[18] Davenant performed "The Siege of Rhodes" two years before Cromwell's death, namely, in 1656. [See Mr. Joseph Knight's Preface to his recent edition of the "Roscius Anglicanus."] Cromwell also permitted the entertainment named "The Cruelty of the Spaniards in Peru" to be represented, from political motives. [19] Mr. Knight, in the Preface before mentioned, quotes some lines from the Prologue to this performance, showing that it was a public performance for money. This being so settles the question in the next paragraph as to the identity of the first professional actress. [20] Very questionable. Langbaine (1691) says, "This play is still in vogue on the stage, and always presented with success." [21] Dr. Doran misreads Pepys, who gives the date as 31st January 1669. [22] I doubt whether _James_ Nokes ever played the part. Genest evidently approves of Davies's suggestion that Robert Nokes was the actor of it. [23] This should be grandson. [24] Or Eleanor. [25] She was absent only about six weeks; Pepys chronicles her departure under July 13, 1667, and her return under August 22, 1667. [26] Peter Cunningham says, "1400 guineas, or £5000 at least of our present money." [Illustration: THE FORTUNE THEATRE.] CHAPTER IV. THE GENTLEMEN OF THE KING'S COMPANY. Of the King's Company, under Killigrew--Hart, Burt, and Clun have already been noticed as players who commenced their career by acting female parts. Of the other early members of this troop, the first names of importance are those of Lacy, and little Major Mohun, the low comedian, and the high tragedian. Of those who precede them alphabetically, but little remains on record. We only know of Theophilus Bird, that he broke his leg when dancing in Suckling's "Aglaura," probably when the poet changed his tragedy, in which the characters killed each other, into a sort of comedy, in which they all survived. Cartwright, on the other hand, has left a lasting memorial. If you would see how the kind old fellow looked, go down to Dulwich College--that grand institution, for which actors have done so much and which has done so little for actors--and gaze on his portrait there. It is the picture of a man who bequeathed his books, pictures, and furniture to the College which Alleyn, another actor, had founded. In early life, Cartwright had been a bookseller, at the corner of Turnstile, Holborn; and in his second vocation his great character was Falstaff.