Henry Jones (poet)

Some complimentary verses which he addressed to the corporation of Drogheda and some lines "On Mr. Pope's Death", attracted the attention of Lord-chief-justice Singleton, who lived at Beaulieu.

The tragedy, after being carefully revised by Chesterfield and Cibber, was brought out at Covent Garden on 21 Feb. 1753, and, thanks to the fine acting of Spranger Barry in the title role, was played seventeen nights during the season to crowded houses (John Genest, History of the Stage, iv.

His drunken habits, indolence, coarse manners, and arrogant temper soon disgusted most of his patrons, though by a carefully regulated system of hypocrisy he continued to keep on terms with Chesterfield for some years longer.

When an inmate of sponging-houses he generally contrived to flatter the daughter or wife of the bailiff with verses on their beauty or talents, and thus secured comfortable quarters.

He left his room unobserved early one morning, and, after being in a state of intoxication for two days, was run over by a wagon in St Martin's Lane.

[1] Reddish, the actor of Drury Lane, obtained all Jones's manuscripts, which included 'Harold' and three acts of another tragedy called 'The Cave of Idra.'

The last-named drama was augmented and completed by Paul Hiffernan, and, under the title of 'The Heroine of the Cave,' was produced for Reddish's benefit on 25 March 1774 (ib.