It was an age of good actors, and, taking them haphazard, we have only to glance at the following names, to prove the assertion, were it needed. _Suett_, who drank himself to death in 1805. _John Kemble_, the best tragic actor since Garrick. From an education for the priesthood, to performing with a strolling company, was a great leap--but his success was assured when, in 1783, he made his début, at Drury Lane, as Hamlet. He retired from the stage in 1817, and died in 1823. _Baddeley_ was not a first rate actor, and I but mention him because of his bequest of Cake, and Wine, to be partaken of, annually, by the Company, in the Green room of Drury Lane, every Twelfth night. _Quick_ was irresistibly comic--and none could see him act without laughing. He lived to a good old age (acting up to 1813), above 83--dying in the year 1831. _Edmund Kean_ was born in 1787, and went on the stage as soon as he could walk.--After his education at Eton, he went on the provincial boards--not playing in London, until 1814, when he played Shylock, at Drury Lane. Died 1833. _Macklin_, "the Jew, that Shakespeare drew," acted until he was 90--appearing, for the last time, on the occasion of his benefit, May 7, 1789. After he was dressed for Shylock, he went into the Green Room, and, seeing Mrs. Pope there, said "My dear, are you to play to-night?" "To be sure I am, Sir," she replied, "do you not see I am dressed for Portia?"--"Ah! very true; I had forgotten--but who is to play Shylock!" They got his poor old feeble mind, at last, to grasp the situation, and he went on the stage--but, after two, or three, speeches, he was obliged to give it up, and had to ask the indulgence of the audience, and beg of them to accept Mr. Ryder, as his substitute. He lived some years afterwards, till 11th July 1797--when he died, at the age of 98. _Bannister_ began his theatrical career at the early age of 12. At his engagement at Drury Lane, in 1779, he played tragedy, but, after the death of Edwin, he supplied his place, and played Comedy. He died 8th Nov. 1836, aged 76. _Incledon_ was the sweetest singer of his time, and made his debut at Covent Garden in 1790--Died 1826. _Elliston_ first appeared in London, at the Haymarket in 1796. Although he was not a famous actor, he cannot be omitted from a list of theatrical celebrities. Then, too, among the lesser stars, were _Barrymore_, _Ryder_, _Johnstone_, _Pope_, _Holman_ and _Munden_--not even forgetting _Delpini_ the famous Clown, and Scaramouch. [Illustration: The Theatre.] Among the chief actresses, was _Mrs. Jordan_, whose real name was Dorothy Bland, who became a decided favourite, with a London audience, at her first appearance at Drury Lane, in 1785. Her connection with the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William 4th, is well known. They lived very happily together, and had ten Children, but the connection was broken off in 1811--and she was left to shift for herself. She died in 1816.