Mr. Wilks having by the commencement of September concluded his labours, offered the manuscript to the present publisher, by whom it was shortly afterwards purchased unconditionally, with the full consent and concurrence of Mr. Richard Hughes, Grimaldi's executor. The present Editor of these Memoirs has felt it necessary to say thus much in explanation of their origin, in order to establish beyond doubt the unquestionable authenticity of the memoirs they contain. His own share in them is stated in a few words. Being much struck by several incidents in the manuscript--such as the description of Grimaldi's infancy, the burglary, the brother's return from sea under the extraordinary circumstances detailed, the adventure of the man with the two fingers on his left hand, the account of Mackintosh and his friends, and many other passages,--and thinking that they might be related in a more attractive manner, (they were at that time told in the first person, as if by Grimaldi himself, although they had necessarily lost any original manner which his recital might have imparted to them;) he accepted a proposal from the publisher to edit the book, and _has_ edited it to the best of his ability, altering its form throughout, and making such other alterations as he conceived would improve the narration of the facts, without any departure from the facts themselves. He has merely to add, that there has been no _book-making_ in this case. He has not swelled the quantity of matter, but materially abridged it. The account of Grimaldi's first courtship may appear lengthy in its present form; but it has undergone a double and most comprehensive process of abridgment. The old man was garrulous upon a subject on which the youth had felt so keenly; and as the feeling did him honour in both stages of life, the Editor has not had the heart to reduce it further. Here is the book, then, at last. After so much pains from so many hands--including the good right hand of GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, which has seldom been better exercised,--he humbly hopes it may find favour with the public. DOUGHTY STREET, _February, 1838_. [Illustration] 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.