than Mr. Matthews; and at the trade sales of the booksellers, which were then held at taverns, he was accustomed so to make a "bishop," that he was familiarly called by his brethren, bishop Matthews. He was the father of Charles Matthews, the celebrated comedian.[1]
1804, Nov. 12. Died, Gerard Bancks, who for many years carried on a very respectable business as a stationer and printer, in Exchange-street, Manchester, lamented by his relatives, and a large circle of acquaintance. Being a captain in Ackers's volunteers, he was buried with military honours in St. Peter's church.
1804, Dec. 12. Died, John Boydell, who has justly been called "the father of the arts in Great Britain." He was born, Jan. 19, 1719, at Dorrington, in Derbyshire, of which place his grandfather was vicar. Engaged himself in the profession of land surveyor, it is said that his father intended him for the same line; but, fortunately for the community, not less than his son, accident threw in the way of the latter, whilst yet young, Baddesley's views of different country seats, which so attracted his attention, that young Boydell resolved to relinquish the pen for the graver, as an instrument far more worthy of his powers; and more likely to reward, as well as extend, the fame of his labours.—Whether genius be, as a great moralist is of opinion that it is, "a mind with strong powers accidently directed to some particular object," it appears most certain that this rising genius was induced to acquire the art of engraving from accidentally contemplating the misrepresentation of a misshapen gothic castle.[2] It appears almost impossible that an individual, who began the world in so humble circumstances, could have effected so much for the improvement of the arts, and of the national taste. At the age of twenty-one, he walked up to London, and bound himself apprentice to Mr. Tomms, an engraver, at a time when there were no very eminent engravers in England. Notwithstanding that he was now of age, his conduct, during his apprenticeship, is known to have been most assiduous. Having prosecuted his professional studies for six years, and finding himself to be a better artist than his teacher, he bought the last year of his apprentice-ship from Mr. Tomms, and became his own master. Returning to his native village, he married an amiable female, the object of his early love, with whom he lived many years in great felicity. Amidst the scenes of his youth, he sketched drawings of several romantic spots, and remarkable buildings, which he subsequently engraved. Returning to the metropolis, he began to work for himself, and became a printseller of some eminence. Boydell saw the necessity of forcing the art of engraving by stimulating men of genius with suitable rewards; and seeing that the taste for prints began rapidly to extend, and having felt how sensibly his own interest suffered, together with the honour of his country, by the sums annually drawn from hence in return for the productions of French artists, began to look out for some English engraver who should equal, perhaps excel, them; and, in William Woollet,[3] he found one. The extraordinary encouragement which his endeavours experienced from the public was equal to the spirit and patriotism of his undertakings, and soon laid the foundation of an ample fortune. He was elected alderman of Cheap ward in 1782; sheriff in 1785; lord mayor in 1790; and in the same year master of the stationers' company. The English engravings, which were before considered much inferior to
- ↑ Charles Matthews was born on the 28th June, 1776, and educated at merchant tailor's school, and at the usual age was bound apprentice to his father. The bookseller was a Wesleyan methodist, and from religious motives did not permit his children to visit a theatre; but the circumstance of meeting with Robert Wiiliam Elliston, inforced that curiosity which prohibition had perhaps originally excited. By the connivance of a shopman, master Matthews stole out, and went to the two shilling gallery of old Drury. From that moment all occupation, save that of acting, became "stale, flat, and unprofitable."
In September, 1793, he stole away to Richmond, where he made his first public appearance on the stage. His father finding his son's mind fixed upon the stage, one day addressed him thus: "Charles, there are your indentures, and there are twenty guineas; I do not approve of the stage, but I will not oppose your wishes. At any time hereafter, should you feel inclined to turn to an honest calling, there are twenty guineas more, if you send for them, and your father's house is open to you." The second twenty guineas Matthews never claimed. The youth found himself, ere he was eighteen, with the wide world before him. His first appearance before a London audience, was on May l5, 1803, and he soon became a decided favourite with the town, and was engaged at Drury-lane. On the 2nd of April, 1818, he announced his intention of giving, at the English opera house, a monodramatic entertainment, called Matthews at Home." Never, perhaps, did a project of such a nature so directly succeed; night after night, and season after season, the theatre was thronged. After six years entertainment, Mr. Matthews went in 1823 to America, where he was extremely well received by the public. Being libelled in the Philadelphia Gazette, he brought an action, and was awarded 3000 crowns damages. In the autumn of 1823, he returned to England, and joined with Yates in the Adelphi theatre. Matthews has been frequently misrepresented, and termed a mere mimic; but in fact, so far from his characters being individual imitations, they were more frequently the characters of his own conception, though alive to nature and consistent in themselves. Several imitators have followed his footsteps, but no one could make even a pretention to rivalry has as yet appeared. For seventeen years he, by his single exertions, delighted all England —"alone he did it." As a companion he was delightful, as a friend sincere, and as a husband and father exemplary. He was, with John Kemble and Braham, received as a guest by George IV.
Mr. Matthews died at Devenport, Devonshire, June 27, 1835. He was twice married; first to Miss C. Strong, of Exeter, a lady of respectable family, and the authoress of a volume of poems and some novels. She retired from the stage in September, 1814. His second wife was Miss Jackson, half sister to Miss Kelly. Mr. Charles Matthews, of the Olympic theatre, was intended by his father for an architect, but took to the stage, and made his first appearance Dec. 7, 1835. He was lately married to Mad. Vestris. - ↑ "After his oracle, Dr. Johnson," says Mr. Gibbon, "my friend sir Joshua Reynolds denies all original genius any natural propensity of the mind to one art or science rather than another. Without engaging in a metaphysical, or rather a verbal dispute, I know, by experience, that from my early youth I aspired to the character of an historian."
- ↑ William Woollet, of humble though reputable origin, was born at Maidstone, in Kent, in August 1735. While an apprentice, he early distinguished himself, and many of his pieces have considerable merit. His chief engravings are the Niobe, from Wilson's celebrated picture, the Death of General Wolfe, from West's painting; and the Fishery. He died May 23, 1785, in his fiftieth year, and his remains were buried in St. Pancras' church-yard, where an upright grave-stone records his memory; but a more noble monument to his genius has been erected in the cloisters of Westminster abbey, from the classic chisel of Banks.
