Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/404

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

400 MACKLIN. of the contracting parties should accommodate matters with the patentee without a comprehension of the other. Mr. Garrick could not but acknowledge the justice of Macklin's plea; he declared that he was ready to do a l l i n his power t o fulfil his agreement; but, a s the manager continued obstinate i n his resolution t o exclude Mr. Macklin, i t could not reasonably b e expected that h e should, b y a n obstinate perseverance i n a desperate con test, greatly injure his own fortune, and absolutely b e the means o f starving eight o r ten people, whose fate depended on his accommodating the dispute with Fleetwood. He offered Mr. Macklin a sun t o b e paid weekly out o f his income, for a certain time, till the manager could b e brought into better temper, o r h e should have i t i n his power t o provide for himself suitable t o his rank i n the theatre. He obtained a promise o f Mr. Rich t o give Mrs. Macklin a weekly salary o f 3 1 . These proposals were strenuously rejected b y Mr. Macklin, who persisted i n his claim o f Mr. Garrick's absolutely fulfilling the tenor o f their compact. Mr. Garrick, notwithstanding the per severance o f Macklin, accepted Fleetwood's proposals, and entered into covenant with him, for that season, a t a very considerable income. His reception, however, i n the part o f Bayes, i n the “Rehearsal,” was very disagreeable. When the curtain drew up, the play-house shewed more like a bear-garden than a theatre-royal.—The sea, i n a storm, was not more terrible and boisterous than the loud and various noises which issued from the boxes, pit, and galleries. Garrick, a s soon a s h e entered, bowed very low several times, and entreated t o be heard. Peas were thrown upon the stage, and h e was saluted with loud hisses, and continual cries o f off! off! This theatrical tempest lasted two mights. At last, the ardour o f Macklin's party began t o relax, and Garrick recovered the public favour. James Lacy, however, who succeeded Fleetwood i n the management, brought about a revolution i n the theatre, i n 1747-8 . He forgot a l l former disputes, and engaged Macklin and his wife a t a very considerable salary. At l