"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.)
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.