complete ignorance in them, which, considering his numerous professional avocations, was perfectly accountable and natural. Dr. Pearson was acknowledged, by good judges, to be a sound Greek and Latin scholar. He was a hospitable landlord, a disinterested friend, and a very good-humoured and jocose companion he abounded in anecdotes, which he told with excellent effect. He would often observe to his friends, that he knew he was growing old; but that he had made up his mind to die "in harness."

The circumstances of Dr. Pearson's death were peculiarly melancholy. It took place at his house in Hanover Square, on Sunday, November 9. 1828, in consequence of a fall down stairs. Notwithstanding his great age, Dr. Pearson was indefatigable in the pursuit of study, and sat up every night later than any person of his family. On the night preceding his death, he remained, as usual, the last up. When the footboy got up and came down early on Sunday morning, he found his master's candlestick and the extinguisher at the top of the first flight of stairs, and on going down lower, he heard a loud breathing, which alarmed him so much, that he ran back to the attics for a fellow-servant, with whom he returned to ascertain the cause. On reaching the bottom, they discovered their unfortunate master on the ground at the entrance of the hall, breathing still heavily, but senseless, and with a large wound on his head, from which a quantity of blood had flowed. He was taken immediately to his bed, and medical aid procured. In the course of the day he recovered his consciousness, but expired towards the evening. It is supposed that he was seized with giddiness, and fell backward on reaching the top of the first flight of stairs, and rolled down to the bottom without being able to call for help, or without the noise of his fall being heard.

Dr. Pearson lost an only son some years since, which was a great affliction to him. He has left two daughters; one is married to John Dodson, D. C. L. (and formerly M. P.), and the other is single.

A silhouette of Dr. Pearson, taken about 1800, was pub

lished in Lettsom's "Hints." A portrait of him in middle life was suspended in his parlour; and a fine bust of him was, not many years ago, executed by Chantry. In the library of St. George's Hospital is an exceedingly good resemblance of him in his latter years, a pen and ink sketch by one of his pupils; from a copy of which a plate has, since his death, been engraved, to illustrate a Memoir of him in "The Gentleman's Magazine."

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No. XII.

MR. TERRY.

MR. DANIEL TERRY, one of the most sterling actors of our day, was born at Bath, about the year 1780; and received his education partly at the Grammar school of that city, and partly at a private academy kept by the Rev. Edward Spencer, at Winkfield, in Wiltshire. It having been thought that he discovered a strong propensity to the science of architecture, he was placed under Mr. Samuel Wyatt, with whom he remained five years. At the expiration of that term, however, his partiality for the stage strongly manifested itself. His first dramatic essay is said to have been Heartwell, in the farce of "The Prize,” a part affording but little scope for the display of histrionic talent. In 1803, he was staying at Sheffield for a week, and embraced the opportunity, which the presence in that town of Mr. Macready's company afforded him, of playing Tressel, in "Richard the Third;" Cromwell, in "Henry the Eighth;" Edmund, in "King Lear;" and a few other subordinate parts, experimentally : but, whether disappointed in his expectations of eminent success, or from some other cause, he returned to his original profession; which, however, he finally quitted in 1805, and entered himself as a volunteer in the corps dramatique of Mr. Stephen Kemble, then performing in some of the principal towns in the North of England. With this company he remained until its dissolution in August, 1806; and gained in it considerable experience as an actor, by a year and a half's very varied and laborious practice.

From hence Mr. Terry went to Liverpool, where he made slow but sure steps in public favour. He continued there

until November, 1809; when, on the secession of Mr. Meggott, he was engaged by Mr. Henry Siddons to lead the business of the Edinburgh Theatre. It was at Edinburgh that he first acquired considerable popularity, and to that city he was ever after strongly attached. Whilst there, he made the acquaintance of Mr. Ballantyne, the celebrated publisher; and was by him introduced to Sir Walter Scott, who from that period remained on the most intimate and friendly footing with him.

In the spring of 1812, he was induced, by the offer of an engagement at the Haymarket Theatre, to take leave of his friends and the stage at Edinburgh, in order to court what is ever the ultimatum of an actor's ambition the favourable testimony to his talents of a London audience. He made his first appearance in London on the 20th of May, 1812, in the character of Lord Ogleby, in "The Clandestine Marriage;" and was favourably received. He continued, during this and the next season, to play in succession a variety of old and new parts, with undiminished success. In September, 1813, he concluded an engagement with the managers of Covent Garden, with whom he remained until some disagreement about remuneration induced him, in 1822, to transfer his services to the rival establishment of Drury Lane, then under the management of Mr. Elliston.

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At Drury Lane Mr. Terry remained until 1825, when, in conjunction with Mr. Yates, he purchased the Adelphi Theatre. On this occasion, Sir Walter Scott proved himself a friend indeed;" becoming, it is said, Mr. Terry's security for the payment of his part of the purchase-money. The speculation was considered a good one, and the theatre continued to thrive for two seasons, under the joint management of Mr. Terry and Mr. Yates. About this time, however, unpleasant rumours of pecuniary embarrassments on the part of Mr. Terry (totally unconnected with Mr. Yates or the theatre, and, indeed, incurred previous to their partnership,) began to attract so much public notice as to render a dissolution of the partnership necessary. This was accom

plished, and Mr. Terry compounded in a handsome dividend with his creditors.

Over this part of Mr. Terry's history we are desirous to pass as lightly and rapidly as possible. Suffice it to say, that Mr. Terry's shattered nerves sank under the many painful trials to which his unfortunate circumstances subjected him. He was unable to rally, and to combat with adversity. After the settlement of his affairs, he was re-engaged at Drury Lane Theatre, and on the opening night of the season appeared there in the characters of Sir Peter Teazle and Peter Simpson. On this occasion, his acting exhibited a considerable falling off of his accustomed powers: his limbs seemed palsied, and his memory imperfect. He relinquished his engagement from ill health; and, after lingering for several weeks, expired on the 23d of June, 1829.

Whilst he was in Edinburgh, Mr. Terry married Miss Nasmyth, a daughter of the celebrated artist. By her he has left four children.

The following able analysis of Mr. Terry's professional merits appeared shortly after his death in "The Spectator:"

"When a favourite actor takes leave of life and the stage together, the feelings of the parties who have regarded him with favour are not unlike those which rise on the departure of a friend. There is that knowledge of the minutest variations of countenance and voice-tokens imperceptible to general acquaintance-which is possessed only by old intimates; and thus when an intercourse-ever agreeable to one of the parties, though too often sustained by the other with pain and heaviness of heart — is interrupted by death pouncing on him who has so often beguiled us out of ourselves, the privation not unreasonably ranks among those saddening blows, of which a man must endure his appointed number ere he drops himself. There are several circumstances-accidental some, and some peculiar to the performer who has so