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CONTENTS.
To W. C. MACREADY, Sonnet by the Editor.
REMINISCENCES.
CHAPTER I.
1793-1808.-Earliest recollections-Preparatory schools at Kensington
and Birmingham-School mutiny-Father's theatre at Birmingham
-King-Mrs. Siddons-Mrs. Billington-Lord Nelson at the theatre
-Visit to relations at Dublin-Adventure at Chester-Entrance at
Rugby-School life-Dr. Inglis-Fagging-Mother's death-School
theatricals-The Young Roscius-Rapid rise in the school-Unmerited
punishment-William Birch-Fight with a bully-Dr. Wooll-Rugby
speeches-More elaborate theatricals-Edmund Kean at Birmingham.
CHAPTER II.
1808-1811.-Father's pecuniary difficulties-Removal from Rugby-
Father's theatrical tastes-Holman, Henderson, and Kemble in
Hamlet-Anecdotes of Macklin-Letter from William Birch-
Visit to London-O.P. Riots-Actors of the day-Earliest gas in
London-Father a prisoner for debt-Undertakes charge of his
company-Journey from Chester to Newcastle-Theatrical season at
Newcastle-Country theatre-Father lessee of theatre at Birming-
ham-Début at Birmingham in Romeo (7th June, 1810)-Lothair in
'Adelgitha '-Norval-Zanga'-'George Barnwell'-Practice on the
stage of the empty theatre-Portrait as Romeo by Dewilde-Catalani
at the Opera House-Engagement at Newcastle-Achmet in 'Bar-
barossa' Osmond in The Castle Spectre '-Rolla-Holiday at
Tynemouth, practice on the seashore-Capture of a fish-Performances
at Leicester and Birmingham-Albyn in 'The Countess of Salisbury,'
Luke in 'Riches'-Hardyknute in the 'Wood Demon' Coach
travelling of the period-An escape from danger-Death of grand-
father
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19
CHAPTER III.
1811-1812.-First appearance in Hamlet-Criticism on the part of
Hamlet-Visit to London-A dangerous acquaintance-Performing