HOURS WITH THE PLAYERS By DUTTON COOK AUTHOR OF "A BOOK OF THE PLAY," "ART IN ENGLAND,' "LEO," HOURS WITH THE PLAYERS. CHAPTER I. MR. AND MRS. BADDELEY. THE late Mr. Robert Baddeley, comedian, gave directions in his will that the interest accruing from a sum of one hundred pounds Three per Cent. Consolidated Bank Annuities should be expended in the purchase of a Twelfth-cake, wine, and punch; and he requested the ladies and gentlemen who should form the Drury Lane company for the time being to partake of those creature comforts in the great green-room of the theatre every recurring Twelfth Night. In the earlier part of his life Mr. Baddeley had followed the calling of a cook and confectioner; the Drury Lane Twelfth-cake may be supposed, therefore, to symbolize his connection both with plays and pastry. But a higher claim to fame on Mr. Baddeley's part arises from the fact that he was VOL. II. B |