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OLD DRURY LANE.
A
OLD DRURY LANE
FIFTY YESES' RECOLLECTIONS
OF
AUTHOR, ACTOR, AND MANAGER
BY
EDWARD STIRLING
IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II.
lontton
CHATTO AND WINDUS, PICCADILLY
1881
[All Rights Reserved]
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
BOOK III.
PAGE
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO HAVE APPEARED
AT DRURY LANE THEATRE FROM ITS
EARLIEST ANNALS TO THE PRESENT TIME,
SKETCHES OF THEIR CAREER, AND ANEC-
DOTES CONNECTED WITH THEM ... I
BOOK IV.
DRAMATIC ANA AND THEATRICAL VARIETIES, WITH
AN ACCOUNT OF CURIOUS OLD PLAYS, ETC. . 267
OLD DRURY LANE.
BOOK III.
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO HAVE APPEARED AT
DRURY LANE THEATRE FROM ITS EARLIEST ANNALS
TO THE PRESENT TIME, SKETCHES OF THEIR CAREER,
AND ANECDOTES CONNECTED WITH THEM.
' Players are the abstracts and brief chronicles of the Time :
after your death, you were better have a bad epitaph than their
ill report.'
VOL. II.
EDWARD KYNASTON, 16191687.
IN the Restoration days (Charles II.),
it was a frequent custom of the ladies of
quality to carry Kynaston, the actor of
Drury Lane and Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
his female dress, after the performances, in
their coaches to Hyde Park.
JOHN LACEY, 16221681.
JOHN LACEY, a Yorkshireman and King's
servant at Drury Lane, greatly relished
by Charles II., who frequently commanded
his performances.
CLUN (DIED 1664).
TRAGIC NEWS, 1664. 'Clun, one of the
best tragic actors at the King's House,
242
Old Drury Lane.
Drury Lane, last night going out of town,
after he had acted the " Alchymist," to his
country house, was set upon and murdered
(one of the rogues taken, an Irish fellow) ;
it seems most cruelly butchered and bound.
The house (Drury Lane), will have a great
miss of him.' Flying Post, October loth,
1664. Clun acted the Lieutenant in the
' Humorous Lieutenant,' on the first night
that Drury Lane opened. He was a man
of great talent, and universally respected.
THOMAS BETTERTON, 16351710.
BETTERTON preceded Garrick, and until
that great actor's ddbut, held the first rank
on the boards of Drury. His Hamlet,
Romeo, Lear, Othello, suffered nothing by
comparison with the same characters as
played by our Roscius. ' Silver-toned
Betterton ' was a universal favourite. He
died in adverse circumstances, 1710. Mrs.
Barry and Mrs. Bracegirdle played in
Old Dmry Lane. 5
* Love for Love,' at a benefit, to aid his
slender means.
ELEANOR (NELL) GWYNNE, 16421691.
' Take care of poor Nell ' were the last
dying words that the merry monarch,
Charles II., addressed to his brother,
James Duke of York, at Whitehall. 'Nell,'
the witty, lively incarnation of frolic and
merriment, a welcome sight was her laugh-
ing face at all times to playgoers. She
retained her popularity on and off the
stage. Her first appearance at Drury
Lane was in the ' Humorous Lieutenant,'
as Caelia, and well she played the part.
Pepys tells us he kissed her. Authors
differ respecting Nell's birthplace ; but the
' Coal Yard/ Drury-lane, is believed to
have been the place she first opened her
merry eyes in.
1 What needs a tongue to such a speaking eye,
That more persuades than winning oratory.'
Old Drury Lane.
Hog-lane, Pipe-lane, Hereford, also
claim pretty Nelly. Certain it is that she
was buried, in 1691, in the church of St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields. A dukedom ema-
nated from the orange-girl of Lincoln's Inn
Fields Theatre, and her connexion with
Charles II., viz., that of St. Albans.
HART.
HART THE ACTOR, Drury Lane, had the
reputation of being Nell G Wynne's first
lover, and one of the hundreds of the
Duchess of Cleveland's. Profligacy was
the mode, equally practised by beggar and
king, in the reign of Charles II.
GOODMAN.
PLAYER HIGHWAYMAN. Goodman, of
Drury Lane, famous in * Alexander the
Great,' a dashing impudent beau, styled
' Buck Goodman,' boasted of his exploits
on the road. Whenever he wanted money
the road furnished supplies. So well-to-do
Old Drury Lane.
was he by his double calling, acting and
stealing, that he once refused to play Alex-
ander unless his duchess (Cleveland*)
would be in the theatre to see him act.
WILLIAM MOUNTFORD, 16601692.
MOUNTFORD. One of his Majesty's
players, a great favourite with the ladies,
both high-born and lowly. He was hand-
some, well-bred, clever, and formed to
please. These enviable qualifications cost
him his life. He was murdered in Drury
Lane, in 1692, by Captain Hill and Lord
Mohun rakes and mohawks, pests of
society, a disgrace to a civilised country.
Mrs. Bracegirdle was the teterrima causa
of this cowardly midnight assassination.
Hill fled the country. Mohun was tried for
his life, but, through interest, escaped the
gallows on which he so richly merited to
swing.
* Goodman was one of the numberless paramours
of this abandoned and lascivious woman.
Old Drury Lane.
SUSANNAH MOUNTFORD, 16691701.
MRS. MOUNTFORD, Colley Gibber said,
was the mistress of more variety of
humour than he had ever seen in any one
actress. She came to Drury Lane with
the united companies of Drury Lane and
Dorset Gardens, Betterton and Mrs. Barry
at the head. Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Ver-
bruggen, Mrs. Bracegirdle, and last, but
not least, Mrs. Jordan (not the celebrated
comedy actress of a later time). Doggett,
Morris, Mountford, were new comers.
Mrs. Mountford was the most rakish and
prettiest fellow on the stage in male attire
the ladies longing to enjoy what could
never be theirs. She mimicked the beaux,
fops, and bucks of the Restoration to the
very life.
ANNE BRACEGIRDLE, 16631748.
ANNE BRACEGIRDLE. This celebrated
woman enjoyed a large share of patronage
Old Drury Lane.
from all classes. She was exposed to evil
report, simply because her private cha-
racter was beyond reproach. Everybody
was in love with Anne Bracegirdle. The
town (ton) ran crazy after her : every
beau and spark, juvenile, middle-aged or
elderly, was mad to possess this beautiful
woman. Mountford, as already related,
died for her. She rejected the attentions of
the great dramatist Congreve, who took his
revenge by thus rather ungenerously be-
rhyming her :
* Pious Belinda goes to prayers
Whene'er I ask the favour,
Yet the tender fool's in tears
When she thinks I'd leave her.
Would I were free from this restraint,
Or else had power to win her ;
Would she could make of me a saint,
Or I of her a sinner.'
She lived respected to past fourscore
years.
Congreve left ,10,000 to Henrietta,
Duchess of Marlborough. She spent
io Old Drury Lane.
^"7,000 of it on a diamond necklace, much
to the envy of her high-bred friends.
Congreve deserted Mrs. Bracegirdle for
the beautiful duchess. At her cost a monu-
ment was raised to his memory in West-
minster Abbey.
BEN JOHNSON, 16651742.
BEN JOHNSON (not ' rare Ben'), a close
copyist of nature. Wasp in ' Bartholomew
Fair,' Morose in the ' Silent Woman,' were
Teniers-like touches of art, worked out like
his by attention to minutiae in dress and
colouring.
RICHARD ESTCOURT, 16681713.
ESTCOURT (author and actor), noticeable
for his correct dressing and great care
bestowed on everything that he attempted.
Hamlet, Jaffier, Wildair, etc., all highly
spoken of and commended.
COLLEY GIBBER, 16711757.
COLLEY GIBBER, manager of Drury,
Old Drury Lane. 1 1
a dramatic author and a sound good actor,
rather inclined to ape the follies of the day
in bedecking his person and endeavouring
to lead the fashion. Lavishing his savings
in the silly attempt, and forgetting the
fable of the jackdaw, assuming peacock's
feathers, he only drew on himself the
ridicule of his fellow-comedians and the
public.
BARTON BOOTH, 16811733.
BARTON BOOTH, a man of high birth,
refined manners, and possessing no incon-
siderable dramatic talents, reflected honour
on the stage and Old Drury.
JOHN RICH, 16811761.
RICH, the renowned harlequin, the in-
ventor of modern pantomime (borrowed
from Italy), appeared for a season at Drury,
which he quitted to become lessee of
Covent Garden, making that theatre cele-
brated for its pantomimic performances.
12 Old Drury Lane.
ELIZABETH BARRY, 16821733.
MRS. BARRY, a first-class actress in
tragedy, ruled the tragic throne until Sarah
Siddons appeared to dispute it with her.
THOMAS DOGGETT (DIED 1721).
DOGGETT, whose loyalty to the Hano-
verian rule displayed itself through the
medium of a coat and silver badge to be
rowed for annually on the king's birth-
day (ist August), by jolly young Thames
watermen, was a first-class low comedian,
and exceedingly popular with pit and
gallery.
ANNE OLDFIELD, 16831730.
MRS. OLDFIELD, the daughter of a poor
officer, was left to her own resources in early
life. Beautiful, accomplished, surrounded
by perils of pride allied to poverty, she was
compelled to take a situation as barmaid in
a tavern. Her beauty attracted a host of
Old Drury Lane. 13
admirers. To escape from their impor-
tunities, she quitted the ' bar ' for the stage,
at a very trifling salary fifteen shillings
a week. Rich quickly saw her merit,
and engaged her for Drury Lane. Her
natural ability rapidly developed itself; in a
few months important characters were in-
trusted to her. Public favour followed, and
men of wealth and title became the pretty
barmaid's humble servants. This clever
woman lived to lead the fashions. Through
her refinement in taste she gave the fiat of
the mode ; her natural inclination for display
and pride had here full scope.
After her death, Mrs. Oldfield lay in
state in the Jerusalem Chamber House
of Lords fashionably dressed in her coffin
with rich Brussels lace, headdress, double
lace ruffles, satin dress, and new kid gloves.
Pope writes thus of her :
1 Let a charming chintz and Brussels lace
Wrap my cold limbs, and shade my lifeless face :
14 Old Drury Lane.
One would not, sure, be frightful when one's dead;
And, Betty, give this cheek a little red,'
She was buried in Westminster Abbey.
JAMES QUIN, 16931766.
JAMES QUIN was born in Covent Garden,
1693, and educated in Dublin, where his
father was a barrister. Quin appeared on
the stage in Dublin, in little parts. After
the season he came to London, first to
Drury Lane, next to Lincoln's Inn Fields.
By a casual appearance in ' Tamerlane ' his
great merit became known. In time he
was proclaimed the first tragedian of the
day. Garrick and Quin performed together
in the * Fair Penitent.' Quin retired in
1749. He instructed George III. in elocu-
tion. When the king delivered his first
speech in Parliament, Quin was in the
House of Lords to hear it. Much delighted,
he exclaimed aloud : ' I taught the boy.'
QUIN AND THOMSON (author of ' The
Old Drury Lane.
Seasons '). Quin heard that Thomson was
confined in a spunging-house for a debt of
seventy pounds ; he went to the house and
was introduced to the poet. Thomson,
much disconcerted at seeing Ouin in such a
place, as he had always taken pains to con-
ceal his wants, Quin told him he was come
to take supper with him, and that he had
ordered it from an adjacent tavern ; half a
dozen of claret was introduced. Supper
over, and the bottle circulating, Quin said :
' It is time now we should balance ac-
counts.'
This astonished poor Thomson, who
began to think Quin had some demand upon
him. Our actor, smiling, continued :
' Mr. Thomson, the pleasure I have had
in reading your works, I cannot estimate at
less than a hundred pounds no words ; I
insist upon paying my debt ;' putting down
a hundred-pound note, and hastily taking
his leave before Thomson could reply.
1 6 Old Driiry Lane.
DRURY LANE, 1 748. Rich, manager ;
Quin, actor. Quin retired in a fit of spleen
to Bath in order to injure Rich, he being
then engaged at Drury Lane. After a
few days Quin relented for having used
Rich so ill, and wrote to him in this laconic
fashion :
' I am at Bath.
' QUIN.'
The manager's reply was both laconic
and defiant :
' Stay there and be d d.
' RICH.'
The day before Quin died he drank a
bottle of claret. Being sensible of his ap-
proaching end, he said he could wish that
the last tragic scene was over, though he
was in hope he should be able to go
through it with becoming dignity. He
died at Bath in 1766, aged 73.
Old Drury Lane.
' THE FATAL RETIREMENT ' (tragedy),
A. Brown, Drury Lane, 1714. This play
would not be worth notice, were it not for
an event connected with it.
When it was offered to the manager,
Quin, he refused to act in it, and to this
circumstance the author's friends attributed
its failure. They repeatedly insulted Quin
for several nights during his performances.
He at last appealed to the audience, inform-
ing them that he had, at the request of the
author, read his piece before it was acted,
and given his sincere opinion of it : viz.,
that it was the very worst play he had ever
read in his life, and for that reason he
refused to act in it. This explanation
turned the tide in Quin's favour ; instead
of hisses, applause greeted the actor ever
after.
MRS. PRITCHARD, 17111768.
MRS. PRITCHARD (born 1711), with many
disadvantages of a neglected education, by
VOL. II. 2Z
1 8 Old Drury Lane.
conduct and persevering industry, raised
herself to the highest rank in her calling,
sustaining the leading female characters in
Garrick's performances with credit to her-
self, and with the approval of her manager.
' Little David ' was very chary with his -
praise, but to Mrs. Pritchard he never
spared it, a convincing proof of her excel-
lence and worth.
KITTY CLIVE (born 1711) first played a
boy's part in a play entitled * Mithridates ;'
salary twenty shillings per week. Her
beautiful face and figure delighted the
town. She became a popular toast at
Clubs, and a subject for the tittle-tattle of
coffee-houses. Not to .have seen sweet
Kitty Clive, was considered equivalent to
being 'out of the world.' She retained
her influence to the last. She was the
daughter of William Rastor, an Irish
gentleman ; but the fortunes of the family
Old Drury Lane. 19
having sunk to a low ebb, we find her
engaged as a servant of all work, living
at the house of a Mr. Snell, a fan-painter
in Church-row, Houndsditch. Watson, a
box-keeper at Drury Lane, kept the ' Bell '
tavern, opposite Snell's. At this house was
held the ' Beef-steak ' Club. Kitty Raster
was washing the doorsteps one day, and
singing merrily, with the club-room win-
dows open. They were speedily crowded
by the members, enchanted by her natural
grace and simplicity. This circumstance
led her to the stage, under the patronage
of Mr. Beard and Dunstall, both connected
with Drury Lane. Her first appearance
was in the year 1728 at Drury Lane. Her
second character was Phillida in Gibber's
' Love is a Riddle.' The enemies of the
author, determined to condemn the comedy
without a hearing, assembled in great num-
bers for that purpose. When Kitty Clive ap-
peared, applause drowned the hisses. One
252
2O Old Drury Lane.
of the rioters in a stage-box called out :
' Zounds, Tom, take care ; the charming
little devil will save all.' Her performance
of Nell in 'The Devil to Pay' (1731)
fixed her reputation in that species of
character. In 1732 she married George
Clive, a lawyer, brother of Baron Clive.
The union proved unhappy, and a separa-
tion soon took place. In 1740 she was
selected to act ' Alfred,' played at Chesden
House, before the Prince of Wales. When
she retired from the stage, Garrick vainly
tried to persuade her to act longer ; her
reply was a positive ' No.' He asked her
how much she was worth ? She answered,
as much as himself. He smiled at her sup-
posed misunderstanding of his meaning.
' No, no,' she said, * I know when I've
enough ; you never will. 1
On the 24th of April, 1 769, the comedy
of the ' Wonder ' and ( Lethe ' were acted
Old Drury Lane. 21
for Mrs. Clive's benefit ; and on that
evening she took leave of the stage in an
epilogue, written by Horace Walpole, the
concluding lines of which were :
' I will not die, let no vain panic seize you ;
If I repent, I'll come again and please you.'
Garrick asked her opinion of the acting
of Mrs. Siddons. She replied, that ' it
was all truth and daylight.' The following
is Churchill's character of Kitty Clive :
' First giggling, plotting chambermaids arrive,
Hoydens and romps, led on by General Clive.
In spite of outward blemishes, she shone,
For humour famed, and humour all her own ;
Easy, as if at home, the stage she trod,
Nor sought the critic's praise nor fear'd his rod.
Original in spirit and in ease,
She pleased by hiding all attempts to please,
No comic actress ever yet could raise
On Humour's base more merit or more praise.'
Mrs. Clive died December 6th, 1785.
Her conduct in private life was not only
audable, but exemplary.
TASWELL (prompter, Drury Lane) and
22 Old Drury Lane.
Mrs. Clive disputing together, both greatly
excited, high words arose. Taswell ended
the fray by saying, * Madam, I have
heard of tartar and brimstone ; but, by
G , you are the cream of one, and flower
of the other.'
DAVID GARRICK, 17161779.
DAVID GARRICK was the grandson of a
French merchant, who settled in England
on the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes
by Louis XIV. Garrick's father, a captain
in the army, being on a recruiting party at
Hereford, his son was born at an inn there,
in the early part of the year 1716; educated
at Lichfield, and afterwards placed under
the care of Samuel Johnson, with whom
he came to London in 1735.
Garrick embarked in the wine trade ;
this not suiting his inclination, he turned
his thoughts to the stage, and in 1741
made his appearance, under the name of
Old Drury Lane. 23
* Lyddal ' at Ipswich, in the character of
Aboan in 'Oroonoko.' On the i9th of
October in the same year, he came out in
' Richard the Third,' at the theatre in
Goodman's Fields,* and here his popu-
* The following is a copy of the original bill of
Garrick's first appearance in London, October igth,
1741, at the theatre in Goodman's Fields :
* This day will be performed a concert of vocal and
instrumental music, divided into parts. Tickets at
three, two, and one shilling. Places for the boxes to
be taken at the * Fleece ' tavern, next the theatre.
'N.B. Between the acts of the concert will be pre-
sented an historical play, called
' "THE LIFE AND DEATH OF RICHARD THE THIRD,"
containing the distress of King Henry VI., the artful
acquisition of the crown by Richard, the murder of
the young King Edward V. and his brother in the
Tower, the landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the
death of King Richard in the memorable battle of
Bosworth Field, being the last that was fought between
the Houses of York and Lancaster, with many true
historical passages.
' The part of King Richard by a gentleman who
never appeared on any stage.
< KING HENRY, Mr. Giffard.
EARL OF RICHMOND, Mr. Marshall.
24 Old Drury Lane.
larity exceeded all that had ever been
known in dramatic history. The other
houses were deserted, which so provoked
the patentees, that they exerted their in-
terest in getting the rival theatre sup-
PRINCE EDWARD, Miss Hippisley.
DUKE OF YORK, Miss Nay lor.
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, Mr. Paterson.
DUKE OF NORFOLK, Mr. Blake.
LORD STANLEY, Mr. Pagett.
EARL OF OXFORD, Mr. Vaughan.
TRESSEL, Mr. W. Giffard.
CATESBY, Mr. Neame.
RATCLIFFE, Mr. Croft.
TYRELL, Mr. W. Giffard.
LORD MAYOR, Mr. Dunstable.
THE QUEEN, Mrs. Steel.
DUCHESS OF YORK, Mrs. Yates.
And the part of Lady Anne by Miss Giffard. With
entertainment of dancing, by Monsieur Froune,
Madame Duvalt, and the two Masters and Miss
Grainers.
' To which will be added a Ballad Opera in one act,
called
'"THE VIRGIN UNMASKED,"
(the part of Lucy by Miss Hippisley) ; both of which
will be performed gratis by persons for their diversion.
' The Concert will begin exactly at six o'clock.'
Old Driiry Lane. 25
pressed. Garrick now entered into a con-
tract with Fleetwood of Drury Lane, and
in the ensuing summer was invited to
Dublin, where the concourse of spectators
was so great every night as to occasion
a disorder, which went by the name
of ' Garrick's Fever.' He became a joint
partner in Drury Lane with Lacy in 1747,
and married Mdlle. Violetta, a Viennese
danseuse. On the death of Lacy in 1773,
he became sole manager of the theatre,
which he sold for ,35,000 to Sheridan,
Linley, and Ford.
Garrick's last appearance on the stage
was at Drury Lane, June loth, 1776, as
Don Felix in the comedy of the ' Wonder/
He died January 2Oth, 1779, and was
buried in Westminster Abbey. He wrote
innumerable dramatic pieces, songs, pro-
logues, epilogues, etc.
Garrick's farewell address, Drury Lane,
June loth, 1776 :
26 Old Drury Lane.
' LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
' It has been customary with persons
under my circumstances to address you in
a farewell epilogue. I had the intention,
and turned my thoughts that way ; but
indeed I found myself then as incapable of
writing such an epilogue, as I should be
now of speaking it : the jingle of rhyme
and the language of fiction would but ill
suit my present feelings. This is to me a
very awful moment ; it is no less than
parting for ever with those from whom I
have received the greatest kindness and
favours, and upon the spot where that kind-
ness and those favours were enjoyed ' (he
was unable to proceed until relieved by tears).
' Whatever may be the changes of my
future life, the deepest impression of your
kindness will always remain here' (his hand
on his breast) ( fixed and unalterable.
' 1 will very readily agree to my successors
having more skill and ability for their
Old Drury Lane. 27
station than I have ; but I defy them all
to take more sincere and more uninter-
rupted pains for your favour, or to be more
truly sensible of it, than is your humble
servant.'*
GARRICK, 1771. The Empress Catherine
offered, through her minister, two thousand
guineas to Garrick for four performances at
St. Petersburg. Of course this offer was
refused.
GARRICK, greatly annoyed by ladies of
quality who frequented the boxes con-
tinually talking louder than the players,
determined to give one of the chief
offenders, Lady Coventry, a delicate hint
on the subject. Speaking an epilogue, he
glanced towards her ladyship's box :
* May I approach unto the boxes, pray,
And there search out a judgment on the play?
In vain, alas ! I should attempt to find it,
Fine ladies see a play, but never mind //.'
* See Davies's Life of Garrick (Lond., 1780)
ii. 328-9.
28 Old Dmry Lane.
Lady Coventry one night was so noisy,
and laughed so loud, while Mrs. Bellamy
was performing in the character of Juliet,
and repeating her soliloquy previous to
taking Friar Lawrence's potion, that the
actress was unable to go on, and left the
stage in tears. The audience would not
suffer the play to proceed until Lady
Coventry and her party had quitted the
theatre.
GARRICK'S SCORE at the Crown Hotel,
Bow-street : Sundry glasses of punch for
Don Felix ; glasses of brandy for Richard
and Macbeth ; stout, Lear's drink ; love-
stricken Romeo drank claret total, js. 6d.
Little David studied economy in his drinks
as in other things. This bill was paid by
Topham the treasurer, and entered in the
accounts of Old Drury.
MRS. MACAULAY. When Mrs. Macaulay
published her book, ' Loose Thoughts,'
Garrick was asked if he did not think it a
Old Drury Lane. 29
strange title for a lady to choose. ' By no
means,' replied he ; ' the sooner a woman
gets rid of such thoughts the better.'
GARRICK AND STONE. Garrick always
employed Stone to procure auxiliaries for
him at Drury Lane. He was what we
now call a ' super-master.' This man was
nick-named 'the theatrical Crimp.' A
variety of letters passed between Garrick
and Stone. The following was written in
1748:
' SIR MR. GARRICK,
* Mr. Lacy* turned me out of the
lobby and behaved very ill to me. I only
axed for my two Guineas for the last Bishop
and he swore I should not have a farthing.
I can't live upon nothing. I have a couple
of cupids, you may have cheap as they
belong to a poor journeyman shoemaker
who I drink with, I am your humble
servant,
'W M - STONE.'
* Garrick 's partner.
30 Old Drury Lane.
Garrick's reply was as follows :
' STONE, you are the best fellow in
the world. Bring the cupids to the Theatre
to-morrow. If they are under Six, and
well made, you shall have a guinea a-piece
for them. Mr. Lacy will pay you himself
for the Bishop. He is very penitent for
what he has done. So you can get me
two good murderers, I will pay you hand-
somely, particularly the spouting fellow who
keeps the apple-stall on Tower- Hill, the
cut in his face is quite the thing. Pick me
up an Alderman or two for Richard, if you
can ; The Barber will not do for Brutus,
although I think he will succeed in Mat.
' DAVID GARRICK.'
The following will explain themselves :
'SIR,
' The Bishop of Winchester is
getting drunk at the Bear and swears
his eyes if he'll play with you to-night,
' I am yours, W. STONE.'
Old Drury Lane. 31
Reply ;
' STONE,
' The Bishop may go to the devil.
I do not know a greater rascal except
yourself.
' D. GARRICK.'
GARRICK AND THE AMATEUR. A young
gentleman, introduced by a nobleman,
obtained a hearing from Garrick much
against his will.
' Well, sir, you wish to become an actor,
Lord N tells me ?'
' ASPIRANT (mildly) : ' Yes, sir.'
4 What have you studied ?'
* Hamlet,' the reply.
' Give me a taste of your quality a
speech.'
With vast pomposity the youth com-
menced : * To be or not to be ?'
' Stop, stop, sir !' cried Garrick ' not to
be, by G d !' and rushing out of the room,
he left the astonished tragedian to himself.
32 Old Drury Lane.
SAMUEL FOOTE, 17211777.
SAMUEL FOOTE, dramatist, actor and
satirist. Talent and selfishness were oddly
blended in Foote's character. On all occa-
sions he strove to crush his brother per-
formers on the stage. Foote's solo enter-
tainments were given at the Haymarket,
He originated this form of amusement a
narrative, interspersed with imitations,
songs and on dits of the passing hour.
This novelty told well with the town, and
brought Foote money and fame. His
comedies contain much originality and
natural description of character. Mrs.
Cole stands yet without a rival.
FOOTE possessing unlimited convivial
talent, had recourse to it for support. His
powers of ridicule, buffoonery and satire
led him to give an entertainment at the
Haymarket. Having no dramatic licence,
he called it ' Tea in a Morning.' The
Old Drury Lane. 33
Duke of York procured a patent for him,
being partial to his company.
A Duke of Norfolk, an inveterate wor-
shipper of the jolly god Bacchus, wishing to
make a novel appearance at a masquerade,
consulted Foote what new character he
should go in. 'Go sober,' replied the
satirist, * that will be a novelty.'
MRS. FOOTE (mother of Sam. Foote),
nearly as eccentric and improvident as her
clever son, wrote to him, a prisoner for debt :
t
' DEAR SAM, I'm in prison.
'ANNE FOOTE.'
Foote replied :
' DEAR MOTHER, So am I.
'SAM FOOTE.'
GARRICK'S BUST. A gentleman calling
on Foote took notice of a bust of Garrick
on a bureau :
' Do you know my reason,' says Foote
' for making Garrick stand sentry there ?'
VOL. II. 26
34 Old Drury Lane.
'No,' replied his friend.
' I placed him there,' resumed the wit,
* to take care of my money ; for in truth
I can't take care of it myself.'
Foote was a notorious spendthrift ;
whereas Garrick was remarkable for a
thrift verging on penuriousness.
FOOTE, RICH, AND TATE WILKINSON.
RICH, manager of Covent Garden, lacked
education, but was a genius in pantomime.
Foote's ' Minor ' being fixed for immediate
representation, Rich asked Wilkinson to
cast the piece, because he did not un-
derstand anything about ' Mr. FootseyV
farce.' Foote hearing of this arrange-
ment, rushed in one morning, astonishing
Rich, Sparks, and Wilkinson sitting in
council.
* You old scoundrel ' (to Rich], * if you
dare let that pug-nosed fellow' (Wilkinson)
Old Drury Lane. 35
' take any liberty with my piece, I'll bring
you on the stage. If you want to engage
that pug, black his face, and let him hand
the tea-kettle in one of your stupid panto-
mimes. But if he dares to appear in any
character in the " Minor," I will instantly
show up your old, silly, ridiculous self with
your three tomcats and your pug-dog' (point-
ing to Wilkinson) * all together, next week,
at Drury Lane. I will exhibit you in
the pantomime for the pit and gallery to
laugh at. That will be paying you a
great compliment, you squinting old
Hecate !'
RICH: 'Oh dear me, Muster William-
shun, if I lets you act Footsey'll bring
me and my cats on the stage, at Dreary
Lane. Oh dearee me, what a man he
is!'
Tate Wilkinson relates this anecdote in
his Diary.
26 2
36 Old Drury Lane.
PEG WOFFINGTON, 1718 1760.
PEG WOFFINGTON (born 1718) was the
incarnation of merriment : more piquant
sayings and bons mots are recorded of her
than of any actress before or since. She
was an immense favourite in her native
city of Dublin, for her lovely person and
her perpetual flow of gaiety. She appeared
at Drury Lane in 1 738, and at once secured
a leading position. Her Sir Harry Wildair
eclipsed all her previous efforts. A brilliant
career in comedy (and sometimes tragedy)
attended her, until she quitted her busy
scene of mimic life for retirement, in
1757-
EDWARD SHUTER, 17281776.
SHUTER, the great comedian, in the
early part of his life was a pot-boy at a
public-house, near Covent Garden. A
gentleman one day ordered him to call a
Old Drury Lane. 37
hackney-coach. It so happened the gentle-
man left his gold-headed cane in the coach,
and, missing it next morning, went imme-
diately to the public-house to inquire of
the boy Ned who called the coach, whether
he could tell him the number. Shuter was
then no great adept in figures, except in
his own way of scoring up a reckoning :
' 44, for two pots of porter ; o, for a shilling's
worth of punch and a paper of tobacco/
The gentleman, upon this, was as much at
a loss as ever, till Ned whipped out a piece
of chalk and thus scored the reckoning :
44, for two pots of porter ; o, for a
shilling's worth of punch, and a line across
the two pots of porter for a paper of to-
bacco, forming the numbers 440. The
gentleman recovered his cane, and thinking
it a pity such acuteness should be buried in
an ale-house, took him away and put him
to school, thereby enabling him to become
the first comedian of his time.
38 Old Drury Lane.
EPITAPH ON NED SHUTER (Drury Lane).
' Below in bed
Lies honest Ned,
Who harm ne'er did nor meant ;
Who had no spice
Of heinous vice,
So little to repent.
With heart sincere,
And friendly ear
He freely dealt his pelf ;
In life like this,
Whate'er's amiss,
Correct it in thyself.'
THOMAS WESTON, 17271776.
WESTON at first appeared at Drury Lane
as a substitute for Shuter. On one occa-
sion, Shuter's name being in the bills and
Weston playing the part, loud cries of
'Shuter' were raised when he entered, from
Pit and Galleries. Mrs. Clive was acting
Kitty Pry. Nothing could be heard but
* Shuter /' Weston, in seeming stupid
amazement, pointed to Mrs. Clive :
* Why should I shoot her ? Surely she
plays her part well enough.'
Old Drury Lane. 39
This settled the storm. Rounds of ap-
plause followed.
JOHN MOODY, 17281813.
MOODY, known in theatrical circles as
'the Irish Gentleman,' was the original
Major O' Flaherty. A native of Cork,
he invariably denied his connexion with
Ireland. His Teague was inimitable, and
as Sir Callaghan O'Brallaghan in * Love-a-
la Mode,' Sir Patrick O'Neal in the ' Irish
Widow,' he was superior to all rivals.
DAVID ROSS (BORN 1728).
Ross, 1751, first played at Drury Lane
secondary characters in tragedy, leading in
comedy. He opened a new theatre in
Edinburgh ; the first patent was given to
Ross. It was to this player that a sum of
ten guineas was sent anonymously every
year on his benefit for his acting of ' George
Barn well,' the guilty apprentice, by some
repentant sinner. Ross lost his earnings in
4O Old Drury Lane.
the Edinburgh venture. He returned to
London with impaired fortunes, and re-
appeared at Covent Garden ; but he had
lost his attractive powers.
HENRY MOSSOP, 17291773.
This excellent actor came from Ireland,
a land so prolific in miracles, handsome
women, and clever men. He was a native
of Dublin. After enjoying popularity for a
time, fortune deserted him, and he died
poor, and in obscurity.
THOMAS KING, 17301805.
KING ('Gentleman King'), high -life
comedian, played men of fashion, fops, and
eccentric characters, in a consummate and
masterly style. Lord Foppington, Charles
Surface (original), Copper, Captain Flutter,
etc., were personations perfected by King's
gentility and accomplishments. Courted
by the best circles, King lived and died a
gentleman, and an ornament of the pro-
fession that he loved so well.
Old Drury Lane. 41
MRS. ABINGTON, 17311815.
MRS. ABINGTON (born 1731), one of the
best of English comedy actresses : her
* Mrs. Pine ' has been immortalised by the
pencil of Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose por-
trait gives us a fair notion of this attractive
woman's features. Her never-tiring animal
spirits contributed largely to her popularity.
GEORGE ANN BELLAMY, 1733 (?) 1788
GEORGE ANN BELLAMY was a finished
actress and a lovely woman good ingredi-
ents these for public favour at all times
much envied by her famous rival in male
attire, Peg Woffington. These two celebri-
ties ran a race for Thespian supremacy.
Critics and impartial judges were puzzled
which to choose, and so wisely chose both.
ROBERT BADDELEY, 17321794.
ROBERT BADDELEY, donor of Old
Drury's Twelfth Cake. An excellent
4 2 Old Drury Lane.
actor, especially in his personations of old
men in comedies. To his care and benevo-
lent feeling we are indebted for an original
idea, establishing a home for actors and
actresses. This gave the notion of a fund
at the Patent House (now so rich), 1793.
A sum in the consols, left by Baddeley,
gives the annual Twelfth Cake to the
comedians of Drury Lane ; this added to
another, with sundry bowls of punch (the
gift of the manager), gladdens the hearts
of her Majesty's servants yearly.
BADDELEY, previous to his trying the
stage, held an ensign's commission in a
marching regiment. Ensign's pay at that
time did not run to luxuries, so he quitted
the military for the more congenial and
lucrative theatrical profession. Braddeley
rapidly rose to a first-rate position in his
new calling, receiving a good salary for
those days, fifteen pounds a week. Meet-
ing two of his brother officers in the Strand,
Old Drury Lane. 43
they strove to pass by our actor without re-
cognition. This would not do for Baddeley ;
he accosted them heartily. Inquiries were
exchanged. One of them asked Baddeley
what he got by his acting ?
' From twelve to fifteen pounds a week.'
* Gude save us ! what, mon ?' exclaimed a
Scotch officer. * Fifteen puns in siller ? ye
dinna mean to fash me ?'
' No, it's the plain truth,' laughingly
replied our Drury Lane actor.
Astonished Caledonian : ' Ma Gud ! ha'
ye ony vacancies in your corps ? I'll sell
out, and list on the stage to-morrow.
Gude save us ! Fifteen puns !'
At the close of Drury Lane seasons,
Baddeley gave solo entertainments at
Marylebone Gardens. The following is a
copy of one of the advertisements :
' At Marylebone Gardens, to-morrow the
30th, will be presented
' " THE MODERN MAGIC LANTERN,"
44 Old Driiry Lane.
in three parts, being an attempt at a sketch
of the times in a variety of characters,
accompanied with a whimsical and satirical
dissertation on each character by R.
Baddeley, comedian.
' Bill of Fare. Part First : A Modern
Patriot ; a Serjeant-at-Law ; a Duelling
Apothecary ; Andrew Marvell ; Lady
Fribble and Foreign Quaker ; a Widow.
' Part Second : A Man of consequence ;
Lady Tit-for-Tat ; a Hackney Parson ; an
Italian Tooth-drawer; a Maccaroni Parson ;
a Hair-dresser ; High Life in St. Giles's ; a
Jockey ; a Robin-hood Orator ; a Jew's
Catechism.
' Part Third will consist of a short
sketch, " PUNCH'S ELECTION."
* Admittance, two shillings and sixpence
each, coffee or tea included. The doors
to be opened at seven, and the exordium
to be spoken at eight o'clock.
' Vivant Rex et Regina /
Old Drury Lane. 45
' N.B. The Gardens will be opened on
Sunday evenings for company to walk.'-
Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser,
May 29th, 1775.
WILLIAM POWELL, 17361769.
POWELL, a favourite actor at Old Drury
Lane, playing Lothair in the * Fair
Penitent,' in the last scene, a dead man
(supposed to be Lothair's body) lies
covered on a bier in Calista's funeral
chamber. Powell's dresser Warren, not
displeased at the chance of earning a
shilling, took Lothair's place on the bier ;
this was unknown to his master (rather
quick-tempered). Powell, missing his
dresser, called loudly for him, * Where's
that rascal Warren ?' ' Where, sir ?
dead,' cries the affrighted dresser from the
bier, to the horror of Calista. Warren's
delay roused Powell's passion to fever-heat,
and he bawled threats that every bone in
46 Old Drury Lane.
the unfortunate dresser's skin should be
broken. Warren jumped up in his shroud,
with all the sombre trappings around him ;
unfortunately he was tied to the bier.
Roars of laughter greeted the poor fellow's
return to life. Making a desperate effort
to run, dragging the bier along with him,
he knocked the fair Calista down, and
made his escape. The play ended with
jests and jibes, at the cost of the ' Fair
Penitent.'
TATE WILKINSON, 17361803.
TATE WILKINSON (York Circuit manager),
patronised by Garrick, and engaged at
Drury Lane never an actor, always a
mimic. He was manager of the first
Circuit in England. His mimicry of
' Actors of the Old School ' was a repro-
duction of their voice and manner, as they
lived.
Theatres, under Wilkinson's govern-
Old Drury Lane. 47
ment, produced and perfected more actors
of eminence for the London theatres than
any other.
WILLIAM PARSONS, 17361795.
PARSONS, a capital actor in representa-
tions of old men. Among many original
parts that fell to his lot during a long
career of thirty-seven years Crabtree,
Sir Fretful Plagiary, Sir Christopher
Curry, Snarl, etc. His racy humour acted
like a spell upon his auditors. Yells of
laughter were provoked by his funny looks.
He amassed and left considerable wealth,
which, however, was quickly dissipated by
his widow, a quondam Miss Stewart, niece
to the Earl of Galloway.
MRS. YATES (17371787).
MRS. POPE (17401797).
MRS. YATES, MRS. POPE. These ladies
both possessed abilities of a high order.
The latter was an especial favourite of
Garrick no small praise.
48 Old Driiry Lane.
WILLIAM BENSLEY, 17381817.
BENSLEY (once an officer in the army)
first appeared at Drury Lane in 1765, as
Pierre in 'Venice Preserved.' His Ghost
in ' Hamlet,' Malvolio in < Twelfth Night/
I ago, etc., were considered performances
of high merit.
LEE LEWES, 17401803.
LEE LEWES, equally appreciated either
in Harlequin or Foppington ; but our
critical forefathers failed in their apprecia-
tion of his self-estimated abilities. His
-conceit amounted to the sublime.
JAMES DODD, 17411796.
DODD, the prince of fops, the pink of
taste, with his clouded canes, his powdered
periwigs, his enamelled snuff-boxes and
pretty oaths c 'Fore Gad!' 'Stap my
vitals!' * Yoicks!' etc. Dodd, a master of all
the frivolities, imitating to the life the move-
Old Drury Lane. 49
ments, appearance, sayings, and doings of
the men of fashion and ton in * Lord
Foppington,' reproduced at Old Drury.
ANNE CATLEY, 17451789.
ANNE (' NAN ' ) CATLEY of lowly origin ;
her early career was beset with privations
and difficulties which she overcame by a
strong will and ready wit. Resolved to
succeed, she did. Full of life, spirit, and
vivacity, ' Nan ' worked her way to Old
Drury.
' A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad one tires in a mile-a.'
Catley became a town toast her assur-
ance surpassed all others. After some
years of indulgence in promiscuous amours,
which rather scandalised the proprieties,
she married General Lascelles, and quitted
her mimic scenes for the realities of
domestic life
VOL. ii. 27
50 Old Drury Lane.
JOHN HENDERSON, 17471785.
HENDERSON, a leading tragedian, had a
fine voice and person. He held a distin-
guished place in the histrionic world for
many years. His Macbeth, Lear, and
Coriolanus met with great and deserved
praise at Drury Lane.
JOHN PALMER, 17471798.
JOHN PALMER, versatile and eleven-
Nothing came amiss to Palmer : Shylock
or Falstaff, Mercutio, Abel Drugger or
Jerry Sneak !
JOHN QUICK, 17481831.
QUICK, one of the vainest men of his day,
enjoyed the favour and patronage of King
George III. He gave himself most ridi-
culous airs. Vain by nature, his folly
increased tenfold with age. He tried
tragedy after Garrick's style (it proved to
be a long way after it), and failing, turned
Old Drury Lane. 51
to comedy, in which he speedily rose in
public estimation, made money, and died.
Quick, in his early strolling-days, often
played in two or three pieces nightly, for
one shilling ; on one occasion his shilling's-
worth was Richard the Third, and Sharp
in the ' Lying Valet ' a cheap shilling's-
worth.
JOHN EDWIN, 17501790.
EDWIN, after having failed at Drury
Lane, ultimately became popular, more
especially in O'Keefe's operas ; his singing
was excellent and highly appreciated.
JACK JOHNSTONE, 17501828.
JACK JOHNSTONE, a son of the Emerald
Isle. No better representative of the Irish
character ever trod the stage. His spirit,
by nature rollicking and full of gaiety, out-
did itself when portraying the 'broths of
boys' from Connaught, Tipperary, or
Cork. Dublin Jackeens gained an addition
272
52 Old Drury Lane.
of wit and oddity from Jack's vein. His
singing was capital, and was always encored.
He fortunately lived at a period when real
comedies were written and listened to.
The original parts that fell to Johnstone's
lot were numerous ; old Drury's walls rang
with merriment, arising from this clever
comedian's aptitude to please. ' A boy for
bewitching them,' ripe and ready for a fight
or frolic, was Jack. The audiences fre-
quenting Drury Lane greatly patronised
this ' nate Irishman's' acting. He had (as
I already said), the singular good fortune to
live when comedy was popular, and the
writers of comedy clever and practical,
emerging from coarse ribaldry and obscene
jests, insulting to sense and morality. The
laxity of such writers as Congreve, Far-
quhar, and Wycherley had subsided into
a better tone, raising the drama in social
estimation. At length Johnstone retired
from the stage to enjoy his well- won
Old Drury Lane. 53
savings. He was born in 1750, and died in
1828.
SAMUEL REDDISH (DIED 1785).'
SAMUEL REDDISH, an Irish actor, ap-
peared first in Smock Alley Theatre,
Dublin, 1763. Reddish came to Drury
Lane in 1767, appearing as Lord Townley
in * The Provoked Husband ': Lady Town-
ley, Mrs. Abington. Indulging in high
life and its excesses, his brilliant career was
brief; on one occasion he apologised for
his incapability of utterance caused by too
great indulgence in wine. His second
wife, Mrs. Canning, was mother of George
Canning, Prime Minister of England.
MRS. CANNING.
MRS. CANNING appeared first at Drury
Lane in 1773, in the character of Jane
Shore, and held a good position with the
public. Her second husband, Reddish,
gradually lost his memory ; his mind be-
54 Old Drury Lane.
came diseased, and he died in a lunatic
asylum at York.
SARAH SIDDONS, 17551831.
SARAH SIDDONS was born at Brecon in
Wales, in 1755, in a public-house, 'The
Shoulder of Mutton,' situated in the centre
of the town, and much frequented by the
inhabitants. Her father, Roger Kemble, *
was always a welcome guest at their jolly
meetings. Kemble was a man of respect-
able family, and possessed a small property
in Herefordshire. Marrying the daughter
of a provincial manager, he received a com-
pany of strolling players for her dowry,
and set up as manager for himself. Mr.
* Roger Kemble, father of the talented Kemble
family, John, Stephen, Charles, and Sarah (Mrs. -
Siddons), died December 6, 1802, aged eighty-two
years. His name will ever remain memorable in
theatrical history ; his children's talents having shed
such a lustre on the English stage. Mr. Kemble,
although comparatively a poor man, gave all his chil-
dren an excellent education.
Old Drury Lane. 55
Ward, his father-in-law, disapproved of his
daughter's marrying an actor, and when he
found that she had secretly married Roger
Kemble, he refused to see her. After a
time he was with difficulty persuaded to
speak to her, and to accord her his forgive-
ness, with all the bitterness of his heart
saying :
' Sarah, you have not disobeyed me ; I
told you never to marry an actor, and you
have married a man who neither is nor ever
can be one.'
The whirligig of Time brought its re-
venges. It is curious how history, public
and private, repeats itself. The same
harshness from which Roger Kemble had
suffered he was afterwards to show to his
own daughter, entertaining, like his own
father-in-law, Ward, an objection to her
marrying an actor, and especially a rather
sorry and indifferent actor, with a poor
worldly outlook. Be this as it may, a love
56 Old Drury Lane.
affair caused Sarah Kemble to leave her
home and take service in the house of Lady
Greathead, at Guy's Cliff, near Warwick.
Here she remained more than twelve
months. Her father, relenting, gave his
consent to her marriage with Henry
Siddons, an actor in his company, 17/3.
Mrs. Siddons rose rapidly in her art. Gar-
rick, hearing of her talent, engaged her at
Drury Lane ; she appeared in Portia.
Her progress was not equal to her merits :
this was attributed to the jealousy of the
leading actresses. Garrick well knew her
capabilities, but failed to encourage them ;
he gave her a trifling part, Venus, to look,
not act, in a spectacle ; very properly she
refused to do it, and left the theatre, to
return hereafter its pride and chief support,
by her attraction. For thirty years no one
disputed her supremacy. Nobility, gentry,
public, all admired this gifted woman, and
declared her worth an ornament to the
Old Drury Lane. 57
stage, an example in private life, loving and
beloved. She retired from Drury Lane,
June 29, 1812, at her farewell benefit play-
ing Lady Macbeth, one of her great per-
sonations. On that memorable occasion
the curtain fell on her sleeping scene. The
audience would not see or hear anything
more that night. She began with Shake-
speare, and ended with him.
MRS. SIDDONS IN DUBLIN. A bit of
blarney from an old Irish newspaper :
' On Saturday, Mrs. Siddons, about whom
all the world has been talking, exposed her
beautiful face, her adamantine, soft, and
lovely person, for the first time in Smock
Alley Theatre, in the bewitching and all-
tearful character of Isabella. * From re-
peated panegyrics in the important London
papers, we were taught to expect the sight
of a heavenly angel ! But how were we
supernaturally surprised into the most
awful joy at the beholding a mortal god-
58 Old Drury Lane.
dess ! She was nature itself. She was the
most exquisite work of art. She was the
very daisy, primrose, tuberose, sweet-
briar, furze -blossom, gilly- flower, wall-
flower, auricula, and rosemary ; in short,
she was the bouquet of Parnassus ! not for-
getting the holy three-leaved shamrock.
Erin-go-bragh. Irish Post, 1790'.
Mrs. Siddons died in Gower-street, June
8th, 1831, with a reputation never equalled,
except by that of Garrick, on the English
stage ; mourned for by all who knew her
worth and genius.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE AND MRS. SIDDONS.
ROYAL COMMAND. Queen Charlotte,
consort of George III., wished Mrs.
Siddons to read to her, at Windsor Castle,
some scenes from Shakespeare, and extracts
from popular poets, occupying more than
two hours. Mrs. Siddons was kept standing
the whole time, so rigid was the German
Old Drury Lane. 59
etiquette. Mrs. Siddons quitted the Royal
presence, never to return. The next Royal
command met with this decisive reply :
' That her readings and acting were public,
and if her Majesty wished to hear her,
Drury Lane Theatre must be the place,
and no other.'
MRS. SIDDONS AND JOHN KEMBLE, at
Bath, playing in ' Henry the Eighth/
Kemble, Cardinal Wolsey ; Mrs. Siddons,
Queen Katharine. The power of Mrs.
Siddons's eyes is well known, having so
often been noticed by her biographers. On
the occasion about to be related, their effect
upon a young actor of the name of Davidge,
acting the Surveyor to the Duke of Buck-
ingham, w r as remarkable. At the words,
'The Duke shall govern England,' in a
speech accusing his master, Buckingham,
of treason to the King, Mrs. Siddons
(Katharine), fixing her piercing gaze upon
him ; he, kneeling with his back towards
60 Old Drury Lane.
the audience, received the full force of her
fiery flashing glances *
' KATH. : Take good heed
You charge not in your spleen a noble person,
And spoil your noble soul. I say, take heed :
Yea, heartily beseech you.'
' KING : Let him on :
Go forward.'
Not he, he was dumb ; such was the
effect of Mrs. Siddons's eyes. Powerless
with fright, the Surveyor remained trans-
fixed to the ground. After a long pause,
Kemble urged him to go on; the prompter
repeatedly gave the words, * On my soul,
I'll speak the truth.' Neither truth nor
falsehood could he utter with those terrible
orbs, enraged, centred upon his timid face.
The curtain was rung down amidst con-
fusion and threats heaped upon the head of
the unfortunate Davidge, who ran wildly
out of the theatre, leaving Buckingham to
be found guilty without his evidence.
Old Drury Lane. 61
DAVIDGE.
DAVIDGE, a native of Bath, lived to be-
come an excellent actor, and manager of the
Old Coburg and Surrey Theatres. He
always retained in memory his first esca-
pade, and resolved to redeem it. He carried
this out by taking the Old Theatre Royal
for two seasons, acting several of his best
characters, Sir Peter Teazle, Justice Wood-
cock, etc., giving his townsfolk a taste of
his quality.
AIKIN.
AIKIN, an actor of heavy business, nick-
named by his fellows Tyrant Aikin ; noted
for having fought a duel with John Kemble
pistols without balls a topic for much
ridicule in 1789.
JOHN PHILIP KEMBLE, 17571823.
JOHN PHILIP KEMBLE, educated at a
Catholic seminary in Staffordshire, gra-
62 Old Driiry Lane.
dilating at the Jesuits' College at Douay.
His father, Roger Kemble, wished his son
John to enter holy orders, and become a
priest ; but Fate had arranged matters
otherwise. Dis altter visum. He adopted
the stage in place of stole and crozier
made his bow at Drury in * Hamlet ' in
1783. He was lessee of the theatre for a
short period, playing Brutus, Coriolanus,
Cato, etc., with a little pomposity (the
fault of the age), and what we should now
consider a tiresome elongation of words.
Kemble sacrificed too much to art. During
his management of Covent Garden the
O.P. and P.S. riots commenced, arising
from the alteration of prices of admission
at Covent Garden. * Black Jack ' (such
was his sobriquet among his theatrical
brethren) taking this rebellion against his
will to heart, retired to Switzerland, where
he died in 1823.
FAREWELL DINNER TO MR. KEMBLE.
Old Drury Lane. 63
LORD HOLLAND took his seat at the head
table, with Mr. KEMBLE on his right, and
the Duke of Bedford on his left hand.
At the other tables, Mr. C. KEMBLE, Mr.
YOUNG, and Mr. MATHEWS presided. The
noble chairman gave ' THE KING,' ' THE
PRINCE REGENT,' ' THE QUEEN and ALL the
ROYAL FAMILY.' LORD HOLLAND then rose
and said the Committee of management had
agreed that he should have the honour of
presenting the piece of plate which had
been voted to Mr. Kemble ; but, unfor-
tunately, the exquisite workmanship of this
production had caused it to be unprepared
for public exhibition at the present moment.
He had, however, a drawing and inscription,
which he trusted the gentleman whom it
was meant to honour would accept as an
earnest of the vase itself. The inscription
was : ' To John P. Kemble, on his retire-
ment from the stage, of which, for thirty-
six years, he had been the ornament and
64 Old Drury Lane.
pride ; which, to his learning, taste, and
genius, was indebted for its present state
of refinement (great applause], and which,
under his auspices, consecrated to the
support of the legitimate drama, and more
particularly to the glory of Shakespeare
(applause), attained to a degree of splendour
and prosperity before unknown this vase,
from a numerous body of his admirers, as
a mark of their gratitude and respect, was
presented by the hands of their chairman
on the 27th of June, 1817.' The noble
Chairman, in a speech of considerable talent,
remarked it had been observed by Mr.
Sheridan, that the materials of an actor's
fame were more perishable than those of
any other artist ; but the object of that
meeting was to counteract this imperfection
of the art (applause). Mr. Kemble had
counteracted it, and as long as Shakespeare
was remembered, Mr. Kemble could not
be forgotten.
Old Drury Lane. 65
Mr. Young then recited some valedictory
stanzas, written for the occasion by Mr.
Campbell ; after which the noble chairman
proposed the health of Mr. Kemble, with
three times three, which was drunk with
enthusiasm.
' Pride of the British stage,
A long and last adieu !
Whose image brought the heroic age
Revived to Fancy's view.
Like fields refresh'd with dewy light,
When the sun smiles his last,
Thy parting presence makes more bright
Our memory of the past ;
And memory conjures feelings up,
That wine or music need not swell,
As high we lift the festal cup,
To Kemble fare thee well !
' His was the spell o'er hearts,
Which only Acting lends
The youngest of the sister arts,
Where all their beauty blends :
For ill can Poetry express
Full many a tone of thought sublime;
And Painting, mute and motionless,
Steals but a glance of Time.
VOL. II. 28
66 Old Drury Lane.
But by the mighty actor brought,
Illusion's perfect triumphs come,
Verse ceases to be airy thought,
And Sculpture to be dumb.'
(Here the poem proceeds to portray the
various personal and mental excellences of
Mr. Kemble, excellences which fitted him
to claim pre-eminence on the stage. His
Cato, Hotspur, Othello, Henry V., and Lear
are particularly noticed.)
' At once ennobled and correct,
His mind survey'd the tragic page,
And what the actor could effect,
The scholar could presage.
These were his traits of worth :
And must we lose them now ?
And shall the scene no more show forth
His sternly-pleasing brow ?
Alas, the moral brings a tear !
'Tis all a transient hour below,
And we that would detain thee here,
Ourselves as fleetly go !
Yet shall our latest age
This parting scene review :
Pride of the British stage,
A long and last adieu !'
After the recitation of the Ode, the four
Old Drury Lane. 67
last lines, set to music, were admirably
sung:
' Yet shall our latest age
This parting scene review :
Pride of the British stage,
A long and last adieu !'
Here Mr. Kemble rose and said, he
begged them to accept his most grateful
acknowledgments. It was a distinction
which had never been bestowed on a pre-
decessor, and he felt how much it was
greater than his deserts. He accepted the
tribute with pride and gratitude, and he
flattered himself that he should be remem-
bered when even that memorial had
perished, since he had the good fortune to
have his retirement from the stage cele-
brated by the Muse of the poets and the
Genius of Music. He begged, in con-
clusion, to propose the health of their
noble chairman, Lord Holland.
The health of Mr. Rae and Mr. Fawcett,
and their respective companies, were drunk,
282
68 Old Drury Lane.
and also of Mr. Campbell the poet, with
applause. They all returned thanks.
Lord HOLLAND said it was gratifying
to see the union of feeling of the two rival
theatres on this interesting occasion.
There was present, however, a distin-
guished actor of a neighbouring country,
and he should therefore propose ' the health
of M. Talma, and success to the French
stage,' with three times three, which was
drunk with applause.
M. Talma spoke as follows : 'Gentlemen,
it is impossible for a foreign language to
express my warm gratitude for the hos-
pitable way in which you have this day
received me (applause), and the honour you
have done, in my person, to the French
stage. To be thought worthy of notice on
an occasion consecrated to my dear friend
(applause), I estimate as one of the highest
honours of my life. As I cannot thank
you with words, you will, I hope, suffer
Old Drury Lane. 69
me to thank you with my heart (applause).
Gentlemen, permit me to drink success to
the British nation, and to the British stage
(applause].
These few words, delivered in a clear
and powerful voice, with great boldness of
utterance and much action, had a great
effect on the audience.
The health of Mr. West, and the Royal
Academy, of Mr. Young, of Mrs. Siddons,
and of Mr. Flaxman, were severally drunk.
Mr. Twiss returned thanks for Mrs.
Siddons ; all the others being present spoke
for themselves.
Lord HOLLAND then proposed the health
of Mr. Mathews (who originally suggested
the compliment to Mr. Kemble), and the
committee who had so ably arranged the
dinner. Mr. Mathews returned thanks in
a speech at once neatly elegant and impres-
sive, which was received with universal
applause.
70 Old Drury Lane.
GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE, 17561812.
GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE. First ap-
peared in London in October 1800. A
man of consummate dramatic genius,
Nature had gifted this eccentric man with
all the requisites for a great actor. Cooke
by his misconduct and intemperate habits
did much to destroy these natural endow-
ments. No man ever held such a complete
mastery over the passions as Cooke on the
stage ; no man ever made less use of this
power to secure lasting fame and fortune.
Edmund Kean's style, without doubt, had
been suggested by the performances of
Cooke. Kean had seen his Richard, Sir
Giles Overreach, etc., when a boy, and
greatly resembled him in his acting.
Cooke, tempted by a good offer, and
under the stress of calamitous circum-
stances, quitted England for America. On
his way he played a few farewell nights at
Old Drury Lane. 71
Liverpool, his place of embarkation. The
last performance was his favourite character
of Richard the Third. Unfortunately he
had indulged too freely in liquor, and
played indifferently. This fact, which was
quickly discovered by a full house, produced
tokens of disapprobation, cries of 'shame,'
hisses, etc. The irritated tragedian stalked
down with offended dignity to the foot-
lights, and thus addressed the audience :
' Silence your clamour !' (in a voice of
thunder.) ' I am George Frederick Cooke,
the only tragic actor that you ever saw in
your slave-trading town ; every brick of
the accursed place is cemented by the
blood of a negro !' and with these words
he strode from the stage, never again to
re-enter it. At that period the leading
merchants of Liverpool were well-known
slave-dealers, realising enormous fortunes
by the unholy traffic.
Cooke died in America. Edmund Kean,
72 Old Drury Lane.
on his visit there, piously raised a tomb
to his memory.
RICHARD SUETT, 17581805.
DICKEY SUETT (' Oh la ! ok la !
Dickey /'), a born droll ; an immense
favourite with the pit and galleries of
Drury Lane. His exclamation, 'Oh la!'
heard behind the scenes, was quite sufficient
to set the house in a roar. Suett, originally
a baker, tired of his calling, tried the stage,
a good exchange for Dickey. His Shake-
spearian clowns were held in high estima-
tion with the critical frequenters of Old
Drury. His native humour, his queer
squeaking voice, his shuffling walk, and a
figure lank and tall, all went to make up
the droll effect. Suett managed to sustain
his popularity until death called him ; even
then his love of fun did not desert him.
Lying on his bed, dying, he turned to a
friend sitting by him, and grasping his
hand, faintly chuckled :
Old Drury Lane. 73
' Oh la ! Tom, don't you hear the rattles ?
the watchman's coming, I'm going ; oh la !'
(trying to laugJi).
Suett alluded to the death-rattle in his
throat. In those days watchmen carried
rattles to alarm thieves.
On one occasion Dickey travelling
from Bath to London, the coach was
stopped on Hounslow Heath by a high-
wayman (an ordinary circumstance in those
'good old times'). The knight of the
road demanded ' money or the passengers'
lives.' Dreadfully alarmed, money, watches
and jewellery were quickly given up. Suett
screwed himself in a corner (inside).
Highwayman : ' Now, youngster, your
purse. Money, or ' (pistol presented).
' Oh la ! oh dear, sir, got none.
" Nunkey " ' (pointing to an elderly citizen}
1 pays for me ' (laughing idiotically] ;
' oh la !'
With an oath the robber passed over
74 Old Drury Lane.
Dickey. ' Nunkey ' sulked all the way to
London, and on leaving the coach at the
' White Horse,' gave Suett a parting
blessing 4 Oh la !'
JOSEPH MUNDEN, 17581832.
MUNDEN. After a rehearsal at Drury
Lane, trudging home to Camden Town on
a very wet day, carrying a seedy old
gingham umbrella in one hand, three
mackerel on a string in the other (Joey
always studied economy, and found Clare
Market cheaper than Camden Town), a
gentleman stopped him to tell him how
much he regretted that our comedian in-
tended quitting the stage.
' Yes, yes, sir ; I am going to bid you
good-bye. Age, age, sir.'
1 May I ask you to give me the smallest
memento to remind me of the many happy
hours your talents have yielded ? Just a
trifle I should so treasure it.'
Old Drury Lane. 75
' Eh, yes, I will ; take my umbrella, I'll
take yours. Ha, ha!' (chuckling), 'now we
shall never forget each other ; ha, ha !
Good-day, good-day ' (looking at the silk\
'Exchange is no robbery. Ha, ha! I've
done him F
MUNDEN, staying to dine with CLINT
the painter, suddenly called Clint's son:
' Harry, my dear boy, run home and tell
Mrs. Munden not to take in the Times
newspaper. I shall not be home ; that will
save three half-pence, my boy. Run fast !
a penny saved is a penny earned ; ha, ha !
Make haste, dear.'
JACK BANNISTER, 17601836.
JACK BANNISTER, favourite pupil of
Garrick, an excellent actor of Old Drury.
Walter, in the ' Children of the Wood,' by
the force of his acting became a part which
all players coveted, and got to be con-
sidered as a test or touchstone of pathos
76 Old Drury Lane.
and comic humour. His Dick, in the
'Apprentice,' was full of life and vivacity.
Sheva, in the ' Jew,' a picture of man's
sordid nature ; miserly thrift could go no
further than when Sheva stoops to pick up
a pin, though in a furious passion. Colonel
Feign well, in 'A Bold Stroke for a Husband,'
was one of his most effective parts. His
final appearance was as Echo, in the
comedy of ' The World,' at Drury Lane.
BILL OF DRURY LANE, 1791. * Benefit
of Mr. Bannister, will be presented a
tragedy, called
' " RICHARD THE THIRD."
KING RICHARD, by Mr. Bannister, junr.
(being his first appearance in that
character, and for that night only).
KING HENRY, Mr. Bensley.
PRINCE OF WALES, Miss de Camp.
DUKE OF YORK, Miss Standen.
Old Drury Lane. 77
RICHMOND, Mr. Palmer.
BUCKINGHAM, Mr. Williamson.
NORFOLK, Mr. Usher.
RATCLIFFE, Mr. Evatt.
CATESBY, Mr. Davis.
TRESSELL, Mr. Bland.
OXFORD, Mr. Chapman.
STANLEY, Mr. Aikin.
BLUNT, Mr. Lyons.
TYRREL, Mr. Rock.
LORD MAYOR, Mr. Blur Ion.
FORREST, Mr. Ledger.
QUEEN, Mrs. Whitfield.
LADY ANNE, Mrs. Kemble.
DUCHESS OF YORK, Mrs. Powell.
' At the end of the tragedy a song called
" The Wolf," by Mr. Bannister ; to which
will be added
4 " THE MAYOR OF GARRATT."
SIR JACOB JOLLAP, Mr. Usher.
MAJOR STURGEON, Mr. Bannister (with
78 Old Drury Lane.
the song of " O what a charming
thing's a battle !").
JERKY SNEAK, Mr. Bannister, junr. (with
the song of " What shall we have for
dinner," Mrs. Bond ?).
CRISPIN HEELTAP, Mr. Burton.
SNUFFLE, Mr. Lyons.
MRS. SNEAK, Mrs. Webb.
MRS. BRUIN, Mrs. Powell'
1802. Announcement in a Drury Lane
play-bill : 'MR. BANNISTER. In conse-
quence of his confinement, Mr. Bartley, at
a short notice, will take his part, Tandem,
in " The Marriage Promise," this evening,
May ;th, 1802.'
1809. Copy of John Bannister's Budget
Bill:
' THEATRE ROYAL, IPSWICH.
Positively for one night only. Wednes-
day, November 29th, will be presented a
Old Drury Lane. 79
miscellaneous divertissement, with consider-
able vocal and rhetorical variations, called
' " BANNISTER'S BUDGET ;"
or, an Actor's Ways and Means : con-
sisting of songs and recitations, which will
be sung and spoken by Mr. Bannister, of
the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
* Prospectus of the divertissement :
Part First : Exordium ; Mr. Bannis-
ter's Interview with Garrick ; Garrick's
Manner attempted in a Shaving Dialogue ;
Mr. Double-lungs in the Clay-pit ; Mack-
lin's Advice to his Pupils ; the Ship's
Chaplain and Jack Halyard and the Boat-
swain, or two ways of telling a story ; Sam
Stein, the Melodram Maniac, or value of
vocal talent ; Mr. and Mrs. O'Blunder, or
Irish Suicide.
* Part Second : Supernatural Sexton ;
Original Anecdotes of a late well-known
Character ; Trial and Cross-examination ;
8o Old Drury Lane.
Counsellor Garble ; Snip-Snap ; Serjeant
Splitbrain's Address to the Jury ; Simon
Soaker and Deputy Dragon.
' Part Third : Club of Queer Fellows ;
President Hosier ; Speech from the Chair ;
Mr. Hesitate ; Mr. Sawney McSnip ;
Musical Poulterer ; Duet between a Game
Cock and Dorking Hen ; Mr. Molasses ;
Mr. Mince ; Monotony exemplified ; Mr.
Killjoy ; the Whistling Orator ; Susan
and Stephen. Budget closed. In Part
three the Tragedy of " Othello" or Fine
Fleecy Hosiery ; the Marrowfat Family ;
Jollity burlesqued ; and Beggars and
Ballad Singers.
' The doors open at six o'clock, to begin
at seven. Boxes, 45-. Lower Circle, $s.
Pit, 2s. Gallery, is.
' N.B. Care has been taken to have the
Theatre well aired. The whole entertain-
ment has been arranged and revised by
Mr. Colman ; the Songs principally com-
posed by Mr. Reeve.'
Old Drury Lane. 81
DORA JORDAN, 17621816.
MRS. JORDAN (Miss Bland) born at
Waterford, in Ireland, 1762. Her first
English engagement was at York, with
Tate Wilkinson, as Mrs. Jordan. In Dublin
she had acted under the name of ' Miss
Francis.' She appeared at Drury Lane in
1785, in ' The Country Girl,' at a salary of
^ per week. The highest payment that
she received in the zenith of her popula-
rity was 25 weekly. What would leading
Metropolitan ladies say to that in these days
of extravagant salaries and conditions so
detrimental to managers' interests ? Do-
rothy Jordan played all and everything
tragedy, comedy, opera and farce. But
there is no question that comedy was her
forte ; all her great successes were Thalia's
Viola, Lady Contest, Lady Teagle, Miss
Hardcastle, Little Pickle, Lydia Languish,
Rosalind, etc. It is supposed that no
VOL. ii. 29
82 Old Drury Lane.
woman ever spoke humorous speeches
like her. She was quite as attractive as
Peg Woffington, and had a much sweeter
voice, but was not so handsome. But she
excelled all others. Her connexion with
the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William
IV., continued for twelve years, but
ended for poor Dorothy's feeling, loving
heart unhappily. A separation became
imperative, the Royal Duke being on the
eve of marriage with the late Queen
Adelaide. The once-cherished actress
stood in the way. General Charitie, a
personal friend and confidant of the Duke's,
was entrusted with the delicate, unpleasant
task of breaking the news so fatal to her
happiness. Mrs. Jordan was acting in
Cheltenham when Charitie saw her. A
most painful scene ensued. The injured
woman, almost frantic, would listen to no
proposals, excuses, or offers of settlement.
'No, no ! not a penny. Why did he not
Old Drury Lane. 83
come himself and do his dirty work ? No.'
She was compelled to give up her engage-
ments quitted Cheltenham for London, in
a state of bewilderment ; her wounded pride
struggling with her love for her children,
in after years ennobled by their royal
father; she sought repose in a foreign land.
In France, unknown and neglected, she
lived for awhile upon her little savings a
mere pittance (for Dorothy Jordan's
purse had always been opened to every
appeal in the days of her prosperity) ; and
there she died without one friend to solace
or comfort her, and was buried at the
expense of an English gentleman who had
formerly been an admirer of her acting.
BENJAMIN CHARLES INCLEDON, 17641826.
INCLEDON (1826), celebrated bass-singer.
His rendering of Dibdin's sea-songs won
golden opinions from all in that age of
patriotism. Incledon was rather too much
292
84 Old Drury Lane.
given to indulgence in wine, and began to
lose his fine voice. Elliston saw this, and
remonstrated. Incledon always attributed
it to sore-throats, colds, etc. He was
frequently obliged to omit his best songs.
This occurred so many times, that his
manager grew restive.
' Incledon, you have lost your voice.'
SINGER : ' Have I, governor ? Perhaps
you'll tell me who's found it ?'
MARY ROBINSON (DIED 1800).
MRS. ROBINSON (Miss Darby), born in
Bristol much cared for by Hannah More
in youth for some time taught as a
governess, being compelled to earn her
living from her father's having deserted
his home. At the early age of sixteen she
married a Mr. Robinson, a lawyer. Care-
less and extravagant, his fortune was soon
spent, and want forced her to apply to
Garrick for employment on the stage. She
Old Drury Lane. 85
came out at Drury Lane in 1776, as Juliet.
Her beauty and ability at once established
her with the public as a favourite ; no one
had made such an impression on the stage
since Peg Woffington's retirement. A
royal command was given for the ' Winter's
Tale,' in which she played Perdita dress-
ing, looking, and acting so well as to
charm all hearts, including that of George,
Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness fell
madly in love with this lovely woman, sign-
ing himself * Florizel,' when he wrote to
his ' Perdita.' The Prince gave her his
likeness and all the heart he possessed.
Poor Perdita's husband, living in idle de-
bauchery on her earnings, totally neglected
her. Tempted by exalted rank, ardent
love, and a fortune to be settled upon her,
she quitted the stage to live under the
protection of a worthless deceiver. The
Prince deserted her, never paid the annuity
promised, and even shunned her in the
86 Old Drury Lane.
streets. She wrote novels, poems for news-
papers, magazines, etc., and died in 1800,
in adverse circumstances.
CHARLES DIGNUM, 17651827.
CHARLES DIGNUM, vocalist, transplanted
from Vauxhall Gardens to Drury Lane. A
buck a la mode was Dignum. His ballads
were much relished by pit and gallery
frequenters.
SAMUEL RUSSELL, 17661845.
'JERRY SNEAK' RUSSELL. One part
made Russell, viz., Jerry Sneak in ' The
Mayor of Garratt.' He tried high comedy
first, but found his ambition soared too
lofty, so reduced his views to low comedy,
and became a universal favourite with the
public.
EDWARD KNIGHT, 17741826.
LITTLE KNIGHT. Capital ' country boy '
in old comedies ; his comic singing pleased
greatly. Songs for Knight were intro-
Old Drury Lane. 87
duced in all pieces, and encores were
certain. He came to Drury from Tate
Wilkinson's York circuit.
JOHN COOPER (BORN 1770).
JOHN COOPER, ' respectable John,' careful
and prudent, always looking well to the
main chance ; a sort of small Talleyrand in
theatricals, keeping his position with every
managerial change, and they were many.
Cooper was born at Bath, and made his
first stage-effort in that beautiful city of
thermal waters, rich dowagers, and decayed
gentry. After the customary wanderings,
privations, etc., that poor players are heirs
to, ' respectable ' John found himself in
London, enlisted under the banners of
Elliston for Old Drury, generally playing
second parts in comedy and tragedy, and
first in the absence of better men, such as
Macready, Young, Elliston, etc. Pains-
taking and polite, stage -management
Old Drury Lane.
awaited him. Increased salary, and un-
disturbed authority naturally followed. He
retired after fifty years' service, well-to-do
in a worldly sense, and much respected.
When Macready returned from America,
and appeared at the Princess's, Cooper
was engaged to act the second characters
to him. ' Hamlet ' was the opening play.
Hamlet, Mr. Macready ; Ghost, Mr.
Cooper. Macready was very particular
about his ghostly father's dress, always
furnishing it himself. In the scene where
Hamlet follows his sire to the ramparts of
Elsinore Castle, at the moment when the
spirit proclaims himself Hamlet's buried
father, Cooper started and rubbed his neck,
proceeding, 'Thy father's spirit, doomed
for a certain time to ' Another jerk
of his ghostly head. (Aside), ' What th<
devil is it ?'
MACREADY (groaning with rage): 'Go
on, sir.'
Old Drury Lane. 89
' I cannot ; I'm ate up alive by some-
thing,' wriggling and twisting his body
audience laughing.
TRAGEDIAN : * Get off, sir.'
COOPER : * Where's the trap ?' (to lead
to sulphurous flames) feeling with his foot
for it descends, rubbing his back. ' Oh,
remember me !'
Macready, in a towering passion, rushed
to the green-room when the act-drop fell,
demanding an explanation of John for his
strange conduct.
' Ask the cockroaches in your infernal
armour.'
It was discovered on search to be swarm-
ing with cockroaches, never having been
unpacked until that night since it was used
in America.
A MOULTING GHOST. ' Respectable
John ' indulged his health and purse by
starring during the vacations. One night,
while acting ' Hamlet ' at Portsmouth for a
9O Old Drury Lane.
Jewish Society's Benefit, the following ludi-
crous incident occurred : The leading actor
of the company, rather prone to over-dress
in his characters, personated the Ghost.
Resolved to look 'the buried Majesty of
Denmark ' like a king, he borrowed from
a friendly undertaker a number of black
feathers used in his business. These huge
trappings of woe were attached to the
ghostly helmet. When Hamlet encoun-
tered his father's spirit, a feather dropped
on the stage ; slowly crossing the stage,
down came another. The audience tit-
tered. Beckoning his royal son to follow
him, all the sable plumes fell on the stage.
This was too much for the Jews. A shrill
voice shouted, ' I key, I key, look at that !
Blow'd if the ghost ain't a-moulting his
feathers !' Very little more of ' Hamlet '
was heard that night.
Old Drury Lane. 91
JOHN BRAHAM, 17741856.
JOHN BRAHAM (of Jewish extraction).
This first of English vocalists surmounted
difficulties that beset his youth, which
might have proved fatal to many less
energetic. He was of a very humble
origin, and his education had been neg-
lected. He was obliged to earn his daily
bread at an early age. Nevertheless,
John Braham, gifted with a superb voice
and pure musical taste, and assisted by
benevolent friends, who saw the boy's
merit, was in a few years acknowledged to
be the first tenor singer in Great Britain,
thanks to his instructor, Leoni Lee, and to
his own untiring industry. The English
Opera never before had such a vocalist.
From his exertions it became popular, and
was patronised by all classes. George
IV. held Braham in high esteem, fre-
quently honouring Drury Lane by a Royal
92 Old Drury Lane.
command when he sang. I was present at
one of these. The King selected ' The
Devil's Bridge.' Opulence, position, and
fame attended our great vocalist's pro-
gress ; blessed with a charming wife, and
a family of clever children. In an unlucky
hour he tempted fortune, hitherto so bounti-
ful, by building a stately theatre in King-
street, St. James's, at the large outlay of
,36,000. This elegant establishment
Braham opened under his own manage-
ment, reaping nothing but disappointment
and vexation for his pains. Charles Dickens
wrote three successive dramatic pieces (bur-
lettas and comic operas) for the St. James's
Theatre. The first was ' The Strange
Gentleman,' a comic burletta, founded on
one of the ' Sketches by Boz,' performed
for the first time on September 29, 1836;
and this was followed by the comic opera
of * The Village Coquettes,' played for the
first time in December of the same year.
Old Drury Lane. 93
A third attempt, the least known of the
three, entitled ' Is She his Wife ? or Some-
thing Singular,' was produced in March,
1837. These were all more or less suc-
cessful at the time, and ran for a consider-
able number of nights. All three of them
have appeared in print.*
During his management of the St. James's
Theatre, Braham wanted to produce my
piece, ' The Blue Jackets,' on liberal terms.
He proffered to act and sing in it.
* St. James s Theatre.
'DEAR STIRLING,
' I will play the Admiral in your
piece, and introduce " Wapping Old Stairs.'
I have not acted a new part for years.
1 Yours,
' JOHN BRAHAM.
* Mr. Stirling,
' Adelphi Theatre.'
* See ' The Bibliography of Dickens. A Biblio-
graphical List of the Published Writings in Prose
and Verse of Charles Dickens,' by Richard Herne
Shepherd (1880), pp. 8-9.
94 Old Drury Lane.
Braham's talents for singing became a
heritage with his sons, They were all
good singers, and held positions on the
Metropolitan stage, Italian and English
Opera.
Why ST. JAMES'S THEATRE was built.
Braham, our first tenor, during the height of
his popularity at Drury Lane, among many
other privileges, exacted a private box every
night that he appeared in a new opera.
This box, expressly for the use of Mrs.
Braham (a lady inclined to embonpoint),
was stipulated to be on the pit tier, to avoid
the inconvenience of going upstairs. At
the first representation of ' William Tell ' at
the English Opera, Braham as Tell, there
was an overflowing house ; not a box no r
place to be had. Mrs. Braham presented
herself at the Box Office. Alas ! her box
had been let to a duchess. Mrs. Braham,
highly offended, had to mount to the upper
circle, a small box, two steps to reach it
Old Drury Lane. 95
from the corridor. Making this descent,
the lady slipped, dislocating her ankle, and
was immediately conveyed home. Braham
never forgave Bunn for this, promising
his wife that she should have a theatre of
her own, never to be disappointed again.
He built the St. James's Theatre at a
cost of nearly ,40,000, and managed it
himself at a loss of ,20,000 in three
years ; total, ^"60,000 for a slip of the foot.
JOHN LISTON, 17761846.
LISTON came out at the Hay market as
Sheepface in * The Village Lawyer,' in
1805. He had previously been a school-
master at Gosport, and an usher at St.
Martin's School, Charing Cross. Listen,
like many other low comedians, fancying
that he could act tragedy tried Hamlet,
Romeo, etc. Fortunately for himself and
the public, he speedily discovered his mis-
take. Liston's face, quite stolid manner,
96 Old Drury Lane.
and innate drollery, at once stamped the
comedian. For many years he appeared at
Drury Lane, Covent Garden, Haymarket,
and a brief season at the Olympic, after his
retirement, to introduce the son of his old
friend Charles Mathews to the stage,
Charles Mathews, junior, acting with him at
a salary of ^100 per week, paid by Madame
Vestris. Listen's Paul Pry took the
town by surprise. ' I hope I don't intrude '
became the joke of the day. The Prince
Regent, afterwards George IV., was a great
admirer of Liston's grotesque fun. On one
occasion the King gave a command for
' The Hypocrite ' at Drury Lane, and
honoured Liston by going in state to laugh
at his Maw worm. His Majesty, convulsed
with laughter, encored the celebrated
Sermon twice, joined by the whole house.
Nothing could exceed the effect and comic
humour that Liston threw into this preach-
ing to old Lady Lambert's servants in the
Old Drury Lane. 97
kitchen pulpit, a clothes' horse covered
with a tablecloth ; chair behind ; cook,
housemaids, footman, etc., seated before it.
Listen, imitating a well-known Wesleyan
minister, harangued them with threats of
their damnation, telling them that they
would be d d (deep groans]. When he
went up ! up ! up ! they would go down !
down ! down ! Then would they cry out and
try to cling to his coat-tails to go up no,
he'd serve 'em all out by cutting 'em off,
and wear a spencer (fashionable jacket of
the time). King and people yelled again
at this irresistibly comic situation, his
Majesty throwing himself back in his chair
and screaming with delight. Listen died
in 1846, rich.
LISTON AT A CITY GENT'S DINNER-
PARTY. Dining-out, as a rule, Listen dis-
liked ; but on a certain occasion he yielded
to the earnest solicitations of a member of
the Stock Exchange. A numerous party
VOL. II. 30
98 Old Drury Lane.
were assembled to meet the comedian,
naturally expecting a fund of anecdote,
jokes, and racy humour from the lips of
this high-priest of Momus. Listen ate his
dinner without exchanging a word ; this
cast a gloom over the visitors. After a
pause, young Hopeful, the host's youngest
boy, sitting by Liston, pinched his arm,
whispering : ' Do say something funny to
make us laugh, like you do on the stage.
Ma didn't want players, but Pa insisted
said you were the " biggest fish in the
market, not easily hooked " do be
funny !' Be sure, Paul Pry never intruded
at Chesham-place again.
HARRIET MELLON (DUCHESS OF ST. ALBANS),
17751837-
HARRIET MELLON (Mrs. Coutts, and
afterwards Duchess of St. Albans), born
1775. This clever lady had an invete-
rate dislike to Poland and the Poles,
engendered by her nephew Lord Dudley
Old Drury Lane.
99
Stuart's persistent appeal to the public
for funds to enable the Poles to carry
out their attempt to overthrow the Russian
yoke. Yates produced a drama at the
Adelphi called * Burning of Moscow and
Liberation of Poland.' The Duchess of
St. Alban's in her box on the first night,
speedily quitted it, in a towering passion.
' Yates Yates ! why did you bring me
here ? I have enough of the Poles at
home. Curse the Poles ! they'll haunt me
to my grave.'
She drove off with anything but blessings
on the ' Fair Land of Poland,' and much to
the chagrin of the manager, who basked in
her smiles and purse. The Duchess was a
good friend to Frederick Yates on and off
the stage.
CHARLES YOUNG, 17771856.
CHARLES YOUNG, a disciple of the
Kemble school, first acted in public in
302
ioo Old Drury Lane.
1807. Majestic in gait, slow and serious in
declamation, he was very like John Kemble.
All Young's speeches were delivered with
effect ; well studied and graceful, but
lacked the touch of nature so essential to
carry an audience away. In Brutus,
Joseph Surface, I ago, Lord Townley,
Falkland, etc., Young was excellent; his
very defects told in these characters. He
died in 1856, after a long and enjoyable
retirement from his mimic world.
JOHN EMERY, 17771822.
JOHN EMERY, an admirable representa-
tive of countrymen, more especially York-
shiremen. Emery possessed the reputation
of being the best actor in his line that ever
appeared. He was for one season only
at Drury Lane. Covent Garden carried
away this genuine actor, and wisely re-
tained his services. Parts were written
expressly for him, and playwrights courted
Old Drury Lane. 101
the representative of Zekiel Homespun,
Tyke in ' The School of Reform,' Giles, in
' TheMiller's Man,' Fixture, Robin Rough-
head, Farmer Ashfield. He was equally
good in Shakespearian characters, such as
Caliban, Sir Toby Belch, etc. Emery was
an artist of no mean ability ; his water-colour
drawings realised attention, and fair prices.
He came from York, Tate Wilkinson's
excellent school for actors. He quitted
the stage and this life, 1822, universally
regretted by lovers of true acting.
SAMUEL EMER\% son of John Emery,
inherits a large portion of his father's talent
in the same line countrymen and character
parts. Everything Sam Emery touches
dramatically impresses his audiences with
truth to nature. Even in the smallest
detail of character this excellent quality is
worked out. Hence Emery is liked and
followed, always a good name in a bill.
IO2 Old Drury Lane.
Wide is the range of Emery's role, em-
bracing old and young men, countrymen,
sailors, ' heavy fathers,' eccentric comedy i
etc. In the plays adapted from the novels
of Charles Dickens he found genial employ-
ment ; his personations of Prowdie, Fagin,
Peggotty, Captain Cuttle, Peerybingle,
Jonas Chuzzlewit, will not be forgotten.
Nearly all the London theatres have
availed themselves of Emery's abilities.
He tried America a few years since, and
a second tour enabled Australia to enjoy
a really good actor. The result proved
equally satisfactory to the entertainers and
the entertained.
JOSEPH GRIMALDI.
JOEY GRIMALDI, first of all clowns last
of the genuine pantomimic humourists.
Grimaldi did more to create fun with a
string of paper sausages than modern
clowns do with the most expensive pro-
Old Drury Lane.
103
perties. The chief and standing joke now-
adays is for Motley to knock and kick
about policemen. Music-hall breakdowns,
songs of questionable character, and constant
utterance of the silliest nonsense, making
up for real acting and rapid invention
attributes of clowns of the old school.
John Kemble was wont to observe that
Grimaldi was the best low comedian he
had ever seen high praise, coming from
such a source. Most clever was Joey's
impromptu carriage-building : a clothes-
basket, two broom-handles, a cheese-rolling-
pin ; lastly, an umbrella all the articles
purloined, of course, slyly, not openly ;
and here you had a carriage extempore
that would have puzzled Long-Acre coach-
makers to build. Joey's fertile brain con-
verted seeming impossibilities into pos-
sibilities with the rapidity of lightning.
At Grimaldi's last painting of the face
and attempt to sing his once-famous song,
IO4 Old Drury Lane.
' Hot Codlins,' poor Joey, broken down
by age and illness, was carried on the
stage of Sadler's Wells in an arm-chair to
say * Farewell.' The sight was a painful
one, to witness the total decadence of him
who had contributed so largely in mirth
to the merry Christmases of years gone by.
The old man's spirits, memory and humour
were things of the past.
JOEY GRIMALDI and VESTRIS, the cele-
brated French dancer. Joey envied the
foreign artiste's talent, especially the long
time that he danced on one leg.
* Ah, that's nothing,' said Motley, ' to my
old performing goose ; he'll stand on one of
his legs five minutes, flap his wings and cackle ;
that's what Monsieur Frenchman can't do.'
GRIMALDI. Pantomime, ' Fortunatus,'
Drury Lane. A utility actor was selected
to join a procession of petrified figures.
At a certain cue, standing at a wing, he
was ordered by the prompter to go on.
Old Drury Lane. 105
REPLY : ' Tis not my turn. sir. I am
not to go on till Mr. Grimaldi's putrefied'
RICHARD JONES, 17781851.
RICHARD JONES. A worthy successor of
Lewis in high and eccentric legitimate
comedy, one of the most painstaking
dressers the stage ever had. Fashion
and first-rate tailors did much for our
comedian's exquisite figure. Jones seldom
remained still a moment when engaged in
a scene, always bustling about, to the great
distress of some of his fellow-actors.
Mercutio, Roderigo, the Copper Captain,
Jeremy Diddler and Rover, proved that
Jones had well filled his friend Lewis's
position in public opinion. Added to his
acting, Jones instructed pupils for the Bar,
Church, and State.
TOM COOKE, 17811848.
T. P. COOKE, last and best of stage
sailors, too frequently rendered ridiculous
io6 Old Drury Lane.
by the introduction of silly terms and outrd
habits, unknown to real tars. Cooke
possessed one great advantage. He had
in reality trod the deck of a man-of-war,
and passed through the perils of shipwreck,
battle, and storm. He loved the sea :
* The sea ! the sea !
The blue, the fresh, the ever free !'
Having served as a cabin boy with
Nelson's fleet at Copenhagen, it is little
wonder that his personification of a British
sailor excelled and surpassed all others.
Long Tom Coffin (Pilot) ; William, in
' Black-Eyed Susan,' played in every town
in the United Kingdom with applause and
profit. Drury Lane and Covent Garden
readily opened their doors to receive
William and his Susan dancing (horn-
pipes), fighting, singing. Cooke always at
home, a pantomimist of the first rank.
Monster in ' Frankenstein,' Vampire,
Zamiel in * Der Freischiitz,' and Vander-
Old Drury Lane. 107
decken in the ' Flying Dutchman,' were
one, and all studies of art and dramatic
skill. After many years' labour, he amassed
a large fortune. Strict economy governed
Cooke's actions from the beginning until the
end. When he commenced travelling with a
Circus, at a modest salary of fifteen shillings
a week, he saved. Well do I remember
his kind and useful admonition to myself:
' Stirling, my boy, be frugal ; keep a nest-
egg ; proportion your expenses to what
you earn, not to your expectations.' Sage
counsel !
Story of Tom Cooke's appearance in
' DER FREISCHUTZ ;' composer, Karl Von
Weber. This marvellous and weird
musical creation, a work of true genius,
created a profound sensation in the musical
world, and became the subject of gossip in
every city of Europe and America. Operas,
theatres, assembly-rooms, artists, drawing-
rooms, pianos, organs, street-singers, street-
io8 Old Drury Lane.
boys' whistles, re-echoing the famous Hunt-
ing Chorus, ' Hark, follow ! hark, follow !'
Bridesmaids' Chorus ; ballad, * Sweet
Agnes :' everybody that could sing did sing.
Words would fail adequately to describe
the effect produced on the public by the
incantation music in the ' Haunted Glen.'
This opera, in a dramatic form, with some
of the music, was first acted in England at
the English Opera House, Strand (now
the Lyceum). Original cast :
CASPER, Mr. G. Bennett.
ROLLO, Mr. H. Phillips.
ADOLPH, Pearman.
KILLIAN, Keeley and Taylure.
ZAMIEL, Mr. T. P. Cooke | Playingthe Hunt .
HEAD RANGER, Mr. Baker > ing Chorus on a
ANNE, Miss Noel. J shepherd's pipe.
AGNES, Miss Povey.
First cast at Drury Lane :
ADOLPH, Tom Cooke.
Old Drury Lane. 109
CASPER, Charles Horn.
ROLLO, Paul Bedford.
OTTOCAR, Mercer.
KILLIAN, Keeley.
ZAMIEL, O. Smith.
AGNES, Miss Stephens.
ANNE, Miss Cawse.
FIRST NIGHT : Set scene for ' Enchanted
Glen.' Lofty rocks on each side surround-
ing the glen ; stunted trees ; torrents ; a
fragile bridge thrown across the stage from
rocks on the left to rocks on the right ;
this bridge at least twenty-four feet high
from the stage, to reach which, after cross-
ing the bridge over a torrent, a rude flight
of steps, composed of stones, ivy, trees, etc.
Adolph sings on the bridge. Casper, below
in the glen, preparing a charmed circle for
infernal bullet-casting. Music unearthly ;
moon obscured by red ; owls and bats
joining in diabolical chorus.
no Old Drury Lane.
COOKE (AdolpJi), 'very nervous, reached
the bridge, stopped, sang his ballad, ' Gentle
Agnes,' on the rocks, not daring to venture
on the bridge. There stood Cooke trem-
bling.
HORN (Casper) (speaking through his
music) : ' Come down, Tom, you'll be too
late' (music].
COOKE : ' Bedad, Charley, I can't. Not
a fut of me will move.'
HORN (terrified at the consequence to the
opera) : ' You must, you'll ruin the scene.
The bridge is safe enough.'
COOKE (Soud) : 'Is it? By holy Moses,
you'd better come up and try, Charley ; it's
got the staggers.'
Casper and Zamiel cast the seven bullets
with attendant horrors of ghosts, demons,
fiery skulls, swords, skeleton hunt through
the air, torrents of blood, curtain of fire,
Devil himself, but no Tom Cooke in the
magic circle. He remained on the rock,
Old Drury Lane. 1 1 r
holding hard by a tree, while he sang, trem-
bling.
JULIA GLOVER, 17811850.
MRS. GLOVER, born in Ireland, in 1781,
commenced her theatrical life before she
was out of her teens. Pretty Julia won
the hearts of her loving countrymen. No-
thing came amiss to our young actress
Juliet, Cordelia, The Romp, Little Pickle ;
at times, for her benefits and her father's
pockets, Romeo and Hamlet. This gifted
woman, the very soul of humour, rapidly
reached that goal, coveted by all Thespian
followers, Drury Lane. Here she found
a fitting field for her remarkable talents.
An unlucky marriage with a care-
less spendthrift, Captain Glover ; a young
family entirely dependent on her savings
for their support ; debts continually paid
for her husband's extravagance, made sad
havoc with her home comforts. Still Julia
Glover worked loyally on, playing a varied
ii2 Old Drury Lane.
round of characters in every description of
piece tragedy, comedy, farce, burlesque,
all well done, many excellent ; few could
compare with Mrs. Glover. Mrs. Candour,
Mrs. Heidelberg, Widows Warren and
Green, Mrs. Malaprop, Mrs. Hardcastle,
the Nurse in * Romeo and Juliet,' Lucretia
MacTab, and many other characters, in
her hands became irresistibly comic such
bright sparkling humour, never flagging,
was hers ! She enjoyed acting ; her heart
was in it. A loving mother, perhaps a
trifle careless of her pecuniary affairs ; in
her old age she wanted help. Her purse
had never been closed to those that asked.
Mrs. Glover's salary never reached ^20
a week in the zenith of her popularity.
Trouble and sickness disabled the poor
care-worn actress. An appeal to the public
was generously responded to in the shape
of a substantial benefit, ,1,000. It came
too late ; she died on the very night the
Old Drury Lane. 1 1 3
benefit took place. While her professional
brothers and sisters were acting on her be-
half, she passed quietly away, leaving a gap
in the theatrical ranks not easily filled up.
MRS. BARTLEY, 17851850.
MRS. HARTLEY (Miss Smith), born 1785.
The only lady that effectually opposed
or rivalled Mrs. Siddons in her supremacy
of tragedy. I was acting at Richmond
with Klanert, her brother-in-law, when
Mrs. Hartley came to play Mrs. Beverly in
' The Gamester.' I had a small part allotted
me Dawson, rather particular in one scene
with Mrs. Beverly. At the termination of
the play, I was asked to go into the green-
room. Here I found all the company
assembled with my manager and Mrs.
Bartley : * Young gentleman/ said the
lady, addressing me, ' I have sent for you to
thank you, and express my opinion publicly
of your refined and excellent performance
VOL. ii. 31
ii4 Old Drury Lane.
this evening of a highly essential though
trivial part. I never heard anything more
beautifully delivered than your reading.
Go on, sir ; believe me, you will become a
great actor.' Alas ! her kind words were
never destined to be realised. Mrs. Bartley
retired from the stage several years before
she died : the evening of her days was
blessed with a loving husband and a happy
home.
WILLIAM FARREN, 17861861.
WILLIAM FARREN (born 1786), a polished
actor, and true type of fashionable society.
Farren's Lord Ogleby in ' The Clandes-
tine Marriage ' would have done honour to
Beau Nash, or Brummel. Farren dressed
and acted his characters to perfection a
gentleman of the old school so neat, so
precise, one always felt that he had walked
out of a gallery of family pictures. His
Sir Peter Teazle bore the palm from all
Old Drury Lane. 115
his brother artists. Phelps was the nearest
approach to Farren's Sir Peter. After
a prosperous career at the Haymarket,
Covent Garden, and Drury Lane, he tried
his hand at management at the Strand and
the Olympic. In this, good fortune did
not attend his efforts. It should be noted
that it was he who introduced to the public
at the Olympic a remarkable man, ' Little
Robson.'
WILLIAM FARREN, junior, son to this
excellent actor, succeeds to Ms father's
ability and station worthily on and off the
stage. Witness his performances in * Our
Boys,' Old Dornton, Sir Peter Teazle at
the Vaudeville, where his acting' adds not a
little to the excellence of all the pieces that
he is called upon to take part in.
JOHN PRITT HARLEY, 17861858.
JOHN PRITT HARLEY (born 1786) wore
the cap and bells of Momus at Drury for
312
1 1 6 Old Drury Lane.
thirty years. He appeared in 1815 as
Lissardo, in 'The Wonder;' and quitted the
profession he had so long and well adorned
at the Princess's under Charles Kean's
management. Eccentric and thrifty to all
outward appearance, Harley died penniless.
He had a passion for collecting walking-
sticks, canes, etc., and when he died, more
than three hundred were sold, from golden
heads to humble ash and thorn.
FANNY KELLY (BORN 1790).
FANNY KELLY appeared at the Hay-
market, 1808. Engaged at Arnold's Eng-
lish Opera House, she left it to act at
Drury Lane. Her style was one full of
deep feeling, strictly copied from her model,
Nature ; with a genuine humour in comedy,
ranging over a vast diversity of characters,
from Lady Teazle to Madge in ' Love in a
Village.' Everything she acted was equally
good. In what is now termed the ' sensa-
Old Drury Lane. 117
tional ' drama, no one ever surpassed Fanny
Kelly. Her Mary in ' The Innkeeper's
Daughter,' her Gil Bias, above all her act-
ing in a drama called ' The Sergeant's
Wife,' was so terribly real that her audience
appeared spell-bound a scene in which
she was supposed to see a murder com-
mitted through crevices in the walls of a
wretched hovel was most appalling. After
saving a considerable fortune, she unhappily
lost part of it by the fraudulent acts of a
trusted banker, and by a venture in which
she unluckily embarked, of converting a
building into a theatre the Royalty,
Dean-street, Soho, in which she acted.
This proved a bad investment for Fanny
Kelly and her fortunes. The following is
a copy of the programme of her farewell
benefit :
' THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.
Miss KELLY.
FAREWELL BENEFIT.
1 1 8 Old Drury Lane.
'This evening, Monday, June 8, 1835,
Wycherley's Comedy of the
' " COUNTRY GIRL."
MOODY, Mr. F. Mat hews.
BELVILLE, Mr. Wood.
HARCOURT, Mr. Cooper.
SPARKISH (for this night only), Mr. Harley.
WILLIAM, Mr. Mears.
COUNTRYMAN, Mr. F. Mathews.
Miss PEGGY (the Country Girl), Miss Kelly.
ALETHEA, Mrs. Vining.
LUCY, Mrs. F. Mathews.
' MR. HARLEY will sing his popular mock
bravura :
" Oh Dolce Doll concento," and "Johnny
Bond."
' The popular drama called the
* " SERGEANT'S WIFE."
OLD CARTOUCHE, Mr. F. Mathews.
GASPARD, Mr. O. Smith.
YOUNG CARTOUCHE, Mr. Wood.
Old Drury Lane. 119
SERGEANT Louis, Mr. Hears.
ROBIN, Mr. Keeley.
DENNIS (for this night only), Mr. Evans.
LISETTE (the Sergeant's wife), Miss Kelly.
M argot, Mrs. Keeley.
' At the end of the second piece, Miss
Kelly will deliver a farewell address.
' The musical arrangements under the
direction of Mr. T. Cooke :
MR. TEMPLETON Ballad, by desire, " Black-
Eyed Susan."
MR. H. PHILLIPS Ballad, "Woman"
(Wither, 1650).
MR. WILSON Ballad, "John Anderson my
Jo."
Miss FANNY HEALY Song, " Lo, Gentle
Lark," accompanied on the flute by
Mr. Price.
MRS. H. R. BISHOP Song, " Auld Robin
Gray."
Miss BRUCE Song, " I can nowhere find
my Laddie."
120 Old Drury Lane.
Miss CLARA NOVELLO Song, " Let the
bright Seraphim," accompanied on the
trumpet by Mr. Handly.
MR. BENNETT Aria, " Tu vedrai " from
" La Sventurata."
' To conclude with the favourite farce,
' " TURNING THE TABLES."
JEREMIAH BUMPS, Mr. Cooper.
JACK HUMPHREYS, Mr. Harley.
EDGAR DE COURCY, Mr. Wood.
THORNTON, Mr. Henry.
MR. KNIBBS, Mr. Hughes.
MRS. HUMPHREYS, Mrs. Broad.
Miss KNIBBS, Mrs. East.
PATTY LARKINS, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.'
RAYNER.
RAYNER, a Yorkshire Tyke, fond of run-
ning horses, a good actor in character parts,
countrymen and Scotchmen ; Tyke, in the
' School of Reform;' Giles, in 'The Miller's
Maid ;' Dougal. But through racing and
Old Drury Lane. 121
the 'Corner' (Tattersall's), constant visits to
Newmarket, Doncaster, Epsom, etc., back-
ing fields and favourites, poor Rayner was
brought to a low ebb. His betting had
proved abortive, his race run, terminating
with a dead heat, in poverty and disappoint-
ment.
BRISCOE.
A BLIND MANAGER. Briscoe, an actor
of small charades at Drury Lane, quitted
the theatre for strolling management ; un-
fortunately became blind, yet acted all the
heroes in tragedy, and lovers in comedy, for
many years. Wolverhampton Chronicle,
1792.
CHARLES MATHEWS, THE ELDER,
1835.
CHARLES MATHEWS, the elder, was born
in the Strand. His father was a Wesleyan
bookseller, much averse to plays and
players ; not so his hopeful son. When a
122 Old Drury Lane.
boy he used to act tragedies in a loft with
reprobate school-fellows, unknown to their
parents. Time crept on, and despite the
old bookseller's exordiums, Mathews ran
away from his home, and joined a troop of
wandering actors. Tate Wilkinson ad-
mitted him into his company, in their
circuit of York, Hull, Lincoln, etc. Here
Mathews found a kind instructor, and a
thorough training school for the London
boards. When his time arrived, he ap-
peared at Drury Lane ; at once the town
recognised a clever man. This reputation
he never lost ; it increased yearly. His solo
entertainments stood unrivalled for genuine
humour, singing, and joyous gaiety ; mail-
coach adventures, trips to Paris, etc.;
Monsieur Mallet, an old French emigrt ' ;
Mathews made a feature of his tenderness
and eccentricity to such perfection that it
filled the Adelphi Theatre nightly for
many months.
Old Drury Lane. 123
Goldfinch, Ollapod, Mawworm, Lingo,
Jubal in ' The Jew,' Crabtree, Dr. Pan-
gloss, and scores of equally important char-
acters he played with finish and artistic
skill, a student always in the art he so
much graced.
CHARLES MATHEWS, THE YOUNGER,
: 18031878.
CHARLES MATHEWS, the clever son of a
clever sire. Query, did Momus officiate
at Charley's christening bestowing those
priceless gifts, fun, frolic, and untiring
vivacity ? Mathews possessed all, and re-
tained them to the end ; one of the most
popular of modern actors, his appearance
on the stage a provocative to laughter.
Time seemed to have forgotten him, so
lightly had his hand touched Mathews.
Astonishing vitality and unceasing flow of
spirits ; appearance youthful, walk, manner
as of yore ; constantly on the move, reaping
golden harvests. Worldly cares never dis-
124 Old Drury Lane.
turbed, nor disappointments vexed his
mind. Always a smile and merry jest,
immense range of versatility, inimitable
humour and quick perception, seizing every
point available to produce fun, witness his
Affable Hawk, Marplot, Sir Charles Cold-
stream, and a host of other side-splitting
creations. He undertook a voyage to
India in his seventieth year, America,
Australia, Paris ; always on the move.
His first appearance on the public stage
was at the Olympic, of which Madame
Vestris, his future wife, was manageress,
in a piece written by Leman Rede, called
4 The Old and Young Stager.' Old Stager,
Listen ; Young Stager, Charles Mathews.
A complete success attended this effort.
Lyceum, Covent Garden Theatres, con-
jointly with Vestris, he managed for a
series of years. His second wife was an
American lady, a capital actress in comedy.
Resolved to work until the last. Mathews
Old Drury Lane. 125
still continued to delight his hosts of ad-
mirers. Haymarket, Drury Lane, Gaiety ;
his final engagement was at Manchester.
In harness this remarkable man died, June
24th, 1878, aged seventy-five ; pretty well
for a light comedian !
CHARLES MATHEWS and his poetic milk-
man. Charley never at home to payments
in general, especially tradesmen's ! A long
score for milk no returns. Charles always
too busy to attend to milk. The dairy-
man, driven to his wits' end, sent the
following affecting appeal by post :
'Mr. Mathews, sir, pay my bill,
My pockets are empty, so's my till.
You've my milk, pure and sweet,
Without money my cows can't eat.'
i
Charley read this effusion to us at Drury
Lane, and, what is more to the point, paid
the poetical milkman's score at once.
CHARLEY IN COURT (Portugal-street),
before Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque.
Comical, ever-fresh Mathews appeared in
126 Old Drury Lane.
this debtor's court rather too frequently to
be pleasant to his creditors, but generally
escaped scot-free. Fonblanque, on one
occasion, addressed the comedian as follows :
'With deep regret, Mr. Mathews, I see
you in this court again.'
Charley replied, ' Our regrets are mutual,
your honour, and would to me be unbear-
able, only I always have the pleasure of
meeting you,' with a graceful bow.
There was a titter in court ; and smiling,
the learned commissioner allowed Charley
to pass through at a shilling in the pound.
Nothing like confidence in yourself.
CHARLEY AT DRURY LANE. A farce
called * No Collusion,' written to ridicule
Anderson, the Wizard of the North, the
well-known conjuror, at that time manager
of Covent Garden, in opposition to Old
Drury. The farce abounded with tricks ;
these, added to Mathews's excellent imita-
tion of the Wizard's voice, manner and
Old Drury Lane. 127
dress, formed a capital vehicle for fun and
laughter. Previously to its commencement,
every evening Charles came before the act
drop, hanging a shabby gingham umbrella
on a line that extended across the stage
attached to the proscenium, with an air of
gravity requesting the audience to watch
his umbrella, much depended upon that.
This rendered the wondering public very
attentive to his injunction, constantly
gazing at it. Curtain down after juggling
feats and ' no collusion' real Wizard's con-
stant term Mathews walked on, taking the
gingham down, and blandly smiling, thanked
them : * It was a wet night, and he should
want it.' Exit, cool as a cucumber.
MADAME VESTRIS.
MADAME VESTRIS. Paris, London and
Naples bore witness to Vestris's wonder-
ful acquirements. Prima donna at the
Grand Opera in three European capitals,
singing in Italian and French. She was
128 Old Drury Lane.
descended from an Italian family. Her
father was the well-known engraver, Bar-
tolozzi. She naturally became a good
linguist. After a series of triumphs on the
lyric stage, she brought her abilities to the
English theatres. No one was ever more
popular at Drury Lane and Covent Garden.
Her attractive person, perfect voice, and
bewitching grace few could resist ; to
see and hear was to admire. Don Gio-
vanni, her saucy Don, almost made intrigue
palatable. Vestris as the * Don' filled
every printseller's window with her faultless
arms and legs. In truth, the people were
Giovanni mad.
MADAME VESTRIS AND THE SHIRTS.
One of her numerous devotees, Lord J.
T e, through her reckless extravagance
came to grief and the bankruptcy court.
His solicitor, a member of a well-known
firm in Hatton Garden, preparing my
lord's schedule, one of the items ; 100,000,
Old Drury Lane. 129
a gift to a female friend Vestris. ' This
was paying pretty well for your whistle,
my lord.'
One season she owed to a florist in
Covent Garden ^300 for floral bouquets.
This occurred during her lesseeship of the
Olympic. Her career was one of reckless
extravagance, regardless who paid or who
lost. Her acting of Lady Teazle and
Lydia Languish quite equalled her singing.
The Lyceum, the Olympic, and Covent
Garden were under her tasteful manage-
ment, assisted by Blanche's pen and Bever-
ley's brush, guided by her own refinement.
Pieces, especially of fairy lore, were better
placed on these respective stages than ever
had been witnessed before. This gifted
lady retained her supremacy for half a
century unrivalled.
MISS FANNY VINING.
Miss FANNY VINING boasts theatrical
VOL. ii. 32
130 Old Drury Lane.
ancestry, being the daughter of Frederick
Vining. This lady, with personal charms
to be envied, displayed talent, pathos, and
deep feeling in the serious walks of the
drama, playing Belvidera, Juliet, Mrs.
Haller. Marrying E. J. Davenport, she
quitted the English stage to settle in
America.
E. J. DAVENPORT.
E. J. DAVENPORT, an excellent American
actor, came to England with Mrs. Mowatt,
authoress and actress. Davenport pos-
sessed great versatility, playing such widely
distinct characters as Othello, Benedick,
and William in * Black-Eyed Susan.' By
his manly bearing and his good voice and
delivery, Davenport obtained, in addition to
public approbation, much favourable criti-
cism from our press. He first trod the
boards of Old Drury under E. T. Smith's
Old Drury Lane.
management in 1853, in Charles Reade's
drama of ' Gold.' His second engagement
was to act I ago to Mr. G. V. Brooke's
' Othello,' Wellborn, Richmond, etc.
Davenport married and returned to his
native country.
EDMUND KEAN, 17871833.
EDMUND KEAN, born 1787, in a court
in Gray's-inn-lane, steeped in poverty.
This remarkable man's career, traced from
boyhood to his grave, would form a ?
romance of real life, far exceeding any
fiction. A five-act play, entitled ' Kean,'
appeared in Paris, illustrating the trage-
dian's career. In childhood no parents'
watchful care ever blessed this bright-eyed
boy. His real father is unknown, but
Aaron Kean, a Jew, mimic and ventrilo-
quist, had the credit of Kean's parentage.
His mother was Nan Carey, a low, disso-
322
Old Drury Lane.
lute woman, who acted in travelling shows,
and sang in public-houses. Sometimes
when drink had deprived her of sense and
feeling, she might be heard ballad-singing
in the streets ; her son being left to
chance the worst of nurses a waif, a
stray, a starveling, cast forth by his un-
natural mother to starvation or crime.
Did not this terrible schooling affect his
whole after life ? Compelled to work almost
before he could well walk, at seven years
of age, an imp dancing with others round
the witches' cauldron in ' Macbeth,' at
Drury Lane (Macbeth, John Kemble),
young Kean, the incarnation of roguery
and mischief, placed his leg across their
path, and down they tumbled over each
other, to the delight of the spectators. Not
so with the offended tragedian. No more
young devils ! They were cut out from
that night. Young Kean was cast into
the streets again, tumbling, posturing,
Old Drury Lane. 133
spouting speeches from Shakespeare in low
taverns, or harlequinading at Richardson's
Show. Inspired by a restless desire for
adventure, he hired himself as cabin boy on
board a collier. This he quickly abandoned.
His only resting-place was the home of
a poor actress, Miss Tidswell, in Vinegar-
yard, Drury-lane. ' Aunt Tid,' as this
kindly creature called herself, laboured
earnestly to reclaim the wayward, restless
boy, to instil the little learning that she pos-
sessed. The sharp-witted lad eagerly caught
up everything that might help him in his
struggle for fame bits of Latin, French,
scraps of poetry, all were fish that came to
young Edmund's net. For a time a vague
report was in circulation that some consider-
ate gentleman, struck by his abilities, had
sent him to Eton. M rs. Clarke, a lady of inde-
pendent means, did take pity on his forlorn
condition, having been impressed by his
tragic powers. In her house his wild
134 Old JDriiry Lane.
erratic temperament received a check for
the first time in his life. Education
dawned upon him, he saw and profited by
the change from want to opulence, from
coarseness to refinement. This happy
tate unfortunately was not of long dura-
tion. A vapid talkative visitor spoke of
the boy's origin in terms that roused his
passionate, headstrong will. He ran away
from Guildford-street, plunged into his old
ways of recklessness and waywardness ; his
hiding-places being circuses, show booths,
public-houses, where he gave recitals, in-
cluding imitations of the principal actors of
the day. His passion at one period was to
become an acrobat. Fencing and dancing
he was master of. Aunt Tid's treatment
of this wilful, clever boy had been excel-
lent : step by step, teaching him to declaim,
to learn scenes from ' Macbeth/ * Othello,'
1 Lear,' ' Richard the Third,' and then act
them before a glass. Gloster was always
Old Drury Lane. 135
his favourite ; he gave the points and action
of this arduous character with wonderful
ability, foreshadowing his future greatness.
Indomitable purpose supported and urged
him on to surmount the disappointments
that surrounded his rugged path. At
length his name became recognised.
Beverley engaged him for his circuit,
Durham, Shields, Sunderland, etc., to lead
the business. At Sunderland he first met
Miss Chambers (an Irish lady), Beverley's
leading actress. Report had given this
lady a private income, most desirable to
Kean, who was receiving only twenty-five
shillings a week. She quickly set her
cap at poor Edmund, admiring his acting
and handsome features. It was the old
story : flirtation, admiration, declaration,
ending in being asked three times in
church, the clerk's ' Amen,' and the immu-
table hoop of gold. The news of this
wedding reached Manager Beverley's ears ;
136 Old Drury Lane.
the couple were sent for, and Beverley thus
addressed them :
' Kean, you know I like you, but my
rules must not be broken. Married folks
are not attractive in a play-bill. Single
young men draw single lasses ; single
women, if pretty, turn the heads of all the
young fellows. You must go ; a fortnight's
notice. Good-day.'
They did go. Where ? Mrs. Kean's
fortune turned out to be a myth. Travel-
ling up and down afoot, in and out of towns,
villages, barns, and booths. In due time,
two small boys, Howard and Charles, added
to their heavy burden. Driven to despair,
at Jersey, Kean would have enlisted in a
marching regiment ; but luckily the go-
vernor of the island, who had seen him act
' Lear,' persuaded him to give up all
thoughts of such a rash step. Hughes,
manager of the Exeter circuit, engaged
Mr. and Mrs. Kean. They opened at
Old Driiry Lane. 137
Exeter. Fortune, tired of frowning on
the sorely-tried strollers, shed a ray of sun-
shine on them. Dr. Arnold, one of the
directors of Drury Lane, being on a visit
at Exeter, by chance strolled into the
theatre and saw Kean act Octavian, in the
'Mountaineers.' Astonished and delighted
by the novelty of an entirely new style of
pathos and passion he had never witnessed
so ably blended before, when the curtain
fell he saw Kean and offered him eight
pounds a week and a Shakespearian
opening part. Elliston, a few days previ-
ously, had made an offer of three pounds
a week for the Olympic. Naturally the
choice fell upon the patent theatre. After
months of cold neglect, hopeless delays,
and unfeeling remarks from the Drury
Lane company upon his shabby appear-
ance and small stature, in one night all
difficulties vanished for ever ! With his
appearance in Shylock, and the electri-
138 Old Drury Lane.
cal effect it produced, Edmund Kean re-
mained master of the scene. A new life
was infused into the old dramas : rapidity
of utterance and action displaced pom-
posity and studied gesture. Nature
triumphed over art ! This desirable
change was brought about by 'the little
man with the capes ;' a term of contempt
applied to his first visit to Drury Lane, on
his arrival from Exeter, wearing a second-
hand white great-coat with many capes
(the fashion of that day), to conceal his
shabby attire.
The following is copied from a manu-
script play-bill, written by the famous
Edmund Kean, when a stroller, to inaugu-
rate a performance at York :
UNDER PATRONAGE.
Ball Room, Minster-yard,
Thursday Evening, October , 1811.
MR. KEAN
(late of the Theatres Royal, Haymarket
Old Drury Lane. 139
and Edinburgh, and author of * The Cot-
tage Foundling, or Robbers of Ancona,'
now preparing for immediate representa-
tion at the Theatre Lyceum), and
MRS. KEAN
(late of the Theatres Cheltenham and
Birmingham), respectfully inform the in-
habitants of York and its vicinity, that they
will stop
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY,
on their way to London ; and present such
entertainments that have never failed of
giving satisfaction, humbly requesting the
support of the public.
Part First.
Scenes from the celebrated comedy of
' THE HONEY MOON ;
or,
How TO RULE A WIFE.'
DUKE ARANZA . . . Mr. Kean.
JULIANA .... Mrs. Kean.
140 Old Drury Lane.
Favourite comic song, ' Beggars and
Ballad Singers,' in which Mr. Kean will
display his powers of mimicry in the well-
known characters of London beggars.
IMITATIONS
of the London performers, viz. :
Kemble, Cooke, Braham, Incledon,
Munden, Fawcett, and
The Young Roscius.
Part Second.
The African Slave's appeal to Liberty ! ! !
Scenes from the laughable farce,
4 THE WATERMAN ;
or,
THE FIRST OF AUGUST.'
TOM TUG (with the song, ' Did you not
hear of a Jolly Young Waterman,' and
the pathetic ballad of ' Then farewell,
my trim-built Wherry '), Mr. Kean.
Miss WILHELMINA Mrs. Kean.
Old Drury Lane. 141
After which, Mr. Kean will sing in
character, George Alexander Stevens's
description of a
STORM.
Part Third.
Scenes from the popular Drama of
' THE CASTLE SPECTRE.'
EARL OSMOND . . Mr. Kean.
ANGELA .... Mrs. Kean.
Favourite Comic Song of 'The Cosmetic
Doctor ;' to conclude with the laughable
farce of
' SYLVESTER DAGGERWOOD ;
or,
THE DUNSTABLE ACTOR.'
FEMALE AUTHOR , . Mrs. Kean.
SYLVESTER DAGGERWOOD . Mr. Kean.
(In which he will read the celebrated play-
bill, written by G. Colman, Esq., and sing
: the 1 'Four-arid-twenty Puppet-shows,' ori-
142 Old Drury Lane.
ginally sung by him at the Theatre Royal,
Hay market.)
Each character to be personated in their
appropriate dresses, made by the principal
theatrical dressmakers of London, viz.,
Brooks and Heath, Martin, etc.
Front Seats, 2s. 6d. ; Back Seats, is.
Doors to be open at six, and begin at
seven, precisely.
Tickets to be had at the Printer's.
FIRST AND SECOND GREEN-ROOMS,
Drury Lane. Privilege accorded to actors
of ten pounds per week, the first room ;
those under five pounds found themselves
in the second. When Kean had made the
liit that raised him to the highest standard
of popularity, he entered the first. An old
strolling companion, Hughes, engaged at
Drury, receiving three pounds a week,
did not presume to cross the threshold of
number one. Kean, waiting to go on in
Old Drury Lane. 143
' Richard/ saw him pass one evening, and
called to him :
' Dick, I want to speak to you.'
* Beg pardon, sir, I cannot enter the room.'
' What do you mean ?'
HUGHES: 'I'm only a three-pounder;
they are all tenners that are allowed to sit
in the first green-room.'
Kean sent for Rae, and insisted that
his old friend should enter. The stage-
manager hesitated ; it was a rule.
' Well, then,' said the great tragedian,
'you'll play "Richard" to-night without
" Gloster." '
This settled a vexed question, once and
for all time.
RAE, STAGE-MANAGER OF DRURY LANE,
tragedian. Previous to Edmund Kean's
advent, Rae played leading parts. The
little stroller thrust him from his throne.
Richard had to descend to Richmond.
With very bad taste Rae had treated
144 Old Drury Lane.
Kean with marked indifference during
the rehearsals for ' Shylock.' This Kean
never forgot or pardoned. When the
astounding success came, Rae's conduct
changed towards the despised actor. All
now was compliment and polite attention.
At a rehearsal of ' Richard the Third '
GLOSTER, Kean; RICHMOND, Rae try-
ing their fight for ' Bosworth Field,' Rae
asked where he wished Richmond to hit
him?
' KEAN (a master of fence) : ' Where
you can, sir.'
The fight assumed an aspect of reality ;
Richard drove Richmond into a corner of
the stage, and would not be hit, parried
every attempt, laughing at the disconcerted
manager. Rae left the West for the East,
Old Royalty Theatre, Goodman's Fields.
Kean, though still hating him, took a box
on Rae's first night, when he appeared as
Sir Edward Mortimer in the ' Iron
Old Driiry Lane.
Chest ' (rather magnanimous conduct on
the part of the little man with the capes).
EDMUND KEAN, previous to his appear-
ing at Drury Lane, acted * utility ' at the
Haymarket for thirty shillings per week.
EDMUND KEAN AT EXETER. Mrs.
Bartley starring in Lady Macbeth, Hughes,
the leading actor, was suddenly taken ill ;
Kean, who was then playing second parts,
took Macbeth in the Banquet scene.
Whenever a star appeared the manager
furnished his guests with bread-and-cheese,
placed on the tinselled plates. Lady Mac-
beth, as hostess, bade all her Thanes wel-
come, wishing graciously that good diges-
tion might await on appetite.
KEAN (aside to his brother actors] : 'Eat,
eat, you vagabonds eat your fill ; it is not
often that you get "star" bread.'
EDMUND KEAN AND OXBERRY.
CRAVEN'S HEAD TAVERN, Drury-lane,
William Oxberry, a Drury Lane comedian
VOL. n. 33
146 Old Drury Lane.
was the host. Edmund Kean loved a
social glass, and never forgot old com-
panions of his former wanderings. Star
now of the dramatic hemisphere, he still
indulged in his former habits. Oxberry
held a musical club at his tavern weekly,
at which Edmund Kean presided. A club-
night happened to fall upon a ' Richard
the Third ' night at Drury. ' What's to
be done ?' thought Oxberry ; ' the chair
will be vacant.' Visitors were wont to
crowd the Craven's Head to look at the
town's wonder, Kean a thing to remem-
ber and talk about especially for those
who were privileged to hear him sing. * The
Jolly Dogs ' (our clubbites' name) became
as difficult to enter as the ' Carlton ' or
c
' United Service ' of our day.
OXBERRY : 'Ned, you'll never be able to
take the chair to-night in time.'
'Won't I, Billy? For a dinner and a
bottle of port, I am there.'
Old Drury Lane. 147
The wager was accepted by Billy,
Kean acted Gloster very quickly, and
in his fight, a great feature, whispered to
Wallack (who played Richmond) :
' Kill me quickly to-night, I'm due at
the "Jolly Dogs.'"
The curtain down, wrapped in a great-
coat, rapidly he ran down the Lane, jump-
ing into the chair a few minutes before the
club opened, amidst thunders of applause.
There sat the last ' Plantagenet ' in the
habit as he lived (Kean had not taken off
his Richard's dress), won his wager, and
filled Billy's till that evening to repletion.
Kean acting at Richmond a night with
Klanert, shared half the house, ^40.
This he spent after the performance of
' Othello,' with a set of boon companions
from London, supper, wine, and loo. He
wrote to his friend Klanert from the ' Star
and Garter,' thus :
332
148 Old Drury Lane.
' DEAR KLANERT,
'All my cash gone; I'm in pawn
for ten pounds ; take me out. Send cheque
or money by waiter,
' Yours,
<E. KEAN.'
JOHN KEMBLE AND EDMUND KEAN.
Kemble would never see Kean or any of
his performances at Drury Lane at the
time he was drawing all London by his
extraordinary genius. Cribb, the picture-
dealer of King-street, frequently pressed
Kemble to give his opinion of the new
star. At length the last of the Romans
did unbend. Cribb sent him a box for
Drury on one of Kean's Othello nights.
Anxious to hear what Kemble would say
about it, he stopped him in the street,
with :
' Well, you did see the little man, Kean,
eh ?' laughing.
' No, sir, I did not see Mr. Kean, I
Old Drury Lane. 149
saw Othello ; and further, I shall never act
the part again.'
And with a tragedy stride, he left the
delighted picture-dealer rubbing his hands
in great glee.
KEAN, driven from the London stage by
the powerfully written articles that daily
appeared in the Times in connexion with
his crim. con. case, Alderman Cox v.
Edmund Kean, resolved to go to America,
On his way, he played one night at Liver-
pool ' Richard the Third ' previous to
embarking. Part of the audience hissed
him in every scene others applauded.
Greatly enraged, the tragedian at the con-
clusion of the play strode before the cur-
tain, and spoke as follows :
' Ladies and gentlemen, I thank those
that applauded me. As for the others, I
have only this to say to them, let them
find a better actor if they can. Good-
night.'
150 Old Drury Lane.
EDMUND KEAN, 1814, AT DRURY LANE.
-The following was one of the early an-
nouncements of his appearance :
' Drury Lane Theatre, February 7th,
1814, Shakespeare's play of " THE MER-
CHANT OF VENICE." Shylock, Mr. Kean.
Mr. Kean, who has four times performed
the part of Shylock with increasing attrac-
tion and the unanimous plaudits of over-
flowing audiences, will repeat the character
to-morrow and Thursday.
'Saturday, February 1 2th, will be per-
formed for the first time at this theatre
Shakespeare's tragedy of " Richard the
Third," with new scenes, dresses, and deco-
rations.
' RICHARD, Mr. Kean (his first appearance
in that character).'
Kean's last appearance on the London
stage was on March 25, 1833, at the
Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. The play
was ' Othello.' OTHELLO, Mr. Kean ; I AGO,
Old Drury Lane. 151
Mr. Charles Kean. In the third act, Kean,
worn out by illness, whispered to his son,
falling on his shoulder, ' Charles, I am
dying ! He was led from the stage, never
to return. Kean died May 15, 1833, aged
46, and was buried at Richmond, Surrey.
He expired in the Theatre House (his
residence) on the Green.
4 It is a vulgar error to call Mr. Kean's
acting undignified. It is exactly like
calling the ' Beggar's Opera' vulgar. They
must have strange notions of dignity, even
in the most commonplace sense of the
term, who do not find it in Mr. Kean's
manner of dismissing Cassio from his
command :
" I love thee, Cassio,
But never more be officer of mine."
He is quite dignified enough for Shakes-
peare, which is all that can be reasonably
demanded of him. Sir Giles Overreach,
if not the greatest, is certainly the most
152 Old Drury Lane.
perfect of all Mr. Kean's performances.
It is quite faultless. The last act without
doubt is the most terrific exhibition of
human passion that has been witnessed on
the modern stage for conception and exe-
cution it cannot be surpassed. " Othello"
was without comparison the noblest exhi-
bition of human genius we ever witnessed :
the performance was worthy to have taken
place in Shakespeare's own age with
himself he and Fletcher, Ford, Spenser,
and Sidney for an audience. We cannot
help fancying how they would have gone
into the green-room, perhaps Shakes-
peare, we are sure, would and with a
smiling yet serious and earnest delight
upon their faces, have held out their hands,
and thanked him. Think of a shake of
the hand from Shakespeare, and of de-
serving it too.' Blackwoods Magazine,
1818.
Old Drury Lane. 153
CHARLES KEAN, 18111868.
CHARLES KEAN, son of Edmund Kean,
was born in i8u,and educated at Eton.
He was intended by his father for the East
India Company's service, a cadetship
having been presented to the elder Kean
by a director. This appointment Charles
refused, wishing to remain with his mother ;
an excellent, thoughtful son, supplying her
comforts, administering to her sorrows.
Bunn, a keen appreciator of a ' name/
offered Charles Kean twelve pounds a
week to appear a certain number of nights
at Drury Lane. He made his bow to a
crowded house, Tuesday,, October 2, 1827,
in Home's play of ' Douglas.'
CAST.
LORD RANDOLPH, Mr. Mude.
OLD NORVAL, Mr. Cooper.
GLENALVON, Mr. fames Wallack.
154 Old Drury Lane.
YOUNG NORVAL, Mr. Kean, junior (his first
appearance on any stage).
LADY RANDOLPH, Mrs. W. West.
ANNE, Mrs. Knight.
His dtbut was greeted with brilliant and
unanimous approbation. His next cha-
racter, Frederick in ' Lovers' Vows,'
followed by Achmet in ' Barbarossa.'
Twenty-four nights terminated this his first
engagement. He now wisely sought prac-
tice in provincial towns, returning to Drury
Lane to play ' Hamlet.' This proved a
hit. He repeated the part for eighty
nights in one season, and was highly com-
mended by the press and public. Miss
Burdett Coutts, by her patronage, largely
assisted the young actor's progress. Offers
now multiplied ; and all managers were
eager to have the new star. Perseverance,
gentlemanly conduct, excellent taste, raised
Charles Kean to a foremost rank in his art.
Marrying Miss Ellen Tree, with this clever
Old Drury Lane. 155
lady's skill and talent (no small aid) he
ventured upon management at the Prin-
cess's Theatre. Here for ten years he
produced plays, dramas, burlesques, and
pantomimes, in the best and most complete
style, no expense nor pains being spared to
give effect, especially to his Shakespearian
revivals. They were perfect. The last
play produced under his excellent direction
was * The Tempest.' A tour to America
and Australia added largely to his fame and
gains. He died at the early age of fifty-
six, and the theatrical profession lost a kind
considerate friend and liberal manager.
Testimonial and dinner given -to Charles
Kean, 1855, at St. James's Hall, by his
old Eton school-fellows Duke of New-
castle, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goschen, the
Earl of Carlisle, Sir John Burgoyne, Mr.
Walpole, Mr. Pickersgill, Mr. Millais, Mr.
Stone, etc., his friends and the public, in
token of their estimation of Charles Kean's
1 56 Old Drury Lane.
public and private character. The presence
of more than eight hundred gentlemen bore
testimony to this. Mr. Gladstone, in a
capital speech, eulogised his old ' form-
fellow ' and captain of their boat Kean.
The Duke of Newcastle coupled with his
health praise for his unremitting exertions
to raise the stage by his exposition of our
great dramatist Shakespeare ; alluding to
the production of his plays so admirably
placed on the Princess's boards by Kean,
and the influence that a well-governed
theatre must perforce exercise on the minds
of the people. Addressing Kean as his
honoured friend, the Duke, in the name of
the subscribers, presented to him a superb
silver epergne valued at ,1,000. This
substantial gift was supplemented with an
address on vellum, expressing their pleasur-
able feelings. Kean's reply embraced many
topics, not omitting his wife's zealous co-
operation with himself in their good work
Old Drury Lane. 157
to encourage morality and render the
stage a school for amusement, refinement,
and instruction.
CHARLES KEAN AT BRIGHTON, 1856.
The leading actor of the theatre, very
studious of his dignity, annoyed at Kean's
casting him in secondary characters (a
custom with ' stars '), chose to treat his
rehearsals with negligence, pooh-poohing
instruction. Kean, always anxious for his
performances going well, took considerable
pains in imparting his views. This the ill-
bred tyro resisted with :
' Sir, you need not trouble yourself about
me ; I know the play backwards.'
' Probably you do,' replied Kean ; * but
that is not the way I play it, Mr. - .'
Silence reigned, except aside-tittering at
the crest-fallen actor.
CHARLES KEAN AND HIS MANAGER
ELLICE. When Charles Kean rehearsed
an important play, after instructing his
158 Old Drury Lane.
company, he usually seated himself in one
of the boxes to watch their acting. At a
rehearsal of ' Richard the Second,' one of
his great revivals, Kean was seated as
usual, Ellice on the stage ; performers at
work.
KEAN (suddenly) : ' Stop, stop, Ellice !
push that back ' {pointing to a wing).
His manager, mistaking, pushed a chorus
gentleman back.
* No, no, Ellice ; I meant the wing.
Wings are wood and canvas, not flesh and
blood. Ellice, you are an ass !'
' Yes, sir ' (bowing to Kean).
' Don't answer me, sir ; you know you
are, to mistake carpenters' work for a man.'
CHARLES KEAN AND HIS MOTHER. Mrs.
Kean thought her Charles was the best
actor living or dead. This opinion she
sought to impress on all visitors and friends.
Kean, giving a dinner-party to some dis-
tinguished guests, begged his mother to
Old Dmry Lane. 159
abstain from her usual encomiums at the
table. This was promised ; but Charles, to
make all sure, arranged that if by chance
she forgot, he would touch his shirt-collar
to remind her. Dinner served, a noble
lord seated next Mrs. Kean, they dis-
cussed topics of the day, politics, etc.
Macready's acting in ' Richelieu,' his lord-
ship highly praised. This Mrs. K. could
not allow.
' My Charles is ' shirt-collar touched
pause.
MY LORD : ' Yes.'
MRS. K. : 'Is the best ' collar raised
an inch another pause.
' Beg pardon,' from the nobleman.
' Well then, my Charles is the best actor
that ever trod. There, it's out, Charles ; it's
no use pulling your collar up to your eyes.'
Kean's feelings can be imagined.
CHARLES KEAN ON LETTER-WRITING.
Breakfasting once with Kean at Bath, he
160 Old Drury Lane.
had occasion to open his desk. I remarked
on the precise and orderly way in which
his letters were labelled and kept.
' Yes,' replied Kean, * I am very par-
ticular about letters, never write more than
compelled ; they are so apt to reappear
when not wanted.'
Quite true ! Read, for example, the
Divorce Court reports of our day.
I wrote a little drama for Mrs. Kean,
which was accepted for the Princess's.
' Tavistock Square,
'June 4, 1854.
' DEAR SIR,
' If you will call at the Theatre
Princess's, Captain Cole will arrange with
you for your drama, "The Gambler's Wife :"
my wife likes the part.
' Yours truly,
' CHARLES KEAN.
E. Stirling, Esq.,
<T. R. D. Lane.'
Old Drury Lane. 161
MRS. CHARLES KEAN (ELLEN TREE),
1806 1880.
ELLEN TREE (Mrs. Charles Kean), born
1 806, branch of a prolific Tree (fere Tree),
first came out in public at Drury Lane,
with her sister Anne. I acted with Miss
Ellen at Ware, in Hertfordshire a place
boasting a bed of such dimensions as to
hold six couples, and called the ' Great
Bed of Ware ' at a temporary theatre,
under Manager Bullen Inn Assembly-
room. Bullen, his better half, and a numer-
ous assembly of olive-branches, contrived
to live, migrating from town to town, and
leading a gipsy life : minus green lanes,
heather and gorse, commons and wild
freedom only known to the Romances.
In our very original theatre the scenes
were of calico, bedaubed, not painted. The
stage was raised by borrowing deal
planks and placing them on the floor.
VOL. ii. 34
1 62 Old Drury Lane.
The lights were oil lamps, the curtain was
painted on linen. Three scenes repre-
sented everything possible and impossible.
Tables and chairs, etc., were" loaned from
friendly shop-keepers. LADY SNEERWELL,
Mrs. Bullen, attired in satin, white feathers,
etc., took the money at the doors (a narrow
passage). Wise receiver ! LADY TEAZLE,
Ellen Tree. CHARLES SURFACE, Edward
Stirling. All the rest were Bullens. In
the screen scene, when Lady Teazle is re-
vealed to the gaze of her astonished
husband, the stage was so small that the
screen (a clothes-horse) fell on the lamps,
extinguishing them. Sir Peter (Bullen),
and Lady Sneerwell (Mrs. B.) soon put
that to rights by relighting. Our receipts
for nightly performances, twelve pounds ten
shillings and sixpence.
The following letter refers to a little
piece of mine, about which some difficulty
presented itself in arranging the cast :
Old Drury Lane. 163
' TAVISTOCK SQUARE,
4 September 6th, 1856.
' DEAR MR. STIRLING,
' We have read your pretty poetical
little piece and like it much. Charles will
have it. Please forward terms. But who
is to do the cobbler ? Frank Mathews's
style is too hard. This is a puzzle ;
perhaps you will think of someone.
' Yours truly,
' ELLEN KEAN.
' E. Stirling Esq.,
' T. R. Drury Lane.'
The death of this amiable and accom-
plished lady took place as these records were
being finally prepared for press. She died
on Saturday, August 2ist, 1880, at the age
of seventy-four, full of years and honours.
WILLIAM OXBERRY.
WILLIAM OXBERRY. Player, author,
editor of an excellent edition of plays
342
164 Old Drury Lane.
bearing his name, and licensed victualler.
Here was occupation sufficient for one
man. Many years a member of Drury
Lane companies, a special favourite with
the play-going public, Oxberry's journey
through life might be considered a happy
one. Varied were his talents, and well-
used by managers. Our comedian played
all and everything. Few bills that did
not announce William Oxberry's ap-
pearance. Justice Greedy, Dr. Cantwell,
Mawworm, Sulky, Goldfinch, Sir Toby
Belch, Touchstone, were a few of this
clever comedian's personations. He died
at his house, ' The Craven's Head,' Drury
Lane.
SHERWIN.
SHERWIN. A sound good actor, in
countrymen highly respectable ; always
acting with judgment, he pleased, and
held his position in Drury Lane for
many years.
Old Drury Lane. 165
WILLIAM BENNETT.
WILLIAM BENNETT, a very useful actor,
frequently a double to more eminent per-
formers, Munden, Dowton, Bartley, etc.
Bennett, always perfect and respectable in
what he did, kept his ground on the
boards of Drury for forty years, and
became a household word, being familiarly
known as ' Billy Bennett ' with the fre-
quenters of the theatre and her Majesty's
servants.
MRS. NESBITT (LADY BOOTHBY).
MRS. NESBTTT (afterwards Lady Boothby)
This charming actress was born of a noble
family ; the carelessness and extravagance
of her father compelled her, however, to-
gether with her sisters, to seek their living
on the stage, first in small towns, villages,
etc. a precarious mode of bringing up his
beautiful girls. The gallant father, once
in her Majesty's service, resembled a cer-
1 66 Old Drury Lane.
tain Costigan, well known to fame, and to
readers of Thackeray. After many weary
pilgrimages under her theatrical name of
Miss Mordaunt, Alexander Lee engaged
her for Drury Lane. To be once seen
was for her to conquer. She rapidly won
the admiration of her audiences and a hus-
band, Captain Nesbitt of the Guards, un-
fortunately killed a few months after their
marriage at a steeplechase. Our pretty
widow, now a first-rate artiste and attrac-
tion, passed from house to house, always
drawing and filling treasuries, when acting
in her best parts of Rosalind, Lady Teazle,
Lady Gay Spanker, Constance. Who
that ever heard her merry laugh at Neigh-
bour Wildrake's stupidity can forget it ?
Her second matrimonial venture was a
curious one, and remains a puzzle to
this day. Sir William Boothby had
neither the attractions of wealth nor of
youth. Perhaps it was the title that she
Old Drury Lane. 167
coveted. This brilliant woman died at an
early age, much regretted by all true lovers
of art and genuine acting.
JOHN VANDENHOFF, 17901861.
J. VANDENHOFF (born 1790). An actor
of sound judgment. All he undertook was
well done. Never rising to genius, Van-
denhofF was far above mediocrity. The
Liverpool public would not hear of a rival
to their local favourite. I engaged Van-
denhoff and his clever daughter for Covent
Garden to act in 'Antigone' and a new
play by Spicer called 'Honesty.' Vanden
hoffs 'Creon,' and Miss Vandenhoft's 'Anti-
gone,' on this resuscitation of Sophocles'
great tragedy, proved eminently acceptable
and gratifying to literary men, scholars, and
public. Vandenhoff acted for years at
Drury Lane, until his daughter died. This
domestic loss, sorely felt by a loving parent,
hastened his retirement from the stage, and
1 68 Old Drury Lane.
he subsided into private life, honoured and
respected.
MRS. MARDYN,
MRS. MARDYN AND LORD BYRON
(Drury Lane). Byron, always partial to
actors, and still more to actresses, usually
during rehearsals lounged in the green
room, chatting to the performers. One
very wet day, a pretty actress, Mrs.
Mardyn, lamenting her disappointment at
not being able to hire a hackney-coach, re-
siding as she did at a considerable distance
from the theatre, Byron instantly placed at
her disposal his carriage which was standing
at the stage-door. Joyfully Mrs. Mardyn
drove home in his lordship's chariot ; not
quite so joyfully did poor Byron receive
his greeting on his arrival home. His
wife, Lady Byron, a woman whose temper
was at the best of times none of the
sweetest, was in high dudgeon when she
heard of an actress using her carriage.
Old Drury Lane. 169
This seemingly trifling occurrence had
its share in leading to the separation that
soon after followed.
MISS O'NEILL (LADY BECHER), BORN 1791.
Miss O'NEILL (Lady Becher), born
1791, one of the most natural of actresses
that the stage ever possessed. Of Irish
birth, this refined artist first played at
the Crow-street Theatre, Dublin. Her
attraction proved so great that an offer for
Covent Garden speedily came in 1814.
Here she appeared in Juliet, always her
best part, October 6. Her modest lady-
like demeanour, and deep impassioned
feeling, created an impression never to be
eradicated. After a short season at Drury
Lane, our Irish Siddons bade England adieu
to marry Mr., afterwards Sir William Becher,
retiring with the good wishes and regrets
of thousands. Her last performance at
Drury Lane took place July, 1818, in the
character of Mrs. Haller in * The Stranger.'
170 Old Drury Lane.
JAMES WALLACK, 17911864.
JAMES WALLACK (known as * handsome
Jem' among his theatrical brethren).
Assuredly a smart fellow in the London
world's estimation, Wallack never reached
leading tragedy. His role was seconds,
high comedy, and that which he most
excelled in, melodrama. His interpre-
tation of romantic heroes won all praise.
For example, in * The Brigand' he sang
with taste a ballad, ' Gentle Zitella,'
accompanying himself on the guitar. This
effort turned the heads of the young lady
frequenters of Drury Lane query, did the
old ones escape this infection ? ' Don
Caesar de Bazan' the career of this Spanish
scamp was made attractive by Wallack,
who also played Richard in Soane's
now-forgotten drama, 'The Innkeeper's
Daughter,' a fine piece of acting ; Martin
in Jerrold's ' Rent Day,' a home picture,
truthful and realistic. Wallack acted
Old Drury Lane. 171
Richmond, Cassio, lago, Captain Absolute,
well. His attempting Macbeth and
Shylock was a mistake. He was a great
favourite in America, and quitted the
London stage to settle there, establishing
a first-rate theatre, called * WallackV
At his death the theatre became the pro-
perty of his son, Leslie Wallack, and
continues to be one of the best conducted
in the United States, ranking deservedly
high with the more cultured part of the
community.
MONTAGUE STANLEY.
MONTAGUE STANLEY appeared in
' Romeo' at Drury Lane, and was well
received. In Edinburgh Stanley was a
great favourite. His character was irre-
proachable, and his manners elegant. He
had a considerable taste for painting, and
his pictures realised good prices in ' Auld
Reekie.'
172 Old Drury Lane.
WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY (BORN 1792).
MASTER HENRY BETTY. This renowned
juvenile actor first appeared at Covent
Garden, December i, 1804. Very hand-
some, highly intellectual, well tutored by his
father, a doctor, Master Betty made a
fortune before others began to earn their
bread. He became the rage of the town,
the idol of the fair admired by men and
women alike. In fact, this extraordinary
boy usurped all attention for a period ; the
public deserted all their old favourites for
this new one. The Kembles, even Mrs.
Siddons, were eclipsed by this boyish star's
attraction. It is indeed amusing to observe
to what extent a popular mania of this kind
will lead. Dozens of carriages were in wait-
ing nightly, after Betty's performances, to
carry him off: fierce was the struggle be-
tween the tlite of female society which
should have this new toy to lionise in their
Old Drury Lane. 173
salons ; grave lawyers, statesmen, poets,
critics, were each and all delighted with the
graceful boy's precocious talents. People
gained admission to the theatre with the
greatest difficulty, the crowding became so
great fainting, screaming, fighting, to get
a peep at the prodigy. Opinion was divided
among the judges of acting ; some elected
Betty before Garrick ; all agreed that he
was superior to Kemble. Large sums of
money came into the treasury and into the
pockets of Dr. Betty, who foolishly lost a
considerable portion of it in extravagance
and the gaming-table ; fortunately, sufficient
had been settled on the boy by his mother
to provide a good income for life. His
theatrical popularity soon began to wane ;
the novelty had worn off, and when Betty
re-appeared at Drury Lane as an adult, his
attraction was found to have passed away,
and the houses were indifferently attended.
fie lived to a good old age, in domestic
174 Old Drury Lane.
comfort, cheered by the companionship of a
loving wife and a dutiful son.
Jeu-cTesprit on precocious children's
acting, directed to Master Betty's perform-
ances :
' On Monday next will be presented
"THE TEMPEST,"
in which, by particular desire, the part of
Caliban will be performed for her own
benefit by
Miss BIDDY SUCKLING,
an infant, not yet quite four years old ! and
who appeared in the same character, almost
two years ago, with such universal applause
at the
THEATRE ROYAL, DUBLIN.
<N.B. The Infant Caliban will intro-
duce, for that night only, a song in character
and accompanied by herself, to which will
be added
"LovE 1 LA MODE."
Old Drury Lane. 175
The part of Sir Archy Mac Sarcasm by the
child.
' N.B. The parts of Coriolanus, King
Henry the Eighth, and Shylock, have been
some time in rehearsal by Miss Biddy, and
will be performed by her as soon as the
daily Bulletin shall declare her sufficiently
recovered from her hooping-cough a dis-
order which the public must have perceived
is rather friendly than otherwise to her
performance of Caliban, in which she will
therefore continue during the remainder of
the season. The pet will as usual be led
into the boxes every night of Miss Biddy's
appearance in Caliban.
' The manager further respectfully ac-
quaints the public, that in consequence of
the immense damage and calamitous acci-
dents which have arisen from the unex-
ampled pressure of the crowd on the child's
nights, skilful surgeons will henceforth be
regularly stationed in all parts of the house.
* Vivant Rex et Regina!
1 76 Old Drury Lane.
ARCHER.
ARCHER, a member of the Drury Lane com-
pany, under Elliston's regime, had a very lax
way of not acquiring the words of his varied
round of characters, trusting to memory, or
more frequently to chance. Archer, with
fair abilities, made little way. Playing
Appius Claudius in * Virginius,' with his
usual carelessness, seated in the forum, a
book placed under one of the gas burners
at the wing enabling him to read, one of
his companions wickedly turned the book
upside down. Archer began with sonorous
declamation addressing the assembled
Roman people, faltered for a word, cast his
eyes on the book, and perceived at once
the joke that had been perpetrated. A
long pause ensued. Appius Claudius had
vanished from his memory. Cato came to
the rescue. Deliberately he recited to the
astonished plebeians Cato's celebrated
Old Drury Lane. 177
soliloquy, commencing ' It must be so
Plato, thou reasonest well,' to the end of
the speech: 'I'm weary of conjectures;
this must end 'em. Lictors, follow me.
Claudius [his client], I'll hear more of this
case to-morrow ' (strutting off the stage
pompously in Roman fashion).
WILLIAM CHARLES MACREADY, BORN 1793.
WILLIAM MACREADY. was born in 1793,
of Irish parentage. Macready's father
managed the Bristol and Birmingham
Theatres, and played in London a season
or two at Covent Garden. 'His wish was
that his son should become a Catholic
priest. Adverse circumstances, the failure
of his father, and a second marriage, induced
Macready to try the stage, much against
his father's wish. The attempt made,
several years passed before Macready
conquered ; his excessively nervous tem-
perament, retiring habits, and reserved
manners created an ill-feeling among those
V
VOL. ii. 35
1 78 Old Drury Lane.
actors who did not understand him. Natur-
ally a generous, kind man, he had the
reputation of being overbearing and
tyrannical. He appeared at Co vent
Garden as Orestes, and remained with the
Kembles some seasons, gradually rising
in his art. Time at last rewarded his study
and application ; he became an actor of
the highest grade, rivalling the Kembles,
Kean, Young, etc., in characters that he
had made his own. Werner in Lord
Byron's play, William Tell, Virginius,
Richelieu, Evelyn in ' Money,' Claude
Melnotte, etc. His Shakespearian per-
sonations were admirable : Hotspur, Mac-
beth, Othello, I ago, Richard the Second.
Macready's home life was one of exceeding
happiness, with a wife, an actress (Miss
Atkins), whom he devotedly loved, a family
of rare talents, and the society of the most
distinguished men of the day. His
fortune was' realised by constant labour.
All his ventures were profitable but one,
Old Drury Lane. 179
viz., the management of Drury Lane ;
there he lost time and money. I gave
him fifty pounds a night for six weeks
at the Surrey Theatre, his first appearance
on a minor stage. Macready retired in
the full vigour of his health and power.
Macbeth was his final performance. Living
to a good old age, he died at Cheltenham,
honoured and respected.
MRS. W. WEST.
. MRS. W. WEST (Miss Cooke), born
at Bath, an actress of moderate capacity,
good-looking, and of fine appearance.
Unfortunately for her career at Drury,
she followed Rae's example, neglecting
Kean's rehearsals and scornfully object-
ing to his requests relative to stage
business. When power came into the
snubbed actor's grasp, he in turn scorned
Mrs. W. West, objecting to act with her.
This threw her out of the cast in all im-
portant plays, leaving her in the cold shade.
352
180 Old Drury Lane..
MRS. BLAND.
MRS. BLAND, 1810, vocalist and actress,
very much liked at Drury Lane under
Elliston's management. Her ballads were
always an attraction in the bills. She
frequently sang between the play and the
farce. Old English music and clear
utterance of words, without the redund-
ance of modern ornament too frequently
spoiling melody. ' Sally in our Alley,'
sung by Mrs. Bland, never failed to move
her audience to tears by its truthful feel-
ing and execution, a true triumph of artistic
skill.
LAPORTE.
LAPORTE, a French comedian of high
repute, tried the effect of his talents on a
Metropolitan audience at Drury Lane,
playing Sosia in Plautus's comedy of ' Am-
phitryon.' Laporte's French accent mili-
tated somewhat against permanent success.
An English piece, ' The Lottery Ticket,'
gave the comedian a better chance of being
Old Drury Lane, 181
appreciated. His acting of the plotting
little village lawyer, Wormwood, was
greatly relished at the time.
MISS SMITHSON.
Miss SMITHSON, a young actress of
ability, never gained a high position at
Drury Lane : it was reserved for a French
audience to discover her talent. When
Macready took an English company to
Paris, Miss Smithson was his leading
lady. She vastly pleased the Parisians by
her natural acting and handsome appear-
ance ; in fact, she was the attraction rather
than Macready himself.
MRS. BUNN (MISS SOMERVILLE).
MRS. BUNN (Miss Somerville). Lead-
ing lady at Drury Lane, during her
husband's lesseeship. In the leading role of
tragedy this lady excelled : Lady Mac-
beth, Constance, Elvira, Helen Macgregor,
and Portia. As Queen Elizabeth in
Scott's * Kenilworth,' dramatised by Bunn,
1 82 Old Dmry Lane.
her stately figure and fine acting greatly
added to the spectacular drama's success.
Miss PHILIPS appeared in Juliet, and
was well received. She continued at
' Drury ' for several seasons, playing
juvenile tragedy and comedy.
Miss BROTHERS came out as Portia,
successfully. Mrs. Ogilvie, Miss Dance,
Miss Lydia Kelly, Miss Lacy, Miss
Povey, were all highly efficient in their
different grades, but never achieved a lead-
ing rank.
ROBERT KEELEY, 17941869.
ROBERT KEELEY, first a printer, secondly
a player, began theatrical life in a strolling
community of ' Rogues and Vagabonds.'"""
Master Keeley's troop playing in a barn or
outhouse, near Highgate, the low comedian
(Keeley) singing a comic song between the
* Vide an edict of Edward III. directing them to
be whipped from town to tything if found loitering
or playing in their lewd interludes. This enlightened
act of a wise king remained unrepealed for 500 years.
Old Dmry Lane. 183
acts (which was customary then), just at a
refrain,
1 Mr. Thumpum, the drummer, so hearty and bold,
Rub-a-dub !
Went to visit his sweetheart, Moll Cook, I've been told,
Rub-a-dub !
When he went to the area and softly cried hist !
He slily slipp'd down, they met, and they kiss'd,
When she slapp'd the best part of a goose in his fist,
With a rub-a-dub oh ! row di dow !'
down, to the roll of the drum, came the
roof on the astonished singer and audience,
followed by screams, cries, and clouds
of dust, plaster, and bricks. Everyone
fled in consternation. The hopes of the
manager crushed, the season finished, no
more ' rub-a-dubs ' until further notice for
poor Bob Keeley ; consequently no money
on Saturday for Rub-a-dub. He marched
out of Highgate chap-fallen.
MRS. KEELEY (MARY COWARD), BORN 1806.
MRS. KEELEY (Mary Coward), born at
Ipswich, in 1806, first made her curtsey to
a Metropolitan audience at the old English
184 Old Drury Lam.
Opera House (Lyceum). Under the foster-
ing care of Mr. Arnold, manager, she made
quick progress ; her singing was as much
admired as her natural acting. Keeley,
a member of the company, speedily sang
himself into Mary Coward's good graces ;
she accepted his hand and name. Much
prized by playgoers, constantly engaged,
the serio-comic couple amassed money.
Trip to America, Drury Lane, Covent
Garden, Haymarket ; last, not least, the
management of the Lyceum. This proved
a silver mine to the Keeleys. Many of
Mrs. Keeley's best characters were seen at
the Adelphi ; notably Smike and Jack
Sheppard. When Fanny Kelly retired,
Mrs. Keeley filled her place, astonishing
the public by her pathos and sympathetic
acting in serious parts. Living in compe-
tence, this clever actress, happy in her
domestic circle, bade dull care farewell.
JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, 17961852.
JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, an actor of
Old Drury Lane. 185
great ability, engaged by John Kemble to
oppose Edmund Kean, the absorbing star
of old Drury Lane ; filling the house
nightly by the force of genius ; discount-
ing Kemble at Covent Garden. In
style, stature, and acting, Booth greatly
resembled Kean. He appeared February
1 2th, 1817, in ' Richard the Third.'
The impression that he made on the
public was most favourable, despite
strong opposition of the ' Wolf Club,'
Keanites, etc. A contest arose by the
Drury Lane Committee claiming his
services (Booth had been in treaty with
both houses). This gave his opponents a
chance of annoying him. They did so,
refusing to listen to him on his third ap-
pearance. The management issued the
following notice :
'Thursday, Feb. 27th, 1817.
' MR. BOOTH,
last Tuesday, made his third appearance
at this theatre in the character of
1 86 Old Drury Lane.
' KING RICHARD THE THIRD.
After repeated attempts to give an ex-
planation to the audience, and implore
them not to suffer an humble individual
to be made the victim of disputes be-
tween the two theatres, no hearing was
allowed him ; but as far as the pro-
prietors could judge from the cheering at
the dropping of the curtain, a vast majority
was in favour of Mr. Booth. He will
therefore perform " Richard " again on
Saturday next, and throws himself on
the mercy and liberality of Englishmen.'
At the expiration of the Covent Garden
season, and tempted by a large salary, he
quitted the theatre for Drury Lane, to act
with Kean a wrong step. The rival
tragedians appeared on the stage of Old
Drury, ' Othello ' the play Othello,
KEAN ; lago, BOOTH. The result, triumph
of the Moor over his Ancient. Booth left
Drury Lane, to act at the Coburg and
Old Drury Lane. 187
Royalty Theatres ; ultimately left England
for America. There he won fame and
fortune most deservedly. If Kean had
not appeared before him, Booth would
have been the actor of that day.
[PAUL BEDFORD, 17981869.
PAUL BEDFORD, 1826. His first wife,
Miss Green, appeared at Drury Lane, in
the Ballad Opera of ' Love in a Village.'
HAWTHORN, Paul ; ROSETTA, Miss Green.
Bedford then sang well, and had a fine
appearance and jovial spirits. His wife
being graceful and a good vocalist, proved
an acquisition to the London stage. The
handsome couple remained at Drury Lane
during Elliston's lesseeship. Paul then
migrated to Vauxhall Gardens. I engaged
him from there for the Adelphi.
BENJAMIN WEBSTER (BORN 1798).
BENJAMIN WEBSTER, manager, author,
actor, the Nestor of the stage, was born at
Bath, September 3, 1798. This well-
1 88 Old Drury Lane.
known man filled a large portion of
theatrical life for nearly sixty years. He
first appeared at Drury Lane in the year
1826. No one in his time played so many
parts. A fair musician, a graceful dancer
(his father was a professor of dancing at
Bath), Webster's early career, like that of
many of his brethren, was beset with
trouble and privation. His first engage-
ment at Drury was to play utility and
second Harlequin in pantomime. Luckily
for young Webster, a small character-part
fell to his share, in a new version of ' Gil
Bias 'Gil Bias, Miss Kelly ; Captain
Rolando, Wallack ; a gouty negro, Domi-
niqite, Webster. This opportunity afforded
him a chance to rise ; he played it admir-
ably. His talent was recognised by
Elliston, and rewarded, the part of
Humphrey Dobbins in Colman's comedy,
* The Poor Gentleman,' being next assigned
to him. Cast very fine.
Old Dritry Lane. 189
* POOR GENTLEMAN,' 1829.
SIR CHARLES CROPLAND, Mr. Hooper.
FREDERICK, Jones.
SIR ROBERT BRAMBLE, Dowton.
LIEUT. WORTHINGTON, Cooper.
OLLAPOD, Mat hews.
CORPORAL FROSS, Liston.
STEPHEN HARROWBY, Harley.
FARMER HARROWBY, Sherwin.
HUMPHREY DOBBINS, Webster.
EMILY WORTHINGTON, Miss Ellen Tree.
Miss MACTAB, Mrs. Davison.
DAME HARROWBY, Mrs. Harlowe.
A solo entertainment was given by
Webster, at the Strand, when it first opened
(originally Burford's Panorama), entitled
' Webster's Wallet of Whim and Waggery.'
This followed the elder Mathews's enter
tainments very closely. Our comedian
now found himself ensconced at the snug
little Haymarket Theatre, engaged by
Morris, proprietor (ci-devant footman).
190 Old Drury Lane.
This proved a fortunate step for Webster ;
he remained playing doubles for Listen,
Dowton, W. Farren, and original first-
rate parts for himself for many years,
until the death of his patron, Morris,
placed the management in his own hands.
Webster conducted the theatre with
judgment and liberality, employing the
best actors and actresses, and writers of
the highest class, such as Sheridan
Knowles, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton,
Poole, Planche, Buckstone, Bernard, Mor-
ton, etc. Among the many works he
produced were ' Money,' ' The Sea-Cap-
tain,' ' The Love-Chase,' ' Richelieu in
Love,' etc. All the best performers from
time to time graced the little Haymarket
stage, retiring from it with reputation
and large profit. In 1844, Webster
and Madame Celeste took the Adelphi.
Their joint management went merrily on ;
novelties followed in quick succession.
1 Green Bushes ' (ever to remain green) ;
Old Drury Lane.
191
' Flowers of the Forest,' which brought
Buckstone to the fore on his own ground ;
' Janet Pride,' and a score of effective
dramas, flowed from Boucicault's pen. The
Theatre Royal, Liverpool, the Princess's,
the Olympic, were all rented and conducted
by Webster and Madame Celeste. For-
tune, however, began to change her smiles
into frowns. Clouds arose in the theatrical
atmosphere, monetary matters not flourish-
ing.
Adelphi rebuilding, Welsh slate-quar-
ries and other matters led to partner-
ship with Chatterton of Drury Lane,
like all such arrangements, commencing
with roseate hues, and terminating too fre-
quently in Basinghall-street or separation.
A complimentary benefit, at Drury Lane,
to Mr. B. Webster, March 2nd, 1874,
realised about ,1,200. Bill of fare,
Sheridan's ' School for Scandal.'
CAST.
SIR PETER TEAZLE, Mr. Phelps.
1 92 Old Drury Lane.
JOSEPH SURFACE, Creswick.
CHARLES SURFACE, Charles Mat hews.
SIR BENJAMIN BACKBITE, Buckstone.
CRABTREE, Compton.
CARELESS, H. Montague.
TRIP, Clarke.
MOSES, Toole.
SNAKE, Thome.
ROWLEY, H. Wigan.
SIR HARRY, W. Santley.
SIR TOBY, Billington.
SERVANTS, David James, Righton.
LADY TEAZLE, Miss Helen Faucit.
LADY SNEER WELL, Mrs. Mellon.
MRS. CANDOUR, Mrs. Stirling.
MARIA, Miss F. Bateman.
LADY TEAZLE'S MAID, Miss F. Far r en.
HENRY IRVING
recited ' Eugene Aram.'
MRS. KEELEY
delivered an address, written by Mr. John
Oxenford, to which Webster replied, sur-
Old Drury Lane. [93
rounded by the dlite of his profession,
grouped on the stage.
Stage Manager, E. STIRLING.
MRS. WARNER (MISS HUDDART) 18041854
MRS. WARNER (Miss Huddart). Her
parents were actors, and Polly Huddart
commenced her labours before she walked
or spoke carried on the stage as an infant
in her mother's arms. After partaking all
the ups and downs of a provincial wander-
ing life, her father, Charles Huddart, en-
gaged with his clever daughter at the
Surrey the old Surrey, part circus, part
theatre under Tom Dibdin's management.
Miss Huddart quickly gained the appro-
bation of her transpontine admirers. Her
acting possessed feeling and refinement ;
although her talents were confined to the
narrow sphere of melodrama. When
Macready became lessee of Drury Lane,
Miss Huddart was engaged for principal
VOL. ii. 36
194 Old Drury Lane.
characters in the legitimate drama, playing
Lady Macbeth, Portia, Constance, Mrs.
Beverley, Mrs. Haller, Mrs. Oakley, etc.,
with the eminent tragedian. Many origi-
nal parts fell to her share, establishing the
clever actress firmly'in public favour. She
joined Phelps in the management of Sadler's
Wells, and for seventeen years continued
to fill a leading position on the boards of
that admirably conducted theatre. For
a short period she directed the Maryle-
bone Theatre. But her health unfortu-
nately gave way, and she was compelled
reluctantly to retire from the profession she
loved so well. Domestic troubles super-
vened, and a painful disease prevented her
working for her children and an improvi-
dent husband. Public sympathy, accom-
panied with substantial assistance, helped
this gifted woman to bear her many afflic-
tions. She did strive bravely to the end.
Her Majesty the Queen not only sub-
scribed to her fund, but daily sent a
Old Drury Lane. 195
carriage which was placed at the invalid's
disposal. Her medical advisers had sug-
gested open-air exercise to the dying
actress, which her own scanty means could
not procure. She died at her residence in
the New-road, a sad instance of the muta-
bility of human affairs.
HENRY MARSTON (BORN 1804).
HENRY MARSTON made his appearance at
Drury Lane Theatre, during W. J. Ham-
mond's tenancy, as Benedick, in ' Much Ado
about Nothing.' * The part of Beatrice
was sustained by Mrs. Stirling, her first
appearance at Drury and in that character.
Henry Marston, a judicious actor, sus-
tained his well-earned reputation for nearly
half a century. He was one of our best
representatives of Shakespearian characters
every sentence was given by him in
scholarly style, and was exact without
flourish or straining after new ideal readings
* October 31, 1839.
362
196 Old Drury Lane.
or startling effects, a practice too frequently
resorted to by modern aspirants for thea-
trical renown, heedless of their great master's
instruction on their art, conveyed by Hamlet
to the players. Marston's circumstances not
being flourishing, added to a long illness,
induced Mr. Henry Irving to place his
theatre at Marston's disposal for a benefit,
May 29, 1879. This yielded a sum of
,400, to comfort the old actor's remaining
days.
SAMUEL PHELPS, 18041878.
SAMUEL PHELPS, born 1804, commenced
his bread-winning as a printer at Baldwin's,
Blackfriars. In the same office, picking up
type, worked Douglas Jerrold. Phelps
always cherished a secret inkling for the
stage, and resolved to test his powers at
a small private theatre, then standing
in Rawstorne-street, Goswell-street. Earl
Osmond, in Monk Lewis's ' Castle Spectre,'
was the ambitious printer's first essay.
Old Drury Lane. 197
Jerrold, at the request of Phelps, attended
the performance to report progress. Next
morning, when they met at work, Phelps,
very anxious to hear his fellow-workman's
opinion, tried many little stratagems to
draw him out, but not a word escaped the
lips of the future author of ' Mrs. Caudle's
Lectures.' At last Phelps broke ground :
' Did you like me in Osmond ?'
Reply : ' No ; I did not. Stick to your
printing ; you'll never earn twenty-five
shillings a week by spouting.'
Phelps asked no other question that
morning, but pursued his way went on
the stage, endured the usual rubs of
fortune, until he found himself engaged to
act leading tragedy at the Haymarket.
Transplanted to the more genial soil (for
legitimate acting) of Old Drury by
Macready, a careful observer of merit,
Phelps played much and many characters
sometimes great, sometimes small
from Father Joseph in 'Richelieu' to the
198 Old Drury Lane.
Jolly Captain in the * Prisoner of War,'
Macready's policy. One night our actor
was a whale, the next a minnow. Phelps
was allowed generally, when Macready
retired from the stage, to be the first
tragedian left to us. His management
of Sadler's Wells Theatre for eighteen
years was a highly creditable, if only
partially successful endeavour to create
a taste for legitimate plays and good acting
in a region that hitherto delighted in
outrageously improbable dramas of the
worst school. Fancy a piece supposed to
instruct styled * Jack Ketch !' Phelps
swept the Augean stable clean. Liberality
and good taste now ruled, and Sadler's
Wells became one of the most popular
places of amusement in London. Phelps
joined Falconer and Chatterton's company
at Drury Lane. ' Manfred' was produced,
and Phelps played Byron's misanthropic
recluse ; Macbeth, King John, Cardinal
Wolsey, Shylock, Sir John Falstaff, Lord
Old Drury Lane. 199
Ogleby, Sir Peter Teazle, Sir Pertinax
Macsycophant, Bailie Nicol Jarvie, Mr.
Oakley, etc., all acted with ability and correct
judgment, with no straining after new read-
ings or false interpretation fair, smooth per-
sonations of character not points. Phelps
lived to give contradiction to Jerrold's
prophecy of twenty-five shillings a week
receiving ^"80 and frequently ^100 a-
week for his performances. Samuel
Phelps died November 6th, 1878, aged 74.
His last appearance at Drury Lane was as
Sir Peter Teazle for a benefit. His final
appearance on the stage was at the
Aquarium as Cardinal Wolsey, in ' Henry
the Eighth.' His strength deserted him in
this effort ; he was led from the stage, never
to return. A clever artist, and upright
man in every sense public and private
and an ornament to the theatrical calling.
MRS. WAYLETT (MISS COOKE), 18071855.
MRS. WAYLETT (Miss Cooke), born at
2OO Old Drury Lane.
Bath in 1807, appeared on the Bath stage
at seventeen ; her vivacity and charming
appearance established Harriet Cooke as a
favourite with her townsfolk. She soon
found a home in London. Managers were
all too glad to avail themselves of her talent.
Her voice was very clear and beautiful, in
ballad -singing perfection. Her quick ap-
preciation of comedy rendered her a worthy
rival to Vestris. No vocalist equalled Mrs.
Waylett in her ballads, ' I'd be a Butterfly,'
* Kate Kearney,' ' My own Bluebell,'
' Come where the aspen quivers,' etc.,
composed by Alexander Lee, and sang by
Mrs. Waylett with a popularity previously
unknown. She quitted Drury Lane through
severe illness, never to return, dying after
protracted suffering at the age of forty-
eight.
JOHN BALDWIN BUCKSTONE, 18021879.
. J. B. BUCKSTONE (one season at Drury
with his own ' Mary Ann,' under Bunn's
Old Drury Lane. 201
management). Little Buckey was born at
Hoxton near London, in September, 1802,
and was originally intended by his parents
for the medical profession. This, like many
other good intentions, was frustrated by
young Buckstone's intense love of acting.
He quitted the paternal roof, joined a strol-
ling company, wandering from one village
or town to another, and playing tragedy,
comedy, pantomime everything in short
that fell in his way. In later times folks
would have stared to read in the Hay-
market bills Othello, or lago, Mr. Buck-
stone ; but in his salad days he performed
both these characters at Epsom. Chance
gave him an opportunity of wooing the
Comic Muse, and he more or less remained
faithful to her ever after. It is many years
since his merry unctuous voice first made
the old Coburg ring with laughter at ' I
want my goats ' (he played a goat-herd in a
drama of his own concocting, called ' The
Bear Hunters '). An immense favourite
2O2 Old Drury Lane.
on the Surrey side was little Buckey. At
the Adelphi he rose high in the estimation
of more refined judges, his numerous
dramas contributed largely to the popularity
of this favourite house. Though good in
legitimate comedy, he excelled most in
drollery and in roguish fun and humour.
As examples may be instanced his Sir
Toby Belch and his Launcelot Gobbo.
Buckstone's management of the Hay-
market, extending over twenty-five years,
was in the main successful. Many of his
comedies still keep the stage. ' Married
Life,' ' Rural Felicity,' ' Single Life,' ' The
Rough Diamond,' and ' Good for Nothing '
(rendered so popular by Mrs. Fitzwilliam's
admirable acting), retain all their popularity.
' Green Bushes,' ever green from its con-
stant revival, forms a standing dish for
Adelphi gourmands. * Lord Dundreary,'
that really brilliant addition to the peerage,
first made his bow at the Haymarket with
Buckstone. His lordship drew immensely,
Old Drury Lane. 203
to the great benefit of manager and actor.
On a certain occasion Buckey's rather
numerous family wanted him to take them
to see a pantomime at Drury Lane, as a
good father ought to do. He wrote thus
to me for a box :
' DEAR STIRLING,
'Will you ask Mr. Chatterton if I
can have a large box for Saturday morning
next, 6th February ? my party being seven
or eight : Mr. B., Mrs. B., Miss Annie
B., Miss Lucy B. ; Master J. B., Master
R. N. B., Master Sidney B., and perhaps a
little one in.
* Truly yours,
'J. B. BUCKSTONE.'
A change at length came over the for-
tunes of the Haymarket. Bad seasons,
an increasing family, loans raised at
exorbitant rates, reduced Buckstone's cir-
cumstances to a low ebb. A benefit at
Drury Lane, well supported, proved merely
204 Old Drury Lane.
'a drop in the well.' Ruin came with old
age, and all its attendant ills a sad reverse
to one who had for so many years admi-
nistered to the amusement and enjoyment
of the public. He died October 31, 1879.
W. H. PAYNE, 18041878.
W. H. PAYNE, 1804, PANTOMIMIST.
This clever man began his career studying
under Grimaldi, Bologna, etc., at Old
Sadler's Wells Theatre. Payne played
clown at the Pavilion, under Wyatt and
Farrell's management, in 1826, and pre-
viously to that in a temporary theatre the
Old Whitechapel Workhouse. By industry
and continuous improvement, Payne found
himself in Covent Garden Theatre, playing
Giant in a Christmas pantomime. Engaged
by Farley on those boards for thirty-
five years, with little intermission, our
pantomimist continued to please ; always
a student of his art, gesture and action
supplying speech. Payne played at Drury
Old Drury Lane. 205
Lane a season or two with Bunn, St.
George in ' St. George and the Dragon.'
At an advanced age he continued to act in
ballets of action and pantomime open-
ings, with his clever sons, fresh and active
as of yore. Old Time appeared for awhile
to have forgotten him, so lightly did age
seem to affect W. H. Payne. Serious
pantomime expired with him. He shuffled
off this mortal coil December, 1878,
aged seventy-four.
DICKY FLEXMORE.
DICKY FLEXMORE, one of the Grimaldi
school of clowns, alas ! now extinct. A
' fellow of infinite jest' was Flexmore ;
agile, humorous and quick at invention.
For many seasons he delighted the juvenile
visitors to Old Drury's pantomimic displays.
He was the life and soul of fun and frolic.
Marrying the daughter of Auriol, the
popular French clown, he spent his
wedding-trip profitably, travelling with his
father-in-law's troupe through the South of
206 Old Drury Lane.
France, combining profit with pleasure.
Dicky represented his Satanic Majesty in
a ballet dressed in the orthodox fashion
black, horns, tail, pitchfork. The 'circus'
gave two shows each day mornings and
evenings. To save trouble, Dicky
travelled in his downstairs attire, wrapped
up in a cloak, on a caravan, Frequently
passing through road-side villages, the
wicked demon would jump down, rush
into a cottage, seize anything that happened
to be on the table, and jump into his cara-
van again, always choosing the peasants'
dinner-hour. Shrieks, prayers, and lamen-
tations filled the air, the affrighted peasants
naturally supposing the actual Satan had
paid them a visit ; the mimic one mean-
while quietly drinking their wine and
swallowing their viands in high glee.
Flexmore died playing clown at Covent
Garden.
DICKY USHER.
DICKY USHER, Drury Lane clown, in-
Old Drury Lane. 207
ventor of the Washing Tub and Geese on
the Thames ; first exhibited for his benefit,
1828. Dicky launched his fragile bark at
Waterloo Bridge stairs, for his Goose
voyage to Westminster. I need not say
his benefit proved how much the public
are governed by impulses. Dicky, in his
clown's dress, on a penny trumpet accom-
panied a dance of geese on the stage to a
popular tune ; the affrighted birds flapping
their wings and jumping like mad. * How
was this accomplished ?' the reader may
perhaps inquire. Simply by placing sheets
of heated iron on the stage; the geese, turned
out of their cage, screamed with pain, and
could not stand still. This cruel exhibition
brought down thunders of applause.
Luckily for Dicky, in those days, there
existed no Society for the Protection of
Animals. He drove a tandem with four
cats always stolen on his arrival in each
town. These wretched animals, fixed by
208 Old Drury Lane.
collars to a pole ; if they faltered, a sharp
spike behind propelled them forward.
Their painful task accomplished, out the
feline sufferers were driven with a whip.
Dicky Usher was father-in-law to Mrs.
Alfred Wigan (Miss Pincott). Her
mother, Mrs. Pincott, married the clown.
HOWELL.
OLD HARLEQUINS versus PANTALOONS.
Howell, many years harlequin at Drury
Lane, exchanged his magic bat for panta-
loon's crutched stick. At a rehearsal of a
pantomime, Stanneld, the eminent painter,
came on the stage to give instructions re-
lating to his scenery ; and observing
Howell tottering about, he thus addressed
him :
' Mat, my boy, youVe helped me to
solve a problem. Till this moment I could
not guess what was done with old harle-
quins ; I see now, they're cut up for panta-
loons. Ha, ha !'
Old Drury Lane. 209
MISS GRANT (LADY MOLESWORTH).
Miss GRANT, vocalist (Lady Moles-
worth), made her dtbiit at Drury Lane,
Friday, 5th October, 1827, in the operatic
drama ' Rob Roy.'
DIANA VERNON, Miss Grant, (her first ap-
pearance on any stage).
ROB ROY, James Wallack.
BAILIE NICOL JARVIE, Mr. Liston.
Her last appearance on the stage was
as Hymen in * As You Like It,' in Mac-
ready's revival of that play.
EDWARD ELTON.
EDWARD ELTON, 1828, appeared at the
Garrick Theatre, Goodman's Fields ; from
thence he removed to the Haymarket, play-
ingleading characters, Macbeth, Shylock,etc.
Macready secured his services for Drury
Lane, where he played second parts to his
manager. He was a judicious actor, and
VOL. ii. 37
2io Old Drury Lane.
much esteemed. Elton was unfortunately
drowned in the Pegasus, wrecked on its
way from Edinburgh to London. All on
board the ill-fated vessel were lost.
' Speaks not the hollow-sounding sea
Of what hath been, and no more shall be ;
Of days that are passed, of friendship gone,
Of hopes that shone, but to set in night ?'
Elton left a wife and family to bewail his
sad loss, placed in a painful position, thus
deprived of their support. The Guild of
Literature and Art came humanely to their
help and rescue. Dickens, Hood, Mark
Lemon, Jerrold, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton,
manfully worked for the widow and
children. A large sum was collected by
benefits and subscription, placing the
family beyond want.
LAURA HONEY.
LAURA HONEY, a delightful vocalist,
and comedy actress, first appeared at the
Strand in a piece of Leman Rede's ' Loves
Old Drury Lane. 211
of the Angels.' Mrs. Waylett sang a
telling ballad, directed to Mrs. Honey's
eyes : ' Those eyes, those eyes, so beauti-
ful and rare !' Yates engaged her for the
Adelphi. Her progress speedily attracted
the notice of Bunn and Charles Kemble.
A ballad, ' O my beautiful Rhine,' with
imitations of Tyrolese singers, attracted
great attention. Endowed with rare musical
gifts and a lovely face, Mrs. Honey had
not long to woo fortune : it wooed her.
She retired from the stage, and died at an
early age (thirty-two), lamented by all who
knew her kindly nature and real worth.
JOHN REEVE.
JOHN REEVE acted a season at Drury,
and one at Covent Garden. The study
and restraint necessarily practised to give
perfection to legitimate comedy, ill agreed
with Reeve's erratic mind ; words he
scarcely ever learnt perfectly, relying on his
372
212 Old Drury Lane.
grimace, ready wit, and unflagging humour.
He returned to his favourite quarters the
Adelphi, and there reigned supreme, the
life and soul of Buckstone's dramas. Who
could forget his creation of Beadledom,
Gog Magog in the ' Wreck Ashore ?' As
Billy Taylor, Bonassus, Young Norval,
Cupid, etc., he was without a rival ; these
creations of his fertile imagination remain
his own. His devotion to wine broke up a
strong constitution, and at last reduced his
universal popularity to mere toleration, a
sad falling off for poor John ; this he could
not endure. He quitted his loved Adelphi,
sickened, and, at an early age, died from
vexation and humbled pride. The stage
could well have afforded to lose a better
actor ; it could not well lose a more worthy
man than John Reeve, kind, charitable,
humane to all that required help, whose
open purse, when it contained anything,
was always ready to aid the needy or to
Old Drury Lane.
serve a friend a readiness not always
reciprocated, as the following brief corres-
pondence with Yates will show. John
Reeve, being ' out at elbows,' wrote to
Yates :
' DEAR FRED,
' I'm in a fix ,120 cash : help me.
* Brompton-row,
'Feb. 12, 1837.'
Reply from Yates :
' Adelphi, I3thinst.
' DEAR JACK,
' Ditto, for double your amount :
help yourself.
' F. YATES.'
' WILLIAM MURRAY.
WILLIAM MURRAY, proprietor of the
Edinburgh Theatre, played in his youthful
days at Drury Lane. This accomplished
scholar and actor was lineally descended
from Lord John Murray, secretary to
214 Old Drury Lane.
Prince Charles Edward in 1745. Murray's
management of the old Theatre Royal,
Edinburgh, was perfect. I sent him a copy
of my adaptation of Dickens's " Christmas
Carol." Murray wrote to me immediately
after reading the piece.
' DEAR STIRLING,
' Just read the " Christmas Carol " to
my company : we are all in tears ; Tiny
Tim made us cry, young and old. You
have adapted the story admirably.
' Yours truly,
* WM. MURRAY.
1 E. Stirling, T.R., Adelphi.'
CLARA FISHER.
CLARA FISHER, a remarkably precocious
child actress and one of the few that re-
tained her talent in mature years ; pretty
and engaging. This clever girl acted Albert
in ' William Tell ' with Macready ; Prince
Old Drury Lane. 215
Arthur in ' King John ' to Edmund Kean's
King John. Her solo performances exhi-
bited much merit. When approaching
womanhood she emigrated to America,
where good acting is not so general ; her
merits were quickly recognised, and the
New World became her home and abiding-
place. Many years she occupied a fore-
most place among the actresses of the
United States.
MRS. FITZWILLIAM (FANNY COPELAND).
MRS. FITZWILIJAM (Fanny Copeland), a
charming popular singer and actress the
original representative of many of Dibdin*
Buckstone, and Poole's best characters, in
their respective plays. * Our Fanny,' as
she was familiarly called by her theatrical
brethren, lived for many years to delight
her audiences by genuine acting, not from
nature, but nature itself ; a melodious voice,
united to an ever-smiling, good-humoured
216 Old Drury Lane.
face, rendered Fanny Copeland a favourite
on and off the stage. Among her many
creations may be mentioned Nan in * Good
for Nothing/ Madge Wildfire, and Cicely
Homespun in ' The Heir at Law.' The Hay-
market, Lyceum, Olympic, Covent Garden,
and Drury Lane, rang again and again from
year to year with her joyous peals of
laughter, re-echoed by her hearers, ever
alive to true merit and natural acting. She
died in 1858.
WILLIAM CRESWICK (BORN 1813).
WILLIAM CRESWICK originally made his
cttbitt at a small theatre in the Commercial-
road East, opened by an author employed to
write for Astley's, one Amherst. " Master
Collins" (Creswick) played the part of a poor
murdered Italian organ-boy one of the
first victims to a new style of killing called
' burking ' (from the first malefactor named
Burke). Creswick worked hard for many
Old Drury Lane. 217
years in the country towns. He was fortu-
nate enough to attract the attention of Miss
Mitford and of Thomas Noon Talfourd.
The talented authoress of ' Our Village '
selected him to act Cromwell in her tragedy
of ' Charles the First.' Ion he played quite
to the author's (Talfourd's) satisfaction. I
introduced him at the Lyceum (under Pen-
ley's brief management) in a piece of my
writing, * Silver Crescent.' He afterwards
entered into a profitable partnership with
Mr. Shepherd at the Surrey Theatre, and
had constant London engagements. He
made an American trip in 1871, and
another in 1877-78 to Australia. Report
states that our colonial brethren like Cres-
wick vastly.
MADAME CELESTE (BORN 1814).
MADAME CELESTE. At Tottenham-street
Theatre, in a pantomimic drama, 'The
French Spy,' came before the public the
218 Old Drury Lane.
clever Celeste (wife of an American, Mr.
Elliott), of French birth and Spanish origin.
This remarkable woman at an advanced
age appears to have lost little of her youth-
ful grace and vigour. Her performance of
Miami in the ' Green Bushes ' continued to
attract and delight till a period quite recent
(1874). A dancer and actress of surpass-
ing excellence. La Folie delighted all
observers. Her acting at Drury Lane in
serious pantomime became a feature. The
first piece (' Prediction ') in which Celeste
attempted to speak English, was acted at
the Pavilion ; I played her lover. As
joint manageress with Webster, she by her
industry and taste contributed not a little to
the popularity of the Adelphi.
JOHN RYDER (BORN 1814).
JOHN RYDER, an actor of talent. Any-
thing Ryder attempts is well performed ;
frequently in leading characters, seconds,
Old Drury Lane. 219
and what is theatrically termed ' heavy
business ;' grave senators, irate fathers,
kings and tyrants. Ryder's elocution is
very good. He puts it to a profitable
purpose by teaching for the stage and the
bar.
MRS. STIRLING (FANNY HEHL) BORN 1816.
Mrs. STIRLING (Fanny Hehl), born
1816 ; daughter of Captain Hehl, one of
the military secretaries at the War Office.
This gallant officer's extravagance brought
his clever child on the stage. To earn her
living became imperative. She com-
menced at the Coburg, with Davidge, in a
very humble position, delivering messages
at a small theatre in the East. Her next
engagement, playing chambermaids in low
comedy. Farrell saw and engaged her for
the Pavilion Theatre, Whitechapel-road.
Possessing personal attractions and talent,
Farrell starred the young actress as ' Miss
22O Old Drury Lane.
Fanny Clifton,' for the nonce. She ac-
cepted the name of Stirling, marrying
Edward Stirling, the writer of this book,
and proceeded with him to Liverpool,
Manchester, and Birmingham, becoming a
favourite in all these towns. Her name
quickly travelled to London. Bond, then
manager of the Adelphi, made her an offer,
which was accepted. She played Vic-
torine, etc., establishing herself with the
London public at once. She appeared at the
Olympic and at Drury Lane, under Ham-
mond's management. She came out as
Beatrice, in 'Much Ado about Nothing,' at
the Haymarket, with Webster. She sus-
tained leading comedy parts, Constance, in
the * Love Chase ;' Sophia, in the ' Road to
Ruin ;' Rachel, in the ' Rent Day ;' Peg
Woffington, etc. Mrs. Stirling's style is
essentially of the French school, elegant
and piquant ; her skilful by-play fills up
the scene with much effect. Her popu-
Old Drury Lane. 221
larity at charitable meetings, held to assist
her theatrical brotherhood, is unbounded.
After-dinner speeches, touching wittily
upon topics of the day, appeals to pockets,
etc., form one of the attractions at these
gatherings that could ill be spared. Her
eloquent words produce sensible effects
on her hearers' purses. This clever
woman is the legitimate successor of
Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Glover, equally
attractive in characters requiring deep
feeling. Her Cordelia, Julia in the
1 Hunchback,' Belvidera, etc., ranked high
in dramatic art, winning universal popu-
larity, justly deserved and well sustained.
SIMS REEVES.
SIMS REEVES, the eminent vocalist and
first tenor of our time, made his dtbut at
Drury Lane during Jullien's management.
Reeves had previously sung aud acted with
Rouse at the * Eagle ' saloon (now the
222 Old Drury Lane.
Grecian), then conducted by Rouse, at a
very small remuneration. By study and
meritorious industry, Reeves gradually ar-
rived at his now distinguished station.
Endowed with a splendid voice, and having
acquired a perfect knowledge of his art, he
became a musician of the first class. Such
attainments place this clever artist first
among English singers. At the musical
festivals held in our stately old cathedrals,
Reeves is unapproachable. His melodious
voice reverberates through those time-hal-
lowed walls with grand effect and force.
It is marvellously inspiring to his listeners,
aiding the effect of the sacred music.
G. V. BROOKE.
GUSTAVUS VAUGHAN BROOKE, was born in
Dublin, and received a good education at
Trinity College. At thirteen he saw
Macready play William Tell at the
Theatre Royal. This event settled
Old Drury Lane. 223
Brooke's future career. The stage, nothing
more or less, was his choice. He acted
William Tell at fourteen in Dublin. This
led to a tour through Ireland, Scotland,
and England. Master Brooke became a
'juvenile' Roscius. Possessing a fine
voice, a handsome figure and features,
with great devotion to the stage, he rapidly
made his way to place and distinction.
Reports began to reach the London
managers of the youth's talent. Macready
bid first for the new actor, and he was
duly engaged to act at Drury Lane. When
he arrived in London, his first visit was
directed to the theatre. Entering the
green-room, he saw posted up a cast of
the ' Merchant of Venice' Salarino, Mr.
G. V. Brooke, his first appearance ; and a
notice, that on Friday, 'Othello' would
be acted. Othello, Mr: G. V. Brooke. In
an instant the cast was torn down, and
Salarino stalked out of the theatre, vowing
224 Old Dmry Lane.
vengeance. A few months after this
escapade I offered him an opening at the
Olympic. The following is the reply I
received :
' Theatre Royal, Greenock,
'September 8th, 1843.
1 MY DEAR SIR,
1 Ever since the very disgraceful
conduct of the Drury Lane Management
towards me, I have almost buried myself in
oblivion. With regard to visiting the
metropolis under existing circumstances,
it will be utterly impossible for some
time ; and even then, I will candidly con-
fess to you that nothing but a most tempt-
ing offer would induce me to leave the
provinces. I am aware that a great number
of persons think me little better than a
madman for acting in the manner that I
have done and am doing, but I am deter-
mined to see my way clearly and "bide
my time." I open the Ayr Theatre for
Old Drury Lane. 225
the Caledonian Hunt on the 25th instant.
However, I shall drop you a weekly hint
of my locality, and shall feel happy to hear
from you and profit by your counsel and
advice, and in the meantime,
' I remain, dear sir,
' Yours very truly,
' GUSTAVUS V. BROOKE.
4 P.S. I leave here on the i8th instant
for Ayr.'
He did accept an engagement after a
few seasons at the Olympic, appearing this
time in ' Othello' with marked approbation.
The daily press unanimously agreed upon
the talent and merits of the new tragedian.
Comparisons were made with the elder
Kean, Young, Macready and Charles
Kean. Even in these tests he came out
well : inferior to none, equal to all. For-
tune smiled, wealth and position awaited
this highly-gifted man. Alas ! he neg-
VOL. n. 38
226 Old Drury Lane.
lected to accept the gifts of the fickle
goddess, letting slip his chance for fame
and fortune. After a voyage to America,
a short season at the Marylebone Theatre,
and a tour in the provinces, flattering offers
came from Australia he accepted them ;
made money in Melbourne and Sydney,
only to lose it again in speculations public
gardens, mines, etc. He returned to
England to replenish his purse too late !
his attraction had passed away. He mar-
ried Miss Avonia Jones, a clever American
artiste. Disappointed by his reception in
the old country, he resolved to bid it
adieu for ever, to return to Australia and
make it his future home, hoping to restore
his shattered circumstances. To will, was
to do. He embarked in the ill-fated
vessel the London for Melbourne, taking
his only sister to live with him in the
colonies. How futile are all human
endeavours ! After leaving port, a terrible
Old Drury Lane. 22?
storm arose in the Atlantic, scarcely four
days from the coast of Ireland. The
ship became a total wreck, sinking with
all on board but a few sailors, that took
to the only boat left. Brooke's courage,
resignation and fortitude in this hour of
death and mortal agony were beyond
all praise. Day and night he worked at
the pumps, inspiring by his example others
to do their duty. His sister drowned in
her cabin, bereft of every hope, he
heroically kept his post. All lost boats
staved roaring waves sweeping over the
doomed ship. No living soul on board
but Gustavus Brooke. Alone he stood
leaning on the companion-door, waiting
for eternity. The sailors in the boat
urged him to leave the wreck : ' No, no ;
good-bye ! remember me to my friends in
Melbourne !' were his last words. The
vessel lurched, sank, and with it one of
the bravest of the brave. His idol
38-2
228 Old Drury Lane.
Shakespeare's words apply to this true
man's fate :
' A brave vessel,
Who had no doubt some noble creatures in her,
Dash'd all to pieces. O ! the cry did knock
Against my very heart ! Poor souls ! they perish'd.
All lost ! to prayers, to prayers ! all lost !'
DION BOUCICAULT (BORN 1822).
DION BOUCICAULT, actor and dramatist,
was born in Dublin in 1822, his father
being a French dmigrt. H is mother was a
Miss d'Arcy, related to the wealthy family
of the Guinnesses. The famous Dr.
Dionysius Lardner acted as guardian to
Dion, who was educated at University
College, London, and was originally in-
tended for a civil engineer. At twenty-
two he had acquired sufficient knowledge
of his profession to obtain diplomas from
the Society of Engineers, but inspired with
other thoughts and views, he would not
.wait for an appointment. His predilections
Old Drury Lane. 229
were for the stage, and I it was who intro-
duced him to it, forty-three years since.
He came to me at the Adelphi, requesting
that I would take the Princess's Theatre
(then building) for him. Modest this,
without any actual experience or much
capital, but great fertility of brain, and not
a trifling quantity of Irish assurance. I
did not take the theatre, nor did Dion
manage it. He more prudently joined
Mrs. Macready's company at Bristol
played there originally Jack Sheppard.
In Irish characters he speedily made his
mark, and no one now excels Boucicault in
his personations of his own countrymen,
refined, natural, and genuinely humorous.
Stage traditions are not suffered to intrude
themselves into his conceptions of the
' Boys of Green Erin.' He began at an
early period of his theatrical career to write
for the stage, and continues to do so up to
the present time. As a playwright he is
230 Old Drury Lane.
as fresh and brilliant as ever. It is not to
be denied that he largely profits by foreign
dramatic literature, especially the French,
though much original work too has
emanated from his facile pen. His first
great success was at Covent Garden
Theatre in 1841, under Madame Vestris's
management. His five-act play entitled
' London Assurance ' was most welcome to
the town and to all admirers of comedy,
and maintains its rank as one of the best of
modern days. It is always attractive and
always pleasing.
ORIGINAL CAST.
SIR HARCOURT COURTLY, William Farren
(the elder).
CHARLES COURTLY, James Anderson.
DAZZLE, Charles Mathews.
MARK MEDDLE, Harley.
MAT HARKAWAY, F. Mathews.
DOLLY SPANKER, Keeley.
Old Drury Lane. 231
COOL, Meadows.
SIMPSON, W. H. Payne.
LADY GAY SPANKER, Mrs. Nesbitt.
GRACE HARKAWAY, Madame Vestris.
PERT, Mrs. Keeley.
Dion's pen had from this date full em-
ployment. Managers eagerly bid for his pro-
ductions, which generally proved profitable.
Charles Kean at the Princess's constantly
availed himself of this skilful penman's
ideas ' Faust and Marguerite/ ' Louis
the Eleventh,' ' Corsican Brothers,' ' Ann
Blake,' * Vampire,' etc. In the last-named
piece he acted to some purpose, wooing
and winning the heart and hand of pretty
Miss Agnes Robertson, known as ' the
pocket Venus.' A voyage to the United
States brought increased reputation and
grist to the mill. On his return to Eng-
land, he produced at the Adelphi his far-
famed Irish drama, ' The Colleen Bawn/
previously acted in New York. This
232 Old Drury Lane.
pathetic drama, freely adapted from an
Irish tale, 'The Collegians,' by Gerald
Griffin, created a furore. Houses crowded
nightly for many months to enjoy really
good acting. Mrs. Boucicault played the
part of the poor ill-used Colleen, and Dion
Myles-na-Coppaleen. Nothing could ex-
ceed the pathos and comic humour that he
invested this part with. A series of pieces
followed, of which the most famous was
* The Octoroon.' A difference between
Messrs. Webster and Boucicault brought
the latter to Drury Lane in 1862, supported
by his wife, Madame Celeste, Atkins,
Ryder, and others. Here the Irish maiden
'Colleen' kept her ground, until the 'Relief
of Lucknow' came, in all its horrors and
Oriental pageantry : well-acted soldiers,
pipers, guns, drums, cannon and mutineers,
false Rajahs, devoted women, gallant men,
comic Irishmen, stupid Englishmen, etc.,
filled up the measure of India's rights and
Old Drury Lane. 233
wrongs. Astley's was the next scene in
Boucicault's speculative efforts a Circus
converted into a really elegant theatre.
' Lucknow ' was relieved now on the Surrey
side of the Thames. Boucicault made a
mistake with his pantomime, trying to
restore the old style that of gesture for
speaking. This failed, and failed signally.
* The Trial of Effie Deans,' an adaptation
of Scott's ' Heart of Mid Lothian,' did
well.. His Counsel for the Prisoner was
perfect, and might have passed muster in a
real Court of Law. A romantic odd im-
possibility filled his brain that of convert-
ing a dirty stable-yard and equestrian
stabling into a fashionable theatre, sur-
rounded by beautiful gardens. This
magical alteration was to be accomplished
by a Joint Stock Company the usual bank
for impossibilities. The following is a copy
of the Prospectus he issued :
234 Old Drury Lane.
'NEW THEATRE COMPANY, LIMITED.
'Capital, ,125,000 [modest], in 5000
shares, of ,25 each, with power to
increase. Deposit on application, i per
share; and on allotment, 2 per share. It is
anticipated that not more than 12 will be
required to be called up. Two months'
interval between each call.
'Patrons : The Duke of Wellington ; the
Duke of Leinster; the Marquis of Donegal;
the Marquis of Normanby ; Earl Grosve-
nor ; the Earl of Malmesbury ; the Earl
of Hardwicke ; the Earl of Sefton ; the
Earl of Dudley; Sir John Shelley, M.P. ;
etc., etc.
'Directors: H. C. Cobbold, Esq., New
Bridge-street, Blackfriars ; J. W. Cusack,
Esq., 12, Lancaster-gate; E. Edwards,
Esq., Adelphi Chambers ; Lieutenant-
Colonel Napier Sturt, M.P., Portman-
square; Gerard de Witte, Esq., The Green-
ways, Leamington.
Old Drury Lane. 235
'Bankers: Ransom and Co., Pall Mall.
' Auditors : Quilter, Ball, and Co.
' Broker : }. B. Richards, Austin Friars.
Offices, 9, Cornhill.
' Secretary: H. J. Montague [the popular
actor].
The conditions and anticipated profits of
this speculation were carefully considered
and calculated. Dividends at ten per
cent, during the building of the theatre,
might reasonably be expected when
the theatre opened. Mr. Boucicault's
services to manage the enterprise were
secured for one-third of the net
profits. Although a large number of
shares were privately subscribed for, the
ignorant public held aloof, slow to believe
or accept this very promising undertaking.
Fancy twenty per cent, and a life privilege
of walking in a beautiful garden theatre,
ornamented by grottos, cascades, and end-
less attractions (on paper) ! The whole
236 Old Drury Lane.
thing fell flat : city men did not believe in
it ; West-enders simply laughed at this
flight of Dion's fancy. The idea of con-
verting into a paradise a slough of
despond, in one of the worst of neigh-
bourhoods, surrounded by shabby, tumble-
down, ramshackle houses, inhabited by
the poorest class of petty tradesmen and
waterside labourers ! Presto ! by the wand
or silvery tongue of Wizard Boucicault,
all these difficulties were to vanish, giving
place to a reality out-rivalling the Hesperi-
des of old ! Many leading men of rank
came to see this temple of Dion's muse;
dukes and lords ' a-many.' Among the
distinguished visitors was the Earl of
Carlisle, Viceroy of Ireland. An Irish
servant (Farrell) received his lordship in
his master's absence. Paddy quickly
claimed acquaintance with Carlisle, hoped
his Excellency was well, and his sister
Lady Elizabeth ' long life to her. Och,
she was a rael beauty.'
Old Driiry Lane. 237
4 What were you, then ?'
FARRELL : ' I carried coals up to her
ladyship's room at the Castle, my lord
bedad, I'd 'ave carried the Castle if she'd
asked me.'
This effusion had its effect a crown-
piece and a good laugh at Hibernian impu-
dence. Lord Carlisle wrote to Boucicault
on this matter :
* March 15, 1863.
' DEAR SIR,
* I think the Irishman showed a
very proper zeal to bring his two sove-
reigns together.
' Your faithful servant,
1 CARLISLE.'
After the non-success of Astley's, and
after incurring heavy losses, Mr. and Mrs.
Boucicault sought another field for their
exertions. The Amphitheatre, Liverpool,
received them ; and a piece was localised
238 Old Drury Lane.
for the purpose. This expedient had been
tried in several towns in America. Origi-
nally a French piece, in the clever hands of
Dion it became his own, and under the title
of * The Streets of Liverpool a Sensation
drama' (a word coined by Boucicault to
express wonder, astonishment, grief, joy,
or any other thing to catch the people)
proved a gold mine. Easily altered, it did
duty in almost every town in Great Britain,
and finally found a resting-place at the
Princess's Theatre, as ' The Streets of
London; drawing for Vining (lessee) and
the author, ; 16,000.
' Royal Hotel, Glasgow,
' March 13.
' DEAR STIRLING,
* " When the wind blows, then the
mill goes ;" and Fortune's gale is making
my mill spin round like blazes. I have
developed a new vein in the theatrical
mine, and one in which you can have an
Old Drury Lane. 239
interest beyond that you always feel in my
success.
' I have tried the bold step of producing,
originally in the provinces a sensation
drama, without aid or assistance of any
kind. The experiment has succeeded.
* I introduced ' The Poor of Liverpool '
a bobtail piece with local scenery, and
Mr. Cowper in the principal part. I share
after ^30 a night, and I am making ^100
a week on the ****** thing.
' I localise it for each town, and hit the
public between the eyes; so they see
nothing but fire.* Et voila.
' I can spin out these rough-and-tumble
dramas as a hen lays eggs. It's a de-
grading occupation, but more money has
been made out of guano than out of
poetry.
' Believe me, very sincerely yours,
' DION BOUCICAULT.'
* One of the scenes was a burning house.
240 Old Drury Lane.
Boucicault's retirement from the stage
in his native city (Dublin) brought him-
self and his talented wife back again to
London. Second thoughts Dion knew to
be best. They did not retire, luckily, but
produced ' Arrah-na-Pogue,' a first-rate
Irish drama, in which Shaun the post, in
Boucicault's hands, became the leading
feature. Drury Lane accepted a realistic
serio-drama, entitled ' Formosa,' of rather
questionable plot ; introducing certain
ladies of the demi-monde in their home
circles. The attempt, hazardous as it was,
proved monetarily a hit. Chatterton and
the author cleared more than .12,000
between them ; Shakespeare, in the same
house, being played to empty benches ;
such is the taste of our time. Another
trip to America succeeded, from which Dion
returned to Old Drury with a cargo of
fun and extravagant effects wrapped up
most ingeniously in the * Shaughraun.'
Old Drury Lane. 241
This clever Hibernian drama yielded a
rich harvest. Moya, well looked and
acted by Mrs. Boucicault ; Conn O' Kelly,
the ' Shaughraun ' (Vagabond), performed
by Boucicault himself, was the soul of whim,
humour, and roguish expedients. His as-
sociate, Tatters, a dog, talked of but not
seen, helped his master right well through
the piece. In 1872, with the aid of
Planche, he wrote, concocted, and put on
the stage at Covent Garden, a spectacular
piece, fantastical, musical, and certainly
novel, called
' BABIL AND BIJOU ;
or,
THE LOST REGALIA.'
There were a large number of dancers,
actors and actresses, singers, Amazonian
warriors ; together with a perfect dramatic
aquarium of oysters, crabs, cockles, seals,
periwinkles, sea-lions, sea-horses, sharks
alligators, sword-fish, devil-fish, lobsters,
VOL. ii. 39
242 Old Drury Lane.
etc., a silver city, a real coral grove, a
river of life, and mountains in the moon.
Here was a dainty dish for the most imagi-
native to feed upon ; yet the undiscerning
public refused to honour the repast with
their presence. It signally failed. Bouci-
cault sailed to America, leaving his
' mountains of the moon ' to take care of
themselves, conveying orders through the
Atlantic cable. This costly experiment of
trying how much money may be lavished
on production of novelty quickly squan-
dered a fortune to no purpose whatever,
save paying a host of persons a salary for
.six months.
In 1876, Boucicault returned once more
to the United States, and New York
for a time became his chosen resi-
dence. He is ever at work. New pieces
.constantly appear in the American bills
from his facile and indefatigable pen. Our
Lope de Vega of the present day, the
Old Drury Lane. 243
brain and industry of this prolific dramatist
approach infinity. Adieu, Dion Bouci-
cault ! in the words of your native land,
' Cead-mille-failthe,' when you come to
Old England again.
He did return, April, 1880, playing once
more his favourite Conn, at the Adelphi.
MISS GLYN (MRS. DALLAS).
Miss GLYN (Mrs. Dallas) made a very
favourable dtbut at the Olympic Theatre,
under Spicer's management, in ' Lady
Macbeth,' Wednesday, January 26th, 1848.
Possessing a fine person, and a melodious
voice, with the advantages of Charles
Kemble's instruction, she could scarcely
fail. Her Cleopatra won favour with
critics and public alike. Antony might
well lose the world for such a woman.
For the three following years she acted
at Sadler's Wells, with the late Mr.
Phelps. She greatly improved before her
392
244 Old Drury Lane.
appearance at Drury Lane, 1854, in a play
of Fitzball's, with Barry Sullivan. Her
performance of the Duchess of Malfi was
much admired. Miss Glyn of late years
has devoted her abilities mainly to public
readings and professional teaching.
BARRY SULLIVAN (BORN 1824).
SULLIVAN commenced his theatrical
career with Seymour, in Ireland, as a
vocalist, singing in ' Love in a Village.'
YOUNG MEADOWS, Mr. Barry.
ROSETTA, Miss Smith (niece to the Dowager
Countess of Essex, Miss Stephens).
Sullivan tried Scotland next. Under
the judicious tutelage of William Murray
he rapidly advanced in his art. Copeland
engaged the young actor for his leading
tragedian at the Amphitheatre, Liverpool.
Here he made a lasting impression.
Webster, ever desirous of novelty, intro-
duced the Liverpool favourite to a London
audience at the Hay market. Sullivan's
Old Drury Lane. 245
Hamlet, Romeo, and Evelyn in ' Money,'
received the highest praise. Golden
harvests in the provinces followed this
London success. A trip to Australia
added largely both to fame and profit.
On his return he entered into an engage-
ment at Drury Lane with E. T. Smith,
and afterwards with Chattertori. In his
management (though well carried out) ot
the Holborn Theatre, Sullivan did not
realise money. Strictly legitimate plays
carefully put on the stage did not draw.
He made a fresh tour of the provin-
cial towns, with renewed popularity and
emolument. His earnings average ,7,000
per annum. This large amount pro-
duced by one man's talent is extraordinary,
and refutes the cry that the legitimate
drama is in its decadence. This excellent
tragic actor received an offer of ,10,000
for twelve months' performance in America.
This he accepted : reappearing as Richard
246 Old Drury Lane.
the Third, at Drury Lane, after its fulfil-
ment, on September 23rd, 1876. Sullivan
is unquestionably one of the best trage-
dians we now have : ever careful and un-
ceasingly industrious.
BARRY SULLIVAN AND THE TROMBONE
PLAYER. Sullivan, acting in the Potteries,
requested the leader of a small orchestra
to let him have the wind instruments
behind the scenes in the fifth act of
' Richard the Third.'
* Sir, I c-a-n-t ' (with a stutter).
OFFENDED TRAGEDIAN : * Sir, I insist ;
send up your wind.'
AGITATED FIDDLER : ' I I I '
ENRAGED ACTOR : 'Where's the manager ?*
The manager answered for himself.
1 Here, sir.'
' Mr. Elphinstone, your conductor objects
to let me have his wind instruments on the
stage for the march in the fifth act.'
* Poor fellow ! he stutters and is deaf.'
Old Drury Lane. 247
BARRY : ' Why did he not tell me so ?'
IRATE VIOLIN : ' Yes ; and I I I'll tell
you more, sir : there's only one wind, a
trombone. Am I to to to cut him in two,
send up one half to you, and keep the other
half in the orchestra ?'
This silenced Richard ; he proceeded to
Bosworth Field minus wind.
MRS. HERMAN VEZIN.
MRS. HERMAN VEZIN, an actress of high
and rare merit, played the leading business
at Drury Lane several seasons, under Mr.
Chatterton's direction. Her rendering of
Shakespearian heroines displayed a keen
perception of the great poet's creations.
Gentle Desdemona or queenly Constance
lost no effect by Mrs. Vezin's acting. She
re-appeared at Drury Lane, September,
1876, as Queen Elizabeth in Gibber's ver-
sion of ' Richard the Third;' and in 1878 as
Paulina, in a revival of 'The Winter's Tale.
248 Old Driiry Lane.
CAROLINE HEATH (MRS. WILSON
BARRETT).
Miss HEATH was engaged at Drury
Lane to act Margaret in the ' King
O'Scots ' (Fortunes of Nigel}. Originally
she acted at the Royalty with a company
of amateurs. Her grace and promise of
ability attracted the notice of the late
Charles Kean, then manager of the Prin-
cess's Theatre, and he engaged her. Year
by year her improvement was so marked,
that Mrs. Charles Kean gave up many of
her leading characters to the young actress.
This brought reputation, and placed Miss
Heath in a foremost position. Several
times her Majesty commanded her attend-
ance at Osborne and Windsor, to read
Shakespearian plays to the Royal Family.
On a journey to Balmoral, the Queen hap-
pened to catch sight of Miss Heath stand-
ing on the platform amidst a crowd of
ladies at Perth. Her Majesty immediately
Old Drury Lane. 249
recognised her, talking and walking up and
down until the train was ready, when,
graciously accepting a bouquet from her
and shaking her hand, she kindly bade her
farewell. This condescension of the Queen
naturally caused the fair actress to be ' the
observed of all observers.' Miss Heath, or
rather Mrs. Barrett (for such is her married
name), continues to act and please, chiefly
in our large provincial towns. She ap-
peared at the Princess's Theatre, the scene
of her early triumphs, 1877-8, in Mr. W. G.
Wills's new play of ' Jane Shore.' The play
was universally popular, and its success,
though reflecting great credit on the
author, must be mainly ascribed to Miss
Heath's admirable impersonation of the
unfortunate heroine.
MRS. HOWARD PAUL (MISS FEATHER-
STONE) 18331879.
MRS. HOWARD PAUL (Miss Feather-
stone) appeared first at the Strand in 1852,
250 Ola Drury Lane.
and made a most favourable impression.
Her fine contralto voice, her handsome
features, her graceful deportment, added to
considerable ability, rapidly placed her in a
foremost position. She played and sang in
' The Beggar's Opera,' as Captain Mac-
heath, for many nights. Smith engaged
her for Drury Lane. Lord Glengall wrote
a piece to introduce her to a Drury Lane
audience, ' Cook and Housekeeper.' Her
entertainments given with her clever hus-
band, Howard Paul, proved very lucrative.
' Patchwork,' written and compiled by
Howard, filled their purses. She died in
June, 1879, lamented by all who knew her.
AMY SEDGWICK (BORN 1835).
Miss AMY SEDGWICK commenced her
theatrical career at the Royalty Theatre in
1853, as an amateur, under the assumed
name of ' Miss Mortimer.' Her first
engagement of consequence was at Man-
Old Drury Lane. 251
Chester, under the management of Knowles.
She rapidlly improved, gradually leading
the business. Transplanted to the Hay-
market, her talents at once established
Miss Sedgwick as a popular favourite. In
October, 1866, she played Lady Macbeth
at Drury Lane during the engagement
there of Mr. Phelps and Mr. Sullivan. If
not a great performance, it was fairly ren-
dered, and with care and effect. Honoured
by her Majesty's patronage, and married to
a gentleman of the medical profession, this
clever and amiable lady has now retired
into private life.
ADAH ISAACS MENKEN, 1864.
ADAH MENKEN (female Mazeppa 1864)
treated originally with the managers of
Drury Lane to appear ; but E. T. Smith
bade higher for her appearance at Astley's.
I first suggested Menken's engagement
to Smith, telling him of her success in
252 Old Drury Lane.
Vienna. He replied .in this somewhat
laconic fashion :
' DEAR STIRLING,
' Thanks. Menken may go to Drury
Lane or the devil ; she won't do for me.
She was kicked out of America.
' E. T. SMITH.'
Smith altered his mind ; she did perform
at Astley's, and to some purpose, clearing
for her own share ^200 a week for four
months. Adah Menken was something
more than an equestrian heroine. She was
a woman of culture and refined habits. A
French Creole by birth, a life of varied trials
and strange adventure had not extinguished
her love for poetry or her habits of refine-
ment. A volume of poems written by
Menken, and dedicated by his permission
to Charles Dickens, is sufficient to cor-
roborate this assertion. Alexandre Dumas,
Old Driiry Lane. 253
John Oxenford, Dickens, etc. were among
her many distinguished friends and ad-
mirers. She died at an early age in Paris;
her perilous ride ending in a quiet corner of
Pere La Chaise.
' Theatre Royal, Astley's.
' Monday,
' DEAR MR. STIRLING,
' Your note came when I was out,
so pardon my not replying sooner. I had
hoped to see you lately, that I might ex-
plain my reasons for deferring the finale of
our farce. There are unavoidable reasons,
that is, just at present. If I may have the
pleasure of seeing you, I can show you why
I am compelled to delay.
' Believe me, dear Mr. Stirling,
' Yours truly,
'A. I. MENKEN.'
HENRY IRVING.
HENRY IRVING. Thisdistinguished actor
2 54 Old Drury Lane.
dates originally from Manchester. Irving
worked in small provincial companies with
a determined will and steadfast purpose to
rise in the art he had chosen. His first
appearance in London was in 1859 at the
Princess's Theatre (manager, Augustus
Harris, sen.), in a romantic drama, entitled
'Ivy Hall,' written by the late John Oxenford.
Irving's character was a very small one.
He rapidly made his merit felt. Boucicault
engaged him to play a leading part in a new
piece, * Hunted Down,' produced by Miss
Herbert at the St. James's Theatre. For-
tune's tide now set in. Managers sought
the rising artist. Fortunately for him the
late Mr. Bateman, lessee of the Lyceum,
saw his merit and secured his services for
his opening, to act with one of his
daughters. This venture did not, however,
hit the public taste. ' The Pickwick Club '
gave Irving an opportunity of displaying
his capability for eccentric comedy. His
Old Drury Lane. 255
Jingle would have satisfied Dickens ; to the
life the clever scamp walked and talked.
Jeremy Diddler in ' Raising the Wind ' fol-
lowed, a part of the same pleasant type ;
more serious matters succeeded. Bateman,
a keen observer, saw something original in
Irving's acting, hitherto unrecognised.
This he cultivated. Mathias in * The Bells '
took the play-going world by surprise a
fine conception of a painful subject. 1 1 raised
Irving highly in estimation. Then followed
a series of plays. ' Charles the First :'
Irving's Charles was a really historical por-
trait of the most unfortunate of the Stuart
kings. In ' Eugene Aram/ the actor's
peculiarities of form, voice, and expression
told in his favour. The remarkable
criminal lived again in all the horrors of
repentant remorse and mental suffering.
Richelieu, after Macready's perfect persona-
tion of the great French statesman,
appeared a hazardous venture, albeit Irving
256 Old Drury Lane.
succeeded. This performance paved the
way for Hamlet, carefully put on the stage.
Irving made his bow as the Prince of Den-
mark under very favourable circumstances,
prepared for him by Bateman. The result,
it is needless to say, was a most unprece-
dented run of Shakespeare's play, number-
ing over two hundred nights. Old and
young stagers agreed that it was a masterly
performance. ' Macbeth ' was the next
trial. In this a lack of physical strength
operated against the actor's intentions
greatly ; it never reached the point
'Hamlet' achieved. In 'Othello' again
Irving lacked force in the terrible im-
passioned scenes of jealousy and re-
venge. Cleverly conceived, it never
reached within many degrees Denmark's
misanthropical prince ; nor did immediate
comparison with Salvini act favourably for
Irving's Othello. The Italian's fine act-
ing of this part undoubtedly left Irving in
Old Drury Lane.
257
the shade, despite our English artiste's
acknowledged great merits and they are
many. Philip of Spain, in Tennyson's
' Queen Mary,' afforded an excellent oppor-
tunity for the exercise of Irving's careful
study. He gave us a complete portrait of
Mary's bigoted, unloving husband : dress,
deportment, manner, a living resemblance.
Irving's rule ' No pains, no gains.' Louis
XI. added new laurels to his fame. This
wily, tyrannic, royal hypocrite was played to
perfection by the talented artiste.' Not a
phase of the despicable monarch's character
was left unrevealed. He lived, talked, and
thought, resuscitated by Irving's consum-
mate skill, aided by Philip de Commines'
masterly historical chronicle of the tyrant's
life and death. Mr. Irving assumed the
sole management of the Lyceum on Boxing-
night, December 26, 1878, re-appearing in
' Hamlet,' his first and greatest Shake-
spearian personation. The part of
VOL. ii. 40
258 Old Drury Lane.
Ophelia was allotted to Miss Ellen Terry ;
crowded audiences nightly attested to
Irving's popularity. After a season of un-
precedented success, a holiday trip to the
Mediterranean, as the guest of Baroness
Burdett-Coutts, brought his labours in
1879 to a prosperous termination : ,36,000
taken during his short season.
1880, 'Merchant of Venice.' Shylock,
H. Irving; Portia, Ellen Terry. Shylock
in Irving's hands became a veritable suc-
cess. The clever graceful acting of his
fair Portia added much towards the ' Mer-
chant of Venice's ' extraordinary run.
Irving never acted better ; the relentless
Jew was a Rembrandt-like portrait of life
and action.
HENRY J. MONTAGUE, 1863.
This brilliant young actor commenced
his theatrical career at Astley's Theatre,
in 1863, under Boucicault's management.
Old Drury Lane. 259
He applied to me for an engagement.
I introduced him to Boucicault, and
he was engaged to play ' utility ' : his
first step, Counsel for the Defence in
* Effie Deans ' a part Dion had made
his own. Boucicault being obliged to
leave for Brighton, I gave it to Mon-
tague, and he did it well. This was
followed by ' Nicholas Nickleby,' and a
secretaryship in the New Theatre Com-
pany. Montague rapidly rose in his pro-
fession young, handsome, endowed with a
constant flow of vivacity and an ardent
love for the stage, resolving to rise, he
did. At the Prince of Wales' s Theatre
he found himself in a genial atmosphere
of comedy. Luck or fortune allotted
him important and suitable parts, that
brought out his qualifications for gen-
tlemanly humour. Encouraged by this
success, he entered into co-partnership
with James and Thorne, and opened the
40 2
260 Old Drury Lane.
Vaudeville. As Jack Wyatt in the ' Two
Roses ' their opening piece he made a
great impression. Always ambitious, he
resigned his partnership, and quitted the
Vaudeville for the sole management of the
Globe Theatre. Here he produced some
of the best comedy-dramas of the day :
' Partners for Life,' ' Forgiven/ * False
Shame,' and notably, ' Cyril's Success.'
Rejoined Boucicault in a trip to America
in 1872. In New York he became a
favourite after his first performance. Public
favour increased nightly ; step by step he
won their feelings and hearts, especially
those of the ladies. Endowed with a
manly, sympathetic nature, ever ready to
assist the necessitous, Montague was
always doing kindly acts in his quiet way.
This clever favourite actor died suddenly
at San Francisco, California, August 12th,
1878. Montague had taken a company
there to play * Diplomacy.' The sad
Old Drury Lane. 261
event, so unexpected, greatly affected the
playgoing public of San Francisco. A
mother and two sisters remain to mourn a
dutiful son and a loving brother. Thus
departed Henry J. Mann (' Montague ') at
the early age of thirty-five, in the prime of
manhood and in the plenitude of his
talents.
MONTA GAINSBOROUGH.
Miss GAINSBOROUGH, a young actress
of considerable talent, was engaged by Mr.
Chatterton (1876) to play Lady Rowena
in ' Ivanhoe,' at Drury Lane. In the
higher walk of the drama, Juliet, Pau-
line, etc., Miss Gainsborough displayed
much intelligence, graceful deportment,
and good delivery.
ELLEN WALLIS.
Miss WALLIS made her appearance at
Drury Lane, 1875, as Cleopatra in
262 Old Drury Lane.
' Antony and Cleopatra.' The new ac-
tress possesses considerable ability for
her vocation, a musical voice and a
graceful deportment, aided by youth and
assiduity. Her rendering of Shakespeare's
wily Egyptian Queen was well con-
ceived. It would have required a more
subtle soldier than ' Antony ' to have re-
sisted such endearments. Miss Wallis
played the popular characters of Juliet
and Pauline charmingly. Her first
appearance on the public stage was at the
Queen's Theatre, as Mildred Vaughan
in a drama of the late Mr. Watts Phillips
' Amos Clark.' This personation at once
established her claims to public acceptance.
In the provincial towns she is an especial
favourite, drawing good houses and win-
ning golden opinions from all classes. She
reappeared at Drury Lane in September,
1878, as Hermione in the 'Winter's
Tale.'
Old Drury Lane. 263
ACTRESSES ENNOBLED BY MATRIMONIAL
ALLIANCES.
Miss Fenton (the original ' Polly ' in the
'Beggar's Opera'), DUCHESS OF
BOLTON.
Miss O'Neill, LADY BECKER.
Mrs Nesbit, LADY BOOTHBY.
Harriet Mellon, DUCHESS OF ST. ALBANS,
won two matrimonial prizes : first,
a rich banker, Mr. Coutts ; secondly,
a poor Duke, the Duke of St. Albans,
who gladly accepted a banker's widow
with ,70,000 a year.
Fanny Braham (daughter of Braham the
singer), FRANCES, COUNTESS OF WAL-
DEGRAVE.
Miss Foote, COUNTESS OF HARRINGTON.
Miss Stephens, COUNTESS OF ESSEX.
Miss Paton, LADY LENNOX.
Miss Fortescue, LADY GARDINER.
Miss Grant, LADY MOLESWORTH.
264 Old Drury Lane.
Mrs. Canning. An Irish actress originally.
Her son, GEORGE CANNING, became
Prime Minister. He never neglected
writing to his mother daily, whatever
the pressure of business might be on
his time.
Miss Farren, COUNTESS OF DERBY* (grand-
mother of the present Earl). ' The
Oaks' were established by her husband,
the Earl, for her. A ballad opera,
written by General Burgoyne, called
'Fair Maid of the Oaks,' commemo-
rated the event.
* 'Miss Farren of Drury Lane (Countess of Derby),
at the Preston Jubilee Guild, August 3rd, 1802, dressed
in the top of fashion. About six o'clock, the Earl and
Countess of Derby (the beautiful young actress)
entered their house in Preston, from Knowsley, to
dinner. They were in a coach and six ; Mrs. Farren
came with her daughter. We are sorry to say the
distress for beds has obliged some to submit to
exorbitant prices. One family gave fifty guineas for
three beds in a very obscure part of the town.'
Preston Chronicle, 1802.
Old Drury Lane. 265
Miss Brunton, COUNTESS OF CRAVEN.
Maria Tree,* THE HON. MRS. BRADSHAW.
Mdlle. Mercandotte, COUNTESS OF FIFE.
Miss George, LADY MACDONALD STEPHEN-
SON.
Miss Lewis, MRS. GENERAL BOARDMAN.
Miss Bolton, LADY THURLOW.
Miss Helen Faucit, LADY MARTIN.
While endeavouring to chronicle this
* Miss M. Tree, was an excellent actress and singer.
She was the original Clara in ' The Maid of Milan '
a clever drama by Howard Payne in which she
introduced the song that obtained a world-wide
renown, ' Home, sweet home.' Mary Copp in
' Charles the Second ' another capital piece from
Howard Payne's pen afforded Miss M. Tree an
opportunity of displaying a -vein of humour in a
humble station, perfectly opposed to all the parts she
had hitherto sustained. The cast of this excellent
two-act comedy was as follows :
KING CHARLES THE SECOND, Mr. Charles Kemble.
EARL OF ROCHESTER, Mr. Jones.
EDWARD (a page), Mr. Dureset.
CAPTAIN COFFIN, Mr. Fawcett.
LADY CLARA, Mrs. Faucit.
MARY, Miss M. Tree.
266 Old Drury Lane.
brief history of our National Theatre,
Drury Lane, I have carefully avoided
alluding to the personalities of private life
connected with the actors and actresses
that have from time to time trod these
almost classic boards. Silence has all the
prudence and none of the vices either of
simulation or dissimulation. Let us think
and speak with Burns on this theme :
* Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentlier sister woman ;
Though they may gang a kennin' wrang,
To step aside is human.'
BOOK IV.
DRAMATIC ANA AND THEATRICAL VARIETIES, WITH
AN ACCOUNT OF CURIOUS OLD PLAYS, ETC.
PLAYBILLS FIRST PRINTED, OCTOBER, 1587.
JOHN CHARLEWOOD ' had lycensed to him
by the whole consent of the assistants, the
onlye ymprinting of all manner of billes for
Players, provided that, if any trouble arise
hereby, Charlewood to bear the charge.'
An entry on the Books, Stationers' Hall.
Bill Posting, 1587. 'They used to set
up their billes upon Postes, some certain
days before, to admonish the people to
make resort to their Theatres.'
PETITION AGAINST A THEATRE, 1596.
The inhabitants of Blackfriars petitioned
the Lords of the Council against a common
playhouse, about to be built in Blackfriars,
fearing the evil effects and immorality of
270 Old Drury Lane.
such a building, and inconveniences brought
on themselves.
EDWARD ALLEYN, FOUNDER OF DULWICH
COLLEGE.
1614. Alleynwas a player, and proprie-
tor of the ' Fortune ' playhouse in Golden-
lane. To this he added the Keepership of
the Royal Bear Garden. Old Aubrey
relates that the devil appeared while he
was acting one on the stage. This so
frightened him that he quitted the stage
and acting for ever. He endowed his
College in 1617, and became its first
master. He also gave ^800 per annum (a
large sum at that time) for the maintenance
of one master and one warden (who must
be unmarried), and always bear the name
of ' Alleyn/ or Allen; four fellows, three of
whom must be clergymen, the fourth an
organist ; besides six poor men and six
women, with twelve boys, who are all to
be educated till the age of fourteen or six-
Old Drury Lane. 27 [
teen, when they are to be apprenticed to
some trade. The building is called ' The
College of God's Gift.' Alleyn died in
1626, and was buried in the College
Chapel.
Edward Alleyn, founder of Dulwich
College, Ben Jonson, and Shakespeare a
triumvirate of talent frequently spent their
evenings together at a tavern called the
Globe, near Blackfriars Theatre. George
Peele, the dramatist, a member of the club,
wrote a letter to one Marie, his friend :
' I must desyre that my syster hyr
watch and the cookerie booke you
promised may be sent bye the mann, I
never longed for thy company more than
last nighte We were all verye merrye at
the Globe, where Ned Alleyn did not
scruple to affirme pleasantly to thy friend
"Will," that he had stolen the speeches
about the qualityes of an actors excelencye
in " Hamlet " from conversations manyfold
272 Old Drury Lane.
which had passed between them, and
opinions given by Alleyn touching the
subject. Shakespeare did not take this
tale in good sorte ; but Jonson put an end
to the strife by wisely remarking, " This
needs no contention, Ned, you stole no
doubt," do not marvel, have you not seen
him acte times out of number ?
' believe me yours sincerely
'G PEELE.'
BURBAGE AND KEMP.
The author of ( The Return from Par-
nassus,' says that ' he is not accounted a
gentleman that knows not Dick Burbage
and Will Kemp. There's not a country
wench that can dance ' Bellinger's Round,'
but can talk of Dick Burbage and Will
Kemp.' Burbage was the original Richard
the Third. Kemp was inimitable in the
part of clown.
BURBAGE'S EPITAPH.
Burbage, Shakespeare's friend, and the
Old Drury Lane. 273
original representative of his great tragic
characters. For perspicuity, wit, and brevity,
his epitaph stands alone : * Exit Burbage.'
SHAKESPEARE'S WILL.
He forgot his wife entirely, making his
will. A line was inserted giving her his
second-best brown bed and hangings,
witnessed by Burbage and Condell.
SHAKESPEARE AND BEN JONSON.
PUNNING. SHAKESPEARE, BEN JONSON.
Shakespeare, so the story runs, being
very friendly with Jonson, stood godfather
to one of Ben's children. Asking his
brother dramatist in a pleasant way what
gift he ought to bestow ?
' Whatever you please, Will.'
' I've been thinking,' said the bard, * I'll
give the boy a dozen Latten spoons, and
thou, Ben, shalt translate them ;' in allusion
to Jonson's knowledge of the Latin tongue.
Haneian MS.
VOL. u. 41
274 Old Drury Lane.
SUPPOSED ORIGIN OF SHAKESPEARE'S
'MERCHANT OF VENICE/
A note in Warton's * Observations on
Spenser's Faerie Queene,' informs us that
Shakespeare drew his fable from an old
ballad, nowhere to be met with but in the
Ashmolean Museum, where it was de-
posited by that famous antiquary, Anthony
a Wood : * A song shewing the crueltie
of Gunatus, a Jew, who, lending to a
merchant an hundred crowns, would have
a pound of his flesh because he could not
pay him at the time appointed.' A story
of the same nature is related in the Life
of Pope Sixtus V., a wager between
Paul Sicchi, a merchant, and a usurer,
Samson Ceneda, a Jew. A report of
the transaction was brought to the Pope ;
he sent for the parties, saying, ' Con-
tracts should be fulfilled when made/
bidding Sicchi cut a pound of flesh from
any part of the Jew's body ; advising
Old Drury Lane. 275
him to be careful, ' for if you cut but a
scruple more or less than your due, you
shall certainly be hanged.'
PAYMENT OF DRAMATIC AUTHORS IN
SHAKESPEARE'S TIME.
The following statement is contained in
a book of Notes and Memoranda, made
by Henslowe, a manager of playhouses.
(This curious record is in the archives of
Dulwich College.) Henslowe's price for
a new play never exceeded from eight to
sixteen pounds ; but shortly after, the price
rose to twenty and twenty-five pounds ;
and the second day's performance added to
the author's profits. A prologue fetched
from five to twenty shillings. Shareholders
of theatres derived great gains from per-
formances. In 1602, ten pounds were paid
to ' Burbidge's players ' for acting ' Othello '
before Queen Elizabeth.
WILLIAM PRYNNE, 1633.
Committed to the Tower for offending
412
276 Old Drury Lane.
Charles I. and his court ; sentenced to lose
his ears and stand in the pillory ; to have a
book of his writing, entitled ' Women
Actors, Notorious and Infamous,' burnt
publicly before his face. It happened that
about six weeks after the publication of this
diatribe the Queen acted a part in a pastoral
comedy at Somerset House. Archbishop
Laud, next day after the Queen had acted
her pastoral, showed Prynne's book against
plays to the King, informing him that it
had been purposely written against the
Queen and her acting, whereas it was pub-
lished six weeks before the pastoral comedy
was acted. ' A lie has short legs :' Laud
speedily learnt the truth of this trite pro-
verb ; imprisonment and the scaffold fol-
lowed in succession rapidly.
CURIOUS CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH
THE PATENT OF DRURY LANE.
' Her Majesty's servants attached to the
theatre, if passing through Windsor in the
Old Drury Lane. 277
exercise of their calling, may partake of a
dinner at the Castle. The lessee of Drury
Lane is entitled to wear the Royal uniform,
and to shoot over the Windsor estates.'
This grant was made to Killigrew, the
first patentee, by Charles II., and has
never been repealed.
BRASS CHECKS.
Checks used at Drury Lane, in the
reigns of Charles II. and James II., were
of brass, with the amount of admission on
one side, and the King's head on the other.
They are very scarce now.
FIRST INTRODUCTION OF HORSES ON
THE STAGE AT DRURY LANF.
'1669, July the nth. To the King's
Playhouse, to see an old play acted of
Shirley's, called ' Hyde Park/ the first
acted with horses. A moderate play; an ex-
cellent epilogue spoken by Beck Marshall,
the first female actress that appeared on
the stage.' Pepys.
278 Old Drury Lane.
MOVEABLE SCENERY was first introduced
by Sir William Davenant, lessee of Drury
Lane in the reign of Charles II.
At the end of the performance a clown
or jester recited a rambling string of verses,
termed a 'jig,' the actors all knelt on the
stage and prayed for the King or Queen.
KlLLIGREW, THE FlRST LESSEE OF
DRURY LANE, went with Charles II. to
Chatham Dockyard, to view a ship on the
stocks. The King asked Killigrew if he did
not think he should make an excellent
shipwright ? The wit replied that he
thought his Majesty would have done
better at any trade than his own.
DUKE'S AND KING'S COMPANIONS.
In January, 1672, the playhouse in
Drury Lane took fire, and was demolished,
with sixty houses. The managers of
Drury Lane and Covent Garden united
(Duke's and King's Companies), resolved
Old Drury Lane. 279
to open but one theatre. This was in
1682. The speculation did not prove pro-
fitable for directors or actors. The play
commenced at four o'clock. Ladies of
fashion used to take the evening air in
Hyde Park after the play.
WILLIAM WYCHERLEY.
William Wycherley, poet and play-
wright of Drury Lane, 1640, was highly pat-
ronised by the notorious Duchess of Cleve-
land. Being at Tunbridge Wells, he
chanced to enter a bookseller's shop in the
Well Walk, with a friend, just as the Coun-
tess of Drogheda, a rich young widow,
happened to be inquiring for the * Plain
Dealer,' one of Wycherley's comedies.
' Madam,' said Mr. Faulkner (Wych-
erley's companion), ' since you are for the
" Plain Dealer," here is for you ' (pushing
Wycherley towards her).
' Yes,' observed the dramatist, ' this lady
can bear plain dealing, for she appears to
280 Old Drury Lane.
be so accomplished that what would be
compliment said to others, spoken to her
would be plain dealing'
' No, truly, sir,' said the countess, ' I am
not without my failings, more than the rest
of my sex ; and yet, notwithstanding, I
love plain dealing, and am never more
fond of it than when it tells me of them/
' Then, madam,' said Faulkner, ' you
and the plain dealer seem designed by
Heaven for each other.'
Wycherley speedily married her, without
the consent of the King (Charles II.). This
brought the poet into disgrace. The
Countess was jealous of him to distraction,
and could never endure him out of her
sight. They lived in Bow-street, Covent
Garden, over against the Cock Tavern,
When he dined there with friends he was
obliged to leave the windows open, in order
that his lady might see there were no
women in the company.
Old Drury Lane. 281
GEORGE FARQUHAR.
George Farquhar, born at Londonderry
1678 ; of good birth and family, chose the
actor's profession from love of it. H e quitted
the stage owing to a sad accident. Using a
sword instead of a foil in Dryden's ' Indian
Emperor,' he unfortunately killed a brother
performer, Vasquerly, 1698. He produced a
comedy at Drury Lane, ' Love and a Bottle,'
1700. He furnished another comedy to
Drury, 'A Constant Couple.' The 'In-
constant ' followed, and afterwards ' The
Recruiting Officer,' ' Sir Harry Wildair,'
'Stage Coach,' 'Twin Rivals.' His last
and best-known comedy was the ' Beaux
Stratagem.' During the rehearsals he was
taken ill, and died before its production
His friend Wilks, the comedian, found
among his papers this expressive note ad-
dressed to himself :
282 Old Drury Lane.
' DEAR BOB,
' I have not anything to leave thee
to perpetuate my memory but two helpless
girls ; look upon them sometimes, and think
of him who was to the last moment of his
life, thine,
' G. FARQUHAR.'
Wilks, to his honour, did look after
Farquhar's daughters. He at once set to
work procuring benefits for his friend's
family.
ACTORS VAGRANTS.
Actors were vagrants in law, 1700.
Wanderers, among which are common
players of interludes, minstrels, jugglers,
fencers, bear-wards, all persons pretending
to be gypsies or wandering in the habits of
such, pretending skill in palmistry, or the
like, or to tell fortunes, and such as use
any subtle craft, unlawful games or plays,
begging, or running away from their wives,
Old Drury Lane. 283
they were committed to the House of
Correction, and there set to labour for three
months. Think of this law, brethren of the
sock and buskin ye who have had the
good-fortune to be born in a milder and
more tolerant age.
HANDEL AND SIGNORA CUZZONI.
The lady objected to sing. Handel
always maintained absolute rule over the
singers and the band.
' You will not sing, madame, eh ?'
' No,' replied Cuzzoni.
' You are a devil, madame, but I will
make you know that I am Beelzebub, the
chief of the devils ;' and seizing her by the
waist he swore that he would fling her out
of the window. She never objected to
sing again.
Handel, blessed with an enormous appe-
tite, usually indulged it without stint. On
one occasion he ordered a dinner for four
284 Old Dmry Lane.
at the ' Bedford,' Covent Garden. Punc-
tually to the hour fixed came Handel,
asking where the dinner was ?
WAITER : * Quite ready, sir, but the
company are not arrived.'
'Da company, bosh! I'm da company.
I always eat for four. Serve it directly.'
SALARIES OF ACTORS, AND PRICES OF
ADMISSION TO DRURY LANE IN 1733.
Colley Gibber, from the time that he sold
his share in the management till he quitted
the stage, 12 12$. per week. Theophilus
Gibber and his wife received $ each a
week ; Mills junr., 3 ; Mills senr., i per
day, and a benefit free of charge ; Johnson,
$ ; Miller, $ y besides a present of ten
guineas ; Griffin, \ and a present ;
Shepard, ^3 ; Hallam and his father
(though the latter is of no service), $ ;
Mrs. Heron, ^5 (raised from forty shillings
last winter, yet refused to play several parts
assigned her) ; Mrs. Butler, ^3 per week.
Old Drury Lane. 285
The prices at the theatre were ^s. the
boxes ; 2s. 6d. the pit ; is. 6d. first gallery,
and is. the second, except upon the first
run of a new play or pantomime, when the
boxes were $s. ; pit, 3^. ; first gallery, 2s.
VANBRUGH'S PROVOKED HUSBAND.
The ' Provoked Husband': a comedy by
Sir John Vanbrugh and Mr. Gibber.
CAST AT DRURY LANE IN 1770.
MEN.
LORD TOWNLEY (of a regular life), Mr.
Smith.
MR. MANLY (admirer of Lady Grace), Mr.
Wilson.
SIR FRANCIS WRONGHEAD (a country gen-
tleman), Mr. Bens ley.
SQUIRE RICHARD (son of Sir Francis, a
mere whelp), Mr. Parsons.
JOHN MOODY (servant to Sir Francis, an
honest man), Mr. Suett.
COUNT BASSET (a gamester), Mr. Dodd.
286 Old Drury Lane.
WOMEN.
LADY TOWNLEY (immoderate in her pursuit
of pleasure), Mrs. Brooks.
LADY GRACE (sister to Lord Townley, of
exemplary virtue), Mrs. Ward.
LADY WRONGHEAD (wife to Sir Francis,
inclined to be a fine lady), Mrs.
Hopkins.
Miss JENNY (daughter to Sir Francis, pert
and forward), Mrs. Forster.
MRS. MOTHERLY (one that lets lodgings),
Mrs. Love.
MYRTILLA (her niece, seduced by the
Count), Miss Heaph.
MRS. TRUSTY (Lady Townley 's woman),
Miss Barnes.
Scene laid in Lord Townley's house,
and sometimes in Sir Francis's lodgings.
A GOOD CAST.
ADDISON'S ' CATO.'
PORTIUS, by King George III. (then
Prince George of Wales) ; MARCIA, by the
Old Drury Lane. 287
Duchess of Brunswick (Princess Augusta).
Quin, the actor, was manager, and instructed
the performers. Prince George spoke a
prologue written by Mallet.
CATO, Master Nugent.
PORTIUS, Prince George.
JUBA, Prince Edward.
SEMPRONIUS, Master Evelyn.
Lucius, Master Montague.
SYPHAX, Lord North.
DECIUS, Lord Millington.
MARCUS, Master Madden.
MARCIA, Princess Augusta.
LUCIA, Princess Elizabeth.
This play was acted at Leicester House,
Leicester Fields, now Leicester Square.
THEATRE, AMSTERDAM CURIOUS
CUSTOM.
' The actors are all of them tradesmen,
who after their day 's work is over, earn
about another guilder a-night by perform-
ing kings and generals. The hero of the
288 Old Drury Lane.
tragedy was a journeyman tailor, and his
first minister of state a coffee man. The
empress keeps an ale-house in the suburbs of
Amsterdam. When the tragedy was over,
they played a short farce, in which the
cobbler did his part to a miracle ; but he had
really been working at his own trade, and
representing on the stage what he acted
every day in his own shop. The profits of
the theatre maintain a hospital, for as they
do not think the profession of an actor here
the only trade a man ought to exercise, so
they will not allow anybody to grow rich in
a calling that in their opinion so little con-
duces to the good of the common wealth. '-
Toiler.
LOVE IN A VILLAGE.
DRURY LANE,
Monday, October 25th, 1770.
His MAJESTY'S COMPANY,
At the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Old Drury Lane. 289
This day will be performed
' LOVE IN A VILLAGE.'
HAWTHORN, Mr. Vcrnon.
JUSTICE WOODCOCK, Mr. Parsons.
HODGE, Mr. Davis.
SIR WILLIAM MEADOWS, Mr. Aicken.
YOUNG MEADOWS, Mr. Webster.
LUCINDA, Miss Colett.
MADGE, Mrs. Wrighton.
DEBORAH, Mrs. Bradshaw.
ROSETTA, Mrs. Baddeley.
To which will be added :
' THE ELOPEMENT.'
HARLEQUIN, Mr. Wright.
CLOWN, Mr. Grimaldi.
PANTALOON, Mr. Bimn.
LOVER, Mr. Benton.
DRUNKEN VALET, Mr. Chaplin.
SCARAMOUCH, Mr. R. Palmer.
COUNTRY GIRLS, Miss Simson, Miss
Kirby.
COLUMBINE, Miss Colett.
VOL. ii. 42
290 Old Drury Lane.
Places for the Boxes to be had of Mr.
Fosbrook, at the Stage-door.
The Doors will be opened at half-past
Five ; to begin at half-past Six.
Vivant Rex et Regina.
FIRST ORATORIO AT DRURY LANE, 1775.
The following is a copy of the play-bill
of the first Oratorio at Drury Lane :
At the
THEATRE ROYAL IN DRURY LANE.
On Friday next, March 3rd, 1775,
Will be performed
' JUDAS MACCABEUS,' an Oratorio.
First Violin and a Concerto, by Mr.
BARTHOLOMEW.
And a Concert on the Organ, by Mr.
STANLEY.
Tickets to be had, and places for the
Boxes to be taken, of Mr. Johnson, at the
Old Drury Lane. 291
Stage-door of the Theatre, at a Half-Guinea
each.
Doors to be opened at Five o'clock ; to
begin exactly at half-past Six.
Vivant Rex et Regina.
Pit, 5$. / First Gallery, 35-. 6d. ; Second
Gallery, 2s.
PENKETHMAN'S BOOTH.
MAY FAIR, 1776 (suppressed). Penketh-
man's celebrated booth, prematurely brought
to a close in the West, was hastily removed
to Greenwich. His company announced
to open with a ' Mythological, Musical
Ballet of Action.' Sad mishaps befel the
gods and goddesses. Venus and Cupid
travelled on foot from London ; Mars got
drunk in the town, on his arrival, and
broke his landlord's head ; Juno quarrelled
with her husband Jupiter, and flew back to
town in a return post-chaise ; Mars was set
in the stocks for the assault. But the worst
42 2
29 2 Old Drury Lane.
part, the most melancholy of all, was that
Diana, star of the company, ran off with a
jolly young waterman, who rowed the
chaste goddess from the Tower stairs in his
wherry. It would seem that these disasters
retarded Penkethman's opening for a time ;
but, nothing daunted, he announced that he
had another Diana and a ' patient Grissel '
coming down by the next tide from
Billingsgate.
1 PLAY UP, NOSEY.'
This vulgar saying was directed to a
poor Italian violin-player, Cervetto, in
Drury Lane orchestra. His nose was un-
fortunately very large, on this account the
galleries always made fun of him ; at last
it became so bad that Cervetto was obliged
to quit the theatre. A poet of the day
wrote thus :
' Have ye not roar'd from pit to upper rows ?
And all the jest was what ? a fiddler's nose !
Pursue your mirth, each night the joke is stronger,
For as you fret the man his nose grows longer.'
Old Drury Lane. 293
In one of the most tender scenes in
1 Lear,' Garrick relates how the house
silent, enraptured by the great actor's
genius, the long-nosed musician gave a
loud yawn ; this set all the people laughing.
The enraged manager sent for Cervetto
and demanded why he behaved so ? In
broken English poor Nosey apologised :
' Sare, I begs ten tausend pardons, sare ;
but vcn mooch interested I always open ma
mouths and yawn very louds.' This excuse
did not satisfy ' little David ;' he was
forbidden to be so ' mooch ' interested
again.
MACKLIN AT BARRY'S FUNERAL.
MACKLIN, attending the funeral of Barry
in Westminster Abbey, pressed forward
to look at the grave. A verger remon-
strated, telling him not to crowd.
' Tush !' said Macklin, ' I want to see an
exact representation of the ceremony, for I
294 Old Drury Lane.
don't know how soon I may be called upon
to play a principal character in the same
tragedy.'
ANECDOTE OF G. A. STEVENS.
G. A. Stevens (comedian, Drury Lane),
actor and lecturer. Playing in a country
theatre Lorenzo, in the * Merchant of
Venice,' Stevens, being very imperfect in the
text, was hissed by the audience. Turning
to Jessica, he addressed the people *
* Oh, Jessica in such a night as this we came to town,
And since that night have touch'd but half-a-crown ;
Let you and I, then, bid these folks good-night,
Lest we by longer stay are starved quite.'
MANNERS OF LADIES VISITING DRURY
LANE, 1780.
4 It could well be wished that ladies
would be pleased to confine themselves to
whispering in their tete-a-tete conferences
at trie opera or the playhouse, which would
be a proper deference to the rest of the
Old Drury Lane. 295
audience. In France, we are told, it is
common for the parterre to join with the
performers in any favourite air ; but
we seem to have carried the custom still
further, -as the company in our boxes, with-
out concerning themselves in the least with
the play, are louder than the players. The
wit and humour of a Vanbrugh or a Con-
greve is frequently interrupted by a bril-
liant dialogue between two persons of
fashion ; or a love-scene in the side-boxes
has been more attended to than that on
the stage. I have seen our ladies titter at
the most distressing scenes in " Romeo and
Juliet," grin over the anguish of a Monimia
or Belvidera, and fairly laugh King Lear
off the stage. The whole behaviour of our
ladies is in direct contradiction to good
manners. They laugh when they should
cry, are loud when they should be silent,
and are silent when their conversation is
desirable.' Connoisseur.
296 Old Drury Lane.
STROLLERS, 1790.
' Our company are far above the usual
paltry strollers who run about the
country. These ladies and gentlemen are
from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane :
they have been employed there, in the
business of the drama, in a degree above
scene-shifters and message deliverers
"My lord, the carriage waits;" "Lady Betty
Modish." And the heroine of this company,
who had been employed at Drury Lane as
a dresser, now blubbers out Andromache
or Belvidera ; the attendants on a monarch
now strut as monarchs themselves ; mutes
find their voices ; these message-bearers
rise into heroes. The humour of our best
comedian consists of shrugs and grimaces,
he jokes in a wry mouth, and repartees in
a grin ; in fact, he practises all those dis-
tortions that gained him applause in town
from the galleries, when he played as a
Old Drury Lane. 297
super in pantomime. I was vastly pleased
at seeing a fellow in the character of Sir
Harry Wildair, whose chief action was a
continual pressing together of the thumb
and finger. I discovered Sir Harry was
no less a person than Mr. Cliphit, the
candle-snuffer at Old Drury. How
strangely the parts in " Cato " were cast !
Marcia was such an old woman, that when
Juba came on with his " Hail, charming
maid !" he could not help laughing. The
after-piece was " Lethe," and the part of a
Frenchman was played by a Welshman,
who, as he could not pronounce a word
of the French language, supplied its place
by speaking his native Welsh.
' The decorations (in theatrical parlance,
" properties ") of our company are as extra-
ordinary as the performers. Othello raves
about a checked handkerchief; the Ghost
of Hamlet stalks about in a postillion's
leathern jacket for armour ; Cupid enters
298 Old Drury Lane.
with a fiddle-case for a quiver. The apothe-
cary of the town is free of the theatre for
lending his pestle and mortar for a bell in
" Venice Preserved." Macbeth dashes a
pewter-pot at Banquo (glass would be ex-
pensive). Two of the mimic heroes wished
to play " Richard the Third ;" when the
curtain drew up they both rushed on the
stage at once, shouting " Now are our
brows bound with victorious wreaths."
Amidst roars of laughter, they both went
through the whole speech without stop-
ping.'
AN IRISH PLAY-BILL.
KILKENNY THEATRE ROYAL.
By his Majesty's Company of Comedians.
Positively the last night, because the
Company go to-morrow to Waterford.
On Saturday, May 14, 1793,
Will be performed, by desire and command
Old Drury Lane. 299
of several respectable people in this learned
Matrapolish,
For the benefit of Mr. Kearnes,
the Manager,
' THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF
DENMARK,'
Originally written and composed by the
celebrated Dan Hayes, of Limerick, and
insarted in Shakspeare's works.
HAMLET, by Mr. Kearnes (being his first
appearance in that character), and who
between the acts will perform several solos
on the patent bagpipes, which play two
tunes at the same time.
OPHELIA, by Miss Prior, who will intro-
duce several favourite airs in character,
particularly 'The Lass of Richmond Hill,'
and * We'll all be unhappy together,' from
the Rev. Mr. Dibdin's Oddities.
The parts of the King and Queen, by
directions of the Rev. Father O'Callagan,
Old Drury Lane.
will be omitted, as too immoral for any
stage.
Polonius, the comical politician, by a
young gentleman, being his first appearance
in public.
The Ghost, the Grave-digger, and
Laertes, by Mr. Sampson, the great
London Drury Lane comedian.
The characters to be dressed in Roman
shapes.
To which will be added an Interlude, in
which will be introduced several sleight-of-
hand tricks, by the celebrated surveyor,
Hunt.
The whole to conclude with the farce of
* MAHOMET THE IMPOSTOR.'
Mahomet by Mr. Kearnes.
Tickets to be had at the ' Goat's Beard,'
in Castle-street, of Mr. Kearnes.
The value of the tickets, as usual, will
be taken out, if required, in candles, bacon,
soap, butter, cheese, potatoes, etc., as Mr.
Old Drury Lane. 301
Kearnes wishes in every particular to ac-
commodate the public.
N.B. No smoking allowed, or swearing.
No person whatsoever will be admitted into
the boxes without shoes or stockings.
A ROYAL DECREE.
The Elector Duke of Wurtemberg
issued the following edict in 1802 :
' His most Serene Highness, having with
great displeasure perceived that many
persons dare hiss during the public per^
formances at the theatre, it is his High-
ness's will that in future any offender of
this description shall be taken out of the
playhouse by the military, and delivered
into the hands of justice for punishment.
His most Serene Highness further expects
that during his presence at the theatre,
no one shall hiss or applaud unless his
Highness himself, by his example, shall
give the signal for doing so.'
302 Old Drury Lane.
Not bad for a petty German potentate
with a territory not so large as Yorkshire.
Here was paternal government with a
vengeance !
AN EDICT ADDRESSED TO THE PREFECT
OF LYONS BY NAPOLEON I.
* French Theatres, Decree, 1802.
Government wishes the theatre to be
at once useful and moral, and an enter-
taining establishment. You are therefore
to refrain from bringing forward such
pieces as are only remarkable for their
obscenity, or the indecent wit they con-
tain ; such in which the wretched authors
wish to substitute libertinism for dramatic
genius. Select as much as possible the
ancient and modern productions which
are played at the French Theatre, and
in the Theatre Louvois. Hold in high
contempt all the rhapsodies of the inferior
theatres of the capital. With respect to
Old Drury Lane. 303
the opera and ballets, you are to reject
all such as in any manner can wound
delicacy and good manners.'
A decree of this character might with
great propriety be issued in this present
year of grace for the edification of the
playgoers of Great Britain.
CURIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT.
Drury Lane Theatre, January 2nd,
1796. 'Recruiting Officer,' and 'The
Children in the Wood.' A domestic mis-
fortune having happened to the principal
performer in the new pantomime, the
public are respectfully informed that its
representation must be postponed for a
few days.
TOM SPRING.
Tom Spring, the polite box office-keeper
of Drury Lane under Elliston's regime,
was a worshipper of rank and title, and
carried out the art of adulation to perfec-
304 Old Drury Lane.
tion. Precise, formal, a scrupulous dresser
(a la mode), he received his customers at
the Box-office with much mock grace and
absurd servility. To a commoner booking
places, he vouchsafed a bow and ' Thank
you ' ; to a baronet, a radiant smile, two
bows, and ' I am greatly obliged, sir ; ' to
a lord, Spring bowed three times lowly,
and * felt honoured by his lordship's patron-
age ' ; marquises and dukes received bows
without number ; ' Graces ' and ' most
noble,' with * grateful thanks ' in profusion ;
but if a Royal personage happened to
appear, poor little Beau Spring's head
almost touched the ground, while, with
downcast eyes and reverential manner,
' Your Royal Highness ' was constantly re-
peated until his illustrious visitor was out
of sight.
Courtly box-keeper ! your bland smiles
and hollow servility would pass unnoticed
in these matter-of-fact days. Bowing went
Old Drury Lane. 305
out with Old Vauxhall Gardens, powdered
wigs, pug-dogs, and pigtails.
ABSENCE OF MIND.
Harry Webb, comedian of Drury Lane,
lessee of the Queen's Theatre, Dublin,
produced ' Macbeth ' with new scenic
effects. Among the rest, clouds descended
to conceal the exit of the Three Witches
in the first scene. Webb, anxious to ascer-
tain the result, passed from the stage to the
front of the theatre, and peeping through
an opening at the back of the boxes, saw
but two witches instead of three ' meeting
' in thunder, lightning, and in rain.'
* Where's the other witch ?' cried Webb,
rushing behind the scenes, asking the
prompter ; ' fine him, sir fine him a week's
salary.'
' Please sir, it's yourself that missed the
scene.'
' Bless me, so it was ! Dear me, give
VOL. ii. 43
306 Old Drury Lane.
me a cloak, I'll go on in the next scene ;
and fine yourself, Jenkins, five shillings for
suffering me to neglect my business/
' Sir ?'
' Yes, five shillings ; it ought to be ten
shillings. I'll take five.'
QUEER ADVERTISEMENT.
Queer advertisement, 1809, inserted in
the papers, when Drury Lane was rebuild-
ing : ' Drury Lane opens at the Opera
House, Haymarket,the loth of next month.'
'HAMLET' AT THE OLD ROYALTY
THEATRE, 1818.
Carles, a good, legitimate actor, migrated
from Drury to the East. The old man
generally during his performances had
a little refreshment. This was sent at
eight o'clock each evening from a tavern
opposite the stage-door. A new pot-boy
was sent with the pint of ale, crust, and
cheese, and told by the landlady to give it
Old Drury Lane. 307
to Mr. Carles. This he carried out to the
letter. The stage was level with the
street, and there was no one to direct him.
' Pots ' hearing Carles's voice, hurried on
the stage before the audience, just at these
words in Hamlet's soliloquy, ' To be, or
not to be.'
POTS : ' To be, to be sure, sir ; here I
be, pint o' ale and crust.'
He did not remain there long. A kick
from the Royal Dane sent ale, crust, and
the unfortunate bearer into Wells-street.
No more Shakespeare that night. When-
ever the Prince of Denmark entered, a
titter accompanied him.
THEATRICAL JOCKEYSHIP.
Theatrical Jockeyship. - - Race-course,
Drury Lane ; gentlemen jockeys, Elliston
and Ducrow; equestrian stakes, ^50 per
week ; won in a canter by Ducrow.
Elliston, in order to give additional effect
432
308 Old Drury Lane.
to a spectacle produced at Drury Lane on
an Easter Monday, ' The Cataract of the
Ganges,' engaged Ducrow' s horses. One
had to ascend a roaring cataract of real
water, carrying a lady. The piece was
rehearsed daily; the horses and their riders
were in attendance, but no Ducrow. This
went on for a week or two, till Manager
Elliston grew uneasy. The horses by
themselves were useless ; no one could
manage them. He wrote to Ducrow, re-
questing his presence. The great man
came.
ELLISTON : * My dear Ducrow, where
have you been ? Your horses and men
are in a fog. They cannot move without
your direction. My piece will be ruined.'
DUCROW (smiling) : ' Sorry for that, but
I cannot help it.'
' Not help it, man ? What do you
mean ? You are engaged to appear here,
sir here, Monday week.'
Old Driiry Lane. 309
* No, no, governor ; you're wrong. My
horses are ; not Andrew Ducrow.'
It was a fact; his name had been omitted
in the agreement, only Ducrow's horses
and riders named. Poor Elliston saw his
position, and, with a sigh, gave the wily
equestrian ^50 per week more for Andrew
Ducrow's services. All went well, and the
piece proved a hit ; but Elliston paid the
stakes to the clever jockey Ducrow with
a very ill grace, be sure !
ANNOUNCEMENT. DRURY LANE PLAY-
BILL.
Monday, November 22, 1819.
The public is respectfully informed that
the Pit is filled to overcrowding fifteen
minutes after the doors are opened
opened precisely at half-past six.
' RICHARD THE THIRD.'
GLOSTER, Mr. Kean.
RICHMOND, Mr. Elliston.
310 Old Drury Lane.
A SPEAKING PANTOMIME, BY GARRICK.
A speaking pantomime, written by
Garrick, played at the Theatre Royal,
Drury Lane.
April loth, 1820.
* HARLEQUIN SHAKESPEARE ;
or,
THE INVASION.'
Characters by Madame Vestris, Miss
Povey, Mrs. Harlowe ; Messrs. Munden,
Harley, Keeley, G. Smith, Oxberry,
Knight, and Gattie.
CAST OF 'OTHELLO' AT DRURY LANE, 1827.
OTHELLO, Mr. Kean.
I AGO, Mr. Charles Young.
CASSIO, Mr. James Wallack.
BRABANTIO, Mr. Archer.
RODERIGO, Mr. Browne.
MONTANO, Mr. Mercer.
DESDEMONA, Miss Foote.
EMILIA, Mrs. Glover.
Old Drury Lane.
SHAKESPEARE'S HOUSE, 1828.
A butcher's shop. When I saw it there
was a board over the doorway, informing the
public that ' This is Shakespeare's house :
he was born here. A Horse and Cart to let.'
FALL OF THE BRUNSWICK THEATRE,
FEBRUARY 20TH, 1828.
This dreadful catastrophe occurred to a
theatre built on the ruins of the Old
Royalty Theatre, burnt down. Mr.
Carruthers, a city merchant, bought and
opened the Brunswick. First, alas ! and
only piece, * Mermaid's Well ;' founded on
Sir Walter Scott's romance. EDGAR OF
RAVENSWOOD, Mr. Osbaldiston. The new
building fell in during a rehearsal, killing
many performers, and causing great con-
sternation in London at the time.
MILTON STREET PLAY-HOUSE, 1828.
Formerly the 'Grub-street,' of poor poets.
A chapel converted into a small theatre,
by John Philip Chapman (proprietor of the
312 Old Dmry Lane.
Sunday Times paper, and its originator).
Chapman married Anne Tree, a sister of
Mrs. Charles Kean, and thus became
theatrical. His speculation paid, for he
displayed tact and spirit in his manage-
ment. He formed a capital company, in-
cluding Ellen Tree, Mrs. Selby, Mrs.
Egerton, Selby, G. Bennett, and Keeley.
A star of the first magnitude, Edmund
Kean, appeared at this queer little place.
The Irish tale of 'The Colleen Bawn,' taken
from ' The Collegians,' and dramatised by
Boucicault in after years, was produced here.
This first version, * Eily O'Connor/ ap-
peared in 1828. Chapman unfortunately
was compelled to give up this theatre. Mer-
cantile difficulties fell heavily upon a clever,
generous man. Charles Kean, greatly to
his honour, came to the rescue, assisting
his sister-in-law and children. Milton-
street Theatre resumed its original uses,
and again became a sectarian chapel.
Old Drury Lane. 313
DROPPING H'S AT DRURY LANE.
* Woodman's Hut/ a piece patronised by
our grandfathers, crammed full of sensation,
prominently a burning forest. A new
actor was cast as one of three robbers,
prime agents in villany and crime, Wallack
and J. Smith being his fellow-scamps.
Scene, a forest the ' Woodman's Hut ;'
Time, Night. Three thieves enter to ex-
tremely cautious music (a rule in the old
melodramas when anything wicked had to
be done).
FIRST ROBBER (the new comer to his
comrades) : ' 'Ush ! I see a nouse ' (pointing
to the hut).
SECOND ROBBER (enjoying the joke) :
' No, Blunderby, it's a nut'
THIRD ROBBER (Wallack) : ' No, fool,
it's a Habitation'
Roars of laughter greeted this wholesale
dropping of h's. This was in 1831, under
Elliston's management.
314 Old Drury Lane.
LITTLE PHIL STONE.
A Drury Lane character off the stage,
a very small Majesty's servant, styled
' stage-property man ' very important to
the well-doing of performances. Juliet
could not commit suicide without the aid of
this humble official ; he supplies the poison.
What would Macbeth do without daggers ?
Duncan would sleep on unharmed ; Vir-
ginius' knife was quite as important as
himself. Stone ruled his properties in a
right royal fashion, selecting what he
pleased, giving what he thought proper.
A juvenile author of a farce objected to a
sofa in one of his scenes. This roused
Phil's ire (Phil, I must mention, lisped, and
had little or no acquaintance with Lindley
Murray).
' Not likes it, sir (with a lisp} ?' ' That
'ere sofy not good enough for a farce ? why,
Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Siddons 'as sot on it
Old Drury Lane. 315
many a time. It'll last longer than your
piece, I'll lay.'
Stone embarked his savings in a small
tripe and sheep's-head shop, in a court near
Drury Lane where he sold savoury re-
lishes, hot sheep's-heads and baked potatoes.
A good trade sprang up among the perform-
ers for Phil's snacks. One of the rogues told
the little man that Macready had ordered a
' head and taters,' after his 'William Tell' one
night. Here was honour ! the great tragedian
supping off one of his heads ! Stone's wife
prepared everything in apple-pie order
clean white napkin, cover, etc., Phil being
ordered to carry the head upstairs to
Macready's dressing-room. After the play
comes a gentle tap at the sacred door.
VOICE INSIDE : * Who's there ?'
REPLY OUTSIDE (faintly) : ' Sheep's-head,
please, sir.'
Loud roar inside, and a rush to the door
(tragic) :
316 Old Drury Lane.
1 What the devil is that, sir ?'
STONE: 'A hot 'un, Mr. Macready, sir,
and browned taters for you my wife seed
to 'em herself.'
Down went the head, potatoes, and pro-
perty-man ; with threats and imprecations
directed to heads in general especially
baked !
VAN AMBURGH, 'THE LION KING,' AT
DRURY LANE.
This speculation of introducing wild
animals and their tamer was Bunn's ; it
proved profitable, such was the people's
taste ! Empty benches to Shakespeare full
houses for caged lions, tigers, and leopards.
Our Queen frequently honoured Van Am-
burgh's daring performances by her pre-
sence before and behind the curtain.
NAPOLEON III. AT A JUDGE AND JURY
CLUB.
Garrick's Head, Bow-street, a club, founded
and presided over by Baron Nicholson. A
Old Drury Lane. 317
burlesque court of law, famed for audacity,
wit, and gross immorality, attracted high and
low to its pestilential purlieux, Prince Louis
Napoleon, then in exile, among the rest.
He was entrapped by card-sharpers to play
deeply, and of course lost. He gave bills
to the amount of ^"600. These bills were
negotiated by E. T. Smith, lessee of Drury
Lane. Fortunately the prince discovered
the fraud. ' Paulton and Co.' found them-
selves at the bar of the Old Bailey ;
sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and
Louis Napoleon's bills cancelled. Smith
had not passed them, luckily for him.
When Napoleon became Emperor, Smith
had the impudence to write to him, asking
permission to open a Cremorne Gardens
in Paris ; but no reply was vouchsafed
by the new occupant of the Tuileries.
Moreover the scheme had long ago been
anticipated by the pleasure-loving Parisians,
this being one of the things that they order
318 Old Drury Lane.
better in France, as the witty Yorick
remarked.
CHARLES KEMBLE AND NAPOLEON III.
Kemble, rather deaf, spoke loudly ; talk-
ing to Fladgate at the ' Garrick Club,
observing a gentleman standing before the
fire:
' Fladgate, who's that new man in the
hat?'
' Allow the man in the hat to answer for
himself I am Louis Napoleon, delighted
to hear Mr. Kemble's voice, on or off the
stage.'
ADELPHI < JERRY;
Yates detested dogs, and forbade any of
the canine tribe to be brought into the
theatre. This ukase against the ladies'
pets produced consternation among the
theatrical sisterhood. During a rehearsal
a roguish-looking cur, a sort of mongrel
terrier, found his way on the stage.
Old Drury Lane. 319
Tableau of horror ! Yates speedily kicked
him out, nothing afeard. He came again
the next day, and despite of kicks and
cuffs continued his visits daily, to the in-
tense delight of the ladies. Our manager
gave up the contest, vowing it was a * dog
fiend.' Jerry, so christened by our call-
boy, had an ear for music always sat near
the big drum, appearing to be delighted by
the sound, frisking and barking during the
dancing (ballet). Jerry jumped, rolled, etc.,
trying to bite the ladies' feet. A dress
rehearsal being held, Jerry was strictly pro-
hibited from entering. No avail : there he
was, covered with mud, by his favourite
drum. Yates, enraged, ordered him to be
tied to the prompt-table, fearing he would
spoil the dresses. Music commenced, big
drum, very loud in certain passages. This
was too much for poor Jerry away he
dashed, draggmg table, books, ink, upset-
ting the prompter, knocking down Yates,
320 Old Drury Lane.
before he reached his beloved drum ! Uni-
versal uproar, laughter, screams, curses,
and broomsticks, drove Jerry out at the
stage-door. He never returned. Some
weeks after this he was seen in St. James's
Park following the band, walking close to
the big drum. Hailed by his friend the call-
boy, Jerry wagged his tail and marched on.
YATES DYING.
Yates, dying, complained to a friend that
he had been refused an order by the
managers of Drury Lane.
' That was unkind,' said his friend, ' to
an old servant.'
' Yes ; when my admission could not
have kept a living soul out of the house. I
only wanted their order to let me be buried
under the stage.'
PUNCH'S PANTOMIME, 1842.
f Punch's Pantomime, or Harlequin King
John and Magna Charta,' produced and
Old Drury Lane. 321
written by the writers of Punch Mark
Lemon, Gilbert A'Beckett, Tom Hood,
Albert Smith, Douglas Jerrold, etc. per-
formed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden
(under Madame Vestris's management), on
Boxing-night, 1842. Despite the talented
concoctors, authors, etc., of this Christmas
offering to the public, a signal failure at-
tended it. Those that saw ' Punch ' on the
stage came away disappointed. ' Too
many cooks spoil the broth,' so runs the
adage, verified in this case. ' Punch '
proved unsavoury and unprofitable.
ORIGINAL CAST AND BILL OF * PUNCH'S
PANTOMIME.'
OBERON (a mere wreck of the Rex of the
Fairies), Miss Kendall.
TITANIA (a Queen to match), Mrs. Emden.
PUCK (mischief-maker to the Court by
appointment), Miss James.
PUNCH (the peripatetic), Miss Taylor.
VOL. IT. 44
322 Old Drury Lane.
PEA-BLOSSOM, Miss Hunt.
MOTH, Miss Partridge.
COBWEB, Miss A. Payne.
MUSTARD-SEED, Miss A. Hunt.
KING JOHN (a character naturally drawn by
Shakespeare, now a little over-drawn
by Punch), Mr. W. H. Payne.
COUNT LA MARCHE (a Conjugal Paradox,
who evidently didn't know his own
interests, being angry with the man
who stole his wife), Mr. J. Ridg-
way.
BARON FITZWALTER (editor of ' Magna
Charta' and other * Popular Informa-
tion for the People '), Mr. S. Smith.
AARON LEVI (a Jew, standing in the rela-
tion of uncle to most of the Barons),
Mr. T. Ireland.
HUBERT (the King's table-decker and odd
man, with touch of human nature,
according to Hume and Smollett), Mr.
T. Ridgway.
Old Drury Lane. 323
LORD CHANCELLOR (generally wool-gather-
ing), Mr. Braithwaite.
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, Mr.
Gough.
BARON DE AUDLEY, Collett.
BARON DE SMITH, Butler.
BARON DE JONES, Burt.
BARON DE BROWN, Connell.
BARON DE ROBINSON, Melville.
BARON DE NATHAN, Hodge.
BARON DE POTTS, Sherwood.
BARON DE ROE, Jones.
BARON DE GREEN, Davis.
BARON DE TIMS, Sharpe.
BARON DE GIBS, Gledhill.
BARON DE JINKS, Macarthy.
BARON DE DOBBS, Barker.
BARON DE WHITE, Healey.
BARON DE PHIPPS, Gznchard.
BARON DE THOMS, Morgan.
Musical Conductor, Warder, Messengers,
Retainers, etc., etc.
442
324 Old Dntry Lane.
AVISA (Queen No. i, and late Countess la
Marche), Miss Garden.
ISABELLA (Queen No. 2, on a separate
maintenance), Miss Moore.
Fairies.
The overture and the whole of the
music hetero- and in-geniously selected and
omposed by Mr. R. Hughes.
The scenery by T. and W. Grieve.
The mechanical changes, transmogrifica-
tions, and decorations, designed and exe-
cuted by Mr. W. Bradwell.
The dresses (not after Stultz, but some
considerable time before), by Miss Glover
and Miss Rayner.
The multifarious machinery by Mr. H.
Sloman.
The pantomime produced (with all the
gorgeousness of the East) under the direc-
tion of Mr. W. West, junr.
Old Drury Lane. 325
ORATORIOS.
During Lent, at Drury Lane and Covent
Garden, on given Wednesdays and
Fridays, foreign vocalists and English
musicians of reputation gave these sacred
musical entertainments. A bold attempt
to unite scenic and dramatic effects with
music was made at Covent Garden, in
' Moses in Egypt.' Hebrews were seen
passing through the Red Sea, singing
hymns of praise ; Pharaoh and his host
sinking beneath the waves. The Bishop
of London remonstrated in the House of
Lords ; and Moses was forbidden to cross
the Red Sea for the future. Exeter Hall still
gives these musical morceaux with fine
bands and numerous choruses, led by Sir
Michael Costa.
WILLIAM BEVERLEY.
This clever scenic artist is a worthy
inheritor of the position in Old Drury once
3 2 6 Old Drury Lane.
held by Clarkson Stanfield .and David
Roberts. The talents of this inventive
man have been for many years confined
scenically to Drury Lane. He it is who
correctly and artistically illustrates the
plays, pantomime openings, etc., that have
created so much attention and won so
much patronage. in this temple of Thespis.
Honest work ! no resorting to tricky, real-
istic effects, etc., in order to win momentary
applause. Garish colours are eschewed by
this true artist. Nature and nature's laws
are strictly adhered to : meretricious devices
scattered to the winds. Beverley lives at
once to please the million and to satisfy
connoisseurs.
' 26, Russell Square,
'Sept. 26, 1871.
1 MY DEAR MR. STIRLING,
' I am truly sorry that you have
found it necessary to withdraw from Drury
Lane. At the same time, I think you
Old Drury Lane. 327
have done the right thing. Without
respect paid to the position you held, no
business could go properly on. I am very
glad you think we have worked comfort-
ably together, for such was my intention,
and I hope we shall soon meet again.
* With every kind wish,
' Believe me, yours sincerely,
'W. R. BEVERLEY.
' E. Stirling, Esq.'
ANDERSON, THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH.
Covent Garden Theatre, built 1808,
opened 1809, from designs of Sir R.
Smirke, at a cost of ,150,000, was totally
destroyed by fire in 1856.* Lessee, the
Wizard of the North Anderson. This
extraordinary man had travelled all over
the known globe, seeking adventure and
gold. A fatality attended his theatrical
enterprises : every theatre that he rented
* The present Covent Garden was bailt by E. M.
Barry.
328 Old Drziry Lane.
was burnt Glasgow, Liverpool, Covent
Garden. Was this a conjuror's trick, or
chance ? a question still unanswered.
Strange to relate, the destruction of his
theatres never occurred in the pantomime
season ; always after. Suffice it, the
Wizard tried many schemes of legerde-
main, but it was out of fashion ; rivals had
exhibited ' sleight of hand ' in a new style,
' without collusion.' The last time I saw
Anderson was at the Railway Hotel,
Liverpool, and the Claimant of the Tich-
borne estates was with him, hatching con-
juring tricks for Westminster Hall. It is
a curious coincidence that the Australian
witness, Jean Luie, appeared on the
scene a short time after this meeting at
Liverpool. Aztec children, talking fish
(a la Barnum), and acting Rob Roy, filled
up our Wizard's leisure hours, quite apart
from his nightly magic. Anderson died
poor, as he commenced.
Old Drury Lane. 329
THE QUEEN AND THE VOCALIST.
Miss Louisa Pyne, shortly after com-
mencing her management of Covent
Garden in 1858, was engaged to sing at
one of her Majesty's private concerts, at
Buckingham Palace. The Queen and
the Prince Consort complimented her on
her singing ; her Majesty kindly in-
quiring how her managerial speculation
answered.
' Your Majesty, very well. "Lurline," a
new opera by Wallace, is drawing good
houses.'
The Queen seemed delighted to hear it,
and responded :
* Miss Pyne, let it run ; make all the
money you can, and take care to keep
it.'
Counsel convincing as any demonstration
in mathematics.
33 Old Drury Lane.
THE PRINCE CONSORT AND THE FAIRV
RIFLES AT COVENT GARDEN.
The threatened French invasion roused
the British lion, male and female, to arm.
Tennyson's * Form, form ! Riflemen, form !'
helped the movement. Producing a pan-
tomime at Covent Garden, with the aid of
a drill-sergeant, I formed a fairy rifle corps
of ladies, with silver rifles and beautiful
uniform. The idea took well with the
public. Her Majesty, the Prince Consort,
and the Royal children came to see their
manoeuvring in the ballet scene sixty
pretty girls. After the performance, Har-
rison was sent for by the Prince, who told
him how much her Majesty and himself
were pleased.
' Little fear of invasion now, Mr. Harri-
son, with such defenders as your Fairy
Corps. No soldiers in Europe could
resist the fire of such riflemen's eyes/
Old Drury Lane. 331
LORD LYTTON'S 'SEA-CAPTAIN.'
It was proposed to revive a play of Lord
Lytton's, ' The Sea-Captain,' originally
acted at the Hay market, under Macready.
Considerable alterations were to be made
in the text by the author. He wrote to
me on the subject :
' Buxton, Derbyshire,
'Sept. 12, 1868.
' DEAR SIR,
' My copy of the play has gone to
the printer's. If not too great a trouble,
can I ask you to let me have another, in-
cluding the last corrections ?
* Yours,
' LYTTON.'
The play, rewritten, was produced under
a new title as * The Rightful Heir,' at the
Lyceum Theatre, October 3, 1868.
33 2 Old Drury Lane.
A LETTER OF CHARLES DICKENS.
Charles Dickens, then giving his last
readings at St. James's Hall, was urgently
solicited by the ladies and gentlemen of
the theatrical profession to give two or
three morning readings, that they might
have an opportunity of hearing him. His
reply was as follows :
' Gad's-hill-place,
* Higham by Rochester, Kent,
'Wednesday, March 24, 1869.
' LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
' I beg to assure you that I am
much gratified by the desire you do me
the honour to express in your letter
handed to me by Mr. John Clarke.
' Before that letter reached me I had
heard of your wish, and had mentioned to
Messrs. Chappell that it would be highly
agreeable to me to anticipate it if possible.
Old Drury Lane. 333
They readily responded, and we agreed
upon having three morning readings in
London. As they are not yet publicly
announced, I add a note of the days and
subjects :
'Saturday, May ist, " Boots at the Holly-
Tree Inn," and " Sikes and Nancy,"
from " Oliver Twist."
'Saturday, May 8th, " The Christmas
Carol."
'Saturday, May 22nd, "Sikes and
Nancy," from " Oliver Twist," and
"The Trial," from "Pickwick."
' With the warmest interest in your art,
and in its claims upon the general gratitude
and respect,
' Believe me always
' Faithfully your friend,
' CHARLES DICKENS.*
' To the ladies and gentlemen my corres-
pondents through Mr. Clarke.'
* See * Letters of Charles Dickens,' vol. ii. pp.
418, 419.
334 Old Drury Lane.
MR. SOTHERN.
I asked ' Lord Dundreary' (Sothern) for
his photograph. His lordship kindly com-
plied with my request, and sent it with the
following note :
' 121, Harley-street, W.,
'July 1 6, 1871.
' DEAR STIRLING,
' Here you are, or rather here /
am ! There's a good deal of the melan-
choly nigger minstrel about it ; but it's
the best I have. Your criticism is far
too kind ; but all actors have a dash of
vanity, and it's pleasant to have one's hair
rubbed down the right way sometimes.
Yes, I'm off to America in September, open-
ing there on the 23rd October ; and, D.V.,
you'll see me back again in Old England
about April next.
' Ever yours truly,
' E. A. SOTHERN.'
Old Drury Lane. 335
WILLIAM ALEXANDER.
William Alexander, proprietor of the
Glasgow Theatre, a remarkable character,
well known in Scotland for economy and
for looking after the * bawbees.' After
many years' toil and penurious living
he managed to purchase the ground in
Dunlop-street, Glasgow, and build a fine
theatre. This building of stone was
graced with statues of Shakespeare,
Milton, Scott, Byron, etc. ; above all
(perhaps with pardonable vanity) William
Alexander. Declining years brought re-
tirement to the canny Scot ; but his savings
were unfortunately invested in the Western
Bank of Scotland, and after his death a
sad event occurred its failure ! which to
his widow brought poverty. , Alexander
being taken ill in London, was induced,
after much persuasion, to send for a cele-
brated physician. When Sir William
336 Old Drziry Lane.
Forbes saw him, he told him to prepare
for death, his case being hopeless. Poor
Alexander, starting wildly up in his bed,
' Ye dunna mean to say that I am to die,
doctor ?'
FORBES : ' I fear there is no chance of
your recovery, Mr. Alexander.'
'What! after all my working and striving
for forty years, not live not live to enjoy
it ?' (with a deep groan] ; ' then it's a cursed
shame.'
Few persons know how to be old.
E. L. BLANCHARD.
Dairy's comic poet and pantomimic
historian of fairy lore, Lord of Misrule,
children's master of Christmas revels.
This cheery, amiable man seems ever
green. No clouds beset E. L. Blan-
chard, without silver lining. He is the
son of a worthy sire, an excellent actor
of character and old men's parts at Covent
Garden, under the Kemble regime. He is
Old Drury Lane. 337
an impartial critic in the Era and the Daily
Telegraph, the author of useful and interest-
ing works ; but more essentially is he the
friend of children author and concoctor
of their Christmas wonders. What would
Christmas holidays be, or Christmas pud-
ding, without Blanchard's racy bill of fare
at Old Drury ?
HOW TO WRITE AN ORIGINAL ENGLISH
PLAY.
Let a regular dramatic cook take two
French pieces, strip them of their idioms,
mix them well up together, spiced with a
few jokes from Mr. Joseph Miller, no
matter how often they have been used ;
throw in English names by way of season-
ing. When the whole is properly dressed,
send the MS. to a manager. Served up
in a proper theatre, with the aid of good
actors, the piece goes down as a genuine
English composition (a recipe from the
famous Dr. Kitchener).
VOL. IT. 45
338 Old Drury Lane.
THE DUKES OF BEDFORD AND THE TWO
GREAT THEATRES.
Dukes of Bedford, ground landlords of
Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres.
This fortunate family are indebted largely
to their wise and politic ancestor, Sir W.
Russell, a prime favourite of Henry VIII.
Russell, one of the pious King's executors
and commissioner of sequestrated Church
property, had a goodly share in the whole-
sale plunder of monasteries, convents, and
monkish establishments. Henry's Royal
grants, Woburn Abbey, Tavistock Priory,
the Convent lands (hence at this day
Covent* Garden Market and Theatre),
Drury Lane, were all wrested from the
Catholic Church, and are now of immense
value. When we reflect that previous to
this spoliation the poor, the aged, and the
destitute were supported by monastic estab-
lishments, dole-giving at every gate with
* A corruption of Convent.
Old Drury Lane. 339
unsparing hand there were no poor's rates
or workhouses before Elizabeth's reign of
glorious memory the change does not
seem altogether for the better. The motto
of the illustrious house of Bedford indicates
their belief in their own rights. ' Che sara
sara ' Whatever is, is right.
CURIOUS OLD PLAYS, ETC.,
15121774.
'CANDLEMAS DAY, OR THE KILLING OF
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL,' 1512.
'A Mysterie.' In this old play the
Hebrew soldiers swear by Mahomet, who
was not born till 600 years after ; Herod's
messenger is named ' Watkin,' and the
knights are directed to walk about the
stage, while Mary and the infant are con-
veyed to Egypt.
FIRST REGULARLY CONSTRUCTED PLAY
(the scene laid in London) is called
' Ralph Royster Doyster.' It was produced
452
34O Old Drury Lane.
in the reign of Henry VIII. It is in five
acts and thirteen scenes.
'JACOB AND ESAU/
An Interlude, 1568. This is a very early
piece, written in metre, and printed in old
black-letter. Its full title runs thus: 'A
new, merry, and witty Comedie or Enter-
lude newlie imprinted, treating upon the
Historic of Jacob and Esau, taken out of
the 2 yth chapter of the first book of Moses,
entitled Genesis.' In the title-page are
the parts and names of the players, who are
to be considered Hebrews, 'and so should
be apparailed with attire.'
< THE FOUR PS,'
A merry Interlude of a Palmer, a Par-
doner, a 'Potycary, and a Pedlar, by John
Fleetwood, 1569. This is one of the first
plays that appeared in the English lan-
guage ; it is written in metre, and is not
divided into acts.
Old Drury Lane. 341
'APP1US AND VIRGINIA,'
A tragedy by R. P., 1576, in black-
letter, and not divided into acts, ' where in '
(as it is set forth in the title-page) * is lively
expressed a rare example of the vertue of
chastity in wishing rather to be slaine at
her owne Fathers hands then to become a
victim of the wicked Judge Appius.' This
old play is evidently the source of Sheridan
Knowles's ' Virginius,' performed originally
at Glasgow, and reproduced at Drury Lane
by Macready. Virginius was one of Mac-
ready's best personations. It always com-
manded good houses, and gave universal
satisfaction.
< THE SCHOOL OF ABUSE.'
A book entitled ' The School of Abuse/
written by Stephen Gosson, 1579. A plea-
sant abuse against poets, pipers, players,
jesters, and such like caterpillars of the
Commonwealth, dedicated to Sir Philip
Sidney.
342 Old Drury Lane.
AN OLD PLAY.
An old play, called * The Pleasant and
Stately Morall of the Three Lords and
Three Ladies of London/ 1590, written by
one Paul Bucke (whose name is subscribed
at the end, * Finis Paul Bucke),' is a curious
tribute to the memory of Tarlton, Queen
Elizabeth's jester and Shakespearian clown,
who died only a short time before. Sim-
plicity, a clown, a sort of inferior Autolycus,
enters with a basket, singing ballads ; after-
wards a countryman takes what is called a
picture * of Tarlton ' out of the basket, and
asks who it is. Simplicity pronounces an
eulogium upon him, ending thus :
' But it was the merriest fellow that had such jests in
store,
That if thoti hadst seen him, thou wouldst have
laughed thy heart sore.'
'A WARNING FOR FAIR WOMEN.'
Tragedy, 1590. This old play was
greatly in vogue in Queen Elizabeth's time.
Old Drury Lane. 343
The plot was founded on facts, viz. ' the
most lamentable and tragical murder of Mr.
George Saunders, of London, at Shooter's
Hill the crime consented unto by his own
wife, assisted by Captain George Brown,
Mrs. Dury, and Trusty Roger, agents
therein, with their several ends at Tyburn
Tree.' This play is printed in black-letter ;
the above is a transcript of the title-page.
< DAVID AND BETHSABE,'
Their loves and consequences, with the
tragedy of Absalom's death, divers times
played on the stage with musick, 1 599. The
title of this play speaks for itself. It was
several times acted with applause at the
Cock-pit in Drury Lane."*
'SIR GYLES GOOSE/
A comedy, 1606. This play was first
acted by the children of the Chapel Royal,
with great applause. It was afterwards
* The Cock-pit was the site of Drury Lane Theatre.
344 Old Dritry Lane.
presented at a private house in Salisbury-
court, and finally at Lincoln's Inn Fields
Theatre.
' LINGUA.'
' Lingua, or the Combat of the Tongue
and the Five Senses for superiority/ a
serious comedy (author unknown), 1607.
At the first performance of it at Trinity
College, Cambridge, Oliver Cromwell, then
a scholar, acted the part of Tacitus in it.
The scene is laid in a grove Microcos-
mus. Time, from morning till night.
'THE SHOEMAKERS HOLIDAY, OR THE
GENTLE CRAFT,
' With the humours of Simson Eyre, shoe-
maker and Lord Mayor of London.' A
comedy, 1610. It is dedicated to all good
fellows, professors of the gentle craft, of
what degree soever. It is printed in black-
letter, and not divided into acts.
'THE MASQUE OF FLOWERS,' 1614.
This Masque was presented by gentle-
Old Drury Lane. 345
men of Gray's Inn, at the Court at
Whitehall, in the Banqueting-house, upon
Twelfth Night, 1613, and was one of the
solemnities and magnificences which were
performed at the marriage of the Earl of
Somerset, the favourite of James I. (the
suspected poisoner of Sir Edmund God-
frey).
CUPID'S WHIRLIGIG,'
A Comedy, 1616. Coxeter relates that
this play was entered at Westminster Hall
as Shakespeare's, but at that time thought
falsely, in order to make it sell. A lie has
short legs.
'ANYTHING FOR A QUIET LIFE/
A Comedy, by T. Middleton. Acted at
Blackfriars, 1625. The plot of this play is
a game at Chess, played between the
Church of England and the Church of
Rome, wherein the former comes off vic-
torious ; Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuit, being
a spectator. This play was in much
346 Old Drury Lane.
esteem before the breaking out of the Civil
Wars.
"THE NEW INN, OR LIGHT HEART/
A Comedy, by Ben Jonson, 1631. It did
not succeed, according to the author's idea.
He published on the title-page this tirade :
' " The New Inn, or the Light Heart," a
Comedy, never acted, but most shamefully
played by some of the King's men
(servants), and more squeamishly censured
by others the King's subjects, 1629, now
at last set at liberty to the readers to be
judged by themselves.'
'WHEN YOU SEE ME, YOU KNOW ME;
' Or, the famous Chronicle History of King
Henry VIII., with the birth and virtuous
life of Edward, Prince of Wales,' by Sam.
Rowley, 1632. The plot of this piece is
taken from Lord Herbert's * Life of Henry
VIII.,' and other English historians. The
scene lies in England.
Old Driiry Lane. 347
* CRUELTY OF THE SPANIARDS.'
Oliver Cromwell (1658) at the play,
Cock-pit, Drury-lane, to see a piece called
* The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru,'
expressed by instrumental and vocal music,
and by the art of perspective scenery ; re-
presented daily at the Cock-pit, in Drury-
lane, at three in the afternoon, punctually.
Cromwell, who had prohibited all theatrical
representations, not only allowed this piece
to be performed, but even himself read and
approved of it. The reason assigned for
this was that it strongly reflected on the
Spaniards, against whom he had formed
some considerable state design.
< THE BIRTH OF MERLIN,'
A tragi-comedy, by W. Rowley. The
scene lies in Britain ; the story is taken
from Geoffrey of Monmouth. Shakes-
peare was once believed to have assisted
in writing this play, and his name is on the
348 Old Drury Lane.
title-page of the edition published in
1662.
'THE WARY WIDOW,';
A comedy, produced at Drury Lane, 1693,
was damned the first night, through a curi-
ous circumstance. The author, in a drink-
ing scene, gave the actors too much punch.
They were all intoxicated, and totally
unable to speak their parts. The audience,
enraged, hissed and pelted them. The
house was dismissed at the end of the third
act. Old Newspaper, 1693.
* THREE HOURS AFTER MARRIAGE,'
A farce in three acts, written by Pope,
Gay, and Arbuthnot, in 1717. This little
piece, the joint production of a triumvirate
of first-rate wits, was acted at the Theatre
Royal, Drury Lane, and deservedly
damned. From this contretemps Pope
conceived such a disgust to the stage, that
he never attempted to write for it again.
Old Drury Lane. 349
1 LOVE IS A RIDDLE.'
Pastoral opera, Drury Lane, 1728.
Written by Gibber, in imitation of the
' Beggar's Opera :' it came out in the suc-
ceeding year, and met with a most severe
and unjust reception, causing a general dis-
turbance in all parts of the house, except-
ing when Miss Raster (Mrs. Clive) was
singing. She made her first appearance
in it, and Frederick, Prince of Wales, the
son of George II., was present for the first
time after his arrival in these kingdoms.
Mr. Gibber came forward and assured
the audience, that if they would suffer the
performance to go on quietly for that night,
out of respect to the Royal presence, the
piece should not be acted any more ; and
he kept his word.
' PERSEUS.'
There are two dramatic pieces of this
name : the first was performed at Drury
35 Old Drnry Lane.
Lane, 1728 ; the other at Lincoln's Inn
Fields, 1730. One of them appears to
have been outrageously indecent, and is
severely commented on in the Grub-street
Journal, April 8th, 1731. Its title is
' Perseus and Andromeda, with the Rape
of Columbine, or the Flying Lovers,' in
five interludes three serious, two comic.
The serious composed by Monsieur Roger,
the comic by John Weaver, dancing-
master.
The following was printed in the Grub-
street Journal :
' It should be known by posterity, that in
the year 1730, the simplicity and innocence
of our women were at such a pitch, that
they could appear for three-score nights
together at an immoral entertainment, in
which the most lascivious acts were re-
peatedly represented, and of which they
were so entirely ignorant and unexperi-
enced, that they could not guess what it
Old Drury Lane. 351
meant, nor were so much as put to the
expense of a blush/
A musical entertainment, 1757. This
piece was acted by children ; there was no
great amount of merit in it. It was per-
formed at Drury Lane for Woodward's
benefit, as a novelty. There is nothing
new, however, under the sun ; we were led
to believe that children's pantomimes,
operas, and acting, were novelties in our
days.
ART OF MANAGEMENT, OR TRAGEDY
EXPELLED/
A dramatic piece, by Mrs. Charlotte
Charke (a younger daughter of Colley
Gibber), was performed once at the
Concert-room in York Buildings. This
piece was intended as a satire on Charles
Fleetwood, then manager of Drury Lane
Theatre ; but that gentleman and his party
352 Old Drury Lane.
found means to put a stop to its further
progress on the stage. It was printed in
1735, with a humorous dedication to Mr.
Fleetwood, who endeavoured to smother it
by purchasing the whole impression. Some
few copies escaped the flames, and have
crept into the world.
FIRST MELODRAMA EVER ACTED ON THE
ENGLISH STAGE.
* TALE OF MYSTERY/
Adapted from the French, written by an
actor, called * Seline, or the Maid of Savoy.
Holcroft introduced the piece. The ori-
ginal cast was as follows :
COVENT GARDEN, NOVEMBER, 1760.
ROMALDI, Henry Johnston.
FRANCISCO, Farley.
BORNAMO, Murray.
STEPHANO, Bi union.
FIAMETTA, Mrs. Mattocks.
LOUISE, Mrs. Gibbs.
Old Drury Lane. 353
MALVOGLIO, Cory.
THE MILLER, Blanchard.
MONTANO, Claremont.
< THE WISHES, OR HARLEQUIN'S MOUTH
OPENED,'
A comedy by Bentley, 1761, brought on
the stage at Drury Lane, last summer, by
the company under the management of
Messrs. Foote and Murphy. It is written
in imitation of the Italian comedy, Harle-
quin, Pantaloon, Pierrot, Mezzetin, Colom-
bine, being introduced into it, as speaking
characters. The oddity of a set of charac-
ters which the English audience had been
accustomed to see only in the light of
mute mimics, was relished mightily. It is
said a Great Personage had some hand in
this composition of wit and just satire on
the manners of the day. The King sent
the author a handsome present.' Daily
Courant, 1761.
VOL. ii. 46
354 Old Drury Lane.
'ACCOMPLISHED MAID.'
' Accomplished Maid/ Drury Lane,
1766, December 4th. A translation from
the celebrated Italian opera of Goldoni,
called ' La Buona Figliuola.' This was
the first attempt at bringing an entire
Italian musical composition on the Eng-
lish stage, by applying our language to the
harmony of theirs. Bickerstaff s ' Maid
of the Mill ' owes its origin to the same
story of Goldoni.
'BETTY, OR THE COUNTRY BUMPKIN/
A ballad opera, by Harry Carey, Edmund
Kean's grandfather on the mother's side.
The piece failed signally at Drury Lane
on the first night.
'THE GOLDEN RUMP.'
This piece was never acted, nor was it
Old Drury Lane. 355
ever known who was the author ; yet it
caused a remarkable event in dramatic
history, whereby all pieces are obliged to
undergo the inspection and censure of the
Lord Chamberlain, before they can be re-
presented. This piece was offered to
Henry Giffard, the manager of Goodman's
Fields Theatre, for representation. With
a most unbounded freedom, abuse was
directed in it against Parliament, the
Privy Council, the Ministry, and the King.
Giffard, like an honest manager and a
loyal subject, carried the piece to the
Home Secretary, to consult him on the
matter. The Minister received the MS.,
and at the same time, that he (Giffard)
might be no loser by his zeal for his King
and country, he ordered a sum of money
equal to what he reasonably might have
expected from the ' Golden Rump ' per-
formances, to be paid to him. This caused
46 2
356 Old Drury Lane.
a Bill to be immediately passed through
Parliament to control all stage productions
by a Lord Chamberlain's supervision
(1774).
INDEX.
ABINGTON, MRS., ii. 41
Addison's Cato, a cast of, with
Royal and noble performers,
ii. 286-287
Aikin, ii. 6 1
Aldridge, Ira, i. 45
Alexander, William, proprietor
of the Glasgow Theatre, ii.
Alleyn, Edward, founder of Dul-
wich College, ii. 270-271
Anchor of Hope, a piece by the
author, i. 127
Anderson, James, lessee of Drury
Lane, i. 247
Anderson, the Wizard of the
North, ii. 327-328
Anstruther, Sir William, i. 48
Appius and Virginia, a tragedy,
ii. 341
Archer, of Drury Lane, ludicrous
story of, i. 138-141 ; and
Elliston, 199 ; absurd device
of, to supplement a lapse of
memory, ii. 176-177
Arne, Dr. Thomas, his opera of
Artaxerxes, i. 359
Arnold, Dr., discovers Edmund
Kean at Exeter, i. 227 ; ii.
137
Astley's, i. 8
Aubrey, his story of the devil
and Edward Alleyn, ii. 270
Babil and Bijou, ii. 241
Bachelor ' s Buttons, a farce by the
author, i. 99
Baddeley, Robert, donor of the
annual Drury-lane Twelfth-
cake, ii. 41-45
Balfe, i. 194 ; largely patronised
by Bunn, 240 ; asked to write
an operetta by Smith, 260 ;
his first and only attempt at
Italian Opera composition,
344
Bannister, Jack, ii. 75 ; his Bud-
get, 78-80
Barnum, on the English gull, i.
Barry, Elizabeth, ii. 12
Barry, Spranger, his funeral in
Westminster Abbey, ii. 293
Barrymore, W., his El Hyder,
Chief of the Gaunt Mountains,
i. 128
Bartholomew Fair, i. 12
Bartley, Mrs., ii. 113-114
Bartolozzi, the engraver, ii. 128
Bath, i. 163
Bayley, Thomas Haynes, his
musical comedietta, Light as
Air, i. 149; letter to the
author, 150; his ballad, 'I'd
be a Butterfly,' 160
Beaumont and Fletcher's Hu-
morous Lieutenant, i. 215 ; ii.
4, 5
Becher, Lady (see O'Neill
Miss)
Bedford, Dukes of, and the two
Great Theatres, ii. 338
Bedford, Paul, ii. 187
Beggar's Opera, The, i. 5, 1 6, 17;
ii. 250
Bellamy, George Ann, ii. 41
158
Index.
Bellew, Kyrle, his Orlando, i.
321
Belmore, George, Testimonial
Benefit for his wife and chil-
dren, i. 300 ; bill of the per-
formances, 301
Bennett, William, ii. 165
Bensley, William, ii. 48
Beresford-Anstruther, i. 48
Bernard, Bayle, his version of
Faust, i. 275 ; of Marino
Faliero, 279
Betterton, Thomas, ii. 4
Betty, William Henry West
('Master Betty'), ii. 172-175
Beverley, William, i. 76, 252,
274, 289 ; ii. 325 ; letter to
the author, 326-327
BickerstafF s Maid of the Mill, ii.
354
Biffin, Miss, i. 32-34
Billington, Mrs., the opera-singer,
.i-325
Billington, Mrs., in Formosa, i.
3"
Blanchard, E. L., his Harlequin
Hudibras, i. 250; excellence
of his pantomimes, 262, 274,
277, 281, 282, 294, 299; his
White Cat, 3 1 2 ; his Cinderella,
316; sketch of, ii. 336-337
Bland, Mrs., ii. 1 80
Booth, Barton, ii. n
Booth, Junius Brutus, i. 75 ; ii.
184-187
Booth, Miss Sally, i. 168
Boothby, Lady (Miss Mordaunt),
at Ware, i. 47 ; at Gravesend,
69 ; sketch of her life and
career, ii. 165-167
Boucicault, Dion, i. 167 ; his
Der Vampire, 184 ; at Drury
Lane, 262 ; his Colleen Bawn
and Siege of Lucknow, 262 ;
retort to E. T. Smith, 267 ; his
Formosa, 283, 311; his Shaugh-
raun, 297 ; sketch of his life
and career, ii. 228-243
Bracegirdle, Mrs., ii. 7, 8-10
Braham, Frances, Countess of
Waldegrave, ii. 263
Braham, John, i. 241 ; ii. 91 ;
builds the St. James's Theatre,
92 ; note to the author, 93 ;
why St. James's Theatre was
built, 94-95
Bramwell, Baron, i. 263
Briscoe, the blind actor, ii. 1 21
Brooke, Gustavus, appears in
Othello, i. 1 66 ; at Drury Lane,
252 ; sketch of his life and
career, ii. 222-223 > letter to
the author, 224-225 ; marries
Miss Avonia Jones, 226 ;
drowned at sea, 227
Brooke's Circuit, i. 55
Brothers, Miss, ii. 182
Brough, Robert, his series of
articles entitled ' Brussels
Sprouts,' i. 295; unexpected
rencontre with a creditor, 296
Brougham, Lord, anecdote of,
i. 108
Browning, Robert, his Pied Piper
of Hamelin, i. 141
Bucke, Paul, his Three Lords
and Three Ladies of London,
ii. 342
Buckstone, J. B., letter to Yates,
i. 99 ; letter to the author, 178;
sketch of his life and career,
ii. 200-204
Bufton, Miss E., benefit to, i. 309
Bullock's Booth, i. 4
Bulwer-Lytton, Sir Edward, his
Lady of Lyons, i. 242 (see
Lytton, Lord).
Bunn, Alfred, lessee of Drury
Lane, i. 240 ; his failure, 243 ;
tries his fortune again, 246;
death, ib. ; 284
Bunn, Mrs., ii. 181
Burbage, Dick, ii. 272 ; his epi-
taph, ib.
Burns, Robert, quoted, ii. 266
Byron, Lord, his tragedy of
Index.
359
Marino Faliero, i. 279 ; its
first production at Drury Lane,
280 ; his politeness to Mrs.
Mardyn, ii. 168
Byron, Lady, vindictive temper
of, ii. 1 68
Campbell, Thomas, valedictory
stanzas addressed to John
Philip Kemble on his retire-
ment, ii. 65-67
Canning, George, ii. 53
Canning, Mrs., mother of George
Canning, ii. 53, 264
Carey, Harry, his ballad opera of
Betty, ii. 354
Carlisle, Earl of, letter to Bouci-
cault, ii. 237
Catley, Nan, ii. 49
Celeste, Madame, ii. 217 ; in the
Green Bushes, 218; her joint
management with Webster of
the Adelphi, ib.
Cervetto (violin-player), his nose,
ii. 292; Garrick's expostula-
tion with, 293
Chambers, Montagu, i. 263, 265
Chantrey, Sir Francis, his first
love, i. 189
Chapman, John Philip (proprie-
tor of the Sunday Times,
married to Anne Tree), starts
the Milton Street Play-house,
ii.3ii-3i2
Charke, Mrs. Charlotte (younger
daughter of Colley Gibber),
dramatic piece by, ii. 351
Charles II. at Southwark Fair,
i. 4 ; his patents to Davenant
and Killigrew, 213; his last
dying words to his brother, ii.
5 ; his grant to Killigrew, 277
Charlewood, John, licensed to
print play-bills, ii. 269
Charlotte, Queen, and Mrs. Sid-
dons, ii. 58-59
Chatterton, Frederick B., joint
lessee with Edmund Falconer
of Drury Lane, i. 273 ; be-
comes sole lessee, 274 ; benefit
to, 313 ; his failure and bank-
ruptcy, 317
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, i. 3
Christmas Carol, the, drama-
tised by the author, i. 187
Gibber, Colley, i. 216; his re-
mark on Mrs. Mountford, ii. 8 ;
character of, 10-11 ; his Love
is a Riddle, 19, 349
Cleveland, Duchess of, her
numerous amours, ii. 6, 7,
note.
Clifton, Fanny, her marriage
with the author, i. 75 (see
Stirling, Mrs.)
Clint, the painter, and Munden,
" 75
Clive, Kitty, ii. 18-21
Clun, ii. 3
Cobham, a capital actor, i. 75
Colleen Ba-wn, The, ii. 231-232
Compton, Henry, Benefit to, i.
311 ; his death, 312
Congreve, William, his opera of
Semele,\.^6i; verses of, quoted,
ii. 9; his bequest to the Duchess
of Marlborough, ib. ; monu-
ment to, in Westminster
Abbey, 10
Connoisseur, The, quoted, ii. 294-
295
Cooke, George Frederick, ii. 70-
72
Cooke, T. P., ii. 105-111
Cooper ('respectable John '), ii.
87-90
Costa, Sir Michael, the first con-
ductor in Europe, i. 332; his
opinion of Sims Reeves and
Santley, 342 ; sketch of his
career, 361 ; letter to the
author, 362-363
Cottin, Madame, her story of
Elizabeth, or the Exiles of
Siberia, i. 294
Covent Garden Theatre, totally
3 6
Index.
destroyed by fire in 1856, ii.
327
Coventry, Lady, her behaviour
at the play, ii. 27-28
Crawley's Booth, i. 13
Creswick, William, ii. 216-217
Cromwell, Oliver, plays a part
in the comedy of Lingua, ii.
344; at the Cockpit, Drury
Lane, to see a piece called
The Cruelty of the Spaniards,
347
Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park, i.
190, 248
Cushman, Miss Sarah, i. 127-
128
Davenant, Sir William, his at-
tempt to introduce the Italian
Opera, i. 324 ; introduces
movable scenery, ii. 278
Davenport, E. J. (American
actor), ii. 130-131
Davidge and Mrs. Siddons, ii.
59-60 ; an excellent actor,
61
Dekker, Thomas, The Shoe-
maker 's Holiday, ii. 344
Demon Dwarf, a drama by the
author, i. 101
Denham, Sir John, satirical
verses on Killigrew, i. 214
Denvil, an actor, vicissitudes of
his career, i. 284
Dibdin's sea-songs, ii. 83
Dickens, Charles, his Nicholas
Nickleby adapted by the author
for the stage, i. 95 ; his opinion
of the piece, ib. ; his con-
nexion with the Art Guild,
134; his Pickwick Papers
adapted by the author, 162 ;
his Old Curiosity Shop, 175 ;
his Martin Chiizzlewit, 181 ;
attends the rehearsals of his
Christmas Carol, 187 ; note to
the author, ib. ; his dramatic
pieces, written for the St.
James's Theatre, ii. 92-93 ;
his letter to the ladies and
gentlemen of the theatrical
profession, 332-333
Dignum, Charles, ii. 86
Dillon, Charles, his Belphegor, i.
282
Dodd, James, ii. 48
Doggett, Thomas, i. 216 ; his
coat and silver badge, ii. 12
Doran, Dr., letter to the author,
i. 295
Dowton, i. 239, 281
Drury Lane, Lessees and Mana-
gers of, i. 213-323; actors
and actresses who have ap-
peared at, ii. 3-266, et s&pius.
Dryden, quoted, i. 338
Ducrovv, Andrew, his collection
of presents, i. 177 ; and Ellis-
ton, ii. 307-309
Dulwich College, founded by
Edward Alleyn, ii. 270-271
Dumas, Alexandre, his Monte
Christo performed by a French
company at Drury Lane, i.
247
D'Urfey, Thomas, his comic
opera of Wonders in the Sun y
i. 360
Echo Office, i. 7
Edwin, John, ii. 51
Egan, Pierce, Life in London,
i. 8
El Hyder, Chief of the Gaunt
Mountains, a drama by W.
Barrymore, i. 128
Ella, Mademoiselle, an extra-
ordinary equestrian, i. 254
Elliston, Robert William, i. 199,
230 ; in Planche's Coronation,
231 ; his last performance at
Drury Lane, 232 ; his secretary
and a young author, 234 ; his
retort to a Count, 236
Elton, Edward, ii. 209 ; drowned
at sea, 210
Index.
361
Emery, John, ii. 100
Emery, Samuel, ii. 101 ; his
success in personating the
characters of Dickens, 102
Estcourt, Richard, ii. 10
Falconer, Edmund, joint lessee
with Chattei-ton of Drury
Lane, i. 273 ; his plays, 274
Farquhar, George, sketch of his
life and career, ii. 281-282
Farren,Miss (Countess of Derby),
ii. 264
Farren, William, ii. 1 14
Farren, William, junior, ii. 115
Faucit, Helen (Lady Theodore
Martin), i. 48, 242 ; special
engagement for twelve nights,
275 ; letter to the author, 276 ;
plays Rosalind in aid of the
Shakespeare Memorial School
and Theatre, 303 ; ii. 265
Faucit, Saville, father of Miss
Helen Faucit, i. 48
Faust, Version of, by Bayle Ber-
nard, i. 275
Fielding and Reynolds's Booth,
i. 5, 16
Fire-eating, i. 24
Fisher, Clara, ii. 214-215
Fitz-Ball, Edward, his Innkeeper
of Abbeville, i. 6 ; his Egyptian
play, Nitocrius, 252
Fitzwilliam, Mrs. (Fanny Cope-
land), ii. 215-216
Flexmore, Dicky, ii. 205-206
Follett, Sir William, i. 174
Follies of Fashion, a comedy by
Lord Glengall, i. 72
Foote (Maria). See Harrington,
Countess of.
Foote, Samuel, ii. 32-35
Forbes, Sir William, ii. 335-
336
Formosa, i. 283, 311 ; ii. 240
Forrest, Edwin (an American
actor), at Drury Lane, i. 238
Forster, John, his ' Life of
Charles Dickens,' quoted, i.
95, note.
Foundling of the Forest, The, \.
56
Gainsborough, Miss, ii. 261
Garrick, David, birthplace of,
i. 105 ; lessee of Drury Lane,
217 ; his attempt to introduce
a ballet, 352 ; his praise of
Mrs. Pritchard, ii. 18 ; sketch
of his life and career, 22-
25 ; his farewell address, 26 ;
his refusal of an offer from St.
Petersburg, 27; his reproof of
Lady Coventry, ib. ; his score
at the Crown Hotel, 28 ;
curious correspondence with
Stone, the supermaster, 29 ;
anecdote of his interview with
an amateur, 31 ; his penuri-
ousness, 34 ; his treatment of
Mrs. Siddons, 56
George, Prince of Wales (after-
wards George IV.), \\.\?> liaison
with ' Perdita ' Robinson, ii.
85 ; his esteem for Braham,
91-92 ; an admirer of Lis-
ton, 96-97
Giffard, Henry, and The Golden
Rump, ii. 355
Glengall, Lord, his comedy of
the Follies of Fashion, i. 72 ;
his Cook and Housekeeper, ii.
250
Glover, Mrs., ii. 111-113
Glyn, Miss (Mrs. Dallas), ii.
243-244
Gnome Fly, the, i. 101-103
Goldoni, his Buona Figliuola, ii.
354
Goodman, i. 6
Gosson, Stephen, The School oj
Abuse, ii. 341
Grant, Miss (afterwards Lady
Molesworth), ii. 209
Griffin, Gerald, his tale of The
Collegians, ii. 232
362
Index.
Grhnaldi, Joseph, ii. 102-105
Gwynne, Nell, ii. 5
Gye, Frederick, i. 249
Gyngell, Monsieur, the conjuror,
Halevy's opera, La Juive, i.
242
Halliday, Andrew, his drama of
The Great City, i. 278; his
King c? Scots, founded on
The Fortunes of Nigel, 282 ;
"tivsAiny Robsart, 289; drama-
tises Ivanhoc, 290 ; his altered
version of Antony and Cleo-
patra, 293
Hammond, W. J., lessee of
Drury Lane, i. 245 ; his fail-
ure and death, 246
Handel, his opera of Rinaldo, i.
325 ; and Signora Cuzzoni,
ii. 283 ; his enormous appe-
tite, ib.
Harley, John Pritt, ii. 115 ; his
collection of walking-sticks,
116
Harrington, Countess of (Maria
Foote), her farewell to the
country stage, i. 72
Harris, Augustus, lessee of
Drury Lane, i. 318
Harrison, William, tenor singer,
i. 242, 278
Hart, ii. 6
Havelock, General, a schoolmate
of Thackeray and Frederick
Yates, i. 152; testimonial to,
253
Heath, Miss, ii. 248 ; anecdote
of and the Queen, ib.
Henderson, John, ii. 50
Henry I., Royal grant of, i. 13
Hero and Leander, i. 15
Heron, Miss, her musical enter-
tainment, i. 208
Kingston, E. P., benefit to, i.
308
Holland, Lord, presides at the
farewell dinner to Kemble, ii.
63
Honey, Laura, her beauty, i.
97 ; Yates's admiration for,
ib. ; a delightful vocalist and
comedy actress, ii. 210-211
Hook, Theodore, a pun of, i.
98
Howard Paul, Mrs. (Miss Fea-
therstonc), ii. 249-250
Howell, Harlequin, ii. 208
Incledon, Benjamin Charles, ii.
83-84
Innkeeper of Abbeville, a drama
by Edward Fitz-Ball, i. 6
Irish Play-bill, ii. 298
Irving, Henry, ii. 192, 196,
sketch of his career, 253-
258
Jacob and Esau, an interlude,
ii. 340
Jerrolcl, Douglas, his Martha
Willis, i. 75 ; his sobriquet
for Yates, 97 ; the originator
of Punch, 132; his Black-Eyed
Susan, 192 ; compliment to,
195 ; his plays, 245 ; in a
printing-office with Samuel
Phelps, ii. 196-197
Johnson, Ben (actor), ii. 10
Johnstone, Jack, ii. 51
Jones, Richard, ii. 105
Jonson, Ben, his comedy of
Bartholomew Fair, i. 36 ; his
comedy of The New Inn, ii.
346
Jordan, Dora, ii. 81 ; her con-
nexion with the Duke of
Clarence, afterwards William
IV., 82 ; her death, 83
Jullien, Monsieur, lessee of
Drury Lane, i. 246
Kean, Charles, as lago, ii. 150 ;
sketch of his life and career,
153-155 ; testimonial and
Index.
363
dinner to, 156; at Brighton,
157 ; and his manager Ellice,
158; and his mother, 159; on
letter-writing, 160 ; note to
author, ib. ; his kindness to
his sister-in-law, 312
Kean, Mrs. Charles (Ellen Tree),
sketch of her life and career,
ii. 161-162 ; note to the
author, 163 ; her death, ib.
Kean, Edmund, travels with
Richardson, i. 41 ; acts at
Croydon in the Merchant of
Venice and the Iron Chest,
72 ; his letter to the author,
73 ; conversation with, 74 ;
discovered by Dr. Arnold at
Exeter, 227 ; his debut at
Drury Lane, 228-229 ; raises
a tomb to Cooke's memory in
America, ii. 71 ; sketch of his
life and career, 131-152
Keeley, Robert, letter to the
author, i. 181 ; sketch of, ii.
182
Keeley, Mrs. (Mary Goward), ii.
183-184, 192
Kelly, Fanny, ii. 116 ; her fare-
well benefit, 1 1 7 ; retirement
of, 184
Kelly, Sir Fitzroy, i. 175
Kemble, Charles, i. 60 ; and
Napoleon III., ii. 318
Kemble, John Philip, i. 218 ;
ii. 61-62 ; farewell dinner to,
63-69 ; his remark on Gri-
maldi, 103 ; on Edmund
Kean's Othello, 148
Kemble, Roger, ii. 54-55
Kemble, Stephen, i. 229 ; plays
Falstaff without padding, 230
Kemp, Will, ii. 272
Kenneth, a stationer and print-
seller, his shop a resort for
theatrical loungers, i. 90-92
Killigrew, Thomas, the first
patentee of Drury Lane, i.
213 ; his witty retort to Charles
IT., 214 ; grant to, ii. 277 ;
another retort to Charles II.,
278
King, Thomas ('Gentleman
King '), ii. 4
Klanert, at Richmond, i. 60 ;
ludicrous scene in playing
Macbeth to the author's Mal-
colm, 61-62 ; in Paul Pry,
20 1 ; and Edmund Kean, ii.
147
Knight, Edward, ii. 86-87
Knowles, Sheridan, i. 85, 122;
letter of invitation to the Owl's
Nest addressed to the author,
123 ; his Virginius, ii. 341
Kynaston, Edward, ii. 3
Lacey, John, ii. 3
Laporte, a French comedian, ii.
1 80
Lardner, Dr. Dionysius, acts as
guardian to Boucicault, ii. 228
Laud, Archbishop, and William
Prynne, ii. 276
Leclerc, Monsieur, the author's
interview with him, i. 67 ;
change of positions, 68
Lee, Alexander (composer), i.
69 ; his music to a popular
ballad of Haynes Bayley, 160 ;
lessee of Drury Lane, 243 ;
ballads composed by, ii. 200
Lee and Harper's Booth, i. 14
Leigh, Mr. Chandos, i. 119
Leighton, Margaret, i. 315
Lemon, Mark, editor of Punch,
i. 132-135 ; his drama of The
Avenger, 163
Lennox, Lord William, i. 1 21
Lewes, Lee, ii. 48
Lind, Jenny, i. 184, 355
Linley, Miss, becomes the wife
of Sheridan, i. 219
Liston, John, in Paul Pry, i. 201;
sketch of his career, ii. 95-
97 ; at a city gent's dinner-
party, 97-98
364
Index.
Litton, Marie, her company at
Drury Lane, i. 320 ; her per-
formance of Rosalind, 321
London Assurance, a five-act
play by Dion Boucicault, ii.
230
Longfellow's Hiawatha, i. 208
Lytton, Lord, his early play of
the Sea Captain rewritten, ii.
331 ; note to the author, ib.
Macaulay, Mrs., her Loose
Thoughts, ii. 28
Macklin, at Barry's funeral, ii.
293
Macready, W. C., i. 85 ; and
the Mop, 119; at Brighton,
126 ; in Philip van ArtevMe,
183 ; his quarrel with Bunn,
242 ; lessee of Drury Lane,
243 ; heavy losses, 245 ; story
of John Cooper and the cock-
roaches, ii. 88-89 > sketch of
his life and career, 177-179 ;
retirement of, 198 ; his Riche-
lieu, 255 ; story of the ' head
and taters,' 315 ; in Virgimus,
341
Maddox, Manager, i. 131 ; his
foppery and parsimony, 132,
note
Malaprop, Mrs., i. 166, 178
Mapleson, James, i. 330
Mardyn, Mrs., and Lord Byron,
ii. 1 68
Marshall, Beck, the first female
actress, ii. 277
Marston, Henry, ii. 195-196
Martin Chuzzlewit dramatised
by the author, i. 181
Mas singer, his New Way to Pay
Old Debts, i. 9-10
Mathews, Charles, the elder, at
the Kemble Dinner, ii. 69 ;
sketch of his life and career,
121-123
Mathews, Charles, the younger,
at Drury Lane, i. 252 ; his
ridicule of Fitz- Ball's Nito-
crius, 253 ; introduced to the
stage by Listen, ii. 96, 123 ;
death of, 125; his poetical
milkman, ib. ; in Court, ib. ;
his mimicry of the Wizard of
the North, 126
Meadows, Drinkwater, i. 83
Mellon, Alfred, i. 85 ; marries
Sarah Woolgar, 86
Mellon, Mrs. Alfred, benefit to,
i. 312
Mellon, Harriet (afterwards
Duchess of St. Alban's), i. 80,
185 ; ii. 98-99, 263
Menken, Adah, i. 270; ii. 251-
252 ; letter to the author,
253
Metastasio, his Artaserse, i. 359
Middleton, Thomas, Anything
for a Quiet Life, ii. 345
Miller, Joe, ii. 337
Moncneff, droll observation of,
i. 136
Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley,
on the play and the Italian
Opera, i. 357
Montague, Henry J., sketch of
his life and career, ii. 258-
261
Montgomery, Walter, i. 277
Moody, John, his Irish charac-
ters, ii. 39
Mordaunt, Miss (see Boothby,
Lady).
Mossop, Henry, ii. 40
Mountaineers, The, i. 8
Mountford, William, ii. 7
Mountford, Susannah, ii. 8
Mozart's Don Giovanni, i. 350
Munden, Joseph, ii. 74 > his
penuriousness, 75
Murray, William, proprietor of
the Edinburgh Theatre, ii.
213; note to the author on his
adaptation of Dickens's Christ-
mas Carol, 214
Index.
165
Napoleon I., edict addressed to
the Prefect of Lyons, ii. 302
Napoleon III., Death of, i. 339;
at a Judge and Jury Club, ii.
316; and Charles Kemble,
3i8
Nautch girls, i. 170
Neilson, Lilian Adelaide, in
Amy Kobsart, i. 289 ; her
Rebecca in Ivanhoc, 290 ;
letter to the author, 291 ; her
early death, ib., note.
Nesbitt, Mrs. (see Boothby,
Lady)
Neville, Henry, i. 66-67
Neville, John, i. 67, 77-80, 81-84
New Way to Pay Old Debts, i. 9
Nilsson, Mdlle. Christine, i. 332 ;
her early career, 333
Octoroon, The, ii. 232
Old Curiosity Shop, adapted by
the author, i. 175
Oldfield, Anne, ii. 12-14
O'Neill, Miss (afterwards Lady
Becher), at Belfast, i. 86;
sketch of her life and career,
ii. 169
Oxberry, William, i. 40 ; ii. 145-
146, 163-164
Oxenford, John, address at Web-
ster's farewell benefit, written
by, ii. 192 ; his drama of Ivy
hall, 254
Paganini, i. 76-77
Palmer, John, ii. 50
Parke, Sir James, i. 119
Parsons, William, ii. 47
Paid Pry, i. 200
Payne, W. H., ii. 204-205
Peele, George, the dramatist,
letter of, ii. 271
Penkethman's Booth, ii. 291
Penley, Sam, i. 65
Pepys, Samuel, Diary of, i. 4,
36, 91 ; kisses Nell Gwynne,
ii. 5 ; goes to see Shirley's
Hyde Park, 277
Phelps, Samuel, early appearance
as an amateur, i. 6 ; days of
struggle and poverty, 84 ; at
Drury Lane, 278 ; his ' Doctor
Cantwell,' 281 ; in the King
o' Scots, 282 ; plays Isaac of
York, 290 ; death of, 316 ; his
vSir Peter Teazle, ii. 115;
sketch of his life and career,
196-199
Philips, Miss, ii. 182
Pickwick Papers, adapted by the
author, i. 162
Pizarro, i. 51, 58-60, 222
Poniatoski, Prince, a musical
amateur, i. 338-339
Pope, Alexander, quoted, ii. 13;
joins Gay and Arbuthnot in
writing a farce in three acts,
348
Pope, Mrs., an especial favourite
of Garrick, ii. 47
Powell, William, ii. 45-46
Power, Tyrone, plays Corin-
thian Tom in Tom and Jerry,
i. 8; shyness of, 203; letter to
the author, 204 ; his unfortu-
nate end, 205
Price, Stephen, lessee of Drury
Lane, i. 238
Prince Consort, the, and the
Fairy Rifles at Covent Garden,
ii. 330
Pritchard, Mrs., ii. 17
Prosper, Mdlle. Jenny, a French
actress, i. 118
Prynne, William, sentenced to
lose his ears, ii. 276
Punch, the original projectors of,
i. 132-133
Punch's Pantomime, ii. 320-324
Punch's Play-house, i. 195
Pyne,Louisa, i. 193; at one of the
Queen's private concerts, 11.329
Quaker's Opera, The, i. 15
3 66
Index.
)uick, John, ii. 50
)uin, James, ii. 14 ; his kind
ness to Thomson, 15 ; his
quarrel with Rich, 16 ; death
of, ib. ; his refusal to act in
the tragedy of The Fatal Re-
tirement, 17
Rachel, Mademoiselle, at Drury
Lane, i. 255 ; death of, 257 ;
story of her early life, ib. ; at
Madame Recamier's, 258
Rae, stage-manager of Drury
Lane, ii. 143
Ralph Royster Doyster, ii. 339
Raster (see Clive)
Rayner, ii. 120-121
Reade, Charles, i. 196 ; his
Gold, a picture of Australian
life, 250
Reddish, Samuel, ii. 53
Reeve, John, i. 90; ii. 211-213
Reeves, Sims, i. 247 ; verdict
against, for breach of contract,
278 ; ii. 221-222
Relief of LuckncWi a melodrama,
i. 262
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, his por-
trait of Mrs. Abington as Prue,
ii. 41
Rice, Jim Crow, i. 92-93
Rice, Rt. Hon. Spring, i. 93
Rich, John, ii. n
Richards, Colonel, his drama of
The Prisoner of Toulon, i.
282
Richardson, the showman, career
of, i. 37 ; the author's inter-
view with, 38-39
Richardson's Show, i. 1 8
Rignold, William, his Henry the
Fifth, i. 318
Ristori, Madame, the first living
tragic actress in the world, i.
336 ; her crowning triumph in
Marie Antoinette, 337
Robertson, Miss Agnes ('the
pocket Venus'), married to
Dion Boucicault, ii. 231
Robertson, Miss Madge (Mrs.
Kendal), i. 278
Robertson, T. W., the author of
Caste, youthful escapade of,
and how thwarted, i. 100 ;
two letters to the author, 144-
146
Robinson, Mary ('Perdita'), ii.
84 ; becomes the mistress of
the Prince of Wales, 85 ; her
death, 86
Ross, David, ii. 39-40
Rossi, Signer, in Hamlet, i. 310
Rowley, William, his tragi-
comedy of The Birth of Mer-
lin, ii. 347
Royal Dramatic College, benefit,
i. 303 ; termination of, 306 ;
notice of sale, 307 j
Russell, Samuel ('Jerry Sneak')
ii. 86
Russell, Sir W., a favourite of
King Henry VIII., ii. 338
Ryder, John, ii. 218-219
Sadak and Kalasrade, i. 76, 8 1
Sala, Madame, and the Duke of
Wellington, i. 130-131
Salvini, in Othello, at Drury
Lane, i. 346-347 ; ii. 256
Sam Weller at the White Hart,'
i- 3
5antley, Charles, i. 342
Saunders, Jack, and his Circus,
i. 22-23
School for Scandal, The, i. 305
Scott, Sir \Valter, his Kenil-
worth, i. 69, 289 ; loan to
Terry, 153; his Fortunes of
Nigel, 282 ; his Ivanhoe, 290 ;
his Talisman, 297 ; his Peveril
of the Peak, 315
Sedgwick, Amy, ii. 250-251
")hah of Persia, the, at the Opera,
i. 342-343
>hakespeare, i. 79, 98 ; quoted,
Index.
367
275 ; ii. 151, 228 ; his will,
273 ; and Ben Jonson, ib. ;
supposed origin of his Mer-
chant of Venice, 274
Shee, Sir Martin Archer, i.
162
Shepherd, Richard, his partner-
ship with Creswick in the
Surrey Theatre, ii. 217
Shepherd, Richard Herne, his
Bibliography of Dickens quoted,
ii- 93
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, his
Pizarro, i. 51, 58-60, 222;
lessee of Drury Lane, 218 ;
story of his bootmaker, 219 ;
mot on a lawyer's funeral, 222;
on the fire at Drury Lane, 223;
practical joke with his archi-
tect, 224 ; last days and death
of, 225
Sherwin, ii. 164
Shirley, Tames, his play of Hyde
Park,\\. 277
Shuter, Edward, ii. 36-37 ; epi-
taph on, 38
Siddons, Mrs., ii. 54-60
Skipwilh, Sir Thomas, i. 216
Smith, Albert, incident in his
Ledbury Papers, i. 149 ; letter
to the author, 182
Smith, E. T., lessee of Drury
Lane, i. 249 ; and Balfe, 260;
his many ventures, 265 ; a
candidate for Parliament, 266 ;
offers lease of Drury Lane to
Boucicault, 267 ; story of two
young guardsmen and, ib. ; at
Astley's, 270 ; death of, 271 ;
proprietor of the Sunday
Times, 296 ; note to the author,
ii. 252 ; his application to
Napoleon III., 317
Smithson, Ben, his agency for
actors, i. 48-50
Smithson, Miss, ii. iSl
Somerset, a needy dramatic
author, i. 190-191
Somerset, Earl of, his marriage,
ii. 345
Sophocles' "Antigone, first pro-
duction of on the English
stage, i. 161 ; ii. 167
Sothern, E. A., speech at the
Dramatic College benefit, i.
306 ; in Lord Dundreary, ii.
202 ; letter to the author ac-
companying his photograph,
334
Southwark, i. 3
Spicer, Henry, his drama of
JHaska, i. 315
Spring, Tom, the obsequious
box-office keeper, ii. 303-305
Squeers, Mr., at the Saracen's
Head, i. 63 ; his pupils,
142
Stanfield, Clarkson, scene-
painter at Drury Lane, i. 244,
245 ; his remark to Howell
the harlequin, ii. 208
Stanley, Montague, ii. 171
Staunton, the chess-player, as an
amateur actor, i. 66
Steele, Sir Richard, patent
granted to, by George I., i.
216 ; death of, ib.
Stevens, G. A., anecdote of, ii.
294
Stirling, Mrs. (Fanny Hehl), her
early career, ii. 219 ; her mar-
riage with the author, 220 ;
her style and rank as an
actress, 221 (see also Clifton,
Fanny)
Stone, William, Garrick's super-
master, curious correspond-
ence with, ii. 29
Stuart, Lord Dudley, his appeal
for the Poles, ii. 99
Suett, Richard, ii. 72 ; his adven-
ture with a highwayman, 73-
74
Sullivan, Barry, his Richard III.,
i. 281 ; sketch of his life and
career, ii. 244-246
3 68
Index.
' Tabard ' Inn, Southwark, i. 3,
Talfourd, Serjeant, i. 105 ; his
Ion, 162
Talma, his speech at the farewell
dinner to Kemble, ii. 68
Tarlton, Queen Elizabeth's jester,
ii. 342
Tasso, the 'Siege of Jerusalem,
i. 96
Tatler, the, quoted, ii. 287-
288
Teniers, i. 40
Tennyson, Alfred, his Queen
Mary, ii. 257 ; his lines to the
Riflemen, 330
Terry, and Sir Walter Scott, i.
153
Terry, Ellen, in Ophelia and
Portia, ii. 258
Thackeray, W. M., a contri-
butor to Punch, i. 133 ; at the
Charterhouse, 15 1 ; his Cap-
tain Costigan, ii. 1 66
Thame, Oxon, the author's birth-
place, i. 3
Thornton, Bonnell, his mock
'Ode to St. Cecilia,' i.
328
Thornton, Richard, a favourite
of George III., i. 136
Tilbziry fort, or the Days of
Good Queen Bess, the author's
first essay in dramatic compo-
sition, i. 69
Titiens, Mdlle. Teresa, career
of, i. 334 ; her death, 335 ;
her return from America, 349,
350 ; and last appearances,
350-351
Tom and Jerry, i. 8
Tree, Anne, ii. 312
Tree, Ellen, at Ware, i. 45, 47 ;
and the Man-monkey, 197
(see Kean, Mrs. Charles)
Tree, Maria (Hon. Mrs. Brad-
shaw), ii. 265
Turkey and Truffles, i. 179
Tyrant of the Eagle Castle on
the Rhine, i. 27-31
Usher, Dicky, ii. 206-208
Van Amburgh, ' the Lion King,'
ii. 316
Vanbrugh, Sir John, his comedy
of 7 he Relapse, i. 326 ; as an
architect, 327 ; his Provoked
Husband, ii. 285
Vandenhoff, John, the author
plays Macduff to his Macbeth,
i. 64-65; sketch of his life
and career, ii. 167-168
Vestris, Madame, a victim of, i.
48 ; ii. 127 ; her reckless ex-
travagance, 128-129
Vezin, Mrs. Herman, ii. 247
Vining, Miss Fanny, ii. 129-130
Yokes Family, the, i. 283, 290,
297
Wagner's Lohengrin, i. 345
Wallack, James, i. 45 ; ii. 170-
171
Wallis, Miss, her debut in Cleo-
patra, i. 293 ; ii. 261-262
Warner, Mrs. (Miss Huddart),
ii. 193-195
Warren, Samuel, his Ten Thou-
sand a- Year, i. 99
Warton, Thomas, his Observa-
tions on Spenser quoted, ii.
274
Waylett, Mrs. (Harriet Cooke),
helps the author through a
difficulty, i. 69-70 ; silly
fracas on account of, 112;
sketch of her life and career,
ii. 199-200
Webb, the Brothers, as the two
Dromios in the Comedy of
Errors, i. 277
W'ebster, Benjamin, i. 191, note ;
sketch of his life and career,
ii. 187-191 ; complimentary
benefit to, 191-193
Index.
369
Weller, Sam, at the 'White
Mart,' i. 3
Wellington, Duke of, at Walmer
Castle, i. 121 ; and Madame
Sala, 130-131
West, Mrs. W., i. 227 ; ii. 179
Weston, Thomas, ii. 38
White, 'Jemmy,' of Notting-
ham, his mode of dressing for
black men, i. 87
Wicked World, The, i. 178
Wigan, Alfred, benefit to, i. 309
Wigan, Horace, benefit to, i.
309
Wild Ducks, a farce by the
author, i. 131
Wilkinson, Tate, anecdote of
Foote and Rich from his
Diary, ii. 34-35 ; York Cir-
cuit manager, 46-47
Wilks, the great comedian, his
nose, i. 215
William, Prince (afterwards
William IV.), anecdote of, i.
202 ; his connexion with Mrs.
Jordan, ii. 82
Winter's Tale, the, produced at
Drury Lane, i. 316
Woffington, Peg, ii. 36
Wombwell's Menagerie, i. 24-
25
Wood, Anthony a, the famous
antiquary, ii. 274
Woolgar, Sarah, becomes the
wife of Alfred Mellon, i. 86
Wren, Sir Christopher, rebuilds
Drury Lane, i. 214
Wycherley, William, his Country
Girl, ii. nS ; his first meeting
with the Countess of Drog-
heda, 279 ; his marriage to
her, 280
Yates, Frederick, at the Adelphi,
i. 89 ; on the Hustings at the
Westminster Election, 93 ;
character and career of, 151-
155 ; at Glocester, 165 ; in
the Court of Queen's Bench,
172 ; note to the author, 175 ;
a protege of the Duchess of St.
Alban's, ii. 99 ; laconic reply
to John Reeve, 213 ; stoiy of
his hatred of dogs, 318-320;
dying mot, 320
Yeates, the posture-maker, i. 16
Young, Charles, ii. 99-100
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