Noble, Penrith, Cumberland, ironmonger. Eze kiel Croydon, late of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, baker. David Moffatt, Fleet Market, London, grocer. Robert Fisher, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, tailor. Wm.. Dyson, Marsden, . Yorkshira, drysalter and grocer. J. Marshall, Little Russel Street, Bermondsey, Surry, tanner. J. Tomlinson, Salford, Lancaster, weft and twist-dealer. J. Shuttleworth, Manchester, cotton-manufacturer. J. Meycock, Broad Street, St. Giles's in the Fields, and St. George, Bloomsbury, haberdasher. W. Ludby, Petworth, Sussex, shopkeeper. G. Cawrn, Strand, bookseller. H. Nathan, late of ss, slopseller. R, Tomkinson, J. TomkinF. Solicke, late of Liverpool, merYeoman, Theobald's Road, tallow handle. Dwyer, late of Bristol, hatter. J. M'Carty, Liverpool, merchant. J. Evans, late of Wolverhampton, but now of Liverpool, hardwareman. H. Ross, now or late of Liverpool, merchant To Correspondents. We have received a valuable original communication from Sid mouth, entitled, "The Vision realized;" it shall appear, without fail next month, and its perusal, we doubt not, will highly gratify the Readers of our Miscellany. The communications of Veritas in our next. ERRATA.---In the Ode Peace inserted in our last Miscellany, for torn, read forlorn; and for others, read fairer. THE MONTHLY VISITOR. DECEMBER, 1801. SKETCH OF THE MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM PARSONS, ESQ. THE CELEBRATED COMEDIAN. Enriched with a capital Portrait, taken from Life. Here PARSONS lies-oft on life's busy stage PARSONS' EPITAPH. N former Numbers of our Miscellany we have whose theatrical talents have attracted the admiration of our countrymen. Delighted with their exhibitions on the stage, we naturally investigate their private history-particularly the several steps by which they have attained to their present celebrity. Oftentimes their previous career has resembled a subterranean current, whose meanderings we cannot trace-though, on other occasions, we have it in our power to behold them gradually rising to the pinnacle of popularity. Let us, however, with respect to the present subject of our Memoirs, endeavour to obtain some gratification of our culriosity. Vol. 14, No. 60. MR. WILLIAM PARSONS was born about the year 1736, in Cheapside, London, where his father lived with a very decent reputation. Neither ele, vated by riches, nor depressed with poverty, he preserved the sober tenor of his way. His son was sent at a proper age to St. Paul's School, where he applied himself with ardour to the various parts of learning which claimed his attention. Here he formed intimacies with his school-fellows which lasted through life. Such connections are often serviceable to us in our progress through the world—be this as it may, in the case before us, we must remark, that such friendships indicate a heart endued with sensibility. To such sensations Mr. P. was by no means estranged. At so early an age as fourteen, Mr. Parsons was placed with Sir Henry Cheere, an architect, with the view of being a surveyor. How long he remained in this situation we cannot tell; but he must have possessed considerable knowledge for such a profession. In particular, mathematical science in some degree must have been cultivated. These qualifications, however, were not long called forth into exercise. The dramatic taste had been cherished, and the gratification of it was become the object of ambition. Here then opens upon us the first rudiments of that genius which afterwards delighted mankind. Natural inclination finds out for itself a channel, in which it flows with increas ing rapidity. It combats with every difficulty lying in its way. It seldom fails of obtaining a victory. Having accustomed himself with several young associates to frequent Spouting Clubs, his talents for exhibition were greatly improved. Neglecting his business, and having his attention absorbed by this entertainment, he at last quitted his master and friends. He then ventured to make his appearanceTM |