Churchill, in his admirable poem, "The Rosciad," has said of the author of "The Way to Keep Him"— And prudent dulness mark'd him for a mayor.² How little Murphy was deserving of the imputation of dulness, this comedy can testify.—It is nevertheless inferior to his "All in the Wrong:" for there, events are more naturally produced, and no one character proceeds to the very confines of extravagance, like Sir Bashful Constant.³

Mr. Murphy wrote "The Way to Keep Him" originally in three acts; then wishing to increase the number to five, he introduced this character of Sir Bashful.—He added to the length of his play, but diminished its probability. Much genius is however to be discerned in the conception of this part, and is, in some scenes, displayed with the happiest effect. In others, the husband's whimsical timidity proceeds so far, that it appears more like want of understanding than want of manly boldness; and when once a deficiency of intellects is discovered instead of a silly bias in them, all interest is gone for the person concerned.

It is impossible to attend to characters destitute of sense; and delightful to observe particular follies, usurping the reason of those, who, in all other respects, are wise. Fools who accidentally have sapience, are too despicable to be heeded;—but the wise man, who is accidentally a fool, is an instructive picture of human nature, and worthy the most profound meditation.

Most of the remaining characters belong to this valuable class—Lovemore and his wife are both depicted from nature, and their conduct to each other has an excellent tendency to reform the evils, and avert the ills, of the marriage state.⁴

The Widow Bellmour is another well drawn personage.⁵ She talks perfect wisdom, and all she says is perfectly with good intent;—but it may be apprehended that her precepts have had too much force with some wives of fashion, whose good humour at home, and indifference to their husbands' incontinence, may have betrayed them into a carelessness about their own.

Mrs. Abington and Miss Farren (the present Countess of Derby) were both, at the two different houses, and at the self same time, much admired in the Widow Bellmour.⁶ Mrs. Abington's performance was the best,—yet not so much superior to Miss Farren's, as Miss Farren was superior to Mrs. Abington in youth and personal charms.

Murphy has given a fulsome dedication of this play to the latter actress, more disgraceful to him than Churchill's satire,—and not more true.⁷

The biographical part of that satirical poem, which applies to the author of this comedy, is mere fact. He was educated at St. Omer's, and though designed for a priest, he once attempted the profession of a player. He appeared on the stage in the part of Othello; but a strong voice being wanted to assist his strong judgment, and grace of person to embellish its symmetry, he changed this pursuit to the study of the law, and became a member of the Society of Lincoln's Inn.⁸ Still, he attached himself to his beloved theatre by the ties of an author; and passed his happiest hours with Garrick, Foote, Dr. Johnson, and other men of wit and imagination.⁹

It had perhaps been happy for Murphy, had the reproach of dulness, which Churchill has cast upon him, been just; for could it have conferred upon him the mayoralty of the city of London, no doubt it would have been a fortunate exchange for that poetic genius which he possessed; and which would not have secured to him in old age a mere existence, but for its claims upon the taste and pity of his Sovereign.

Murphy died in the summer of 1805, a pensioner on the king's private purse:¹⁰ as related in the Remarks on his comedy of "All in the Wrong."