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London Published Jan! 1.1823 for La Belle Asamblee No 170. For JANUARY, 1823. A New and Improved Series. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ILLUSTRIOUS AND DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS. Number One Hundred and Seventy. MISS F. H. KELLY. line of characters, at the close of the theatre returned to England, to fulfil several provincial engagements at Birmingham, Nottingham, &c. MISS F. H. KELLY, the 'daughter of Cap- [] January 1821, and after playing Juliet, Mrs. tain Kelly, was born June 30th, 1805, and|| Haller, Virginia, Desdemona, and all the first having from her earliest years determined on her arduous profession, made her first appearance at Cheltenham, (where she remained during the month of June, 1819,) as Amelia Hildenheir. After an interval of twelve months which she spent in Paris to complete her education, she appeared at the Brighton theatre, where she performed throughout the season, during which Mr. Shiel, the admired author of Evadne, the Apostate, and other successful tragedies, saw her, and advised Mr. Harris to engage her for his theatre in Dublin, not doubting that she was destined to fill the vacant throne of tragedy in London. He likewise introduced her to his friend Mr. Macready, who has since given her much useful instruction, and to whom she is principally indebted for her present success. On her return to London, she received a proposal for Covent Garden from Mr. Harris, which she declined until she had more practice. Shortly after Mr. Young being engaged at Dublin, (1822) Mr. Harris concluded an engagement with Miss Kelly for the season, at the highest salary, in order to support him. After the conclusion of that agreement, Miss Kelly performed at various provincial theatres in Ireland, in order to obtain as much practice as possible, previous to her appearance at Covent Garden, where she uniformly obtains the universal applause of the audience, and is likely to remain a powerful auxiliary to her Miss F. H. Kelly appeared in Dublin company. ELLA, A CHARACTER FROM REAL LIFE. LIVELY, ingenuous, of various and elegant in the universe; but unfortunately for her, she accomplishments, of splendid connections, with was in every thing an enthusiast. She obeyed the most undisguised and contemptuous scorn without reflection the first impulses of her of those who could not boast similar distinc- mind. She read whatever excited public attion; at no pains to suppress her almost ado- tention and curiosity, but she read to no effect, ration of our own monarchial government, or she impatiently hurried over the volumes her indignation, amounting almost to rage, before her, that she might begin something against the French revolution, and all its sup- else; the consequence unavoidable was that porters; of exquisite taste, sensibility, and in a very short interval, she retained no rerefinement; proud but affable; tenacious of collection of the principal features, facts, and her rank, but gentle as gentleness itself. Such characters, of the books she had recently read. was the female who will be described under She also wrote a great deal, and some spethe name by which she was always distincimens of her poetical taste and talent are guished among her friends. Yes! such was really beautiful, but she wrote with extreme Ella. This lady was first known to the haste, and revised nothing. She was particuauthor, and obtained a place in his recollec-larly solicitous, and not always with sufficient tions, by one of those singular accidents, discrimination to have a personal acquaintwhich sometimes bring individuals together,ance with those of both sexes, who were diswho enter the world at opposite ends of the diameter, with different objects, pursuits, and employments, have but little seeming probability of ever meeting at the centre. was extravagantly fond of poetry. It occupied all her thoughts, and was seated in her very soul. Among other trifles which our friend had written for amusement, and which had found their way into the world, a poern which had received more of his time and attention than he usually gave to such things, (for he did not estimate his talent in this line very highly,) was sent to a friend who happened at this period to be resident under the same roof with Ella. Ella It mightily struck her fancy, and she determined on obtaining the author's acquaint ance. Her mind was of that eager and ardent temperature, that having once resolved on any measure, she spared no time or pains in accomplishing it. She accordingly sent him by the post a copy of verses complimenting him on the late production of his muse in terms like herself, easy, airy, and elegant. The writer was soon discovered, (or as Pope said of Johnson deterée,) and a familiar acquaintance || commenced, which was only terminated by death. If Ella's mind and talents had been under the regulation of sedate feelings and sober judgment, she would have been one of the most delightful and interesting creatures tinguished in the world by their reputation for talents. Unhappily for her there was no moderation in her attachments, from which she frequently became the victim of artifice and fraud. Perfectly artless and unsuspicious herself, she thought that intellectual superiority necessarily involved ingenuousness, honesty, and truth, nor was she cured of this infirmity, till her fortune had been irretrievably impaired. Her liberality knew no bounds, and she literally gave, till no more remained for her to bestow. Her captivating manners, her high birth, her connexions, her talents necessarily drew a crowd of young men about her, for many of whom in their turns she suffered love: but the flame was transitory in its effects, nor did she ever seriously entangle herself in an engagement which had marriage for its object, except with one individual, as unlike herself in every possible particular, as the imagina- ' tion can conceive. Her playfulness and most bewitching familiarity often, however, were the cause of entangling others. Some might be named, who, though grave, reserved, and ́ dignified personages, were unable to resist the fascinations of her charms and manners, and glided into her net with the easiest captivity imaginable. (To be continued.) |
