Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Biographic Sketch Of The. Late. George Colman, Esq.
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE . LATE . GEORGE COLMAN , ESQ .
AMONG the innumerable tribes who attempt to pass as authors in this literary age , there are few really entitled to the notice of mankind by force of original genius and scholastic attainments ; but among thatfew the late Mr . COLMAN may deservedly rank , forto liimthe province of the Belles Lettres , and more particularly the stage / are indebted for many spirited , ' entertaining , and instructive-works .
It has often been asserted that this gentleman was a natural son of the-celebrated PULTENEY , who was afterwards Earl of Bath- ; but he was in reality the son of TIIOMAS COLMAN ,- Esq .: British resident at the court of the Grand Duke of TUSCANY at Pisa . The wife of this gentleman was a sister of the Countess of BATH . The subject of our presentnotice was born at Florence , about the year 1733 . Ata veryearly age-he was placed in Westminster-school , where he soon disy finguished himself by the rapidity of his acquisitions , and the dawning splendour of his talents . In the year 1758 he removed to Christ
Ohurch College , Uxtord , 'and there took the degree 01 M . A ' . JLMrmg his progress at Westminster-school , and while he was at college , ' he formed those literary connexions with which he remained in friendship till they severally dropped off the stage of life . LLOYD , CHURCHILL , BONNEL THORNTON , and- Other celebrated 'wits of a former day , were among the intimate associates of Mr . COLMAN , and gave eclat tohia name by noticing , him in several of their compositions . Even so early
as the publication of the Koscidd , CHURCHILL proposed Mr . COLMAIT as a proper judge to decide onthe pretensions of the several candidates for the Chair of Roscius ; and-only complains that he might be thought too juvenile for so important an award : speaking of"the proposed judges who were supported by the suffrages of the public , he says ^ - ? " For COLMAN many ; but the peevish tongue " Of prudeait age found out that he was young . "
When he came to London , in order to study the law , he was received with great kindness by Lord BATH , who seemed to mark ! him for intended patronage ; and . this circumstance gave rise to the susp icion that his Lordship had a natural bias in favour of young COL - * MAN . Mr . COLMAS was admitted into the Society of Lincoln ' s Inn , " and was called to the bar , where he practised a very short time . At this period LLOYD addressed to him a very pleasant poem on the
importance of his profession , and on tlie seducements to which he was liable on account of his attachment to the Muses . It was not pro-: bable that a genius like that of Mr . COLMAN could have remained devoted to the dry study of the I . aw , and therefore , when he renounced the bar and attached' himself to literary pursuits , and more parties larlto the Dramahe did no more than what the public had long
y , expected . Lord BATH left him a very comfortable annuity , but less . than was expected , owing , it is said , to some little difference . that prevailed . between them just before the death of that nobleman . " About the year 17 68 , Mr . 'BEARD being incapable ofbearingany longer the fatigues of a theatrical life , ? nd wishing to retire from the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Biographic Sketch Of The. Late. George Colman, Esq.
BIOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE . LATE . GEORGE COLMAN , ESQ .
AMONG the innumerable tribes who attempt to pass as authors in this literary age , there are few really entitled to the notice of mankind by force of original genius and scholastic attainments ; but among thatfew the late Mr . COLMAN may deservedly rank , forto liimthe province of the Belles Lettres , and more particularly the stage / are indebted for many spirited , ' entertaining , and instructive-works .
It has often been asserted that this gentleman was a natural son of the-celebrated PULTENEY , who was afterwards Earl of Bath- ; but he was in reality the son of TIIOMAS COLMAN ,- Esq .: British resident at the court of the Grand Duke of TUSCANY at Pisa . The wife of this gentleman was a sister of the Countess of BATH . The subject of our presentnotice was born at Florence , about the year 1733 . Ata veryearly age-he was placed in Westminster-school , where he soon disy finguished himself by the rapidity of his acquisitions , and the dawning splendour of his talents . In the year 1758 he removed to Christ
Ohurch College , Uxtord , 'and there took the degree 01 M . A ' . JLMrmg his progress at Westminster-school , and while he was at college , ' he formed those literary connexions with which he remained in friendship till they severally dropped off the stage of life . LLOYD , CHURCHILL , BONNEL THORNTON , and- Other celebrated 'wits of a former day , were among the intimate associates of Mr . COLMAN , and gave eclat tohia name by noticing , him in several of their compositions . Even so early
as the publication of the Koscidd , CHURCHILL proposed Mr . COLMAIT as a proper judge to decide onthe pretensions of the several candidates for the Chair of Roscius ; and-only complains that he might be thought too juvenile for so important an award : speaking of"the proposed judges who were supported by the suffrages of the public , he says ^ - ? " For COLMAN many ; but the peevish tongue " Of prudeait age found out that he was young . "
When he came to London , in order to study the law , he was received with great kindness by Lord BATH , who seemed to mark ! him for intended patronage ; and . this circumstance gave rise to the susp icion that his Lordship had a natural bias in favour of young COL - * MAN . Mr . COLMAS was admitted into the Society of Lincoln ' s Inn , " and was called to the bar , where he practised a very short time . At this period LLOYD addressed to him a very pleasant poem on the
importance of his profession , and on tlie seducements to which he was liable on account of his attachment to the Muses . It was not pro-: bable that a genius like that of Mr . COLMAN could have remained devoted to the dry study of the I . aw , and therefore , when he renounced the bar and attached' himself to literary pursuits , and more parties larlto the Dramahe did no more than what the public had long
y , expected . Lord BATH left him a very comfortable annuity , but less . than was expected , owing , it is said , to some little difference . that prevailed . between them just before the death of that nobleman . " About the year 17 68 , Mr . 'BEARD being incapable ofbearingany longer the fatigues of a theatrical life , ? nd wishing to retire from the