PREFACE. THE present volume is not a mere reprint of the work which appeared in 1878. Three months' labour has been expended upon its revision and correction; sometimes the materials have been re-arranged; irrelevant matter and apocryphal anecdotes have been excised, while many interesting facts and good stories have been added. The difficulty of compressing two large volumes into one small one necessitated condensation. In conclusion, the author trusts that his labour will be rewarded, and that the present edition of 'Our Old Actors' will become a standard book of reference for all who are interested in the history of the British stage. |