FROM A PICTURE IN THE POSSESSION OF WILLIAM FITZHUGH ESQ

Lenden, Pul lished May 1,1834, by Effingham Wilson Revai Exchange

LIFE

OF

MRS. SIDDONS.

BY THOMAS CAMPBELL.

"Pity it is that the momentary beauties flowing from a harmonious elocution
cannot, like those of poetry, be their own record;-that the animated graces of the
Player can live no longer than the instant breath and motion that represent them;
or at least can but faintly glimmer through the memory and imperfect attestation of
a few surviving spectators."

CIBBER.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

EFFINGHAM WILSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE.

1834.

ENGLISH

OXFORD

LIBRARY

J. AND C. ADLARD, PRINTERS,

Bartholomew Close.

TO SAMUEL ROGERS, Esq.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I HAVE heard you say, that, rare as it was to meet with so gifted a genius as that of Mrs. Siddons, it was almost equally so to meet in human nature with so much candid and benignant singleness of mind as belonged to her personal character. Though this was always my own conviction, yet I was gratified to hear it strongly expressed by one so well acquainted with her, and possessing so much perspicacity. From the happiness which I have felt in the congeniality of our sentiments respecting the illustrious subject of these Volumes, I beg leave to inscribe them to you, with