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120
Hereditary Genius
them. The name of Sheridan is peculiarly associated with a clearly marked
order of brilliant and engaging but “ne'er-do-weel” qualities. Richard Brinsley's
genius worked in flashes, and left results that were disproportionate to its
remarkable power. His oratorical power and winning address made him a
brilliant speaker and a star in society; but he was neither a sterling statesman
nor a true friend. He was an excellent boon companion, but unhappy in his
domestic relations. Reckless prodigality, gambling, and wild living, brought on
debts and duns and a premature break of his constitution. These qualities are
found in a greater or less degree among numerous members of the Sheridan
family, as well as in those whose biographies have been published. It is
exceedingly instructive to observe how strongly hereditary they have proved
to be.
F. Thomas Sheridan, author of the Dictionary. Taught oratory, connected himself
with theatres, became, aet. 25, manager of Drury Lane. He was a whimsical but
not an opinionated man.
f. Frances Chamberlain, most accomplished and amiable. Her father would not
allow her to learn writing; her brothers taught her secretly: aet. 15, her talent
for literary composition showed itself. She wrote some comedies, one of which
was as highly eulogized by Garrick, as her novel “Sydney Biddulph” was
panegyrized by Fox and Lord North.
g. Rev. Dr. Philip Chamberlain, an admired preacher, but a humorist and full of
crotchets. (I know nothing of the character of his wife, Miss Lydia Whyte.)
G. Rev. Dr. Thomas Sheridan, friend and correspondent of Dean Swift. A social,
punning, fiddling man, careless and indolent; high animal spirits. “His pen and
his fiddlestick were in continual motion.”
S. Tom Sheridan; a thorough scapegrace, and a Sheridan all over. (He had the Linley
blood in him—see above); married and died young, leaving a large family, of
whom one is—
P. Caroline, Mrs. Norton; poetess and novelist. PS. Lord Dufferin, late Secretary
for Ireland, is the son of another daughter.
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