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Excerpt from The Life and Correspondence of Charles Mathews: The Elder, Comedian All that may be good in this compilation must be ascribed to the industry and energy of Mrs. Mathews, the original editor, my own share in the production having been limited to the wielding of the well-known pruning-knife, the dovetailing of incidents, reconciliation of dates, &c., in those portions which were retained, and the addition of certain biographical notes which have not the slightest claim to originality or erudition, but which are simply given for the information of those younger readers who, while wishing to know some particulars of the distinguished persons mentioned in the work, would be unwilling to take any trouble in searching for them. Nevertheless, my task, though anything but an ambitious one, has still been a labour of love. That I should entertain an affection for the drama, its professors, and all things appertaining to it, is but natural: being the son of an actor, and, in the exer cise of my own pursuits, being constantly thrown among persons connected with the dramatic world, it would be strange indeed if I were not animated by such sentiments. And, despite the mournful and constantly recurring wail Of decline, despite the garrulous whinings of the impotent, the ignorant, and the idle, I firmly believe that this feeling is common to a very large pro portion of the English nation, who would be ready to admit that a clever and earnest actor has a greater hold upon their sympa thies and an easier access to their inmost hearts than any man of equal talent in any other acknowledged profession. The following records prove that patience, endurance, honesty, hard work, and a stout heart under discouragement, are requisites for the histrionic aspirant, as additions to his natural talent, without the possession of which none can ever hope to succeed. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more a