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 104
... conversation naturally turned on the races of the morning , and I lanched out in praises of my steed , which had beaten my friend's blood horse , who now began to work upon my feelings , by telling me I beat him only by chance , that ...
... conversation naturally turned on the races of the morning , and I lanched out in praises of my steed , which had beaten my friend's blood horse , who now began to work upon my feelings , by telling me I beat him only by chance , that ...
Page 201
... conversation , at first , was general between the ladies and the gentlemen ; and I soon found , the mauvaise honte , under which I had laboured , was removable even in the presence of such learned men . But after supper the attack began ...
... conversation , at first , was general between the ladies and the gentlemen ; and I soon found , the mauvaise honte , under which I had laboured , was removable even in the presence of such learned men . But after supper the attack began ...
Page 426
... conversation : Warren , I know , as well as others , has indulged his fancy and his reason freely on my conduct . I should be sorry if I had a feeling that could blame him ; for so far as I can understand , he has never declared to the ...
... conversation : Warren , I know , as well as others , has indulged his fancy and his reason freely on my conduct . I should be sorry if I had a feeling that could blame him ; for so far as I can understand , he has never declared to the ...
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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