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DUBLIN

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE,

A

Literary and Political Journal.

VOL. LXII.

JULY TO DECEMBER, 1863.

DUBLIN:

GEORGE HERBERT, 117, GRAFTON-STREET.

HURST & BLACKETT, LONDON.

MDCCCLXIII.

DUBLIN: PRINTED BY ALEXANDER THOM, 87 & 88, ABBEY-STREET,

DUBLIN

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.

No. CCCLXVII.

JULY, 1863.

VOL. LXII.

IRISH ACTORS OF THE LAST CENTURY.-DELANE, RYAN, MOODY.

DURING the age of Garrick, the Augustan era, as many style it, of the British drama, Ireland supplied the London boards with more actors of mark than Barry or Mossop, whom we lately noticed, though none perhaps of the same high order of talent. Their lives and histrionic achievements may not call for the distinction of elaborate biographies, or furnish the requisite materials; still there are those amongst them who deserve better than to be jumbled en masse in the storehouse of oblivion, which Shakespeare tells us, Time carries in a wallet at his back,

"A great siz'd monster of ingratitudes." What has been is soon forgotten, when once the curtain hides it from view, unless some friendly voice or pen perpetuates its memory. The favourite of the past fades rapidly before the rising and attractive novelty of the fleeting hour.

"For Time is like a fashionable host,

That slightly shakes his parting guest by
And with his arms outstretch'd, as he

the hand,

would fly,

Grasps in the comer."

The General Advertiser of April the 3rd, 1750, contained the following announcement:"On Saturday night died DENIS DELANE, Esq., universally regretted." His age is not mentioned, but it could not have much exceeded forty. Davies, in his "Life of Gar

VOL. LXII.-NO. CCCLXVII.

rick," says, Delane's attachment to the bottle injured his constitution, and checked his advances towards high professional success. But Davies is not a biographer or retailer of anecdotes to be thoroughly depended on (who is?) What he asserts in this instance might or might not be true, and is not easily disproved after the lapse of more than a century.

Delane was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, with a view to something higher than the stage; but being carried away by a strong internal impulse, made his appearance on the public boards at Smock-alley in 1728, and was as well received as he could wish. He was young, handsome, had an elegant figure, a powerful but somewhat monotonous voice, a pleasing, gentlemanly address, and tolerably easy action. As might be looked for in a novice, he lacked the judgment which only practical experience can bring; but with his enthusiastic countrymen this was readily his discrimination ripened. He soon overlooked, and as his years increased became a general favourite, and supported many leading characters in tragedy and elegant comedy, particularly Alexander the Great and Young Bevil, with universal applause. In little more than three seasons his rising reputation carried him to London, where he appeared, under his first manager, Giffard, who had also emigrated before him, at Goodman's Fields, on the 24th of November,

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