Page:Notable Irishwomen.djvu/43

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NOTABLE IRISHWOMEN.
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tically received. Her progress in public favour did not come all in a bound, as it did with her countrywoman, Mrs. Jordan. On the contrary, years elapsed before the actress of eighteen, who had made her début at the Haymarket, was acknowledged to be a star.

Miss Farren and her mother lodged in Suffolk Street, near the Haymarket. We are told that when an acquaintance from Liverpool, who belonged to a theatrical company there, called upon them, he was invited to take share of the family dinner, which consisted of a shoulder of mutton and potatoes, served in the brown dish in which they were baked and a plain pot of porter.

The elder Colman gave Mrs. Farren the nickname of "Tin Pocket." One morning, after rehearsal, this notable dame was observed hastening after her daughter as she came out of the theatre and exclaiming repeatedly, "It will be cold; it will be cold!" Colman fancied that he smelt something eatable, and that this something came from Mrs. Farren's pocket. Becoming curious, he insisted on examining it, when he found that she had a pocket lined with tin, which contained some hot boiled beef that she had just bought at a provision shop. This was intended for the dinner of herself and her daughter. She told Colman that she got the pocket made on purpose so as not to waste the gravy which was given with the meat. There was