An Apology for the Life of James FennellIn this book, English/American actor James Fennell recites the tale of his life. The facts are these: born in London in 1766, Fennel had a reasonable education at Bow, Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. His life at university was extravagant, so with extensive gambling debts he entered Lincoln's Inn. Unsuccessful there, he removed to Edinburgh in 1787, with a view to adopting the stage as a profession. He played six times in Edinburgh with some success, and accepted an engagement for the following season. Returning to London, he appeared at Covent Garden Theatre 12 October 1787 as Othello, and acted in other plays. In 1792 he married, and in 1793 he accepted an offer from the Philadelphia Theatre, and started for America. Between 1797 and 1806 he acted at many theatres in New York, Boston, and elsewhere without establishing a position. He gave readings and recitations at College Hall, Philadelphia, and for a time kept an academy at Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1815, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, he was allowed to attempt Lear, but his memory was gone. He died 14 June 1816. |
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Page 31
... relate or not , the cause of my errors this day ; but , as the errors were great to which it led , I find myself induced to relate an almost ridiculous occurrence , for the sake of its effect . The night had been stormy ; much rain had ...
... relate or not , the cause of my errors this day ; but , as the errors were great to which it led , I find myself induced to relate an almost ridiculous occurrence , for the sake of its effect . The night had been stormy ; much rain had ...
Page 38
... relate to you a curious circumstance : I am justified in so doing , by the example of one of the most abstruse of the ancient modern philosophers , who paused in the midst of a laborious work , to relate his anecdote of a sparrow . I ...
... relate to you a curious circumstance : I am justified in so doing , by the example of one of the most abstruse of the ancient modern philosophers , who paused in the midst of a laborious work , to relate his anecdote of a sparrow . I ...
Page 136
... relate the effects . When my friend and I had returned from a party , or a party had left us , and the family had retired to rest , it was our practice , and frequent practice had made it habit , to take our chairs , sit in silent ...
... relate the effects . When my friend and I had returned from a party , or a party had left us , and the family had retired to rest , it was our practice , and frequent practice had made it habit , to take our chairs , sit in silent ...
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acquainted afterwards amiable amusement appeared arrived asked assistance attended audience bashaw boys Bruce Buxton Calais called Carr cause character conduct consented consequently conversation Dartford determined dine dinner dollars duty Edinburgh endeavour engaged England entered error Eton Eton college eyes father favour feelings felt Fennell fĂȘte champĂȘtre folly frequently gentleman give guineas happy honour horses hundred immediately induced indulged informed introduced invited Jaffier John Hollins lady letter Lincoln's inn London lord Louis the fourteenth manager Matlock ment miles mind Mobjack bay morning mother nature never Newyork night observed occasion occasionally Othello party passed performed person Philadelphia play pleasure portmanteau pounds procured racter received recitations replied requested respect Scotland sent soon stage suffered theatre thing thought thousand guineas tion told took Topal Osman virtue wish young