My principle has been to pass no error, however trifling; but, at the same time, I have not thought myself entitled to discuss matters of opinion, or to criticise, either directly or indirectly, Dr. Doran's treatment of his subject. Thus it would be easy to supplement the information regarding the ancient theatres and the theatre of Shakspeare's time contained in the first and second chapters; but, as Dr. Doran obviously intended that his real work should begin with the Restoration Theatres, I have not interfered with his scheme. I trust that, in this, as in other respects, my work has been done in a spirit free from captiousness. The illustrations to this edition have been chosen, not from the book "illustrator's" point of view, but with a serious desire to increase its value as a history. In the case of the portraits, those which Dr. Doran specially mentions, have, wherever it was possible, been selected, and in every instance I believe the portrait given is an accurate and trustworthy likeness. The headpieces, intended to form a supplement to the full-page illustrations, include portraits of persons whose importance scarcely justified their place among the larger pictures, drawings of theatres, and of actors in character. The tailpieces are reproductions of Sayer's beautiful little drawings of Garrick and his contemporaries in their best characters; and in their case no chronological arrangement is possible. For many valuable notes I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Alban Doran, who intrusted to me his father's annotated copy of this work. These notes have in every case been acknowledged and marked "_Doran MS._" ROBERT W. LOWE. LONDON, _September 1887_. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE PROLOGUE 1 CHAPTER II. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE PLAYERS 37 CHAPTER III. THE "BOY ACTRESSES," AND THE "YOUNG LADIES" 60 CHAPTER IV. THE GENTLEMEN OF THE KING'S COMPANY 96 CHAPTER V. THOMAS BETTERTON 109 CHAPTER VI. "EXEUNT" AND "ENTER" 136 CHAPTER VII. ELIZABETH BARRY 149 CHAPTER VIII. "THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE ON THE STAGE" 162 CHAPTER IX. THE DRAMATIC POETS 183 CHAPTER X. PROFESSIONAL AUTHORS 213 CHAPTER XI. THE DRAMATIC AUTHORESSES 237 CHAPTER XII. THE AUDIENCES OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 246 CHAPTER XIII. A SEVEN YEARS' RIVALRY 274 CHAPTER XIV. THE UNITED AND THE DISUNITED COMPANIES 310 CHAPTER XV.