340 STROLLERS. the Second altered an incident in the plot of Dryden's Aurungzebe," it is enough that, at this period of our history, by the liberal patronage of George the Third, theatricals were in a flourishing state, and particularly in the provinces-not merely in those considerable cities and towns, to which we have had occasion to allude, but in obscurer country places, many of which, either in barn or booth, contrived to have their circuit-going comedians, while in London it was still the fashion "to go to the play;" so that at this time, the words of the critic in the days of Garrick and Macklin, were in equal force-namely, that England had four estates, the King, the Lords, the Commons, and the Players. Of strollers, there is a curious anecdote, relating to the remote period of 1587, not generally known. a When the Spanish Armada was hovering on the coast, a company of vagrant actors were performing piece called "Sampson," in a booth, at Penryn; and the enemy having silently landed a body of men, were making their way, at night, to burn the town; when fortunately, at that instant, the players having let Sampson loose on the Philistines, the sound of drums, trumpets, and shouts created such a tremendous hubbub, that the Spaniards fancied the whole town, with Beelzebub at their back, were pouring down upon them, and immediately turning tail, scampered off to their ships. This anecdote, will doubtless remind the reader of the amusing incident in "Tom Jones," where the drum of the puppet showman so terrified poor Partridge, that he fancied the Chevalier, Jenny Cameron, and all the rebels were at hand, and that his dying hour was come. In 1733, an itinerant company of comedians proceeded even to the island of Jamaica, and actually realized a large sum of money by acting, They received 370 pistoles, the first night of "The Beggar's Opera," but within the space of two months, they had buried their Polly, Mrs. Slammakin, Filch, and two others of the gang. The gentlemen of the island, for some time, took their turns upon the stage, to keep at least the diversion alive; but this did not last long, for within two months more, there were but one old man, a boy and a woman of the original company, surviving. The party had died either by the distemper of the country, or the effects of rum punch, a beverage so frequently fatal to new comers. The shattered remains of the crew, with upwards of 2000 pistoles in bank, embarked for Carolina, to join another company at Charlestown; but they also perished, having been cast away on the voyage! Had Jeremy Collier lived in these days, he scarcely could have failed noticing this, as an in stance of the just wrath of heaven at the sinfulness of stage plays.* * Collier's anger, however, appears to have been directed against the abuses of the stage, for he does allow that the wit of man cannot invent more efficacious means of encouraging virtue and depressing vice, than the drama. CHAPTER XIV. Elliston climacteric Bonne fortune Hazard A "City -- Madam"-Amatory retribution-A trip to Sevenoaks-Contretemps-Lucky escape-Anonymous correspondents-Observations thereon—“ Invisiblina!"-Poetry and marvels— Prose and mystery-Bacchanalian indiscretions-The Jubilee-A fête in Stratford Place-" Romeo " Coates-Anec dote of Pope Elliston's "himself!". Covent Garden Theatre-O. P. riots-Mr. Kemble. ELLISTON may now be considered to have attained that culmination of public favour, which the configuration of the stars had predicted, at his birth. The year 1809 had advanced Napoleon and the Comedian to the ascendant of their glory. Wagram and Drury were interwoven! The forms of the two actors stood out in bold relief from the crowded canvass of events, and either felt he had no longer a rival, except in the contemplation of the other. Destiny seemed enamoured of the parallel; wilder and more hazardous were their projects yet to come, but success had attained its zenith, and thought more fiery in progress, the day was still wasting, and the moments numbered. It may be well suspected by those, whose tastes have led them to a close acquaintance with what is called "life," that Elliston, by nature well-favoured, skilled in the art of pleasing, with passions, which like wine, are termed "generous," and with the attraction of a sparkling notoriety, was open to some of those perils so inseparable from a state of polite community. Under the gaudy guise of "bonne fortune," the Siren conceals her snaky tresses- youth, blood, imagination, vanity, and "money in the purse," are alike equally assailed, and when we recollect how vulnerable was our hero, (if he may be still permitted to retain the title,) collectively and severally in these particulars, it will be as little doubted what was the issue of the conflict. Elliston, who was really fond of his wife, and when in her company preferred her to any other woman on earth, might have been startled, perhaps, at hearing he was not a good husband. Constantly in the habit of listening to his own praises, and never subject to direct reproaches, he amused his conscience with a convenient credulity, whilst he indulged his inclinations with the more substantial fare of their hearty gratification. That affection which he really possessed, was but an involuntary virtue, which he never dreamt of pro |