Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/51

CUNNINGHAM. 47 into a volume, which was honoured by a long list of sub scribers. For some time he remained a performer in Mr. Digges's company, in Edinburgh, who treated our author with both respect and kindness; and under that gentleman's manage ment, Mr. Cunningham continued until he quitted Scot land. He then returned to Newcastle upon Tyne, a spot which, as it had been his residence for many years, he had originally left with regret, and which to the last moment of his life, he used emphatically to call his home. At this place, and in the neighbouring towns, he earned a scanty, but to him a sufficient subsistence. Although his mode of life was not of the most reputable kind, his blame less and obliging conduct procured him many friends among the most respectable characters in the county, who afforded him their support and protection, and in their society he passed his days without any effort to improve his situation. Being passionately fond of retirement, and happy in the society of a little circle of rural friends, he rejected any solicitation to try once more his fortune in the capital, declaring it to be his wish, that as he had lived, so he might die among his friends in Northumberland; nor was that wish long denied him. A few months before that event, a nervous fever rendered him incapable of any exertion, theatrical and poetical. This afflicting stroke afforded his friend Mr. Slack, an opportunity for the dis play of his humanity and benevolence. He received him into his house, where he was attended with the utmost care, and supplied with every thing which his condition required. After languishing some time under his friend's hospitable roof, apprehending the approach of his disso lution, he conceived a design of destroying a l l his papers, which h e soon effected b y committing them t o the flames. Mr. Slack, alarmed a t the blaze, hastened t o the room i n which Cunningham lay, and expressing his surprise a t s o extraordinary a n occurrence, the poor bard, almost breath less, pointing t o the fire, whispered, “There, there!”