Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/639

WOFFINGTON. 6S5 to at that time by people of the best fashion. Violante varied her amusements to the floating caprices of taste; and as “The Beggar's Opera,” was then the rage over a l l the three kingdoms, she undertook t o get u p a representa tion o f this celebrated piece with a company o f children, or, a s they were called i n the bills o f that day, “Lilliputian Actors.” —Woffington, who was then only i n the tenth year o f her age, she fixed upon a s her Macheath; and such was the power o f her infant talents, not a little, perhaps, aided b y the partialities i n favour o f the opera, that the Lilliputian theatre was crowded every night, and the spirit and address o f the little hero the theme o f every theatrical conversation. A commencement so favourable got her a n engagement a few years afterwards a t Smock alley theatre, Dublin, where she soon fulfilled every expectation that was formed o f her: and s o little did her humble birth and early education bow down her mind t o her situation, that her talents were found evidently t o l i e i n the representation o f females o f high rank and dignified deportment; her person was suitable t o such a n exhibition, being o f size above the middle stature, elegantly formed, and, though not a n absolute beauty, her face was full o f expression and vivacity; she was besides highly accom plished for the stage, being a perfect mistress o f dancing, and o f the French language, both o f which she acquired under the tuition o f Madame Violante. Her reputation o n the Irish stage drew a n offer from Mr. Rich, the manager o f Covent Garden theatre, for a n engagement, a t a very handsome salary, which Miss Woffington accepted, and i n the winter o f 1740, (when our heroine was exactly twenty-two years o f age,) she made her first appearance o n the London boards, i n the character o f Sylvia, (Recruit ing Officer,) and i n the same month she performed Sir Harry Wildair. The publication o f this part t o b e under taken b y a woman, excited the curiosity o f the public, and more particularly a s the character had for the most part lain dormant since the death o f Wilks, (seven years before that time,) who was universally allowed the first Sir