The life and correspondence of Charles Mathews, the elder, comedian

Front matter

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LIBRARY j

Contents

CHAPTER L

My determination to write my life — Birth, parentage, and education ; life, character, and behaviour — My retentive memory — My birth-place — My grandfather and father — Family disputes — Fanatic visitors — My face and figure when a child— Hannah More and Garrick — My school-days — The schoolmaster and usher — My precocious attempts at mimicry — A perambulating fishmonger — My imitation of his queer cry, and his revenge . pp. 1 — 10

Chapter II

Methodist preachers : Brothers Hill, Durrant, Huntington, Berridge — Fanatics' Tabernacle in Tottenham -court-road — "The Oven" — Early bigotry — "Wrestling" — First love — Musical mania — Incipient yearnings after popular applause — Enfield races pp. 11 — 18

Chapter III

Merchant Tailors' School — Flogging — Serjeant Pell — William Mathews — Beligious experience — Saintly epistles — Religious fanaticism — Pious tracts with odd titles — Huntington the coalheaver, and his miracles — Rowland Hill — Popular preaching pp. 19 — 29

Chapter IV

French school — Private theatricals — Master Elliston — First visit to a theatre, and its effect — Literary attempt — Mr. John Litchfield — Major Topham — William Mathews — "The Thespian Magazine" — Editorship — Death of Edwin the comedian — Correspondence with Mr. Thomas Harris, the proprietor of Covent Garden Theatre — Apprenticeship to his father — Macklin — First appearance on a public stage with Mr. John Litchfield — Richmond at Richmond — The Duke of Clarence and Mrs. Jordan — Second appearance

Vlll CONTENTS.

in public — Canterbury — Last appearance in the character of a bookseller — Introduction to the agent of the Dublin Theatre— Engagement, and departure from home ..." pp. 30 — 46

CHAPTER' V.

Early letters to his friend Mr. John Litchfield— Departure from home— Journey to Ireland — Dublin — Introduction to Daly the Manager — Mrs. Wells (afterwards Mrs. Sumbel) — Owenson — Miss Campion (afterwards Mrs. Pope) — Miss Farren — Holman — Honourable Mrs. Twisleton — Dishonourable conduct of Daly — In danger -of being drowned — An Irish Humane Society . . . . •. . . . . . . '. . . . .• . pp. 47— 62

CHAPTER VL ', , '

Mr. Mathews and Miss Strong — His engagement to her, and his father's letter to him on the subject — His marriage with Miss Strong — Increasing ambition— Application to Tate Wilkinson, the York Patentee — Mr. Mathews's ' visit to his family in London — His reception — Mr. Mathews's engagement with Tate Wilkinson — His first interview — His debut — His apparent failure and discouragement . . . . . . ., . . . . . . pp. 63 — 76

CHAPTER VII.

Leeds — Prejudice entertained there against actors — Eudeness to female performers— Outrage upon Mr. Holman, and upon MissGough — Feeling towards actors in Hull — Anecdote — Denman and the landlady — Unpopularity of the Income-tax — Mr. Mathews's whimsical remonstrance to the Commissioners —t Letter to Mr. Litchfield — Tate Wilkinson's opinion of Murphy's '* Life of Garrick" — Mr. Mathews's success at York — His fondness for attending trials — Action for killing a donkey — Witness interrogated by Counsellors Eaine and Cockle — Simplicity of the witness — Letter of Mr. William Mathews to his brother . pp. 77 — 86 ■

CHAPTER VIII. '

Mr. Mathews's accident while performing at York — Death of his brother- Letter to Mr. Litchfield — Mrs. Mathews's illness and dying wishes — Letter to Mr. Litchfield — Death of Mrs. Mathews — A remarkable dream — Letter from Mr. Colman, ofi"ering Mr. Mathews an engagement in London — Correspondence on the subject pp. 87 — 99

CHAPTER IX.

George Colman at York — Tate Wilkinson's reception of him — The York performers— Mr. Colman's dramatic reading^Mr, Mathews's second marriage — Wedding incidents — Miss De Camp — Mr. Colman's letter to Mr. Mathews — Parting interview between Mr. Mathews and Tate Wilkinson, pp. 100 — 105

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER X.

Arrival in London of Mr. .Mathews and his young wife — Their reception at the paternal home — Grloom of the' house — Removal to Manchester-street — Old Mr. Mathews listening to his son's songs and stories — Mr. Mathews's first appearance in London — Anecdote of Mr, Cumberland — Letter from Tate Wilkinson — Mr, Mathews's success in " Love Laughs at Locksmiths" — His Mr. Wiggins — His engagement at Liverpool — Letter from Mr, Lewis — His prediction — Birth of Mr. Mathews's son pp. 106 — 111

CHAPTER XI.

Ee-opening of the Haymarket Theatre — Mr. Bannister, Jun. — Illness of Mr. Mathews's father — First appearance "of Mr. Mathews at Drury-lane Theatre — Mr, Sheridan reading the part of Sir Peter Teazle — "Sohool for i^'riends" — Mr. Mathews's retentive memory — His introduction to "Anacreon Moore"— Mr. Raymond's proposal to Mr. Mathews to turn book-auctioneer pp. 112 — 118

CHAPTER XII.

Mr. Theodore Hook's farce of " Catch him who can" — Letter from Mr. Colman - to Mr. Mathews— Ventriloquy — Letter from Mr. Young to Mr. Mathews —

' Mr.lVIathews meets with a severe accident — His re-appearance at Drury-lane Theatre — Mr, Mathews's first attempt to perform an " Entertainment" — ^Mr. James Smith and his letter — Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire —

. Mr. Abraham G-oldsmidt — Mr. Mathews's introduction to the Prince of Wales — The actors' dinner to Mr, Sheridan — Mr. Theodore Hook's extemporaneous singing — Letters from Mr, Sheridan and Mr, Colman to Mr. Mathews^-" Twig Hall" — Mr. Liston — Miss Mellon (afterwards Duchess of

CHAPTER XIII.

*' The Spanish Ambassador" and his ** Interpreter." . . , pp.134 — 147

CHAPTER XIV.

Mr. Mathews in Maw-ioorm — Origin of the sermon from the screen, in '*The Hypocrite" — The Four-in-hand Club — Farce of " Hit or Miss" — Ofi'er from Mr. Arnold — Re -opening of the Lyceum Theatre — Cottage at Fulham — Proposal from Mr. EUiston — Mr. Mathews's reception at Liverpool, pp.148 — 154

CHAPTER XV.

Actors' lives — Mr. Mathews's letters from Liverpool and Dublin — His first appearance in Ireland, 1794 — The Irish Warier, &c. . . pp.155 — 163

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XYI.

Provincial wanderings — Partnership with Mr. Incledon — Dissolution of partnership— Re-appearance at Haymarket Theatre — First appearance of Mr. Mathews at Covent Grarden, in " Love, Law, and Physic"— Mr. Mathews's imitation of Lord Ellenborough in the character of Flexible — The consequences— Imitation of Mr. Braham^ — Mr. Mathews's imitation at Carlton House before the Prince Regent — Mrs. Jordan pp. 164 — 170

CHAPTER XYII.

Mr. Mathews commanded to perform at Carlton House— His previous visit to that palace — Disposal of the cottage intheKing's-road — Mr. Mathews's return to town — Letter from Mr. Theodore Hook, from the Mauritius, pp. 171 — 179

CHAPTER XVIII.

Mr. Mathews's severe accident in company with Mr. Terry — Mr. Colman's letter — Mr. Mathews's re-appearance at the Haymarket in "Hocus Pocus" — Mr. Mathews at Brighton — His lameness incurable — Letter of Mr. Henry Harris — Mr. Mathews's letters to Mrs. Mathews from Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon pp. 180 — 186

CHAPTER XIX.

Mr. Mathews's return to town, and appearance in the character of Falstaff— Whimsical mistake — Lord Tamworth — Result of a Grreenwidh dinner — A moral lesson — Dinuer at Long's with Mr. Walter Scott and Lord Byron — ' Mr. Mathews leaves town with Mr. Walter Scott — The "Man on the Great Horse," a startling Incident of the road — Letters of Mr. Mathews from Northampton — Account of his performance there — Mr. Mathews visits Warwick Castle and Kenilworth with Mr. Walter Scott — Indiscreet disclosure of the authorship of the Waverley novels — Letter from Mr. Mathews from Staffordshire ; great theatrical exertion ; curious epitaphs — Letter from Mr. Mathews from Derbyshire — Invitation of Mr. Mathews to Windsor Castle by Queen Charlotte — The Irish Mathews and his wife, pp. 187 — 195

CHAPTER XX.

Mr. Mathews at the Haymarket Theatre — Unnecessary offers of assistance — Letter to Mrs. Mathews from Worthing — Unintentional compliment — Methodistical playgoers— Visit to France by Mr. Maihews and Mr. Yates — Mr. Mathews's engagement with Mr. Arnold — His visit to Paris with that gentleman— Letter to Mrs. Mathews from Paris — Tiercelin, Brunet, and Potier — Invitation to Mr. Mathews's "At Home" — Programme of the entertainment — Mr. Mathews's introductory address — Extraordinary success of the speculation — Mr. Mathews's sudden illness— Mr. Arnold and his bond — Amelioration of the agreement — Distressing malady . pp. 196 — 211

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XXI.

Journey to Liverpool — Incidents on the road — Letter to Mrs. Mathews — Reception of Mr. Mathews by his friends at Swansea — Visit to Mr. and Mrs. Rolls at Briton Ferry — Letters to Mrs. Mathews pp. 212 — 215

CHAPTER XXII.

Mr. Mathews's second " At Home:" Trip to Paris — Description of that Entertainment— His farewell address — Literary pirates — Ivy Cottage and the picture gallery — Mr. Mathews in Scotland — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — The methodistand the actor— Letters to Mrs. Mathews . . . pp. 216— 225

CHAPTEE XXIII.

Mr. Mathews again "At Home" — Country cousins — Address to the audience — Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd— Close of performance at English Opera House, and Mr. Mathews's address — Mr. Mathews's visit to the provinces — His letters to Mrs. Mathews— Lady Butler and Miss Ponsonby — Personification of the lat^'l. P. Curran— Letters of Mr. Mathews to Mrs. Mathews — Sensitiveness of Mr. Mathews — Anecdote — Letters continued — Two impostors — Mr. Mathews's proposal to -erect a monument to Shakspeare at Stratford ; public meeting on the occasion — Intended ascent in a balloon, pp. 226 — 237

CHAPTER XXIV.

Announcement of Mr. Mathews's Adventures in Air, Earth, and Water — Account of these Adventures — Address on the close of the fourth season of Mr, Mathews's entertainments — Anecdotes of Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Charles Lamb — Letter of Mr, Coleridge to Mr. Mathews . . . , pp, 238 — 248

CHAPTER XXV,

Mr. Mathews's fondness for the society of foreigners — Naldi, Ambrogetti — A new "At Home" — Mr. Mathews's performance in aid of a subscription for the Irish Peasants — Letter from Mr. J. Wilson Croker; portrait of Mrs. Clive — Mr. Mathews's regret at his, compact with Mr. Arnold — Causes of the nervous excitability of Mr. Mathews — Proposed engagement with Mr. Price in America — Stipulations with Mr. Arnold — Mr. Mathews's address on taking leave of the London public — Letters to Mr. Mathews from Mr. EUiston and Mr. Macready — Mr. Mathews's performance at Carlton House — Conversation with the King — His Majesty's anecdote of Mr. Kemble — Boyal munificence pp. 249 — 257

CHAPTER XXVI.

Mr. Mathews's departure for New York — His letters from America,

Xll CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Interview at Boston between Mr. Mathews and an old friend of his father- Letter from< that gentleman to Mr. Mathews — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Letter from Mr. Mathews to Mr. James Smith ; the American character ; inordinate love of petty titles: Yankee conversation; independent landlords ; conversation with an American Boniface ; a black Methodist ; Negro songs — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Preparations for return to England,

CHAPTEE XXYIII.

Mr. Mathews at New York in the character of Othello — Success of the attempt — Anticipation by the Americans that Mr. Mathews would, on his return to England, ridicule their peculiarities — Public dinner given to him— Letter from Mr. Theodore Hook to Mr. Mathews — Mr. Mathews's engagement to perform in the regular drama: his journey to Dublin — Letter to Mrs. Mathews : a stage-coach nuisance — Mr. Mathews's dislike of idle visitors — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : arrival at Seapoint; success at Dublin,

CHAPTEE XXIX.

Mr. Mathews's reluctance to give offence in his representation of American character — Letter on this subject from Mr. James Smith — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : Irish anecdotes : danger of suffocation : arrival in Wales — Mr. Mathews's new entertainment, the "Trip to America" — Account of the performance pp. 297 — 303

CHAPTEE XXX.

Letter from the Right Honourable J. W. Croker to Mr. Mathews — Letter to Mrs. Mathews : Disturbance at the Dublin Theatre — Mr. Talbot's attempts to thwart the success of Mr. Mathews — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : passage to Ireland — Unlucky speculations of Mr. Mathews — Letters to Mrs. Mathews . pp. 304—309

CHAPTEE XXXI.

Mr, Mathews's new entertainment, called his "Memorandum Book" — Programme— Description of the performance — Letter from Mr. J. Gr. Lockhart to Mr. Mathews — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : Plymouth gaieties : Expedition to Loo — Letter to Mrs. Mathews : Mr. Farley and the cat in the boot — Mr. Mathews's visit to Scotland — Letter to Mrs. Mathews: Introduction of Mr. C. J. Mathews to Sir Walter Scott: Invitation to Abbotsford : Sir Walter and the novels — Anecdote of an old laird — A Scotch hackneycoachman pp. 310 — 317

CONTENTS. XIU

CHAPTER XXXII.

Mr. Mathews's return to London — Letter from liim to tbe Duke of Montrose : embarrassing request — Frequent visits of the Duke and Duchess of Montrose to Mr. Mathews's "At Homes" — Zealous support by Mr. Mathews of the Theatrical Fund — Letter from Mr. Mathews to Mr. Richard Lane: Illegible names — Mr. Mathews's seventh '*At Home" at the English Opera-house — Programme of the entertainment — Letter from Dr. Kitchener to Mr. Mathews : the "Cook's Oracle," the ** Housekeeper's Ledger," pp. 818 — 322

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Mrs. Eichard Wilson's parties — Distinguished guests — Letter to Mrs. Mathews — Offer to Mr. Mathews from Mr. Price of an engagement at Drury-lane Theatre — Mr. Mathews at the English Opera-house and in the provinces— Invitation from the Duke of Clarence to Mr, Mathews— Conversation between him and his Royal Highness — Mr. Mathews's "At Home" at the English Opera-house for the eighth season — The "Home Circuit" — Programme— Account of the performance — A journal from Brighton — Singular Visitor — Mr. Mathews's acceptance of an engagement at Drury-lane Theatre — Letter from Mr. Charles Lamb to Mr. Barron Field — Mr. Mathews's appearance at Drury-lane Theatre — Great success of the performance— Mr. Mathews's journey homewards from the north — His mail-coach companions — A damp stranger — John Luckie, Baron HuUock, and Mr. Brougham — Anecdote — Mr. Mathews's extraordinary imitation of children — Mr. Liston hoaxed — Mr. Leigh Hunt's description of Mr. Mathews's powers — Hospitality of Mr. Thomas Hill — The Sydenham Sundays pp. 323—334

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Mr. Mathews takes a share in the Adelphi Theatre with Mr. Yates — Performances at Brighton with Mr. Yates — Anecdote of Mr. Liston — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : Berkeley Castle : Performances at Cheltenham — Mr. Mathews's dinner miseries — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Letter from Mr. C.J. Mathews to Mrs. Mathews : Journal of a residence in Italy . pp. 335 — 342

CHAPTER XXXY.

The Adelphi Theatre opened by Messrs. Mathews and Yates — Account of the performance — Mr. Mathews in the character of Caleb Pij)kin — Annoying inaccuracy — His "first real illness" — His love of eccentric characters — Imputed irritability of Mr. Mathews — His good humour — Origin of the ** school orators" — 'An importunate beggar — Impromptu — Mr. Mathews and Mr. Yates " At Home" at the Adelphi, in 1829 — Programme of the spring entertainment — Popularity of the performance — Mr. Mathews's pro-»incial

XIV CONTENTS.

tour with Mr. Yates — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : travelling adventures ; a fearful accident ; providential escape ; arrival at Exeter — Trip to Paris — Mr. Mathews's performance there — Return to England — Engagement of the celebrated elephant, Mademoiselle Djek pp. 343 — 355

CHAPTER XXXYI.

Re-opening of the Adelphi Theatre — Mr. Mathews's Comic Annual for 1830 — Address on the close of the performance at the Adelphi — Arrival from Italy of Mr. Mathews's son — Severe illness of the latter — Mr. Mathews's fondness for birds and other animals — The little bantam — Letter to the Rev. T. Speidell — Letter to Mrs. Mathews — Letter to Mr. Mathews from the late Mr. Godwin — Study for his last novel of " Cloudesly" — Power of destroying personal identity — Wonderful instance of this in Mr. Mathews — Letter to the Rev. T. Speidell— " Comic Annual" for 1831 at the Adelphi Theatre — Performances of Mr. Mathews and Mr. Yates — Charles Mathews, Junior, and Carlo Nanini — Illness of the latter : his death — Effect of this event on Mr. Mathews described in letters to Mrs. Mathews . . . pp. 356 — 368

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Mr. Mathews and family at Brighton — His performances at the Pavilion — Letter to Mr. Peake : illiberal exclusion from the Beef-steak Club — Letter to Mr. Gryles, containing a summary of Mr. Mathews's feelings and circumstances at the commencement of 1832 — Mr. Mathews's Comic Annual for 1832 — Mr. Mathews in his "private box" at the House of Commons — Effect of his presence on several of the members — Singular nocturnal adventure : an escaped felon — A painful accident — Paganini and Mr. Mathews at Southampton— Mr. Mathews's performance at Portsmouth — Another accident — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Mr. Mathews's fondness for the brute creation — The Duke of Wellington and Mr. Mathews in the Zoological Gardens — A Newfoundland-dog — A stray goat pp. 369 — 382

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Mr. Mathews a great hunter after ** sights" — The Fasting Woman of Tetbury; the Living Skeleton ; Daniel Lambert ; Miss Crackham, an Irish Sicilian — Hottentot Venus — Mr. Kemble's visit to the last-mentioned curiosity — A midnight scene: Mustapha the cat, Mr. Mathews, and Mr. Kemble — Mr. Mathews's anxiety for the means of retirement and repose — His losses in bubble companies — His conviction that his constitution was breaking up — Removal from the Cottage to London — The Adelphi Theatre property — Action at law against Mr. Mathews for thirty thousand pounds — Exhibition of the pictures collected by Mr. Mathews — His London residence — His final departure from the Cottage — Decline of his health and spirits — His com-

CONTENTS. XV

mencement of his autobiography — His lethargy — Letter from Mr. Mathews to Mr. Gyles — Account of the exhibition of the theatrical pictures — Mr. Mathews at the dinner of the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund : imitation of " Glorious Dan"— Mr. Mathews's *• Comic Annual " for 1833, pp. 383—397

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Mr. Mathews's visit to Mr. Eaton — His dislike of transacting business — His illness — His visits to the Zoological Gardens — His fondness for Brighton — ■ Letter to Mrs. Mathews — Effect on Mr. Mathews of an inattentive auditor : anecdote — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Mr. Mathews anticipation as to his biographer — Letter to Mrs. Mathews : dreary accident on Salisbury Plain — Fatality attending Mr. Mathews's movements from home . pp. 398 — i08

CHAPTER XL.

Serious illness of Mr. Mathews— His sufferings — Letters to Mrs. Mathews ; Corbyn's Hall ; Fop's first appearance on any stage ; Mr. Mathews's reception at Birmingham — Letter to the Rev. Thomas Speidell — Letters to Mrs. Mathews — Inns ; application from the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund — Mr. Mathews's speech at the Fund dinner pp. 409 — 419

CHAPTER XLI.

Offer to Mr. Mathews of a second engagement in America — His reluctance to accept it — His ultimate determination — His performance at Richmond, being his last public appearance in England — Parting interview between Mr. Mathews and Mr. Bannister — Mr. and Mrs. Mathews at Mr. Cartwright's House in the Isle of Wight — Their departure from England in the Canada — Valedictory letter from Mr. Theodore Hook — The voyage — The somnambulist— Arrival at New York ; the scurrilous placard ; Mr. Mathews's performance in New York of his " Trip to America j" its effect on the audience — Mr. Mathews's reception in Philadelphia pp. 420 — 433

CHAPTER XLII.

Dinner at Philadelphia in compliment to Mr. Sheridan Knowles — Mr. Mathews's speech on that occasion — Letters to Mr. C. J. Mathews ; Mr. Trelawney ; illness of Mr. Mathews, and probability of his premature return to England ; reception of Mr. Mathews at Boston— The Scots' Charitable Society of Boston — Letter from Mrs. Pierce Butler to Mr. Mathews ; information touching the Canadas — Letter from Mr. Mathews to his son — Letters from Mrs. Mathews to Mr. C. J. Mathews ; preaching of Dr. Wainwright — Fop and his impudent claimant PP. 434—444

XVI CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XLIII.

Letters from Mrs. Mathews to Mr. C. J. Mathews ; JVIr. Mathews's appearance at New York ; anticipations . of return home ; renovation of Mr. Mathews's health; a "cold snap ;" interior of an American house — Letter from Mr. Mathews to the Rer. Thomas Speidell — Mr. Mathews's last appearance in

■ New York — Embarkation for England — Letter to Mr, C. J. Mathews ; arrival at Liverpool ; the homeward voyage ; sudden and alarming illness of Mr. Mathews ; a violent gale pp. 445 — 452

. CHAPTER XLIV.

Mr. Mathews*s anxiety as to his affairs — The excellence of his character — Letters to Mi-s. Mathews ; state of Mr. Mathews's health, and treatment of his medical attendants — Mr. Winstanley's account of the illness of Mr. Mathews — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : improvement in the health of Mr. Mathews ; his endeavour to mingle jest with pain ; preparations for removal to Crick ; the journey thither — Application from the Committee of the Theatrical Fund — Mr. Mathews's reply — Letters to Mrs. Mathews : Despondency of Mr. Mathews — Letter to Mr. Gyles .... pp. 453 — 463

CHAPTER XLY.

Mr. Mathews's departure from Crick — His journey to Oxford — Embarks for Plymouth — His arrival there — Mr Harris's report as to the progress of Mr. Mathews's illness — Letter to Mrs. Mathews pp. 464 — 468

CHAPTER XLYI.

Formal announcement to Mrs. Mathews of the impossibility of her husband's recovery — Mr. Wightwick's recital of the progress of Mr. Mathews's disorder— A happy evening — Final interview between Mr. Mathews and his son — Mr. Mathews's conversation in writing — His night-visions — Delusive symptoms — His last words — His death — The last mournful ceremonies — His monument pp. 469 — 480

THE

LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

OP

CHAKLES MATHEWS.

r

Chapter I

My determination to write my life— Birth, parentage, and education; life, cha* racter, and behaviour — My retentive memory — My birth-place — My gi-andfather and father — Family disputes — Fanatic visitors — My face and figure when a child— Hannah More and Garrick — My school -days — The schoolmaster and usher — My precocious attempts at mimicry — A perambulating fishmonger — My imitation of his queer cry, and his revenge.

" He who pleads his own cause has a fool for his client," say the lawyers. I am afraid the writer of his own life is liable to the same imputation. I should have begun to write mine years ago, if I had had the courage. " On their own merits modest men are dumb," — on their demerits they are not likely to dwell. What then is a poor fellow to do, who, with the terrors of the press before his eyes, feels it a sort of duty to himself to put on record a few remarkable events, anecdotes of celebrated men, hair-breadth escapes by flood and field, opinions of contemporaries, and various scenes in the drama of life in which he has been a principal actor ?

It is not merely a record of my own adventures and mishaps — my life and opinions, that I am vain enough to think amusing ; but some of those singular events which, contrary to all probability or my own expectation, mingled me with remarkable men. Few individuals have had greater opportunities afforded them than myself of associating or coming in contact with persons of every class of society, as 1 trust I shall be able to show. The original causes of such heterogeneous associations it will be my business to depict — but, from one chance or another, " they lay in my way," and I have known, visited, corresponded, or conversed with kings, lords, commons, merchants, traders ; all, from the cobbler's stall to the palace, I have, like Asmodeus, con-

B trived to enter — and, therefore, think I have at least the wherewithal to furnish an amusing work.

Well, then, for some years I have hoped the day would arrive when I should have the courage to "attempt my own life." I really have to plead the excuse of publishing " at the desire of too partial friends." I have been coaxed, wheedled, urged, tempted, bribed, goaded almost, to — begin. " Make a commencement at all events. Try ; 'tis a shame — such stores of anecdotes — you will only have to copy, and instead of the dazzling white paper before yon, you can shut your lids, while the eyes are turned within, and have only the labour of remembering, while others are battering their brains for invention." "Yes," said I, "true — but then the plan, the construction, the language ! The public has been fed with such high dishes, that" — "They are more likely to be pleased with simple fare," said a good-natured, round, dimple-faced friend. " Ah ! there indeed!" said I; "if I believed that!" "Believe it then from me ; write fearlessly — nay, carelessly if you like." " What ! with the terrors of the Quarterly and Edinburgh, cum multis aliis, before my eyes ?" " You have nothing to fear from them, if you do not ' attempt' too much. Flowery writing, or metaphorical description, will ' confound you,' not the deed of writing as you speak."

" Well !" said I, " seriously, I am thinking of it. Begin I will, my — my — what ? ' Apology ?' — I hear a hiss at the word. * Records ?' already done. ' Reminiscences ?' — stale. Well, then — Birth, parentage, and education — Life, character, and behaviour of Charles Mathews, Comedian, who was — Hang it ! I have heard those words before, and precisely so arranged; but no matter — I will pursue that style of biography to the letter ; it has sold many a sheet-list of all ' the unfortunate malefactors,' and perhaps it is not yet so damaged in the service but that it may be of service to me. I will begin with the birth, and pursue it to — nay, not quite to the last scene — I must leave that to somebody more alive to the subject than myself."

I have never written with a view to publication since I was sixteen, and have considerable doubt whether I am qualified for the task. I have resolved to put down rapidly the matter which my memory is charged withal, and shall risk the reading just as I should a letter written in a hurry to an indulgent friend, of which I had preserved no copy. I have never kept a journal or diary, or made a memorandum of a conversation in my life ; but i have an excellent — nay, an extraordinary memory (an invaluable gift to one of my profession), and, having given public proof of this, I may venture to make the remark. I fearlessly pledge myself to the declaration, that I can perfectly recollect and repeat most of the anecdotes and conversations of remarkable persons whom I have met in early life, with as much facility as I related them at the time they happened.

Addison remarks, " that no one peruses a book with so much content, if he be unacquainted with the author, as when he is informed of his situati^ in life, his connexions, his disposition, and, above all, of his person." Now, knowing the misery of ungratified curiosity, I feel it my duty to proceed upon this hint, and shall therefore endeavour to afford every facility in my power to those who may do me the honour to read my life and experience, towards their full enjoyment ofthese volumes, by satisfying the most insatiable propensity for prying that ever afflicted the most curious and inquisitive of the human race.

I shall commence this narrative with " those early years wherein the human mind receives its first bias — when the seeds of all our future actions are sown in the heart, and when causes, in themselves so trifling as almost to be imperceptible, chain us to good or bad, to fortune or misfortune ;" and, with this object in view, 1 hope I shall be excused if, in the outset, I dwell for some time on the situation in life, connexions, and disposition of others — I mean, of that excellent man, my father, and of the peculiar society in which he moved.

To begin at the beginning, then, I shall commence with my first birthday.*