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The Founders of the Kemble Family-Holcroft's Description of a
Strolling Company-Strollers Entering a Town-Quitting it—
Manager Penchard's Company-Captain Plume with the Gout—
A Protean Company-Working a Benefit-Roger Kemble's
Children-A Juvenile Prodigy-Sarah Kemble and her Lover-
Married.
3
CHAPTER II.
THE KEMBLE FAMILY (continued).
MRS. SIDDONS.
Early Struggles-At Cheltenham-Engaged for Drury Lane-
Her London Début-Failure-At Bath-Her "Three Reasons"
for quitting it-Back to London-Preparing for the Event-
Success-Irish Ridicule-Her Reception at Edinburgh-A Canny
Scot-At an Evening Party-A Fashionable Mob
13
CHAPTER III.
MRS. SIDDONS (concluded).
Studying Lady Macbeth-The Sleep-Walking Scene-The Con-
servatism of the Old Audience-Her Arrogance and Avaricious-
ness-Unpopularity-A Stormy Reception-In Private Life-
Her Prudery-Realised Wishes-Time the Destroyer-Her
Farewell-Hazlitt's Description of her Acting-Anecdotes of
her Extraordinary Powers-As Volumnia, Calista, Mrs. Beverley
-Queen Catherine-Her Final Performances 26
CHAPTER IV.
THE KEMBLE FAMILY (concluded).
JOHN PHILIP, STEPHEN, CHARLES AND FANNY KEMBLE.
John Philip intended for a Priest-Forsakes the Cassock for the
Buskin Anecdotes of his Strolling Days-An Old and Young
Stager-At Dublin-First Appearances in London-His Hamlet
-Strange Courtship and Wedding-A Bed of Thorns-" Old
Madame Drury"-The New Theatre-Manager of Covent
Garden The Fire-The O. P. Riots-Kemble's Companies-
His Farewell His Retirement-An Analysis of his Acting-
Stephen-Charles-Fanny Kemble
CHAPTER V.
GEORGE FREDERICK COOKE.
40
His First Penchant for the Stage-Early Strolling-Preaching
and Practice A Pleasant Tête-à-Tête-Dissipation and Misery
-His First Appearance in London-His Richard and Shylock—
Compared with Kemble-His Sir Pertinax Macsycophant-
Neglect of Study-His "Old Complaint "-An Expensive
Display of Loyalty-Declining Popularity-The First Great
English Actor who visited America-In the States-Gasconad-
ing-A Bloodless Duel-Failing Health-Death-Post Mortem
-Two Grim Stories
67
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
SOME FAMOUS COMEDIANS.
Jack Bannister-His Acting in "The Children in the Wood"
-Provincial Criticism-Dr. Syntax-" Bannister's Budget"-
Lewis-The Original of Jeremy Diddler-Edwin-His "Gags"
-"Peeping Tom"-Dicky Suett-His Death
93
CHAPTER VII.
ONE OF TWO ROMANCES.—“ PERDITA" ROBINSON.
Mary Darby's Early History-Her Inclination for the Stage-An
Unwilling Bride-Mr. Robinson's Family-Great Expectations
-The Belle of the Day-Temptation-A House of Cards-
Poverty and a Prison-An Actress at Last-A Brilliant Success
-An Eventful Night-Florizel to Perdita-A Romantic Meet-
ing-Farewell to the Stage-A Prince's Love-Forsaken-A
Bitter End
102
CHAPTER VIII.
ROMANCE THE SECOND.-MRS. JORDAN.
Her Parentage-A Scoundrel-Tate Wilkinson's Description of
her First Introduction to him-Dawning Fame-Overtures for
London-Lessons in Acting-Jealous Rivals-Last Appearance
at York-Her London Début-Imitators and Originals-Her
Viola-The Secret of her Success-The Triumph of Comedy-
Provincial Successes-The Duke of Clarence-Opprobium-
Lady Teazle-A Terrible Blow-A Letter-The Terms of Separa-
tion-A Mystery-Last Scene of all-The Strange Account
of her Death-A Supernatural Story-Three Peeresses: Miss
Farren- Miss Brunton-Miss Mellon
127
Part V.
THE KEAN AND MACREADY PERIOD.
CHAPTER I.
EDMUND KEAN: HIS EARLY STRUGGLES.
His Doubtful Parentage-Miss Tidswell-His First Appearance
on any Stage-His Erratic Habits-First Meeting with Charles
Young-Boy Actor and Imitator-Rescued from Vagabondage
-A Cabin Boy-A Swim across the Thames-Mrs. Siddons'
Prediction-A Great Man for Once-Mary Chambers-Married
-A Terrible Journey-Sheridan Knowles' First Play-Miserable
Wanderings-Provincial Criticism-Braving Brutes-In Despair
-A Rent in the Clouds-Engaged for Drury Lane-New
Difficulties" Shylock or Nothing" - Discouragement and
Contumely-A Fatal Prophecy
165
EDMUND KEAN: HIS GREAT DAYS.
The Dark Hour before the Dawn-A Delirious Triumph-Richard
and Hamlet-His Wonderful Acting in Othello-His Iago-
Fame and Fortune-Paying off old Insults-The Delirium of
Success-Romeo-Zanga-Dr. Doran's Picture of his Sir Giles
Overreach-Bertram-A Danaë Shower-His Love of Low
Company-An Escapade-The Contest with Booth-A Wonder-
ful Performance-Mistakes-His Lear-A Profound Student-
First Visit to America-His Contest with Young-His Pro-
fessional Jealousy
191
EDMUND KEAN: HIS FALL.
His First Introduction to Mrs. Cox-The Trial-A Death Blow-
Second Visit to America-The Boston Riot-His Re-appearance
in London-Charles Kean's First Appearance-Edmund in