ALLEYN, Low A R D, a celebrated comedian in the reigns of Elizabeth and James 1. Ile was born in Lon don, on the 1st of September, 1566, of respectable pa rents. Allen) was the contemporary of Shak,peare, and was an original actor in sonic of his inimitable plays. He was in the most intimate habits with our immortal poet, as well as with lien Jonson. They used frequently to spend their es cnings together at the sign of the Globe, in company with a few other congenial spirits. A letter from one of the club is still preserved, which contains a cm ious anecdote, and shrews the estimation in which Alkyl' was held by his contemporaries. NN'e give an extract, w ithout adhering to the orthography.
I never longed fur thy company more than last night : we were all very merry at the Globe, when Ned Alleyn did not scruple to affirm pleasantly to thy friend NN'ill (Shakspeare,) that he had stolen his speech about the duality of an actor's excellency in Hamlet, his tragedy, from conversations manifold w Inch had passed between them, and opinions given by Alleyn, touching the sub ject. Shaksp•are did not take this talk in good sort: but Jonson put an end to the strife, with wittily remark ing: "Fills affair necdeth no contention; you Atote it from .li•d, no doubt ; do not marvel ; /lave you not seen /.im act times out f Alleyn was indeed the Garrick of his day : and is equally celebrated with that famous actor, for versatile genius, corporal agility, lively temper and fluent elocution. They also resem bled each other in another respect, in which they differ from most of their professional b•ethren,—we mean, ;;rodent economy. Playing seems to have been no bad trade in Alleyn's time ; tor he left a large fortune, which he devoted chiefly to charitable uses. It must, however, he remembered, that Alleyn was the proprietor of a Iheatre as well as an actor, and that he had the direc tion of another fashionable amusement in those days, viz. the king's bear-garden, which is said to have pro duced to him a clear profit of five hundred a year; a pretty decisive proof, that we do not exceed our ances tors, so far as might be imagined, either in folly or ex travagance. Alleyn, overflowing with riches, and sa
tiated with public fame, prepared to close the scene w ith some eclat. For this purpose, he founded an hos pital at Dulwich, in Surrey, about five miles south of London bridge. This building was executed after a plan by the celebrated lnigo Jones, who is one of the witnesses to the deed of settlement; it is commonly known by the name of Dulwich College: the institution still continues to flourish. Allcyn expended about ten thousand pounds on the building; and that it might be suitably supported, he appropriated lands to the amount of eight hundred a year, for the maintenance of one master, one warden, and four fellows. The master and warden were always to be of the name of Alleyn or Al len. Six poor men, and as many women, were to be supported in this hospital; besides, twelve poor boys, who were to be educated in good] literature, till the age of fourteen or sixteen, and then put out to honest trades and callings. Alleyn was only about 48 years of age when he made this endowment, and he took care to see it carried into effect under his own eye. But what is still more extraordinary, after the hospital was com pleted, Inc was so pleased with the institution, that he resolved to be himself one of the first pensioners. Ac cordingly, during the remainder of his life, he confor med strictly to the rules of the house, and appeared perfectly satisfied with the allowance which his bounty had made for the indigent. Along with this apparent mortification, he still displayed a laudable attention to his temporal interest; and either for his own gratifica tion, or with a view to the public good, he continued. even after his establishment in the hospital, to draw considerable profits as manager of the theatre. Besides Dulwich College, he founded sel eral alms-houses in London and Southwark, with competent provisions. This singular character died 25th November, 1626 ; and is buried in the chapel of his OW11 college at Dul wich. (g)