UNIV. OF THE STAGE: BOTH BEFORE AND BEHIND THE CURTAIN, FROM "OBSERVATIONS TAKEN ON THE SPOT." BY ALFRED BUNN, LATE LESSEE OF THE THEATRES ROYAL DRURY LANE AND COVENT GARDEN. "I am (NOT) forbid To tell the secrets of my prison-house." HAMLET, ACT 1. SC. V. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, PREFACE. THE postscript to a letter, as being the result of an after-thought, is generally considered the most important part of such communication-the preface to a book is looked upon in the same light. The matter contained in the pages which these remarks precede, would not have required any elucidation of this nature, otherwise so frequently necessary, had it not been for the occurrence of a series of events, during its preparation, which would at first appear almost as incredible as they are unprecedented; and which, from their rapid succession, would not only have deranged, but naturally have delayed the publication of the entire work, if alterations and emendations had taken place, as each event fell in. The deaths of some individuals referred to, and the doings of many yet alive, freely commented upon in the course of its progress, render a particular allusion to them as essential as it is becoming. |