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909 E475 R269
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 acting-
Unfortunate amateur-Letter from New South Wales-
Elliston's frailty and remorse-Youthful dilemmas-Flight
from home-Terrors of the runaway-Fellow-travellers—
Gout and ophthalmia
CHAPTER II.
1
A journey, "strange bedfellows"-Ugly knocks-A frozen foot-
boy-Comfortable quarters-A family group-A lovely girl
-A Scotch ballad-" Speechifying"-A sleepless night-
A parting-Elliston arrives at Bath-" His first appearance
upon any stage"-Dimond-Tate Wilkinson, anecdote of,
and characteristic letter-Wrench-Elliston's remorse-
Letter to his uncle-Acts at Leeds-Increasing despondency
-Second letter to Dr. Elliston-A joyful surprise-Young
Elliston returns to London-Visits Cambridge-His recep-
tion 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 spinster-
Tactics-A lovely woman-Miss Rundall-Machinations-
"A positive engagement"-George Colman-Elliston a mar-
ried man-Elliston at the Haymarket Theatre-Octavian—
Critiques 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 Conservative—
Her eccentric letter-Sheridan's application to our hero-
Another letter from the widow-Elliston plays Philaster at
Covent Garden Colman's renewed applications - Mrs.
Elliston, a thriving wife-Elliston plays Walter with suc-
cess" Seeing the world"-" The Court of Comus"-Club
anecdotes-Cussans, a great oddity-Various anecdotes re-
specting 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—
A curious adventure with Davis, the pugilist-Remarkable
anecdote of George III.
112
CHAPTER VI.
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-
Mr. Rundall's advice-A comic adventure with an old bachelor
of Bath-A dinner-Extraordinary hoax 138
CHAPTER VII.
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
loses the Liverpool theatre-Elliston in snug quarters-His
landlord's wife-Love and Idleness
168
CHAPTER VIII.
Haymarket Theatre-Foote's patent-Sharp Correspondence
between Colman and Elliston-Declaration, Plea, and Re-
b
joinder, Sur-rejoinder-Issue-Dimond-His history-Blis-
sett, humours of Some account of him-His own history
of the Bath Theatre-Elliston baffled at Oxford-Corres-
pondence with the Vice-Chancellor-Mr. Gore-Escourt,
the player-A curious anecdote respecting him-An innocent
youth-A happy escape
193
CHAPTER IX.
Elliston's tragedy, a critical notice on his quality—Hamlet—
The Stranger-Rolla-Orestes-Edgar-Amintor-Romeo
-A benefit-Humorous letter of Colman-Journey to Lon-
don-A break down, &c.-Elliston meets with his first love
-Misfortunes and tears-The history of poor Alice-Strange
recognition-Elliston acts Richard III. at the Haymarket
"Love laughs at Locksmiths"-Rupture with Colman-
Domestic calamity-Elliston "at home"-The Three Graces
-Elliston a maitre de danse
215
CHAPTER X.
Mr. Young-Elliston's objection to that gentleman's engagement
-Correspondence-Colman and Elliston-Manoeuvre to
arrest Colman-A green parrot-Dramatist-Extraordinary
benefit at the Opera House-Fracas-Pewter pots-Bailiffs
outwitted-Aaron Graham, the magistrate-Elliston at Drury
Lane-Rolla-On board the Royal yacht-Elliston and Miss
De Camp act before their Majesties-Elliston acts the Duke
Aranza in the "Honeymoon"-Great success-Mr. Gore's
letter-The Young Roscius-A critical letter from Lord
Harcourt.
245