The Literary History of the Adelphi and Its NeighbourhoodBrereton, Austin
History
The Literary History of the Adelphi and Its Neighbourhood
Brereton, Austin
Adelphi (London, England) -- History; Literary landmarks -- England -- London; London (England) -- History
Before describing the magnificent funeral procession of David Garrick
from the Adelphi, let me glance for a moment at the widow of the
great actor and her deportment on this sad occasion. Thanks to Hannah
More--who had risen from a sick-bed, in Bristol, and had travelled
post-haste to London, at the express desire of her friend--we get a
most interesting account of Mrs Garrick at the time of her husband's
death:--
"She was prepared for meeting me; she ran into my arms, and we both
remained silent for some minutes; at last she whispered--'I have this
moment embraced his coffin, and you come next.' She soon recovered
herself, and said with great composure, 'The goodness of God to
me is inexpressible; I desired to die, but it is His will that I
should live, and He has convinced me He will not let my life be quite
miserable, for He gives astonishing strength to my body and _grace_
to my heart!--neither do I deserve; but I am thankful for both!' She
thanked me a thousand times for such a real act of friendship, and
bade me be comforted, for it was God's will. She told me they had just
returned from Althorp, Lord Spencer's, where he had been reluctantly
dragged, for he had felt unwell for some time; but during his visit he
was often in such fine spirits that they could not believe he was ill.
On his return home he appointed Dr Cadogan to meet him, who ordered him
an emetic, the warm bath, and the usual remedies, but with very little
effect. On the Sunday he was in good spirits and free from pain; but as
the suppression still continued, Dr Cadogan became extremely alarmed,
and sent for Pott, Heberden, and Schomberg, who gave him up the moment
they saw him. Poor Garrick stared to see his room full of doctors, not
being conscious of his real state. No change happened till the Tuesday
evening, when the surgeon who was sent for to blister and bleed him
made light of his illness, assuring Mrs Garrick that he would be well
in a day or two, and insisted on her going to lie down. Towards morning
she desired to be called if there was the least change. Every time that
she administered the draughts to him in the night, he always squeezed
her hand in a particular manner, and spoke to her with the greatest
tenderness and affection. Immediately after he had taken his last
medicine, he softly said, "Oh! dear," and yielded up his spirit without
a groan, in his perfect senses. His behaviour during the night was all
gentleness and patience, and he frequently made apologies to those
about him for the trouble he gave them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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