Eliza Fenwick, [Vauxhall], to Mary Hays, at Thomas Hays, Esqr, Wandsworth Common, Thursday afternoon, 23 May [1811].1 Thursday afternoon May 23d If your participation in my feelings were not a solace to me, I should Mr
Kemble2 is the most cold hearted man existing – All Kembles except
Stephen & poor Mrs Mason,3 are
the same. He would not listen to me beyond what immediately belonged to Eliza’s
situation in the Theatre, & Mr F.s drunkenness is as well known
to him already as it is to me. Henry Harris4 is over Kembles head. He has the larger share of the Theatre. Kemble has points
to maintain which makes him zealous to yield in little matters to Harris
entirely. Mrs H. Johnson5 lives
with Harris & Kemble though he hates her in his heart, fawns upon her with
the grossest adulation. Whoever is likely to rival Mrs H. J. with
the public is kept down, or put out of their course. Miss
Booth would never have got so forward there, but that her diminutive
person forbids her from attempting that line Mrs H. J. wishes to
keep to herself. That Lady rules supremely. I am convinced I could do no
service in this case by seeking an interview with Kemble, because I know the
importunity would be a pretext for his taking offence, because he would not be
able to excuse with any sort of decency the total violation he has been guilty
of, of the promise he gave on engaging Eliza namely – “putting her forward on every possible opportunity and patronizing her Believe me my dear Mary I will not let my present situation go if I can help it, till Orlando is secure in his destination; and, that I will do all that is possible towards maintaining it for that express purpose. I have not the remotest reason to believe that I am not considered as the most valuable person they could have, but successive disappointments, have changed a naturally sanguine temper & I am now teized with the constant apprehension of some suspended calamity. I therefore as I said before keep in mind possibilities that should such an evil befal me I may not lose resource in astonishment. The dismissal of the french Master was the only cause I had or have of fear, & Mrs M. having several times said that she hopes I shall stay to educate the baby (15 years at least) augers well as to their opinion of my exertions. But then people are mutable Children perverse & parents partial, and if I do dwell on the supposition I assure you it neither takes from my intention to remain nor impedes my efforts. On the same principle that I would make exertions & sacrifices to maintain inviolably my engagements for Orlando, will I take as much care as I can of my health. From your care of & counsel to my boy a new hope may spring in his excellence & fair prospects that may gild with a bright beam my latter days. How is it possible for me to
describe the feelings your active kindness creates. You offer precious boons
& I can easily accept but not easily thank you. Eliza will I am sure gladly
follow the line you point out. I have wished it before, but knew not where she
could make a beginning. It will indeed be gratifying & advantageous to
begin under Mrs Francis’s patronage6 & they would I am fully
persuaded suit each other. She On Sunday week then, unless forbidden by any accident Eliza & I will see you & your protegée Meanwhile God bless you and give you health and peace. Yrs affectionately E F Address: Miss Hays | T. Hays Esqr | Wandsworth Common Postmark: Illegible
1 Fenwick Family Papers, Correspondence, 1798-1855, New York Historical Library; Wedd, Fate of the Fenwicks 33-36; not in Brooks, Correspondence. 2 Henry Stephen Kemble (1789-1836), an actor who had been romantically involved with young Eliza Fenwick the previous year. His father, Stephen Kemble (mentioned by Fenwick in the next line), managed several traveling acting companies at that time, and in 1818 served as the manager at Drury Lane for one year. 3 Mrs. Mason was an actress in Dublin when the Fenwicks were in Belfast; apparently Eliza Fenwick came to know her at that time. 4 Henry Harris and his father, Thomas Harris, were involved with Covent Garden Theatre at this time, along with John Philip Kemble, the theatre's manager since 1803. 5 Mrs. H. Johnson was another actress featured often at Covent Garden at that time. In October 1805 she performed with John Philip Kemble, Charles Kemble, and Miss Mason in Shakespeare's As You Like It. 6 Elizabeth Dunkin Francis, Hays's niece who was apparently operating a school at that time and considering hiring young Eliza Fenwick as a singing/drawing instructor for young girls. 7 Mrs. John Dyer Collier and Mary Lamb, friends of Fenwick, Hays, and Crabb Robinson, the latter being a boarder at that time in the Collier home. 8 Benjeo] Wedd, Fate. Elizabeth Benger (1775-1827) was a writer and popular literary figure in London at that time. For more on Benger, see her entry in Biographical Index. 9 Matilda Betham (1776-1852), another writer known to Fenwick and Hays. For more, see her entry in Biographical Index.
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MARY HAYS: LIFE, WRITINGS, AND CORRESPONDENCE > MARY HAYS CORRESPONDENCE > 1810-1819 > 1811 >