MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH GRIMALDI Edited By "Boz" With Illustrations By George Cruikshank CONTENTS Introductory Chapter page v CHAPTER I. His Grandfather and Father—His Birth and first appearance at Drury Lane Theatre and at Sadler's Wells—His Father's severity—Miss Farren—The Earl of Derby and the Wig—the Fortune-box and Charity's reward—His Father's pretended Death, and the behaviour of himself and his brother thereupon 1 CHAPTER II. 1788 to 1794. The Father's real Death—His Will, and failure of the Executor—Generous conduct of Grimaldi's Schoolmaster, and of Mr. Wroughton the Comedian—Smart running against time—Kindness of Sheridan—Grimaldi's industry and amusements—Fly-catching—Expedition in search of the "Dartford Blues"—Mrs. Jordan—Adventure on Clapham Common: the piece of Tin—His first love and its consequences 17 CHAPTER III. 1794 to 1797. Grimaldi falls in Love—His success—He meets with an accident which brings the Reader acquainted with that invaluable specific "Grimaldi's Embrocation"—He rises gradually in his Profession—The Pentonville Gang of Burglars 28 CHAPTER IV. 1797 to 1798. The Thieves make a second attempt; alarmed by their perseverance, Grimaldi repairs to Hatton Garden—Interview with Mr. Trott; ingenious device of that gentleman, and its result on the third visit of the Burglars—Comparative attractions of Pantomime and Spectacle—Trip to Gravesend and Chatham—Disagreeable recognition of a good-humoured friend, and an agreeable mode of journeying recommended to all Travellers 40 CHAPTER V. 1798. An extraordinary circumstance concerning himself, with another extraordinary circumstance concerning his Grandfather—Specimen of a laconic epistle, and an account of two interviews with Mr. Hughes, in the latter of which a benevolent gentleman is duly rewarded for his trouble—Preparations for his marriage—Fatiguing effects of his exertions at the Theatre 51 CHAPTER VI. 1798. Tribulations connected with "Old Lucas," the constable, with an account of the subsequent proceedings before Mr. Blamire, the magistrate, at Hatton Garden, and the mysterious appearance of a silver staff—A guinea wager with a jocose friend on the Dartford Road—The Prince of Wales, Sheridan, and the Crockery Girl 62 CHAPTER VII. 1798 to 1801. Partiality of George the Third for Theatrical Entertainments—Sheridan's kindness to Grimaldi—His domestic affliction and severe distress—The production of Harlequin Amulet a new era in Pantomime—Pigeon-fancying and Wagering—His first Provincial Excursion with Mrs. Baker, the eccentric Manageress—John Kemble and Jew Davis, with a new reading—Increased success at Maidstone and Canterbury—Polite interview with John Kemble 76 CHAPTER VIII. 1801 to 1803. Hard work to counterbalance great gains—His discharge from Drury Lane, and his discharge at Sadler's Wells—His return to the former house—Monk Lewis—Anecdote of him and Sheridan, and of Sheridan and the Prince of Wales—Grimaldi gains a son and loses all his capital 88