(Vol. iii., p. 276.)
I am much surprised at MR. DAWSON TURNER'S inquiry about these names. I
will not say with him that, "not to know them argues himself unknown." On
the contrary, my wonder is, that one, himself so well and so favourably
known as MR. TURNER, should have need to ask such a question about men with
whom, or, at least, with whose fame, he must have been a contemporary,
presuming, as I do, that he is the same MR. DAWSON TURNER with whose works
we have been acquainted for above half a century. Since, however, he has
made the Query, I will answer it as succinctly as I can.
The Right Honourable Richard Fitzpatrick was the only brother of the last
Earl of Upper Ossory, and prominent in fashion, in politics, and in elegant
literature, and not undistinguished as a soldier. He sat in _nine_
successive parliaments (in two which I knew him). As early as 1782 he was
Secretary for Ireland, and in 1783 Secretary-at-War, which office he again
filled in 1806. In the galaxy of opposition wits, when opposition was
wittiest, Fitzpatrick was generally admitted to be the first, and there
were those who thought him _in general powers_ superior even to Fox and
Sheridan. His oratory, however, did not do justice to his talents, and he
was both shy and indolent. His best speech was that in December, 1796, for
the release of Lafayette, to which even the ridicule of the _Anti-Jacobin_
allowed the merit of pathetic eloquence. His share in the _Rolliad_ was
considerable, and there are many other sprightly and some elegant specimens
of his poetical talents scattered through various publications. I wish they
were collected.
Richard Tickell, the grandson of Addison's friend, and brother-in-law to
Sheridan, was the author of _Anticipation_, one of the liveliest political
pamphlets ever written. He published many occasional poems, the best of
which is a poetical "Epistle from Charles Fox, partridge shooting, to Lord
John Townsend, cruising." MR. DAWSON TURNER will find more about him in the
_Biographical Dictionary_.
Joseph Richardson, who died in 1803, was M.P. for Newport in three
parliaments. He was an intimate friend of Sheridan's, and partner with him
in Drury Lane Theatre. He wrote a play, entitled _The Fugitive_; but he is
only remembered for his contributions (whatever they were) to the
_Rolliad_. In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ (vol. lxxiii. p. 602.), MR. DAWSON
TURNER will find a longer notice of him.
There are a few remarks on the authors of the _Rolliad_ in Moore's _Life of
Sheridan_, i. 420.