I once was told, by one of the actors employed at the Theatre Royal, a curious anecdote of a remarkable and distinguished lady. I don't recollect the year it happened, but I think it must have been about 1829. In that year a carriage drove up to the Theatre Royal, containing two ladies, attended by a man-servant in green and gold livery. The servant went into the theatre to inquire if Mr. Clarke, the stage-manager, was in. On being answered in the affirmative, the stoutest of the two ladies--for the other lady was quite young--stepped out of the carriage, and without ceremony walked through the lobby straight upon the stage, to the utter surprise of the hall-keeper who, like a masonic tyler, allows no one to pass without a word or sign of recognition that they are of the privileged. The man followed the lady, who, stepping to the footlights, gazed around on that most desolate of all desolate, dreary, dingy places, the inside of a theatre by daylight. On her still handsome countenance alternated emotions of pride, regretful feeling, as well as of deep interest. After looking across the pit for a few moments, she turned to the hall-porter and requested him to announce to Mr. Clarke that a lady wished to see him for a few minutes. The man quickly returned, requesting the lady to follow him, but she, passing him, made her way to the treasury with the air and mien of one who well knew the way to that place of torture when a "ghost does not walk." The lady accosted Mr. Clarke with a winning air, and seeing that she was not recognised, said, "So you don't recollect me?" "No, indeed, I do not." "Well, that is strange, considering the money you have paid me. Why," she continued, "do you not recollect who played _Little Pickle_ at Swansea and Bristol in 18--?" "Bless me!" exclaimed Mr. Clarke. "Ah! I see you know me now," said the lady laughing. "And many a week's salary I have had there," continued the buxom visitor, pointing to the pay-place, "and now just let me have something paid to me to remind me of old times." Whereupon she went to the pay-place, when the gallant stage-manager put down a week's salary as of old, which the lady took up, returning it however, and placing at the same time in Mr. Clarke's hand, a note for 20 pounds, which she desired him to distribute amongst the most needy of the company. The lady was the Duchess of St. Alban's. When Miss Mellon, she had been engaged at the Theatre Royal, and the first benefit she had was in Liverpool. I knew a gentleman who exerted himself greatly on her behalf on that occasion, and the success of it was mainly attributable to his efforts. This she always gratefully acknowledged, and I recollect his telling me that once, being in London, this admirable and kind-hearted lady--who so worthily used the wealth at her command, after she was ennobled--recognised him while passing down Pall Mall and beckoned him to the side of her magnificent equipage, and there recalled