Miss Linley was one of a family who have been called ’a nest of nightingales.’  Young ladies who practise elaborate pieces and sing simple ballads in the voice of a white mouse, know the name of Linley well.  For ages the Linleys have been the bards of England—­composers, musicians, singers, always popular, always English.  Sheridan’s love was one of the most renowned of the family, but the ‘Maid of Bath,’ as she was called, was as celebrated for her beauty as for the magnificence of her voice.  When Sheridan first knew her, she was only sixteen years old—­very beautiful, clever, and modest.  She was a singer by profession, living at Bath, as Sheridan, only three years older than herself, also was, but attending concerts, oratorios, and so forth, in other places, especially at Oxford.  Her adorers were legion; and the Oxford boys especially—­always in love as they are—­were among them.  Halhed was among these last, and in the innocence of his heart confided his passion to his friend Dick Sheridan.  At sixteen the young beauty began her conquests.  A rich old Wiltshire squire, with a fine heart, as golden as his guineas, offered to or for her, and was readily accepted.  But ‘Cecilia,’ as she was always called, could not sacrifice herself on the altar of duty, and she privately told him that though she honoured and esteemed, she could never love him.  The old gentleman proved his worth.  Did he storm? did he hold her to her engagement? did he shackle himself with a young wife, who would only learn to hate him for his persinacity?  Not a bit of it.  He acted with a generosity which should be held up as a model to all old gentlemen who are wild enough, to fall in love with girls of sixteen.  He knew Mr. Linley, who was delighted with the match, would be furious if it were broken off.  He offered to take on himself all the blame if the breach, and, to satisfy the angry parent, settled L1,000 on the daughter.  The offer was accepted, and the trial for breach of promise with which the pere Linley had threatened Mr. Long, was of course withheld.  Mr. Long afterwards presented Mrs. Sheridan with L3,000.

The ‘Maid of Bath’ was now an heiress as well as a fascinating beauty, but her face and her voice were the chief enchantments with her ardent and youthful adorers.  The Sheridans had settled in Mead Street, in that town which is celebrated for its gambling, its scandal, and its unhealthy situation at the bottom of a natural basin.  Well might the Romans build their baths there:  it will take more water than even Bath supplies to wash out its follies and iniquities.  It certainly is strange how washing and cards go together.  One would fancy there were no baths in Eden, for wherever there are baths, there we find idleness and all its attendant vices.