of a bottle of old port, and to possess "a fine rough and mellow flavour that forms an irresistible attraction". Gilliland's Dramatic Synopsis, says Emery's delineation of Orson in Colman's the Iron Chest is "a fine picture of savage nature characterised by a peculiar justice of colouring". Emery was about five feet nine inches, robustly built, with a light complexion and light blue eyes. He looked like one of his own farmers, sang well with a low tenor voice, composed the music and words of a few songs, and for his benefit wrote annually comic effusions, one of which, a song entitled York, you're wanted, enjoyed a long reputation. He had considerable powers of painting, and exhibited between 1801 and 1817 nineteen pictures, chiefly sea pieces, at the Royal Academy. He was a shrewd observer, an amusing companion, and a keen sportsman, very fond of driving four-in-hand. Unfortunately he drank to excess, and was never so happy as when in the society of jockeys and pugilists. References External links The Garrick Club's Art Collection; search page Portrait of John Emery by Samuel Raven in the National Portrait Gallery (London) 1777 births 1822 deaths 18th-century English male actors 19th-century English male actors English male stage actors People from Sunderland Male actors from Tyne and Wear