His quality in art was not in the possession of any one faculty pre-eminently, but rather in the participation of all, in harmonious proportion. "The elements so mixed in him," that he shared, in a great measure, the sprightliness of Garrick, the melody of Barry, the polish of O'Brien, and the manly bearing of the younger Kemble. He had attained, indeed, that high elevation in art which takes captive at once the ear, the eye, and the understanding. The greater part of the material from which the present volume is composed (which might be termed, rather, Anecdote Memoirs, than a complete Life), was supplied by the late Mr. Winston, a faithful friend to Elliston, and for many years so entirely in his confidence that, in fact, nothing was concealed from him. The letters and correspondence in connection with Elliston's earlier life, had been preserved by himself, and so passed into the hands of his representatives; while in respect of documents relative to his latter days, we are indebted to the industry and research of Mr. Winston,— a kind of Theatrical "Rushworth "-always collecting, and especially in any particular relative to the acts and doings of the Manager of Drury Lane Theatre. Some anecdotes will be found inserted on the sole authority of popular report; in which, if the genuineness cannot be entirely proved, the vraisemblance, will at least be admitted. CONTENTS. PERIOD I. 1774-1809. CHAPTER I. Birth and parentage-St. Paul's School-Indication of ability-First attempts at acting-Dilemmas-Flight from home-Fellow travellers-Stage-coach adventures-A sprightly girl-Snug quarters— Arrival at Bath-First public appearance-Tate WilkinsonEccentricities - Elliston's remorse- -Increasing despondency Second letter-Elliston in London - Dr. Farmer, Mr. George Steevens-Aged and youthful actors-An adventure-A conflagration-A model writing-master-An amorous spinster-Thwarted tactics, further machinations-Elliston a suitor-A married man -First appearance in London-George Colman-Jocular epistle"The Iron Chest"-Observations thereon-Elliston acts" Sir Edward Mortimer "An eccentric widow-Heaps and hoardsInterview with Sheridan-Letter from Mrs. Collins-" Philaster". “Walter ”—All-night clubs—“Court of Comus ❞—Scenes therein -Further disclosures-An unexpected meeting-Elliston a criticMrs. Collins again!-Earl Harcourt-Remarks on acting-Sheridan's note-Further strictures on acting-Fête at Frogmore — "Friend and Pitcher "-A bruiser-The King fast asleep!-A game at billiards-A fracas -A round at loo-Elliston grows ambitious-A masque champêtre-Elliston a conjuror! Mrs. Elliston's letter-Admonition to a gamester-Mr. Sims, a charac- ter-A comic adventure-A dinner-Three courses-Plenty of wine-Humorous letter-Lord Nelson-Lady Hamilton-A scene at Cocksheath-A bewildered artist-Naples - Elliston " many parts"-George III.-Scene with the King-Declaration- Plea and rejoinder-Francis Blissett-His strange habits-Inter- esting letter-Anecdotes-University of Oxford-The Vice-Chan- - Elliston-His tragic parts-Observations thereon-A Bath benefit- - Progress-Le jeu, le vin, and les femmes-A city madam-Dangers of a clandestine trip-Anonymous communications "Invisi- blina!"-Poetry, indeed marvellous !-Drury Lane Theatre in flames-Incidental anecdote-Mrs. Jordan's letter to Sheridan- A fête in Stratford Place-The Drury Lane Company at the Opera House-Arnold and the English Opera House-The Royal Circus -The Rev. Rowland Hill-Col. Greville and the "Pic Nic"- Capt. Caulfield and the "Bedlamite "-Anecdotes of the "Pic Nic "-Elliston acts "Macheath "-Management-A whimsey of Bannister-Actors of one part-Anecdote of Mrs. Billington-An Irish patroness-Petition to the House of Commons-Elliston cor- responds with Mr. Perceval-A pawnbroker's wife-The Surrey Theatre-Rival Columbines-" Horrida bella!"-Prolonged hosti- lities—A dancer's proclamation—" Bring me a chair!"—Impres- sive letter from Phipps-Spasmodic holiness-Lovegrove-A mys- terious adventure-Continuation of the story-A gaming house- A painful incident in a gambler's life-Loss upon loss-Scene con- tinues-Closes-A literary association-A dilapidated schoolmaster -Records of the "Horse Academy "-Rivalries very original- Further examples-Elliston acts with Munden-A practical joke— Lord Mayor's Show-Men in armour-Letter of Mrs. Garrick— Elliston fights a duel-Invisiblina's letter-Anecdotes of duel- lings-The new Drury Lane Theatre-Addresses-Lord Byron- Letter from Lord Holland-Opening of the new theatre-Mrs. |