'Tis very easy to applaud that hope now; perhaps his relations looked upon it as a temptation offered by the Evil One.

When he reached the mature age of seventeen, and had orders to begin his university training, what does the youth do but run away from home, and, taking the theatrical bull by the horns, appear on the Dublin boards.
"He first apply'd to Mr.Betterton, then to Mr.Smith, two celebrated actors," says Chetwood, "but they decently refused him for fear of the resentment of his family.

But this did not prevent his pursuing the point in view; therefore he resolv'd for Ireland, and safely arrived in June 1698.

His first rudiments Mr.Ashbury[A] taught him, and his first appearance was in the part of Oroonoko, where he acquitted himself so well to a crowded audience, that Mr.Ashbury rewarded him with a present of five guineas, which was the more acceptable as his last shilling was reduced to brass (as he inform'd me).

But an odd accident fell out upon this occasion.