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R. WM. SIDNEY PENLEY was born at Grove House Academy, St. Peter's, near Margate, a school kept by his father, who soon afterwards removed to Charles-street, Westminster. The boy at the age of seven was a singer in the choir of St. John the Evangelist, Westminster, and in later years was principal bass in Bedford Chapel, Bloomsbury. He began his stage career in the burlesque of "Zampa" under Miss Litton, at the Royal Comedy Theatre; since which time his name has been a house-hold word, especially in connection with the immortal "Private Secretary."