Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/412

A08 MACKLIN. little more to do in the essential parts of his business, than paying the bills; and these soon poured in upon him so fast, that he could not even acquit himself of this em ployment. Accordingly, the next winter did ultimately decide the question, as we find him a bankrupt on the 25th of January, 1755, under the title of vintner, coffee-man, and chapman. On his examination before the commis sioners of bankruptcy, every thing turned out to his character but his prudence; as it appeared he lost his money partly by the sums incurred in building and fitting up the rooms, and partly by the trade not being adequate to such a scale of expenditure. One circumstance, however should not be omitted here, which redounds to his character as a father, which was, that it was proved, by sufficient documents, that he laid out no less than twelve hundred pounds on the education of his daughter—an education not i l l bestowed, a s i t respected exterior accomplishments, &c. but which made s o little impression o n her gratitude, that a t her death (which happened when her father was above eighty years o f age, and when, i t was well known, h e was f a r from being independent) she bequeathed the best part o f her fortune t o strangers, giving him, a t the same time, such a n eventual title t o the other part, a s was worse than absolute neglect—it was a legacy i n mockery, a s i f she only thought o f her father t o tantalize him with fruitless expectations. Though Miss Macklin was not handsome, she was genteel i n her person, and being highly educated, was fashionable i n her manners and deportment. She was, beside, a very rising actress, and gave specimens o f her singing and dancing i n occasional entertainments, which made her a great favourite with the town. Some days previous t o her benefit, whilst Macklin was sitting a t breakfast, a loud knocking a t his door announced the name o f a baronet, a t that time a s well known o n the turf, a s h e has since been i n the character o f a noble lord, and great legal practitioner. After the ceremonies o f introduction were over, Macklin hoped “he would d o him