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OR,

THEATRICAL

POCKET MAGAZIN

WHOLLY DEDICATED TO THE STAGE;

AND CONTAINING

ORIGINAL DRAMATIC BIOGRAPHY,
ESSAYS, CRITICISMS, POETRY, REVIEW
ANECDOTES, BON MOTS, CHIT CHAT,

WITH OCCASIONAL

Notices of the Country Theatres,

THE WHOLE FORMING

LIBRA

A COMPLETE CRITICAL AND BIOGRAPHIC
ILLUSTRATION OF THE BRITISH STAGE.

"The play, the play's the thing."-HAMLET.

VOLUME IV.

From January to July, 1823.

Embellished with Elegant Portraits of the principal
Performers of the London Theatres.

Engraved (from Original Paintings, taken expressly
the Work) by the first Artists,

London:

PUBLISHED BY T. and J. ELVEY,

CASTLE STREET, HOLBORN;

the

To whom all Communications" for the Editor," post

paid, are to be addressed.

Printed by T. and J. Elvey, Castle Street, Holborn.

PREFACE.

The close of another Volume renders it again necessary to address our numerous friends in a Preface; a task, which if it is become more difficult by having been often repeated, is also, for the same reason, become more pleasing; because our success, the longer it is continued, is more indubitably the proof of approbation, and approbation is the pledge of success. The favour of the dramatic world, which we have thus obtained, together with the valuable assistance of many histrionic geniuses, will ever be considered by us as an incitement, not only to perseverance, but improvement; that we may still justify the zeal of our patrons, and not be disgraced by the praises we hourly receive. The critical portion of our work has hitherto been regulated by the strictest attention to private interest, as well as public duty; and we shall ever rely with confidence upon the support of those who love the language of truth, and scorn the praise of venality. We shall, in this department, always endeavour to obtain the Actor's confidence, and promote his advantage and success; nor till the STAGE can be more effectually served than by zealous devotion and impartial remark, will we relinquish the fair hope of justifying that support with which our unremitting efforts have been, and we trust ever will be, honoured.

The miscellaneous collections, we are happy to say, still maintain the same high character which

has gained for "THE DRAMA" So distinguished a fame, and to which we have ever directed our strictest attention; and we feel a gratifying sensation in looking over the volume just concluded, which contains some of the brightest gems in the mine of dramatic literature. Our chief aim has been to present, in a convenient form, the subject matter of every work relating to the Stage now in existence. But we have not only availed ourselves of the labours of others; our own stock of histrionic knowledge we have continually added thereto; and we pride ourselves on having produced a mass of information to the dramatic reader and collector, not to be found in any publication now in existence; a mass of materials, to which reference may be had hereafter, with a full dependance on its truth and correctness.

Of those kind contributors who have, in a considerable degree, enabled us to uphold the character of our work, we need say but little; we can only tender them our sincere thanks; as our insertion of their communications is the highest compliment we could possibly pay them, and although delays so unavoidable in periodical works of this description, may have sometimes caused them disappointment and impatience, yet we trust the promptitude with which we have always endeavoured to atone for our seeming neglect, will be our passport to a firmer cemented friendship. Until our next meet. ing, we" most respectfully bid them farewell,"

July, 1823.

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