CHAPTER I

A Glance back--From 1820 to 1830--Kean and Macready--The Strolling Player--The Critics--Sheridan Knowles and _Virginius_--Douglas Jerrold--His Comedies--_The Rent Day_--_The Prisoner of War_--_Black-Eyed Susan_--Collapse of the Privileged Theatres--Men of Letters come to the Rescue of the Drama--Bulwer Lytton--_The Lady of Lyons_--_Richelieu_-- _Money_ 39