LIBRARY I o, I **#& .^ ^ THE SHOW FOLKS! " Valk up! Valkup! The players! the players! the players are here!" BY PIERCE EGAN. EMBELLISHED WITH NINE CHARACTERISTIC DESIGNS ON WOOD, BY THE LATE MR. THEODORE LAME, AND ENGRAVED BY MR. JOHN THOMPSON. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OP THE LIFE OF MR. THEODORE LANE. DEDICATED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY, SIR MARTIN ARCHER SHEE, KNT. LONDON : PRINTED FOR M. ARNOLD, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN ; AND SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, STATIONERS* COURT. , - ~ PRICE 2*. , THE SHOW FOLKS. THE STAGE-STRUCK HERO. Lo ! I have a weapon : A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldier's thigh! THE STAGE-STRUCK HERO. Lo ! I have a weapon : A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldier's thigh ! THE SHOW FOLKS! " Valk up! Valkup! The players! the players! the players are here!" BY PIERCE EGAN, AUTHOR OF " LIFE IN LONDON ;" " WALKS THROUGH BATH ;" " TRIP TO ASCOT RACES," ETC. mfccllisf)lf toritf) $itu Characteristic designs on SSaoott, BY THE LATE MR. THEODORE LANE, AND ENGRAVED BY MR. JOHN THOMPSON. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MR. THEODORE LANE. DEDICATED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY, SIR MA&TIN ARCHER SHEE, KNT. LONDON : PRINTED FOR M. ARNOLD, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN ; AND SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL STATIONERS* COURT. 1831. C. \VHITTIKGHAM, CHISWICK. TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY, SIR MARTIN ARCHER SHEE, KNT. WITHOUT attempting any " Broad Grins" upon the subject, or even calling in the aid of the " Wags of Windsor" yet laugh- ing at the frowns of the great " Blue Beard" on theatrical affairs, 1 have, "John Bull" like, although perfectly unknown to you, Sir, dedicated MY "Random Records" respecting a young artist of great promise, who, had his life been spared, would, in all probability, have become an ornament to that profession, of which, in the distin- guished character of the PRESIDENT of the ROYAL ACADEMY, you have been selected as the HEAD. 6 DEDICATION. Besides, Sir, the unity of three subjects, with which you are so intimately connected PAINTING, POETRY, and the STAGE. With the first, perhaps, I had better " change the scene," and brush off, preferring a good ej'it, rather than stammering out a dull part. With the second, if I can do no more, than express my admiration of it- Possess' d beyond the Muse's painting! and act-iug upon the third subject, under the shelter, " that one man in his time, plays many parts," I may be allowed to take a peep at the SHOW FOLKS ! Yet anxious to avoid any thing like daubing connected with this Dedication also to escape the remarks of being too highly-coloured out of drawing and de- ficient in light and shade I shall refer to an event wherein I feel myself more com- petent to descant upon, in order to escape the dangers of being at sea without a rudder ! DEDICATION, 7 Then, Sir, as the independent author of ALASCO, for whose noble stand and remon- strance to the Lord Chamberlain, " whether the British theatre shall, in future, afford an intellectual enjoyment worthy of a free people," and for which spirited conduct, all dramatic writers must feel indebted to your exertions I have done myself the honour of submitting the following sketch of the late Mr. THEODORE LANE, in order to rescue his name and talents from total oblivion. Permit me to say, Sir, it must have been a most grateful source of reflection to the author of " Alasco," that, " however, the tenets of his tragic discourse were not held to be orthodox by the grand inquisitor of the Lord Chamberlain's office!" and, offi- cially, stigmatised as they were, upon that occasion ; yet such sort of implied censure, then represented as dangerous sentiments to the welfare of the state, must have lost its sting, on your being appointed Presi- 8 DEDICATION. dent of the Royal Academy, by his late Majesty. That the FIXE ARTS may flourish to the end of time; that poetry and music may continue to increase in reputation, and give delight; and that the stage may always " hold the mirror up to nature, to show VIR- TUE her own feature ; vice, her own image ; and the very age and body of the time, its form and pressure/' is the most sincere wish, SIR, Of your most obedient, And very humble servant, PIERCE EGAK LONDON, Dec. 1, 1830. THE BENT OF GENIUS. THE BENT OF GENIUS. THE SHOW FOLKS. The Painter dead, yet still he charms the eye, While England lives, his fame can never die ; But he who struts his hour upon the stage, Can scarce extend his FAME to HALF AN AGE ; Nor pen, nor pencil, can the Artist save, The ART and ARTIST share one common Grave ! (TREAT TnESPis 1 , Father of the Art, Renown'd in days of yore, Whose " strut 'and fret" were in a cart, Yet ne'er was deem'd a bore. 10 THE SHOW FOLKS. II. MELPOMENE, with tragic mind, The PASSIONS to display; THALIA, with smiles so kind, " To drive dull care away !" in. When Roscius first essay'd in Rome, And through his acts did pass, Heaven's proud Canopy the Dome, Each Actor on his ass 2 ! IV. But modern times have changed the scene, Most interesting features Actors and Actresses quite serene, What delio-htful creatures ! &JI THE SHOW FOLKS. 11 V. And " come and go " without reproach, View talents great and rare, Instead of " ass/' read splendid Coach, Which make the Vulgar stare ! VI. Still to the SHOW FOLKS much is due, For Nature, Art, and Fool ! Study for Actors sound and true : Preparatory School 3 . VII. GUY BILLY was an only boy, His daddy, a Stock-broker ; BILLY Mamma's delight and joy, Because he was a joker*! 1<2 THE SHOW FOLKS. VIII. He quizz'd his Dad, and teased his Aunt, And laugh'd at his dear Mother ; Yet all was right got every grant, 'Tis true he had no Brother. IX. The darling boy in life's great page, His hour resolved to strut, To shine a Hero on the stage In spite of grin or butt! x. To thwart his GENIUS 5 might be wrong; Much more, pervert his taste, Mamma encourag'd dance and song Other pursuits were waste ! THE SHOW FOLKS. 13 Spouting at morning, noon, and night, With tongue like a mill-clack, A wretched bore but his delight, His truncheon the boot-jack. XII. " A horse ! a horse !" was all his cry, , With" off, off with his head !" In spite of Ma's polite" O fie !" The inmates kept in dread. xni. From Berwick Street a great Hero ! Elated in the cause, Proud as any noble Peer O ! O'erwhelm'd with the applause 6 . 14 THE SHOW FOLKS. XIV. At length, determined for a start, Says BILL " I nozv, know Folks, I'm UP in almost every part, with the SHOW FOLKS!" xv. Then off he went, quite full of glee, Strutting towards the HARP, In hopes some Manager to see; Mixing with. Flat and Sharp! xvi. Then off again, no fear or dread, To the once famed O. P. In better taste changed to KEAN'S Head- And noted for a spree*!' THE SHOW FOLKS. 15 XVII. His mind was fix'd the STAGE his choice, He would all hazards run His tragic start, and uncouth voice, Were to the Agents -fun 8 7 XVIII. To those " Great Creatures," in their way, GUY, boasted talents rare ; Every line BILL sought to play, Right" at Bartlemy Fair !" XIX. To Richardson's you'd better go, Variety's his stage 9 ; Lots of Practice charming show 1 You're sure to be engaged. THE SHOW FOLKS. XX. Then off he started for " the LANE IG ," The Manager's retreat Many " turn'd off" put out of pain Finish of Judgment's Seat ! XXI. " I caper, sing, or act a Ghost Throw off a comic chant ; Like PROTEUS, change at every post, To the ladies prove ga-lant !" xxn. " Why, Muster, you're the sort of man," Said Richardson so knowing " As G d's my Judge, stick to my plan, And soon I'll set you going." THE SHOW FOLKS. 1? XXIII. Outside of show, on the parade, BIL GUY then took his stand, Hooting and bawling, like one in trade, To view the sight so grand. XXIV. " Walk up ! walk up ! the Players here, Their Characters n inquire ! Abilities known every where, You all must them admire !" xxv. For months he toil'd both day and night, Like Cheese or Butter-factor ; He felt the/flg 12 lost the delight And pleasure of an Actor ! 18 THE SHOW FOLKS. XXVI. From Fair to Fair he ran his race, Acquiring greater fame, With serious or comic face, Till he procured a NAME. XXVII. In Harlequin or funny Clown, At home was BILLY GUY; Or " tragic bit " to gain renown, Was sure to have a shy ! XXVIII. To sport a toe, dance the tight rope, Or summerset to throw Act Dusty Bob dress up a POPE, And imitate DUCROW 13 . THE SHOW FOLKS. 19 XXIX. O'er the kingdom, well known was GUY, His laughing, merry mood, Full of tricks, like famed PAUL PRY, With, " I hope, I don't intrude !" XXX. A FAIR ! the gayest scene in life, Each person in a glow, For novelty and fun quite rife, The Boys at the PEEP SHOW ! XXXK The Lion's roar the Monkey's grin; The Juggler with his balls ; Dwarfs and giants thick and thin ; And savoury Sausage Stalls ! 20 THE SHOW FOLKS. XXXII. With laughter, fun, and frolic gay, Each Actor plays his part, Puts forth his tact, and has his " say" To please and touch the heart* XXXIII. DON JUAN here can take his " draps" On the sly at his post; And Pantaloons, those merry chaps ! Hobnobing with the GHOST 14 ! xxxiv. The stately Peer 15 the Critic's sneer, 'Midst the loud trumpets rend, With lamed Pigs and beastes queer, With laughing do unbend! THE SHOW FOLKS. XXXV. Change of scene 's the Actor's fate, He runs from Town to Town As Stroller no one in the state, When a STAR l6 is coming down ! xxxvi. BILLY, at length, " turn'd up" the Fairs, A MANAGER 17 d'ye see? A man of Pomp, with all the airs Tack'd to Prosperity: xxxvn. Play'd all the Heroes nice " tit bits," Great Actor on his stage ; Made Rolla blush Hamlet on stilts, Did GUY to be " the rage!" THE SHOW FOLKS. XXXVIII. " But Money makes the Mare to go !" So marks the olden tale ; Important 'tis with Friend or Foe If you can come to Scale 18 . XXXIX. At Show, or Fair the Play-house bold, Drama legitimate ; " The Mirror up to Nature " hold ! The rest is idle prate lg . XL. Now Authors, Poets, paid him court, His NOD became the law ! Public features to him report, To write a Piece to draw 20 / SCENE PAINTING. .Retouching a Stage Devil. SCENE PAINTING. .Retouching a Stage Devil. THE SHOW FOLKS. XLI. The Painters soon were set to work, Ghosts ! Demons 21 ! in array ; Orders obey'd, like the Grand Turk, To bring attractive play ! XLII. " Good Houses " now to make him right, The TREASURY to swell: The Actors meed the Props delight And "ALL'S WELL, THAT ENDS WELL-!" NOTES. 1. THESPIS, a Greek poet, of Attica, said to be the inventor of Tragedy, 536 years before Christ. His representations were rude and imperfect. He went from town to town upon a cart, on which was erected a temporary stage, where two actors, whose faces were daubed with the lees of wine, entertained the audience with choral songs, &c. Tumblers and other performers may often be seen in the streets of the metropolis at the present period, exhibiting their feats, and dancing upon the slack wire, in carts. 2. When Roscius was an actor in Rome, Then came each actor on his ass Hamlet. And some of the great performers of the present day, have considered it no degradation to their characters, to ride upon an ass when it suited their purpose : we remember to have seen LISTON, in his personification of Lord Grizzle, riding upon a donkey before the audi- ence, in a theatre royal, thus addressing them : " Behold a pair of us ! before the curtain, A prettier couple can't be found that's certain ; Sweet BILLY SHAKSPEARE, lord of Nature's glass, Has said, ' then came each actor on his ass !' " 3. This sentence, perhaps, might call forth a sneer from the fastidious or lucky actor, like the late Mr. Hoi- man, who came "piping hot" from the seminary in Soho Square to the boards of Covent Garden Theatre, and became a distinguished and a favourite performer, by his celebrated successful debut in ROMEO. The above instance in the theatrical hemisphere, must be deemed 26 NOTES. rather a singular one ; but, nevertheless, it is undoubt- edly true. The Shoiv actor is always on the alert, and enabled to gain confidence by his repetition of characters before the public ; and to banish from his person that worst of fears to a performer "stage fright!" and also the most difficult part of his profession, learning to " stand still upon the stage/' is by him reduced to a certainty, by his being completely " tired out," and scarcely able to move one leg after the other, before the fair is half over. By such means, the roughest diamond has ob- tained a small polish ; and in process of time, when opportunities have offered, by rubbing against men of superior talents, has acquired a brilliancy of style, never afterwards eclipsed. The names of several actors might be mentioned, if necessary, who have acquired GREAT- NESS in the eyes of the public, by the above practice and experience. 4. He was a merry fellow, and in the opinion of his mamma, quite a prodigy. She was certain he would become a great actor a second Roscius. 5. It should seem also, that she acted upon the opinion of the late Lord Holland, respecting the education of his son, the celebrated politician and orator, the Hon. Charles James Fox " never to contradict him in his pursuits." 6. Some twenty years ago or more, the above place was well known in the theatrical circles, as a kind of preparatory school for young actors : but too frequently the injudicious applause given by the friends of the aspirants for theatrical fame, induced them to enter into a profession, for which nature had not bestowed on them the slightest requisites : The plajer's province they but vainly try, Who want these powers, deportment, voice, and eye! Yet, nevertheless, several pieces were well got up, and the performances of which would not have disgraced the walls of a theatre royal ; in fact, some of our most NOTES. 27 il popular actors of the present day, cannot deny, but they ij have acquired the first rudiments of the art of acting, on the boards of the above little house contiguous to Soho i Square. 7. Russell Court, near Drury Lane. The above tavern afforded considerable amusement to its visiters. I A few wags, fond of a bit of fun, frequented the coffee- room every evening, and, in concert together, repre- j sented themselves as managers from the country, in I want of performers, and waiting in turn to engage I young men for different " lines of business," to complete I their companies. This had the desired effect ; and numerous ludicrous scenes were the result, which defy any thing like communication ; and enthusiastic, stage- ' struck, inexperienced youths afforded these pretended j managers sport and roars of laughter, night after night. I The plan generally adopted was, that one of the party I kept on the look out to pick up a simple youth, and j having got one in tow, he was formally introduced to the assumed proprietor of a country theatre. The latter I person, with a face of gravity, then inquired whether he I wished to engage for the light or heavy business of the stage, or if singing was his forte ; or, perhaps, he could undertake the general line, and assist in melo-dramas, spectacles, &c. &c. The manager then, with a polite request, wished to have a " taste " of the young man's quality, before he finally settled his engagement, and fixed his salary. And several young aspiring heroes, anxious to obtain an engagement, have been prevailed upon to mount the table, and to give recitations from Romeo, Hamlet, Octavian, &c. amidst the shouts of pretended applause from country actors, wags of all sorts, and men of the world, who nightly resorted to the O. P. and P. S.*, to pick up anecdotes, and spend a * This tavern was designated several ways, according as it suited the different tastes of its visiters. The players took it in 28 NOTES. pleasant hour. When the managers thought they had had enough of this burlesque, " the exit the exitf would be whispered one to another, and while the hero on the table was spouting out some impassioned speech from Shakspeare, his back would be readily assailed with the contents of their jugs ; and upon the unfortu- nate wight hastily looking round for the authors of such an assault, his front, from another part of the company, would be attacked in the same manner. Redress was out of the question, and the more passion and rage exhibited by the youth, produced the more laughter ; when he was informed it was the way to teach him how to make his ' ' exit in a rage ;" and that no person would deny him the title of being a wet actor. 8. It would form rather a laughable work, if the the- atrical agents were to publish an account of the applica- tions made by squinting heroes, to play the lovers knock-knee'd dandies, to perform the walking gentle- men and lisping heroines, to " strut and fret their hour upon the stage \" 9. The theatre of the above manager is so well con- structed in all its parts, that it can be erected without the smallest difficulty in a few hours. The scenes also, although small, are of the best quality, and painted by the first artists ; his stage properties are excellent, and his wardrobe is likewise of the most splendid descrip- tion. The front of his theatre, alone, cost six hundred pounds. He spares no expense. In addition to which, its original sense, to denominate the tavern a theatrical house ; and the O. P. and P. S., according to its technicality upon the stage, Opposite Prompter, and Prompt Side. The men of the world placed it in another point of view, " Come and see me to- night," said they to a friend, " at the O. P. and P. S. where yon will be sure to meet with some Old PALS, and hear Prime SlNG- ING." And the Bacchanalians hailed the O. P. and P. S. as the harbour containing fine Old PORT and Prime SHERRY." NOTES. 29 Mr. Richardson can boast of having had the greatest tragedian in existence, at one time of his life, a member of his company ; besides several other first-rate actors now before the public. 10. Amongst the swell performers ; otherwise, the King's servants, when technically speaking of the thea- tres royal to their brothers of the sock and buskin, who proudly observe, " I am engaged at the Lane ; or, you will hear of me at the Garden/' But the " Lane," alluded to in this instance, is Horsemonger Lane ; where a number of engagements are suffered to expire ; and the exits in general are of the most awful nature. 11. However singular it may seem, yet nevertheless, it is strictly true, that no persons in the world are so anxious to preserve their characters as performers ; and however contemptuous the Chapter of CORINTHIANS may look down upon the mummers, as they were termed at a show in the fair, yet there is not an actor amongst them but would sooner throw up his engagement, or have a word or two with his opponent, than part with his character. 12. Something after the manner of a long journey, which takes the courage and spirit out of a horse. Performing thirteen and fourteen times in rapid suc- cession at a fair, in the course of a day, seldom fails to point out to some of those theatrical enthusiasts, that they have chosen a sorry, instead of a merry, or profit- able profession. The immense drudgery and fatigue which provincial actors in general have to undergo, from severe study, and numerous rehearsals, indepen- dently of their nightly performances, have induced many thoughtless persons to return to their humble occupa- tions, and become useful members of society. 13. Only to imitate this extraordinary highly talented performer, would require abilities of no common order. 30 NOTES. He is considered, nay, admitted the first horseman in the world. In the French capital, Holland, Belgium, and through all the principal cities and towns on the continent, he was designated as the "ASTONISHING Englishman/' 14. A very different sort of character from an appari- tion ; nothing more nor less than flesh and blood yet keeping up the spirit of the thing. 15. During the reign of George the Second the King went more than once or twice to enjoy the humours of the scene. In Hogarth's picture of Southwark Fair the likeness of George II. may be easily discovered. 16. An eclipse, perhaps, might have been a more appropriate phrase, as scarcely any other performer is noticed or thought of, during the acting of the " Great Creature \" 17. Managers, by comparison, can do every thing, and like Atlas, are enabled to carry the dramatic world on their shoulders. Of course a manager has a right to play any part he likes in his own theatre. Who doubts it ? 18. WEIGHT on the turf, on the boards of a theatre, or upon the Stock Exchange, is of the most important consequences to the individual who possesses it. A weighty purse contains many persuasive qualities, and generally carries conviction with it. Golden sentences are very powerful in argument. A weighty purse is a most desirable companion at all times. 19. Of late years a great deal of fuss and cant have been made respecting the LEGITIMATE DRAMA ; but let the performer only hold the mirror up to Nature show Virtue her own image and the deformity of Vice and the legitimacy of the argument will never be inquired NOTES. 31 nto by a liberal and enlightened public, as to the situa- tion of the theatre. 20. This is the grand art of management " to draw houses:" but so puzzling and difficult is this sort of thing to be accomplished, that even with the assistance of horses in several instances, managers have not been able to produce the desired eiFect. 21. Within the last few years DEMONS have been in great request upon the stage, and to give managers credit for their exertions Tartarus has been ransacked from one end to the other by different authors, to pro- duce a variety of devil heroes, of many hues and colours by which means old Pluto and his concubine Proser- pine have been left in the shade by the introduction of the terrific Zamiel, the wily Mephistophiles, Asmodeus, &c. and charmed bullets have been selected to make decided hits in our theatres. Indeed, one of the Props of a great house, was so fascinated with the devil-ish fiery talents of his red demon, that in the enthusiasm of the moment, he sent for the editor of a well known journal, and with all the gravity and stately conduct of a thea- trical monarch, wished to give him a devil-isb good idea for his paper, namely to present his readers, gratis, with a portrait in red, of his highly talented demon. With deference to Mr. Hood, no pun being intended, but similar to Peter Pindar's allusion to a great person- age, that the DEVIL has been a good subject, both to the stage and <(i the press ;" and Bob Cruikshank has had a devil-ish fine time of it, by giving new lights and shades to the old gentleman, in order to render his appearance more palatable to the public taste thus giving a climax to the adage, that " MONEY is the DEVIL/' The above Tartarian chief, it appears, was first discovered in a literary point of view, in a Marsh near Oxford Street, whose pursuits were soon afterwards promulgated by a well known Kidd in Bond Street and during his 32 NOTES. " walks/' selected a resting place near the Popes alley ; but however popular the DEVIL may be at the present moment, he must take great care if he does not furnish more novelty to avoid the dangers of being shelved. In fact, the cloven-footed hero has now become such a 44 familiar spirit" with us, by the repeated representa- tions of Dr. Faustus, the Devil's Elixir, the Bottle Imp, Der Freizchutz, and Pluto in London ; added to the numerous publications of the Devil's Walk, the Real Devil's Walk, the Devil's Drive, the Devil's Progress, &c. that it is seriously apprehended, if some NEW object of terror is not shortly produced, the poor DEVIL must be absolutely worn out, and voted " stale, flat, and un- profitable." But a great authority in matters of this sort, and a well known caterer for the public for the last forty years, Muster RICHARDSON, he has given it as his most decided opinion, that to give any treasury a good turn, there is nothing like the UNITI ES for producing effect, and blunt into the bargain a gong BLUE or RED FIRE and a BLEEDING GHOST ! ! ! 22. Respecting the danger of speculating in theatrical property, it is said (but we do not vouch for the truth of the assertion) to have been no uncommon occurrence at Drury Lane Theatre, for the lessee to be out of pocket between four and five thousand pounds, from the commencement of the season until Christmas. But a successful pantomime has not only fetched up the loss, but turned the balance in favour of the season. Thus, it appears, depending more on the attitudes of Harle- quin, the lively steps of Columbine, the comical phiz of the Clown, and the aid of the scene painter, than the resources of the LEGITIMATE DRAMA, to produce the desired eifect of SHAKSPEARE'S words " All's Well that Ends Well/' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE LATE MR. THEODORE LANE. Praising what is lost Makes the Remembrance more dear! SHAKSPEARE. THE premature and melancholy death of the above highly talented, much respected, and rising artist, per- haps, renders any apology perfectly unnecessary, after a lapse of time of nearly two years and a half, for the publication of this Sketch ; but the only thing to be regretted is, that the task had not fallen into abler hands ; at all events, by some person intimately con- nected with the FINE ARTS, whose name might have given it an importance, which it does not, cannot now possess. But in order to rescue the name of a young man from total oblivion, who, under more favourable circumstances, might, at some future period, have shed a lustre upon the Fine Arts, and whose works which were fast rising into notice, might have been enrolled with some of our greatest painters, if not handed down to posterity, has not only been the laudable but humble attempt of the writer of the sketch in question, but it is also offered as a kind of stimulus to other young men possessing a taste for painting, to show to them what difficulties may be overcome by genius and perseverance C 34 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF united even without the cheering smiles and assist- ance of a patron. OPIE was raised into eminence from the rude, obscure situation of a country sawpit at the Land's End, by the late Dr. Walcot (but better known as the celebrated Peter Pindar), a host within himself as to talent also a great admirer of talent in others ; nay more, a strenuous supporter of it upon all occasions. The melancholy subject of this memoir never possessed such an advantage. THEODORE LANE was born at Isleworth, in Middle- sex, in the year 1800. His father was a native of the city of Worcester, and by profession, a drawing master, but for several years before his death he was rendered in- capable of teaching his art, by repeated and severe attacks of the gout and rheumatism ; indeed, he was a complete martyr to the latter complaint. Owing to these unfor- tunate circumstances, the finances of his father became rather straitened, and the education of young Theodore was in a great degree, if not almost totally, neglected. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to a Mr. Barrow, at Battle Bridge, a colourer of expensive prints, and who was considered as a man of ability in that line. It was during his apprenticeship that Lane first displayed a taste for drawing ; Theodore, not having been in the slightest manner indebted to his parent for any instructions in the above art. His juvenile sketches, on being shown to Mr. Barrow, he (Mr. B.) was very much pleased with them, and in the kindest manner pointed out to Theodore those defects which naturally arise from youth and inexperience. LANE gratefully profited by his instructions. Mr. Barrow saw, or thought he saw in those early sketches, that sort of talent indicative of future great- ness ; and he therefore encouraged him to proceed with the most unremitting industry until he overcame all the difficulties which every artist has to surmount on his first entrance into life. Mr. Barrow always entertained MR. THEODORE LANE. 35 an opinion that one day or another the proud initials of R. A. might be added to his name. LANE had scarcely finished his apprenticeship, when he most laudably aspired to become an artist ; and to obtain notoriety with the public was his next object in view ; but at the same time he was without a friend to take him by the hand no patron to give him a lift ; and a perfect stranger to any person of eminence connected with the fine arts. Theodore however was not dismayed - he possessed an ambitious mind, and with empty pockets to give him an impetus, he cudgelled his brains for a subject, and very soon produced six designs of the "LiFE OF AN ACTOR/' This done his next, but diffi- cult aim was to get them published. He, therefore, to use his own words, gave his shoes an extra polish, brushed his coat well, paid more than ordinary atten- tion to his hat of course, a clean shirt and cravat and thus tidivated, with his small portfolio under his arm, he went forwards to push his fortune in the world. Strange to say, instead of exploring the classic regions as a mart for his talents instead of making his bow to Mr. Murray, or offering his designs to the " all-pub- lishing" Mr. Colburn, as a decided proof of his igno- rance in those matters, not to say bad taste, he knocked at the door of the humble domus of the scribbler of " Life in London," in the year 1822, between the hours of eight and nine o'clock in the morning, in Spann's Buildings, St. Pancras. " Admit him !" was the cry, something similar to the rough accent of the most noble grand of a lodge of Odd Fellows, when the heavy chain behind the door of the lodge is thrown down for the entrance of the novice, and LANE soon ascended into the presence of the slang writer he had heard so much talk about*. It is most true, that THEODORE did not * The name of the author of " Life in London," at the period alluded to, appeared daily for several months in the Play Bills of five of the Metropolitan Theatres. 36 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF exclaim, nor start after the highly-finished manner of the late John Kemble Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Be thou ? neither did he " run away" like Monsieur Tonson, but he appeared very much surprised, as if he had mistaken the apartment, on beholding a person busily employed in writing, whose head appeared to him like the rough hedgehog, with a beard of nearly four days' growth a waistcoat which had seen much better days, discovering a part of his naked breast aged pantaloons, that would have puzzled any draper as to their original colour a coat, or rather a part of one, that might once have been the pride of a Snycler as to its fashionable recommen- dation, but then reduced to a worn-out thread-bare remnant and with slippers to correspond, the sad relics of better days. The tout ensemble like one of the mem- bers of the Bampfylde Moore Carew Club, well dressed for the part, although put on without the aid of a reflect- ing mirror worn only for ease, and without a single thought as to the value of appearance*. The dress bad enough (according to the accepted term of " First Im- pressions ;") and the e?-dress, merely exempt from rudeness, perhaps in perfect keeping with the other parts of the character. LANE, not exactly recovered from his surprise, observed, " I believe, I am speaking to Mr. Egan?" " Most certainly, sir. Pray be seated: but I shall be candid with you, as time is on the wing with me : I am compelled to finish a few lines for the press my prad is at the door, and as I must have two- pen'north of decency before I start for the mill, while I am togging myself, I can listen to you with every atten- * Artists, authors, engravers, &c. wish to be more at their ease and freedom during their studies, than set any time apart to pay attention to their persons or dress although they may be viewed as drawing rooms. MR. THEODORE LANE. 37 tion, therefore, if you will have the kindness to get over the ground as fast as you can, I shall feel very much obliged to you?" LANE, with considerable modesty, presented to my view, six designs, observing at the same time " Sir, if you will undertake to write a work to accompany these illustrations it will be of great service to me, arid I assure you, Mr. Ackerman or Mr. Sherwood, will purchase the manuscript." " But have you any materials, Mr. Lane?" " None, sir ! But I have no doubt, your intimate acquaintance with so many theatrical persons, and your knowledge of the stage, it will be a matter of little, if any trouble to you, to produce the work in question." " To deal fairly by you, Mr. Lane, my upper works at the pre- sent moment are so overcharged with the FANCY, that I cannot lose the time to spare a single thought upon the imagination ; and therefore, I am sorry to say, that I must decline your offer." By this time the larbatic had changed the appearance of that face which at first had caused him to start, ten to one, more in favour towards the agreeable ; the comb had also given a more decent appearance to the wo6, and the fretful porcupine quills had been reduced to something like order ; the white cameza gave that sort of improvement to the figure, like a dirty room that has experienced white- washing ; the Belcher Fogle round the squeeze, did not only add but improve the look the white cords and top boots were also an improvement and the Witney upper Benjamin, decorated with large mother o'pearl buttons, now encompassed the frame the castor (one ofPerring-'s lightest, but knowing) covered the " knowledge box" the gloves on the persuader in the hand and " time " called to mount the drag, to bear in mind that twenty-one miles must be accomplished before one o'clock. Hear it not, MR. NORTHCOTE do not listen to it, 38 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SIR MARTIN SHEE, Knt. that instead of a classical hero being called upon to do justice to the drawings of the enterprising THEODORE LANE just upon entering one of the most arduous and difficult professions in life, instead of having to encounter the microscopic eye of the critic the rigid pause the slow, half suspended sentence from the man of judgment which so often makes tyros wince again, and proficients tremble the hopes and fears on all sides attached to merit behold ONE OF THE FANCY selected to give an opinion with " Ya! hip !" escaping from his lips, anxious to " push along, and keep moving," until the grand object in view the " prize ring " appeared in sight ! " Good by, my dear fellow" (giving LANE'S talented bunch of fives a friendly shake), come and see me as often as you think proper, though I do not possess the vanity to set myself up as a judge in these matters, believe me, I always feel myself honoured by the call of a man of talent." Poor LANE seemed sadly disappointed with the termination of the interview the chance was lost not only as to his appearing before the public as an artist but his designs, at least for some time, were nothing more than waste paper as to the productions of the cash (always so much in request by the needy artist), and he " toddled off" with " a countenance more in sorrow than in anger." The prad on feeling the whip was off in prime style, displaying fine action like a first rate player and in less than an hour I had joined the bustle on the road, with lords and commoners and " seven to four, you don't name the winner" soon distanced, THEODORE LANE and his drawings completely out of my mind. Such is the fate of genius ! But two years afterwards another interview proved more successful to LANE. An engagement was entered into with the late Mr. Arnold, of Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, to publish the " Life of an Actor." MR. THEODORE LANE. 39 In consequence of which THEODORE obtained for his twenty-seven designs and etchings, and also drawings for nine wood cuts, the liberal sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, fifteen shillings. This work was dedicated to Mr. KEAN*. Lane often gratefully declared to his friends, the above publication proved his stepping stone not only to a more enlarged acquaintance with men and manners, but it brought him forward in society, and improved his circumstances, and likewise was the means of giving him an introduction to several eminent persons connected with the Fine Arts. LANE was now tolerably well employed by different publishers on a variety of subjects, and the following plates, in rapid succession, were sent forth to the public, with considerable success : "Scientific Pursuits; or, Holly Horse Races to the Temple of Fame," in four folio plates, exhibit a great deal of thought and inventive genius ; and the subjects altogether display considerable humour. The design or painting u working for Fame, painting her por- trait/' although portrayed in a most ludicrous point of view, might nevertheless be applied to his own unfortu- nate case, "What's fame? a fancied life in others breath \" " The Parson's Clerk;" a comic song, written by the celebrated and facetious Tom Hudson : From righteous paths he turn'd astray, And even on the Sabbath Day, Drurfd himself in a one horse shay, In the Park ! * PEREGRINE PROTEUS was written principally to introduce the artist to the notice of the public ; and I am happy to inform you that the desired object has been accomplished; a young man of talent has not only been rescued from oblivion, but per- haps the success he has met with by his delineations of the " Life of an Actor," may afford him still further opportunities to amuse and interest society. Dec. 1824. 40 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF And all the week I don't know how, At singing glees he made a row, " Glorious Apollo." And got as drunk as Davy's sow, The Parson's Clerk ! The four illustrations to the above subject, expose cant and hypocrisy in its truest colours ; and the talents of the artist have done complete justice to the words of the author. u Legal Illustrations" consisting of seventy humour- ous applications of law terms, to the occupations of fashionable and convivial life. " This is a whimsical idea, and the execution displays considerable humour in the details ; and we commend the publication for the port- folios which while away the tedious half hour before dinner." Literary Gazette. " The Masquerade at the Argyle Rooms" a large plate, full of characters who " strutted and fretted " their hour in those gay regions of pleasure, frolic, and fun. This plate was generally admired on its publica- tion, as a very clever representation of the lively scene. " New Year's Morning , the Old One OUT, and the New One COMING in." In addition to the " How came you so?" topers the artist has displayed his wit. The president, a jolly fellow, has got the empty bowl on his head, as the old one out, laughing, and pointing at the waiter, who has a full bowl of punch in his hands, as the new one coming in. 66 Sunday Morning the Barber's Shop." LANE has been extremely happy in his representation of the mixed group which are generally to be met with on such an occasion. He has been equally so in the " Shilling- Fare to a Christmas Dinner ; or, just in Pudding Time." u The Rival Whiskers;" and " Amorous and Clamor- ous ;" sketches of the prevailing features of the day both of them are highly ludicrous, and had a good sale at the time of their publication. MR. THEODORE LANE. 41 Some of the illustrations of the " Life of an Actor," have been pronounced by several persons of eminence, connected with the pursuits of the stage, decidedly good, and like a well-worked up scene on the stage, appeal very strongly to the feelings* " PROTEUS visiting Comic Dick in the workhouse, an actor of great celebrity at one period of his life." This is a most affecting, but correct representation of the infirmities of old age, and the imbecility of human nature ; and LANE has entered into the subject with all the spirit of our immortal bard " Last scene of all That ends this strange eventful history Is second childishness, and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing." THEODORE, in order to give real life to the scene, went on purpose, to a workhouse, where he drew the above sketch. LANE also illustrated a work, called, " A Complete Panorama of the Sporting World/' with thirteen origi- nal etchings, and the same number of designs on wood. Several of them have been pronounced excellent amongst them " A Parish Concern ; or, Prominent Reasons for Matrimony :" is a rich picture of the method of THfltfcA-making by parish officers. The almost idiotic simplicity of the bridegroom, the thriving appearance of the lady, and the formidable look of the men with the gold-laced hats to witness the ceremony prove the artist to have been a man of considerable observation. Also, " How to pick up a RUM ONE to look at, and a good ONE to go in Smithfield" is a highly characteristic repre- sentation of the fiats and sharps in the horse line in that neighbourhood on market days ; and the " interesting interview between Mr. Matthews and his Irish thea- trical barber/' is a most delightful sketch : and gives * It is impossible for us to do justice to the spirit of the designs, many of which would not discredit the pencil of Ho- garth. Monthly Critical Gazette. 42 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF life and vigour to an anecdote, highly honourable to the feelings of that celebrated comedian. LANE was quite aware that however strong his imagi- nation might be towards the production of subjects for his pencil ; and that " lay figures " might be of the most essential service to him, by acquiring correct positions of the anatomy of the human frame, yet like the late Lord BYRON, he preferred studying from real life, the warmth of animation, and the beautiful tints attendant upon the glow of health and beauty : She was one Fit for the model of a statuary (A race of mere impostors when all's done), I've seen much finer women, ripe and real, Than all the nonsense of their stone ideal ! THEODORE was not exactly one of the gay Tom King's decided votaries : To him a frolic was a high delight, A frolic he would hunt for day and night, Careless how prudence on the sport might frown : although LANE was anxious to catch the manners " living as they rise !" he therefore visited the masque- rades, and the characters which he sustained in general had an originality about them, which reflected credit on his understanding; but his masques, painted for the occasion by himself, were of the most attractive descrip- tion, perfectly true to nature ; in fact, nothing like them were seen throughout those scenes of fun, folly, and humour. On his personification of one of the " frozen- out gardeners " at the Argyle Rooms, the cabbage he held in his hand, soliciting " charity," with the appear- ance of isicles all over it, was the admiration of all the masquer aders, who thought it no lost time amidst their revels to step aside to applaud talent. On another occa- sion, as the representative of an "out-patient" to an hospital, his mask had a most appalling appearance the spectators fled from it with horror and disgust, but MR. THEODORE LANE. 43 nevertheless it was a fine portrait of disease and wretch- edness and exhibited a rich specimen of the abilities of the artist, and his great attention to nature. Enveloped in a white sheet down to his heels, at another English carnival, when the rooms were crowded with masks of the most lively description and. fun at its height -frolic on the alert the clowns exhibiting their grimaces and Harlequin and Columbine exerting themselves on the " light fantastic toe, " during that delightful Spanish air, " Isabel," LANE entered with a slow and solemn stride all eyes were fixed on him ; he had on his head a tall paper cap, made of foolscap, pointed at the end like the steeple of a church, and a long staif in his hand, while he motioned the audience to listen to his admonition : his mask was ghastly in the extreme, like death upon the pale horse, indeed it seemed to " grin horribly a ghastly smile/' accompanied with a sepulchral tone of voice " Remember, sons and daughters of pleasure ! Remem- ber, I say," stamping with his staif on the floor, " there must be an end of all things, therefore, make the most of your time." There was a freezing sort of look about the figure altogether, a kind of stopper on the dance and song and the various groups of characters appeared pleased when he retired to a corner of one of the boxes, and took rather an elevated seat to view and make his comments on the gay scene. In a large picture, repre- senting the masquerade at the Argyll Rooms, drawn by Lane, the above portrait may be seen in the second box on the right hand side. He was fond of visiting the theatres : and, to use his own words, it gave him a more intimate acquaintance with elegant attitudes*, and a better knowledge of cos- * Had he lived to have seen the attitudes recently exhibited by Mr. Ducrow, Theodore would have united in the general praise, " that such classical specimens of the ancient statues were never before witnessed." 44 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF tume and draperies ; and he also ventured to criticise the merits of those actors which at various times claimed his particular attention. KEAN was his idol ; he viewed him as one of the finest delineators of the human pas- sions ; and as a performer who had attained the very summit of his profession. YOUNG, he often praised as an actor of sterling merit a strong, but nevertheless a beautiful painter in oil ; and altogether a classical sub- ject. His Hamlet, a great treat ; and one of the triumphs of the histrionic art. MACREADY, as a melo-dramatic actor, astonished him ; his William Tell, called forth raptures of delight ; but the Virginius of Mr. M. was a master-piece. CHARLES KEMBLE stood high, very high, in his estimation as a more general actor than either of the above distinguished performers. His personification of Charles the Second, THEODORE thought the term " perfection" might be applied to it without a murmur from the most rigid critic in the kingdom it was kingly from the top of his head to the sole of his foot ; and " his laugh" would have reflected credit on the studied fastidious Chesterfield, and even the elegant George IV. might have pronounced it courtly, from its superiority of taste : his gait and address likewise were so perfectly in keeping with the character, that it might prove a fine school for nobility and gentry to study grace and ease, without which, no portrait can be acquired of the finished gentleman. The Young Mirable of Mr. Charles Kemble, was also one of the finest pieces of acting on the stage. Although the head of LISTON* might "not be wor- shiped in the streets of the metropolis," he said, "his face was a fine study for an artist, as it had proved a * Mr. Lane made a sketch quite in character of " Paul Pry's first night in a boarding house :" to be succeeded bj eleven others, representing the Pry-ing qualities of that celebrated dramatic hero. The sketch is now in my possession. The death of Mr. L. prevented their publication. MR. THEODORE LANE. 45 rich portrait to the treasury of the different theatres, The funny JOHN REEVES a great body of talent on or off the boards ; and his Abrahamides, one of the richest specimens of burlesque ever witnessed upon any stage ; and Bob Keeley, in his line, was multum in parvo. He did not neglect to visit any of the places of note in the metropolis, whereby he could obtain information or knowledge of public characters, and spend a pleasant hour or two. During the lifetime of the late Billy Ox- berry, when that comical wight acted the part of Boni- face, Theodore often visited his coffee-room at the Craven's Head, Drury Lane, to hear Oxberry tell his tales, and relate his theatrical adventures. Indeed, poor Oxberry, was a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. At the Kean's Head, formerly the O. P. in Russel Court, Drury Lane, Theodore frequently attended the harmonic meetings held on Saturday evenings ; and often expressed himself delighted with the talents of his friends Tom Hudson and Mr. Beuler, both celebrated for their productions of comic songs and singing them. He also became acquainted here with the late excentric but highly talented Ralph Shervin ; who, independent of his theatrical abilities, ranked high as a clever artist. Lane, to improve his mind, now and then dropped into the Wrekin in Broad Court, Long Acre, kept at that period by a Mr. Williams, a person connected with literary pursuits. The visitors frequenting this tavern were principally reporters, better known, per- haps, as gentlemen connected with the press by others facetiously termed the " PRESS-GANG !" a sprinkling of first-rate theatricals ; an author or two ; men of the world ; and intelligent persons in general. If THEO- DORE was compelled to be a silent spectator, to see, hear, and say nothing amongst the wits, orators, and men of literary talents, he nevertheless treasured up in his mind that sort of intelligence respecting the passing 46 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF subjects of the day opinions upon public characters ; the theatres ; arts and sciences, &c. tending not only to enrich his understanding, but to give him more extended notions of men and manners, and society in general; and which, as an artist, he might turn to a good account at some other period. THEODORE often expressed himself delighted with a gentleman of the name of Graham ; in truth, so was every other person who frequented the WreJtin. Mr. Graham was an ora- tor of the first class, an eminent writer, an excellent reporter, and a man calculated to shine as a fixed star in any hemisphere, however surrounded by talents *. Since which period, Mr. Graham unfortunately lost hi* life in a duel in America, owing to a literary dispute. In- deed the Wrekin, at the time alluded to, afforded nightly a fund of amusement and intelligence to its visiters and so high did it stand in the estimation of the magis- trates, that when an information was laid against it for being open at late hours, upon a proper representation being made to the chief magistrate, Sir Richard Birnie, in good taste, observed that gentlemen who contributed so much towards the luxury of the mind, and to whose services and talents the country was highly indebted, some place of refreshment ought to be allotted to them, and no person he thought could or would quarrel with such an indulgence. The Wrekin was a house of no common description. Notwithstanding the assertion of the poet, that "a little learning is a dangerous thing \" poor THEODORE, on being introduced to the company of persons of a superior description in society, found out, by compari- son, without any one to remind him of his deficiency, that he had had " too little " of it in his boyish days ; and therefore, with the most determined industry, de- * It is a well known fact, that, a city orator, of some repute, was indebted to Mr. Graham for the composition of his speeches. MR. THEODORE LANE. 47 voted all his leisure hours to repair the above neglect so prejudicial to the rising talents of an artist. The "Harp" in Russel Street, Drury Lane, well known, if the phrase is not offensive to the profession, as a House of Call for Actors, which LANE has so well represented in one of the plates of the " Life of an Actor," frequently claimed an hour or two of his time, on different evenings. The scene was altogether attrac- tive ; and lots of fun and humour were the result. He had an opportunity of viewing the conduct of players out of engagements ; spouting youths, anxious to become actors ; and other perfect enthusiasts. But it was his opinion, that he derived a knowledge of character by these visits ; and that he also got an insight into the eccentricities of human nature. Therefore he consi- dered his time was not totally lost. However the fastidious part of mankind might quar- rel with his taste for visiting the above mentioned places his answers were of that description, as to silence his opponents. " If I have visited the FINISH/' said he, " when the rational part of society have been at their rest, and I might have been looked upon as a loose, dissipated sort of fellow, the next day, perhaps, my studies have been fully occupied at the Marquis of Staf- ford's fine gallery of pictures as a redeeming sort of quality. And as a set-off to my visit to the Cyder Cellar; two or three hours spent at ' Angerstein's Collection of Paintings/ have made amends for it. The row, sport- ing, and other vociferous scenes at the HARP, have been repaired by the lectures at the Royal Academy. The singing at the Kean's Head, has never caused me for an instant to neglect my views of the paintings in Suffolk Street and in spending an hour or two at the Fives Court, in order to view the anatomy of the human frame, and the beauty and action of the muscles the contrast of witnessing the " different masters" at 48 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF the British Institution, pointed out to the artist the advantages of uniting still with REAL LIFE. '*' A Trip to ASCOT RACES/' dedicated to his late Majesty, upwards of seventeen feet in length, and coloured after life and nature, designed and etched by Theodore Lane. Exhibiting from Hyde Park Corner all the bustle of the lively scene on the road down to the Heath ; being a complete characteristic picture of the gaiety, fashion, elegance, taste, fun, frolic, whim, adventures, manners, upsets, rows, chitchat, &c. from the Corinthian driving his splendid four-in-hand, down to the humble peasant on his ten toes. The following sketch is extracted from the descriptive key which accompanies the engraving " No. 32. The artist, Mr. Theodore Lane, is seen making a sketch of the course. This young man, although self-taught, is rapidly rising in his profession his first public attempt were the designs which illustrate the " Life of an Actor." The frontis- piece to the above work is replete with mind, genius, and talent. Since that period he has produced several caricature subjects, founded on the passing events of the day ; the whole of them have been well received by the public. His likenesses in water-colours are very much admired for their softness and beauty of colouring, and likewise for the elegance and taste he has displayed in the dresses of his females. It is rather singular to remark, Mr. Lane sketches and paints with his left hand. Within the last few months he has attempted oil-painting, with more than ordinary success. His first subject was the " Drunken Gardener," which was highly approved of by an artist of eminence : his second attempt, the " Organ of Murder !" This painting pos- sesses considerable point. The smattering craniologist with the skull in his hand, viewing the Organ of Mur- der, is feeling his head with a kind of doubt and fear, to ascertain whether the above dreadful organ is stamped MR. THEODORE LANE. 49 upon his own skull ! On the above subject being sub- mitted to the above gentleman for his opinion, he viewed it with increased satisfaction, and begged of Mr. Lane to proceed with painting in oil with una- bated ardour : his third and last subject, " An Hour before the Duel," exhibited at the British Institution in Pall Mall, has been more than successful. The idea is excellent ; and " airy nothing/' in this instance, is embodied on the canvass, with a reality of touch, and vigour of mind, so as to leave no other impression on the feelings of the spectator than that of an actual por- trait, sketched in the moment of agony and suspense of the supposed duellist, is strongly marked with the uncertainty of his situation : Of that bourne, from whence no traveller returns, Puzzles the will ! He is gazing with the most impassioned delight on the miniature of his beloved mistress, perhaps, for the last time ; his eye meeting the challenge, and the instrument of death firmly grasped in his hand. He is also anxi- ously tracing the motion of his watch which directs the time of meeting ; his bed undisturbed, added to the general disorder of his apartment, are all so highly characteristic of the subject in question, that we are led to expect much better things from this young arid almost obscure artist, rising in the very arduous profession of OIL PAINTING." A large, clever design was made by Lane, and pub- lished by M'Lean in the Haymarket, intituled, " LAW, gorging on the Spoils of Fools, and Rogues, and Honest Men among Folly and Knavery, producing Repentance and Ruin ; or, the fatal Effects of legal Rapacity." The above plate exhibits a considerable deal of wit and satire ; and tends to show in a great degree that poor THEODORE was a more attentive observer of passing circumstances in the world, connected with the vitals of D 50 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF society, than his friends might be disposed to give him credit for. The sketch represents the high road to law leading to ruin, through various toll gates namely, the opinion of counsel, injunction, filing the bill, con- sultation, procrastination, &c. When a cause you have got coining on, How the BlG-WlGS will smile you upon ; And they'll beat you ten to one, While they make of you a Cat's-paw : And they lay on your SOVEREIGNS their claw, Which into their fobs they will draw ; Then tip you a long oration, With pomp and ostentation; And leave you in consternation, At their J,A,W, Jaw ! Which is all that you get for LAW, Excepting a Pish! or a PSHA ! However singular to remark, yet it is strictly true, that in all his rambles on the town, he was cold pro- priety yes, and convinced his friends after the manner of FalstafF, that " discretion is the better part of valour/' LANE also followed Shakspeare's advice to the letter, " never to put an enemy into his mouth to steal away his brains :" he seldom indulged beyond his pint and a half of heavy a welsh rabbit and a glass of gin and water. No persuasion could induce him to alter his rule : I never saw him in any thing like a row during my acquaintance with him ; and I have often heard him declare that he was never intoxicated in the whole course of his life. His disposition and general conduct were truly mild and peaceable ; and his notions of honour and integrity were not to be excelled. Although mixing with a variety of persons, in different companies, and temper, he always conducted himself so well as to keep out of mischief; yet he was no starter, and daylight often rendered her assistance to him, when he sought the keyhole of the street door, to return in safety to his repose. But these sort of evenings were of the en MR. THEODORE LANE. 51 passant kind, to relieve his mind, and dispel the ennui of a solitary apartment, one of the dull accompaniments of a young bachelor which, at the period alluded to, belonged to his title. The progress which he made in OIL PAINTING was rapid in the extreme : in less than twelve months from the commencement of his studies he produced a piece of considerable merit ; it is, however, but common jus- tice to state, that owing to the kindness, attention, and liberality of disposition displayed by his friend Mr. Fraser (an artist of the first class), who not only gave Lane suggestions upon the subject, but permitted him at various times to paint with him (Mr. F.) at his own house, and under his immediate inspection. " The ENTHUSIAST," exhibited at Somerset House, at the time of his death, was the admiration of all the persons who viewed the painting which represented an old gentleman laid up with the gout, and his legs on two chairs. He is so much attached to the pleasures of angling, that he is seen with his rod and line in his hand, fishing in a water-tub placed a few yards from him ; and, to all appearance, enjoying the sport, as if his line was actually in a river. LANE, in his own per- son, was a decided angler, and often defied the effects of the " pitiless, pelting storm," when comfortably seated (as he said), by the side of a river ; and who never complained of a want of sport, if he only obtained, like Dr. Franklin's fisherman, " a nibble," throughout a long summer's day*. This painting, we understand, is under the hands of an eminent engraver (R. Graves) and will shortly make its appearance before the public. " The POET reading his Manuscript Play of Five Acts to a judicious Friend:" * It is thus the John Bull of May 25, 1828, speaks of the above picture, respecting the unfortunate Theodore, " whose clever little picture of the Enthusiast shines a perfect gem amongst the trash and rubbish of the Suffolk Street Gallery." 52 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven. But on turning round his head to receive the nod of approbation for some animated sentence which the poet flatters himself deserving of applause, to his great dis- appointment and mortification, before he has arrived at the end of the second act, he finds his judge fast asleep. There is a great deal of character about this painting : the look of the poet, who appears chagrined at the neglect he has experienced, is finely delineated ; while his any thing but attentive critic seems quite com- fortable in the enjoyment of a sound nap. Too much like the managers of olden times, who permitted many good plays to rest for ever, without they were made awake to the merits of the piece or pieces, by a gentle hint from a duke or a lord as to the value of good advice, added to the sun-shining effects of lordly patronage ! " Too MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH/' This is a very laughable subject, and most admirably executed. Several monkeys are represented as acting as cooks, and whose grimaces are highly ludicrous, upon their putting a little kitten into a saucepan full of boiling water. A satisfactory grin not only appears on the whole of their countenances, but the cunning also, so well known to belong to monkeys, is truly conspi- cuous. " The NIGHT MARE !" This painting was generally admired by the lovers of the Fine Arts ; and after the lamentable death of Mr. LANE, it was engraved and published as a remembrance of his rising and admired talents as an artist. The Night Mare, in this instance, is treated as a reality ; and not as, in former instances, " the fancied creation of the brain/' It is & funny subject altogether some wag, it should seem, has tied the tail .of a white mare to the knocker of a street door, and the servant boy upon opening the door to attend the loud MR. THEODORE LANE. 53 and repeated summons betrays all that fright and kind of simplicity which distinguishes the good acting of Mr. Keeley in the character of the alarmed Fritz, on his first sight of the Monster in Frankenstein. " The MATHEMATICIAN'S ABSTRACTION." This painting is a decided proof of the inventive faculties of poor Lane, although his hand was arrested in its pro- gress, by unrelenting death : O great man-eater! Whose every day is carnival, nor sated yet! Unheard of epicure, without a fellow ! The veriest gluttons do not always cram ; Some intervals of abstinence are sought To edge the appetite ; THOU seekest none ! The above subject is not only well chosen, but excel- lently well executed : the mind of the mathematician appears completely abstracted by his studies, and he is seen boiling his watch, instead of an egg ; nor does he discover his mistake until he looks at the egg to learn the time. This picture was finished by his sincere friend Mr. Fraser ; and Lord Northwick purchased it. LANE, on being introduced to George Cruikshank, the above celebrated artist appeared much pleased with the etchings and designs shown to him ; and he also complimented THEODORE on his abilities. Robert Cruikshank was equally liberal with his remarks ; and both of these highly talented men were ever afterwards his friends. He taught himself to etch his own designs upon copper, and had his life have been preserved, there is no doubt but he would have become an excellent mez- zotinto engraver, as he had made considerable progress in that line of art. It was the opinion of Mr. Cooper, the celebrated ^artist, that " Lane was a man of considerable talent; every thing that came from his hand, had manifest signs of genius and humour. I have seen," said he, " seve- ral slight sketches by him, that were full of wit, one or two I recollect. ' Scraping an Acquaintance,' a fellow out 54 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF hunting having fallen over head into a ditch, his friend had a large pocket knife scraping the mud from his scarlet coat. Another, a parody on ' O fly not yet* ! y an old fellow, rather too fat for a shooter, blundering over a rail, while a wild duck is getting away ; the latter, a drawing I have, through the kindness of Mr. Henry Wakefield,' the good fortune to possess." Like the celebrated Dr. Johnson, Lane was pas- sionately fond of tea, six or seven cups he could dispose of with great ease and pleasure to himself; and as a water-drinker, he excelled all the men I ever saw. How extremely affecting for his relatives to reflect, that, just as he had ascended a few steps up the difficult ladder of FAME, and looking anxiously forwards to that day when he should be able to arrive at the top, as a painter of eminence : Ah ! who can tell how hard it is to climb The steep, where FAME'S proud temple shines afar ! just as he had acquired a name amongst the booksellers and publishers as an artist, and a designer of merit just as he had overcome his little difficulties, and en- abled to keep from his door that too common attendant on artists and authors POVERTY, and living in a style of respectability just as his miniatures and portraits were admired by the public blessed with a most amiable wife and two children, in the vigour of health and youth, and prosperity and fame almost within his grasp and just as he was starting on a party of pleasure to spend an agreeable day in the country, with his wife and relatives, in order to relieve his mind, and return to his studies with fresh vigour in less than one little minute the recollection of the circumstance is terrific, nay, awful beyond description * The above design, the first of a series, drawn only a few days before his death, was intended for a work, similar to Mr. Hood's Whims and Oddities. MR. THEODORE LANE. 55 The GRAVE, dread thing! Men shiver when thou art named : NATURE appall'd, Shakes off her wonted firmness ! hurried into eternity without a parting sigh without one farewell or even time to offer up an ejaculation to his Maker the much admired, talented Theodore Lane, had become a CORPSE. Oh ! what toils What studies, night and day what hopes, what prayers, What aspirations, what ecstatic thoughts, And wild imaginings of fancy bright, Are his, as up the weary steep he climbs, To win renown to win that glory which MUST ONLY SHINE UPON HIS EARLY GRAVE! Alas ! ill-fated artist, thy proud hopes Were, like the bard's, to disappointment doom'd ! Thy expectations all cut off thyself Left in thy prime to wither, like the bud, The flower-bud rich of promise, by the frost Cut off untimely! It appears that on Wednesday morning, May 21, 1828, Mr. Lane, then residing in Judd Street, Bruns- wick Square, called upon his brother-in-law, Mr. Henry Wakefield, surgeon, of Battle Bridge ; for the purpose of proceeding with his gig as far as Mill Hill, H amp- stead, to join a party of friends and relatives, who had gone there to spend the day. Mrs. Lane had previously set out for the place with one of her brothers. Mr. Wakefield having to visit a patient in Manchester Street, Gray's Inn Lane, drove there with Mr. Lane, who, to pass away the time occupied by his brother-in- law with the sick person, entered the Horse Bazaar, contiguous to the above place. He was not long there when a crash was heard immediately over the auc- tioneer's stand, and presently poor THEODORE was seen tumbling through a skylight in the roof of a portico (about thirteen feet from the ground), which stands in the betting room, and his head coming in contact with 56 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF the flagging beneath, he was killed on the spot. The back part of his head was smashed to atoms, and his brains flew about in all directions. Mr. Lane not being at the appointed spot to meet Mr. Wakefield, induced the latter gentleman, after waiting some time, to enter the yard of the Bazaar to look for him, but, upon Mr. W. being recognised as a surgeon, he was told that an accident had occurred to a person, and his assistance was required. On Mr. Wakefield looking at the me- lancholy object before him, who was so disfigured by the fall, that no traces were left to recognise Theodore, but when the horrid truth burst upon him by the pen- cil being taken out of his pockets and on opening the card-case, the name of Lane appearing on it, Mr. W. sunk beneath it, and lay in a fainting fit, with scarcely any signs of life for nearly an hour. The mutilated body was in the mean time conveyed to an adjoining public-house. The sad occurrence is supposed to have arisen from Mr. Lane having struck his head against the rim of the skylight, while drawing it from the win- dow of the betting-room, and being thus thrown off his centre, fell backwards in the way stated. Information of the circumstance was sent off immediately to the party at Mill Hill, whose consternation can be better felt than described. The distraction of Mrs. Lane on being made acquainted with the death of her husband was of the most agonizing description. An inquest was held on the body, when the jury censured the manner in which the skylight was left exposed, it being merely sur- rounded by a ledge about six inches above the flooring. A verdict of " accidental death " was returned. The Times newspaper, a few days after the death of Mr. Lane, thus aroused the attention of the public : " Our readers cannot have forgotten the dreadful cala- mity which occurred a few days ago to a young artist of great promise, of the name of LANE, who fell through a skylight, and was killed on the spot. He has left a MR. THEODORE LA^ 7 E. 57 widow and two small children in very poor circum- stances. The genuine merit of the artist, and the des- titute condition of his bereaved family, have excited more than common interest ; and an English feeling is not accustomed to evaporate in mere language. A plan for a subscription has been suggested by some benevolent gentlemen who have no knowledge of the unfortunate deceased, except through his professional works. The subscription is yet in its infancy ; but we are happy to learn that Sir Thomas Lawrence has benevolently put his eminent name at the head of the list, with a donation of five guineas ; and that Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, who is a constant friend of the arts, has kindly contributed a similar donation. Two brother artists, Mr. J. B. Lane, the painter of the picture of Joseph; and Mr. Leahy, the painter of Mary Stuart's Farewell to France, have also put down the same sum. The beginning is small ; but what begins under such auspices, will, we doubt not, terminate in a handsome relief to such portion of the widowed family's loss, as money can relieve." Mr. T. Lupton, the eminent mezzotinto engraver (to his credit be it said, became acquainted with poor Lane, through the admiration of his talents), was very zealous in the behalf of Mrs. Lane and her children, and warmly supported by Mr. Cooper, the celebrated animal painter, and under whose friendly auspices, the following adver- tisement appeared in the newspapers. " MELANCHOLY CASE. " Mr. THEODORE LANE, a .young and highly pro- mising Artist, who lately fell through the Skylight, at the Gray's Inn Road Horse Repository, and was killed upon the spot, having left a WIDOW and TWO INFANT CHILDREN without that Provision which a longer life of talent and industry might reasonably have been expected to procure for them it is hoped the Friends of growing 58 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF Talent and the Arts will Contribute to Relieve the des- titute state of the Widow and Orphans who have been so instantaneously and awfully deprived of their earthly source of comfort and support. " Subscriptions will be received at Messrs. Morland and Co/s, Pall Mall; Messrs. Ransom and Co.'s, Pall Mall, East ; Messrs. Coutts's, Strand ; Messrs. Col- naghi and Co/s, Pall Mall, East ; Mr. Colnaghi's, Cockspur Street ; Mr. Ackermann's, Strand ; Mr. Dobbs's, printseller, Soho Square ; Mr. Arnold's, bookseller, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden ; and Mr. Clay's, printseller, Ludgate Street/' The Right Hon. Lord Egremont, five pounds. Right Hon. V. Fitzgerald, five pounds. Sir Thomas Law- rence, P. R. A., five pounds. F. Chantrey, R. A., ten pounds. E. D. Leahy, Esq. N. Robertson, Esq. George Westmacott, Esq., and several other persons. The subscriptions, however, were soon closed by the relatives of Mrs. Lane, who were averse to the thing alto- gether. Mrs. Carne, sister of Mr. Lane (and the wife of a literary gentleman, whose publication of " Letters from the East/' have reached the third edition), adopted one of the children as her own. It is worthy of remark, Sir THOMAS LAWRENCE, the late much lamented pre- sident of the Royal Academy with that urbanity of disposition which always characterised his conduct, contributed in an instant, five pounds, observing at the same time to Mr. Lupton, who made the application to Sir Thomas " You are at liberty to make use of my name, as an admirer of talent, in any way you think proper. I am extremely anxious to promote the sub- scription* for the benefit of Mr. Lane's widow and children." * So great was the philanthropy of the late Sir Thomas Law- rence, that it is well known that he contributed largely to the distresses of other persons, during the same time he has been annoyed with two or three executions in his own house. MR. THEODORE LANE. 59 As a proof of the extraordinary merit of Mr. Lane as an artist, it is worthy of remark, that the first picture he exhibited for the approbation of the public, " An hour before the Duel," he sold for forty pounds. Such instances of talent, or good fortune, we believe, are very rarely to be met with by young artists ; but, in fact, he was equally fortunate with most of his 5 other paintings. Indeed, another of his subjects proved so highly attrac- tive, that it was noticed by an eminent artist at the pri- vate view of the Royal Academy, and a great sum of money was offered for it before the public exhibition took place at Somerset House. The remains of poor THEODORE were most respect- fully interred, by his relatives, in the burial ground of Old St. Pancras Church, on the 28th of May, 1828. No monumental stone has been erected to his memory, perhaps under the idea that " Praises on tombs are trifles vainly spent \" or, according to the poet : ALEXANDER and CAESAR have vanish'd away, And PLATO and CICERO now are but clay; The brave, and the learned, and the good, and the wise, All come to the same simple close of " HERE LIES." CH1SW1CK : PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM. DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING THE CUTS. The Stage-struck Hero to face the TITLE The Bent of Genius to face page 9 ' What are you arter ? to face 11 . The moving Circus to face 13 Gallery Folks to face 17 ' The Peep Show to face 19 - In an instant he plunged to face 21 Scene Painting to face 23 A wet Night to face 25 for J&. ^rnotti, f!Tafei*tocfc COVENT GARDEN : SOLD BY LONGMAN AND CO. ; WHITTAKER AND CO. J SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; HURST AND co. ; AND OLIVER AND BOYD, EDINBURGH. THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR, PEREGRINE PRO. TEUS. Illustrated by Twenty-seven coloured Scenes, representing the Vicissitudes of the Stage ; and Nine beautiful Wood Cuts. By PIERCE EG AN, Author of " Life in London/' " Tom and Jerry/' &c. Price I/. 1*. in boards ; or in Nine Parts, at 2s. 6d. each. ' The present work is one of the best exemplifications of Mr. Egan's peculiar talents. It is impossible for us to do jus- tice to the spirit of the designs, many of which would not discredit the pencil of Hogarth." Monthly Critical Gazette. Numbers I. and II. price 2s. 6d. each plain, or 3*. Gd. coloured, of LEGAL ILLUSTRATIONS ; consisting- of Se- venty humorous Applications of Law Terms, to the Occupations of Fashionable and Convivial Life. Drawn and etched by THEODORE LANE. No. I. JOINDER OF PARTIES and SET OFF. II. A COLLATION. THE BOOK OF FATE ; formerly in the Pos- session of Napoleon. Twentieth Edition. Price 5*. in boards. " We strongly advise all those careless and laughing circles, which we hope will be gathered round many happy firesides in the ensuing winter, to provide themselves with this volume, which we can venture to promise will be an increase to their stock of cheerfulness, and will not often fail in its promise of ad- mitting them into the secrets of futurity." British Critic. The favourable reception the above work has met with (having passed through nineteen editions), has induced several unprinci- pled persons to publish works under a similar title, against which the caution of the public is respectfully solicited. THE ORACLE OF HUMAN DESTINY; or, The UNERRING FORETELLER of FUTURE EVENTS, and ACCURATE INTERPRETER of MYSTICAL SIGNS and IN- FLUENCES, through the medium of Common Cards. By MADAME LE NORM AND, Professor of the Celestial Sci- ence at Paris. With a large coloured Plate. Third Edition. Price 5*. boards. LAWRENCE ON THE HORSE. Just published, in One Vol. I2mo. Price 8s. THE HORSE IN ALL HIS VARIETIES AND USES; His Breeding, Rearing, and Management, whether in Labour or Rest ; with Rules, occasionally interspersec for his Preservation from Disease. By JOHN LAW- RENCE, Author of " A Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses," " The History of the Horse/' &c. " A convenient condensation of all that is valuable on the sub- ject ; if our youthful cavaliers would acquire from such sources a little knowledge of this noble animal, we are sure they would neither become dupes, nor our tribunals teem with such disgrace- ful ebullitions of impudent fraud and unblushing perjury." Literary Gazette. Independently of the practical value of the book, and it is really and extensively valuable, it is one of the most amusing the reader will meet with in a thousand, complete and unique, embracing every possible subject that can be connected with the Horse." Monthly Magazine. " On the whole we" have derived much amusement as well as instruction from the perusal of this little work ; and recommend it to the attention of all horse-masters as illustrative of a very important, though little heeded position, that good management and complete subjection are not inconsistent with the great prin- ciples of mildness and humanity." The Farmer's JournaL " As well as a practical book on the subject, it has also a constant bearing on that of morality and, in some degree, of amusement; as reading is now become universal among the labouring classes, we would recommend this small and practical work to be put into the hands of grooms, and of those servants who are entrusted with the care of horses." Sporting Magazine. " The volume before us seems designed to be his last legacy ; it contains the cream and marrow of many a preceding volume ; and we can confidently recommend it to the horseman as an amusing as well as instructive work ; while the veterinary sur- geon will apply to it in the moment of relaxation, and, if it be not his own fault, derive from it considerable information/' Veterinarian. Neatly printed in 32mo. and may be had in a variety of bindings* HAYLEY'S TRIUMPHS OF TEMPER. Neat Pocket Size. Price 2s. 6d. in boards. WITH BEAUTIFUL FRONTISPIECES. PAUL ET VIRGINIE. Par St. Pierre. Price 2s. 6d. 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LA DIVINA COMMEDIA DI DANTE ALI- GHIERI. Con nuovi Argomenti ; Annotazioni da' migliori Comentatori scelte ed abbreviate. E coll' Accento di Prosodia. Ai Dilettanti e Scolari deir Italiana Favella devotamente dedicata da Pietro Cic- CHETTI, Professore di Lingua Italiana delP Accademia di Arti e Scienze, e gia Professore dell' Accademia Reale di Musica. In 1 vol. Embellished with a beau- tiful ENGRAVING. Price 10s. 6d. in boards. " This is a very neat and correct Pocket Edition of Dante, with the voluminous Notes of other editors ably abridged. It is a capital class book for Italian students." Lit. Gazette. See also, Lit. Magnet, Lit. Chron., Sunday Times, Monthly Mag. fyc. CEtition of DR. WATTS'S PSALMS AND HYMNS. With a beautiful Vignette ; Indexes, and a Table to find any Verse by the First Line. TWELVE BEAUTIFUL PRINTS, from WEST. ALL'S DESIGNS, to illustrate the 24mo. and 32mo. Edi- tions of the Book of Common Prayer. Price 7*. Proofs, to illustrate the 8vo. edition. 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