As a proof that Farquhar was perfectly sensible of his dangerous state, and that he regained cheerfulness as his end approached, the following anecdote is told:--
The famed actress, Mrs. Oldfield, performed the part of Mrs. Sullen, when the comedy was first produced; and being highly interested in its success, from the esteem she bore the author; when it drew near the last rehearsal, she desired Wilkes, the actor, to go to him, and represent--that she advised him to make some alteration in the catastrophe of the piece; for that she was apprehensive, the free manner in which he had bestowed the hand of Mrs. Sullen upon Archer, without first procuring a divorce from her husband, would offend great part of the audience. "Oh," replied Farquhar, gaily, when this message was delivered to him, "tell her, I wish she was married to me instead of Sullen; for then, without the trouble of a divorce, I would give her my bond, that she should be a widow within a few days."
In this allusion he was prophetic;--and the apparent joy, with which he expected his dissolution, may be accounted for on the supposition--that the profligate characters, which he has pourtrayed in "The Beaux Stratagem," were such as he had uniformly met with in the world;--and he was rejoiced to leave them all behind.
DRURY LANE. COVENT GARDEN. AIMWELL _Mr. Holland._ _Mr. Brunton._ SIR CHARLES FREEMAN _Mr. Bartley._ _Mr. Claremont._ ARCHER _Mr. Elliston._ _Mr. Lewis._ SULLEN _Mr. Powell._ _Mr. Murray._ FOIGARD _Mr. Johnstone._ _Mr. Rock._ BONIFACE _Mr. Palmer._ _Mr. Davenport._ GIBBET _Mr. Wewitzer._ _Mr. Emery._ HOUNSLOW _Mr. Maddocks._ _Mr. Atkins._ BAGSHOT _Mr. Webb._ _Mr. Abbot._ SCRUB _Mr. Bannister._ _Mr. Munden._
LADY BOUNTIFUL _Mrs. Sparks._ _Mrs. Emery._ MRS. SULLEN _Mrs. Jordan._ _Mrs. Glover._ DORINDA _Miss Mellon._ _Miss Brunton._ CHERRY _Miss De Camp._ _Mrs. Martyr._ GIPSEY _Mrs. Scott._ _Mrs. Beverly._
_Enter_ BONIFACE, _running.--Bar Bell rings._
_Bon._ Chamberlain! Maid! Cherry! Daughter Cherry! All asleep? all dead?
_Cher._ Here! here! Why d'ye bawl so, father? d'ye think we have no ears?
_Bon._ You deserve to have none, you young minx:--The company of the Warrington coach has stood in the hall this hour, and nobody to show them to their chambers.