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 very efforts of his enemies. He was manager of the National Theatre at twenty-seven, and ten years later had the two great patent theatres under his sole control.

"I was born in Paris, March 18, 1852—to-day I go to Paris as often as I go over Waterloo-bridge. I was brought to England shortly after. At the age of ten, I started as stage manager, author, and my own scenic artist—as impresario of a large model stage. I worried my father into giving it to me. It was some seven feet high, fitted up for me in a large room used as a laundry, at the back of the stables, and here I would perform 'The Miller and his Men,' and similar sensational plays to a very select audience. My efforts, however, soon led me into an original groove, and I really believe this early practice was of great service to me in after life. There was a big fire scene in 'The Miller,' and my anxiety to get realism even at that early age resulted in my having an explosion. I nearly blew the laundry roof off one day, and shattered the nerves of my audience for a considerable period.

"Another incident in my early life which I always look back upon with astonishment, took place at school at Turnham Green. The boys were getting up a charade, just before the Christmas holidays. Some dresses were required, amongst others a clown's costume. My father had this made for me. The charade was a success, and the dress was put away in my play-box to take home. Now I fear I must tell you that as a youth I made up my mind never to be unjustly sat upon. Shortly after the charade, my master punished me for an offence of which I was not guilty, and sent me out of the room. I smarted under this very considerably, and determined to be even with him, and at the same time give my schoolfellows a bit of good fun. All was still, when suddenly the door opened, and I bounded into the room in the clowns' costume with a shout of 'Here we are again!' You can imagine what the result was, and no doubt I deserved it.

"At the age of thirteen I went to a college in Paris, where I remained some four or five years. From there I went to Hanover to learn German, and finally came to London, where I became treasurer to my father at Covent Garden theatre. Still I wanted to go into a commercial life, and,