several comedies, some of which have enjoyed great popularity. Three are still to be found in the playbills of the present day-The Wonder, The Busy Body, and A Bold Stroke for a Wife.

Mrs. Centlivre was the associate of the literary celebrities of her time. Pope, however, she offended, and was, in consequence, visited with a notice in his "Dunciad." Mrs. Centlivre died at her house in Spring Gardens, on the 1st of December, 1723.

Under the south-west corner of the portico of St. Martin's, within a few yards of each other, lie

CHARLES BANNISTER-JOHN BANNISTER.

The elder of these comedians was born in Gloucestershire in June, 1740, but early in life was removed to Deptford, his father having been placed in the Victualling office there. Gifted with an ardent mind and a great flow of spirits, Charles attached himself to a company of players who visited his new place of residence. He became an actor, played Romeo, &c.; but tragedy was soon thrown aside, and he was engaged by Foote for the Haymarket, where he first appeared in 1762. Charles Bannister soon established himself a reputation in comedy, and was acknowledged an admirable mimic, added to which he possessed considerable powers as a singer, although one of an untaught class. In 1767 he was secured by Garrick for Drury Lane. He was now in high repute, and was an especial favourite at Ranelagh and Marylebone Gardens: he was likewise the centre of the gay and spirited clubs of the day, and often the sun of the

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retired from the stage at the commencement of the present century. Throughout his professional career he had been deficient in one virtue-prudence, his gains being generally anticipated. Charles Bannister died on the 26th of October, 1803, his later days having been made comfortable by the kindness of his son, who rests here by his side.

Jack Bannister-he would not have known his name, says Mary Russell Mitford, had he been called John-was born at Deptford on the 12th of May, 1760. Intended for an artist, he studied for some time under De Loutherbourg, and became a student at the Royal Academy. His handsome face, however, might often be seen in the greenroom of Drury Lane Theatre, and before he had reached his eighteenth year he stood before Garrick, expressing a desire to relinquish painting and to embrace the stage. Garrick felt an interest in the young applicant, and instructed him in three or four tragic characters; and at the Haymarket, on the occasion of his father's benefit (August 27th, 1778), Charles Bannister made his début as Dick, in the farce of The Apprentice. He played at Drury Lane in the ensuing November, and for some time personated high tragedy. The appearance of John Kemble, however, in 1783, took from him some portion of his tragic dignity; and when Mrs. Jordan came, two years later, Bannister proved himself a powerful auxiliary in comedy. He then entirely forsook Melpomene, and continued, until the close of his professional career, to pay court to her sprightly sister, being recognised as one of her especial favourites.

Bannister quitted the stage on the 1st of June, 1815, having been a member of the metropolitan boards for a period of thirty-six years. Twenty-one years were subsequently passed by him in the enjoyment of competence and a happy family. He resided in Gower-street, Bedford-street, where he was once accosted by Sir George Rose, known for his wit and vivacity as well as for his legal attainments. Being on the opposite side of the way, Bannister cried out, "Stop a moment, Sir George, and I will come over to you." "No," said the good-humoured punster, “I never made you cross yet, and I will not begin now.” He accordingly joined the valetudinarian, and, after a short conversation, returned home and penned the following lines, which he left at Bannister's door :

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"With seventy years upon his back,

Still is my honest friend 'Young Jack,'
Nor spirits check'd, nor fancy slack,
But fresh as any daisy;

Though Time has knock'd his stumps about,

He cannot bowl his temper out,

And all the Bannister is stout,

Although the steps be crazy."

Honest Jack Bannister" died on the 7th of November, 1836, and was buried by the side of his father.

Reposing near to the Bannisters are the remains of

ROBERT PALMER,

This was

who appeared at Drury Lane, when but six years old, as Mustard Seed, in Midsummer Night's Dream. in 1763; twelve years later he came out at the Haymarket

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Bob

in which he excelled were the fops of the stage. Charles Lamb, in one of his admirable essays, remarks: Palmer was a gentleman, with a slight infusion of the footman. When you saw Bobby in the Duke's Servant (High Life Below Stairs) you said, what a pity such a pretty fellow was only a servant."

We must not quit this church without noticing that it furnished a grave to

LOUIS FRANCIS ROUBILIAC,

the celebrated sculptor. He was a native of Lyons, but settled in England during the reign of George I., and was principally employed on sepulchral monuments. His last work was the Nightingale tomb, one of the most remarkable monuments in Westminster Abbey, and in which is pictured an agonised husband, clasping his dying wife with one arm, and with the other seeking to ward off the fatal shaft. This fine work was raised in 1762, and Roubiliac died the following year. Whilst engaged upon this last work the sculptor was one day observed by Gayfere, the Abbey mason, standing with his arms folded, gazing intently upon the tomb of Sir Francis Vere, where four kneeling knights support a table and a group of armour over the recumbent figure of the warrior. Roubiliac was looking at one of these knights, and, observing the approach of Gayfere, the enthusiastic Frenchman laid his hand on his arm, pointed to the figure, and said in a whisper," Hush! hush! he will speak presently."

Our next visit is to the church of

K

ST. JAMES'S, PI

This edifice, erected in 1680 Wren's structures, and has near teriors. The architect, howeve the interior, has displayed the u in a most consummate manner fifty in number, replaced old which was a new parish taken which had itself, in the time of out of St. Margaret's, Westmins -the erection of which extend six have disappeared.

In St. James's Church is inter

MARK AKEN

who was born in November, 1721 receiving his education at the 1 proceeding to Edinburgh to quali sequently he relinquished the id and turned his attention to med proceeded to Leyden, where, in of M.D. In the same year Ake sures of Imagination." He rece by royal mandate, from the Univ first began to practise as a physi removed from thence to Hampste Fortune, however, smiled but ra when, at length, a better prospec Akenside was hurried off by a great learning, and the style of 1 and classical.