with its black catalogue of horrors. Notwithstanding the late
interference of the Police, there are at present, exclusive of
subscription tables, no less than 18 public gambling houses, at
the West End of the Town. The golden table in Leicester Square
takes the lead in guilty pre-eminence. The _gaming crimps_ are
already very numerous. They dress well, frequent the most
fashionable taverns, and coffee houses, and, having succeeded in
insinuating themselves into company, take an opportunity of
introducing a card, or bill of fare, of their respective
establishments."--(_Times, Sept. 13, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Last week 1272 packs of cards, _unstamped_, pretended to be made
for exportation, but really intended for home consumption, were
burned in the High Street of Shoreham, by order of the
Commissioners."--(_Times, Dec. 6, 1798._)
* * * * *
"In every part of the Metropolis, that most destructive game of
E. O.[5] is now in high practice, but more particularly so in the
neighbourhood of S. James's Street, Pall Mall, and what is called
the fashionable end of the town. The Tables, even if they were
fairly constructed, must be the ruin of all adventurers; because,
in the course of one hour, they play at a game where the Table
has clearly _one hundred and twenty-four_ chances to _one_ in its
favor within that hour. If this does not rouse the Magistracy,
Justice may then be announced to be in a somniferous
state--occasioned probably, by a yellow mineral
application."--(_Times, June 22, 1795._)
[Footnote 5: "A thousand witnesses might be produced to
prove, that at every Ridolio, part of the company is seated
at a round table, which has a hollow, moveable, circle in
the middle, with a declivity from the centre, and its
circumference divided into little separate cavities, or
cells, distinguished by the letters E, and O, placed over
them alternately: the hollow circle is put in motion, and a
small ivory ball thrown upon it in a contrary direction;
after several turns, the inclination of the surface carries
the ball down towards the cavities prepared for its
reception, in one of which, having rebounded several times,
it at last rests, and the parties concerned in this
interesting event, succeed, or fail, as they chance to have
chosen, or not, the letter under which the ball happens to
lie."--"The World," No. 180, 10th June, 1756.]
* * * * *
"It is impossible that the Magistrates can be ignorant of the
number of E. O. Tables, now held at the West end of the town. At
one of these, established close to King's Place, a young man
lost, on Sunday, £1500."--(_Times, June 20, 1795._)
* * * * *
"PRIVATE LOTTERIES.
"Amongst the various species of Gaming that have ever been
practised, we think none exceeds the mischiefs, and calamities,
that arise from the practice of private Lotteries, which at
present are carrying on, in various parts of the town, to very
alarming extents, much to the discredit of those whose province
it is to suppress such nefarious practices, as they cannot be
ignorant of such transactions. 'The little go,' which is the
technical term for a private Lottery, is calculated only for the
meridian of those understandings, who are unused to calculate,
and discriminate, between right, and wrong, and roguery, and
fair-dealing; and, in this particular case, it is those who
compose the lower order of society, whom it so seriously affects,
and on whom it is chiefly designed to operate. No man of common
sense can suppose that the Lottery Wheels are fair, and honest,
or that the proprietors act upon principles anything like honor,
or honesty; for, by the art, and contrivance, of the Wheels, they
are so constructed, with secret springs, and the application of
gum, glue, &c., in the internal part of them, that they can draw
the numbers out, or keep them in, at pleasure, just as it suits
their purposes; so that the insurer, robbed, and cajoled, by such
unfair means, has not the most distant chance of ever winning:
the whole being a gross fraud, and imposition, in the extreme. We
understand the most notorious of these standards of imposition
are situated in Carnaby Market, Oxford Road, in the Borough,
Islington, Clerkenwell, and various other places, most of which
are under the very nose of Magistracy, in seeming security,
bidding defiance to law, and preying upon the vitals of the poor
and ignorant.
"We hope the Magistrates of each jurisdiction, and those who
possess the same power, will perform their duty on behalf of the
poor, over whom they preside, and put a stop to such a growing,
and alarming, evil, of such pernicious, and dangerous tendency:
particularly, as the Proprietors are well-known bad characters,
consisting of needy beggars, desperate swindlers, gamblers,
sharpers, notorious thieves, and common convicted felons, most of
whose names stand recorded in the Newgate Calendar for various
offences of different descriptions."--(_Times, July 22, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The term of _little goes_ for the private lotteries is apt
enough, for the poor devils who risk their property there, have
but little, and that little goes to nought.
"If the wheels of fortune, and the cash, seized at the private
lotteries, become the property of the police runners, the old
adage will be strongly verified, 'What is got over the devil's
back, will be spent under his belly.'"--(_Times, Aug. 13,
1795._)
* * * * *
"On Friday night last, in consequence of searching warrants from
the Parochial Magistrates of St. James's, Westminster, upwards of
30 persons were apprehended at the house of one M'Call, No. 2,
Francis St., near Golden Square, and in the house of J. Knight,
King St., where the most destructive practices _to the poor_ were
carrying on, that of _Private Lotteries_ (called Little Goes.)
Two wheels, with the tickets, were seized on the premises. Upon
examination of those persons, who proved to be the poor deluded
objects that had been there plundered, they were reprimanded, and
discharged.
"The wives of many industrious mechanics, by attending these
nefarious houses, have not only been duped out of their earnings
(which ought to have been applied to the providing bread for
their families) but have even pawned their beds, wedding rings,
and almost every article they were possessed of for that
purpose."--(_Times, Aug. 11, 1795._)
[Illustration: Faro's Daughters.]
But nothing was said against the big State Lotteries--which were going
on without let, or hindrance--and, absolutely, educating the people in
the taste for gambling. Here are two anecdotes of the lottery:--
"Dr. B., a physician at _Lime_ (Dorset), a few days since, being
under pecuniary embarrassment, and his house surrounded by
bailiffs, made his escape by a window, into a neighbour's house,
from whence he fled to London. The furniture was seized, and the
sale actually commenced, when it was stopped by a letter, stating
that the Doctor, upon his arrival in London, found himself the
proprietor of the £20,000 prize. We guarantee the truth of this
fact."--(_Times, Dec. 27, 1797._)
* * * * *
"The £20,000 prize, drawn on Friday, is divided amongst a number
of poor persons: a female servant in Brook St., Holborn, had a
sixteenth; a woman who keeps a fruit-stall in Grays-Inn-lane
another; a third is possessed by a servant of the Duke of
Roxburghe's; a fourth by a Chelsea Carrier of vegetables to
Covent Garden; one eighth belongs to a poor family in
Rutlandshire, and the remainder is similarly divided."--(_Times,
Mar. 19, 1798._)
Of Horse Racing we do not hear much--the prizes were small--and
gambling on the Turf was not reduced to a Science as it is now-a-days.
Even when attending races, the chief losses were at the gaming tables
which accompanied them.
"Poor _Newmarket_ is completely done up! The Spring Meeting
boasts so few bets in the calendar of gambling, that the chance
will not pay post-chaise hire to the black legs. Thus falls the
destructive sport of the Turf--and, as that is the case, it would
do honour to his Majesty to change the _King's Plates_ into
rewards for the _improvement of Agriculture_."--(_Times, April
17, 1794._)
"The Duke of Queensberry was a principal loser at Epsom Races.
The Noble Duke had his _vis-a-vis_, and six horses, driving about
the course, with two very pretty _emigrées_ in it. The Duke was
in his cabriolet. The Duke of Bedford, Lords Egremont, and Derby,
were also on the course. Several carriages were broken to pieces:
and one Lady had her arm broken.
"There was much private business done in the _swindling way_ at
the last Epsom races. One black legged fellow cleared near a
thousand pounds by the old trick of an E.O. Table. Another had a
_faro table_, and was on the eve of _doing business_, when he was
detected with a _palmed_ card: almost the whole of what may be
justly styled 'vagabond gamblers' of London were present.
"Mr. Bowes, half brother to the Earl of Strathmore, was robbed
of a gold watch, and a purse, containing 30 guineas, at Epsom
races, on Thursday last. Many other persons shared a similar
fate, both on the same evening, and Friday. Upwards of 30
carriages were robbed coming from the races."--(_Times, May 25,
1795._)
* * * * *
"Never since _racing_ was patronised by the _Merry Monarch_, has
the _Turf_ been so much on the decline as at this period. His
Grace of Bedford is the only person who retains a considerable
stud. Lord Grosvenor has disposed of nearly the whole of his,
with the reserve of two, or three, capital horses, and some few
brood mares."--(_Times, Sept. 8, 1797._)
* * * * *
"A _Mr. Marston_, of the Borough, has laid a bet of 2000 guineas,
that he will, in the course of the ensuing week, go into one of
the great wheels of the water-works at London Bridge, while it is
in its swiftest motion with an ebb-tide, stay there five minutes,
and come out again with safety, though not without accident, in a
different part from that in which he went in: and afterwards walk
one mile within an hour, on condition that the lower bucket of
the wheel is two feet distance from the river bottom."--(_Times,
Sept. 11, 1797._)
[Illustration: Discipline à la Kenyon.--1797.]
These water-wheels which were situated where Fishmongers Hall now
stands, were commenced in 1582, by a Dutchman, named Peter Moritz, or
Morrice, with one wheel. _Hatton_, in his "New View of London,"
published in Queen Anne's time, says, "besides the old work erected by
Mr. _Morris_, the New, placed in the 4th Arch of the Bridge, consists
of 2 Wheels with 7 Engines, set up about the year 1702, so that there
are in all 13 engines. They are the contrivance of that great English
Engineer Mr. _Sorocold_, whereby the _Thames_ Water is raised from the
N. end of the Bridge, to a very great altitude, by which means, many
parts of the City, &c., are served with the Thames Water."
THE THEATRE.
Our forefathers were fond of the Theatre, and patronised it nightly.
They were exacting as to the quality of the acting represented before
them, and that very _exigeance_ procured them what they wanted.
In the years of which I treat, there were, in London, the following
Theatres:--The King's (now Her Majesty's) in the Haymarket--Drury
Lane--Covent Garden--The Theatre Royal, Haymarket--Royalty Theatre,
Wells Street, Goodman's Fields--Royal Circus, St. George's
Fields--Sadler's Wells--The Royal Grove, and Amphitheatre (Astley's)
Westminster Bridge--afterwards Astley's Royal Saloon--and still later
called, Astley's Amphitheatre of Arts. Whilst at the Lyceum in the
Strand, there were Musical Entertainments, and a New Circus.
It was an age of good actors, and, taking them haphazard, we have only
to glance at the following names, to prove the assertion, were it
needed. _Suett_, who drank himself to death in 1805. _John Kemble_,
the best tragic actor since Garrick. From an education for the
priesthood, to performing with a strolling company, was a great
leap--but his success was assured when, in 1783, he made his début, at
Drury Lane, as Hamlet. He retired from the stage in 1817, and died in
1823. _Baddeley_ was not a first rate actor, and I but mention him
because of his bequest of Cake, and Wine, to be partaken of, annually,
by the Company, in the Green room of Drury Lane, every Twelfth night.
_Quick_ was irresistibly comic--and none could see him act without
laughing. He lived to a good old age (acting up to 1813), above
83--dying in the year 1831.
_Edmund Kean_ was born in 1787, and went on the stage as soon as he
could walk.--After his education at Eton, he went on the provincial
boards--not playing in London, until 1814, when he played Shylock, at
Drury Lane. Died 1833. _Macklin_, "the Jew, that Shakespeare drew,"
acted until he was 90--appearing, for the last time, on the occasion
of his benefit, May 7, 1789. After he was dressed for Shylock, he went
into the Green Room, and, seeing Mrs. Pope there, said "My dear, are
you to play to-night?" "To be sure I am, Sir," she replied, "do you
not see I am dressed for Portia?"--"Ah! very true; I had
forgotten--but who is to play Shylock!" They got his poor old feeble
mind, at last, to grasp the situation, and he went on the stage--but,
after two, or three, speeches, he was obliged to give it up, and had
to ask the indulgence of the audience, and beg of them to accept Mr.
Ryder, as his substitute. He lived some years afterwards, till 11th
July 1797--when he died, at the age of 98.
_Bannister_ began his theatrical career at the early age of 12. At
his engagement at Drury Lane, in 1779, he played tragedy, but, after
the death of Edwin, he supplied his place, and played Comedy. He died
8th Nov. 1836, aged 76. _Incledon_ was the sweetest singer of his
time, and made his debut at Covent Garden in 1790--Died 1826.
_Elliston_ first appeared in London, at the Haymarket in 1796.
Although he was not a famous actor, he cannot be omitted from a list
of theatrical celebrities. Then, too, among the lesser stars, were
_Barrymore_, _Ryder_, _Johnstone_, _Pope_, _Holman_ and _Munden_--not
even forgetting _Delpini_ the famous Clown, and Scaramouch.
[Illustration: The Theatre.]
Among the chief actresses, was _Mrs. Jordan_, whose real name was
Dorothy Bland, who became a decided favourite, with a London audience,
at her first appearance at Drury Lane, in 1785. Her connection with
the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William 4th, is well known. They
lived very happily together, and had ten Children, but the connection
was broken off in 1811--and she was left to shift for herself. She
died in 1816.
The name of _Sarah Siddons_ is too well known to elicit any remark; as
a tragedian, her equal has, probably, never been seen on an English
Stage. She had a long career--from her _début_, at Drury Lane, in
1775, till her last appearance, in London, in 1816. Died 1831--aged
76.
_Miss Farren_, was a most lady-like, and elegant actress. She was tall
and slim, and was caricatured as being positively scraggy--but she
captivated the then Lord Derby, who, in physique was her complete
antithesis, having short legs, a very corpulent body, and a
hydrocephalous head. She retired from the stage before her marriage,
in 1796.
_Mrs. Crouch_, and _Mrs. Billington_, the rival songstresses, were
actresses, but they generally had parts assigned them, in which they
could exercise their vocal powers, and they sang at Oratorios, and
Concerts. Mrs. Billington did not retire from her profession until
1800. She died in 1817.
_Mrs. Frances Abington_ first appeared before a London audience on
21st Aug. 1755, and played, with few intermissions, until 1798. After
Mrs. Clive, she was the best comic actress on the English stage, and
could equally play Lady Teazle, Lady Betty Modish, a Chambermaid, a
Romp, or a Country girl--Died, 1815.
_Mrs. Bellamy_, can just claim a notice, because she died in 1788, but
she left the stage in 1785. She was a tragic actress, and was reckoned
equal to _Mrs. Cibber_.
Chief among the next rank of actresses, we must place _Miss Brunton_,
_Mrs. Martyr_, and _Mrs. Pope_.
Thinking it would interest my readers, I have taken some portraits of
the chief Actors, and Actresses, of the time, from a very rare book,
and they are interesting to the present generation, as shewing the
Costumes in which the plays were acted, and, which, I suppose,
satisfied the æsthetic, and archæological, taste of our grandfathers.
Both audience, and press, were very outspoken in their criticisms,
and, indeed, in those days, dramatic criticism was real, and had not
been reduced to a fine art, as now. Take the following instance:--
"Theatre, Covent Garden. Hoadley's agreeable Comedy of _The
Suspicious Husband_, was, last night, in general, presented here
with spirit, and attended by a considerable audience. The
Character of most prominent merit, as to performance, was
_Strickland_, which Farren supported with strong emotion, and
probable impression. Mrs. Abington would have represented
_Clarinda_ with more effect, if she had not directed all her
share of the dialogue entirely to the audience. Pope was the
_Frankly_, but he must take great pains before he will acquire
the ease necessary for genteel Comedy. Lewis's _Ranger_ was not
sufficiently marked by the appearance of that airy dissipation
which the part demands. Mrs. Wells' _Jacintha_ was only
distinguished for rustic dialect, and awkward deportment. Mrs.
Bernard had the merit of being decent in _Mrs.
Strickland_."--(_The Morning Post, Jan. 3, 1788._)
The Theatre, was, then, as now, a passion with some people, and
amateur theatricals were in high favour.
[Illustration: Mr. Macklin, as Shylock. Mr. Holman, as Richard.]
"At the Blenheim Theatre, her Grace the Duchess of Marlborough
attended her guests in person, and superintended the refreshments
of Sandwiches, fruit and wines, which were distributed in
profusion."--(_Morning Post, Mar. 28, 1788._)
The Newspapers gave Theatrical Gossip--as the following, all from the
_Morning Post, Jan. 15, 1789_, shews:--
"It has lately been a practice with one, or two, of the female
performers at Drury Lane Theatre, to refuse appearing on the
stage, though much after the time of commencing the play, because
the boxes may not happen to be filled with fashionable visitors,
regardless of any disapprobation which may arise from the
impatience of the audience.
"When the New Theatre is erected for the Managers of Old Drury,
it is in contemplation to fix a Clock over the Stage, where the
inscription is now placed, that, if the performance should be
improperly delayed, and the audience become clamorous, the Public
may be informed to whom the blame should be applied."
"A whimsical incident happened the other night, at the reading of
Cumberland's new Comedy. The Author, who read the piece himself,
began with the _Dramatis Personæ_, thus, 'The _Impostor_, by Mr.
Palmer:' A laugh occurring at this, the Author became embarrassed
on seeing Mr. Palmer in the room, but, recovering himself, he
added, 'being his _first appearance_ in that character.'"
* * * * *
"Mrs. Jordan and Kemble, according to Green Room report, are not
upon the most amicable footing. It is supposed that the lady
takes advantages of her popularity _to be ill when she pleases_,
and has refused to perform in a farce when Mrs. Siddons appears
in the play, and for this _modest_ reason, 'that _she_ will not
fill the house, and let Mrs. Siddons run away with the reputation
of it.'"--(_Morning Post, Mar. 10, 1789._)
We come across a curious glimpse of Mrs. Robinson--the "Perdita,"
(deserted by her "Florizel,") in the _Morning Post, March 11, 1789_.
"Perdita, the once beautiful Perdita, parades, every day, along
Pall Mall, in her carriage, from which she frequently
'Casts a longing ling'ring look,'
in hopes that her charms, which, formerly, commanded the grave
and the gay, may revive an attachment long since extinguished.
This unhappy beauty had better try Hyde Park, if she must have a
little morning air--such a daily excursion would be more
serviceable to her health, than an anxious ride through Pall
Mall, can be gratifying to her pride."
Theatrical Salaries were not very high--for, _teste_, the _Morning
Post, of March 13, 1789_:--
"It is said that Mrs. Jordan has but Six Pounds a week. Who will
venture to say, that, considering the present attraction of her
talent, this is an adequate recompense?"
The _Morning Post, Oct. 27, 1798_, has the following two paragraphs as
to behaviour at the theatres:--
"Two men in the pit at Drury Lane Theatre, last night, were so
turbulent, and riotous, during the last act of Henry the Fifth,
that the performance was interrupted upwards of a quarter of an
hour. The audience, at last, asserted their power, and turned
them disgracefully out of the Theatre. This should always be done
to crush the race of disgusting puppies that are a constant
nuisance at the playhouse every night."
"A box lobby puppy having insulted a gentleman at Covent Garden
Theatre, on Friday night, received a very suitable drubbing.
When this necessary chastisement was completed, the _beater_
demanded _satisfaction_. 'Have I not thrashed you to your heart's
content?' said the gentleman. The other replied, with great
simplicity, 'Sir, that is no _satisfaction_ to me.'"
[Illustration: Mr. Pope, as Hotspur.]
[Illustration: Mr. Johnstone as Apollo.]
Fancy our modern Royal Family, on their visits to the
Theatre--_joining heartily in the choruses_, and witnessing _slang
dances_: yet so it was in 1793.
"The very pleasant Comedy of _Notoriety_ was, yesterday evening,
performed before _their Majesties_, the three elder Princesses,
and a very brilliant house. Some well-timed songs introduced into
the pantomime of _Harlequin's Museum_, gave the audience an
opportunity of testifying their loyalty to the King, and
attachment to both her Majesty, and her family, who joined
heartily in the choruses. We never saw them better entertained.
But surely the Slang dance which is introduced might be very
properly omitted:--it is too vulgar for so elegant, and well
conducted, a theatre."--(_Times, Feb. 5, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The _private boxes_ at the Haymarket Theatre are so _thinly
partitioned_, that we are surprised any person should deem them
proper places to recapitulate _domestic bickerings_."--(_Times,
Feb. 6, 1793._)
The following is _apropos_ of Mrs. Jordan:--
"Performers at the Theatres are now paid more liberally than
heretofore. We are sorry when their public conduct gives reason
for complaint. As the frequenters of them are their support, it
will ever be necessary, in the public, to bring them to a proper
sense of their situation. It is only by this means the conductors
of our entertainments can have any sway over them."--(_Times,
Mar. 10, 1793._)
* * * * *
"Brandenburgh House Theatricals.
"The opening of the New Theatre, belonging to the Margrave of
Anspach's Villa, at Hammersmith, took place on Thursday evening,
with an entertainment the most costly, and at the same time, the
most tasty, and elegant, we ever remember to have witnessed. The
Prince of Wales, who was present, declared he had never seen
anything more splendid, and handsomely conducted. The Theatre is
built at a short distance from the house, between which there is
a communication by means of a colonnade. The outside appearance
rather resembles an old Gothic building, than a Temple devoted to
the Muses. The inside is prettily fitted up, but the ceiling is
too low for the size of it.