y, who resided near the corner, went out to see
what was the cause of the disturbance she heard, when observing the hare,
she turned it back. Miss Harvey used to say "the gentlemen swore
terribly" at her for spoiling their sport. This was not seventy years
ago!

To return to the Ranelagh Gardens. There was, at the close of the gala
nights, as they were called, a display of fireworks. They were let off
on the terrace. I went to see the last exhibition which took place in
1780. There was, on that occasion, a concert in which Miss Brent, (who
was, by the way, a great favourite) appeared. Jugglers used to exhibit
in the concert-room, which was very capacious, as it would hold at least
800 to 1000 persons. This concert-room was also used as a dinner-room on
great occasions, and also as a town ball-room. Stephens gave his lecture
on "Heads" in it very frequently.

G. A. Stephens was an actor, who, after playing about in the provincial
highways and bye-ways of the dramatic world, went to London, where he was
engaged at Covent Garden in second and third rate parts. He was a man of
dissipated habits, but a jovial and merry companion. He wrote a great
many very clever songs, which he sang with great humour. He got the idea
of the lectures on "Heads" from a working man about one of the theatres,
whom he saw imitating some of the members of the corporation of the town
in which he met with him. Stephens, who was quick and ready with his
pen, in a short time got up his lecture, which he delivered all through
England, Scotland, Ireland, and America. He realised upwards of 10,000
pounds, which he took care of, as he left that sum behind him at his
death, in 1784. He was at the time, a completely worn-out, imbecile old
man. Many of the leading actors of his day followed up the lecture on
"Heads," in which they signally failed to convey the meaning of the
author. I saw him, and was very much amused; but I do not think he would
be tolerated in the present day. The elder Mathews evidently caught the
idea of his "At Homes" from Stephens's lecture.

Brownlow-hill was so called after Mr. Lawrence Brownlow, a gentleman who
held much property thereabout. Brownlow-hill was a very pleasant walk.
There were gardens on it, as, also, on Mount Pleasant, then called
Martindale's-hill, of which our friend Mr. Roscoe has sung so sweetly.
Martindale's-hill was quite a country walk when I was a little boy.
There was also a pleasant wa