MEMOIRS OF ROBERT WILLIAM ELLISTON COMEDIAN. 61 JOYOUSEST OF ONCE EMBODIED SPIRITS." Charles Lamb-" Shade of Elliston." BY GEORGE RAYMOND, ESQ. With Illustrations BY GEORGE CRUIKSHAN K. SECOND EDITION. VOL. I. LONDON: JOHN OLLIVIER, 59, PALL MALL. INTRODUCTION CONTENTS. p. xi CHAPTER I. Preliminary notice and remarks-Elliston-His parentage and family-Education-St. Paul's school-Early indications of ability-Public schools-First attempt at acting-Tragedy at a pastry-cook's-Mathews-Further progress in actingUnfortunate amateur-Letter from New South WalesElliston's frailty and remorse-Youthful dilemmas-Flight from home-Terrors of the runaway-Fellow-travellersGout and ophthalmia CHAPTER II. 1 A journey, "strange bedfellows"-Ugly knocks-A frozen footboy-Comfortable quarters-A family group-A lovely girl -A Scotch ballad-" Speechifying"-A sleepless nightA parting-Elliston arrives at Bath-" His first appearance upon any stage"-Dimond-Tate Wilkinson, anecdote of, and characteristic letter-Wrench-Elliston's remorseLetter to his uncle-Acts at Leeds-Increasing despondency -Second letter to Dr. Elliston-A joyful surprise-Young Elliston returns to London-Visits Cambridge-His reception by the Master of Sidney . 27 Elliston's introduction to John Kemble-His success in Romeo -Old actors in young parts-Family feuds-A Thespian wagon-An awkward meeting with an old acquaintance— Elliston a hero in earnest-A conflagration-Don Juan in his element-" A speech"-A capital writing-master-A friendly go-between-Miss Flemming, an amorous spinsterTactics-A lovely woman-Miss Rundall-Machinations"A positive engagement"-George Colman-Elliston a married man-Elliston at the Haymarket Theatre-OctavianCritiques Sheva-Colman's letter-Mr. Gore-Jocular epistle-George III. 54 CHAPTER IV. The "Iron Chest"-Colman's "Preface"-Observations on his dispute with Kemble-Elliston studies Sir Edward Mortimer -Plays the part-His entire success-Reflections of the "Mirror"-The widow Collins-An original ConservativeHer eccentric letter-Sheridan's application to our heroAnother letter from the widow-Elliston plays Philaster at Covent Garden - Colman's renewed applications - Mrs. Elliston, a thriving wife-Elliston plays Walter with success" Seeing the world"-" The Court of Comus"-Club anecdotes-Cussans, a great oddity-Various anecdotes respecting him 83 CHAPTER V. An unexpected meeting-Elliston a critic-Widow Collins again -Elliston a public lecturer-"The Artichoke" - Earl of Harcourt-His Lordship's letter to Mrs. Elliston-Observa tions on Elliston's Charles Surface-Sheridan's note-The Duchess of Devonshire-Two letters of Lord Harcourt- Elliston plays before the King-A royal fête at Frogmore- Covent Garden Theatre-" The Glorious Eight"-Subscription Room at Windsor- A fracas-Damages-A conjuror— Elliston eased of his money-A cock without a head-Ellis- ton grows ambitious-Lord Harcourt's reproof-A royal fête -Elliston in many parts-bon mot of the King-Mrs. Ellis- ton writes to the Master of Sidney-Elliston a gamester- Humorous letter from Mr. Gore-Lord Nelson-Lady Hamilton -Early career of that lady-Adventure at Cocksheath Camp -A scene at Naples-Marinari, the painter-A scene of Magic-A bewildered artist-Lady Hamilton and the Mus- sulman-Strange shifts in country playhouses-Elliston at Weymouth-A curious interview with his Majesty-Elliston b |