The times are sadly changed in Ireland as regards the drama, and the
enjoyments of its lovers, since the days when Jack Johnstone used
to delight his thousands of bearers, in old "Crow street," with his
melodious warblings of Irish melodies, and his never-to-be-equalled
touches of Irish humour and merriment. It can never be questioned
that he was the truest painter of Irish character that ever lived.
There was no trait to be found throughout its extensive range, from
the accomplished gentleman to the unlettered peasant, that he was not
equally master of, and which he did not depict with equal spirit and
vividness; and this always in such a way as to make us pleased with
the picture of ourselves, and acknowledge its truth, while we laughed
at its strange and often ludicrous peculiarities. There was nothing
in Jack Johnstone's personation that Irishmen would ever feel ashamed
of, or that they would not willingly allow to go forth to the world
at large as faithful delineations of their eccentricities and faults,
as well as of their drolleries and virtues; and hence not only is the
memory of this genuine Irish comedian honoured by those of the last
generation, who were his cotemporaries, but his reputation as an actor
has even descended with lustre to our own times. So should it for ever
live; and in this desire of contributing our humble assistance towards
perpetuating his memory, we are induced to present our readers with
a short biographical notice of his career, which we are sure will
not be displeasing to the young, while it will hardly fail to revive
joyous recollections of happy days in the minds of our readers of more
advanced years.
Mr John Henry Johnstone was born at Tipperary in 1750, and was the
son of a small but respectable farmer, having a large family. At the
early age of 18 he enlisted into a regiment of Irish dragoons, then
stationed at Clonmel, commanded by Colonel Brown. Being smitten with
the charms of a neighbouring farmer's daughter, Johnstone used to scale
the barrack-wall after his comrades had retired to their quarters, for
the purpose of serenading his mistress, having a remarkably sweet and
flexible voice. He always returned, however, and was ready at parade
the following morning. He was much esteemed throughout the regiment for
a native lively turn of mind, and peculiarly companionable qualities.
Two of his comrades (who had found out the secret of his nocturnal
visitations) scaled the wall after him, and discovered him on his knee
singing a plaintive Irish ditty beneath the window of his inamorata.
They instantly returned to quarters, and were quickly followed by
Johnstone. The serjeant of the company to which he belonged eventually
became acquainted with the circumstance, but never apprised the colonel
of the fact. Shortly after, Colonel Brown had a party of particular
friends dining with him, whom he was most anxious to entertain: he
inquired what soldier throughout the regiment had the best voice, and
the palm of merit was awarded by the serjeant-major to Johnstone. The
colonel sent for him, and he attended the summons, overwhelmed with
apprehension that his absence from quarters had reached his commander's
ears. He was soon relieved, however, on this point, and attended the
party at the time appointed. The first song he sang was a hunting
one, which obtained much applause, although he laboured under great
trepidation. The colonel said that he had heard he excelled in Irish
melodies, and bade Johnstone sing one of his favourite _love_ songs.
His embarrassment increased at this order; but after taking some
refreshment, he sang the identical ditty with which he had so often
serenaded his mistress, in such a style of pathos, feeling, and taste,
as perfectly enraptured his auditors. Having completely regained his
self-possession, he delighted the company with several other songs,
which all received unqualified approbation.
The next day Colonel Brown sent for him and sounded his inclination
for the stage. Johnstone expressed his wishes favourably on the point,
but hinted the extreme improbability of his success, from want of
experience and musical knowledge. The colonel overcame his objections,
and granted him his discharge, with a highly recommendatory letter to
his particular friend Mr Ryder, then manager of the Dublin theatre, who
engaged Johnstone at two guineas a-week for three years, which, after
his first appearance in Lionel, was immediately raised to four (a high
salary at that time in Dublin). His fame as a vocalist gathered like
a snow-ball, and he performed the whole range of young singing lovers
with pre-eminent eclat.
Our hero next formed a matrimonial alliance with a Miss Poitier,
daughter of Colonel Poitier, who had then the command of the military
depôt at Kilmainham gaol. This lady being highly accomplished, and
possessing a profound knowledge of music, imputed to her husband the
secrets of the science, and made him a finished singer.
Macklin having the highest opinion of Johnstone's talent, advised
him to try the metropolitan boards, and wrote a letter to Mr Thomas
Harris, of Covent-garden, who, on the arrival of Johnstone and his
wife, immediately engaged them for three years, at a weekly salary of
£14, £16, and £18. Johnstone made his first appearance in London on the
3d October, 1783, in his old character of Lionel, and made a complete
hit, fully sustaining the ten years' reputation he had acquired on
the Dublin stage. After remaining several years at Covent-garden, and
finding his voice not improving with time, he formed the admirable
policy of taking to Irish parts, which were then but very inadequately
filled. His success was beyond example; his native humour, rich brogue,
and fine voice for Irish ditties, carried all before him. In fact,
he was the only actor who could personate with the utmost effect
both the patrician and plebeian Irishman. He next performed at the
Haymarket, being one of those who remonstrated with the proprietors
of Covent-garden in 1801, against their new regulations. In 1803,
he visited his friends in Dublin, where martial law being then in
force, on account of Emmett's rebellion, the company performed in the
day-time. On his return to London his wife died, and he afterwards
married Miss Boulton, the daughter of a wine-merchant, by whom he
had Mrs Wallack, who with her children succeeded to the bulk of his
large property. In the records of the stage no actor ever approached
Johnstone in Irish characters. Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Callaghan
O'Brallaghan, Major O'Flaherty, Teague, Tully (the Irish gardener),
and Dennis Brulgruddery, were pourtrayed by him in the most exquisite
colours. In fact, they stood alone for felicity of nature and original
merit.
Mr Johnstone died in his house in Tavistock-street, Covent-garden, on
the 26th December 1829, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years,
and his remains were interred in a vault under the church of St Paul,
Covent-garden, near the eastern angle of the church. His will was
proved in Doctors'-Commons, and probate granted under £12,000 personal
property. Rumour gave Johnstone the credit of being worth £40,000 or
£50,000. He left a gold snuff-box and a ring to each of his executors,
Mr George Robins and Mr O'Reilly: a ring to his friend Mr Jobling, of
the Adelphi; and a ring to Mr Dunn, the treasurer of Drury-lane; and as
the latter gentleman was a staunch disciple of Isaac Walton, Johnstone
left him all his fishing-tackle. To a female servant who nursed him
during the last eight or ten years of his life, he bequeathed an
annuity of £50 a-year. The remainder, with the exception of a legacy
of £500 to Mrs Vining, was left to the children of his daughter, Mrs
Wallack.