is not so easily broken, and upon the completion of his education he returned once more to the arena of his boyish triumphs. Maturity had not ripened his talents, and he met with only indifferent

success.

Writing of this time, Macready was disposed to think his talents were not properly appreciated, that the public seemed to resent upon the man the blind idolatry they had lavished upon the boy. There was a sort of sing-song in his delivery, he says, that suggested words learned by heart rather than flowing from impulse, "but, when warmed into passion, he became possessed with the spirit of the scene, and in witnessing, as I have done, his illustration of passages with all the originality and fire of genius, the conviction was pressed upon me that if he had not had to his prejudice the comparison of his boyish triumphs, and the faulty manner derived from frequent careless repetition, he would have maintained a distinguished position in his maturer years." He adds, in another place, "There was a depth of feeling in his latter scenes of Osmyn (Zara) that held the audience wrapt in breathless attention; and of all the representations I have seen of Sir Edward Mortimer, he came next to Kean (though longo intervall, for Kean was unapproachable in that character.) . . . . I do not think he studied improvement in his art,

and in consequence deteriorated by becoming used up in the frequent repetition of the same parts."

He retired from the stage in 1824, but survived until August 24th, 1874.

CHAPTER VI.

ROBERT WILLIAM ELLISTON.

Theatre Royal Pastry Cook Shop-At Bath-Engaged by Colman -The Iron Chest-Story of King George the Third-An Extraordinary" Double"-The Duke Aranza-Origin of the Surrey Theatre-Anecdotes of Rowland Hill-A Grotesque Quarrel-Origin of the Olympic Theatre-The Bohemian and Fireworks Hoax-A Coup de Théâtre-Making use of a Friend-Lessee of Drury Lane-The Company-- Elliston in the Character of Shopman-A Triumphal Entry-A Royal Benediction-An Embarrassing Dinner Party-Bankruptcy-Last Appearance" Bribery and Corruption"-Talfourd upon his Acting.

"MA

Μ

AGNIFICENT were thy capriccios on this globe of earth, ROBERT WILLIAM ELLISTON!" apostrophises Charles Lamb. "Wherever Elliston walked, sat, or stood still, there was the theatre. He carried about with him his pit, boxes, and galleries, and set up his portable playhouse at corners of streets and in the market-places. Upon flintiest pavements he trod the boards still; and if his theme chanced to be passionate, the green baize carpet of tragedy spontaneously rose beneath his feet," &c.

This famous comedian, who has been immortal