Memoirs of Robert William Elliston, Comedian, 1774-1810

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Routledge, 1857

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Page 91 - Heaven knows I have too many ! Do not mock me : Though I am tame, and bred up with my wrongs, Which are my foster-brothers, I may leap, Like a hand-wolf, into my natural wildness, And do an outrage.
Page 199 - ... that no part of his figure could be distinguished but his head. On the parties taking their stand, Macklin, to the surprise of all, threw aside his extensive wrapper, and appeared in a perfect state of nudity, with the exception of a pair of yellow slippers. To the inquiries of his antagonist, he observed, 'I am told that most of the wounds which prove mortal in India, arise from some part of the woollen or linen of a man's dress being forced into the flesh by the ball, occasioning in that climate...
Page 168 - Elliston and his colleagues to exhibit ' all such entertainments of music and action as are commonly called pantomimes and ballets, together with operatic or musical pieces, accompanied with dialogue.
Page 260 - Miss Emma Somebody, with a play entitled "The Bandit of Bohemia," or some such title or production. Mr O'Higgins, then resident at Richmond, with an Irish tragedy, in which the unities could not fail to be observed, for the protagonist was chained by the leg to a pillar during the chief part of the performance.
Page 221 - I to be cast again on the provinces, the rejected of this great city, which should afford a home to industry of every kind ? With my family at my back will I return, for the walls of Wych Street I will never enter. In this strong determination, but with weakened respect for you, Sir, I am
Page 56 - Six! — six o'clock!" interrupted the King. " Send to Her Majesty — say I'm here. Stay — stay — this wig won't do — eh, eh ? Don't keep the people waiting — light up — light up — let 'em in — let ''em in — ha ! ha ! fast asleep. Play well to-night, Elliston. Great favourite with the Queen. Let 'em in — let 'em in." The house was presently illuminated; messengers were sent off to the royal party, which, in a short lapse of time, reached the theatre. Elliston then quitted the side...
Page 279 - There is a want of respectability about it, or rather a notoriety, which gives one the feeling of an absconded felon, against whom a hue and cry is made public. Or if there be really any advantage in it, why should I, or any single individual, take it over the rest of our brethren ? But it has a nasty disreputable look, and I have fancied the whole day the finger of the town pointed at me, as much as to say, ' That is he ! Now for the reward ! ' Leave this expedient to the police officers, or to...
Page 174 - Miss Giroux takes the liberty to request, that the enlightened portion of the British public, which does her the honour to approve her performances, will add to so proud a distinction, the favour of abstaining from all unseemly contest, nor
Page 66 - This being achieved, Elliston returned to the apartment ; and Quick being by this time, well assured some belle plaisanterie was in blossom, took part in the amicable contest of civil things, till dinner was announced ; and thus, within a quarter of an hour of five, the happy trio sat down together. But no sooner was the first cover removed, than Sims, with some little look of surprise, and great show of satisfaction, exclaimed — " A trout ! Mr. Elliston. Well, and I protest a very fine one ! but...
Page 66 - ... occasioned, was evidently as pleased as Punch at the proposition, though he looked on the affair as one of the maddest pranks ever yet attempted — quite a Camelford exploit of that day, or Waterford of the present ; the challenge, however, he accepted, but to no one's surprise more than his own. " I will at least apprise my domestics...

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