SHERIDAN. 511 they obtained the next day. The play, however, was not represented, and riot and confusion reigned during the whole of the night. The lords justices now thought proper to order the master of the revels to shut up the theatre by his authority, which was accordingly done. The young gentleman who began the disturbance was taken up for assaulting Mr. Sheridan, and for mischief done, at the theatre, in the dressing rooms and wardrobe; and the manager was indicted for assaulting and beating the gentleman in his dressing room. When the time of trial drew near, the Lord Chief Justice Marlay sent for the High Sheriff, and directed him to make out and bring a list of sufficient and able jurors to his lordship. This was done to prevent any unfair practices being used. On the day ap pointed for the trials, that of Mr. Sheridan came on first; when it appear ing that the gentleman gave the manager such provoking abusive language in his dressing room, as compelled him to beat him out of i t , and that n o other person touched him, the jury acquitted the prisoner without going out o f the box. The former prosecutor, now become the culprit, then appeared a t the bar, and the facts charged on him were proved b y many witnesses. I n the course o f the trial Mr. Sheridan was called, and during his examination one o f the counsel o n the part o f the prisoner got up, and said, “He wanted t o see a curiosity. I have often seen (continued he) a gentleman soldier, and a gentleman tailor, but I have never seen a gentle man player.” Mr. Sheridan bowed, and said, “Sir, I hope you see one now.” The result o f the trial was, that the gentleman was found guilty, and the sentence passed upon him was a fine o f five hundred pounds, and three months imprisonment. After h e had remained i n confinement a week, h e applied t o Mr. Sheridan for his interference i n his behalf, who instantly solicited the government t o relinquish the fine, which was granted him. He then became solicitor and bail himself t o the Court o f King's Bench for his enlargement, and succeeded i n his application. Thus Mr. Sheridan emancipated the stage from the abject and ignominious state i n which i t existed previous t o his connection with it; and from this time regularity, order, and decency, were introduced. Among other circum stances which this event gave rise to, i t was the means o f his becoming acquainted with the lady whom h e shortly afterwards married. This was Miss Chamberlain, who was born i n Ireland, i n the year 1724, but de scended from a good English family, which had removed thither. She was the grand-daughter o f Sir Oliver Chamberlain, and, during the con troversy occasioned b y the riots, wrote a small pamphlet i n the defence o f the manager. So well-timed a work exciting the attention o f Mr. Sheridan, h e procured himself t o b e introduced t o his fair patroness, t o whom h e was soon after married. She was a person o f the most amiable character i n every relation o f life, with the most engaging manners. With her h e lived i n great domestic harmony above twenty years. I n the management o f the theatre Mr. Sheridan now passed several years, with no greater variety than usually attends the direction o f s o complicated a machine;— some broils with performers, and some complaints, but more approbation from the public. Over his performers h e soon obtained a complete ascen dancy, from the firmness o f his conduct a s well a s the impartiality o f i t .
