In one of his theatrical notices in The Examiner (see Vol.  I.) Lamb remarks, “Defunct merit comes out upon us strangely,” and certain critics believe that he praised some of the old actors beyond their deserts.  But no one can regret any such excesses.

Page 150, beginning. Twelfth Night.  When recalling early playgoing days in “Old China,” Lamb refers again to this play—­Viola in Illyria.

Page 150, foot. Whitfield, Packer, Benson, Burton, Phillimore and Barrymore.  Whitfield, who made his London debut as Trueman in “George Barnwell” about 1776, was a useful man at Covent Garden and Drury Lane.—­John Hayman Packer (1730-1806), known in Lamb’s time for his old men.  He acted at Drury Lane until 1805.—­Benson, who married a sister of Mrs. Stephen Kemble, wrote one or two plays, and was a good substitute in emergencies.  He committed suicide during brain fever in 1796.—­Burton was a creditable utility actor at Covent Garden and Drury Lane.—­Phillimore filled small parts at Drury Lane.—­Barrymore was of higher quality, a favourite character actor both at Drury Lane and the Haymarket.

Page 151, line 6. Mrs. Jordan.  Mrs. Jordan, born in 1762, ceased to act in England in 1814 and died in 1816.  Nell was her famous part, in Coffey’s “The Devil to Pay.”  Miss Hoyden is in Vanbrugh’s “Relapse.”  Lamb is referring to Viola in Act I., Scene 5, and Act II., Scene 4, of “Twelfth Night.”

Page 151, line 8 from foot. Mrs. Powel.  Mrs. Powel, previously known as Mrs. Farmer, and afterwards Mrs. Renaud, was at Drury Lane from 1788 to 1811.  She ended her London career in 1816 and died in 1829.

Page 152, line 8. Of all the actors.  The London Magazine article began at this point.  Robert Bensley (1738?-1817?) was at Drury Lane from 1775 to 1796, when he retired (alternating it with the Haymarket).  G.H.  Boaden and George Colman both bear out Lamb’s eulogy of Bensley as Malvolio; but otherwise he is not the subject of much praise.

Page 152, line 15. Venetian incendiary.  Pierre in Otway’s “Venice Preserved.”  Lamb appended the passage in a footnote in the London Magazine.

Page 153, line 12. Baddeley ...  Parsons ...  John Kemble.  Robert Baddeley (1733-1794), the husband of Mrs. Baddeley, and the original Moses in the “School for Scandal.”  William Parsons (1736-1795), the original Crabtree in the “School for Scandal,” and a favourite actor of Lamb’s.  John Philip Kemble (1757-1823), who managed Drury Lane from 1788 to 1801.

Page 153, line 11 from foot. Of birth and feeling.  In the London Magazine a footnote came here (see page 316).

Page 153, line 6 from foot. Length of service.  In the London Magazine a footnote came here (see page 316).

Page 154, line 24. House of misrule.  A long passage came here in the London Magazine (see page 317).