There does not seem much reason for the abbreviation of the names of people mentioned in Holcroft’s ‘Memoirs,’ since they are rarely the subject of scandal. (See, however, with respect to the Diary, a letter from Wm. Godwin to Mrs. Holcroft, given in C. Kegan Paul’s ‘William Godwin,’ vol. ii. pp. 176–77, and Hazlitt’s remarks on p. 169 of the ‘Memoirs.’) Capitals were evidently used for the sake of shortness; in some cases it is easy to identify from the context the persons indicated; in others, less so, and, where possible, the identification is made in the Notes. In some few cases it has not been possible to state definitely the person meant.
In addition to the works mentioned in the text Holcroft seems also to have translated Count Stolberg’s ‘Travels through Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Sicily’ (1796), ‘The Life of Baron Trenck’ (1792), Goethe’s ‘Hermann and Dorothea’ (1801), ‘Sacred Dramas’ by the Countess de Genlis (1786).
In a letter from Mary Lamb to Mrs. Hazlitt (Nov. 30, 1810, ‘Memoirs of Hazlitt,’ vol. i. p. 179), in speaking of Hazlitt’s ‘Memoirs of Holcroft,’ she calls the book the ‘Life Everlasting.’
PAGE [1]. Orange Court, Leicester Fields, known later as Orange Street, Leicester Square. [2]. History of Parismus and Parismenos. A romance of Bohemia (1598) by Emanuel Ford (fl. 1607).
Abel Drugger. In Ben Jonson’s ‘The Alchemist’ (1610).
Scrub. In ‘The Beaux’ Stratagem’ (1707), by George Farquhar (1678–1707).
Sharp. In David Garrick’s ‘The Lying Valet’ (1741).
[77]. Note. Bartholomew Fair. A famous ground for shows and theatrical exhibitions. The fair was held at West Smithfield from 1133 to 1855, and centred round the festival of St. Bartholomew, Aug. 24. Shuter. Edward Shuter (?1728–1776). Mrs. Clive. Catherine Clive (1711–1785). Kitty Pry. In Garrick’s ‘The Lying Valet.’ The reason has often been asked. Cf. a similar passage in ‘The Round Table,’ On Actors and Acting. [78]. Patie and Peggy. In ‘The Gentle Shepherd’ (1725), by Allan Ramsay (1686–1758). Mrs. Inchbald. Elizabeth Inchbald (1753–1821), novelist, dramatist and actress. the polygraphic art. See p. [103]. [79]. Bates’s company. Joah Bates (1741–1799). Mr Shield. William Shield, musical composer (1748–1829). He wrote the music for ‘The Flitch of Bacon,’ the success of which obtained for him the post of composer to Covent Garden Theatre; and he composed many popular songs. Lowth’s Grammar. ‘A Short Introduction to English Grammar’ (1762), by Robert Lowth (1710–1787). the character of Atticus. Pope’s ‘Epis. to Arbuthnot.’ Dance. ? William Dance (1755–1840), one of the founders of the Philharmonic Society. Miss Harrop. Sarah Harrop (d. 1811). She married Joah Bates. the commemoration of Handel. 1784. Bundle, in the Waterman. 1774. By Charles Dibdin (1745–1814). Ritson ... the Treatise on Animal Food. Joseph Ritson (1752–1803), the antiquarian. ‘An Essay on Abstinence from Animal Food as a Moral Duty’ (1802). [80]. the poet Cunningham. John Cunningham (1729–1773), Irish poet and strolling actor. Miss in her Teens. 1747.
‘nonumque prematur in annum.’
Hor. De Arte Poet., 388.