Richard Estcourt (1668-1712), whom Farquhar specially selected to act the part of Sergeant Kite, is celebrated by Steele in a well-known paper in the Spectator (No. 468; see also No. 390). Estcourt was providore of the Beefsteak Club, and wrote two or three dramatic pieces. See No. 51.
See [No. 4]. This article was printed by Tickell among Addison's works.
In 1704, Pinkethman advertised that at his booth he would speak an epilogue upon an elephant between nine and ten feet high, arrived from Guinea, led upon the stage by six blacks.
This may be either the Royal Exchange or the New Exchange, in the Strand. There were shops for the sale of trinkets and toys at both places.
Mrs. Katherine Tofts sang in English to Nicolini's Italian, in Buononcini's opera of "Camilla," but this absurdity was forgiven on account of the charm of their voices. In 1709, in the height of her beauty, Mrs. Tofts left the stage, owing to her intellect becoming disordered; but afterwards she married Mr. Joseph Smith, a gentleman who lived in great state; but his wife's mind again gave way, and she spent hours walking and singing in a garden attached to a remote part of the house. She died in 1760. See Spectator, Nos. 18, 22 and 443, where there is a letter purporting to be from Mrs. Tofts, at Venice.
In act iii. sc. 2 of "The Rehearsal," Prince Volscius falls in love at first sight with Parthenope, who says:
"My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
And me her dear Parthenope she calls;"
whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant's "Siege of Rhodes") replies:
"Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud?
Thou bring'st the morning pictured in a cloud."
Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61, founded Dulwich Hospital.
Mrs. Bracegirdle; see [No. 1].