FARQUHAR, GEORGE, an eminent English comic writer, was born in the year 1678. His father was a re spectable clergyman in the north of Ireland, who, having a numerous family, could not bestow any fortune upon him, but resolved to give him such an education, as might ena ble him to prosecute some genteel profession.
Farquhar discovered an early taste for literary pursuits, and is said to have written verses when only ten years of age. In 1694, he repaired to Trinity College, Dublin, where he made such progress in his studies, as procured for him considerable reputation. It would appear, how ever, that his prudence was not equal to his literary at tainments; for he was expelled the college, in conse quence of having adventured profane wit upon a sacred theme, given to him, as an exercise, by his tutor.
At an early period of life, he turned his attention to the stage, intending to follow the profession of an actor ; in which career he was not very eminently successful. He possessed an engaging person, and genteel manners, but his voice was weak, and he had a natural timidity in pub lic, which he could never overcome, and which was ex• tremely prejudicial to his appearance on the stage. He resolved, however, to continue the exercise of this pro fession, until some better prospect should open; but this resolution he is said to have abandoned, in consequence of the following accident. While performing the part of Guyomar, in the Indian Emperor, who is supposed to kill Vasquez, one of the Spanish generals, having forgotten to exchange his sword for a foil, in the engagement he wounded the person who represented Vasquez, though not dangerously; and this unfortunate incident had the effect of preventing him from again appearing on the stage as an actor.
Some time after this, the Earl of Orrery gave him a lieutenancy in his regiment, then in Ireland ; and Farqu har is said to have conducted himself well as a soldier. He was honoured and beloved by his comrades, and proved himself to be a man of courage and conduct.
In the year 1704, he married a lady, who was so vio lently in love with him, that, despairing to win him by her own personal attractions, she contrived a deep scheme of imposition, by which she allured him into wedlock, under the impression that he had married a woman of immense fortune. But it redounds highly to the honour of Farqu
har, that, after he had discovered the deceit which had been practised upon him, he entirely forgave the lady her fault, in consideration of her love and accomplishments; and always treated her with kindness, although this un fortunate marriage is supposed to have conduced, with other circumstances, to shorten his days : for his fortune was too slender to support a family ; and the maintenance of his wife and children reduced him to the utmost pover ty, while his anxiety for their welfare preyed upon his spi rits, and injured his health. He died at the age of 29, four years after his unhappy marriage, and is said to have met his fate with fortitude and cheerfulness. He left two daughters, whom, in the following letter, written a few days before his decease, he recommended to the protection of Wilkes, the celebrated actor, with whom he had contract ed a sincere and intimate friendship when upon the stage, and for whom he wrote the famous character of Sir Harry Wilddir, in the Constant Couple.
times, and think of him that was, to the last moment of his life, thine,—Gconcc FARQUHAR." Wilkes humanely complied with the dying request of his friend, and assisted in providing for the children. Their mother died in great indigence.
Farquhar was eminently successful as a dramatic writer. During the vicissitudes of a chequered life, as a man of fashion, an actor, an officer in the army, an author, a lover, and a husband, his experience had supplied him with inci dents, and his observation and reflection with a knowledge of human nature. His subjects are generally well chosen, his characters well sustained, his style pure and lively, his dialogue easy and spirited. But his humour is not remark able for delicacy ; and his plays have an obvious tendency to encourage licentiousness of manners, and a disregard of moral principle.
He wrote seven comedies, of which the most esteemed are, The Constant Couple, The Inconstant, The Recruiting Officer, and The Beaux Stratagem, which are still occa sionally acted, and preserve their popularity on the stage. (z)