of labor could redeem the fault of a drama which
conveyed moral precepts in the classic solemnity of select and studied
periods. Despairing, at length, of ever having it produced, Gerald
withdrew it in disgust; but what he did with the manuscript, whether it
was purposely destroyed, or accidentally lost, we are unable to say.
"Aquire," however, must have contained many excellencies, judging from
other poetical work of the author written at the same time, and from the
testimony of his accomplished brother, whose excellent literary taste
made him a competent judge. "Gisippus," a tragedy written at this
period, was produced with great success two years after the author's
death, Macready sustaining the title role. A series of continued
failures to satisfy the wants of exacting stage managers, slightly
altered the plan, though not the purpose, of the work which Griffin had
set himself to accomplish. He was compelled to give up writing
tragedies, and write for a livelihood; but London was overcrowded with
impecunious journalists, and he received the merest pittance in return
for the most arduous species of literary drudgery. The author of
"Irene," on his arrival in London, was not more incontestably the
literary helot at the mercy of Cave, Millar, and Osborne, than was
Gerald Griffin the typical booksellers' hack amid shuffling reviewers
and extorting publishers. Johnson at the outset of his literary career
received but five guineas for a quarto English translation of "Lobos
Voyage to Abyssinia." Griffin, after working for weeks received two
guineas for a translation of a volume and a half of Prevot's works. But
he was not to be easily dismayed by first reverses of fortune. He had
long ago made himself familiar with the catalogue of miseries in the
literary martyrology beginning with Nash and Otway, and ending with his
friend Banim. Early intimacy with distress and disappointment would but
stimulate him the better to conquer both. He would sacrifice everything,
consistent with a stainless name and an honorable career, in the
attainment of his cherished end--the society of friends, the little
luxuries of a frugal table, the modest though comfortable room in which
he had hitherto lived and toiled. Poor Gerald! he had yet to learn when
his most ambitious yearnings had been fully realized, that worldly
honors do not satisfy the cravings of a Christian heart, that the most
imperishable coronal of true success is woven of deeds littl