An Apology for the Life of James FennellB. Blom, 1969 - 510 pages In this book, English/American actor James Fennell recites the tale of his life. The facts are these: born in London in 1766, Fennel had a reasonable education at Bow, Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. His life at university was extravagant, so with extensive gambling debts he entered Lincoln's Inn. Unsuccessful there, he removed to Edinburgh in 1787, with a view to adopting the stage as a profession. He played six times in Edinburgh with some success, and accepted an engagement for the following season. Returning to London, he appeared at Covent Garden Theatre 12 October 1787 as Othello, and acted in other plays. In 1792 he married, and in 1793 he accepted an offer from the Philadelphia Theatre, and started for America. Between 1797 and 1806 he acted at many theatres in New York, Boston, and elsewhere without establishing a position. He gave readings and recitations at College Hall, Philadelphia, and for a time kept an academy at Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1815, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, he was allowed to attempt Lear, but his memory was gone. He died 14 June 1816. |
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Page 90
... attend a meeting of the celebrated Academy of Arts and Sciences . We attended , entered the room , and were with all politeness , ushered to our seats . There was a balloon floating about the room . The solemnity began : the president ...
... attend a meeting of the celebrated Academy of Arts and Sciences . We attended , entered the room , and were with all politeness , ushered to our seats . There was a balloon floating about the room . The solemnity began : the president ...
Page 96
... attending my father occasionally , at his office , to assist him when particularly hurried . One day , when he was ... attended on these occasions , exa- mined him , and among others , putthis question , " what's the first duty of a ...
... attending my father occasionally , at his office , to assist him when particularly hurried . One day , when he was ... attended on these occasions , exa- mined him , and among others , putthis question , " what's the first duty of a ...
Page 354
... attended him to others , and in less than an hour I had the sum required . - Mr . Oliver's kindness on the occasion I shall never forget . Furnished by his assistance with means , I charter- ed a sloop , and returned to my little ...
... attended him to others , and in less than an hour I had the sum required . - Mr . Oliver's kindness on the occasion I shall never forget . Furnished by his assistance with means , I charter- ed a sloop , and returned to my little ...
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acquainted afterwards amiable amusement appeared arrived asked assistance attended audience bashaw boys Bruce Buxton Calais called Carr cause character conduct consented consequently conversation Dartford determined dine dinner dollars duty Edinburgh endeavour engaged England entered error Eton Eton college eyes father favour feelings felt Fennell fête champêtre folly frequently gentleman give guineas happy honour horses hundred immediately induced indulged informed introduced invited Jaffier John Hollins lady letter Lincoln's inn London lord Louis the fourteenth manager Matlock ment miles mind Mobjack bay morning mother nature never Newyork night observed occasion occasionally Othello party passed performed person Philadelphia play pleasure portmanteau pounds procured racter received recitations replied requested respect Scotland sent soon stage suffered theatre thing thought thousand guineas tion told took Topal Osman virtue wish young