EARL OF STAMFORD 263 



also to benefit the local charities as some acknowledg- 

 ment of favours received from the farmers. So far as 

 can be discovered, the month of March i860 saw the 

 inauguration of the first amateur theatricals in Melton, 

 and they were continued for several years. In the last 

 week in March there took place in the Corn Exchange 

 an "essentially sporting entertainment provided for and 

 by the lovers of the chase." 



With a view to increase the funds of the local charities, the 

 Hon. Seymour Egerton, himself an accomplished musician, 1 had 

 at his resource the best talent. Mr. Clarke, stage manager at 

 Windsor, had the management of the theatricals, while the 

 scenery, decorations, &c, were produced under his directions by 

 native talent. Lord and Lady Grey de Wilton, Mr. and Lady 

 Mary Craven, the Ladies Catherine and Alice Egerton, Mr. E. B. 

 Hartopp, M.P., Captain Hartopp, and Mr. Evans Hartopp were 

 the principal performers. The prologue, written by Captain 

 Hartopp and spoken by Lord Grey de Wilton, is so good that no 

 apology is needed for its reproduction here. 



" Kind auditors, bear with me while I say 

 A few words on the subject of our play. 

 In metaphoric strain, 'tis known full well 

 By all who in this sporting country dwell, 

 How oftentimes, when riding at a brook, 

 Upon the ghastly chasm as you look, 

 Whose banks are rotten, and whose waters deep 

 (Although you quail not at the desperate leap), 

 This anxious thought will rise your breast within, 

 ' I may get over — but I may get in,' 

 Such are our feelings, coming within sight 

 Of such an audience as is here to-night. 

 This night's performance is the brook we near — 

 Our own deficiencies the fall we fear ; 

 Success the banks, towards which our efforts tend ; 

 Failure the waters that our hopes may end. 

 So ere we leap, we earnestly appeal 

 To you bystanders, hoping that you'll feel 



1 He was at the head of the Wandering Minstrels, a society which often 

 delighted London audiences. 



