a long and uninterrupted series of succe es until its close, which took place in 1776, when he determined upon retirement, and sold his moiety of the concern for $185,000. The last part which he performed was "Don Felix," in The Wonder , for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund. At the conclusion of the play, he addre ed a brief farewell to the audience. The general feeling with which this was delivered and received rendered it truly impre ive; and few persons ever quitted the stage amid plaudits so loud and unanimous. In 1769 he projected and carried into effect the famous Str at ford Jubilee, a striking proof of his enthusiasm for Shakspeare. It occupied three days there, and its representation at the theatre lasted for 92 nights. This great actor D. Jan. 20th, 1779, his remains being interred with great pomp in Westminster Abbey. As an actor, G. seems never to have been equalled for truth, nature, variety, and facility of expre ion, though perhaps surpa d by some of his contemporaries in the enunciation of calm, sentimental eloquence. He wrote, or adapted for the stage, nearly 40 pieces, besides producing a great number of prologues and epilogues. The style of acting introduced by G. was the very opposite of that formal declamation practised before his time; it was natural, vigorous, and impa ioned; the plays of Shakspeare grew into greater repute; and a reform both in the conduct and license of the drama, favorable to his taste and genius, was effected by his example. There is a fine portrait of G. , painted by Pine, in the National Portrait Gallery, London. His correspondence was published with a memoir in 1831.