Memoirs of Robert William Elliston, Comedian, Volume 1

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John Olliver, 1846 - Comedians

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Page xxi - On the stage he was natural, simple, affecting 'Twas only that when he was off he was acting ; With no reason on earth to go out of his way, He turn'd and he varied full ten times a day.
Page 265 - Now fear, his hand its skill to try, Amid the chords bewilder'd laid, And back recoil'd, he knew not why, E'en at the sound himself had made." But such is the horizon in which the London
Page 157 - but her eyes, How could he see to do them ? Having made one, Methinks it should have power to steal both his, And leave itself unfinished.
Page xxiii - give his first reading to the actors of his own play, in which, though it is true he delivered the plain sense, yet the whole was in so cold, so flat, and unaffecting a manner, that I am afraid of not being believed when I affirm it.
Page 34 - that his particularities and frailties can be more distinctly traced than his good and amiable exertions. Could the many bounties he studiously concealed, the many acts of humanity he performed in private, be displayed with equal circumstantiality, his defects would be so far lost in the blaze of his virtues, that the latter
Page 259 - will for ever be delayed, if the time for doing it be left unsettled, No corruption is great but by long negligence, which can scarcely prevail in a mind regularly and frequently awakened, by periodical remorse. He that thus breaks his life into parts, will find in himself a
Page v - that, the true relish for manly entertainments and rational pleasures was not wholly lost. All the parts were acted to perfection ; the actors were careful of their carriage, and no one was guilty of the affectation to insert witticisms of his own, but a due respect was had to the audience for encouraging this accomplished player.
Page 301 - Not ev'ry man's obliged to sell his store, And give up all his substance to the poor; Such as are perfect may, I can't deny, But, by your leaves, Divines, so am not I.
Page 259 - distinguish every stage of his existence by some improvement, and delight himself with the approach of the day of recollection, as of the time which is to begin a new series of virtue and felicity.'
Page 318 - Whatever might be the extent of the private calamity, he hoped it would not interfere with the public business of the country.' He then left the house, and proceeding to Drury Lane, witnessed, with a fortitude which strongly interested all,

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