the Glasgow Theatre. Subsequently, he acted with increasing reputation as a comedian in Manchester, Liverpool, and other towns. In 1814 he married his second wife, Sarah Smith, a tragic actress, by whose reputation his own has been overshadowed. On 13 October the same year, Mrs. Bartley played Ophelia at Drury Lane, and on 12 April following Bartley reappeared at the same house as Falstaff. A trip of the Bartleys to America, which followed in 1818, proved successful. On his return Bartley accepted a winter engagement at Covent Garden Theatre, and played during the summer under Samuel James Arnold at the Lyceum. During Lent, Bartley was in the habit of giving a series of discourses on astronomy at the Lyceum. He also lectured on poetry. In 1829, when the management of Covent Garden collapsed, Bartley headed the actors who came forward with a proposal, which was accepted, to furnish funds and recommence performances. He became accordingly, in 1829–30, stage manager of the theatre, the season at which, owing to the appearance of Fanny Kemble, was very profitable. During successive ownerships by Laporte, Alfred Bunn, William Macready, and Madame Vestris, he retained this post. He was many years treasurer of the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund. The loss in 1843 of his son, who was at Exeter College, Oxford, led to Bartley's retirement from the stage. His only remaining child, a daughter, died shortly afterwards, and Mrs. Bartley, in 1850, followed her children. In 1850, Bartley played Falstaff at Windsor Castle in the performance arranged by Charles Kean. He then appeared for a few nights at the Princess's, taking his farewell benefit on 18 December 1852, on which occasion, in his address to the public, he said: 'This night, ladies and gentlemen, fifty years ago, this very night, the night of the week, and the date of the month, I had the honour to appear in London, and to make my bow before your sires and grandsires.' Death On Saturday, 17 July 1858, Bartley had an attack of paralysis, to which, five days later, 22 July, he succumbed. He died in Woburn Square, and is said to be buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's, Oxford. References Attribution 1780s births 1858 deaths People from Bath, Somerset 19th-century English male actors English male stage actors English male comedians 19th-century English comedians