town more forcibly
attracted his attention, especially the diversions of the Theatre, for
which, he discovered a violent propension. When Mr. Ashbury, who then
was manager of Dublin Theatre, had recruited his company with the
celebrated Mr. Wilks (who had for some seasons engaged with Mr.
Christopher Rich at Drury-Lane, from whom his encouragement was not
equal to his merit) Farquhar having acquaintance with him, Mr. Wilks,
was soon introduced upon the stage by his means, where he did not long
continue, nor make any considerable figure. His person was sufficiently
advantageous, he had a ready memory, proper gesture, and just elocution,
but then he was unhappy in his voice, which had not power enough to
rouse the galleries, or to rant with any success; besides, he was
defective in point of assurance, nor could ever enough overcome his
natural timidity. His more excellent talents however might, perhaps,
have continued the player at Dublin, and lost the poet at London; but
for an accident, which was likely to turn a feigned tragedy into a real
one: The story is this.

Mr. Farquhar was extremely beloved in Ireland; having the advantage of
a good person, though his voice was weak; he never met with the least
repulse from the audience in any of his performances: He therefore
resolved to continue on the stage till something better should offer,
but his resolution was soon broke by an accident. Being to play the part
of Guyomar in Dryden's Indian Emperor, who kills Vasquez, one of the
Spanish generals; and forgetting to exchange his sword for a foil, in
the engagement he wounded his brother tragedian, who acted Vasquez, very
dangerously; and though it proved not mortal, yet it so shocked the
natural tenderness of Mr. Farquhar's temper, that it put a period to his
acting ever after.

Soon after this, Mr. Wilks received from Mr. Rich a proposal of four
pounds a week, if he would return to London (such was the extent of the
salaries of the best players in that time, which, in our days, is not
equal to that of a second rate performer) which he thought proper to
accept of; and Mr. Farquhar, who now had no inducement to remain at
Dublin, accompanied Mr. Wilks to London, in the year 1696. Mr. Wilks,
who was well acquainted with the humour and abilities of our author,
ceased not his solicitation 'till he prevailed upon him to write a play,
assuring him, that he was considered by all who knew him in a much
brighter light than he had