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 173
... thing was in due form and order , we were summoned to at- attend . We entered the room . My uncle stared , my aunts sighed , the misses turned up their eyes in won- der , and the young men rubbed their hands in antici- pation of a ...
... thing was in due form and order , we were summoned to at- attend . We entered the room . My uncle stared , my aunts sighed , the misses turned up their eyes in won- der , and the young men rubbed their hands in antici- pation of a ...
Page 178
... thing from a spirit of inconstancy . Reasoning without principles , his reason sometimes betrayed him , as folly others . With a lively wit , but incorrect heart , he thought of every thing and mocked at every thing . He moralized ...
... thing from a spirit of inconstancy . Reasoning without principles , his reason sometimes betrayed him , as folly others . With a lively wit , but incorrect heart , he thought of every thing and mocked at every thing . He moralized ...
Page 197
... thing being settled be . yond recantation , I then applied to Mr. Harris , who readily appointed a night for my benefit . I feel proud in relating the following anecdote . All the clubs , of which I had been a member at Cambridge , came ...
... thing being settled be . yond recantation , I then applied to Mr. Harris , who readily appointed a night for my benefit . I feel proud in relating the following anecdote . All the clubs , of which I had been a member at Cambridge , came ...
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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