actorship. And so, in 1825, _Tell_ became another of
Macready's best successes.

Sheridan Knowles continued to write for the stage until 1845, when he was
drawn wholly from the theatre by a religious enthusiasm that caused him,
in 1851, to essay the breaking of a lance with Cardinal Wiseman on the
subject of Transubstantiation. Sir Robert Peel gave ease to his latter
days by a pension of 200 pounds a year from the Civil List, which he had
honourably earned by a career as dramatist, in which he sought to appeal
only to the higher sense of literature, and to draw enjoyment from the
purest source. Of his plays time two comedies {1} here given are all
that have kept their place upon the stage. As one of the most earnest
dramatic writers of the present century he is entitled to a little corner
in our memory. Worse work of the past has lasted longer than the plays
of Sheridan Knowles are likely to last through the future.

H. M.

THE HUNCHBACK.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

(AS ORIGINALLY PERFORMED AT COVENT GARDEN IN 1832.)
_Julia_ Miss F. KEMBLE.
_Helen_ Miss TAYLOR.
_Master Walter_ Mr. J. S. KNOWLES.
_Sir Thomas Clifford_ Mr. C. KEMBLE.
_Lord Tinsel_ Mr. WRENCH.
_Master Wilford_ Mr. J. MASON.
_Modus_ Mr. ABBOTT.
_Master Heartwell_ Mr. EVANS.
_Gaylove_ Mr. HENRY.
_Fathom_ Mr. MEADOWS.
_Thomas_ Mr. BARNES.
_Stephen_ Mr. PAYNE.
_Williams_ Mr. IRWIN.
_Simpson_ Mr. BRADY.
_Waiter_ Mr. HEATH.
_Holdwell_ Mr. BENDER.
_Servants_ Mr. J. COOPER.
Mr. LOLLETT.

ACT I.

SCENE I.--A Tavern.

On one side SIR THOMAS CLIFFORD, at a table, with wine before him; on the
other, MASTER WILFORD, GAYLOVE, HOLDWELL, and SIMPSON, likewise taking
wine.

_Wilf_. Your wine, sirs! your wine! You do not justice to mine host of
the Three Tuns, nor credit to yourselves; I swear the beverage is good!
It is as palatable poison as you will purchase within a mile round
Ludgate! Drink, gentlemen; make free. You know I am