G2 RISE OF THE ENGLISH DRAMA. 
house; and ‘ the Old Bear Garden,’ says 
Strype, in Stowe, ‘ was removed to the other 
side of the water, which is more convenient 
for the butchers, and such like, who are 
taken with such rustic sports as the baiting 
of Bears and Bulls. In 1750, even the 
new establishment disappeared; but more 
recently, a revival, upon the lowest scale, 
might be found, in some obscure part of 
Westminster. You have here, I believe, 
a sketch of the history of Bull-baiting in 
London, and as a national, and royal, and 
applauded sport in England.” 
‘It has surprised me,” said Miss Aston, 
“to hear the name of Shakspeare, in con- 
nexion either with Bear-baiting, or with the 
foot of Blackfriars Bridge !” 
“Oh! the Surrey foot of Blackfriars 
Bridge, as my story has made appear, is . 
classic ground, in English dramatic history ; 
and, as to Shakspeare and the English drama, 
both of those sprang up, and even reached 
their splendour, in the very heart of Bull and 
Bear baiting! TheGlobe, the Hope, and other 
theatres, were all of them in or about Paris 
Garden; Shakspeare played, and Shakspeare’s 
