CONTENTS.

To W. C. MACREADY, Sonnet by the Editor.

REMINISCENCES.

PAGR

CHAPTER I.

1793-1808.—Earliest recollections—Preparatory schools at Kensington

and Birmingham-School mutiny-Father's theatre at Birminghamı

-King—Mrs. Siddons--Mrs. Billington-Lord Nelson at the theatre

Visit to relations at Dublin-Adventure at ChesterEntrance 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 .

1

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-0.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 BarnwellPractice 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 "Richez'--Hardyknute in the Wood Demon'-Coach

travelling of the period-An escape from danger-Death of grand-

father

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CHAPTER III.

1811-1812.—First appearance in Hamlet-Criticism on the part of

Hamlet_Visit to London-A dangerous acquaintance-Performing