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The life and reminiscences
ofE. L. Blanchard
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E. L. BLANCHAED.
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THE
LIFE AND REMIinSCENCES
OP
E. L. BLANCHAED,
WITH
NOTES FROM THE DIARY OF WM. BLANCHARD.
CLEMENT SCOTT and CECIL HOWAED.
WiSi %trAmi% m)s ^mit^siAam,
IN TWO VOLUMES,
VOL. I.
LONDON :
UTCHINSON & CO.
25, PATERNOSTER aQJJARB.-
1891. ' '' ' ' ' '
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PEEFAOE.
'< At the midnight in the HleTtce of the sleeptimet
When you set your fancies free,
Will they pais to where — by death, fools think — imprisoned
Low he lies who once so loved you, whom you loved so,
PUy me?''
BOBEBT BBOWNIKG*
UNLESS I am very much mistaken, few people
will be more astonished at the details of
the busy, painstaking, perplexing, honourable, and
affectionate life contained in these interesting
pages, than the most intimate Mends of Edward
Litt Leman Blanchard. I claim to be one of
them. I knew him intimately, from the time that
I changed from boyhood to manhood until the
hour of his death. I was for many years his con-
stant companion in business and in pleasure also.
Although far older than myself, I looked upon
E. L. B. as a brother rather than a father, for as
long as I knew him he never lost the heartiness,
the impulse, and the energy of a boy. Night
after night I have sat by his side at the theatre,
spring after spring I have walked by his side
about his beloved Gravesend district, round and
about the Kentish villages, over the sandhills
between Sandwich and Deal, by sea and meadow,
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vi PREFACE.
by lake and stream— ever finding him the dearest
of companions, the most amusing of raconteurs \
and yet I, of all others, as I read, and read on,
the pages of the record of a life's endeavour, feel
that in reality I never knew the man at all.
I am certain at any rate of this, that I did
not know the suffering man, I did not know
what intense disappointment and perplexity he
was concealing under the mask of his sunny
garrulity, I did not see the fox gnawing at the
vitals of this brave and honest gentleman.
Blanchard's early life as I knew it, or as I
thought I knew it, his daily toil and drudgery,
and his heart-breaking exertions, before God
lightened the burden and gave him his life's
sunrise with the well-beloved Carina, seem to me
like the record of some extraordinary martyrdom.
How nobly, how loyally, how honourably it was
all endured ! He might have said, and said truly,
as he does say in the private pages of this diary, —
"Once I said, almost despairing,
This must break my spirit now;
But I bore it, and am bearing —
Only do not ask me how!*'
There are very few men who can keep the dark
secret of their life's sorrow so closely hidden as
Blanchard did. He had the tenderest of hearts ;
but he did not wear it on his sleeve for daws to
peck at. In all our walks, in all our rambles, in
all our confidences, he never once alluded to his
sorrows, or his privations, or his domestic anguish,
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PREFACE. vii
or the terrible pulls that were being made at his
slender purse-strings, nor did he even distantly
allude to the love of his life miles and miles away.
That was too sacred a chapter in his life's history
even for his familiar Mends. I knew nothing, and
I don't believe that any other of his intimate
friends knew more. His nature was so lovable
and sunny that he did not care to bring his
wretchedness outside his own four walls. Friend-
ship, nature, and tobacco were the solace and
so to speak the reaction of his life. His heart
might bleed when at work in his own lonely
chambers; but he did not bring his misery out-
side his own street door.
I first met E. L. Blanchard at the old Arundel
Club, in Salisbury Street, Strand, at the time when
I first started, quite as a boy, on the thorny path
of journalism. I was at the time in Government
employment; but I occupied my evenings in
going to the play, and was lucky enough to be
able to make a little money in addition to the
enjoyment of my personal pleasure. In those
days the Arundel Club was a delightful society,
and, in fact, it was a liberal education for a
young journalist. Here I met Blanchard, and
Eobertson, and Byron, and Leicester Buckingham,
and Frederick Guest Tomlins, and Bayle Bernard,
and Stirling Coyne, all connected in one way
or other with dramatic journalism; and these
men, some of them old enough to be my father,
held out to me, from the outset, the cordial hand
of good-fellowship.
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viii PREFACE.
But it was Blanohard who specially attached
himseK to me, and gave me the benefit of his
encouragement, advice, and experience. I count
among the happiest days of my life those on
which, after office hours in Pall Mall, we used
to meet at the " Edinburgh Castle," or Carr's, in
the Strand, or at the Arundel Club house dinner,
and repair afterwards to the play. The whole
journey to the play-house was enlivened with
anecdotes or reminiscences. The far-off journeys
we loved best. K business took us to Sadlers
Wells, or Highbury Bam, or Cremome, or the
Surrey, Blanchard would be sure to know some
wonderful tavern noted for some remarkable com-
modity. In we had to go, following at his heels
as if he were the Pied Piper of Hamelin, to
taste this or that, and to hear stories of the
wonderful actors and literary men who had fre-
quented the house. Blanchard was a walking en-
cyclopaedia. With him at your side there was
no need to consult Peter Cunningham or John
Timbs. He had a delightful way of elaborating
fact and of hanging round it a garland of fancy.
If exaggeration it may be called, it was very
charming exaggeration. His imagination was so
keen that he could not always keep it in restraint.
And so it came about that in the destiny of
time I came to be appointed the deputy to
Blanchard on the great daily newspaper on which
he had worked incessantly almost from its in-
auguration. As dramatic critic of The Sunday
TimeSy of The Weekly Despatch^ of The Illustrated
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PREFACE. ix
TimeSy of The London Figaro, of The Observer, and
of many other papers, I had sat by Blanchard's
side, always receiving from him encouragement,
sympathy, and advice. When the time came for
me to be associated with him in the dramatic
department of The Daily Telegraph, he was the
very first to pat me on the back; indeed, I am
not at all sure that he was not instmmental in
securing me the coveted post. There was not a
trace of jealousy or envy in Blanchard's nature,
and from the time I joined The Daily Telegraph
our friendship increased rather than waned. He
knew better than any man the value of applause,
and recognised what a small amount of it ever falls
to the anonymous critic. Often he used to say to
me, "When we write we do not write for the
public, but for the esteem of the two or three
friends who love us " ; — and so he never failed, even
up to a few months before his death, to send me
a line or a post-card when any article of mine had
particularly pleased him. It was this encourage-
ment that did me more good than anything else
in the world. Moliere used to read his plays to
his cook. I have a friend — a poet, dramatist, and
journalist of our own time — who insists upon
giving his tit-bits in verse or prose to a confi-
dential housekeeper. I know myself that, when
I have written in hot haste a poem or an article,
I feel I must read it to somebody. It may be
very vain, and in the eyes of some contemptible,
but it is a fact. Blanchard recognised the journal-
istic failing, for he knew that the word of honest
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X PREFACE.
praise would produce better work by-and-by. He
was right. We do not write for the pubKc, but
for the one or two who love us, and who under-
stand us.
Almost cradled as he was in the theatre, the
son of a celebrated actor, with his child-life spent
among members of the profession, it was natural
that Blanchard should have had a greater know-
ledge of the subject on which he wrote than any
man of his time. He was gifted with a marvellous
memory, and was scrupulously accurate. His
library was not a very extensive one, and yet he
never failed in names or dates. In fact, he had
two memories, and, as many cynics insisted,
could recall things that occurred before he was
bom — because he was the companion of his
father, and was the transmitter, as it were, of
his father's recollections. This was the reason
that E. L. Blanchard was supposed to be so old.
He remembered what his father told him, and the
general impression was that everything he told his
friends had occurred to him. In his best days my
old friend was a lucid, comprehensive, and admir-
able critic of stage plays. He belonged to the old
school of journalism, and adopted the rigidly im-
personal style. It was the paper that spoke, not
the writer. If he ever erred, he erred on the side of
kindliness and charity. He could not bear giving
pain to any one. His love and care for children
and dumb animals were pathetic. I don't think
he would have tolerated the destruction of a black
beetle, and if he were bothered by a wasp he would
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PREFACE. xi
coax it out of the window. His gentle, con-
siderate, kindly nature animated all his work;
and though he loved the art to which he devoted
much of his life, he loved the feelings of the artist
better. Yet at times he could be righteously
severe, and sometimes astonished us all with
what is now known as a "slating" criticism.
His notice of The Pink DominoSy when first brought
out at the Criterion, was one of the strongest
things of the kind I ever read. But, in addition
to his dramatic work, he was a facile journalist
and a graceful poet. For years and years he
contributed special descriptive articles to The
Daily Telegraph, by whose kind-hearted proprietors
he was held, &om first to last, in affectionate
esteem. At one period of his life his impression-
able nature led him into the study of spiritualism.
From his infancy he was an admirable conjurer,
a bit of a necromancer ; and, as we see, he once
edited The Astrologer. He liked his Mends to
believe that he had mysterious powers. In the
heat of the movement, about 1860, he was in the
thick of the spiritualistic mania, and honestly
believed what he was told to believe. But the
exposure of the Davenport Brothers, the downfall
of D. D. Home, and the discredit that attached
to the seances of Mrs. Marshall and others, some-
what shook his confidence. He did not declare
himself a pervert from the faith; but he quietly
renounced the active part of spiritualism. You
see, he was a conjurer, and knew the tricks of
the trade. At that time the discussions at the
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xii PREFACE.
Arundel Club between Tom Robertson, a con-
firmed sceptic, and both Blanchard and Leicester
Buckingham, avowed spiritualists, were lively
enough, and led to many a scene. In after years
Blanchard was able to separate hjrpnotic influence
from charlatanism : he knew that there was a
border land between will and stage trickery.
I have seldom met a man so mentally and
physically active as E. L. Blanchard. He was
a great pedestrian, and never seemed to tire.
His tastes were simple, and his habits healthy.
He loved to get out of London and to run
down to his beloved Gravesend, where, in half
an hour, he would forget the cares of London
life, and be cheerfully smoking his pipe in the
cosy garden or wainscoted parlour of some village
inn, and delighting in the conversation of mine
host and the rustics. It was here that he picked
up characters for his plays and poems and stories.
He knew the value of reaction — ^no one better.
And small wonder that such a man should be
beloved by the children I They literally adored
him. It did not matter where he was — on the
outskirts of Cobham or in Drury Lane — the
children were always tugging at Blanchard's
pockets, where they would be sure to find either
sweets or some stray pennies for goodies in the
future.
Who would have dreamed that the man as
we knew him, the sunny, light-hearted, affec-
tionate companion, fuU of anecdotes, apparently
without a care in the world, left us at night to
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PREFACE. xiii
return to a home to face despair sucli as would
have crushed the strongest of us? Who could
conceive that this generous creature was sup-
porting out of his slender earnings innumerable
relations, and restoring again and again the
ruins of a shattered home ?
But it is a long lane that has no turning.
The sorrows allotted in life to some of us do
not last for ever; and Blanchard, after years of
patient fidelity, won the joy for which he had
longed in vain. His romance of a life had a
most dramatic moment, which he once confided
to me. Far away in the wilds of New Zealand
the beloved Carina, so often referred to in the
diary, was taken suddenly ill. She was quartered
in a rough but homely hut, which, as so often
happens in the colonies, was papered with scraps
of newspapers from home. Opening her eyes after
the delirium of fever, when tossing on her restless
couch, the eyes of Carina fell on some verses
signed "E. L. B." In this heartfelt poem was
the wail of a const^i^t but almost broken-hearted
man, *' Come back to me ! " That poetic prayer
was answered, for she did come back. The child-
lovers were reunited, and Carina gave to this
lonely, dispirited, and forlorn man the happiest
hours of his honourable but desperate life. I,
who knew the old Southampton Street days, the
old Gravesend days, the lonely birthdays and
Christmastides, can safely say that with the
happy home in Adelphi Terrace and the love
contained in it, came the crown of a long and
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xiv PREFACE,
trying life, — ^E. L. B. was happy at last. He
smiled with his heart as well as his face. He
lived just long enough to be spared the miseries
attendant on old age that verges into second
childishness. He was released from toil ; and
though he never had an opportunity of continu-
ing the history of the stage from where Geneste
left off, down to the nineties, still I would
hope that his exhaustive diary here given to the
public contains matter and reference enough to
guide the future historian. It certainly bridges
over the blank period of unwritten history between
Macready and Henry Irving.
It is not my fault that these recollections are
in diary form. Although it may not be the most
convenient shape for a book that is history and
autobiography at the same time, still thus the
material was handed to me and thus it was bound
to remain. But there was one way that even the
rough notes of a private diary could be improved
upon and made valuable to the dramatic student.
I am deeply indebted to my friend and colleague
Mr. Cecil Howard for his industry, accuracy, and
patient research in illustrating this volume with
those notes and comments which cannot fail to
be of the greatest assistance to the dramatic
student and historian. With laudable patience
Mr. Howard has added, wherever he could, to
Blanchard's store of facts. Practically such a
labour is inexhaustible ; but a line had to be
drawn somewhere, and it was drawn at the pub-
lication of this book. I do not say it is complete ;
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PREFACE. XV
but it is the best we could do in the time, and
the credit of the compilation belongs to Mr.
Cecil Howard, dramatic critic, and patient editor
of Dramatic Notes.
I have also to acknowledge the generous assist-
ance and co-operation of Messrs. W. E. Church,
Harry Plowman, J. T. Foard, Lionel Brough,
Dr. Lomas, and my thanks to Mr. Harrington
Baily for the kind loan of the picture of the
members of the Urban Club.
CLEMENT SCOTT.
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EDWAED LEMAN BLAlfCHARD.
#»»^
ERRATA.
Page 4, line 11 from bottom, /w " pantaloon " read " pantomime.*'
„ 165, line 16, for " Levi " read " Levy."
„ 177, line 18, /or " ViaeteUi " read *' Virctelly."
„ 182, lines 26 and 31,/<v " Daffit " read " Deffit"
„ 183, line 26, for " Hall '* read " Hale."
„ 186, line 14, for «* Bumea " read " Barnes."
„ 187, line 6, for " Pratton clarionette, Lasarns flute," read " Prattcn
flute, Lazarus clarionette."
„ 206, line 14, ''/or " Sterling " read " Stirling."
„ 214, line 2 from bottom, /or " Raynoe " read " Ranoe."
„ 218, Unes 21 and 27, /or " Victorine " read " Victoria."
,, 223, line 7 from bottom,/or " Ballantyne " read " Ballantine."
„ 235, line 26, /or '* Bates Bichaid " read *' Bate Richaids/
„ 240, line 13, /or " HaU " read •• Hale."
„ 241, Hne 25, /br " Wallenstein " read " Wallerstein. "
„ 249, line 7 from bottom, /<»r " metre " read " meter."
„ 272, line 7, /or " Phillips " read " Price."
„ 275, line 16, /or •* Bumard " read *« Burnand."
„ 277, line 8 from bottom, /or " Mammilius " read •* Mamilius."
„ 279, line 7, /or " Poults " read " Polts."
„ 289, Hoe 11,/or " James Rogers " read " Felix."
„ 303, line 6 from bottom, /or " Esther " read " Bsta."
only a year and a half my mother had a daughter ; she died in child-
bed, the infant died aho, so that I never had the happiness of knowing
my dear maternal parent. After her death my father had no pleasure
in home, and he at length placed me with an old couple in Tanner
Bow, of the name of John and Nurse Hassell, and he himself went to
Helmsley Blackmore to manage . . . . "
In the* graveyard of Chelsea New Church, dedicated to St. Luke,
1
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EDWARD LEMAlf BLAlfCHARD.
EDWAED LEMAN BLANCHAED was bom
at No. 28, originally 31, Great Queen Street,
London, December 11th, 1820. From his possessing
such a marvellous memory, and being enabled to
speak of events that happened when he must have
been quite a child, it was generally supposed by
those who knew him intimately later in life that
he must have ''put back the clock,'* and was
really much older than he declared himseK to
be. The exact date is, however, proved by his
father's diaries, which are in the possession of
E. L. B.'s widow. WilliamrBlanchard,^ his father,
^ The following was found among William Blanchard's papers, and
wonld lead one to believe that he had the intention of writing his
autobiography : — " Lift of William Blanchard^ comedian^ nearly thirty-
five years an actor of some reputation at the Theatre Royaly Covent Garden
written by himself. I was born on the 2nd of January, 1769, at three,
o'clock in the morning, at my father's house in Nessgate, York, where
he had carried on the business of staymaker and hosier. My mother
was a native of Leeds, and her name, as I have heard, was Ann, or,
as she was generally called, * Nancy,' Bowzer. She bad one son before
me, who died young. I was the second, and survived ; but when I was
only a year and a half my mother had a daughter ; she died in child-
bed, the infant died also, so that I never had the happiness of knowing
my dear maternal parent. After her death my father had no pleasure
in home, and he at length placed me with an old couple in Tanner
Bow, of the name of John and Nurse Hassell, and he himself went to
Helmsley Blackmore to manage . . . . "
In th6> graveyard of Chelsea New Church, dedicated to St. Luke,
1
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2 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
was twice married ; his first wife, Susan, died on
May 16th, 1807, leaving him with four children,
John, Charlotte, Mary, and Betsy. On October
16th, 1808, he married Sarah Harrold,^ and she
repose the remains of Blauchard and Egerton, two actors of established
character, side by side. William Blanchard was what is termed " a
useful comedian ; " whaterer part was assigned to him he made the
most of it. At the age of seventeen he joined a provincial theatrical
company at York, his native city ; and in 1800, after fourteen years of
laborious country practice, appeared at Covent Garden as Bob Acres,
in ThA Rivals, and Crack, in The Turnpike Oate. At the time of his
death, May 9th, 1835, he resided at No. 1, Camera Square, Chelsea.
Blanchard had dined with a friend at Hammersmith, and left him to
return home about six in the evening of Tuesday. On the following
morning, at three o'clock, poor Blanchard was found lying in a ditch
by the roadside, having been, as is supposed, seized by a fit ; in the
course of the evening he was visited by another attack, which was
succeeded by one more violent on the Thursday, and on the following
day he expired.
^ Mrs. E. L. Blanchard gives the following amusing account of how
William Blanchard the elder first became acquainted with his second
wife : — " E. L. B. derived much of his inventive talent from his clever
mother, who used to illustrate by doll models all the nursery stories on
which he afterwards founded his pantomimes ; and, at a very early
age, he used to invent words for Little Boy Blue to speak, for the Old
Woman who lived in the Shoe, ^Bluebeard's family, etc., etc., which
year by year he enlarged and improved until his true talent developed
itself for stage purposes. The circumstances under which William
Blanchard, his father, first met this charming little lady, then Miss
Sarah Harrold, were very amusing and romantic. He was a widower
with four daughters, all considerably older than she was ; they were
schoolfellows. One Christmas they begged their father to let them
invite her to stay with them for the holidays. He consented, never
having seen her. At the same time was expected a relative, a young
middy ; his portmanteau had arrived the day before himself, and un-
locked. The schoolfellows, full of animal spirits, peeped into the
trunk, pulled out the uniform, and in a merry humour Miss Harrold
must please to dress up in it, and caper about pretending to make love
to one of the Miss Blanchards. Papa, hearing some screaming and
noise, opened the door suddenly to enquire the cause, and saw the
supposed middy embracing one of his daughters in her bedroom. He
was about to hurl the impudent intruder downstairs, when the girls
screamed out, ^ Oh papa, papa, it is only our schoolfellow. Miss Harrold,
having fun ! ' Then his wrath turned in another direction, and he ex-
claimed she could be no modest girl who would dress up in male attire.
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EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 3
became the mother of William, the first born in
1811, and Edward. The following are taken (fully
quoted) from William Blanchard's diaries; the
entry of December 11th, 1831, should completely
set at rest any question as to E. L. B.'s age.
"ifay 27id, 1825. — Mrs. B. took Ned to see the pantomime,
and Tvisely took her reticule, with about £5 in it, which
a thief cut oflf and stole from her."
" Oct. Sth, 1827. — Dear Ned went to school at Brixton
for the first time."
Before this, the elder brother William had
gone to school in Brixton, and the address there
given was at Mr. Smith's, 4, Clarmont Place,
Brixton. This was in January 1826. William
appears to have gone as a day scholar, and to
have lived with his grandmother, who resided
at Brixton.
"^«6. 2ndj 1829.— Saw my darling Ned oflF for Lichfield,
under the care of Mr. Henry. 8^A.-T-Heard our darling Ned
had arrived safe."
in a private house, and no fit companion for his daughters. The poor
little supposed middy had hidden in shame behind the bed-curtains till
he was gone, then doe made them promise to say she had left, afraid
to see him again ; and knowing there was to be a dance in the evening,
she prevailed on them to let her be announced by another name, as an
outside visitor, and to get their father to ask her to dance with hiin.
She was very pretty, and charmingly dressed, and the papa was nothing
loth to lead such a partner to the head of the room to open the ball.
She threw out all her allurements, made herself agreeable, and quite
won his heart, — so much so, indeed, that, though only seventeen, she
became his wife, and the stepmother of four daughters, two of whom
were already married and had children ; and I have often heard E. L. B.
tell the amusing story of one of these children (of course, his niece)
being eighteen years older than himself, having taken him as a little
boy to see an old gentleman friend, and with much suppressed fun
presented him thus : ' Sir, allow me to introduce to you my uncle,*
and dear E. L. B., appreciating the situation, made a most condescend-
ing bow."
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4 ED WARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
In September of the same year Blanchard
Senior went into Lichfield, and then he writes : —
^' Sept. 2l8t. — Drove over to see Ned at Noxall, and
found the dear boy quite hearty. Brought him back with
us. 22nd, — ^Took my darling boy a long walk. 23rd —
Ned and I went with Mr. Taylor to the farm. 24th, — Took
leave of my dearest Ned this morning — bless him ! "
E. L. B. seems to have remained at Lichfield
— except that he came home for the holidays —
until 1831. In that year he left England with
his father ^ and mother for New York. They left
Liverpool on board the Marion " on October 11th,
1831, and reached New York on December 21st,
after seventy-one days at sea, the weather having
been dreadfully stormy;" and during the latter
part of the voyage they had been almost as
badly off for food as the seamen on board.
On December 11th (while at sea) W. B. writes:
" My dear Edward^ 8 birthday ; completed his eleventh
year, God preserve him."
1 Mr. William Blanchard had a tempting engagement oifered him by
his son-in-lawy Thomas Hamblin, to appear at the Bowery Theatre,
New York. At the same time were engaged E. J. Parsloe for clown
(one who had made a reputation as the Nondescript in Peter Wilkins at
Covent Garden), Gay was harlequin, and Louisa Johnson (also known
at Covent Garden) columbine. The pantilot^ was one by Sonas, Ham-
blin's nephew, and they all appeared in Mother Goose, but the venture
was a disastrous one. The New Yorkers did not quite understand this,
the first pantomime ever played in America. Parsloe had hurt his spine
on the voyage ; he could not do his best ; the third night he was very
ill, and was dead in the morning. Gay, E. L. B. relates, wandered on
to the West, after vainly endeavouring to establish himself in Boston
and Baltimore ; and, appearing one night at an Indian encampment in
his harlequin's dress, was taken by the red men for a great medicine man,
and lived with them a year, till he had parted with all his spangles. He
eventually found his way back to England and Whitechapel,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 5
At the end of 1831 Blanchard Senior is still
acting in New York.
E. L. B. was sub-editor in 1836 of Pinnock's
Guide to Knowledge, as will be found mentioned
in his diary, November 18th, 1886 ; and, as sub-
editor, to use his own words, received " the princely
remuneration of ten shillings per week, paid at first
by Whitaker & Co., Ave Maria Lane."
In the year 1839 private theatricals were given,
of which two playbills are reproduced (see pp. 6-9),
and a pantomime was also performed at a large
school in the Old Kent Eoad, called Eodney House.
It was produced by a number of young men,
assisted by the choir boys of St. Paul's and the
Chapel Eoyal.^
This pantomime was written by E. L. B., who
also constructed the tricks, played Harlequin, and
generally superintended the whole performance.
It was called The Old Woman and Her Three
Sons; or. Harlequin and the Wizard of WoTcey
Hole. Owing to the large amount of vocal talent
the music was made a prominent feature, and
the choruses were most efl&ciently rendered. This
pantomime was so successful that it was repeated
for several evenings, and it was at one of these
subsequent productions that Blanchard, in con-
sequence of the indisposition of the lady (or
gentleman) who played Columbine, had to re-
linquish his duties as Harlequin, leaving them
to his under-study, and play the part himself.
* On this subject he wrote the following in after years : — " People
who are extremely curious in such matters may like to know that the
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6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Judging from a contemporaneous criticism, his
assumption must have been more vigorous than
graceful ; as a lady in the front of the house, who
was not in the secret, remarked that the " girl "
who played columbine was positively immodest.
THEATRE ROYAL.
In consequence of the unprecedented demand for places to witness the
Performances that have astonished and delighted such crowded audiences
during the past week, the Committee of Management feel it incumbent
upon them to state that the Royal BeMdere Theatre will open for
TWO KIOHTB KOBE,
Being Positively the Last Kighti of the Season.
Upon this occasion will be presented Mayhew's laughable Burletta of
"THE WANDERING MINSTREL."
Mr. Crincum, Mr. Blanchard; Herbert Carol, Mr. Cottrell ; Tweedle, Mr.
Holcroft ; Jem Bags, Mr. Howe ; Mrs. Crincum, Miss Ellen Best ; Julia,
Miss Fortescue ; Peggy, Miss Bland.
first amateur pantomimes ever represented were given in the years 1838,
1839, and 1840, at a large theatre, specially fitted up for the occasion
each succeeding Christmas and Easter, at a spacious mansion then known
as Rodney House, in the Old Kent Road. Admission was, of course,
only by tickets gratuitously issued, and the performances were so
successful that they were repeated several nights in succession.
Original music was composed for these remarkable entertainments
by the late Mr. J. Howe, an accomplished musician ; and the vocal
portions were rendered by the well-trained choristers of St. Paul's and
Westminster Abbey, under the direction of Mr. John L. Hopkins,
afterwards organist of Trinity College, Cambridge. The elaborate
scenery, properties, tricks, changes, and transformations were all of
home manufacture, and attracted considerable admiration at the time,
and out of the thirty merry-hearted youths who combined to produce
these notable entertainments, about three survive. One is Mr. James
Coward, the Crystal Palace organist ; another is Mr. Withall, a grave
solicitor, who married the once popular singer. Miss Kathleen Fitz-
william ; and the third is the writer of these lines, who wrote the three
pantomimes, respectively entitled, The Three Men of ThesacUy, The Old
Woman and Her Three Sons, and Harlequin Fat-a-Cake."
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EPJVAI^D LEMAN BLANCHARD. 7
After which,
"CAPTAIN STEVENS."
Captain Stevens, Mr. Edgar Mills ; Splashton, Mr. Perkins ; Tom Stag,
Mr. Howe ; Tim, Mr. Blanchard ; Podger, Mr. Holdfast ; Colonel Rochfort,
Mr. Phillpots ; Snipperwell, Mr. Forrest ; Felton, Mr. Pelham ;
Miss Bocfafort, Miss Bland ; Blonde, Miss Best.
In the course of the eyening a professional gentleman will perform several
favourite pieces of music upon the newly invented and much-admired
Instrument,
THE CHEBUBUIK,
Sole Inventor and Patentee, James Braby, Esq.
The whole to conclude with the
new grand and never-to-have-been-sufficiently-laughed-at comic pantomime,
entitled,
"THE OLD WOMAN and HER THREE SONS,
or,
Harlequin and the Wiiard of Wokey Hole."
With new Masic, new Scenery, new Dresses, and new Decorations.
Jerry, oUm Bobbin the Bobbin, with an Appetite and a Song,
Mynheer Perkin.
THE TWO PBETTT MEN.
James and John, afterwards Harleciuin and Clown — Signer Spangleletti and
Herr Howsch.
Grimgramgromgrumblegloom (the Wizard) - M. Giggaggogmagog.
Flimflamflostikos (his 8pright-ly attendant) - Benjamin Brimstone.
Elves and Villagers by an efficient corpi of Sapemumeraries.
Dame Wrinklctwinkle, the Old Woman (afterwards Pantaloon), M. Hillini.
Florinda, the Rose of the Village (afterwards Columbine),
M. Blanchardini (who will have the honour of again bewitching the audience
in the above character).
Curtain rises at Seven precisely, after which time seats cannot be kept upon
ANT consideration,
VivANT Belvidbbb Thbatbigals.
The following lines were sung by the choir,
and to them an interesting reminiscence is
attached : —
"There was an old woman had three sons,
Three sons, three sons, three sons ;
There was Jerry and James and John,
There was Jerry and James and John.
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8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
" Jerry was hanged, and James was drowned,
And Johnny was lost, and he never was found ;
And that ¥ras the end of the three sons-
Jerry and James and John."
Five-and-thirty yeaxs after this, Blanohard
was the guest of Mr. Bevan, the banker, at his
residence near Bamet, and as they were smoking
their cigars in the garden after dinner, close to
an open window of the house, the sound of a
piano was heard, and a voice singing, " There was
an old woman had three sons," etc.
This voice turned out to belong to a gentleman
who occupied a responsible position in Messrs.
Barclay &, Bevan's establishment, but who had
been one of the actors in this pantomime, and who
had never met the talented author and harlequin
during the thirty odd years which had elapsed
since its production.
To this playbill there is yet another interest
attached. Years after, when Tlie Wandering Min-
strel was revived at the Olympic, little Eobson
made a great success as Jem Bags.
The theatricals were repeated the following year,
as shown by the reprint of the playbill.
THEATRE ROYAL.
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
The 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of January, 1840,
Will be performed at the above attractive place of Private Amusement, the
popular Farce of
THE QUEER SUBJECT!
Dr. Bingo Mr. Selwyn. Ned Snatch Mr. Hopkins.
Charles Markham Mr. Pbbkins. Tom Dai-king Mr. Diohton.
Sammy Spectre Mr. Blanohabd. Bill Mattock Mr. Howe.
Giles Mr. Hill. Hodge Mr. Howard.
Countryman Mr. Williams. Julian Miss Bland.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, g
After which, the celebrated Burletta of
THE UNFINISHED GENTLEMAN!
Lord Totterly Mr. Selwtn. Frisk Flammer Mr. Pbekinb.
Charles Danvers. ... Mr. Faulklaio).
Bill Downey Mr. Howe. James Miller Mr. Bl angh abd.
Catch Iftr. Hill. Nibble Mr. Diouton.
Robert Mr. Nelson. Thomas Mr. Williams.
Louisa Bloomfield Miss E. Jambs. Mary Chintz Miss Bland.
The whole to conclude with a new, grand, original, peculiar, pastoral,
periodical, parodiacal, pathetical, paradoxical, phantasmagorical, physio-
logical, physiognomical, philosophical, performable, practicable, preter-
natural, powerfully-picturesque, potentially-punning, and pre-eminently-
pantomlmical Pantomime, entitled
PAT-A-GAEE PAT-A-CAE'E,
Or, Harlequin and
THE BAKER'S MAN!
The dresses, decorations, machinery, tricks, changes and transformations
entirely new. The scenic department under the able superintendence of the
Miller and his Men.
The music composed and dis-composed expressly for this occasion, and the
Pantomime written and invented by Francisco Frost, Esq., Gent., Author of
The Three Men of Thessah/, The Old Woman and Her Three Sons, etc.,
etc., etc. The Harlequinade scenes under the especial direction of Mr. E. L.
Blanchard and Mr. James Howe.
Prince Pattypan Signob Albert S aussageo.
Piecrust (the Baker) Mr. Floubdough.
Pudding and Pie Messrs. Pastby and Pattypan.
Lightcrust Mr. Mealtmouth. Thickcrust Mr. Nightmabe.
Pastryx)antile {the genim of the cake) Mr. GaggeggiggoggugMagog.
Poohpooh and Peppercorn (Aw attendant sprites, working as bakers under the
names of Lwigcrust and Sliortcrust) Mr. Pebkins and Mr. Cboss.
Pierre Pattycake {the baker's man^ afterwards Harlequin) M.
Blanchabdini.
Peregrine Pepper'em (after tvards Pantaloon) M. Hillinl
Demons, Imps, Villagers, etc.
Mrs. Priscilla Pepper*em (afterwards Clotvn) M. Howani.
Patty Pancake (the pretty pride of the Province^ aftenoards Columbine)
Madlle. E. James.
Doors open at a Quarter to Seven, commence at a Quarter past Seven.
Stage Manager Mr. James Howe. Chorus Master Mr. Hopk ins.
Vivat Regina.
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10 EDrVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Almost immediately after his father's death in
1835, which took place when B. L. B. was at a
good school at Ealing, he travelled with an enter-
tainer who was exhibiting the oxy-hydrogen micro-
scope, the sort of thing that was afterwards shown
at the Polytechnic, magnifying the drop of water,
etc. Young as he was, E. L. B. used often to take
the place of the lecturer, and acquitted himself well.
However, the aflfair did not pay, and E. L. B. was
left stranded in the West of England. He bor-
rowed half-a-crown from a scene-painter whom he
met at Bristol that he knew, and with only these
funds walked to London, taking three days over
the journey. He then turned his attention to
writing. In the next four years his pen pro-
duced thirty dramas, farces, and burlesques, and
a number of pantomimes, under the name of
Francisco Frost. In 1841 he was editing Cham-
bers's London Journal. He edited Dugdale's
** England and Wales Delineated," and also Wil-
loughby's Shakespeare. He was twenty-four years
of age when he started The Astrologer and Oracle
of Destiny. The title-page bore the representation
of a long-bearded, ancient man, with the stars
around him. This must have been congenial work
for E. L. B., this supposed reading of the stars,
for he always had a leaning for the mystic and
occult — ^witness the great interest that he took
in later years in spirit-rapping. At twenty-five
E. L. B. edited The New London Magazine^ and
amongst the works to which reference is made in
the course of his diary should be mentioned " Brad-
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EDh^ARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, il
shaw's Descriptive Railway Guide," ^* Adams' Illus-
trated Descriptive Guide to the Watering-places
of England, and Companion to the Coast " (1848 ;
second edition, 1856) ; 1865, " Adams' Illustrated
Guide to the English Lakes," also "Adams'
Descriptive Guide to the Environs of the Metro-
polis;" 1851, "The Stranger's and Visitor's
Conductor through London;" 1869, "Adams'
Descriptive Guide to the Channel Islands, the
Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man." Besides
these, the " Carpet Bag crammed full of Light
Articles for Shortening Long Faces and Long
Journeys," and a " Handy Book on Dinners and
Diners at Home and Abroad, with Piquant Plates
and Choice Cuts." His Carpet Bag and Sketch-
booky which he wrote for W. S. Woodin, and the
Seven Ages of WomaUj for Miss Emma Stanley,
were the two cleverest of their style, and made
a world-wide reputation, though he wrote many
others. He also wrote a drawing-room play, The
Three TemptationSy and was the author of "Flights
of Fancy," a medley of quips and cranks in prose
and verse; it was a comic encyclopaedia, full of
puns and witticisms.
When quite a lad, E. L. B. travelled with a well-
known conjuror named Blitz, and being on one
occasion at Lichfield at the period of an election,
Blitz, who was manipulating a vanishing doll,
made a bet that the doll would fly up to the
belfry of the cathedral and be found there.
Blanchard, to whom the accomplishment of the
trick was relegated, went to the lodge, where.
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12 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
finding the porter asleep, he took the keys and
ran up to the belfry, where he affixed the doll to
the great bell with the election colours (which
afterwards proved the winning ones) attached
to it. The experience he gained with this con-
juror enabled him to take part in the entertain-
ment which he described in a story, contributed to
the Theatre Annual for 1886, under the title of
" Ten Terrible Minutes : ''—
" Possibly few among us have arrived at maturity without
being able to recall some period of their lives when they had
felt an agony of suspense in a position of extreme peril. I
have had my experience with the rest, and I now place it for
the first time on record, accompanied by the solemn assevera^
tion that every moment of those terrible ten minutes, to
which I shall afterwards have to allude, comes back to me,
with what I may call the responsive tingle of a tick of time,
though the hour to which they belonged is associated with
a memorable day included in a year -that passed away nearly
half a century since. This seems a long time to look back
upon, but to the present remembrancer the event might
have happened yesterday, so vividly are the details of a very
peculiar predicament impressed upon his mind. How the
writer of these lines found himself placed in the awkward
and dangerous position to be afterwards described, will
assuredly need a few explanatory paragraphs beforehand.
"In the autumn of the year 1833, the most attractive
exhibition in the Metropolis was that of the Oxy-hydrogen
Gas Microscope, shown at a large saloon in New Bond Street,
Piccadilly, and as one of the youthful spectators invited to
witness the * wonders of the invisible world,' I remember
to have been greatly astonished even as a tolerably expe-
rienced sight-seer, though still at an early age. It was
curious to observe that so many remarkable revelations of the
marvels of the miniature universe passed altogether un-
noticed, whilst the skeleton of that objectionable insect, the
flea, magnified on the disc to the dimensions of a camel.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 13
invariably elicited from the company such a curious compli-
ment as three distinct rounds of applause. It was not for me
any longer to cling to the old proverb that familiarity bred
contempt; and the general admiration expressed on the
appearance of this awfully enlarged object led to some quiet
rebukes, which would have, perchance, become more audible
had I not been gently reminded that no charge had been
made for my admission. It was, however, something quitie
new in the world of science. Everybody was talking about the
novel discovery, and when I went back to my old school at
Ealing, I used to surprise my playfellows by relating what I
had witnessed, and showing them, through a sixpenny con-
vex lens, then sold at toy-shops as a * burning glass,' the
exaggerated forms of small flies on a leaf, after the learned
oratorical manner of the lecturer in New Bond Street.
" It so came about that my entomological studies in very
early life attracted the attention of a sanguine speculator
with whom our family had a rather close relationship. To
be possessor of such a powerful microscope was the height of
his ambition, and, after various negotiations had been set
afoot, it was arranged, in May 1835, that I should accom-
pany him on a tour through the country to introduce the
latest London scientific exhibition to the provinces. The
enterprising capitalist, whom I will call, for the sake of dis-
tinguishing his prominent characteristic, Mr. Solomon
Sanguine, had a profound belief in the speculation resulting
in a large fortune. Though on the sunny side of thirty, he
had been speculating with disastrous results from the days of
his boyhood, and finding that a business he had purchased
as an * oil and Italian warehouse * in Old Compton Street,
Soho, was not likely to answer his expectations, he sold the
shop, bought a horse and gig with the proceeds, and cheerily
embarked in a fresh enterprise. Tangible security being
proffered and accepted, Messrs. Cutter & Clarke, opticians,
of Beading, undertook to supply the microscope with all the
necessary appliances ; and one of the partners agreed, for a
consideration, to accompany the ' show ' and keep it in good
working order. Mr. Solomon Sanguine, carefully coached in
his descriptive details, was to be the lecturer, and, though I
had not completed my fifteenth year, I was engaged at a
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14 EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
nominal salary to fill the oflBce of a kind of secretary, read
up subjects for illustration, and make out alluring pro-
grammes of the entertainment to be given. I remember
that I was rather proud of seeing in print a particular
paragraph I had written, setting forth that this ' Revelation
of the Wonders of the Invisible World would amuse the
young, delight the old, please the gay, and gratify the grave.'
The elaborate lecture I had prepared, chiefly from a familiar
volume recording the study of insect life, by Messrs. Kirby
& Spence, was read with enthusiastic approval by the light
of a bright sunset in spring, under the grove of elm trees
then forming a picturesque avenue leading to the grounds of
an establishment at that time known as ^ The Stadium,'
of which my eccentric acquaintance, the Baron de Beranger,
was the proprietor. The place, situated on the northern
bank of the Thames beyond Battersea Bridge, was afterwards
destined to have a wider popularity under the title of
Cremome Gardens.
" It was then arranged that the marvels of the * Oxy-
hydrogen Gas Microscope' should be first exhibited at
Winchester in the course of the following fortnight, and that
a tour through Somerset and Devonshire might advan-
tageously occupy succeeding months. The working partner,
Mr. Clarke, was to precede us to the old cathedral city with
the microscope and huge gasometers, that all might be in
readiness. The enterprising capitalist was to drive down
in style with his horse and gig, and I was to start at eight
o'clock in the morning, on the day after his departure, by
the Andover coach, commencing its journey from the old
Knightsbridge booking-office, under the shadow of the
Cannon Brewery. On my arrival, after a long, wearisome
journey, which seems curious to recall in these days of
rapid transit by railway, I found the enterprising capitalist
had smashed his gig and killed his horse by driving too
ftiriously into the inn-yard of the tavern where he was to
take up his quarters ; and a particular lens, magnifying, as
was asserted in my highly-coloured prospectus, * thirteen
millions of times,' had been shivered into fragments. How-
ever, though we could not at once develop our fullest
resources, fiiith was kept with the public, and at the
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 15
appointed date we opened in the capacious Exhibition Room,
at that period called St. John's Hall. The living objects
which I had industriously collected a few hours previously
from all the stagnant ponds in the neighbourhood, and which
were shown as the remarkable organisms to be found in a
drop of pure water, did not tend, I fear, to encourage the
growth of those teetotal principles then beginning to find
advocates; but the apparition of the Flea, occupying the
whole dimensions of the disc, proved a stupendous success,
and the poor dried husk of the departed tormentor, rendered
transparent through being steeped in Canada balsam,
brought down his three rounds of applause as he had done
before. He was evidently regarded as the comic actor
in our seriously scientific entertainment, and was greeted
with shouts of laughter and peals of plaudits whenever
he appeared.
" Our powerful illumination was produced by the combus-
tion of two gases uniting on a cylinder of lime. This
cylinder was fixed on a spindle, and had to be turned by the
finger whenever a fresh surface was required. Besides a
rather alarming ' fizzing,' which, as the room was always kept
in perfect darkness, could not be readily accounted for by the
audience, an occasional cry of pain or groan of despair coming
fix)m the interior of the apparatus when the hot cylinder was
wanted to revolve, had no reassuring influence. We had to
carry about with us two large metallic gasometers, from
which the microscope received its supply of light through
tubes. The hydrogen was produced by mixing diluted
sulphuric acid with granulated zinc, and huge glass carboys
for the purpose had to be constantly emptied and replenished,
with disastrous eflFects upon the wardrobe during their con-
veyance. The oxygen was evolved from black oxide of
manganese heated in an iron retort— an interesting chemical
experiment confided to my care some time before the com-
pany assembled. When the exhibition commenced the
hydrogen was allowed to play upon the cylinder for a few
minutes so as to heat the lime gradually and expel all the
moisture it might have gained from the atmosphere; and
then the oxygen was cautiously introduced, when the brilliant
illumination of the large white calico disc followed. Before
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l6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
this happened I had, however, frequent occasion to observe
that many who had paid for front seats deemed it prudent to-
change their positions and get nearer the door of exit.
"It was then that I had to explain there was not the
slightest occasion for alarm, and that the powerful lime-light
used for the oxy-hydrogen gas microscope was the invention
of Captain Thomas Drummond, of the Royal Engineers, who,,
with a view to its ultimate employment for the illumination
of lighthouses along the coast, had first exhibited the
* Drummond Lime-Light' in 1830 at Purfleet, with such
startling eflFect that shadows had been thrown at Blackwall,
a distance of ten miles.
"How, with fluctuating receipts, the * Scientific Enter-
tainment' was introduced to the inhabitants of all the
principal towns and cities of Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset-
shire, and Somersetshire need not be minutely recorded. It
will suffice to say that the enterprising capitalist, having no
resources whatever, and failing to discover any probable
chance of profit, abandoned the speculation in'; despair. His
working partner prudently took back to Reading what
remained of his apparatus ; and a youth, scarcely fifteen^
and unaccustomed to a vagrant life, found himself one even-
ing in August, with only two shillings in his pocket, left
in a remote country district one himdred and seventy
miles from home, only to be reached by a weary walk to
London.
" Youth has a happy knack of making light of difficulties^
and though this was not the issue I had foreseen of my first
tour as an entomological lecturer, there was something like
an adventure in making the bold experiment of walking
back and practically acquiring a topographical knowledge of
the high roads leading through the southern counties towards
the Metropolis.
"The August of 1835 was a remarkably fine month; the
harvest was early, the nights were warm and pleasant, huge
sheaves of bronzed wheat met the eye in nearly every
direction, and all the Somersetshire lanes were overshadowed
by apple-trees bearing fruit in rich profusion. Thus, for
some miles at least, bed and breakfast could be obtained
without the expenditure of more than a penny for a morning
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 17
roll. There was enough exhilaration in the atmosphere,
and sufficient prospect of picturesque landscapes along the
route, to render the possibility of crossing the Mendip Hills
and reaching London by way of Bristol and Bath, places I
had long desired to visit, easy of attainment, and productive
of, at least, mental enjoyment. Resting myself on a stile
that came in my way during a long walk from Ilminster, I
was pondering over the peculiarity of my position*when a
jolly-looking gentleman, driving a well-caparisoned horse
and gig, came within sight, and paused for a few minutes at
the wayside. There was a strap to be fastened, which —
though I knew nothing of equestrian appliances, except those
coming imder my notice during Ducrow's summer season at
Astley's — I managed to fix at last in the proper place. I was
then asked would I like a lift along the road, and the assist-
ance proflfered was readily accepted. During our drive
mutual confidences were exchanged, and my jovial acquaint-
ance informed me that his name was Harvey, and that he
was the landlord of the ' Red Lion ' at Somerton, to which
market town he was returning. Incidentally I learnt that
he had married an actress, who had acquired some provincial
celebrity in her day, that he had always a great sympathy
with the ' show folk,' as he termed them, and that on this
very evening he had thought of amusing the members of the
Farmers' Club — who would have their annual dinner in the
large room of his tavern — by showing them a few tricks in
conjuring, of which he had been an amateur professor. A
few weeks previously he had bought from an itinerant
illusionist passing through the town, and unable to discharge
a small private account through lack of public patronage, a
supply of apparatus which would make a sufficient show for
the occasion ; but, as all the tricks required confederacy, he
could not possibly perform any of them without obtaining
the aid of a competent assistant.
" As it so happened, I had rendered, in a friendly fashion,
to Signer Blitz, the expert plate-dancer and professor of
legerdemain, similar services some years before, during my
schooldays in StaflFordshire, and thus I could confidently
undertake the very responsible duties of an invisible con-
federate. In another hour we arrived at that extensive
2
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i8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
establishment known as the ' Bed Lion/ at Somerton, and,
after some substantial refreshment, the landlord and myself
arranged two capacious chambers on the first floor, com-
municating with folding-doors, and rather ostentatiously
known by the title of * Assembly Rooms,' as an improvised
* Temple of Magic/
^^No charge was to be made for admission, this being a
supplementary entertainment given by the landlord in con-
sideration of the many years the * Farmers' Club' had
honoured him with their support ; but the glittering display
of gilt cups, canisters and candlesticks would have been
worthy of a strictly professional exhibition famous for this
kind of paraphernalia. A large kitchen table, placed in
front of the fireplace, and covered by a gigantic coloured
tablecloth, of an ornamental pattern, looked exceedingly
imposing when profusely decorated after this fashion, and
a huge shelf underneath, upon which I could comfortably
rest, removed all suspicion from the company that anybody
was concealed beneath, as several inches of the flooring were
still clearly perceptible. I soon discovered that the genial
landlord, Mr. Harvey, was a clever manipulator of cards and
coins, and that he was thoroughly delighting his audience
by the revelation of an utterly unsuspected talent. I had
made the * dancing half-crowns' very successfully tell the
number of pips on spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds,
respectively chosen from the pack by members of the com-
pany, and had astonished a young bachelor agriculturist by
tinkling on the rim of a goblet the alarming number of
children he would have when he would be married to the
lady of his choice.
" The great trick, which was to crown the performance of
the evening, was now to come. A bank-note, inscribed with
the name and address of any individual present, was to be
burned before the eyes of everybody in a wax candle on the
table, and when this candle was cut up into three pieces,
whichever one was chosen would be found to have, instead
of the wick, the rolled-up bank-note, previously supposed to
have been consumed. A merry Somersetshire yeoman un-
hesitatingly lent for the purpose a Bank of England note
for ten pounds, with his name and address pencilled on the
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 19
back, so that the identity of the note could not be possibly
called into question. It is not here necessary for me to
reveal the secrets of the conjurors craft, but I may be
allowed to explain in a rather indefinite manner that this
trick, which was one of the most surprising of those per-
formed by Signor Blitz, had to be accomplished after this
fashion. With the aid of some dexterity in what is techni-
cally known as 'passing,' a false note, frequently no more
than a folded piece of tissue paper, is consumed in the flame
of the candle, and the ashes are carefully collected. In the
meantime, the conjurer, passing behind the table to obtain
a suitable tray, contrives to drop on the ground the real note
so carefully annotated, which the confederate, with the aid
of a piece of wire, twists into the smallest compass, inserts
in a fragment of wax candle, from which the wick has been
extracted, and places ready for the hand of the exhibitor as
he comes round.
" From my place of concealment I hear all that has taken
place previous to the dropping of the note; but, to my
inexpressible horror, I find that the note has been dropped
open, that a fresh visitor arriving at that moment has
caused a strong current of air to enter the room, and that
the draught has sent the note, which ought immediately to
have been inserted in the prepared fragment of candle,
fluttering along the floor, and finally up the chimney. Thus
did the ten terrible minutes begin. The horrible suspicion
that, under the circumstances, I might have been unable
to resist temptation, and have feloniously appropriated the
money, was the first idea that occurred as likely to be enter-
tained by the kind host of the ' Red Lion,' now so generously
entertaining his guests. To render myself visible, and search
for the fugitive flimsy up the flue, would have been to destroy
the mystery of the hour's entertainment. If the note went
up the chimney, and was blown away into space at the summit,
my character would be irretrievably ruined. Never did ten
minutes pass so slowly. The conjurer had to pass and repass
the table in vain, without receiving that coveted fragment
of wax candle with the ten-pound Bank of England note
carefully tucked up inside; and, in the meantime, filled
up the interval by talking with the chief constable, who
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20 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
happened to be present, about a recent robbery that had taken
place in the town.
"Rescue, happily, came at last, in the form of a little
black kitten, which had been sleeping unobserved on the
warm hob of the fireplace. Hearing something rustling by,
it had started up to capture a supposed mouse. The friendly
paw of puss, after a short chase, brought the coveted posses-
sion within my reach. The bank-note was restored to its
owner in the accustomed manner, to his great astonishment,
though not without some misgivings, as it had been neces-
sary to perform extra illusions by way of interlude ; and the
climax of borrowing the yeoman's hat, and sending up from
beneath the table that very black kitten, whose existence
had been previously unsuspected, brought our entertainment
to a triumphant close ; and thus ended those terrible ten
minutes."
It must have been somewhere about the year
1838-9 that E. L. B. was for a time manager of
a theatre of which he gave a description in the
Theatre Annual for 1886 under the head of '* Some
Managerial Memories : " —
" Fifty years ago, when I was a juvenile resident in that
once picturesque suburb of the Metropolis then fondly de-
scribed by all the elderly inhabitants as ' Old Chelsea,' there
stood a lonely mansion in the King's Road, on the left-hand
side as you walked westward, that few belated youthful
travellers cared to pass after dark. It was a large, but not
lofty, villa, standing in its own grounds, and fenced in by
some rusty broken railings from the main thoroughfare.
This building, which had been long unoccupied, was known
as * The Old Manor House.' The dilapidated structure by
daylight was not particularly cheerful to look at, for most of
the windows were broken, and there was a rank luxuriance
of weeds in the front garden, which seemed to be the especial
resort of all the cats in the neighbourhood, who had long
appropriated the place as their happy hunting-ground.
When night approached, unearthly sounds would be heard
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ED WA RD LEMA N BLA NCHA RD, 2 1
about the precincts, and phantom forms would be seen to
dart from the doorway and flitter over the gravelled and
grassy pathway leading to the extensive orchard at the back.
Matter-of-fact people ascribed these mysterious occurrences
to a mundane origin. It was popularly known that in the
rear of the old Manor House there were groves of fruit trees
from which luscious mulberries and toothsome apples and
pears might be surreptitiously abstracted without any ob-
jection being urged by the legal proprietor of the estate —
whoever he might be ; and some went so far as to assert that
what the superstitious took to be the clanking of chains by
some imprisoned ghost was only the metallic chink caused
by certain unlawful trespassers actively engaged in knocking
off the tops of ornamental railings, which would be sold next
morning as fragments of old iron at a marine-store shop near
the river. Nevertheless, to an earnest student of Mrs.
Sadcliffe's novels and an eager devourer of the gruesome
stories related in a penny periodical called The Calendar of
HorrorSf published about that time, the dismal edifice
seemed to possess every feature of a haunted house which
the most exacting ghost-hunter would require.
** After a long period of neglect, workmen at last began to
appear about the premises, and in the autumn of 1837
pedestrians who had missed the last omnibus, began to walk
about midnight for the first time on that side of the way,
deriving courage and consolation from the knowledge that
they had seen with their own eyes, in their morning progress
towards the City, painters, plumbers, and carpenters, at work
putting the old house in repair.
" Early in the following year, to the great gratification of
the most nervous dwellers in the vicinity,, the Old Manor
House became occupied ; but to the surprise of some, and
perhaps to the horror of more, it was announced to be opened
as a place of public entertainment. The new proprietor was
Mr. Richard Smith, a pleasant, portly gentleman, who was
said to have derived much pecuniary advantage from his
connection in an official capacity with Crockford's Club in St.
James's Street. He erected a capacious building for hot and
cold baths — luxuries then unknown to dwellers in the
suburbs — and, opening the capacious grounds to the public
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22 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
at an admission fee of one shilling, boldly proclaimed, by
advertisement, that the Old Manor House in the King's
Road, Chelsea, was henceforth to be known as 'The New
Vauxhall and Royal Bath Gardens.' Vocal and instrumental
concerts were given on three evenings each week ; and, in
humble imitation of the Surrey Zoological Gardens, then at
the height of their popularity, a panoramic painting was
prepared, representing Fort Bhurtpore, behind which fire-
works, manufactured by ' Professor ' Tumour, son of a well-
known theatrical agent of that name, were let off in a series
of squibs and crackers, to realize the daring capture of the
Indian fortress by the English forces. It was a pleasant
promenade enough among the fruit trees, from which the
visitors chiefly obtained their refreshment — for only wines
were sold on the premises, under a free vintner's licence —
and the company, consisting chiefly of local sweethearts,
preferred to treat each other to apples and pears, snatched
off the branches above them, rather than expend superfluous
cash in shilling goblets of hot negus. As the expenses were
great, and the profits, under these circumstances, were ex-
ceedingly small, the proprietor decided on discontinuing the
concerts and erecting a theatre on the ground occupied by
a portion of this unprofitable orchard. Architectural plans
for such an edifice met with due approval ; and in a short
space of time arose 'The Royal Manor House Theatre,*
capable of containing an audience of about five hundred
persons, paying respectively one shilling and two shillings
for back and front seats.
" The first lessees of the newly erected building were Mr.
Charles Poole, previously manager of the Chichester Theatre,
and a Mr. Fleming. It was understood between the two
speculators that one found the experience and the other the
capital. There is reason to believe that in the course of a
few months the partners exchanged their qualifications.
Light one-act pieces were creditably represented, but the
audiences were more appreciative than remunerative, and,
with an abruptness that was, at least, inconvenient to the
members of the company, if not surprising to the habitual
frequenters of the establishment, an announcement was one
night posted up in the greenroom — which was the emptied
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 23
tank of the tepid and now disused swimming-bath — that the
season would close on the following evening.
" In this dilemma Mr. Richard Smith, the proprietor,
appealed to my sympathies, and besought my assistance as
the only person he knew who had the slightest knowledge of
theatrical matters. I was to have no pecuniary responsi-
bility of any kind whatever, but was only asked to keep the
theatre open until a new lessee, who was daily expected,
could arrange preliminary negotiations. In a weak moment I
consented, under these circumstances, to become manager.
I conferred with the few remaining members of the company,
explaining to them the position of affairs, and impressing
upon them that the receipts every evening would be equally
divided among them, without any deduction for my own
share in the transaction, as I had the advantage of a small
income derived from a novel I was then writing, published
as an illustrated serial in penny numbers. The proposal met
with a general concurrence, and for a fortnight the perform-
ances of the Royal Manor House Theatre were continued, the
light comedian, Mr. A. Sidney, even undertaking to strengthen
the attraction by singing sentimental songs in evening dress
between the pieces. It is pleasant to record that this affable
gentleman afterwards became more distinguished by his
developed talents as Mr. Alfred Wigan, one of the most
accomplished actors who ever adorned the British stage.
" As was reasonably to be expected, the company diminished
in number as more eligible engagements presented them-
selves ; and at last two alone remained — Signer Plimmeri, a
clever posturer, whose reputation was chiefly identified with
the playbill announcement that he was the * celebrated man-
monkey,' and Mr. Richard Flexmore, a very agile youthful
dancer, who lived to become well known as a popular clown
and pantomimist. To represent even the lightest forms of
dramatic entertainment with such limited assistance was a
manifest managerial difficulty, but it was surmounted for a
while by devising new versions of pantomimical burlettas in
which a monkey was the prominent character, and a comic
dance could be introduced with some faint show of proba-
bility. The small members of the Smith family, when
dressed up and placed in the background, formed an imposing
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24 EDWARD LEAfAN BLANCHARD.
group of four supernumeraries, and the present writer
contrived, by coming on at one entrance as the chivalrous
hero of the piece, and entering at another as the indispens-
able comic countryman, to delude the few spectators in front
into the belief that something like Jack Robiiwon and His
Monkey was being acted according to the prompt-book,
though we all of us extemporised dialogue and action
according to the fancy of the moment.
" To give something like substantiality to the playbill, I
produced a fai'ce I had written called Angela and LudferSj
representing myself the character of the itinerant vendor of
Congreve matches, Benjamin Brimstone, afterwards rendered
so popular at the Olympic Theatre by Mr. George Wild.
Strange to say, an unexpected success was obtained, and a
continuous run of thirty-one representations was the result,
enabling the company to be reinforced by three additions,
male and female. Our costumier at that period was Mr.
Moss Cantor, of Whitechapel, who undertook, for the moderate
stipend of half a crown per night, to furnish all fancy dresses
required. In his wardrobe, nightly conveyed and returned
in a small bundle, tied up in a blue-and-white pocket-hand-
kerchief, a policeman's uniform could not be included ; and
as such an attire was indispensable for one portion of the
impersonation, recourse was had to a daring expedient. The
policeman on duty in the King's Road at nine o'clock was
always accustomed to turn into the grounds of the Manor
House to see that proper order was being preserved. At such
a time a light frugal repast of beer and bread and cheese was
regularly provided in a certain dressing-room detached from
the theatre, and once used in connection with the old baths.
As a curious coincidence, it may be recorded that at the very
time the inexpensive supper was placed before the guardian
of the peace, his coat, hat, and truncheon were invariably
required on the stage ; and the temporary usurper of the
uniform, encouraged by the laughter he produced through a
grotesque exaggeration of the authoritative demeanour of the
awe-inspiring functionary, sometimes forgot that the import-
ant official he had invited to an economical banquet might be
shivering in his shirt-sleeves, anxiously awaiting the return
of his warm coat. On Monday, January 25, 1841, the imper-
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 25
senator of Benjamin Brimstone celebrated the lengthy career
of his farce by a special programme identified with the
' author's night.' He was hurrying across the gardens, at
the end of the performance, to return to the rightful owner
the borrowed garments of authority, when he was intercepted
by a sergeant of police, who directed him at once to go forth
and quell a pugilistic disturbance taking place in front of
the White Hart Tavern, at the comer of Smith Street. Before
any explanation could be given he was hurried into the midst
of a quarrelsome crowd, to deal alone with a turbulent throng
as best he could. Seizing the smallest of the combatants,
he took him round the comer, and suggested instant flight.
* Thank you, policeman ; this is a generous deed, and never
shall I forget it I ' came from the lips of the released captive.
" The supposed policeman, with pantomimic flourishes of his
staff, easily dispersed the lingering crowd, and then returned to
a dimly lighted dressing-room attached to the Manor House
Theatre. Here, in a very few minutes, he restored coat,
hat, and appendages to an individual who had just finished
the contents of the tankard before him. Years elapsed, and
the sequel of a story that might have fumished the ground-
work of a romantic novel was thus told : — A young journey-
man baker was in love with his master's daughter, and on the
night in question had resented some disparaging remarks on
her character. Had he been locked up for assault, his own
reputation might have been seriously affected. To the police-
man who so quickly took him into custody and so generously
liberated him immediately afterwards, he believed a deep
debt of gratitude was due. The baker's journeyman, marry-
ing his employer's daughter, became a master baker himself,
and carried on a large business. He made instant inquiries
respecting the name and number of the policeman on duty
in the King's Boad that night when he found himself so
perilously involved in a personal quarrel. It was discovered
that the said policeman was married, and had a large and
increasing family. By an unknown hand four quartern
loaves were left at that policeman's door every day, and no
payment was ever demanded. Every Good Friday moming,
moreover, pyramids of hot cross-buns were always found
mysteriously deposited on the threshold.
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26 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
" In a few more years — here the story begins to read like
a fairy tale — the grateful baker emigrated from Chelsea to
Canada, and rose to be a man high in position. He had the
opportunity of appointing the chief of the constabulary for
the district, and he nominated the kindly Chelsea policeman,
who accordingly went out with his large family, all being
placed in good positions at high salaries for the respective
posts they filled. Sitting by my fireside of a winter's night,
and falling into a reverie connected with the past, I often
wonder whether the good-natured policeman of the King's
Boad, who used to eat my bread-and-cheese suppers in his
shirt-sleeves, and so obtained vicarious honours, and acquired
possession of diverted benefactions, ever became aware of the
odd method by which he rose to unexpected prosperity and
colonial distinction.
" My managerial experiences of the Royal Manor House
Theatre comprised on a small scale all the inflictions that
the lessees of larger houses have to undergo. Unimportant as
was the establishment, and remote as was the locality, not
a day passed but some aspiring dramatist would leave a five-
act tragedy at the gate called by courtesy the stage-door,
and beseech its due consideration with a view to its early pro-
duction. What strange interviews did I have with histrionic
students who only wanted to be told how they could come
upon the boards to take the London stage by storm ! Among
the most eager for an appearance in a Shakespearean character
was a retired prize-fighter, whose name lives in my recollection
as Tom Oliver, and who then was held in high estimation
as an umpire at pugilistic contests. He was very anxious to
take the theatre for one night, guaranteeing a full house,
if he could only play Hamlet or Bichard the Third — it was
immaterial which, as either part would have to be studied
for the occasion — but for the sake of his friends who would
support him, he stipulated that in the course of the tragedy
there should be a scene representing T(ym, CriWs Parlour.
The only satisfactory trial I was enabled to give an amateur
at this period was afforded an unassuming young gentleman
who made a marked success by his performance in the farce
of Shocking EveTitSj and whose rapid advance in the profession
he had adopted I afterwards marked with great interest.
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ED WA RD LEMA N BLA NCHA RD. 27
That amateur was Mr. Nye Chart, at once recognizeJ as an
excellent Shakespearean comedian when he made, in 1849, his
professional Achxii at Sadlers Wells, and who afterwards
gained a well-deserved position as the respected lessee of
the Brighton Theatre. There is little more to be told. Mr.
Richard Smith, finding the theatre was an unprofitable
speculation, and obtaining a licence to sell spirits, built
Rodney Street on the site of the grounds, with a public-
house at the comer, and soon after ' The Royal Manor House
Theatre, King's Road, Chelsea,' became absorbed in a build-
ing known as * The Commercial Rooms.' One at least among
the many passengers along the King's Road sees more spectres
arise out of the pavement as he passes the modern building
than ever stirred the imagination of belated pedestrians fifty
years ago."
It was well known that E. L. Blanchard had for
years determined to write the reminiscences of his
life. The work was put oflf from time to time till
too late, though some preparation for it had been
made in his keeping, during forty-five years, a daily
record of his doings, his work, and even his inmost
thoughts. He had evidently had the task in view
when he inscribed the following, found among his
papers: — "All facts, however microscopic, are
important in the building of real history. I am
about to lead you into the byeways and the high-
ways of literature, which have been well trodden.
The bridle-paths through which I am going to ask
you to accompany me are known only to those
who have in their adventurous youth struck across
some very thorny and uneven tracks."
When almost in his teens E. L. B. was a most
prolific dramatist. He thought he had discovered
a short road to wealth when he found that
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28 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
managers were liberal enough to give him IO5.
an act ; he used to buy some paper and retire to
a coffee-house, where, over a roll and butter and
a cup of coffee, he would pour out the most
powerful dramas. What a contrast to the present
period, when a successful dramatist may realize
£20,000 from one piece alone !
The managers for whom he chiefly worked were
George Wild^ of the Olympic; B. 0. Conquest,
then of the Garrick Theatre in Leman Street,
Whitechapel ; and at a later date C. J. James, of
the Queen's Theatre in Tottenham Street, to be
afterwards better known as the Prince of Wales's,
when Mrs. Bancroft inaugurated her memorable
management.
The following were also found amongst his
papers after his decease : —
(1) " I fancy I might for my own reminiscences write * an
anticipative review ' by way of a novel Preface — * The Small
Notes of a Small Author. —E. L. B."
(2) " Title for book — ^ My Recollections and some other
Trifles,' by E. L. Blanchard, the * other trifles ' to be the
lyrics added to the end of the volume."
(3) " Motto, possibly for my ^ Memoirs : ' * I am sorry to
be threescore and ten because so very much is expected
nowadays from men of that time of life/ — Sayivgs of a
StcUesman.^'
The Astrologer was started by a man of the
name of Haddock, who, like a good many of those
who employed E. L. B., was short of money.
» For Wild he wrote Angels and- Lucifer s The Artful Dodge^ Ja^^Jc
Nokes and Tom Styles, Pork Chops, Babes in the Wood, The Road of
Life, and Game and Game,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 29
E. L. B., who did all the work, was a little knocked
up, and Haddock, who happened to be, or appeared
to be, in funds, proposed that they should go to
Folkestone, and that he would stand the expense.
Accordingly they went, and stayed there the next
day. Haddock seemed wild and excited, and said
he must return to town; he did so, but E. L. B.
remained for a day or two longer. When he got
back to town he went to The Astrologer oflBce,
and found that the door was locked /rom the inside.
Being unable to make any one hear E. L. B.
became alarmed, and with assistance broke open
the door. The ink was wet on the last sheet of
the current numbery but there was no HaddocJc^
and Its was never lieard of again, in London at
least.
Malicious tongues said that there was a parapet
running outside the top floor in which The
Astrologer was got ready for press; that Had-
dock had creditors, and that it was to escape
them, and not to accompany his Satanic Majesty,
with whom The Astrologer was supposed to
have dealings, that Haddock so completely effaced
himself. It was whispered that years later he was
seen in Jamaica. The Astrologer office was at
the corner of Wellington and Burleigh Streets.
Strange to say, a species of revival of the work
took place last year, for in August 1890 appeared
the first number of The Astrologer's Magazine,
published by W. Foulsham & Co.
At this time he was living in the Blackfriars
Road, but early in July he removed to South-
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30 £:dward leman blanchard.
ampton Street, CamberwelL He was then writing
much for John Cleave ^ and Stiff and Landells.^
To follow the diary day by day would be too
great a tax upon the reader; from it, therefore,
will be drawn extracts showing the inner life of
the writer, and recording the names of those with
whom he was brought in contact, with anecdotes
relating to them, etc.
In his twenty-fourth year he appears to have
first conceived the idea of keeping a diary, in June
1844, and commences thus : —
" Thursday^ June 27th, — I this day took it into my head to
keep a diary, having got half through the year without one.
What I shall do with it remains to be seen. I fancy there
will be little use for the red ink divisions, except on the
expense side. 2Sth. — Blackfriars Soad. Smoked a pipe
after breakfast (surely a diary should contain chronicles of
pleasure as well as of pain). Went to Grafton Street to see
my brother ; he was out. Sauntered home thinking of love,
doubt, despair, disease, and death. Mysteries altogether."
* John Cleave, a publisher of Shoe Lane, Fleet Street, became
notorious for his contests with the Government m floating unstamped
news sheets — for they could scarcely be called newspapers. Oleave's
Gazette of Varieties was one of these pubhcations, ultra-Radical in
politics, and adorned with coarse caricatures, designed by an artist
named Jack Wright, scene-painter subsequently to Brading, of the
Albert Saloon. E. L. B. wrote for Cleave in the publication above-
named, and there is an imperfect copy in the British Museum Library.
Cleave suffered imprisonment in Coldbath Fields Prison, and his
daughter married Henry Vincent, a Chartist orator, but in after years
a popular lecturer and preacher of the Gospel.
^ Stiff was proprietor of the London Journal, Landells an engraver
on the Illustrated London News and Punch, of which he was one of the
four original proprietors. Landells was also a publisher, and, at one
time, connected with Stiff. He also wrote much for Masters, or some
of his family, and developed into a successful theological publisher for
the Ritualistic school. For him E. L B. wrote Ice.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 3!
He wrote a good deal for Parley's Library ^^ and
was busily engaged on Kent's Almanack^ To
enable him to do this properly, he had to pay
constant visits to the British Museum, reading up
astrology and logarithms, old black-letter books
of two centuries back, etc.
Leigh Hunt was then a constant associate of
his, and he commenced his business intercourse
with Albert Smith, sending him two articles.
On July 6th, " Olympic Theatre advertised to be
let.' Think it ought to be let — alone. Not bad
t hat I awfully antique.^'
On 19th he wrote an article for Cleave entitled
'' A Walk for an Article."
On July 23rd he mentions a fatal accident on
the Blackfriars Pier,* and his illness "from the
^ Parley^ s Library then was a popular penny " mag./' famous for
E. L. B.*8 potting down three-volume novels, to wit, Bulwer's ** Eugene
Aram/' " Last Days of Pompeii," and " Last of the Barons," with clever
elucidation of plot and illustrative extracts verbatim, for the charge of
3d. (three numbers) ; and also Dickens s " Old Curiosity Shop " and
" Bamaby Budge," by Hewitt, a Manchester sub-editor. The illustra-
tions on wood were exceUent. E. L. B. used to get about lOif. for
** potting " down these &mous works. No copy in Museum. Cleave
was a type of the practical printer who elevated himself to a pro-
prietary by industry and practical knowledge. E. L. B. thought highly
of Cleave, although my old friend smilingly told me that Cleave was
never flush of money.
' W. Kent, of Paternoster Bow, for several years brought out a
Shake8])eare Almanack^ with a chronicle of events for 365 days, and a
quotation, of course very pertinent, for each from the poet*s works.
Some of the almanacks were illustrated by Kenny Meadows.
* The Olympic closed on Wednesday the 3rd inst. with the First
Part of King Henry the Fourth, for the benefit of Mr. Laws ; but
no FalstafE was forthcoming till nine o'clock, when an amateur took
up the part at the third scene. The Olympic had been under the
lesseeship of Mr. Or. Wild.
* The accident referred to occarred through the breaking down
of the floating pier belonging to the Watermen*s Steamboats. Too
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i2 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
constant annoyance in my domestic arrangements.
Some change must be made. Endeavom-ed to
write, but energies crushed and crippled by home
troubles."
On the 24th *^ met Britton Jones, who showed
me over his Blacking Warehouse I " This was an
eccentric mercantile character who, it is said,
parted with a horse and chaise for a marvellous
blacking recipe, which, practically worked, was
to suppress Day & Martin, and so create for its
owner a colossal fortune. It was to be specially
used in polishing military harness at ^' a minimum
of elbow grease with a maximum of lustre.*'
E. L. B. wrote advertisements for it both in
verse and prose*
On July 26th *' heard of Miss Forde's death.^
Eemember her first playing for me was as Phillis
in my Arcadia at the Grecian." *
great a crowd congregated on the pier to witness the Bankside
Boat-race. The temporary bridge gave way ; some twenty people
were precipitated into the water, of whom seven lost their lives.
^ A charming ballad-singer, whose duet with Billy Williams at
Vauzhall — "Pretty Polly Hopkins'' — for a time was quite the
rage. As her voice and personal charms waned, she was glad to
sing at Bagnigge Wells, White Conduit, and, even, the Albert
Saloon. ^* Sally " Forde attained eminence as a ballad-singer in
her early days.
* Of this ArcadXa the following will prove of interest : —
Between 8 and 9 o'clock one evening in 1843, E. L. B. paced
anxiously between the Canal Bridge and the old ''Eagle" in the
City Road. He was to receive the opinion of "Bravo Rouse's"
dramatic reader on the libretto of an operetta entitled Arcadia, If
the estimate proved favourable, Mr. Rouse's company and conductor
would be turned on to furnish the music. A half- hour later,
E. L. B. was in the seventh heaven of ecstasy, for the reader
expressed himself in terms of warm commendation of the book,
which meant the possibility of earning a £5 note. The dramatic
reader of the establishment turned out to be no other than Mr.
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EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 33
GRECIAN SALOON AND OLYMPIC TEMPLE,
EAGLE TAVERN, CITY ROAD.
Sole Manager, Mr. Campbell.
On Wednesday, April 18th, 1841,
ARCADIA; OR, THE SHEPHERD AND SHEPHERDESS.
New and Original Operatic Spectacle. Overt/ure and Music by Mr.
Harroway, R.A.M.
Justice Jumble {an amorous Justice in love with PhiUis's money)
Mr. Adams.
Sylvias (the gentle Shepherd^ passionately foiid of Phillis)
Mr. E. Taylok.
Damon (a Baccha^ialian Shepherd^ friend to Sylvias) Mr. Baldwin.
Colin (a Woodman in love with Daphne) Mr. Glindon.
Strephon Mr. ISMAY. Pan (a Sylvan Ood) Mr. G. Herbert.
Glaucus Mr. Woollidob. Hymen Mons. Schmidt.
Shepherds and Satyrs Messrs. Walbouen, Griffith, Bowden, Rochez,
HULINE, and Leman.
Apollo (the Ood of Music disguised as a Shepherd) Miss Coveney.
Phillis (the Shepherdess who sang^ " But if thy purse he empty come not to me
a-wooing '* Miss Fordb.
Daphne (a ShepJierdess in love with Colin) Mrs. Young.
Venus Miss Lane. Diana Madame Schmidt.
Shepherds, etc Messrs. Raymond, Glindon, and Bowden; Misses
Freeman, Raymond, and H. Coveney.
The piece will commence with an Arcadian Ballet^ arranged by M. Schmidt.
Jonas Levy, who, with his delightful memories of old playhouses
and players, happily remains amongst us. When Rouse joined the
majority he bequeathed Mr. Levy his dramatic MSS., enough to fill
a tea-chest. Doubtless Arcadia is among the treasures.
Miss Harriet Coveney played one of the characters. The Grecian
Theatre was owned and constructed by a Mr. Bouse, who having
been a bricklayer took a very practical share in its erection. This
gentleman used to occupy a prominent private box, and on bis
appearance there used to be saluted by his friends and admirers
with cries of "Brayvo Bouse." On one occasion he went to sleep
in the box, and on waking up said that the performance must be
stopped, as he had been robbed of his watch and chain. However,
the next minnte, finding it on the floor, he obligingly said the
performance might be resumed. Capillaire was a favourite drink
at this establishment. I believe that it was some sort of syrup, but
as a beverage it has faded out.
Bouse ceased to be lessee of the Grecian Saloon March 21st, 1851 ;
then taken by Conquest.
3
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34 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
On Thursday, August 6th, he started for
Brighton to collect materials for the ** Descrip-
tive Guide w the Watering-places of England,
and Companion to the Coast," published by
W. J. Adams, of 69, Fleet Street, and in
which E. L. B., in a bright and lively yet
instructive style, gave particulars of the Isle
of Man, the New Forest and South Coast,
Weymouth, Dawlish, Plymouth and West Coast,
Exmouth, Sidmouth, Torquay, Brighton, Hast-
ings, Dover, Margate, Ramsgate, Gravesend,
Sheemess, Southend, Heme Bay, Walton, Har-
wich, Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer, Tynemouth,
Warkworth, Alnmouth, the watering-places of
Wales and the Western Coast, etc., Scarborough,
Irish spas and watering-places, the Channel
Islands, and the Isle of Man. Engaged by
Osbaldiston, of the Victoria, to write the opening
burlesque {Jack and the Beanstalk)^ he calls on
Miss Vincent.^ Jack and the Beanstalk was
produced August 26th, and was a success.
The daily round of work told upon him
severely, and we find an entry towards the end
of August : —
"Weather magnificent. Still pant for the shady green
of rural localities, and would give a trifle to be now beside
some streamlet, where the rustling branches — pshaw ! "
* Called, forty-five years ago, at the Victoria, " the only acknow-
ledged heroine of domestic drama." Her performances of Susan
Hopley in The Vicissitudes of a Servant Girl^ and Mary Ann in
The Child of Charity^ used to bathe a Lambeth audience in tears.
She succeeded Clara Fisher as Albert in Knowles's William Telly with
Macready in the title rdk^ soon after its first production at Covent
Garden. Miss Vincent was a very clever melodramatic actress.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 35
"30^A. — Began Almanack calculations, and stay in all
day to execute them.**
^^ Monday^ Se/pt. 2nd, — Hudson Kirby* made his first
appearance as Sir Giles Overreach in New Way to Pay
Old Debts at the Victoria. House crammed; Kirby well
received. *'
He met Bruton ^ the next day.
Now and then we come across such entries as
the following : —
" ^th. — More dreamy than usual. I scarce know why, but
the past seems to come more vividly back than ever. Oh if
I could but more follow the dictates of my heart! — no matter,
Tuma verroTia. 12th. — ^Though hard at work again correct-
ing proofs and writing Toilette of the Work TaMe, packed oflf
two packets, one for Illuminated Magazine and the other
(Puck^ matter) for Railway Bill. * Nothing venture, nothing
* A young American melodramatic actor, who achieved a high
position in the chief character in a piece called The Carpenter of
Eouerif which he acted many times at the Surrey, Victoria, Marylebone,
Standard, and Britannia Theatres. He was only twenty-nine at
death.
' James Bruton was a comic vocalist, song-writer, and journalist ;
originally a silversmith, but who came out as a writer in Mrs. C. B.
Wilson's La Bdle Assembly in 1831. He first sang at Bagnigge Wells
and White Conduit Gardens, and afterwards at Vauxhall. When
Offley's in Henrietta Street, Covent Gkirden, became a regular concert
room, Bruton became its director. His singing of his own song, ** I'm
fox Freedom of Opinion," supposed to be a vulgar dogmatic vestryman
laying down the law, was very funny, and its author's talk bristled
with puns and quaint sayings. He was a Bohemian, and passed his
evenings at clubs. His two best pieces of authorship are the farce
of Bathing and a sentimental song, '^ Happy Laud," written about
1842.
' Puck (Howe & Parsons, Fleet Street). The Shakespearean Goblin
on a mushroom conspicuous on the heading, and by six successive
wood blocks the Goblin was made to appear rotating with every day.
In two months it was resolved to change the form of publication
and bring it out twice a week. Albert Smith editor, Tom Taylor,
E. L. B., etc. Mode of advertising borrowed from Marriott's notion
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36 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
have,' 19iA.— Bow with Kirby at the Victoria Theatre.*
20^A. — Otway engaged to supersede Kirby at Victoria.
Placards and bills for paper warfare issued on both sides.
2Zrd. — Heard from Leigh Hunt, who writes from Dover.
Looked in at Victoria. Capital house. Otway and OthellOy
Dead Shoty and Giovanni in London, Louisa Lyons * the
heroine. 24:th. — Went with Alderton to the Baron de
Beranger, who recognized me, though six years have elapsed
since we met.' 27th. — Wrote some little pars for Alderton
about ^ Screw Penholder.' "
" Oct. Ath. — Saw Bahea * barbarously murdered.* Got
copy of ^Bradshaw's Railway Guide to Brighton.' Came
with Illustrated London News — four men, each bearing a cut, made out,
each letter richly gilt, on a board before ihem :
" In an entirely new form^
For Twopence :
Every Wednesday and Saturday."
pMC^• merged into The Great Gun, price 3d. ; first number published
in Fleet Street, Saturday, November 16th, 1844. F. W. N. Bayley at
first editor. He was in great difficulties at the time, and only went
out on Sundays. " Quod est scriptum est scriptum" [^^What is lorit is
torit:'* two writs]. Bayley left the publication at the third number.
Albert Smith wrote in this his amusing Memoirs of a Latch-key,
> This row arose through Osbaldiston coming forward and stating
that Kirby, who was playing Othello, was drunk. Opinions appear to
have been in Kirby's fevour,
* A comedy actress five-and-forty years since at the Strand,
Olympic, Lyceum, and Victoria Theatres. The daughter of a woman
who kept a glove-shop in Carlton Street, Regent Street, Louisa
when a young girl was beautiful enough to sit for the Madonna
to Stephenoff and Chalon for their (^z/a^Z-religious pictures. After-
wards a Royal Academy of Music pupil, and a chorus-singer at the
Italian Opera under Lumley, she subsequently turned actress, being
brought out by Hammond at the Strand. In after years she was
known as Miss Louisa Turner, and lived in splendid style at Bays-
water, giving wonderful parties. After this she made a first-rate
matrimonial match.
' Baron de Beranger was an eccentric foreign nobleman, who for
several years was proprietor of Cremome Gardens, and under his
management it became famous for balloon ascents, associated with
the well-known aerial voyager Green, who, having some dispute
with Gye at Vauxhall, betook himself to the wing of Beranger.
He died about thirty-five years ago.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. t^j
home for quiet read. Domestic matters ; all money again ;
heart-sickening, very! 6th, — Spent pleasant evening with
De la Motte* and Alderton. 7iA.— Met Aubrey, 'Charles/
I think. Had a glorious stroll to Dulwich. Graham ap-
peared at the moderately successful City of London, opened
with Mrs. Walter Lacy manageress, Wilson lessee.^ %th. —
Bambled over to Nunhead. Saw the cemetery. Splendid
prospect from the hill beyond Peckham Rye. Seized with a
crushing fit of the miserables; blues awfully. Sunshiny
weather nevertheless. 9^A. — Couldn't stand it any longer;
^ De la Motte was a water-colour artist of clever powers, who used
to attend a pipe-smokiiig coterie calling themselves " The Club of the
Comfortables," meeting at a tavern whose windows were above the
north-western comer of Westminster Bridge. Whether E. L. B. was
a member I am ignorant, but amongst those on the roU were his close
friends, Robert Cruikshank and Richardson of the Times. Other
members were Captain Medwin (associated with Byron), Warren the
aqiiordlisi, Diddear the actor, and Teddy Colman, son of the author
of Broad Grins and The Heir-at-Law.
* Cockerton proprietor, Wilson lessee. School for Scandal — Mrs.
Walter Lacy, Lady Teazle; W. H. Williams, Sir Peter; James
Brown, Charles Surface. Miss Daley and Mr. Radford sang National
Anthem. A'Beckett's Aladdin followed. Hit of the evening, ^* Real
Bohemian Polka," danced by Mdlle. Louise, of Her Majesty's Theatre,
and Mdlle. AdMe, from the San Carlo, Naples. House crammed.
When the first theatre of this name in Norton Folgate was burnt
down, several melodramas by E. L. B. in MS. were consumed. Its
lessees were Cockerton, an oilman of Islington, and " Jem Crow "
Dunn (an imitator of Rice), an American comedian, who used to act
niggers on his native stage, and who appeared with immense success at
our Adelphi. Among E. L. B.'s consumed dramatic treasures was one
dealing with the sins and sufferings of the lamented Jane Shore, and
the prowess of the Duke of Shoreditch, a hero amongst the Finsbury
Archers. When the new theatre was built, E..L., B. still had some
connection with it. One of its after lessees, T. P. 'Baylor, son of the
celebrated English Platonist, author of The Bottle (from Cruikshank's
pictures), and a wonderful version of VanderdeckeHf was a friend of
E. L. B.'s, and the latter wrote a piece or two for him ; but it was
only paid for in good fellowship, Taylor being quite impecunious
the usual characteristic of those for whom the generous Blanchard
worked the hardest. There was always "a good time coming," so
these paupers, and sometimes '' sponges,'' declared ; but E. L. B.'s
pocket never bore witness that the "good time" had chronological
fixing. Taylor, however, was not a sponge, but his "revenue "was
only " good spirits."
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38 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
rushed off on a ramble. Crossed Surrey hills, back by New
Cross. Met Edward Miller. Told me he was going away to
Cornwall. Lucky dog ! "
Some idea of his working and walking powers
may be gathered from the following entries : —
"On the Wth, started for Portsmouth. Delightful
journey. Got to Gosport same night, and crossed the ferry
for Portsmouth. Stopped at the ^ King's Head/ and went
to the Landport Theatre — Hagg the lessee. Good piece,
fairly represented. \2ih, — Crossed over to Ryde, Isle of
Wight. Walked to Newport, had tea at the ' Bugle.'
Visited Carisbrook Castle, and at 7 p.m. started for Brixton,
through Shorewell. Altogether, fourteen miles. Snug bed,
and to sleep. \%th, — Strolled all through the Undercliff to
Ventnor, where I slept. 14^A. — Eainy weather. This day
walked back to Ryde, then re-crossed to Portsmouth. Louis
Philippe just started back to Dover. Went on to South-
ampton, and slept at the ^ Red Lion,' in High Street. Very
old house. \^ih. — Strolled to Netley Abbey. Glorious
ruins ; quite in ecstasies. Caught in heavy shower return-
ing. Read the papers at a place called * The Canal Cofifee
House,' in ' the Ditche.' Met old enemy, crusty landlord at
'Red Lion.' 16^A. — Started on a glorious walk to Win-
chester. Stopped on my way at the * New Hat.' Capital
ale, like sherry. Got into Winchester, stopped at Barton's
Coflfee-house. The town dull, dirty, and dreary. Cathedral,
however stiU fine; like St. George's Hall, Windsor. Viih. —
Walked to Twyford in morning. Smoked pipes galore. Got
to a station (Bishopstoke), and left for Basingstoke by six.
Slept at * Wheatsheafe ; ' read and to bed. Town flat and
dull."
His little tour ended on the X^th.
" Rambled to adjacent ruins of Holy Ghost Chapel ; then,
taking the train, went on to Woking. Got out here and had
a five mile walk to Chertsey, thence to Weybridge ; again
train and arrived home by night. 25^A. — So busy with
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 39
Ouide that I stopped again within over *mine own fire-
side ; ' a phrase of one who — no matter. This fire sets one
dreaming — very. Why cannot I think of the future, not
the past f '*
" Monday, Nov, Aih. — In all day getting on with Guide ;
rather tedious work. Went to Vic. in evening with sketches
of masks, ^th, — Alderman Gibbs initiated by the ceremony
of rotten eggs into the Mayoralty!* \2th. — Perpetrated
pipeology with De la Motte at the Leo Vermillio. l3tL —
Terrific explosion at Blackwall. Samuda, the engineer, and
si: others killed.* 16th. — Oreat Oun out this day, first
number. See Puck, Felt really very ill. 17 th, — Stopped
in all day reading and writing Poetry of Gruels, ISth. —
At home till evening writing, but wanted at Victoria in
the evening. Bourcicaults have comedy of Young Hearts,
and Old Heads produced at Haymarket, and met with great
and deserved success.* I9th. — To town early with another
crushing attack of the blues ; cause as usual. Collins
appears at the Haymarket. Still desponding. 22nd, —
Second number of Great Gun published. As far as it has
yet gone, a decided failure."
" Dec, 1 1 th. — Birthday. Just twenty-four. Spent evening
with my mother, nth. — Melancholy death, by burning, of
Clara Webster."^
^ The Lord Mayor seems to have been much disliked by his fellow-
citizens, and his progress was anything but a happy one — more groans
than cheers. At Gresham Street the horses became restive, and a
wheel got locked in one of the posts of the barrier.
• This accident occurred at five o'clock p.m., on Tuesday the 12th,
through the bursting of the main steampipe of the Oi2)sy Qiieen,
500 tons burden and 150 horse-power. Jacob Samuda, aged thirty-one
years, senior partner in the firm of Jacob and Joseph Samuda, and six
other men, were killed.
' Young Hearts and Old Heads (produced under Webster's manage-
ment) : Littleton Coke, Charles Mathews ; Bob (his servant), J. B.
Budrntone ; Lord Charles Roebuck, HoU ; Countess of Pompion, Mrs.
Clifford ; Miss Rocket, Miss Julia Bennett ; Colonel Rocket, Strick-
land ; Lady Alice Hawthorn, Mme. Yestris ; Tom Coke, Webster ;
Jesse Rural, Farren. A great success indeed ; author and company
called, etc.
* Miss Webster was filling the r^)le of Zulica, the royal slave, in the
b^Uet of The Revolt of the Harem^ on Saturday, December 14th, at
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40 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Here the first volume of the diary ends, covering
only five months and eighteen days, but a painful
record of hard work and struggles for daily bread,
without any kind sympathy or comfort in his
domestic life.
Whether the diary for 1845 was lost in some
of E. L. B.'s removals cannot be ascertained,
but there appears to be no detailed record of
his doings during that year. In 1846 he begins
with : ** The curse of fame, the ban that levels
the poet with his fellows, is the keen suscepti-
bility of his emotions. The writer who has most
musically expressed his griefs has felt them
himself most keenly. It is from the greenest
laurels we distil the deadliest poisons."
'* Jan, %iK — In town all day. Went to the Bower ^ with
Drury Lane, when her dress caught fire. She nished round the stage,
and the fiames were ultimately extinguished by Daniel Coyle, a
carpenter, who was severely burned. Miss Webster lingered till the
following Tuesday morning. She was twenty-one, and a niece of
Benjamin Webster.
* The Bower Saloon was a minor theatre in Stangate, Westminster,
and was cleared away on the removal of St. Thomas's Hospital to that
locality. The theatre was opened in 1838; Phil Phillips, the scenic
artist of the Surrey Theatre, having, in 1837, taken a tavern with some
land, on it he built this place of ente;rtainment. The venture was
not too successful, but had its palmy days, especially when managed
by George Hodaon, who became the lessee. He had conducted the
" Yorkshire Stingo," where in those days a variety entertainment was
carried on. George Hodson was the grandfather of Mrs. Labouchere^
who was bom on the premises of " the little theatre in Stangate," com-
memorated by Robertson in Caste, The old proprietor's son, George
Hodson, married Miss Noel, sister of the late Mrs. Henry Marston, the
fruit of the union being Henrietta Hodson. The late K H. TuUy, \ .
afterwards leader of the orchestra at Drury Lane, was at one time the "^
musical director, and Phillips himself (during his occupancy) painted
the scenery. J. B. Howe, of the Britannia, James Fernandez and
other good living actors, came out at the Bower. The house changed
hands many times, but ultimately became little better than a penny gaff.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 41
F. G. D. Cricket on the Hearth, very fairly-played panto-
mime. I2th, — Went to see Kent. Introduced to E. E. U.
K. Called at Olympic in returning about Cricket on the
Hearth to Ventry. lAth, — Attended meeting of contributors
to Mephys (Mephistophelesy at Healey's. Wooler^ called.
I5th, — Cricket burlesque at the Olympic, failure.^ I6th. —
Had a very pleasant evening with W. L. Phillips. Music,
etc. Only I^ewis the artist present."
^ Mr. Blanchard was one of the chief oontributors. Amongst the
numerous comic papers coming into existence after Punch had attained
success was one called Joe Miller the Younger, with which Albert Smith
closely associated himself. Soon after being started it became the property
of Healey, owner of The Medical TimeSy an individual who was nothing if
not original. So he at once changed the name of the humorous journal
he had purchased to that of Mephistopheles, — ^not altogether a happy
selection, as in the mouths of the newsvendors it became corrupted
into " Tophy ; " and they used to go into the dealers' with requests for
" Sixpen'orth of Tophy.** Mr. Healey 's proposed method of getting
material for his paper was, furthermore, a very original one. He
invited all the contributors to his residence, plied them with oysters
and champagne and cigars, so that they might be stimulated to say all
sorts of good things, which the editor, Mr. Richard Brinsley Knowles
(son of the dramatist, Sheridan Knowles), was to take down, and after-
wards reproduce. Novel, however, as was the plan, it did not work.
The authors and artists met. They consumed dozens of delicious
bivalves and magnums of Cliquot, and they let off a prodigious
number of jokes. At the end of the sitting every one expected that
enough copy had been supplied for at least a number and a half. But
when the editor was asked how much he had got, the answer was that
he had laughed so much he was not able to take a single note. This
plan, therefore, was abandoned, and very soon Mephistopheles made .1
final exit.
V * y^P. Wooler, son of Wooler, editor and proprietor of The Black
Dwarf, a scurrilous Radical print of 1820, and a solicitor for some
years in Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane. Also the author of
a farce Founded on Facts, in which Compton, as Mr. Sceptic, made an
immense success at the Strand in 1849, under the great old Farren's
management. T. P. Wooler also wrote several other dramatic pieces.
' This was an operatic extravaganza written for Miss Kate Howard,
lessee of the Olympic, entitled " The Cricket on Oiir Own Hearth,
by Leman Blanchard, a Fairy Tale of Fun." Miss Howard Dot
Spencer Forde (with an Irish brogue) the Stranger ; James Browne
the Carrier, Perrybingle ; Darcie, the Spirit of our Cricket, with
horns and tail ; Romer, Tackleton d la Freischiitz ; Cockrill, Tilly
Slowboy. The panto, was ForUinatus and the Magic Wishing Cap :
Miss Laidlaw, columbine ; Jefferini, clown.
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42 EDWARD LRMAN BLANCHARD.
" F(h, XhL — All day at home. Went to the Grapes,
evening, with Honey.^ A movement made. \2th, — Leave
Southampton Street with regret — frvwck regret. Stop at
N. L. Coflfee-house, 121, London Road."
^^ March 6th. — Move and take possession of new house,
8, Albion Street, Wandsworth Eoad. Pretty place, very
agreeably situated. Wth. — At home all day, dreamy again ;
want energy. Strange life mine, very. Wrote a little and
thought much. Heigh ho! \6th. — Kent came. Good fellow,
very. Lent me some cash in the noblest manner imagin-
able. 23rci. — At home all day compiling Book of Jests
for Cleave. 25tL — Spend evening with Scott ; ' gives his
imitations. Yates excellent. Arrived two o'clock at home,
knocked up. 2^th. — At home all day. Write short article for
People's Jov/TTicdy ' Breakfast and Breakfasting.' 27th. — To
town, money-hunting. * Alarming failure ! * 2Sth, — Again
in town. Meet March. Little chat about * Saturdays.* Go
up to Princess's ; see Collins, but no tin. Monday^ SOth.
— Go to town ; get a crown from Cleave on account of
Vivian VemonJ'
*^ April Ist. — To town. Literary Herald dies. Meet
K H. Ecstasy ! 9th, — At home all day. Began short
article, ^ Alchemy of Every-day Life.' "
From Monday 20th to 24:th inclusive E. L. B.
was engaged in collecting materials, by visiting
the district, for ** Dover Line Guide Book."
" 24^A.— Went to Tunbridge : very dull Then to Maid-
stone : stopped all night. Went to Dover : stopped at the
Saracen's Head that night. Fine weather, but cold. Left
for Folkestone, and thence to Kamsgate : stopped at Field's.
* George Honey, who was afterwards the comedian, was caU-boy at
the Adelphi in 1843, and sang the verses of the comic duet as the
singing monse in Harlequin Blue Beard.
' Scott was an obscnre actor at the Adelphi, and also, earlier, at the
Wells. Bnt his mimetic powers were considerable, and he occasionally
gave monolognes, introducing imitations of well-known actors of the
time — Macready, James Wallack, O. Smith, and Keeley— that wer^
very clever.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 43
All day at Ramsgate, walked to Broadstairs. Met H. Noble.
Back to London, got in by 9 p.m. Stopped at Beigate and
Staplehurat."
** May 9th. — Leave article, * Romance of Everybody's Life,'
with Cunningham for Home Magazine. lOth. — Write 'An
Article from Contributor Extraordinary.' Took it to Unicm
Magazine. Monday^ 18^.— To town in evening. I^ave
first act of KiTig Arthur at Phil Phillips's, of the Bower
Saloon. 2^th. — Go to town. Leave packet with Marriott for
Family Times. 2Sth. — Finish burlesque, King Arthur^ but
don't much like it. Take it to Phillips, who promises to see
what can be done with it. Nona verrons"
^^ Monday y Juns Ist, — Vauxhall opens.^ Weather like
* Vauxhall Gardens opened with concert, in which Messrs. Sinclair,
Binge, Hodges, Darcie, J. W. Sharpe, Mrs. John Bo we, and Mrs.
Aveling Smith took part ; Toumaire s Equestrian Circus (Tom Barry,
of Astley's, as clown ; Widdicomb, master of the circle) ; fireworks
before the picture of the Imperial Palace of Pekin. The waiters wore
scarlet coats.
E. L. B. in 1870 wrote an excellent history of Vauxhall Gardens for
The Playgoer's Portfolio. He traces its history back to 1664, when it
is mentioned in Evelyn's Diary as " Mulberry Garden ; " and in 1661
the same writer speaks of Vauxhall as the New Spring Gardens at
Lambeth. Samuel Pepys makes frequent reference to ^* Foxhall and
the Spring Garden." On June 7th, 1732, one Jonathan Tyer opened
the "Spring Gardens" with a Ridoito alfresco. When in 1745
Tyer added vocal to his instrumental music, Dr. Ame composed
ballads, duets, etc. It is not intended to follow here the fortunes of
Vauxhall, as amply set forth in E. L. B.'s account, but names of some
of the celebrities that appeared in the programmes may be mentioned.
James Hook, father of Theodore Hook, was the organist. Charles
Incledon sang there in 1786 and the three following seasons ; he died
in 1826. Mrs. Mountain ; Miss Tyer, afterwards married to Lis ton ;
Madame Saqui, the tight-rope walker (1817) ; Miss Taylor ; Miss Povey
(1820) ; Miss Tnnstall, a celebrated ballad singer. In 1823 Mallinson,
a comic vocalist, and the last-named lady made a hit with the duett
" Pretty Polly Hc^kins." In 1825 Madame Vestris created her sensation
with " Cherry Ripe," and in 1826 Braham was engaged. 1827 Charles
Farley produced The Battle of Waterloo with great effect. Sir Henry
Bishop was musical director in 1830, and there was a strong vaudeville
company engaged, including Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Miss Hughes (from
Covent Garden), and Messrs. Gattie, T. Cooke, Morley, George
Stansbury, W. H. Williams, and Bobinson, who made a reputation by
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44 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
torrid zone. See St. John. 2nd, — ^Town in evening; call
on Mrs. Brodie^ and borrow playbills. %iK, — Experiments
With my brother at Vauxhall. No oxygen, so a failure.
Engaged on The Life and The BelV lUA.— To town with
singing Bishop's "My Pretty Jane." Herr von Joel, afterwards so
well known at Evans's supper rooms, was also engaged. In 1832 Mrs.
Keeley, Mrs. Waylett, Miss Coveney, and Paul Bedford were added
to the company ; and there was a representation of the Arctic Regions.
The price of admission had hitherto been 3«. ^d, and 4^., but on the
first one shilling night 27,137 persons took advantage of the reduction.
1835 was a grand " F^tc of Versailles." Messrs. Bish, Gye, and Hughes
became the proprietors for the sum of £28,000, and retained them till
1839, and in this year Grisi, Rubini, and Tamburini sang in the Gardens.
Messrs. Andrews and Mitchell opened Yauxhall for a short season in
1841. In 1842 there was a sale of ^^ movable property,'* the pictures by
Hogarth and Hayman realizing but small sums. A celebrated character
connected with the Gardens was 0. H. Simpson, the master of the
ceremonies, with " powdered head and silken-hosed legs, silver-headed
stick, cocked hat, and silken breeches. He was a short man, with
large head, a plain face, pitted with the small pox, and a thin thatch of
hair, plastered with pomatum and powder. . . . He was continually
bowing to everybody he met, and the incessant movement of his arm
and the hat at the ^nd of it resembled the motion of a parish punp
handle in full play." He died December 25th, 1835. Vauxhall was
celebrated for its elaborate fireworks, its monster dancing platform,
its balloon ascents and parachute descents (Cocking was killed in one
of these, July 24th, 1837), for the exorbitance of its charges for
refreshment, for its arrack punch, the extraordinary diminitude of
its ** supper chickens," and the marvellous thinness of its slices of
ham. Vauxhall Gardens closed on July 25th, 1859, and the sale of
the effects did not realize much over £800. The site is now thickly
built on.
* Brodie, known professionally as George Wild, whose mother,
Mrs. Brodie, for many years kept a pastry-cook and confectioner's
shop in Great Titchfield Street, Marylebone. Wild was a clever low
.comedian, and made a mark in E. L. B.'s farces of The Artful Dodge^
Pork ChopSy and AngeU and Lucifers, all produced at the Olympic when
Wild was its lessee and manager. A lady named Le Batt, a clever
vocalist, was a close connection of Wild's, and supported him in the
three amusing pieces named.
* Blanchard's early days were often passed amidst the most ludicrous
impecuniosity and strange adventures, to get a crust by purveying
news as a penny-a-liner. After undergoing romantic vicissitudes as
assistant to an itinerant lecturer, as stage property-boy, stage-manager
at a long-vanished Chelsea theatre, and a scribe on science, young
Blanchard came out as a writer on the staff of The Tovon, Not long
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 45
afterwards the same scribbler used his pen most omnercifully in
describing the scenes taking place at the '* Copper Hell/* in Cran-
boume Alley, Leicester Sqoare, where for fourpence any blackguard
could spend hours playing hazard with *' brown money." The suppres-
sion of this sink of iniquity was owing entirely to the publication of
Blanchard's articles on the subject in the columns of The Town, In
its pages^ too, he was responsible for theatrical reports. He also
described many of the most famous London hostelries, and recorded
yisits to the numerous tea gardens and suburban taverns, which at the
particular period mentioned were favourite resorts of the cockneys.
Copy from Bohemian scribes in those days was often written in a very
comfortable fashion. All that was necessary consisted in taking a
pocket inkstand and a quire of paper and stroll into the suburbs. It
was then not very difficult to find solitude in a snug room, or in a
garden alcove belonging to those hostelries now fast disappearing, and
in one of such places the author sat down and wrote until his article
was finished, when it was time to have a smoke. It was with sur-
roundings agreeable as these that the Bohemian Blanchard penned The^
Life of a Thimhlerigger ; Memorials of Tom Spring ; The Road of
Life; or, The Cabman's Career ^ and other works, poetic, humorous,
and dramatic.
Journalism, however, was poorly paid for, and Blanchard submitted
this fact on a certain occasion to the late Joseph Last, of Crane Court.
^^ I don't dispute it, sir. Ton send me a great deal of copy for 158. a
week. Its small pay, h\U so regtUar,'* The remark came on Blanchard
like a revelation. He bowed and left Last's ofiSce. Sauntering one
summer day on the pavement before the Edinburgh Castle, in the
Strand (a favourite resort — witness Blanchard^s genial poem to " John,"
the friendly waiter there years ago), a year or two later on, the
journalist met a small printer and publisher of Holywell Street, a
Mr. Olinthus Bostock. " Good-day, Mr. Blanchard." The salutation
was returned, and after some conversation the publisher said, '' I often
wonder you waste so much time on newspapers and sporting prints.
Why don't you try a novel, sir — something cutting and moral ? " As
Bostock averred that by writing a work of this description its author's
fortune would be made, Blanchard spent some days in Holywell
Street, devising a story, at once thrilling and didactic, on the career of
(Jeorge Barnwell, the London apprentice. On a certain Saturday
Bostock entered the room in which the author was hard at work, and
with a rueful expression of countenance, said, " I'm going to take a
great liberty, but could you lend me a little money? I only want
a pound. My paper-merchant wants something on account, and until
I pay a trifle he won't send me the ghost of a quire." The historian
of Barnwell's perfidious doings informed Mr. Bostock that he was
" stumped." " Have mercy on me, Mr. Blanchard ! You don't know
the straits of mercantile men. You're at work in your shirt-sleeves
let me have your coat and waistcoat to raise a few shillings on them
Sparks will soon close his warehouse, and if I don't work to-morrow
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46 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
copy. Meet Malcolm.* XZth, — St. John disappoints again.
'Horrors of Oakendale Abbey' appear. \^th, — *Bell of
we can't get the noyel oat next week, and I have no paper at all.
Tour things can be taken oat a little after six, as my boy, Ezekiel, is
going to bring home some money." The author took off his waistcoat,
and then Bostock hastily remarked, ^^ I am ashamed to make such a
request, as you are so kind and afiiable, but could I beg your boots, too !
With an illustrated Bible upstairs and your things I can easily get the
sovereign/' *^ Have you a pair of slippers ? '* ^' No ; but there's an
old rug in the next room. Can't you rest your feet on that ? I'll have
everything out at the time I've named." *' Well, don't spoil the ship
for ha'porth of tar," laughingly exclaimed the author. " Mind, boots,
waistcoat, and coat by a quarter-past six, as I have to get up to the
Yorkshire Stingo to hear Bob Qlindon and Kitty TunsfaU sing."
Bostock went away, and some time elapsed before he again appeared.
His demeanour was miserable in the extreme on re-entering the room.
**Been a long time, Mr. Bostock. How have you got on ? " " Awful,
sir ; everything seems to go wrong. Sparks took the sovereign which
I raised, but won't send any paper. Ezekiel has been disappointed,
and I'm without a shilling. Is there anybody you know that would
advance a trifle ? I'll go with pleasure, I want a trifle so bad." " Mr.
Bostock, let us have no trifling. Go and get some money, and let me
ha\e my clothes." " I could if I had five shillings. Things are awful
to contemplate. If Sparks had sent the paper some of it might have
gone for work. There's a man would lend me half -a-sovereign if I
paid him back a crown I'm in his debt. He lives in Newcastle Street.
As a last resource, Mr. Blanchard, will you let me have your trousers
for an hour ? Not longer. A crown will set me free till Ezekiel comes
back from Cripplegate, where he's gone for £5. Let me have the
trousers for an hour ? '' '^ Do you think that I am going to be played
with any longer ? My difficulties have always been great, but I'm not
going to fight this ridiculous situation in a state of semi-nudity. Go
out and get relief somehow.''
The hours rolled on, but no Bostock appeared, and the end of the
matter was that Blanchard had to pass the hot night in the printer's
BtufPy little office. On Sunday, at noon, he sent up a note to a
friend, Robert Cruikshank, who lodged in Lyon's Inn ; but that
worthy having been at a friendly gathering other than a temperance
one the night before, he did not reach Blanchard until the evening
was far advanced. He, after an explanation, went back to the Inn,
obtained a watchman's thick great coat, and a pair of huge carpet-
slippers belonging to a laundress, and, arrayed in these articles of dress,
when night enveloped the great city, Blanchard walked to and fro with
Cruikshank on Adelphi Terrace inhaling the fresh air from the river.
After this jaunt, they adjourned to the White Hart, Catherine Street,
and supped, Blanchard sleeping there for the night.
^ Malcolm, jouroalist, af tcrwarJs a Oharterbouse Brother.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 47
St. Paurs ' published. Vlih. — " Life *' out ; looks very well.
MoTiday, 227id-^"Bell of St. Paul's" sung at Vauxhall.
23rd — B. Haydon, the celebrated artist, died yesterday
suddenly. 24i/t. — Haydon now known to have committed
suicide, poor fellow ! His diary intensely interesting.* "
"Jteiy Zrd. — Opening dinner at Cremome.* Qih, — At
English opera. See Keeley, and puts me ofiF a week. At
Adams, and arrange to start to-morrow."
1th to 11th inclusive he was getting materials
for guide books.
"Start for Brighton; get there at 4 p.m. Go on to
Shoreham, and thence to Worthing. Weather delightful.
^th. — OflF to Chichester in the morning. See Cathedral,
thence come back to Worthing, and go on to Brighton to
sleep, Sussex Hotel. %th. — Leave in the afternoon for
Lewes and Hastings. Stop at Hastings for the night. Very
beautiful place indeed. Thunderstorm. lOth, — Stroll over
to Fairlight Downs. Meet a Lieutenant of the Coast
Guards; jolly fellow, very. View of three hundred miles.
One Parkinson my guide. 1 \th, — Leave Hastings and return
to town, stopping at Three Bridges for Worth. Beautiful
Saxon village. IZth, — Go to town in the morning, arrange
* Benjamin Robert Haydon, a well-known and clever artist, com-
mitted suicide in a meet determined manner, on Monday, Jane 22nd,
in his studio, situate 14, Burwood Place, Edgware Road. He cut his
throat and shot himself through the head. He was sixty years of age,
and was bom in Plymouth. His body was found stretched before a
colossal picture of '^ Alfred the Great and the First British Jury,*' one
of a series of six which he hoped to get accepted for the walls of
the new Houses of Parliament. He had for twenty-six years kept very
complete diaries of his daily life and actions, successes and trials ; the
last entry was June 22nd, ^' God forgive me. Amen ! B. R. Haydon.
' Stretch me no longer on the rough world ' {Lear), The end of the
twenty-sixth volume." Pecuniary iioubles and artistic disappointments
appear to have unhinged an otherwise sound intellect, for he was a pious
and temperate man. The jury returned a verdict that he was in an
unsound state of mind when he committed the sad act Sir Robert Peel
had granted him some weeks before a sum of £50.
* Mr. Ellis, the proprietor, entertained some four hundred guests ;
Mr. W. E. Evans, of the Grand Hotel, Covent Garden, in the chair.
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48 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
with Last to do Mwnly Beauty. ISth. — See Last.
Astrological Almanack to be done. Monday, 20th, —
Moore's Almanacks to do."
" Aug. 4:th. — At Museum. Smoke a pipe with E. Wilks ;
poor fellow very hard up. Grieving over happier times.^
8th. — Received £1 from Last for copy of Manly Beauty,
nth. — Have interview with Keeley. Pay for burlesque.
lSth> — Strange dream — death caused by loss of gravitation,
re-ascend by gradations. Finish Manly Beauty, l^th. —
Busy with farce of Svngle Blesaedneaa. 15^A.— ^Disappointed
at Lyceum. Keeley ill. No cash anywhere. Meet Alfred
Crowquill * at Phillips's. 1 1th. — Hear from H. Eussell accept-
^ One of Mr. Blanchard's closest chums, and a fellow dramatist, was
Thomas Egerton Wilks, author of The Ruby Ring, or. The Murder at
Old Sadler's Wells ; The Old Blue Lion^ or^ DcatJi on the Seventh Stair;
Ben the Boatswain^ and upwards of forty equally exciting pieces.
He earned enough by his pen to starve upon, and never harmed a fellow
creature by word or deed. The Damon and Pythias of the hour sat in
the coffee-room of the Crown in Pentonville, fully described by Boz in
one of his sketches entitled " Miss Ivins and the Eagle." Wilks was
in lucks way, — a very intermittent circumstance in the playwright's
career. He had ^^ gold, bright yellow glittering gold," in his pocket,
and the pair had supped luxuriously ofp Welsh-rabbits and Kennet
ale, somewhtit extravagantly supplemented by '* fours " of gin-and-
water. T. E. W. had written a drama in two acts called Damley, or^
The Keep of the Castle Hilly and Davidge of the Surrey proved sweet on
the play. Finding this to be the case, Wilks, who usually was paid about
a pound an act for his dramas, saw an opportunity to get a better price.
"I like your piece very much." "Glad to hear it." "What's the
price?" said the parsimonious Surrey manager. "Fifteen pounds."
Davidge started as from an electric shock. Wilks remained obdurate.
" Come,'' said Davidge, " don't be hard. Look here," and drawing out
a greasy canvas bag he jingled the pieces inside, and laid out one by
one in a row before the fascinated eyes of Wilks seven sovereigns and
a half-sovereign. ^^ I closed with him,'* said the play writer ; '^ it was
the sight of the precious metal. No cheque, not a bank-note, could
have produced such an effect." Old John Cooper acted Damley, and
the piece was most successful. Wilks is the Glenalvon Fogg of Albert
Smith's Scatiergood Family , and it was E. L. Blanchai'd who intro- •
duced the author to Wilks, who unconsciously was drawn to the very
life in the novel. The genial re-union at tlie Crown on Pentonville
Hill occurred more than fifty years ago.
"Alfred Crowquill " was the nam d^ plume adopted by Alfred Henry
Forrester, a very clever artist and author, when putting forth his
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 49
ing * Diver's Song.' \%th. — Leave farce of Single Bleaaedneaa
with C. Perkins at the Adelphi. 20th, — About town about
loan. Get cash from Last. Arrange new Continental
Guide {finished I2th October). 2l8t — Begin Female Beauty.
22nd. — Last refuses security. Send song of ' Old King Coke '
to H. Sussell. Monday^ 24dk. — Begin &rce of Bear and For-
bear (fi/nished on September lat, and was first sent to City
of London Theatre). 2Uh. — Highly complimentary letter
from H. Russell. 20th. — George Mansell ( printer j died
August 1870, a^ed sixty-five) called ; wants me to write a
new romance of Jack Sheppard."
" Sept. 9th. — Go out gipsying with Kember, Billing, and
all the boys. Lunch in woods, then go oflf to Anerley, walk
about twenty miles, and get back tired and knocked up.
lO^A.. — Gregory at the Strand, Eichard III. Monday, 14:th.
— Begin Jack Sheppard. Osbaldiston declines Bear and
Forbear for same reason as Honner. I9th. — Arrangement
with Phillips on opera (Rosy Cross). Monday, 2lst — Hard
at work on Jack Sheppard. 22nd. — Send off Bear and
Forbea/r to Greenwood, Sadlers Wells." ^
books and pictures. They were both of gracefully humorous nature?
attested by the pantomimes written for the Surrey when under the
direction of Dick Shepherd, gentlemanly William Creswick, and by a
smart little book, still readable, A Bundle of CrowquillSf and hundreds
of woodcuts for books and comic papers like Puppet Show and Puck.
Forrester was quite a gentleman. He died at Kennington in 1872.
* A strange story is told of E. L. B's., search after Greenwood ; E. L. B.
wrote a three-act drama called The Road of Life; or, The Cabman's Career.
T. L. Greenwood, when lessee of Sadlers Wells (prior to Phelps and
Mrs. Warner joining him), liked the successful piece, and the manager
stipulated with the author to pay a small sum for the right of acting
the play. The author paid a visit to the theatre to obtain his royalty.
" Mr. Greenwood is at his shop," replied an attendant, " and I don't
think he'll be here to-night." Obtaining directions, the playwright hied
away to an apothecary's shop in the St. John's Street Road, and sought
an interview with its proprietor. From a sort of surgery door an arm
holding a jack towel soon protruded, and a rough voice, slightly sug-
gestive of soap and water, exclaimed from the interior, ^* Don't come
bothering here. This is not the place for any effects dramatic or
otherwise. Call at the * Wells ' to-morrow night." The mandate was
obeyed. " Please, sir, Mr. Greenwood has just gone down the yard to
get the Clapton 'bus at the Angel/' said a boy. '^ If we make haste we
4
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50 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
" Oct. \2ih, — Make up packet for Mirror. \%th, — "^ery
wretched indeed. No spirits, no dinner, no nothing ! 24ith,
— Theatre again. £\ tendered by Osbaldiston and accepted
by me. Chat with Laidlaw ^ at Bushel's. Monday^ 2%th. — At
work on Jack Sheppa/rd. Go to Victoria in evening. Relapse
produced at Olympic. Cimderella at former. Both go oflf
well. 2Sth. — Meet Reynolds; hia new publicatioii out this
day."
" Monday y Nov, 2nd. — Busy with Jack Sheppard. Offer
of 30«. for six pages. 4th. — Still at work for Mansell. Write
to Astrologer correspondent. Garrick Theatre burnt to
ground this morning after Battle of Waterloo.^ 1 Ith. — Begin
can catch him/' Away the pair scudded out of the theatre and into
St. John's Street, towards the famous inn mentioned. " I see him ;
there he goes ! " But the omnibus was ready to start, and the result of
the race was a sight of Mr. Greenwood's back and legs, soon shut out
by the door of the vehicle. Two* evenings later on, the dramatic
author was again in the vestibule of the theatre. '' Mr. Greenwood is
in the pit pay-place." Through the aperture, sacred to the exchange of
shillings for metal '^ checks," a voice exclaimed, '* All right ; brought a
receipt ? " " Yes ! " And poor E. L. B. said, " I got the money, but I
only beheld a chin, a black velvet waistcoat, and a hand." Subse-
quently one night at the Hugh Myddelton, Henry Marston said, "My
dear Blanchard, let me introduce you to Mr. Greenwood." " We've met
before, Mr. Blanchard." " Certadnly," was the reply, " but I have oiily
hitherto seen a bit of you. I'm dehghted on this occasion to behold
the whole of you."
^ A family of most accomplished dancers and pantomimists. The
father was a capital harlequin, and his daughter Louisa, who was with
Madame Yestris (Lyceum, 1847-53), a charming dancer.
' Gomersal, when an obscure actor, was out of an engagement, as was
too frequently the case with him, and happening to call in at the
Tankard, a favourite theatrical tavern in the Kennington Road, he
there met with the proprietor of Astley's, who was much struck with
his likeness to the first Napoleon . As it happened, the play of Th^i
Battle of Waterloo was then in rehearsal, and about to be produced
the next night ; but the management was in difficulty owing to the
very serious illness of the principal actor, who was to play Buonaparte.
In this dilemma the manager approached Gomersal, and asked him if
he could undertake the part at such a short notice. Gomersal was in
very low water, and would have agreed to study any new part by the
next night ; he readily embraced the manager's offer, and set to work
to study the lines at once. However, when the next evening arrived
he was very far from being letter-perfect, and in this difficulty he
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 51
Olympic pantomime, Harlequin King Alfred the Great At
work on it all day (finished on the ISth). I6th, — Inquest
on Alsager.^ Life^ produced at Olympic, and failed. 20th.
— ^Begin and finish Dahin^a Manual. 27th. — Begin article
for Isle of Man, * Fancies from the Fireside/ "
" Dec. 27Mi.— Give Jefferini' song. Much pleased. 9th. —
Receive melancholy letter from Fisher. Poor fellow ! (Died
bethought himself of a snuff-box which he possessed amongst his
properties, which he agreed with the prompter should be the mediimi
for signalling, and that when he required assistance he would tap it
and take snuff. The first time that he used this manoeuvre it was
warmly applauded by the audience, and having to be frequently
repeated he found that on each occasion it was good for a round ;
hence on the subsequent productions it was always made a prominent
feature, and never failed to meet with popular recognition.
^ This Mr. Alsager was a literary man, engaged as writer of the
money article of the Times. He cut his throat in three places on
Friday morning, November ' 13th. He was uncle to John Oxenf ord,
and was founder of the Beethoven Qpartet Society, and a great
supporter of the Philharmonic Society. He was a distinguished
musical amateur. He died on Sunday, the 15th, at 2 a.m. The
jury returned a verdict that there was no evidence as to the state of
his mind. He appears to have been much depressed at the remem-
brance of the loss of his wife and at his giving up his literary
pursuits.
' Olympic : G. Bolton, lessee and manager. Life^ by P. Palmer ;
comedy in five acts. Mr. Orston (Archer), Frank Orston (Leigh
Murray— good), Emily Orston (Mrs. B. Gordon), Charles Newoombe
(J. Howard), Selwood (Maynard), Concord (Wilkinson), Sir Thomas
Mentor (Walter Lacy), Fanny Archer (Mrs. Walter Lacy), Mrs.
Hookham (Mrs. Griffiths), her daughters Seraphina and Angelina
(Miss Charles and Miss Ayres), Sir Jacob Smallwit (Mr. George
Bolton), Sir Bobert Folair (J. Cowell), Lady Bait (Mrs. C. Jones).
A very poor play — a hash-up of Tom and Jerry, High lAfe Below
SkurSf and a touch of George Barnwell.
• A very clever pantomime clown — his real name being Jeffreys —
who, in addition to clowning at festive seasons (Christmas, Sadlers
Wells, or Olympic, or City of London, or Victoria ; White Conduit
Gardens Theatre at Whitsun, or it might be Montpelier Gardens
Theatre, Walworth, or Bagnigge Wells), for many years kept a
tobacconist's shop known as '*The Little Snuff-box,'' in Gamault
Place, Clerkenwell. It was also a gambling-house, and on its fioor
above the shop E. L. B. has often watched punters and players over
French hasard ^nd ioart^, Jeffreys was a very tall man, and his lon^
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52 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
February 1 5th, 1847.)^ ISth. — Busy with pantomime bills.
20th, — Finish Olympic bill. 2l8t — Hear from Leigh Hunt.
Leaves Liverpool Times. Letter from a Madame Caroline
Bontyne for Monopologue. 25th. — Miserable, and Christmas
Day at home, solus. 26th. — Pantomimes produced ; both
hits, and houses crowded. Olympic: Kirig Alfred the Oreat;
or^ Harlequin History of the Enchanted Raven. Music by
Thirlwall. Victoria: The Birth of the Steam Engine; or,
Harleqrmi Oo-Orhead and Joe Mill^er and His Men.
29th. — Busy with rehearsals at Olympic. 3l8t. — Go to
Princess's; bad pantomime. The Enchanted Beauties of
the Oolden Cattle; or. Harlequin and the One-eyed Oiant
— from Arabian Nights. " Ten Calendars: " Bologna, harle-
quin ; Flexmore, clown ; Miss Burbidge, columbine ; Paulo,
pantaloon. Old Year out at home. Sic transit 1846.
It was during this year that the three little
publications, entitled respectively " Bradshaw's
legs made leaps through mimic shop windows exceedingly perilous.
On one occasion, when going through this mirth-making performance,
the clown missed his mark and fell, whereby an internal injury was
sustained, the effects of which he ever felt when exploiting in feats of
nimbleness and agility, even to suffering the most intense agony. In
later years his faciftl contortions, which excited roars of laughter from
the audience> w^re only a vent for the tortures the poor fellow in
motley suffered from internal pain consequent on his leaping and
dancing. Jeffreys sat to a publican's artist, and the sign portraiture,
which for a long period (1842 to 1849) adorned externally the Clown
Tavern, St. John Street Road, was the face and form of the popular
Jefferini He was clown in E. L. B.'s pantomime. Harlequin King
Alfred^ brought out at the Olympic, Christmas 1846, under George
Bolton. He was a pupil of Tom Matthews. He made his debid
before becoming a regular clown at the little Panharmonium at King's
Cross in 1837, as Desperetta in The Dumb Maid of Genoa,
* Charles Fisher was connected with the Fishers of Yorkshire, well
known as circuit managers in that county. Clara Fisher, the popular
child actress in " Little Pickle ** and other parts, was C. Fisher's sister,
and David Fisher, original Abb^ Latour in The Dead Hear^ was a
relation. C. Fisher was a tall, well-formed man, whose last engage-
ment was under Maddox at the Princess's, and he was a fine Stralen-
heim at that theatre to Macready's Werner : Mrs. Warner being
Josephine ; Mrs. Stirling, Ida ; Creswick, Ulric ; Ryder, Gabor ; and
Granby, Tdenstein. Fisher's death took place soon afterwards,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLAi^CtlARD.
53
Descriptive Guide to the South Eastern Kail-
way," etc./ and complete ** Guides to Tunbridge
Wells, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone,
Dover, Eamsgate, Margate, etc.. Together with
their Historical and Local Associations, by E. L.
Blanchard," and ** Bradshaw's Descriptive Guide
to the Great Western Eailway, Part II., from
Bristol to Plymouth, containing Everything of
Importance to the Eailway Tourist, and forming a
Complete Traveller's Companion to each Town and
Station along the Line, and the Attractive Scenery
Adjacent, by E. L. Blanchard," were published by
W. J. Adams, of Fleet Street.
' This work which has now grown to such colossal proportions, and
which is our railway guide, not only for Great Britain, but in its
continental form all over Europe, and, one might almost say every
part of the world — first appeared on October 19th, 1839. Its
originator was a Quaker, George Bradshaw, who was an engraver
of maps and plans of cities. This brought him into connection with
the railways, and he conceived the idea of printing a little manual
which would set forth the times of the arrival and departure of trains.
A year previous to this, John Gadsby, of Manchester, had published
Gadshy'a Monthly Railway Guidcj but he does not appear to have had
sufficient energy to have carried on his enterprise. The first number
of Bradshaw was a little book, just 4^ inches by 2^, bound in violet
cloth, and entitled
"BRADSHAW'S RAILWAY TIME TABLES AND
ASSISTANT TO RAILWAY TRAVELLING."
With Illustrated Maps and Plans.
Price Bizpence.
London: SHEPHERD & SUTTON & WYLD.
10 mo. 19, 1889.
There is no copy of it in the British Museum, but it may be found in
the Bodleian Library. E. L. B. was early concerned in the venture,
and tells us that the companies were, at first, vehemently opposed to
the scheme, and, in their niggard way, refused to supply their tables
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54 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
1847.
FROM the beginning of the year to nearly
the end of March the diary appears to
have lapsed. On the 29<A of March he re-
commences : —
^' At home all day after a ramble in the morning with
dog ^ Fid.' (This was a pet that had been given him by his
mother a few days before.) Write several pieces for the
Curtain. SOth. — Begin Isle of Wight Guide for Travellers*
Miscellany (finished on April 2nd). Zlst. — Go to town; chat
with Barth (printer of Dramatic Mirror), Easter pieces
announced."
** April 1st. — Busy with Miscellany copy. Receive letter
from Keeley declining King Arthury and one from Spicer ^
announcing engagement of Albert Smith and Angus Beach
on Curtain. 2nd.—rljema,n Rede* dies, aged 45. 5th. —
Curtain comes out in new form, Albert Smith, Reach,
on the odd ground that this would make punctuality a sort of obliga*
tion, and that failure would bring penalties. G. Bradshaw, however,
was not to he repulsed, and, by various devices, notably by taking
many shares, brought over the hostile companies. Bradshaw had as
his London agent Mr. Adams, of Fleet Street, with whom £. L. B. was
so frequently connected in various literary works.
* Henry Spicer, a gentleman of fortune, a dramatist, author of
Honesty y Judge Jeffiies^ Lords of ERVtngham, and Cousin Cherry y and
sometime co-lessee (1847-48) of Olympic. He projected and published
a theatrical paper. The Curtain, its chief feature being a ** bill *' of all
the chief performances of the theatres for the evening. It only had
a short existence. Mr. Spicer is living.
' Leman Rede died after a very brief illness at his house, 32,
Southampton Street, Strand, on April 2nd, at six in the morning.
He was bom in 1802 at Hamburg, and was the son of T. L. Bede,
barrister, and author of The Laws of England and Anecdotes of
Eminent Characters (translation of St. Pierre^s work). Leman Rede
was the author of numerous plays, Old and Young Stager , etc. ; was a
writer and journalist ; and married in 1832 Miss Sarah Oooke, daughter
of Mr. Cooke, bass singer at D. L. T., and cousin to Mrs. Waylett and
Mrs. W. West. He left a widow and one son ten years of age.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 55
and others as contributors. lO^A. *— Usual meeting at
Bushel's: Scales, Pond, De la Motte, Hunt, etc. 13^A. —
Write for Curtain chapter on ^Check-takers: Man at the
Pit Doors.' 16^A. — Bath publishes a Dramatic Mirror.
Laidlaw wants Salt Mines for Vauxhall. Surrey Zoological
bills out. Subject, Gibraltar. 24iA. — Send * Distresses of
Management' to Spicer. 27^A. — Hear from H. Hall,
Glasgow. Wants heading for bill. Writ« one, and send
it. Send Spicer ^ Origin of Applause ' and * The Love
Chase' for Curtain. 28^. — Last day of the fair. Go to
tovik; meet G. W. M. Reynolds.* Arrange for new
periodical. Farce of TFi/e for an Hour produced at
Princess's. Goes oflf very well indeed."
" May Zrd, — Send copy to Curtain, ' Song of the Stick,'
' Stuttering Contributor,' etc. 4^A. — Write to Bradshaw about
Handbooks to the Continent. To George Kent (knife
patent). Send Spicer two articles for Curtain — * Currency
Committee ' and * Light Comedians.' Dramatic Mirror prints
farce. Wife for cm Hova*. Jenny Lind appears at Italian
Opera at Haymarket. Triumphant success. 6th, — Begin
article for hie of Man, George Kent (knife rotary machine)
called; long interview. See Adams about "Watering-
< Son of an English admiral, and having been well educated in
Germany settled in London, and became the most saccessfnl of penny
dreadfulists. E. L. B. met Reynolds in connection with Stiff, of the
London Joutmal, in which Reynolds wrote Fau$t (Sir John Gilbert
was its artist), and for whom Stiff published the first and second
series of the Mysteries of London, Stiff bad rights in their publica-
tion, and having quarrelled with Reynolds about money, the latter
left in a huff. Stiff then commissioned E. L. B. to write a third
-J series of the Mysteries of London, for which he had a third less than
the other. E. L. B. used to say his Mysteries of London was much
more moral than its predecessors, but it did not sell in anything like
the successful manner the first and second lot did. Thomas Miller
^ wrote the fourth series. Reynolds was a clever, though a showy,
\jt> author, and he was a political humbug all round, though the
n ^ denouncer of high people and vice in high places. Dicks bought his
name and copyrights for a splendid annuity. The author of The
Bronze Statue ; or, The Virgin*8 Kiss, and The Loves of the Harem, died
churchwarden of St. Andrew's, Wells Street, and in the odour of
sanctity.
V
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56 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
places of England."^ 1th. — At home, write and send oflf
* Summer Day's Ramble ' for People's Press? Chapter I. of
Travelling and Travellers for De la Motte. Monday^ \Qth.
Kent's rotary machine. Receive from him in payment \6s.
Meet Sharp' at Vauxhall. Wants me. Wth. — Busy with
articles for Curtain. Send *Man in Search of Position/
* Pleasures of Imagination.' \2th. — Go to Standard Theatre.
Sup with Nelson Lee. Long talk about pantomimes. 1 ^th. —
Busy at home writing Hastings Guide for Miscellany, 1 &th, —
W. Smith* (Surrey) died yesterday. Monday ^ 11 th, — Adams
takes house in Albion Street. Mr. and Mrs. Kember come and
take tea. (Mrs, Henry Kember died January 2ndy 1866, aged
fifty-eight) ISth, — At home indisposed. Got ready copy
for Miscellany. Finish second chapter of Travelling and
Travellers, * Tourists;' send Babes in the Wood scene to Wild.
20th. — Write * History of Vauxhall' in the morning, and
leave it with Wardle * in afternoon. G. Wild severely injured
* In 1847 England was visited with a severe epidemic, answering to
our influenza of last spring (1890), which was called ** La Grippe.'*
E. L. B. wrote a little book on this, prescribing remedies for it, and
signed " Medicus." This had a wide circulation, and. sold for U. No
one suspected it was by the same pen that edited the London Journal
and other papers of the day.
* The People's Press was a monthly publication in the Isle of Man,
price lid, edited by William Shrimp, which could be posted and
reposted in the United Kingdom free of charge — an old privilege re-
pealed at the close of 1848.
^ J. W. Sharp, the noted comic singer, died in the workhouse at
Dover, January 1856, aged thirty-eight.
* William Cole Smith, aged forty-seven, comedian, had been connected
with Surrey. Died from general debility, brought on by excessive
drinking.
* Robert Wardle was the last proprietor of Vauxhall, died December
29th, 1865. There might nominally have been another one, but I could
never learn it. E. L. B. used to purvey news of what went on at
Vauxhall for several newspapers, his first commissioner in that way
having been Mr. Barnes of Tfie Times. Blanchard in early life very
nearly became a member of the Times staff. It appears that he
obtained an introduction to Mr. Barnes, the *' Thunderer,*' so called
from his powerful leaders, and was employed by that gentleman to
catalogue his library in Soho Square. This was quite a labour of love,
and Mr. Barnes treated him very Hberally, so that it was a most
pleasant and congenial occupation. This employment and intimacy
resulted in Mr. Barnes promising Blanchard a permanent engage-
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 57
by his passionate wife, and bruised so much as to render
him unable to continue his engagements. 2\sL — Write
* Rouen' article for Miscellany^ and chapter of TravelliTig
and Travellers, 'Stage Coaches/ Monday , 24:th, — Write
* Electric Clock ' for Scales, and two songs for Curtain. News
of O'Connell's death confirmed (died at Genoa^ May I5th).
25th, — Undertake for Mansell * Theatrical Beauties,' 10«. a
week. 2^th. — Meet Spicer, who wants me to be sub-editor
of Daily Advertiser. 21th. — At home all day very busy.
Write two articles for Curtain — 'Caleb in Search of the
Country,' and 'The Involuntary Demon.' Covent Garden
Theatrical Fund Dinner* yesterday, £505 subscribed (the
last that took place). 2%th. — Give copy to Mansell for No. 6
of ' Theatrical Beauties.' Began chapter of ' Pedestrians '
for De la Motte. Monday^ Slst. — Go to Vauxhall, which
opens to-night for the hundred and fifteenth season. Bedouin
Arabs the best ; ballet very good with W. H. Payne, Tom
Matthews, Bosina Wright, Mrs. W. H. Payne, and Miss
Annie Payne. Meet E. Laws, FitzJames, T. Lewis, John
Ryan (manager), Rogers, StiflF."
" Jun£ Ist.-^Write chapter, ' Commercial Travellers.' ^th. —
Maudsleys' * factory burnt down. Take chapters up to De la
Motte. Sherry-cobblerize with Baron Nicholson, Rouse,
etc.' Sth. — Send Spicer ComuSj breakfastr-table burlesque,
and funny encyclopaedia. Write Continental chapter for
Travellers. lOth. — Send Spicer review, burlesque of Eliza
Cook's poems, llth. — No. 7 * Theatrical Beauties ' out; very
bad cut. Talk about change of title. Fine day again. ISth. —
ment on the paper ; but on the very day that this was to have been
carried out, Blanchard, on calling as usual in Soho Square, was in-
formed that Mr. Barnes had died suddenly that very morning, so his
hopes were thus abruptly ended.
' Duke of Cambridge in chair ; Duke of Beaufort present. Shirley
Brooks returned thanks for *' Drama and its Patrons."
• Maudsleys, the engineers, Westminster Road, Lambeth, nearly
totally destroyed, but insured ; no lives lost.
3 E. L. B. used to frequent White Conduit to enlist the favour of
its vocalists, Leffler, Plumpton, Bill Pearce (the " Storm " Pearce),
Prynne, and George Jones, to buy a new song. The Richard Rouse
here spoken of must in no way be confounded with the "Bravo
Rouse," Thomas Rouse, of the Old Eagle, afterwards the Grecian
Saloon. For account of Baron Nicholson, see May 1801.
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58 EDV^ARD LEAtAN BLANCHARD.
Hall oflfers me the Decorator. Monday y \Uh. — Mrs. H. Vining
and her two daughters (one of them the present Mrs. John
Wood) called to go to Vauxhall. Weather very rainy,
miserable evening in consequence. Serenade for Howe.
Send article to Gurtain,ihe libretto of * Coming Out.' \5th.
— Busy with Travelling and Travellers. Send ' The Rivals *
to Curtain. Letter from Spicer that Curtain is to be dis-
continued. Go in evening to R. RouseV 16<A. — Finish
* Railways ' for Travelling and Travdlers. Reading Confes-
sions of Jean Jacques Rousseau. Extraordinary work of a pro-
found thinker. VI th. — Finished * Steamboats ' for Travelling
and Travellers. ISih. — At home all day, write * Dover,'
' Watering-places,' for Miscellany^ and copy for Travelling
and Travellers . \^th. — Busy day in town, cash from
^ B. Bouse, proprietor of Old White Oondoit Gardens, just before
their demolition in 1849, and also of the Beividere Tavern at the
south-west comer of Penton Street, Pentonville. At the south-
western corner of Penton Street, Pentonville, stood an ancient hostelry
called " The Beividere ; " the sign still remains, but the old house has
been modernised out of existence, and there is very little trace of it
left in the * * public " which now occupies the site. The * * Beividere " was
celebrated for its racket courts, where all the champion matches were
played ; but it attained a still greater celebrity for its discussion society,
which held its meetings on Saturday evenings in a large room on the
first floor. There was a permanent chairman, and also a secretary ;
but in other respects the meetings were open to the world, and were
well attended by a very mixed assemblage of Clerkenwell tradesmen,
barristers, and literary men ; for this was the nursery of the Senate
and the Bar, and men of considerable attainments did not disdain to
make use of it as a practising ground. Amongst some of the fre-
quenters may be mentioned Lord Halsbury, the present Chancellor,
then a learned junior ; also his gifted brother Harry, now a registrar
in bankruptcy ; Serjeants Parry and Tindal Atkinson ; the Hon.
Dudley Campbell ; James Hannay, the brilliant essayist ; Wiltshire
Austin, a clever but erratic man of letters ; W. E. Church, a well-
known Urbanite and critic ; W. A. Holdsworth, the author of a
number of recondite works on Jurisprudence ; "Walter Tyas, then on
the staff of the Times, now the Warden of the University of Adelaide ;
and many others who have become celebrated in their various profes-
sions. Considerable freedom of speech used to prevail at these meetings.
On one occasion a gentleman who has since attained a judicial position
was making a very strong speech from a Conservative point of view,
being most emphatic in his action ; he was followed by a local boot-
maker of Badical proclivities, who alluded to him as " the gentleman
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 59
Curtain, 20^A. — Conclude Travdli/ng and Travellers,
and send Mansell copy. Curtain changes hands and
printers. Mr. David is to be the editor. Mo7idayy 2l8t —
Begin * Lights and Shadows of E very-day Life' — No. 1,
' Twilight '— for Isle of Man. 25<A>— Busy in town. Abbey
Glee Club. James Coward ^ wins prize."
^^Jvly %th, — Vauxhall, night balloon ascent; narrow
escape of Albert Smith,^ Pridmore. Coxwell aeronaut,
'Gypson/ in the latter's ablest balloon. \2th. — An incident
possibly for Surrey drama. A man disguised as apple-
woman, with stall at comer of street, who at the right
moment reveals himself and detects, or prevents, some
roguery."
For a considerable portion of the year 1848
E. L. B. appears to have neglected his diary. The
first entry was on October 14th, when he writes,
who had combined the sentiments of a demon with the gestures of an
ape." On another occasion the subject of debate was, whether a person
named Oox, who was a well-known butt in the columns of Pivnch, was
a fit person to represent the borough of Finsbury, and a Mr. Shilibeer,
an undertaker in a large way of business, and who was also the first to
introduce omnibuses to the London streets, made a very eulogistic
speech upon the many virtues of Cox ; he was followed by Jack Holds-
worth, one of the Daily News staff, who perverted Shakespeare, and said
that Mr. Shilibeer had come to praise Cox and not to bury him. This
made Shilibeer very irate, and he appealed to the chair as to whether
gentlemen's occupations were to be alluded to in a flippant manner.
This discussion society ceased to exist about five-and -twenty years ago
^ James Coward, many years a singer at the Foundling, and one who
over a long period was associated with " table singing," glees, madrigals,
and motets, at civic and other banquets. He enjoyed a pension of
£40 from the Governors of the Foundling, and emoluments from
teaching singing. E. L. B. picked him up at a glee club that met
once a month in the first floor of the Fountain Tavern in Amwell
Street, Clerkenwell, a dub attended by Pyne (father of Louisa and
Susan Pyne), Fielding, King, and other well-known vocalists.
' Albert Smith appears to have been fond of balloon ascents, for on
Monday, June 7th, of this year he ascended in Green's baUoon, the
Nassau, from Cremome ; with him were the veteran aeronaut, Shirley
Brooks, John Lee of the Standard^ Mr. Ibbotson, Mr. Thompson,
Morris Power, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Drew.
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6o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCH A RD.
\<^U ^ ** Keturned from York.** He took up his London
occupation, continued his contributions to tbe
Magazine of Mysteries and Marvels^ and compiled
the *^ Parlour Songster." The Strand Theatre,
of which Mr. Edward Hooper became lessee, a\i,d
for whom E. L. B. wrote the opening address
delivered by Mrs. Hooper, commenced its season
on October 30th, with a revival of the musical
romance of Henri-Quatre^ followed by The British
Legion and Deaf as a Post Mr. Conway, Mr. and
Mrs. H. Webb, Miss Rebecca Isaacs, and Mr. and
Mrs. Hooper were the most prominent names in
the bills. A Miss Decamp made her London
dchuty but not a hit, as Florence St. Leon. The
address was ** well received," and concluded with
the following smart lines : —
" Take up the little bill that's now presented,
Just back it with your hands, and we're contented."
The Weekly Times ^ 1st Number January 23rd,
1847, then owned by Stiff, was enlarged on
December 1st, and in it appeared the lirst part of
E. L. B.'s novel, ** Confessions of a Page." (Stiff
ultimately became the proprietor of the Morning
Chronicle^ the last number of which was published
on Wednesday, March 19th, 1862, after existing
ninety-two years.)
About this time begin the references to his
looking in at the Wrekin. This was a tavern
in Broad Court, Drury Lane, and its site is now
occupied by a block of model lodging-houses. Its
host for some years was a Mr. Harrold, sometime
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 6i
a comedian, and an uncle of Blanchard's, who had
an oil portrait of this relation. The Wrekin,
from the early part of the century, had an
interesting history, being the resort of wits and
convivialists. Here met the Mulberries, a club
having a regulation that a paper, or poem, or
conceit bearing upon Shakespeare should be con-
tributed by each member. These contributions
were called " Mulberry Leaves." Hither came
Douglas Jerrold and his great friend Laman
Blanchard (in no way related to our Blan chard),
and then Mr. Godwin, Kenny Meadows (the illus-
trator of Shakespeare), Elton the Shakespearean
actor, E. Chatfield, and others. Jerrold's two
essays, "Shakespeare in China" and "Shakespeare
at Bankside," were originally " Mulberry Leaves,"
and wiU now be found reprinted in his " Cakes
and Ale." E. L. Blanchard stated that he never
even saw Laman Blanchard, Jerrold's friend. But
from the fact that his uncle was once proprietor,
E. L. B. necessarily took great interest in the
hostelry, and was learnedly posted in its history.
Warner (who married Mary Huddart — the Mrs.
Warner, a handsome tragedienne, of her day under
Macready at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, and
co-manager with Phelps at Old Sadlers Wells)
was host of the Wrekin some time, when a club
called the Eationals, whose members included
Stephen Price, Jerrold, Henry Mayhew, Bayhs,
Whitehead, Paul Bedford, Keeley, and Strickland,
used to have a Saturday afternoon dinner. Then
Hemming, a Haymarket and Adelphi actor, became
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62 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
the host, and he died in 1849. E. L. B. regularly
attended the coflfee-room of the tavern from 1837
to about 1846. During that period he formed the
acquaintance of F. G. Tomlins (Jerrold's sub-
editor), Howe, Strickland, Walter Lacy, Leman
Eede, Mark Lemon, Donald King, Sheridan
Knowles, Bayle Bernard, and a large number of
other Thespians, authors, and painters, who used
to frequent the house.^
* Under the head of ** Liconsed Victuallers, their Manners, and their
Parlours,'' E. L. B. wrote the following in Tht Toum, April 20th,
1839;—
" The Wrekin, Broad Court.
" In the very centre of Broad Court, and exactly half-way between
Bow Street on the one hand and Drury Lane on the other, standeth
that very * ancient and honourable' hostelrie, yclept the Wrekin, time
out of mind the favourite resort of authors, actors, poets, painters, and
penny-a-liners. Situated in the immediate vicinity of the theatres, it
can excite little wonder that the members of the sock and busldn
fraternity should have used this house in preference to others more
distant ; but a retrospective glance at the gradual progression it has
made from a common alehouse to its present state will serve to show
that the reputation of the Wrekin, for being a Thespian 'house of
call,' has only been the work of that great architect Time.
'* Tradition, we believe, assigns to this house the honour of having
been the scene of many an adventure between that amorous monarch
Charles the Second and the fascinating orange-girl Nell Qwynne ;
whilst it was here also, no doubt, that Charles and his bon campagnons
caroused * potations pottle deep' till cock-crow, when his eccentric
Majesty, following the example of his opulent landlord, deemed it
expedient to retire. Somewhere about the middle of the eighteenth
century we find the tavern in the hands of one Sims, a worthy
Salopian, who, taking some dislike to its previous name, re-christened
it after his native hill, The Wrekin, in Shropshire, and rendered it
renowned for Tewkesbury ale and Shrewsbury cakes, at that time the
favourite luncheon of the young men about town. Owing to the death
of the ale-bibbing proprietor, it shortly afterwards became the property
of Mr. Harrold, who, condensing three houses into one, and making
several other improvements, raised its estimation greatly ; and it was
then opened for the sale of wines and spirits alone. Here it was that
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 63
the CaiamaratM^ a club yet green in the memory of oar old stagers, used
to assemble, and hence it was that the brightest wit and the readiest pun
used to emanate. The nightly conclave generally included the names
of Theodore Hook, Tom Sheridaii, his father (Richard Brinsley
Sheridan), Charles Mathews, the two Eembles, Munden, Jack Morris
(the song writer), George Colman, Morton (the dramatist), Reynolds,
Monk Lewis, and, in fact, all who had rendered themselves conspicuous
in the world of literature, by either the wit in their productions, or
otherwise renowned for their talents on the stage. Mr. Harrold re-
signed the proprietorship of the hotel to his son, having kept possession
of it for above five-and-thirty years. It shortly afterwards again
changed hands in favour of Mr. Judd, who sold the house to Williams,
in whose time it first became a noted house for the Press, which it has
continued to be ever since. Mr. Warner, who has since married Miss
Huddart, then shared the duties of proprietor with a blithesome widow,
bearing the unromantic name of Browne, who established an admirable
society there under the quaint title of the RaUoncUs^ to which most
members of the companies of both Covent Garden and Drury Lane
then belonged. It again experienced a number of vicissitudes in the
different changes that had gradually taken place, when it ultimately
fell into the possession of Mr. Hemming, at present a distinguished
member of the Haymarket corps, under whose prosperous superintend-
ence we trust it may long continue.
^ On turning immediately to the right, after penetrating through the
folding doors, theatrically enveloped in green baize, the visitor is
inducted to a spacious parlour, which is occupied chiefly by persons
connected with either the theatrical or the literary profession, and who
may be seen befogging themselves with copious clouds of tobacco, alter-
nately varying the amusement by quaffing deeply the contents of sundry
pewter receptacles for half-and-half and stout, or imbibing the contents
of a tumbler brimmed with a second edition of gin-and-water, whilst
the drinker is discharging from his thirty-six inches of humanity (with
true author- like perseverance in continuing the series of his productions)
volumes of smoke. Having comfortably established the reader in a re-
mote comer of the room, with a reasonable supply of liquids, and an
adequate supply of stewed cheese, for which latter the place is espe-
cially renowned, we shall take the liberty of introducing him to the
company at large, amongst whom he will no doubt recognize some old
acquaintances.
" That strange, unearthly-looking individual to the right, with a head
of hair resembling a retired shoe-brush, and a sort of oasis in the desert in
the shape of an imperial on his chin, is Stirling C— ne, Yates's dramatic
&ctotum, who possesses a peculiar tact for measuring, with all the
precision of the tailor's craft, a dwarf or giant with an appropriate
character. You think he's engaged in the simple act of lighting his
pipe, yonder, do you ? Pooh, nonsense ! He has just received a note
from the immortal Fred, enjoining him to write a piece for the intro-
duction of some polar bears from Greenland, and he is just considering
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64 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
whether the denouement can be brought to bear by one of the animals
setting fire, with a lighted brand in his month, to the mutineers' ship,
in the last scene. By the satisfactory whiff that follows the action,
you may rest assured that the difficult task is accomplished.
" Next to him, with a dark whisker-covered, and yet, withal, good-
humoured, countenance, is Henry M-yh-w, the farce- writer, a most
prolific vendor of pnns and a clever scholar to boot At his elbow sits
his co-partner (I) in some of his laurels, and this said partner being
never seen apart from his distinguished associate, many have come to
the conclusion that the Siamese twins were not the only patentees of
the indissoluble tie — although the author and his shado V7, in this instance,
are only similar in their movements, and not in their ideas. The latter
individual has lately achieved an eclipse of one of his visual organs ' in
an affray with some children ; ' this omlar demonstration should remind
him that bail is not always so easily procured. May you remember this
for the future, say we.
" Taking a further sweep on our dexter hand, we .arrive at George
H-dd-r, a Parliamentary reporter on the Morning Herald, He is a
gentlemanly young man enough, and, when not engaged in the ' House,'
does the debating here with much vigour.
" That parson-looking personage, with a hat apparently striving to
guillotine the wearer by meeting longways under his chin, is B— ds-n,
the theatrical critic for the Times ; a fellow * of most infinite humour,'
who, albeit being eminently sarcastic, never wounds with his satire in
consequence of its keenness.
*' A noisy collection of human beings in the next box announce at
once our immediate vicinity to Messrs. A — 11— n, A — nd — n, T-mk-ns,
and a little elderly gentleman with white hair and spectacles, whose
name for particular reasons we decline mentioning. The first is a
landscape painter and broad comic-song writer of no inconsiderable
merit ; the second has elevated his osfrontis at least three inches since
he essayed the character of the Prince of Denmark ; and the third is the
well-known scene-painter, late of the Adelphi and English Opera House,
and now of none — the more's the Pitt-y. The little elderly gent seems
to drink more than he eats, eat more than he thinks, and talk more than
all put together ; his tongue, in short, is a complete illustration of the
perpetual motion.
^* That pair of awful-looking whiskers and mnstachios, which appear
at intervals through the smoke yonder, belong unto one Captain G ,
whose visage, to our thinking, would be considerably improved by his
undergoing a little experiment from the hands of a skilful tonsorial
artist.
*< Among others who meet here casually to enjoy a social glass are
W— e (of the Herald)^ Egerton Wilks, Walter Lacy, Strickland,
Hughes, Franks, O'Meara, the two B^ds (brothers), the latter con-
nected with the Press ; L — ^s, the ' corpulent youth,' and, in short, all
who in any way value the comforts of a well-established tavern and
good society,"
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 65
From December 7th E. L. B. began to write the
"Theatres" for the Weekly Times. It is rather
difficult to arrive at what he really received for
these, but it appears to have been from 10^. to SX
per week. This season he supplied the following
pantomimes : — For the Olympic : William the
Conqueror ; or, Harlequin Harold and the Sack of
the Saxom. Chapino, harlequin; Mdlle. Vallee,
columbine ; Herr Cole, pantaloon ; W. A. Barnes,
clown. For the re-opening of the Surrey, under
the management of Mr. Eichard Shepherd and
Miss Vincent : Harlequin Lord Lovel ; or, Ladij
Nancy Bell and the Fairies of the Silver
Oak. Tom Matthews, clown ; Deulin, harlequin ;
Mme. Theodore, columbine; J. B. Johnstone,
pantaloon. For the Victoria : The Land of Light ;
or. Harlequin Gas and the Four Elements^ Earthy
Airy FirCy and Water. Harlequin, Lupino ; clown,
Sanderson ; pantaloon. White ; columbine, Mdlle.
Zitella. The re-opening of the theatre, which had
been thoroughly renovated, was attended with
fatal consequences. There was a tremendous
crowd seeking admittance to the gallery. Unfor-
tunately the hand-rail of the stairs could not stand
the pressure, and two boys were killed and several
people injured.
Besides writing the pantomimes, E. L. B. supplied
the comic scenes, wrote the bills, etc. His work
was very successful, and he at the same time
appears to have been liberally (for the times) paid
by Flexmore the clown for comic songs he wrote
for him. An occasional odd pound from Kent
6
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66 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
(of knife-cleaning fame), subsidies from Adams for
additions to ** Watering-places," an odd 55. from
Marryatt for Cliat^ ** a halfpenny weekly " — every-
body wrote for it, and few got paid ; Eobert Brongh
and G. A. S. doing the illustrations — ^brought up his
earnings so that they averaged from October to the
end of the year <£4 10s. per week ; bat he worked
hard for it. He was in a better frame of spirits
to face the coming year, for the entry of December
Slst is : ** Brought the Old Year merrily to a close
with Sola, K. G. De la Motte, and Howe."
There is nothing specially worthy of notice in
the diaries of 1849 till January 31st, when E. L. B.
removed to 21, Brunswick Place, Barnsbury Road,
where he had engaged a second floor at a yearly
rental of Jei6. For his "Recollections of White
Conduit House," which appeared in Morning
Advertisers February 6th, he was paid 135., one
hundred and four lines.
" F(h. 20fh, — Dies Pancakia, ergo Pancake Diet. 22nd. —
Shirley Brooks's farce, Shave you Directly, was produced at
the Lyceum, and was a success. Miss Kathleen Fitzwilliam,
Charles Mathews, and Harley had good parts in it."
" March 29th. — Olympic Theatre burned; began at 5.30, in
ruins at 6."
This was, perhaps, one of the most rapid confla-
grations known, and originated in the very old
green velvet curtain (which drew aside from the
centre), catching fire at the gas jet in the prompter's
box. Mr. Davidson and Captain Spicer were the
lessees, and were uninsured, and they were the more
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 67
unfortanate in that the house was just about to be
occupied for the summer season by Mrs. Nesbit
and Mr. Henry Farren. It was also a great blow
to Mr. Charles Bender, a valued actor, who was to
have taken his benefit that night, and lost every-
thing but a couple of sovereigns he managed to
snatch from his dressing-table, and had even then
to crawl on his hands, and knees to save his life.
The scenes that were to have been represented
were from The Bent Day, Faint Heart Never Won
Fair Lady^ and Time Tries All. It will be re-
membered that the theatre was first opened for
equestrian performance by Astley, to whom Lord
Dartmouth granted a licence in 1806, through the
interest of Queen Charlotte, as an extra return for
a pair of very small and well- trained ponies which
Astley had sold Her Majesty, and which afforded
great pleasure to the royal children. The roof of
the original building was in conical and circular
form, and the site belonged to the Earl of Craven.
^^May lOth, — Go to Strand ; see W. Farren in new farce.
Miserable change from former excellence."
This was Charles Selby's Taken In and Done
For J in which (old) W. and H. Farren and Mrs. B.
Bartlett appeared. William Farren, Senior, was
at this time occasionally very indistinct in his
utterance.
"21«^ — Cobbler's holiday as usual. Ball and myself
saunter amid green lanes, and dine at Tottenham. Very
showery, drenched dismally, but pleasant day nevertheless.
Johnny Gilpin's house, Edmonton, The Angel, was the
original Bell."
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^H'l
68 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD
June ^btli^ E. L. B.'s entry: ** Eent commences
at my new house, 20, Park Place, Bamsbury
Park , ' he moved in on July \Qih.
^^July \Qth. — Sent oflf packet for ' Man in the (Corner),'
Sunday Times j which appeared on 2l8t 23rd. — Richardson
calls for me in phaeton, and away we rattle to Woodford.
Stiff, Ball, and other good fellows, dine at Boebuck. 25th.
— Bought Chaty with Mr. Hodge for partner; arrange for
contributions to Chat 7s. 6d. per week to run on for garments.
26th, — Receive or Sundcty Times contributions £2." (This
must have been four weeks' pay.)
^^ Aug. \st — Much pained to see in the obituary of The
Times to-day the death announced of Elizabeth Ockerby,
aged thirty. 3rd. — ^Another death among the circle of 'my
friends — William Bradwell. Pierce Egan, aged seventy-seven,
died this day. 13iA. — At British Museum in morning, and at
night to supper at Bonner House, where Stiff received the
testimonial. C. Ball in chair, Richardson vice, and Miller,
Smith, Simnett, and others present. Very pleasant evening,
and home at four on following morning. 227id. — Obtain
coat from Hodge for Chat 30s."
^^ Sept. 5th. — Arrange for new serial. Fourth series of
the Mysteries of London'^
" Oct. 1st. — Send Robinson Crusoe to Pritchard."
^^ Monday^ Dec. llth. — Birthday, just twenty-nine.
Mother and Malcolm dine and spend day. 3lst. — Spend the
last day of the Old Year over the fireside at home, but not
at all jolly. Write to various parties, and so bring the
year straight."
The following anecdote will illustrate the diflB-
culties and vicissitudes of a literary career in the
first half of the century : —
" At some time in the late * forties ' Blanchard and
another gentleman, who has since attained a foremost
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 69
position in the world of letters, and whom, for the exigen-
cies of this narrative, I will call Smith, composed the staff
of a small weekly periodical, published in the neighbourhood
of the Strand. One very hot Saturday evening, in August,
Smith and Blanchard were waiting in the pffice for the
arrival of the proprietor with their weekly stipend ; but as
this gentleman's financial arrangements were of the most
uncertain character, and salaries irregular, usually taking
the form of a payment on account to one of them, it was
agreed that whichever was fortunate enough to obtain the
advance should stand a pot of half-and-half to the other.
" At last the proprietor came bustling in, and said, * I am
very sorry, but money is very tight, and I have only half-a-
sovereign. You had better have that, Mr. Smith, and I will
pay Mr. Blanchard on Monday.* Smith eagerly grasped at
the coin, put it in his pocket, and departed with Blanchard
in search of the half-and-half; but after a very short dis-
tance he was observed apparently following some object
down the leg of his trousers, and then stopping short, said,
* Here's a nice go ; I have got a hole in my pocket, and the
half-sovereign has gone into my boot.'
" Here was a catastrophe ! Blanchard suggested that they
should go round to Exeter Street, at the back of the Lyceum
Theatre, which was then a quiet but disreputable street, and
that Smith should take his boot off.
" This was proceeded with, but just as he had extricated
his foot from the Wellington boot, the coin was seen for
a moment, no doubt from the heat of the weather, adhering
to his stocking, and in an instant dropped off, and rolled
down a grating in front of a very shady-looking coffee-house.
Smith went into the shop, and explained to a dirty-looking
woman what had happened ; but this lady, instead of assist-
ing him, called out to her lodgers, * Here's a lark ! a bloke
has dropped half-a-quid down the airy ! ' And instantly, to
the disgust of Blanchard and Smith, many dirty hands were
seen groping amidst the rubbish beneath the grating. At
last one of them fastened on to something, the hands were
withdrawn, and presently a woman came rushing out of the
house ; she was at once collared by Smith, and admitted
having the coin, but said she should not *part' unless he
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^o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
accompanied her to her relatives in Westminster, where she
was then going.
" Suffering from the pangs of impecuniosity, he accepted
this alternative. And here he must take up the narrative, as
Blanchard would not pursue the adventure any farther.
" On arriving at a low house in Westminster, they were
admitted into a passage dimly lighted by an oil lamp ; the
lady produced the fated coin, and gave it a spin in the air
* for luck,' but as she did so it slipped, and disappeared
between the interstices of the boards. Here was another
dilemma! A man was called, who promptly wrenched
up the floor, and the coin was discovered amidst the dust.
He was then despatched with it to the nearest * public '
to purchase a gallon of beer.
" In a short time this individual returned full of strange
oaths, and with the information that the supposed half-
sovereign was a bad sixpence ; and such was the indignation
aroused that Smith was glad to escape with a whole skin.
" On the following Monday the proprietor of the paper
was informed of these circumstances, and he explained that
having been given a bad sixpence by the conductor of the
Brixton omnibus, he had left home with it carefiiUy placed
in one pocket and half-a-sovereign in the other ; that on
alighting he must have given the half-sovereign, with the
remark that the conductor had given it to him the evening
before, and was not to do it again, and that the conductor,
looking at the coin, fervently replied that he never would.
Blanchard used to call this * The Story of the Phantom Half-
sovereign.' "
E. L. B.'s receipts for the year were J6162 I85. ;
and hardly-enough earned too, for besides his
regular contributions to newspapers, which
amounted to many columns, entailing hours' at-
tendance at the theatres, he was revising guide
books, for which he had to visit various places,
taking him from home for days, and writing songs
for Phillips and for Flexmore. With all his work he
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£DWAJ^i> l£MAj\r BLANCHAkb. ?!
ever found time to visit his mother, as numerous
entries in the diary attest ; and on most of these
visits he took with him some mark of filial aflfec-
tion in the shape of a present. He was an excellent
son. He speaks with quite schoolboy glee of
long rambles with friends in the country, when,
almost playing truant, he rushed oflf with them for
a day in the environs of London ; but for these
holidays he paid dearly, for they nearly always
meant sitting up and working all night afterwards
to make up for lost time.
" The last day of the year not spent very merrily, but to
make amends for it begin the New Year with a determination
to be jollier."
" Jan. Tth, 1850. — In evening to Sadlers Wells. See
Henry IV. and pantomime.^ Very badly played, and
pantomime far from good. A sprite, Thorn, clever, but out
of place. Went to pit, 3d., and crowded much during the
evening. I5th. — H. Hall comes and spends evening. We
arrange for new entertainment to be called The Railway
of Life. Slst. — In evening to Adelphi; see Willow Copse
(fair), Frankenstein (burlesque : bad), and Airs. Bunberry*s
Spoons (worse)."
^^ Feb. 7th. — Go to Strand. Stirling Coyne's farce, f/Vi-
protecied Fernale^ very good. Diogenes burlesque ^ by Frank
Talfourd."
» This was the First Part of Henry 77.— Phelps, Falstaff. The
pantomime was Harlequin and the Dragon of Wantley ; or, Moore
of Moore Hall and Mother Shlpton's Black Dog. Bidgway, clown ;
C. Fen ton, harlequin ; Grammani, pantaloon ; Thorn, sprite ; Miss
Kirby, columbine.
* This was Diogenes and His Lantern ; or, The Hue and Cry after
Honesty ; full of clever satire and good writing, and witK a very strong
cast : Jupiter, Leigh Murray ; Mercury, H. Farren ; Mars, W. Farren,
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7i EDtP'AUD LEMA?f BLANCtiARD.
" 18^ A. — Write advertisements of Nelson picture for
Barratt, and receive from him for so doing £2. 26iA. —
Bume appears at St. James's ; mono-polylogue : moderately
successful." *
" March 7th, — Olympic Theatre suddenly closed. Watts
said to have lost £'400 per week. I6th, — Town in evening.
Arrange with Adams for * Guide to London ' £2 per sheet
(Adams's * Pocket London Guide Book '). I9th. — Begin ' Cry
from the Courts ' for Henry Russell"*
^^ April 15iA.— Eeceive from William Robert Copeland
of T. R. Liverpool for right of playing till the 25th March all
my pieces, £2, 25<A.— Received from T. O'Keefe the other
half £2 10«. and give receipt.' Arrange to receive ^ Era'
in exchange for paragraphs. 30th. — At Wrekin; meet
Falser."*
^^May nth, — At home all day. Receive a stray canary
that finds its way on to the balcony, and cherish it accordingly.
I9th. — Start with Sola (the friend so often mentioned) to
Gravesend. Lovely day. Parland in the offing ; visit her.
Back over the town ; sleep there. I9th, — At 7 a.m. visit ship,
and then stroll with Sola about Gravesend. Go to Baines's
lounge. Terrace Gardens. Tom Matthews, Fox Cooper, Rafter,
Laurence, Levy, and fireworks. At night all the voyagers
meet at the Falcon ; the parting glass taken. 2lst — At
Junior ; Diogenes, P. Emery ; Minerva, Mrs. Stirling ; Apollo, Mrs.
Leigh Murray; Venus, Miss Rebecca Isaacs; Juno, Mrs. Bartlett;
Ceres, Miss Adams.
* The entertainment given by Mr. Bume (the manager) was called
A Literary and Dramatic Monologue, It was descriptive of the pro-
gress of the British stage, tracing it from the time of Shakespeare,
of whom he had much to say, and was iUustrated by various views.
It was also anecdotical; something after the manner of the older
Mathews.
' E. L. B. wrote many of Russell's songs.
' This made up £5 for an entertainment E. L. B. wrote for him.
* This was a quaint and genial picture-dealer in the Strand. W. H.
Smith's premises are on the site of his old shop. It was a gathering-
place on Show days, November 9th, or such an occasion as Wellington's
funeral, for Falser 's Bohemian friends, who found a seat and plenty
to eat and drink.
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£DttrARD LEMAN BLANCStARD. n
three this morning from my bedroom at the Falcon I see ^ ^
the Parland drop down the dark river for the Cape. 30^A.
— ^Walk at night to Archway Tavern. "
"t/u7i6 nth. — All day in. At night to Belvidere. Eead
in Sun notice of an exquisite poem by C. W. Kent, ' Aletheia ;
or, The Downfall of Mythology ; ' one of the finest that has
appeared since Keats first woke the world to worship his
genius. May he produce another soon. 27th, — Attack on
the Queen.^ Learned two facts : one that son of Quick the
comedian was in Islington Workhouse ; the other that son of
Marsden, living in Park Street, has drunk himself insane, and
ruined."
"Jitfy 2nd, — Sir Robert Peel, having met with a lament-
able accident on Saturday last, dies at eleven this night.*
11^. — For the evening to Highbury Bam.' Heard Albert
Smith (passed by his brother Arthur) give his entertain-
ment. Delighted ; the cleverest I have yet seen. I2th. —
Betum books to W. E. Hall, 53^, Westboume Street,
Pimlico, and proceed to fiHiend Kent's at Chelsea. Delight-
ful evening ; Miss Ellen Kent, her lover Mr. Buller, and Mr.
Morris, form the party. Chat of old times, literature, and
home late ; most agreeable meeting. I7th, — David Prince
Miller calls, and chat In evening meet Mr. Bradshaw by
appointment. Arrange for Guide to the Alanufacturing
Districts for £30. To start directly. ISih.^Ai home all
day, and write paragraphs about young Hengler, the
wonderful rope dancer. 19th, — Receive from M. H. Simpson,
of Birmingham, for right of playing all my pieces till July
1852, £2 28." [A like entry appears on 23rd, relating to
Joseph Clarance.]
' This refers to the blow with a light cane received by Her Majesty
on the forehead as she was leaving Cambridge House, Piccadilly, when
seated in a carriage with three of the royal children. Her Majesty's
assailant was Bobert Pate, a retired lieutenant from the 10th Hussars,
a very gentlemanly-looking and quietly-dressed man.
' Sir Bobert Peel's death arose from his being thrown from his
horse on Saturday afternoon, as he was returning up Constitution Hill,
from calling at Buckingham Palace. He was born February 5tb, 1788.
' Highbury Barn was originally a cook-house on a very small scale,
and took its name from a barn attached to an old farmhouse, originally
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74 ^DJVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
^^ MoTiday^ Aug, 5th, — All day at home preparing for
\^ ^ departure. Willoughby sends large parcel of People' a
Journal to take with me. Early to bed for early train
to-morrow. 6th, — Leave London by 12.15 train at noon,
vid London and Birmingham Eailway and Trent Valley.
Stopped at Staflford for the night, the Vine Inn; but
not at all comfortable — wret<;hed place and stupid people.
7th, — Walk to Stafford Castle, then by rail to Manchester,
and of course found it raining. Met Mr. Bradshaw ; home
with him to his house. Quiet Quaker-like evening. Intro-
duced to wife and family. Sth, — About Manchester all day
going over factories.^ Great objections raised by many.
Meet Darkin, Junior, from London, at railway station. 9th,
— Still in the 'Cottonopolis; ' visit engine-makers, umbrella-
makers, etc. Pouring in torrents all day. lOth, — Start for
Liverpool. Meet Watkins ; pleasant chat with him, having
surprised him by a visit. The round of the Concert Eooms.
I2th, — Yesterday (Sunday) went with Watkins, A. Key,
Esq., and Ford to village of Hale, ten miles from Liverpool.
Child of Hale (with the golden air). Delightful drive.
To-day visiting the town. Pleasant evening with Whitty
(Editor Liverpool Journal), Rickards, and others. Songs
and supper. I3th, — Sit for photographic portrait. Start
at noon to Kendal ; fine scenery. Sleep at Barrow's Com-
mercial Inn. Beginning to feel very cheerless through
want of congenial companions. Wrote letters, and then to
part of the property of the Priors of St. John. About 1801 it was
quoted as a marvel that eight hundred people could have hot meals
here, and that seventy geese would be seen roasting at the fire at one
time. It formerly contained some very fine pictures from Zion
House. Mr. Edward Giovanelli opened Highbury Barn in 1861, with
the grounds greatly improved, and the house much ornamented, and
with a large ball and supper room. T)ie Alexandra Theatre, on a por-
^ j tion of the grounds, was opened May 20th, 1865, with W. Broughton*s'
^ 1 burlesque Emani, and the farce, Worrybury^s Whims ^ by Charles Ross
' / and Dominic Murray. Highbury Tavern was a favourite resort of
Oliver Goldsmith's.
* This was for Bradshaw 's handbook to the manufacturing districts
of Great Britain, furnishing a very instructive detail of the various
branches of art carried on in the counties of Lancaster, Chester, Staiford,
and Warwick, by E. L. B., illustrated with well-executed county maps,
and published by W. J. Adams, 69, Fleet Street, London.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 75
bed. Wih. — Walk at nine to Windermere Lake (fourteen \ ^ S O
miles). Beautiful prospects all the way. Leave Bowness ;
miss road, over Troutbeck Hills, and reach Ambleside,
knocked up, in evening. Visit Rydal. 15^. — Place full of
company ; charges exorbitant. Walk to Keswick, sixteen
miles. Stop at King's Arms. Visit Flintoflfs model.
Stroll to Grasmere * and Wordsworth's grave on my way to
Keswick. Beautiful walk. 16^A. — After visiting church —
Southey's exquisite memorial* — Derwentwater, and off by
coach round Ulleswater and Saddleback Mount to Penrith,
and thence to Carlisle, where I sleep at the Commercial
Inn.' Wretched town and dirty people. Vlih, — Visit
Dixon's cotton manufactory, and back to Kendal for carpet
bag. Meet Distin family. 18^A. — Wet day. Leave at
night for Lancaster, and sleep at the Golden Ball. No
' In a suburb called Town End resided for some time De Quincey, the
"English Opium-eater/' and in the church dedicated to St. Oswald
Wordsworth was buried, dose to the eastern wall. A small dark stone
is placed at the foot of the grave, with a taller one at the head, on
which is engraved " William Wordsworth," Grasmere is a corruption
of Gris, an old Saxon name for the word '' swine," which at one time
abounded.
' Southey lived and died at Greta Hall, on the Gockermouth Road.
He was buried in the parish church of Grosthwaite. Southey's tomb
is outside the church, and bears the following inscription : — " Here lies
the body of Robert Southey, LL.D., Poet Laureate, bom August 12th,
1774, died March 21st, 1843 : for forty years a resident of this parish.
Also of Edith, his wife, bom May 24th, 1774, died November 16th, 1837.
' I am the Besurrection and the Life, saith the Lord.'" Southey's
monument within the church exhibits a hfe-like recumbent figure of
the poet, admirably executed by Lough, and Wordsworth has contri-
buted the following lines inscribed on a tablet close by : —
" Wide were his aims, yet in no human breast
Gould private feelings meet for hoUer rest.
His joys, his griefs, have vanished like a doud
From Skiddaw's top ; but he to heaven was vowed
Through his industrious life, and Ghristian faith
Galmed in his soul the fear of change and death."
' This tour was undertaken for Adams's " Illustrated Guide to the
English Lakes " (by E. L. B.), an unpretentious but very useful little
work, giving an itinerary of excursions in the Lake District, with tbe
distance so apportioned as to make the excursions possible by people of
any moderate walking capacity.
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76 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
gas, no companionship, *no nuflSn/ X^ih, — Off to Preston,
\^^0 stopping at Wigan on road. Sleep at Railway Coffee
Honse. Go to Preston Theatre — last night of season.
20iA. — Back to Liverpool, and slept there. Meet Watkins,
Key, etc. Go over Docks and Roscoe Club. 2l8^. — Still at
Liverpool. Go to Amphitheatre, Bazil Baker and daughter.
Wretched house — saloon promenade ; vice and immorality
rampant. 22nd.^At night to Zoological Gardens. Black
Malibran,*Cantelow's Hydro-Incubator, etc. In morning among
the merchants. 2Srd. — Bid ferewell to Liverpool, reach
Newton, go over printing office, then off to Manchester, and
sleep there. 24:th. — Get pass for Leeds, go to Normanton, and
meet brother accidentally. Home, York. 25th. — At York ;
very showery. 26^. — To Scarborough. Eeceive from
S. Roxby, Esq., for right of playing pieces in his circuit
this year, £1. Back at night, and to theatre. Meet Duncan,
editor. 2lth, — On to Newcastle and Berwick, thence to
Edinburgh. Sleep at Mrs. Bain's, in Dundee Street ; full
at Waverley. Delighted with the city and people alto-
gether. 2StL — Ramble over Calton Hill, then start to
Glasgow. Whisky inauguration. Sleep there, and try
Temperance Lodging House. 29th. — Back to Edinburgh,
and meet Her Majesty, who has just opened Central Station
at Newcastle and Border Bridge at Berwick. Slept at
Berwick ; difficulty in finding bed. Fireworks and festivi-
ties. 30^. — To Norham Castle, and then back to Berwick
and off to Newcastle. Meet brother, and back by mail train
to York. Arrive at 3 a.m. Slat. — From York to Leeds,
and back to York. Stop at Castleford ; back by night."
" Sept. Ist. — At York. Cathedral, short stroll, and early
to bed. 2nd. — ^To Hull, and got from Caple for one year's
play £1. Send cash home, and return to York in evening.
House closed, and sleep at Sun. 3rci.-^To Leeds ; expect-
ing reply from letter to Manchester, but disappointed.
About the town, but see very little to please the eye, and
nothing to gratify the taste. Back to York in evening.
Ath. — Stroll with brother along the banks of the Ouse to
^ She created quite a sensation by her singing and perfonnances, in
which she was assisted by two clever guitarists.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 77
a tavern called the Marquis ; billiards, pipology, soDgs at ^c^SO
the Crown, and home early. 5th. — To Leeds again ; write
oflF another letter ; back to York in evening. 6th. — Walk
to Bishopthorpe, ferry across the Ouse ; back in evening to
York. Heard on banks military band playing some familiar
airs and pleasant reminiscences. 7th. — To Leeds ; get letter
from Manchester enclosing £5. Return to York, pack up,
start by mail train at 2 a.m., and reach home, via Derby,
on Sunday morning. Meet mother, and dine at 2 p.m.
Once more at Bamsbury. I6th. — At work on, and sent,
' Wanderings and Ponderings ' to Willoughby as article for
People's Jowmal. 17 th. — Jones (artist) calls. W. T. Wood
wants ^ Electric Telegraph ' song. Write in reply. ISth. —
To town. Execution in for three quarters' rent. Man in
possession. Vexations and annoyances complete, but having
-a fervent reliance on Providence for rescue. £28 lOs. and
expenses to pay. I9th. — Mr. Davis buys twelve ' Songs of
the Seasons' (to be written) for £5. Borrow from W. E.
Hall £5. Ditto from Moore (78. before) £S lOs. All day
in town rushing after the means of satisfjdng the lawyers.
Cold terrific. Adams at Paris. 20th. — Borrow from Wil-
loughby £2. W. T. Wood acceding to terms for song. Pay
Bose in cash £15. By deductions, £19 8^. 6d. Hear of
Great Northern pass being at York. 21«t — Eeceive from
Mr. Wood for song £2 2«. From Charles (at Adams's), on
account of Bradshaw, £2. Pay Rose up to Michaelmas,
£19 12fl. (with allowance of £7 lOa.), £28 10«., making
with £2 28. 6d. expenses the total of £30 12«. Qd. 23rd.—
Hear from Manchester. By borrowing £2 from Wiseman
manage to pay poor's rate, £1 Ss. 24th. — Receive from Man-
chester £5 ; make purchases, return loan to Wiseman, square
accounts, and so * on we go again.'" [The above are inserted
as showing the straits he was put to through his excessive
goodness of heart. His brother William was a most unlucky
and, it appears, a weak man ; he was always in trouble, and
ever looked to E. L. B. to get him out of his difficulties ;
and the latter would perhaps more wisely not have so con-
stantly assisted him, but he never had the heart to refuse.]
"27^A. — See Willoughby, and arrange with him to edit
Shakespeare at £2 per month."
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78 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
" OcL 2^.— In evening, at Wiseman's, meet eccentric
!'*,'> '^ undertaker Morgan. 8^. — Go to Olympic ; see farce of
Thjt Oldest InhaMtant and the burlesque of The Princesses
in the Tower — ^both excellent." [The theatre was under the
management of W. Farren, Senior, and in the company
were included W. Farren and his sons W. and H. Farren,
G. Cooke, Compton, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Leigh Murray,
Mrs. Bartlett, Isabel and J. Adams, W. Shalders, Norton,
I^uisa Howard, Ellen Turner, and Mdlle. Adfele.] " \Oth, —
Offer to Mr. Lofts Stanjield for £15. * Confessions of a
Page' for £10. lUA.— Sell ' Going off at a Sacrifice ' and
* Three Perils of Man ' for £6, which Shepherd pays me for.
24ith, — Answer correspondents for Era, and that's all (most
trying work, requiring unlimited research sometimes, and
but very poorly paid). 29th. — Flexmore (clown) calls for
annual song, and spends afternoon ; arrange to write enter-
tainment, The Emigrant' s Voyage; or, SceTies and Stories
of American Life.
*' Nov. 13<A.— Finish ' Stranger's Guide.'^ 23rci.— Receive
from Willoughby (Shakespeare) for The Tempest, £2 2s. ; for
* Wanderings and Ponderings,' chap, iii., £1 7s. 6d."
" Dec, 7th. — See Greenwood, C. Montgomery, Jonas Levy
(for the first time knowing who he is). 17 th. — In evening
to Queen's ; see Kirkland play Hamlet." [25th. — Christmas
Day evidently spent alone, for he writes only : " Fine clear
day. People going about in all directions to enjoy their
Christmas Day."] " 30^A.— Shocked to hear of the death
of Osbaldiston at one o'clock yesterday.* Slst. — Finish the
Winier's Tale and the Old Year together." [E. L. B. puts
* " The Stranger's and Visitor's Conductor tbroogh London, giving
a full and faithful description of everything that can be seen and how
to see it, within the limits of the Metropolis ; corrected to the latest
period, and arranged in an entirely novel and interesting manner, by
E. L. Blanchard."
* D. W. Osbaldiston was bom in February 1794, and died December
28th, aged fifty-seven, of black jaundice. He was the son of a Man-
chester merchant. Was intended for the Ghurcb, but the cassock was
distasteful, and so took to the sock and buskin ; and, after appearing
as Pierre, and Frederick, in The Poor Gentleman^ at a private theatre,
in the year 1817 joined the Exeter and Plymouth circuit, under
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 79
down his revenue for the year as £147 148. 6d At times
he was much driven for money, but appears always to have
kept a bold and hopeful front, and only have been too ready
to seize on any work, however poorly paid.]
" Wedmjesday^ Jan. Ist — Another year commenced, the
eventful '51. ^^th. — To-night Kent's Theatricals at Miss
Kelly's Theatre, Dean Street ; officiate as steward. Balwer,
Ainsworth, and all the most eminent literati present.
Busybody and Too Late for Dinner the pieces. 2itL—
Preparing Carpet Bag for Willoughby."
He appears to have ushered the year in by giving
a juvenile party, for he was always fond of children,
and he revels in having provided for their enter-
tainment "turkey, two puddings, and snap-dragon."
The payment he received from Willoughby for
editing the " Shakespeare " was evidently £2 2$.
for each play ; and he wrote a good deal for The
Mr. Manuel's management. He married a Miss Dawson in 1818. Was
well known at the Manchester, Bath, and Norwich theatres. In 1828
he was a member of the Brunswick Theatre company when it met with
its destruction. He then joined Mr. EUiston at the Surrey, and became
lessee of it at Christmas, 1831. About the year 1836 he was lessee of
Covent Garden, and also, at various times, of Sadlers Wells, City of
London, and the Victoria. His elopement with Miss Vincent made a
great stir at the time ; he died very wealthy. He was a versatile actor,
and was good in such characters as Eolla and William TelL There is
an anecdote connected with the Brunswick Theatre which may be
interesting. Old Mr. Saker, the comedian, and father of Mrs. B. H.
Wyndham, at the time he was engaged for the opening of the New
Brunswick Theatre at Poplar, made a virtuous resolution that he would
give up drinking of a morning before going to rehearsal ; however, he
thought he would have one final glass of ale at a house opposite the
theaU^ before he went in, and be adamant in his resolve ever after-
wards. Whilst this last glass was in course of consumption there was
a crash and a doud of dust ; the roof of the theatre opposite had fallen
in, and several persons were killed and many wounded. This occurred
on April 29th, 1828. Mr. Saker, ever after this unfortunate accident,
used to expatiate on the great advantages of taking a glass of ale before
rehearsal.
i&si
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8o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Peoples Journal E. L. B. wrote the address for
I ^^ 1 the opening of the Grecian Saloon, which Conquest
had then just taken, and which he opened on
March Slst.
^^ Feb. 7iA.— Write about the AraMan Nights for Wil-
loughby ; see him at night with Harrison, of The Times, first
time for ten years. Give ' Crystal Palace ' to Adams, £1
(evidently one of the numerous sort of guide-books he was
so constantly engaged on). lOth. — Meet John Herbert, the
comedian. 13iA. — Went in evening to Princess's with
mother. Saw Twelfth Night and pantomime {Alonzo the
Brave), Meadows excellent as Malvolio, Addison ditto Sir
Toby, Viola Mrs. Charles Kean ; Kerby Sir Andrew, very bad.
24ih, — Begin burlesque for Conquest. 2Qth, — Macready
takes his farewell at Drury Lane ; house crowded ; the
benefit realized £906 ; Macbeth was played ; Phelps and
Miss Warner appeared in it."
" March 1st. — Macready dinner.* 1 Ith. — Finish Progress
of tlve People drama, l^th. — Hear from George Barker,
56, Brompton Square, concerning lecture. 28^A.— Finish
burlesque of Nobody in London ; or, The Age of Wonders^
and take it to Conquest at the Grecian. ^\st — Conquest
opens the Grecian."
The new lessee himself delivered the address,
written by E. L. B., which was as follows : —
ADDRESS.
New undertakings, old examples teach,
Should have a prologue in an opening speech ;
A few smart lines in rhyming diction dressed.
Wherein all future projects are expressed.
A less ambitious purpose brings me here,
I come to give a welcome most sincere.
* This was the ferewell dinner given to Macready at the Hall of
CJommerce, 700 present ; Sir Bulwer Lytion chairman. E. L. B. wrote
an account of the farewell for WiUoughby.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 8i
If you expect this brief address explains
Why I again hold managerial reins,
Be this my answer : — that I wished to see
Again the stage that yet had charms for me ;
To greet an audience as I welcome you,
And meet with old friends whilst encountering new;.
Within these walls, supporters of a house
Where many a brick has echoed " Bravo Rouse,''
I well might think my present project bold,
To take the place he filled so well of old ;
But all he did, and ably did, before.
Shall spur me onward to accomplish more.
Shakespeare has told us of the Drama's feature,
" To hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to Nature ; "
Whilst such reflections here before you pass,
You see your drama and you have your glass ;
Both which I promise with some conscious pride,
Shall be the best that London can provide.
This year all hope t6 better their condition,
And this is my " Industrial Exhibition ; "
Although no glass this lofty roof contains,
Who looks for pleasure will not care for panes.
The talent of all nations shall be shown.
Especially the talent of our own ;
All that is British you shall here find handy,
Excepting one thing British — that is, brandy.
Let, then, the " Eagle " take a higher flight —
It need not soar, remember, out of sight ;
Be yours the breath to keep its wings extended,
And give the aid that ofl its course befriended.
May crowds attend each night as we progress,
My pinions being the opinions of the press ;
And whilst I trust your pleasures to increase,
Hope after Conquest you will like a piece.
The programme was made up of A Midsummer
Night's Dream: Graham, Theseus; C. Horn,
6
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S2 £D1VARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
^ I Demetrius ; Miss Julia Harland, Oberon ; Miss
Harriet Gordon, Titania. In the farce of The
Young Widow^ Conquest acted Splash, and there
. was a ballet entitled Flora and Zephyr ^ aiTanged
by Mrs. Conquest. The opening night a great
success.
" April 2nd. — Go to Eagle ; read burlesque to Conquest,
and sell it to him for £5. I2ih. — Hear from Copeland.
Farce for Strand, Taking the Census. I9th. — In afternoon
to town; arrange with Lofts for new publication, 30«. per
week, to be called Nobody in London. Wrekin : S. Cowell,
S. Jones, etc. 22nd. — At Wrekin meet Harlstone the
comedian first time. And thence to Wells ; see FortuniOy
Planche's admirable burlesque ; delighted with it. 2Sth. —
Look in at Myddelton ; meet Guerint the old harlequin,
Marston, etc. 29th. — Write some copy for new publication
of * Everybody.* 30th. — Wrekin ; see Copeland first time,
Tomlins, Falser, Barratt, comedian."
" May 5th, — Taking the Census produced at Strand ; goes
capitally ; Rogers as Grigg admirable. 6th. — Fred Tallis
arrived. Mr. Stanley calls (young Hengler). 7th, — Stilt,
clown, and John Gardner, comedian, both included in the
theatrical obituary. I2th. — Receive from Lofts for No. 1 of
* Everybody ' £1. ISth. — Receive from Copeland for the en-
tire rights of T/te Cen^sus £5. Idth. — Write song of 'Youth's
First Lesson.' 20th. — Hear from Wild as manager of the
Marylebone Theatre. 22nd. — Hard at work * being funny'
for ' Everybody.' 26^A.— Obtain at Sadlers Wells MS. of
Shepherd and Shepherdess drama, not having seen it for
thirteen years. 27th. — Write to Besily Parley^ s Library for
Old and Young^ two guineas weekly. 2^th, — Arrange with
Adams for Lake book, two guineas per sheet." *
* This was probably a resuscitation of the New Parley Library^
which was published March 9th, 1844, and which had a large sale. In
it " Vivian Vernon, a Romance of the Reign of Victoria," was the second
novel in its pages. It lived on till the next year.
' This was the '* Handbook to the Lakes."
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 83
^^ June 6th. — See Willoughby. Biography of Laurence /& S /
Sterne to do. ISth. — Receive a visit from Mr. W. S. Woodin,
of 16, Old Bond Street, who oflFers £5 for an entertainment
to be written for him. (Eventually Mr. Woodin gave £15 for
the Carpet Bag.) I9th. — Idea for lecture, * Superstitions
of All Nations.' 23rcJ. — Fire blazing over. London.* Out to
Wiseman's at night to know all about it. At Humphrey's
Wharf. 2Sth. — Up by 2 a.m. waiting for daylight to write.
Walk at 6 a.m. round Highbury."
" July Ut — I leave copy of * Absent Friends ' with
lUuatrated Nefivs. 3rcZ. — Howe comes in evening; give
him first part of *Alonzo the Brave.' 6th. — Walk with
W. Fearman to Buckhurst Hill and back to the Roebuck ;
total distance thirty miles. 9th. — The Queen visits the City
at half-past 9 p.m. Very gay scenes, illuminations, and so
forth.* 23rd. — Finish song of ' Alonzo the Brave.' ^ Finish
song 'Good Deeds Never Die,' and send it to Lovell
PhilUps."
" Aug. 4iA.— Evening to Sadlers Wells ; Macbeth admir-
ably played. Jonas Levy very affable. Capel. WooUer ; see
his new farce Law of the Lips. 7th. — To Sadlers Wells.
Merchant of Venice. To Myddelton crib.* Meet Warner,
^ This very destructive fire consumed three huge blocks of buildings,
and threatened the beautiful and ancient Ladye Chapel of St. Saviour's
Church and the curious old habitations knovm as Overman's Almshouses.
The origin of the fire was not traced, but was suspected to be owing
to an incendiary.
' Her Majesty accepted the invitation of the Corporation to be
present at a grand ball given at the Guildhall in honour of the
Exhibition, to which 3,000 guests were asked. The Queen went in
state, her retinue occupying eight carriages. Supper was served in
the Crypt. Some curious old Amontillado, Steinberg Cabinet vintage
1822, Sherry 105 years old, some of which cost the Emperor Napoleon
£600 per butt, and Muscatel and Paxarete were among the wines
served at the Royal table, which was circular in form. Wii^glasses,
dinner napkins, the dessert plates (Rose du Barn) were specially
manufactured for the occasion.
» For this E. L. B. got £1 6s, from Howe.
* Of this E. L. B. wrote the following, under the heading, *' Licensed
Victuallers, their Manners," etc. : —
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84 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Barton, Stirling, Coyne. 16^A.— Go to Strand ; see Lady
f fe 5" I Godiva burlesque ; capital, crammed full of puns. Shot
"The Sir Hugh Middleton's Head.
" The * Sir Hugh Middleton's Head/ or, as it is more generally
called, the ' Hugh Middleton,' is situated near to the New River head,
close by Sadlers Wells Theatre. The house is named after the great
Sir Hugh Myddelton, to whom the public are so much indebted for
wholesome water ; for it was he who projected the New River
supply, and from its source at Ware, in Hertfordshire, he conducted
the pure and limpid stream into the Metropolis. ' Mine host ' of the
* Sir Hugh Middleton's Head '—Edward, alias Teddy, Wells— is so far
from the general appearance of those 'jolly dogs,' landlords, that,
unless well acquainted with his habits, you would not expect that he
was the ' head ' of the establishment. He is, however, as good a fellow
as could be desired, and abounds with good humour and odd anecdotes,
all * facts,' of his adventures ; of which the * rats ' and his * visit to
Mount Vesuvius ' are not the least prominent.
" Entering the door on the left, opposite the bar, is the long room ;
and farther on, down a step and then to the left, the door of the
sanctum sanciorujti presents itself — to enter which requires an introduc-
tion and a fee, which is appropriated to certain regulations connected
with this most august body, who have dignified themselves with the
cognomen of Cribites. Teddy, the before-mentioned head of the
' Head,' regularly takes his seat, after nine, in the crib, and is safe to
single out strangers and new members to ^ tell the tale o'er again ' con-
cerning the odd adventures he has gone through and his glorious deeds
of * olden time.'
" The most prominent character in the crib, passing Teddy himself,
is a gentleman in the straw line — ^not that we mean to insinuate that
he is a man of straw, far from it — we believe quite the contrary, but
he manufactures and deals in that article. He is called by some of the
Cribites Nancy Brown, and by others the Squire. If either of these
terms is meant to ridicule him^ we of the town, who know him right
well, can only say that he don't deserve it. He is a sporting, gentleman-
like man, fond of the chase and the society of brother sportsmen of
every description. We have often met Mr. Brown with poor Bill
Sermon — * peace to his manes ' — and Bill never associated with a bad
fellow, we know ; nor do we think Ben Robinson would, and we have
seen Mr. B. in his company. So altogether, judging from his associa-
tions and what we know of him, we shaU pop him down excellent.
This Cribite enters into conversation with everybody in the room, and
may be said to be as good in reply as attack.
" Under the window, generally every night, is seated a portly,
aldermanic-looking personage, decorated with a large heavy gold chain.
He is quite piquant and up to the mark ; but he has a strange way of
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 85
Tower very good.* Tom Spring* buried at Norwood Cemetery.
26iA. — See two acts of Hamlet at the Wells. Phelps making '
majdng use of the plural of I on all oocanons when speaking upon the
affairs of an establishment not one hundred miles from the Surrey
Theatre. He is quite a figure for the part ; a large cloak, with an
immense fur collar^ seems to be as indispensable with him over his
coat as the golden appendage is oyer his waistcoat.
'* We cannot help remarking the partiality evinced by ' Q in the
comer * for brandy and water hot. We really think such strong pota-
tions are extremely detrimental to his health ; he should abstain from
giving his friends the trouble of sending him home in a coach. Nick,
beware I By the side of the last-mentioned youth is generally to be
found a little dapper chap, fond of a pipe as long as himself. He is
said to possess great power in his fingers, but he is not one of those
gents who use their digits at a certain * light genteel business.' He is
by no means a man of that sort ; quite different, or he would not be
allowed to call himself a pal of his lusty neighbour, * Q in the comer.*
" We now come to the big-whiskered orator of the room. A freer
man we know not in thought or action. 'Tis he who fought the good
fight on Islington Green for that glorious fellow, our old friend,
Finsbury Tom. He argues and maintains his opinions with great
ability. He is generally pitted in juxtaposition with Mr. Brown.
" Our next friend is a person who constantly displays his erudition
by using the W instead of V, and toiaa toerse. He has lately become a
gentleman coper. He is very clever at popping (not the question) ;
and it is said ihat he is a bit of a billiard sharp. But we doubt this ;
he may have been lucky, and by that means have excited the suspicion
of the flats.
" There are many more (watchmakers, jewellers, etc.), who frequent
this room, but our space will not admit of our noticing them this week ;
perhaps we may give an early look into another room in this house.
" This tavern, though in such a retired situation, has for many years
maintained great celebrity as a theatrical house, from the circumstance
of its being patronized by the celebrated Joey Grimaldi and other
performers at the Wells. Here poor Joey, when in his prime, was
wont to enliven the merry circle ; his clever but dissipated son, also^
was a frequenter of the * Hugh Middleton,* almost up to the hour of
his untimely death. *^
' Dramatic bubble by Angus Beach ; J. Beeve, Bogers, and Miss
Polly Marshall.
* Thomas Winter Spring, a renowned boxer, bom at Witch-end, near
Fawnhope, in Herefordshire, February 22nd, 1795. He was 6 ft. high,
his fighting weight 13st. 2 lb. He won his first fight when only nine-
teen years of age ; his second, against Stringer, September 9th, 1817 ;
and his third, against Painter, April 1st, 1818, but was beaten by him
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86 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
some good points. 28<A. — In evening go to Grecian Saloon
I ^ t^^.^ and see J^jR Wooler's piece of Jason and Medea; or, The
Golden Fleece at Colchis : nicely got up, but very vulgar in
dialogue.' 29/A. — At home all day. Begin pantomime for
Princess's, but making very slow progress. 30^A. — Richard
Jones, comedian, dies, aged seventy-two."
^^ Sept 27id.— In Times account of discovery of gold in
Australia. 4ih. — Bamet Fair. Flexmore and Rogers come in
chaise with Mme. Auriol about pantomime. See Julius Ccesa/r
(last two acts) at Wells admirably played. To Myddelton ;*
meet Capel, Barton, Greenwood, Jonas Levy, Stirling Coyne.
G. Barker calls by appointment. Syllabus for two guineas :
lecture proposed, * Merrie England in Olden Times.' StK — A^*^
Busy with pantomime. The World of Flowers ; or, Harlequin ^^ o^
Warwicky the King Maker ^ and the Wars of the White and i
Red Roses, dth. — Finish above pantomime, and take it to
Princess's. lOth. — Museum. On reading Sun at tavern close
by, annoyed by an eccentric reporter, Downes of Islington.
Knows everything and everybody. 1 5th, — Write to Shepherd,
Barker, Albert Smith, and Sinnett. Take Mr. Moore to
Sadlers Wells: Marston, Hoskins, George Bennett, Mrs.
Graham. First night of revival of Tiraon of Athens : admir-
ably played.^ Afterwards to the * crib : ' Barratt, Barton,
Coyne, Hoskins, Marston, Warner, Jonas Levy, etc. Long
Shakespearean chat, and home. ISth. — Hear from Albert
Smith, who engages me to write for the Month. 20th. — Go
in a second encounter in August. This was his only defeat, though he
met most of the celebrated pugs. He was presented in 1823 with the
Hereford Gup, in 1824 with the Manchester Cup, and iu 1845 with a
cup as champion of England, for which £500 was subscribed. He was
a generous-hearted man, much respected among his class, and had for
some years prior to his decease been landlord of the Castle, Holbom.
He died August 19th, 1851, of dropsy and heart-disease.
* Misses Julia Harland, H. Gordon, Love, M. A. Atkinson, Johnstone ;
Messrs. C. Horn, J. W. Collier, Power, Kerridge, E. O'Donnell, P.
Corri, and Sam Cowell. Choregraphic artistes, Miss C. Parkes, the
Misses Gunness, Mdlle. Luiza, the Misses Amelia, Laura and Isabella
Conquest ; Mens. Bicharde.
* Original name spelt with " y."
« Timon, Phelps ; LucuUus, Hoskins ; Apemantus, George Bennett ;
Alcibiades, Henry Marston ; Phrynia, Mrs. Graham.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 87
to town and pass Howe in to Strand ; see Figure of Fun,^ I b S I
Bloomer costume. 227k2. — At home all day. Send to Albert
Smith, 12, Percy Street, sonnet and three pars, for Month.
23rd. — At work the best part of the day on Shepherd's
pantomime, The King of the Golden Seas ; or, Harlequin
Prince Bluecap and the Three Kingdoms^ Animal, Vegetable,
a/nd Mineral. Fii-st lesson on piano. 24^A. — At work on
and finish pantomime for Surrey. 26th, — At home till 7
p.m. reading proofs. To town, meet Howe at the York.
Pass him to Surrey: see Linda di Chamouni, and Bottle
Imp. Read pantomime to Calcott, the scene-painter ; much
liked. 26th. — Write Flexmore's annual song for hi m. George
Watkins calls ; pass him to Wells : High Life below Stairs.
Meet George Daniel first time. 27th, — Sell pantomime to
Shepherd (Surrey) for £10 ; get half."
" Oct. 3rd. — At Myddelton. George David four years
younger than Harley. Write about 'Taking the Census.'
6th. — Hard day's practice. In evening begin Marylebone
pantomime. Harlequin XXX, Sir John Barleycorn; or.
The Fairies of the Hap and the Vine. 9th. — Hear of
Alexander Lee's death.^ Letter from Smith of Marylebone
Theatre accepting pantomime. Through indisposition almost
idle day. 27th. — See Sala in morning. Pay him lOs. on
account of sketches for pantomime. Back by three. Leave
pantomime with Smith. Go on with Bloomer lecture, and
send first part oflF. 28^fe.— Send oflF Part II. 'Bloomer.'
31s^. — Receive sketches from Sala. Write first scene of
Sadlers Wells pantomime. Second batch of contributions
in the Month."
^ By Edward Stirling ; it was a skit on the Bloomer costume. — Miss
Polly Marshall (Martha Baily) is a servant out for a holiday, and is
induced by a showman (Hudspeth) to appear as. one of his figures.
While so engaged, her " young man " appears with a rival on his arm,
and a ^^ scene ensues." Miss Polly Marshall good in the character.
Rogers also as Nobby Nick.
' He was a celebrated composer, and died October 8th. He was the
son of a great sporting character, and was well known in Dublin
society. When he adopted singing as his profession he became a great
favourite in the Irish metropolis, and afterwards was joint manager
with Captain Polehill of Drury Lane, the Queen's, Strand, etc., and
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88 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
" JVcw. \8i, — John Watkins drops in ; take him afterwards
to Olympic. See Laura Keene in Lady of Lyons ; * actress
of promise, but very artificial. Azad^ burlesque, very bad.
Ath. — To Strand. See burlesque of Thdie and Peleua : ^ very
smart. I9th. — To town in morning, and visit to Albert
Smith, who pays me for Month's contribution £3 10«. ;
pleasant interview."
" Dec. 2nd. — At home till night, and then go to
Myddelton to meet Greenwood. Afterwards to Grecian,
taking Conquest ' Medley Song,' which I wrote during day.
1 6th. — At work on Surrey bill. Malcolm in evening. Chat
anent marriage, etc. At night to Wiseman's. 16^. —
Rehearsal at Surrey. Comic scenes till 5. At night to
Myddelton. Meet Stirling. Coyne, Jonas Levy, etc. Hear
of Alexander's death,' and George Maynard,* who died a
few days since at Newcastle. VI th. — Hard at work; bills
and plots of pantomimes all day. At night to Myddelton.
Meet Rayner, on the Fund ; £120 a year, aged sixty-five, and
subscribed twenty-two years. Barratt, Willyard, artist, his
brother-in-law. 2^th. — Call on Conquest and receive for
pantomime £2 2s. Chimney on fire varies the Christmas
evening amusements. Go to Surrey rehearsal at night;
take T. M. Moore. Not in bed till three. 25th. — Christmas
Day, and a glorious sun-shining one. Mother and W. Fearman
dine with me. Beef, fowl, plum pudding and mince pies ;
all very cosy and comfortable. Whist and music in evening.
was a very able musical conductor. He married Mrs. Waylett, the well
known ballad-singer, who pre-deceased him some few years.
^ Miss Laura Keene was a very good-looking actress, and bad made
some reputation at Richmond under Mrs. Graham's management.
She was supported by Mr. Henry Farren as Claude Melnotte, G. Cook
was the General Damas, and Mrs. Griffiths Widow Melnotte.
' Thetis and Peleus; or, The Chain of Bosea. Peleus, Miss Polly
Marshall ; Thetis, Miss Charlotte Saunders. John Reeve was also in
the cast.
3 Mr. Alexander was well known as the manager of the Theatre
Royal, Glasgow, and as an excellent comedian. He was bom in
Edinburgh, and was for a considerable time lessee of the Adelphi
Theatre in that city, and also the Carlisle and Dumfries Theatres.
* George Maynard was leading tragedian at the Adelphi and Surrey
theatres.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 89
26<A. — Boxing night ; busy as usual. Morning to Mary-
lebone. Evening with Watkins to Surrey — private box.
All goes oflf gloriously.* Drop in at Wrekin to supper, and
hear of a pretty favourable result everywhere. 2*lih. —
At home till 4 p.m. Then to town to see the papers. Back
to tea. Find Watkins, and with him to Sadlers Wells —
private box, Harlequin and Yellow Dwarf, ^ Rochet and
dogs clever, ditto Thorne Sprite.^ Monday, 29th. — Shepherd
calls in morning, wants extra comic scene. Go up at night
with the brothers Watkins to Marylebone Theatre — private
box — and much pleased with pantomime : Pantaloon, Paul
Kellino ; very good ; Tom Matthews, clown, capital ; Veroni,
harlequin, good. Home late. 30^A.^-Write extra half flat
(china shop) for Shepherd. 31«^. — ^At home all day. Howe
comes in evening. Hot supper; chess — beat him — and
grog. Write notice of Marylebone for Era. Sic transit
gloria 1851. One sigh for the past and a hope for the
future."
Total for the year, JE139 14s.
1852.
" Thv/radayy Jan. let — Begin the new year by writing
hosts of letters — Albert Smith, G. Barker, etc. Pop in to
Myddelton ; see Greenwood, Jonas Levy, etc., and afterwards
to Wiseman's. Capital article by Albert Smith in Blackwood^
giving his account of Mont Blanc, thrilling account of perils
undergone.* 7th. — ^To town, and receive from Albert Smith
for last accounton * Month ' £2 28. Sth. — Go to 56, Brompton
Square to dine with Barker. Meet Captain Bruce of the
* Queen Mab ; or, Harlequin in the Magic Pippin and the Peri in the
Pearly Lake. T. Ridgway, and J. W. Collier, clowns ; Grammani,
pantaloon ; Caroline Parkes, columbine.
' Milano, harlequin ; Buck, clown ; Bradbury, pantaloon ; Herr
Deani, sprite ; Annie Gushnie, columbine.
' Bochet, down ; Naylor, pantaloon ; C. Fenton, harlequin ; De
Vere, columbine.
^ [Few people know that the cultivated entertainment at the Egyptian
Hall, Piccadilly, fiiBt saw the light in a magazine article. — C.S.]
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90 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Grenadier Guards.* 9^A. — At home, quite knocked up with
^ ^ S T^ the late hours. In evening to Myddelton to see Greenwood,
but miss him. Hear from Hoskins a remarkable case of
clairvoyance touching the Derby prophecy of last year. Very
boisterous night. Vlth, — At night to Surrey. Meet
Widdicombe and Charles Dillon. Hear news from Courtney,
Miss Vincent ; Higgie married Miss Lazenby. 227id. — George
Herbert Rodwell died this morning. 23rd. — ^To town. Pam's.
Pass Malcolm into Strand; there meet Stirling, Walter Lacy,
W. Brough, Watkins, Ed. Whitty."
" Monday y Feb. 2nd. — Receive from W. S. Woodin second
instalment, £5, and give him Carpet Bag portion. At
night look in at Myddelton. Meet Greenwood, Barrett,
Shean. 7th. — At home all the evening writing song for
Woodin, 'The Visit to the Metropolis.' Work till midnight.
Monday 9th. — At home all the morning writing for Woodin ;
afterwards dine with him at Brompton, 6, Park Walk, by
Goat in Boots. Mr. S. Woodin, Senior, Mrs. Woodin and
family present. Evening passed very pleasantly, treated
most hospitably, and home by cab to Haymarket, thence
walked, half past one. lOth. — At home till seven, then to
Sadlers Wells, where I passed Woodin in to see Phelps's
admirable personation of Sir Pertinax MacSycophant in Man
of the World. Met George Daniel and very interesting con-
fab, with him anent the old writers and Charles Lamb. G.D.
tells me he is now sixty-two. I5th. — Queen's Head old
parlour pulled down, 1829. Monday j 23rd. — ^At home till
seven, when I go to Walworth Institution, Carter Street, to
hear Mr. Toole, son of the Toast Master, give dramatic
representation. His Diggory in The Spectre Bridegroom
very fair indeed.^ 2^th. — At home all day ; a visitation of the
blues. Hear of Miss Vincent having married Crowther of
* General Michael Bnice, of the Grenadier Guards, with which he
served in the Crimea, died, aged sixty, in October, 1883. He was an
excellent actor, and used to play Desdemona in the burlesque of
Othello.
» [This is no other than the celebrated comedian, J. L. Toole, who
graduated at the Walworth Institute, and went on the stage, encour-
aged to do 80 by Charles Dickens. —C.S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 91
Astley's.* 25^A. — Ash Wednesday. Very queer. I^eave
Shakspere volume with Watkins for review. Look in at
Wiseman's; see Harrison. Times circulation often 40,000;
when double supplement lose about £80 a day ; part of
paper set up in duplicate. 26^A. — Much indisposed, but go
to Camden Town, and take mother to Princess's — Flexmore's
benefit. See extraordinary piece called Gorsican Brothersy
with strange apparition eflfects. (This was produced first time
February 22nd, 1852.) 27^A.— Write little notices for Era^
take them to town ; don't meet one person I know. . 28^A. —
At home all day, pushed hard for cash. At night look in
at Myddelton ; only meet Barrett and Guerint. Hear the
former is engaged at Dublin, Queen's Theatre, and that
Miss Harriet Gordon has eloped with Pat Corri. Oxberry
dies, poor fellow, of disease of lungs. 29th, — Mother brings
old school-boy letters dated 1826."
^'Monday, March Zrd. — To Marionettes at Adelaide
Gallery.^ Clever piece, United Service^ well sustained by
the puppet actors. Belvidere with Malcolm, and late home.
Ath, — At home. Mother comes in afternoon, and whole day
is devoted to the examination of pocket-books ranging over
a period of fifty years.^ 5th. — Woodin comes in afternoon, and
advances third payment of £5. In evening to a Mr. Raven,
solicitor, and attest Mr. Maitland's will as witness. 6^A. —
To town, and receive from Willoughby for Henry F. usual
amount, £2 28, Go to Wells ; first night of James VI. by
Rev. J. White; a failure.* I2th. — OflFto Brompton to dine
^ This was an unhappy affair. The marriage took place on Satur-
day, Febmary 21st, and the bride and bridegroom left for Brighton.
On the following Thursday Mr. Crowiher, who is represented to
have been a handsome man in the prime of life, wa s seized with
brain fever. This resulted in melancholy madness, and he had to
he confined in a private lunatic asylum. He for some years had
played leading business at Astley's.
' [The Adelaide GkiUery was a part of the site now occupied by
Gatti's celebrated restaurant. It was the first home of the Oratorians
of the Order of St. Philip Neri, who moved hence to the Oratory at
Brompton.— C.S.]
' These were his father's (W. Blanchard) pocket-books.
* James VI, / or, The Gowrie Plot, was a five-act tragedy by the
Bev. James White, author of several dramas, and turned on the
;^^' V
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92 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
V C V ^^^^ ^^^^ Woodins. Meet on my way Mrs. Hubbard ; first
^ time for three years; mutual news. Hear that Carrie B.*
is in Ireland, flax-farming. On at six to dinner; meet
Mr. George Cape; recollections of Ealing, Birkett, etc.
Read entertainment, all much pleased; most handsomely
treated, and home late. Last paid £6, Meet Malcolm ;
pass him into Sadlers Wells, Henry IV, Barrett's FalstaflF
admirable. \6th, — Albert Smith appears for first time at
Egyptian Hall with his Ascent of Mont Blanc* l^th, —
Regret deeply to hear this day my Mend Cathie died. A
worthy man and much missed ; my spirits much depressed.
20^^. — Meet Willoughby, and talk of new publication, The
Library of the Seasons. Monday, 22nd. — To town by eleven
to read Surrey Easter piece, burlesque of King Arthur,
Everybody delighted with it. Afterwards walk to Clapham
with Brandon, then back to meet Woodin; go with him
to Haymarket, passed in by Buckstone ; see Barry Sullivan
play Evelyn in Money ; admirably cast."
^^ April let. — Meet Woodin, and take him at night to Strand
Theatre. Farce of Matrimonial Prospectuses ; good. Ith, —
Write Arctic Regions description for Phillips, and send it.
Go to town at night ; meet at Ashley's Barratt, Pearson, the
endeayonr of the king to entrap the Earl of Gowrie and murder
him "from motives of jealousy and suspicion.*' The principals in
the cast were as follows :— James VI., Phelps ; Earl of Gowrie,
H. Marston ; Restlereig, G. Bennett ; Alexander Buthven, Robinson ;
Queen, Miss Travers ; Beatrix, Miss Fleet ; Countess Gowrie, Miss
Goddard ; Catherine Logan, Miss Cooper. Mr. Phelps and Miss
Cooper were excellent. The piece was played for Mr. Phelps' benefit,
he also appearing in a farce ; and though only now produced, was
written many years before by the author. It lacked dramatic
grip.
1 The future Mrs. Blanchard.
' This was the most successful entertainment that Albert Smith
produced. His description of the actual ascent (strengthened by
the beautiful scenery painted by W. Beverley) actually thrilled his
audience. Numerous songs, of which one, '^ Galignani's Messenger,"
was a running comment on the events of the day. Countless jokes,
and clever imaginary conversations. Original and droll characters —
the engineer on the Lake steamer, and Mrs. Seymour, who was
ever in search of her black box, particularly — made a novel evening's
amusement that filled the Hall for many a long day.
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EDVP-ARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 93
old editor of the Satirist (first time) ; chat, and home very I 5^ S V
late. 8^. — Write account for Era of Easter novelties.
See the Brothers Sala, Wm. Beverley, Fox Cooper (!), at
Bushell's. Monday^ \2th. — In evening to town. Go to
Surrey, The GorsicaTis; Creswick as the two Dei Franchis ;
Bateman children (Ellen as Charles de Bionville and Kate
as Henrietta de Vigny, in The YouTig Couple), and a new
burlesque of mine, The Three Perils of Man; or, The Three
Knights of the Rov/nd Table} All goes off well but the
scenery. Receive from Era £1- IMh — Capital accounts in
all the papers. To town in afternoon ; meet T. Alpass at Pam's
(Pamphilon's). Hear he is manager of the Chronicle, and
receive promise of assistance to get thereon. Look in at
Strand; see burlesque extravaganza, Antony and Cleopatra,
Miss Louisa Howard and Walter Lacy. Very thin house.
(Also il ViUage Tale, sketched by C. Reade, Esq.: Edward
Stirling, Rogers, Attwood, Moore, Moreland, Misses W. R.
Copeland, Selby, and Maskell, were in the cast.) \^th. —
Ascertain that a Mr. Russell wrote the clever Greenwich
Fair notice in Ti/mes, and hear all pay to theatre for
admission.' \5th, — At home till evening; pass Moore into
Sadlers Wells. John SaviUe of Haysted writes theatricals
for Era, Drury Lane closes till Monday; row with Sims
Reeves. 20th. — At home till 6 p.m., then to town. Call on
Watkins; go to Olympic, see burlesque of the Carnherwell
Brothers (extravaganza by Charles Selby on Corsican
Brothers). Nicely got up, and admirably played, but bad
subject for travestie. Finish at Astley's. Barrett, Pyne,
Jolly Gent, and Tancred. Rich man, quaint and curious.
2Uh. — To town at eleven ; arrange with F. Tallis to write
theatricals for two weekly newspapers, Monday, 26th. —
1 Magnificent magical extravaganza. King Arthur, Brandon ; Sir
Lionel of the Silver Shield, Julia Harland ; Sir Tristram of the
Brazen Mug, H. Widdicomb ; Sir Agrovaine of the Rueful Phiz,
J. Courtney; Merlyn, Wynn ; Penaninkanpapa, Herr Zamiel ; Morgana
la Faye, Clarissa Doria ; La Belle Isonde, Miss Seagrave. The piece
was beautifully mounted, and was a great success.
' [This must be the celebrated W. H. Russell, otherwise Billy
Russell, the doyen of special correspondents, whose letters from the
Crimea were unexampled at the time, and a distinctly new feature in
journalism. — C.S.]
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94 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
^ ^ Hear from and write to Barrett oflferiDg all pieces for
^ a twelvemonth to J. C. Josephs for two guineas. 27^A. — Go
to Surrey ; see Bateman children in The Old Style arid the
New; admirably acted, and piece well written by Bayle
Bernard.^ Jonas Levy and Coyne there. Home early."
" May 2nd, — Mother comes and brings lamp ; a handsome
present, ^th, — To New Soad in morning. Meet Thompson
Townsend, wondering who he is. Write and send ofif article
to Leisure Hour entitled, ' The Cradle, the King, and the
Bier.' 5th. — At home again. Not a penny in the house, and
little prospect of immediate supply. Town in evening; see-
Willoughby. Call on Adams. Walk to Surrey, and walk
back again. Tired, and troubled in mind and body. 6th. —
At home brooding all day, Eeceive from Mrs. Elderton £5
on account of June quarter. Go with Willoughby to Colos-
seum. See Crystal Palace views, but have all of them. I miss
poor Bradwell as the designing hand. I5th.— First number
of Tallis's new paper established and published. Walk home
with Marston at midnight, nth. — No letters, no nothing.
Write song about * Militia Bill * for Bath. W^rite to Nelson
Lee touching burlesque. 20th, — W^rite theatricals for paper.
Go to Drury Lane, passed by Lovell Phillips into orchestra ;
last night of the season. See Bunn first time ; a pleasant-
looking, portly gentleman. Farewell address, and write an
account at Edinburgh Castle, and home. 22nd, — To town ;
receive from Tallis £2, for two weeks of theatricals. Go to
Reunion Club first time as a member; pleasant evening.
Meet Friswell, author of the New Bosina (?), and walk home
with him, passing Belvidere, seeing for the first time the
Flaming and Shilibeer. 25th. — To town ; see Mr. Hutton,
new proprietor of the Weekly TimeSy who wants me back
again. In evening to Olympic, and see bad farce of
WooUer's called Language of Flowers, 27th, — To town with
theatricals for L. W. P. Much indisposed all day; back
early. 2Sth, — Read through the life of Lockington, one of
* [The Bateman children, Ellen and Kate, were daughters of the late
H. L. Bateman, who managed the Lyceum when Henry Irving first
appeared there in The Bells. Miss Bateman (Kate) was the famous
Leah of the Adelphi Theatre.— C.S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 95
the pleasantest of biographists. No letters, no visitors, no \ h S 1^
comfort. In bed at nine. 29^A. — No better. Chemicals
resorted to, to the destruction of the comicals. Tallis £1."
" The Be-Union Club:'
At the Bedford Head in Maiden Lane, Covent
Garden, many of the Bohemians of E. L. B.'s day
were afterwards to be met with as the status of the
" Wrekin " diminished. Here a club was formed,
denominated the " Bedford,' ' but it was broken
up by the dissensions of certain members, the
usual fate of Bohemian literary clubs. The
rival parties, however, after a time healed their
differences, and started anew under the name of
" The Ee-Union." It met so far back as 1860,
and during its existence had many notable
followers — men like Blanchard, Marston, Jonas
Levy, Stirling Coyne, Leigh Murray and his
brother Edward, Carpenter the song-writer, Lowe
of The GritiCy Horace Mayhew, Julian Portch
the artist, Cornelius Pearson the artist, Palser,
Chard, Paul Bedford, Sala (then quite a young
man), Baylis, Horace Green, DeflFett Francis
the artist, Lazarus, Fred Kingsbury, Leicester
Buckingham, Tom Eobertson, Horsley, the
solicitor who did the " Seasons " by facial ex-
pression, and was the butt of the members ; and a
host of kindred workers in art and letters. Mr.
Jonaa Levy many years was Hon. Sec, and con-
tinued in that capacity imtil the club closed its
doors finally. The members were only required to
pay a nominal subscription of about five shillings
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|Vj5V
96 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
a yeax; and met three nights a week, Monday,
Wednesday, and Saturday, in an upstairs room at
the Old Bedford Head, not in the present tavern.
" JTuTie le^. — At home till evening, when go to Olympic
and see Talfourd's clever burlesque of Qati&m ; or, Tfie Sluve of
Love ; ^ crammed full of puns. Monday, 7th. — Gro early to
meet Lovell Phillips at Academy of Music ; see Leoni Lee ;
songs ordered, ' Pearls of the Ocean.' 8th, — Mother's birthday.
G. H. Davidson, music publisher, calls and buys song of
'Militia Mania List! List.' Monday, 14^A.- At home all
day preparing copy for paper. To Wiseman's at night ; see
in Sun excellent notice of ' Jerrold,' said to have been bom in
1 805, nearly same time as Bulwer and Disraeli were. Also hear
of Louisa Pyne's sudden attack of paralysis. 1 5th, — Oflf to
Kennington Gate ; dine with Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd ; mag-
nificently entertained. 17 th, — Write some advertisements
for a Mr. Kay Dimsdale, and leave them at Oxford Street.
18th. — Lovell Phillips calls, and pays for * Pearls of the Ocean '
£1. 23rd. — Over to Surrey, having finished pantomime.
See horrible effect in a piece of strong interest called Alice
May, by Fitzball. Afterwards the Club. Go to Evans's.
See Hine,* Edmunds, and other professionals. 29th. — To
British Museum for notes. Write for the paper, and at night
to Conquest, selling him the pieces Bear and Forbear and
Robinson Crusoe for £5."
" Monday, July I2th, — Go to Highbury Bam Tea Gardens,
for the first time. In evening old John Blewitt, the musical
composer, pays me an unexpected visit. He will be seventy-
two on the 19th of this month ; brings songs, and rattles off
'Barney Bralligan' on piano famously. \%th, — Receive sad
intelligence from York.' 28th, — Write theatricals, and off
1 Miss Louisa Howard, a most beautiful woman, Ganem ; Shalders,
Clifton, Sanger, Messrs. Fielding, Maskell, E. and J. Turner, and
Bartlett in the cast.
' A tenor singer who was noted for his rendering of such songs «is
** Look always on the Sunny Side."
3 Which necessitated his journeying down there, and was even-
tually the cause of much trouble to him, and hampered his finances
for years, through his burdening himself with his brother's family.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 97
to town. At Pam's meet Kent ; walk home with him ; smoke | \g ^^
a pipe at Chelsea with his father. Hear Alastor is * John
Orton.' 8. Phillips, critic of the Times^ is author of * Caleb
Stukeley.'"
" Avug. 3rd. — At home all day preparing contributions for
paper. Little Fred Qiis nephefw) my companion all day;
filling the young mind with new images through picture
medium. Uh, — Scribbling in morning. Willoughby calls
with * Paula Monti ' to alter. In evening to club; introduce
Woodin. Meet Bridgman, old editor of Puppet ShoWy and
accomplished journalist, etc. Now writing for the Economist
and Musical World} Dr. Richardson, Austins, and usual
party present. 10/A. — Home, and work away on French
hodge-podge of * Paula Monti' Wth. — Complete my copies
for the papers, and go to club. Woodin proposed by me, and
elected. Healy in chair. Sterling Coyne, aged about forty-
eight ; Dalton, thirty-one ; Jonas Levy, thirty-six ; Lucombe,
sixty-six. 16<A. — Poor Frank Hartland killed by beam in
Westminster Road, aged seventy.* 25th. — Meet Woodin ;
very pleasant evening. Hear of Forman's death.' Monday y
ZQth, — In evening go to Russell's entertainment at Lyceum,
Emigrants' Progress. Slst. — ' Pearls of the Ocean ' and the
eternal opera to be retouched." «.f c .
" Sept. !«*.— Go to Sadlers Wells— iltt'« Well that Ends
Wellj revived first time. Very well played and received.*
Meet Marston, Coyne, Levy, etc., at Knobb's. 3rd.— Finish
and sent off notes to King Lear and Comedy of Errors,
with notes and introduction complete. Strolling through
1 [Jack Bridgman was a scholar, dramatist, and journalist of great
talent. He wrote many of the libretti for the Pyne and Harrison
operas, and was a very genial companion. He died very recently, in
extreme poverty, supported to the last by a few devoted friends. —C.S.]
' He was for many years a favourite pantomimist, and played with
Grimaldi. The beam from some buildings in course of erection fell
on him, and crushed bis skull.
^ George Forman, for many years a favourite comedian at the
Victoria Theatre — about forty years of age — died of pneumonia.
* ParoUes, Phelps ; King, G. Bennett ; Bertram, F. Robinson ; Lafeu,
Barrett ; Dumain, Harris ; €k>unte6s, Mrs. Teman ; Helena, Miss
Cooper ; Diana, Miss Bassano.
7
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98 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
J r^q- -y Smithfield see the ghost of Bartholomew Fair. Read * Bleak
' House.* Capital! bih, — Walk over to Camden Town to
Lovell Phillips, and receive from him £\ for song of
' Youth's First Lesson.' MoThday^ 6th. — Wilson the pianist
calls ; have some long gossip. Pressure, long copy for paper.
Hear from Leslie, Edinburgh Theatre, wanting a pantomime.
Madame Poitevin ascends from Cremome with parachute, and
descends safely on Clapham Common.^ 7^A.— On * Paula
Monti ;' very tedious work. Stick at it all day till head and
heart ache. Look in at Wiseman's, then at Regent, but no
company at either place. 8th. — At home again on French i
novel ; by ten nearly finish it. To Sadlers Wells at eleven, I
and see Young Husbands^ a very clever piece, written, I ^
believe, by Mr. gingham, who has got the pseudonym of ^
John Daly. lOth. — To town in afternoon ; see Tallis, and
receive from him in advance for paper 36 1. Chat about novel,
to fill one page for £3. 1 \th. — To club ; very lively evening ;
Woodin in chair. Age newspaper gives medals to sub-
scribers. \2th. — Write song of the *Gold Fiend' for
Wilson in an evening. \^th. — Write paper articles. Walk
down to Belvidere. Hear death of the Duke of Wellington
at 3 p.m. this afternoon. \5th. — At home till 5 p.m. fixing
on titles for pantos. Go to Marylebone; see Buchanan as
Macbeth. Arrange for panto, with Smith for Drury. To club.
Woodin gives entertainment extracts. Home with Marston.
Hear from Miss Vincent. Wants panto. ; write and decline.
\^th. — Write theatricals. Go to town. See Tallis, and
arrange for novel called 'Temple Bar; or. The Romance
of Reality.' 2^th, — Go to Strand Theatre; meet Woodin.
' Ethiopians ; ' Pell and Tamborini good. Monday^ 21th. —
Stroll in morning round by Muswell Hill. Back, and
begin panto, of Harlequin Hudihraa ; or. Cavaliers and
Roundheads in the Droll Days of the Merry Monarch.
See Greenwood at night, and suggest to him ' Cherry and
Fair Star.' Finish at Belvidere. Spencer, an antiquary,
present. 28th. — Proceed with panto., and Wilson leaves
songs. 29th. — Davidson in morning with slave songs. British
Museum, and then to Sadlers Wells in the evening. See
The balloon was the " Zodiac," the parachute the " Meteor.'The
descent was from between three and four thousand feet altitude.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 99
the City Madaw, — first revival.* House full of literati. i o ^ ^
Back and write notice. Tallis writes letter of agreement
for tale."
" Oct. 2.— Tallis's usual £\. See Sterling Coyne's farce of
WaTdedj a Thousand Spirited Yovmg MiUmv&rsfor the Gold
Diggi/ngSy produced at Olympic. Moderate success (though
a very good cast, including Bender, Hoskins, Compton, etc.)
Drury Lane opens for short season with Bolton ; * bad com-
pany and bad arrangements. 5th. — Wilson calls and pays
for 'Gold Fiend' £1. Begin 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' and
delighted with it. Write song of the ' Slave Auction ' and
divers small matters. Horrible afifair at Paris — Bower, cor-
respondent of the Morning Advertiser^ and Saville Morton,
correspondent of the Daily News.^ 8th. — Wilson in morning,
W. L. Phillips and Son. Then proofs from Willoughby. See
curious Jansen portrait of Shakespeare at Mrs. Jobson's,
11, Wells Bow. 9<A.— Receive from Tallis usual £1. Go to
Organophonics, St. James's. Much pleased. Afterwards to
Haymarket. New farce by J. M. Morton, The Woman 1
Adore. The club, and home. \Zth. — Drury Lane. Read
pantomime to Smith and party. All much pleased with it.
Afterwards to Davison, and receive £3 for the three songs.*
Sign assignment. \Uh. — Woodin calls, and tells me he has
* Luke, Phelps ; Sir John Frugal, G. Bennett ; Plenty, H. Marston ;
Sir M. Lacey, Barrett ; Edmund, F. Robinson ; Lady Frugal,
Mrs. Teman.
' G. Bolton opened with Bichelieu. Cardinal, Robins, from Plymouth
Theatre ; De Mauprat, 0. Moorhouse, from Broadway Theatre, New
York ; Baradas, J. Johnstone ; Joseph, John Dale. Also the Brothers
Binslay in a ballet.
> Bower appears to have been jealous of Morton, between whom and
Mrs. Bower he thought there was undue familiarity. Unfortunately
Morton entered the room in No. 22, Bue des Oapucins, where Bower ^ -
was at dinner. The latter seized a knife, and after some altercation
on the stairs struck Morton on the neck, severing the carotid artery^
and causing his immediate death. It should be added that Mrs. Bower
was dehrious after the birth of her last child, and in her paroxysms
threw doubt on its paternity. Mr. Morton was much respected by the
Daily News, and had been its correspondent in Constantinople, Athens,
Madrid, Vienna, Berhn, and Paris. He was of good family, and a
graduate of Cambridge. He was a warm-hearted, talented man.
^ " Slave Auction," " Uncle Tom's Lament," and " Slave Mother."
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loo EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
engaged the Marionette Theatre, £100 till Gfatristmas. Stops
' ^ ^^ seven hours with me making out programme. 15^A. — Moore
and Wilson in morning. Give Wilson 'Woman's Bright
Eye.' Receive dressing-case from Dalton. 2WA. — Write for
paper all morning. Receive from Willoughby, for Comedy of
Errors, £2 28."
'^ Monday, Nov, l«i. — Copeland of Liverpool calls for panto-
mimic contributions. Work hard till ten, then go to Regent.
Read the melancholy suicide of George Anderson, the clown.
Poor fellow ! ^ Sth, — To town ; leave copy. Dine with Smith
and George Wild at Stadium House, Chelsea. Champagne
again ! Go to Marylebone, JuUien's first night. 9th. — See
Woodin, who most generously presents me with a handsome
douceur of £5, lltk. — Very busy day. At work on, and
finish by 7 p.m., Sadlers Wells pantomime of Dick Whittington.
Then to Greenwood, and leave it for him. 18^A. — The Duke
of Wellington this day buried with great ceremony, the
streets very full and every shop closed. 25th. — See stupid
farce at the Olympic, first night, Oo to Bed, Tom. Return
to oflSce ; read proofs."
^^ Dec. Srd. — ^Write and deliver comic scene to Sadlers
Wells — the ^Glenfield Starch' scene, llth. — Attain my
thirty-second year. My conscience ! Trust I may give for
every day some good account at the last. 14ith. — Lovell
Phillips calls, and grieves me much by telling me of Perry-
man's death — a worthy and kind-hearted man! IQth. —
Go to Drury, meet Smith ; then to Pam's ; oflF to Olympic,
see fourth act of the Hunchback. Edith Heraud's first
appearance as Julia.' Look in at Knobb'a 23rd. — Write
theatricals, dinner at Drury, rehearsal in the evening. Take
Tallis ; my health proposed, and return speech. 25th. —
* He was only thirty-four years of age, and killed himself by throwing
himself ont of window.
' [Edith Herand is the daughter of John A. Heraud, dramatist, and
cntic for many years of the A thenceMm and the lllustrctted London News.
In his younger days he was a member of the Syncretic Society, and
one of the prime movers in the freedom of the theatres from the old
patent laws. He died in the Charter House, one of the brothers of
that foundation. — CJS.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, loi
Christmas Day. Go to Woodin's to dinner; spend day l^S'i^
delightfully, and very hospitably entertained. Stop there
all night. Vlth. — ^Up all night ; balcony blown slick away
by terrific hurricane. Kept in all morning repairing damage.
28^A.— -To Sadlers Wells; see Greenwood, Nicolo Deulin
(Daly); very good. Sprites capital; the best pantomime
(thought to be) of the season. 30^. — Greenwood, £10.
Go to town with copy; look in at Woodin's; write long
account of theatres for papers, and find this week I have
only written three columns of the novel."
As he was editing the Shakespeare spoken of
he had to spend much time at the Museum ; he
had his theatricals to v^rite, and, besides, this year
E. L. B. wrote the following pantomimes : —
Drury Lane : Harlequin Hudibras ; or. Dame
Durden and the Droll Days of the Merry Monarch.
Tom Matthews, clown ; Herr Deulin, London
Gent ; Veroni, harlequin ; Louise Blanche, colum-
bine ; Halford, pantaloon ; Devain, contortionist
sprite.
Surrey : Harlequin and the World of Flowers ;
or, The Fairy of the Bose and the Sprite of the
Silver Star. Buck, clown ; Bradbury, pantaloon ;
Milano, harlequin ; Annie Cheshire, columbine ;
Molino, sprite.
Marylebone : Undine^ the Spirit of Water ; or.
Harlequin Teetotum and the Chinese Gup-and-
Sorcerer. Eochez, clown; Harvey, harlequin;
Mrs. Harvey, columbine. He also suggested the
title and assisted in the Princess's pantomime,
wrote the usual song for Flexmore, who this
year was at the Adelphi, and wrote the comic busi-
ness for Copeland of Liverpool pantomime.
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I02 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Sadlers Wells pantomime : Wliittington and
His Gat ; or, Dame Fortune and Harlequin Lord
Mayor of London — was to all intents and purposes
written by him. Clown, Nicolo Denlin ; Fenton,
harlequin ; Caroline Parkes, columbine ; Deani,
sprite.
"31«^. — British Museum for Coriolanus. Go to Bertol-
lini's and have macaroni. Look in at Adams's, and come
home at six. So ends an eventful year, bringing sad
changes upon one branch, and mingling bitters with pro-
sperity. God be thanked for the past, however, and hopeful
for the future. Total receipts for this year, £132 10«."
His domestic troubles were indeed great — a
source of such constant and terrible anxiety as
to those whom he felt bound to assist, that it is
wonderful he could concentrate his ideas to
work at all, much more to write with so
much himiour. He was most kind and assiduous,
as ever, in his attentions to his mother.
1863.
" Jan. Ifii. — Go to Surrey in evening ; see R. Foreman,
and hear of B. Honner's death. ^ Davidson calls. Sell him,
* Mr. Robert William Honner was born about 1809, and died Decem-
ber 3l6t, 1852, much respected. He was the son of a solicitor, and a
schoolfellow of Joe Grimaldi. Through reverses when his father died,
young Honner, having acquired a taste for the stage, was apprenticed
to Leclercq, made his debut at the ** Sans Pareil/* and travelled the pro-
vinces. In 1824 he was at the Surrey ; from thence to the Coburg ;
joined Ducrow, and with him got his initiation into stage display and
management ; travelled again ; rejoined Ducrow ; thence to Sadlers
Wells under Grimaldi. He was under EUiston at the Surrey till
Osbaldiston's time, and with Coleman at Sadlers Wells, 1832, and
then met and married Miss Macarthy, a talented actress. In 1835 he
stage managed for Davidg© nt tlie Surrey ; in 1838 became leasee of
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EDWARD LEMAlSr BLAJSTCHARD, 103
and receive payment of £1 for, song of ' Old King Coke/
Monday^ \Oik, — At home writing hosts of letters. Review
music for papers. Wth. — Gro to Drury Lane; see Charles
Reade's piece of Qold} \Uh. — To town ; dine at Bertollini's
in hopes of meeting Woodin ; see him afterwards. Receive
from him another £6^ and the balance of £10 from E. T.
Smith. Have champagne with him at the Lane; all promising
well. \6ih. — Receive from Copeland £3 by post-office order.
21ih. — Drop in at Dormer's. Long chat with Sala; leave
copy at office, and walk home with Tallis. Hear of Morley's
death. 2^th, — Hear of Hamblin's death, January 8th. ZlaL
— Write prospectus of Young Englishman's Magazine^
" Fd). 4:ih. — Watkins's birthday ; evening with him. Meet
Willis, Barry Sullivan, Paris, and others. Very jolly and
very comfortable. Break up at 2 a.m., and walk home with
the tragedian. 5th, — Go to Woodin's. Meet Toole's brother
for the first time, and take him to club. Monday, 7th, —
Meet Woodin, and receive from him another dxmoeur of £5.
Sadlers Wells, part of the time with Greenwood ; from 1841 to 1846
was manager of the Surrey for Mr. Davidge, and after his decease for
his widow. At the close of 1846 Honner became lessee of City of
London Theatre, remaining so until he joined Mr. John Douglass as
stage-manager of the Standard Theatre, which post he retained till his
death.
* This was a story of the Australian gold diggings ; its main in-
cidents were interwoven in Never Too Late to Mend^ produced later.
Mr. Davenport was the hero, George Sandf ord, and Miss Fanny Yining
the heroine, Susan Merton. Mr. Edward Stirling was excellent as the
kind-hearted, benevolent Hebrew Levi, the good angel of the piece —
a new departure in dramatic writing. Gold attracted large audiences.
•Woodin's entertainment, Qirjtet Bag and Sketch Book^ at the
Polygraphic Hall, now Toole^s Theatre, was a great success, but he
worked hard for what he earned. At the end of 72 nights it was
calculated that during that time ** he had changed his dress 3,600
times, sung 720 songs, perpetrated 8,062 puns, and entertained
28,000 persons by his own unassisted exertions." Unlike some, he
remembered E. L. B., and that it was to him he owed so much of
his success. [Woodin was a very amiable fellow, but was inchned to
bore some of his companions with accounts of himself and his enter-
tainment. One day, at the Arundel Club, H. J. Byron interrupted
Woodin, who was, as usual, talking about himself and his prospects : —
"I say, Woodin, old fellow, I wish you would go down under the
table, come up somebody else, and remain ^o.'"— C.S.]
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104 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
8tk. — J. Williams calls first time. Pancakes and fireworks ;
all the children come; high jinks. Write in evening
song, * The Whistling of the Wind/ and send it to liovell
Phillips. I2th. — Write letter to Empress Eugenie for Mr.
Barratt. Shower of proofs in evening. Working hard all
day, but very unprofitably, and very nnthankfnlly disturbed
by home matters. 13tk, — Miserable day at home; pre-
pare copy for F. E. Magazine. Monday, l^ih, — To British
Museum preparing TroUus and Creadda. See Barratt
and give him letter to Empress. I9th, — Take little Walter
to the Grecian. See pantomime opening; very good, —
Fairy and the Fawn; child delighted. Monday ^ 2l8t,
— Town with remainder of copy for magazine. Home to
dress, and go to Toole's to supper. Perseverance Society at
Walworth. Meet the Tooles and Bruton. Home at 6 a.m.
after going thence to Somerset House. C. NichoUs's party ;
sing ' Guy Fawkes.' Monday j 2Sth. — Haymarket in even-
ing, and Bulwer's comedy, Not so Bad as We Seem. Delighted
with it. Woodin's first night at the Salle Hobin. Meet
Albert Smith ; pleasant gossip."
^^ March 1st. — Begin odd matters for Toole's night at
Walworth. Write song for him, * The Age of Condensation,'
and introduction. 8th. — To town in evening. From Lee, for
March number of English Magazine, £4. Go to Drury
I^ne ; see extraordinary performance of walking head down-
wards across a flat ceiling by Sands.* llth. — Again busy for
Toole ; go at night to see him rehearse. Make out. pro-
gramme, and not home till three the following morning.
Have remarkable respect paid to me at Walworth Institute.*
Monday, I4:tk. — At night go to see Toole at Walworth, and
receive from him, for entertainment, £5. 24ith. — Write
theatres for paper. Toole, who leaves to-night for Dublin at
9 p.m., calls at 8.30 to bid me farewell, and presents me
^ He was an American, and accomplished the feat by having some
sort of apparatus attached to his shoes or pattens, which exercised
suction ou a highly-polished surface. [The feat was done in a different
way at the Alhambra by an athlete called Olmar. — O.S.]
' £. L. B. was so thorouglily modest and unassuming that any little
extra attention impressed him.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLA^CHARD, 105
with a very handsome ring as a testimonial. Write some
things for Era at Edinburgh Castle. 2bth. — The three
children dine and spend the day. They revel in games of
all kinds. Howe and I at chess and cribbage. Received
from him 108. on account of song. 2%ih. — Go to Drury Lane
at night. Brough*8 burlesque of the ToZtdmcm ; moderately
successful. Buckstone's. first night of management at the
Haymarket.^ Z\Bi. — Go to town; dine with Albert Smith
and his brother at the Garrick Club. Magnificently enter-
tained. Introduced to Mr. Archdekne and others.* Evening
with Tallis and party at the Dog. Letter from Buckstone."
''AyrH l«e.— To Adelphi; see Webster's ile H(yfM} To
Haymarket, and see Peake's comedy, Sheriff of the County
(Tilbury in his original character of Mr. HoUylodge, Buck-
stone his original character, Pansy ; poor Bucky but very /Jt^^^-^U
indifferent), and Planch^'s admirable burlesque otj^scem^^^^
of Mov/rU Parnassus. Hear of Woodin's being crammed
every night. To Wrekin, and hear of poor Boyce's death
at Charing Cross Hospital.* 2nd, — Club meeting; agree-
able as usual. Afterwards accept Albert Smith's friendly
offer and go to the Fielding Club. Met G. H. Lewes,
J. W. Davieson of the Ti/meSy W. Hale, Lee, Murray,
Wilkie Collins, etc. First night of the Italian Opera
* Mr. BuckBtone opened with The Rivals, Chippendale, Sir
Anthony Absolnte ; Mrs. Poynter, Mrs. Malaprop ; Compton, Acres ;
W. Farren, Junior, Captain Absolnte ; Miss Ellen Chaplin, Lucy ;
Messrs. Howe, H. Gorri, Rogers, and Glai'k, and Mme& Reynolds,
L. S. Buckingham, were also in the cast. Mr. Buckstone's^ Ascent of
Mount Parnassus J by Planch^,in which Buckstone, W. Farren (t^aahion),
H. Corn and Braid, Mrs. FitzWilliam (Fortune), Miss R. Kewer,
Mifls E. Chaplin, and Miss Louisa Howard (Castalia), appeared. Mr.
Charles Marshall's Panorama was introduced.
' [Mr. Archdekne married Miss Elsworthy, a handsome actress, the
grande'dame at the Lyceum in the Fechter days. — C.S.]
* Mr, Webster At Home in Adelphi Fare of Three RSmoves and a
Desserty by Mark Lemon. Madame C^este (the manageress at the time)
and Webster, Leigh Murray, Keeley, Parselle, H. Bedford, Mrs. Leigh
Murray, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Mr. A. Wigan, Mr. O. Smith, and
Paul Bedford took part in it.
* Charles Boyoe, late of the Adelphi Theatre, only thirty-three years
of age, had been ill some time.
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io6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
opening. Flashing literary gossip. Monday^ 4:th, — Receive
from Addison and Hollyer £1. Give receipt for 'Bright
Summer Mom.' 6th. — Write notes to Cervantes, and mud-
dle away an hour at the Belvidere. Spencer, Hodge, an
American, and others present. The Bappings * talked about.
7tk. — At night go to Haymarket ; see new comedy of Elope-
TTventa in High Life^ five-act comedy, by R Sullivan;
moderately good.' Write half a column about it at the
Edinburgh Castle, where I meet Albert Miller. The mis-
understanding of nine years ago cleared up. A long chat
anent past times. 9th — ^To club. Dalton has gold watch
presented to him. John Oxenford of the Times is there.
\Zth. — Go to Sadlers Wells ; last night of the season. See
Henry IV, ^ Part II. Delighted with Phelps as the King
and Justice Shallow. Head curious review of the Rappists'
spiritual manifestation. I4th. — Era pays £1 for Easter
amusements. I9th, — Busy with YouTig Englishman copy.
Go to town with copy; to St. James's Theatre. See
Houdin ; delighted with him, the very best necromancer for
* passing ' I ever saw. 20th, — Busy with copy, and getting
circular of Handbook of Isle of Man Districts ready for Adams.
Go to club ; meet Hemsley, the clever artist. Turns out to
have been at the Old Manor House at Chelsea with me
fifteen years ago. Curious reminiscences of the olden time.
2l8t. — Meet Bradwell, Junior. See Haydon's picture of
Napoleon to be sent by Mrs. Barratt to the Empress this
week. liOok in at Edinburgh Castle, and borne. 25th. —
To town, go to Haymarket ; first night of Browning's play
Colomhe'd Birthday ^^ and re-appearance of Miss Helen Faucit.
The play very dull and heavy ; elaboration of poetical idea.
See Douglas Jerrold, Angus B. Reach, Tomlins, and then to
club. Sapid fire of puns and jokes. 2Wi. — Drop in at
^ This is the first actual mention by E. L. B. of the spiritual mani-
festations in which he afterwards took such interest.
* Barry Sulfivan, Travers ; W. Farren, Charles Perfect ; Chippen-
dale, Lord Betterton ; Howe, Tom Singlebeart ; Compton, Capt.
Gawk ; Buckstone, Jeremy Tulip ; Miss Reynolds, Miss Louisa Love-
lock ; Mrs. Buckingham, Sybilla ; Miss Louisa Howard, Katherina ;
Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Lady Betterton.
^ Miss Helen Faucit, Colombe ; Barry Sullivan, Valence ; Howe,
Prince Berthold ; W. Fan*cn, Guibert.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 107
Olympic ; see Talfourd's burlesque of Macbeth. Robson very
clever. Afterwards walk home. On to the Belvidere. Ix)ng
talk about spiritual rappings and curious letter of Owen's in
the Morning Advertiser of to-day. Adolphe Didier also
promises to find Franklin."
" May l«t. — First song of the Superstitions, * Votive Lamp
of the Ganges,' written and sent to W. L. Phillips.
4:th, — Write introduction to Taverns for paper. Go to town
and leave it. Go to club. Table-moving the great subject
of discussion. 5th, — Lovely day. Purchase one quart Victoria
marrowfat peas, one pint of beans. Write drama. To town.
Look in at Strand Theatre. See Beggar^ a Opera ; ^ nicely
done. Miss Isabella Featherstone, Lucy Lockit, very clever.
Qth. — Sow peas. Dull and cold. In evening go to Cornelius
Pearson's. Mrs. Mole, Wilton, and Mrs. P. and her sister
present. Try the table-moving experiments, but only par-
tially successful. Home very late. I2th. — Belvidereans
succeed with the table-moving. TalUs's paper to be enlarged
and priced sixpence next Saturday. I4:th, — Club; meet
Sutherland Edwards, and Augustus Mayhew first time.
nth, — Belvidere; turn the tables with great success.
18th. — After going to City spend the evening at Pearson's.
Met first time Mrs. Gerald Massey ' and husband. Extra-
ordinary clairvoyant exhibition by en rapport^ and the
phrenological organ I possess found to be, singularly enough,
self-esteem and love of approbation. 19th, — Write theatri-
cals; at it all day. In evening take Lofts to Belvidere.
Meet Howe and Moore. Try table-moving ; a failure. 20tL
— Dine by appointment with Lovell Phillips. Spin round
an insulated table at mother's in a few minutes. Very
brilliant experiment."
" Juns 2nd, — Send oflF to page 29 of copy to Willoughby.
Write drama. To town ; meet Tallis, Lofts, and Wright.
Try to convince former two of table-moving, but they
refuse evidence of their own eyes. 4iA. — Evening to
* Howard, the Player ; Bernard, the Beggar ; Leffler, Captain
Macheath (first time) ; Rogerson, Peacham ; Warren, Lockitt ; Frazer,
Filch ; Harrison, Mat o' the Mint ; Rebecca Isaacs, Polly Peachum.
' Mrs. Gerald Massey died March, 1866, aged about thirty -eight.
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io8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
club. Move bandbox very rapidly; nothing more con-
clusive. Home with Pearson and Wilton. lO^A. — Oflf at
two by London and North Western Railway; arrive at
BirmiDgham at 5.50. Tea. See at Shakespeare Booms
Coleman's imposition of Maaka and Face8, Direct copy of
Woodin's Carpet Bag, Stop at cofiFee-house in Union
Passage. Wih. — Oflf to Stratford-upon-Avon by coach;
arrive at noon. Off to Shakespeare's house, and then to
Shottery. See Ann Hathaway's cottage. Delightful walk
over the meadows. Stop at the Golden Lion. Harry Hartley
landlord ; a glorious fellow, and very comfortable. 1 2th, — Long
walk of ten miles round by Hampton Lucy and Charlecote.
Beautiful scenery, and fine old park. Monday, ISth. — Such
a wet day ! Coach to Warwick at four ; arrive there at 5.30.
Off by Great Western train, and home again at twelve.
I4:th. — Write calendar for paper. Go to Woodin's at night.
Long chat with him about the Coleman piracy. I5th. — Ward
calls from Woodin's. Write short tavern notice of the
Wrekin. 2l8t — To town, and dine with Woodin ; intro-
duced to his intended, Miss Sprague. Arrange preliminaries
for new entertainment 2Srd, — Bead some curious articles
about the rappings. 2Ath, — Take Walter to Blackwall;
first time. Hear from Smith about Drury Lane pantomime.
25th, — Write calendar for paper. Town at night. Club ;
Jopling in chair. Brough and Sidney Blanchard present;
first time of seeing them. Monday, 27th, — Look in at club.
Turn Hemsley round by animal magnetism. 28th. — Louise
Blanche and Madame Louise call in morning. Bead in
Times account of marriage on the 27th inst. of my friend
Kent to Miss Ann Young, the eldest daughter, and have
cards sent."
One summer day B. L. B. met C. L. Barnett,
the author of scores of melodramas, which included
The Dream of Fate; or, Sarah the Jewess:
The Vow of Silence; or, The Old Blacksmith's
Hovel, and pieces of the same class. *' How are
you getting on ? " said Barnett — " better than
I am, let me hope. I can scarcely get bread.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 109
Writing plays is all very well, but I only wish a
widow with a little money would turn up. I'd
marry her and open a shop, and sell cooked pork."
" Why cooked pork, may I ask, Mr. B. ? " re-
marked Mr. Blanchard, who was not only one of
the politest of men, but a student of men and
manners, and in addition an earnest enquirer after
truth. " Why, because it can be used so many
different ways. You can purvey it hot, and then
cold, and if it doesn't go off brisk it can be warmed
up again. After getting a bit high it does prime
for sausages, and when gone like, they can be
transmogrified into faggots; which if unfit for
human consumption can be dried and converted
into seasoning, which does for all the articles
before mentioned." The widow never turned up,
and Bamett, though, like Dogbriar's father, a man
of genius, shared a kindred fate by dying in a
workhouse.
^^ Jvly 2nd. — With Wilton to Hanover Square Eooms.
Pupils of the Koyal Academy's concert ; much pleased. To
Surrey Theatre ; see Robert the DeviL Miss Lowe and
Drayton very good. Monday ^ 4th, — At eight to Olympic ;
see Talfourd's new burlesque of Shyloch Crammed with
puns. Then to club. Chippendale* insists upon celebrating
the anniversary of American Independence ; done accord-
ingly. 6th. — Home, Find all sorts of annoyances. Patience
nearly worn out. 6<A. — To club. Supper celebration. Byrne,
of Sunday Times, in chair. Drayton sings admirably. I give
music toast. Wilton sings ' Alonzo.' All goes ofiF admirably.
13^A.— Finish SchoolgirVa Life, Take it toFarren at night
Too late. l^th. — Club ; Mr. Gould, the American, in chair.
19<A.— Call at Woodin's, but don't stop. In at club. Meet
^ ** Old Chip *' had been for the last seventeen years in America.
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no EDWARD LEMA N BLANCH A RD,
John Daly, the author of the clever piece called the Pvnjes
and Young Husbands. 2lst — Town early, and dine with
my dear friend Woodin, spending day with him. Eeceive
from him £10, making up £20 off account of next entertain-
ment. 22nd. — Gro to Woodin's. The last night of Carpet
Bag, given for 266th time. Famous house, crammed to
excess, everything going off admirably. 23rd. — Up at 5 a. m. ,
and at St. James's Church by ten to see my dear friend
Woodin married to Miss Frances Susannah Sprague ; then
to a grand wedding breakfast in New Moon Street. W. S. W.
quite overcome by excitement. Go with his bride, himself,
and George Cape to Alford, and leave him there a little
recovered. dOth. — Go to club. Dr. Darling, the* electro-
biologist, in chair. Long chat with Daly."
^^ Monday, August 1st — Call on Clark at Electric Telegraph
oflSce. All will be done as wished. Go to Chelsea; meet
K. BuUen at Don Saltero's. 2nd. — Write for paper, and
then take little Walter to Astley's for the first time to see
the Battle of Waterloo^ and scenes in the circus. He gets
knocked up by the excitement, but reminds me of myself
and the eager interest I took in the same matters. 3rd. —
Home early for peace and quietness, but find very little.
All upset as usual, ^th. — Take Walter to Gravesend, think-
ing the steamboat would do him good. Spend an hour at
Eosherville, and back by train. Nothing again done all
day; expenses increasing, income diminishing. 7tk. — Leave
London at 10.30 with carpet bag ; get to Gravesend, walk
to Cobham, and thence through Birling to Mailing, through
cross woods affording pretty scenery. Sleep at Swan Inn ;
expenses 5s. 6d, total distance fourteen miles. Monday ^ Sth.
— Off at nine to walk from Mailing to Maidstone, six miles,
through woods the whole way, road straight through hop
gardens ; so good, worth repeating with companion. Stop
half-an-hour at Maidstone, and walk on towards Ashford to
Parkfield Gate ; on for 2s. Qd. to Ashford ; dangerous man
in fit on roof. Go on by express, 3«. 9d., to Folkestone ; walk,
at half-past seven, six miles across the hills to Dover; stop
for night at Flying Horse regularly knocked up. Meet
young Hengler. Bill next morning 5s. 6d. Weather very
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, in
fine. 9ih, — Smoke a matutinal pipe on shore; waves surging
in, and delicious smell of sea-weed all round. Walk about
feeling very tired. At seven on to Deal by coach. Arrive at
Deal; stroll by starlight round the beach; see Walmer Castle.
Take bed at Eoyal George in Lower Street; small house, jolly
landlord^ and to bed very tired. lOth. — Stroll down the
Walmer Road to Lord Nelson, pleasant roadside tavern.
Write theatricals. Go in afternoon to Sandown Castle, and
lounge about the beach. Very much pleased with Deal;
pretty types of Kentish beauty, the town remarkably salu-
brious; gutters through streets might be improved, \4tth, —
Walk at 10 a.m. across the sandhills and fields from Deal to
old town of Sandwich. Stop there to lunch ; grass growing
in High Street. Take train on to Ramsgate; stop at the
Crown. Look in Refectory ; Glover, pianist; Harmonic
Meeting. Stroll over the sands and walk about pier. Want
a companion very much. Sleep on sofa bedstead, and tired
out. 12th. — Oflf at ten by steamers {The Little Western) for
4«. for London ; estimated distance 98 miles, average rate of
steaming 17 knots an hour. Arrive at home 4 p.m. after
pleasant passage, l^th. — At night to Belvidere, and meet
Beeston, proprietor of the theatrical journal Chat, anent
divers matters, 23ri. — Meet A. Miller, Wandsworth, Kew,
and Rail. Receive a letter from poor John Blewitt the
composer, who dates from University Hospital. 24tth. — Write
theatricals. SOth. — See Albert Miller ofiF in Father Thames
to Dover, and give him book of ^Watering-places.' Long read,
and to bed. 31«^. — All day writing for papers. Premature
death of poor Wilkins, a young and promising author as well
as a good actor." *
^^ Monday, Sept 5th, — Dress, and in evening to Drury Lane;
see G. V. Brooke as Otfiello. First night of a short season ;
burlesque of Fov/nJtain of Beaviy; house very full, perform-
ance very queer. 6^A.— Emma, the daughter of poor John
* John Wilkins, aged only twenty-seven. In six years he had produced
at the City of London Theatre upwards of ten dramas. The Green Hills
of the Far West first brought him into notice. Mr. James Anderson
played in his five-act drama Civilization, and at the time of his death
he had several other pieces written.
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112 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Blewitt, calls to tell me of her father's death. I write
paragraphs of the event for all the papers in accordance with
his dying wish.* %ih. — Go to Drury ; Brooke's Othello a
mistake altogether.* Evening at Bedford, and home. lOth. —
Private box at Drury; Brooke as lago, and Davenport as
Othello ; latter very fine. Monday, I4th. — At home all day
writing * Antique Hostelries' for Birmingham paper. 16^/i. —
Gray the artist comes at night to arrange about the views
of Lake scenery for Woodin's entertainment. Look in at
Begent, and see in paper the death of Bradshaw announced,
at Christiania, Norway. Deeply and unaflFectedly regretted
by all, and not least by myself, nth. — Go to town ; square
accounts with Tallis, three weeks. Come back at six, really
very ill, and in bed by eight. Take a composing draught and
sleep like a top. MoTtday, I9th. — Town early; see Woodin
about Lake Guide. Go to Cremome; find nobody there I
know. Dreary evening. Call at club. New piece. The
Betrothal, at Drury Lane, coldly received.' 2l8t. — All day
writing theatricals. 22nd, — Farren resigns management,
and makes his last appearance at Olympic as Lord Ogleby in
Clandestins Marriage. 29th. — Leave pantomime at theatre;
meet Tallis, who has sold his paper, and somebody else
the proprietor of the lU/ustrated London Magazine. 30th. —
Town early; receive firom Smith for pantomime £10 on
account. Dine with him, Wild, Wilton, J. Rogers, at
Coal Hole. Tallis's paper bought by Mr. J. Livesey, the
proprietor of the Preston Guardian."
" Monday, Oct. 3rd. — Madame Louise and Louise Blanche
> John Blewitt died in University Hospital, August 28th, aged
seventy-three, and was buried in St. Pancras. But a few weeks before
his death he worked for musical publishers, though suffering intense
agony from his complaint, and for some years had provided the
music for Covent Giurden, Drury Lane, Olympic, and other theatres'
pantomimes. He was a fertile composer, was noted for his glees,
and was for some time musical director of Yauxhall Gardens. But
for all this he died poor I He wiU be remembered for his air to
" Barney Brallaghan's Courtship."
' [This was not the general impression. In his prime, the Othello of
G. V. Brooke was said to be a magnificent performance. — C.S.]
' Five-act play, by H. Boker. G. V. Brooke, Marsio ; Miss Anderton,
Oostanzia. Piece withdrawn after second performance.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 113
again call. Surrey Theatre re-opens for winter season.
Brooke's benefit as Virginias at Drury. Hear he is receiving
an average of £200 a week. 1th. — At home all day trying
very hard to be fanny, but miserable failure ! 8^. — Go to
Torrington Square, and leave pantomime for Charles Kean.
Go to Sadlers Wells; see Midaummer Night's Dream re-
vived for first time. Beautifully got up. Monday y lOth. — At
night to Adelphi. See Discarded /Stm/ new piece; goes
off very well. I3th. — See new farce of Charles Selby's, Hotel
ChargeSy at Adelphi. I9th. — Last night of dramatic season.
Brooke, Macbeth, and Smith's benefit. Monday y Zlst. — Town
at two with pantomime. To Drury to see the Horsemanship ;
very fair. Meet Smith and Wild, and have supper with
them at the Albion. Go to club ; pleasant party — Carpenter
and Levy. Lyceum opens." *
" Nov. ^th. — The Empire first number out. Monday, 1th, —
Again on pantomime. Go in evening with Miller to Toole's
At Home in the Southwark Hoad; afterwards to supper.
Meet George Genge, Percy B. St. John, Edward Copping,
etc. A pleasant party. All sorts of songs. Not home till
6 a.m. 9th. — To town. Dine with E. T. Smith and pleasant
party in Ghreen Eoom at Drury Lane. Morning circus per-
formance. Take Walter. Evening to club ; Frank Matthews
there ; long chat with him. Meet Pond, Sala, and hosts of
people. Mondayy I4th. — At night to club. To Adelphi.
First night of Whitebait at Greenwich. Outrageous farce
by Maddison Morton. 15th. — Evans's, Sam Cowell, and
home. Cracker for Christmas, and Parlour Song Book pub-
lished. I6th. — To Hegent Street, and receive one guinea
for words of * As if you didn't know ! * from Addison and
Hollier. 1 7ih. — Writing theatricals. At night to Haymarket.
First night of Lov^s AlarmSy comic opera by Ed. Fitzwilliam.
Goes off only so-so. Write account for it at Edinburgh
> An adaptation from the French, by B. Webster, in which Leigh
Murray was delightful. It was afterwards done as The Queen'i
Shilling for the Eendals at the St. James's.
' Vestris management : A Curious Case, Little Toddlekinsy and, first
time, The Commencement of a Bad Farce, which^ however, it is hoped unU
turn out Wright at Last, — ^very poor, and hissed.
8
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114 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Castle. ZOth, — Meet Harrison. Times newspaper uses nine
tons of paper per day."
"Dec. let. — Write drama. See Adams on return from
Manchester, and square £5 old account of ' Handbook to
Manchester District.* Olympic ; see Plot and Passion ;
very good. 2nd. — Take Walter with me to Zoological
Gardens, Regent's Park ; see the hippopotamus, chimpanzee,
and ant-eater for the first time; the little one full of
ecstasies. Home to tea; tired out with morning walk,
and stop at home scribbling for Birmingham pantomime.
3rc?. — Send Hall two comic scenes for pantomime, and re-
mainder of bill. See Stirling Coyne's comedy, in three acts,
oi the Hope of the Family (first time). Very indififerent,
but goes ofiF well. Wi. — Glimpse in evening at Begent of
Vincent's extraordinary sermon on table-turning, which he
ascribes to satanic influence. Monday, 5th, — Write calendar
for paper, and annual song for Flexmore. Albert Smith
re-opens his Mont Blanc this night with new efifects.
Qth. — Long letter to Woodin. See at Olympic clever piece
of Planch6's, The Camp at the Olympic, and delighted
with it. 7tL — Write comic scene for Sadlers Wells.
Greenwood and club. Chat with Levy. Davidson, music
publisher, calls to obtain another portion of * Villikins and
his Dinah.' ^ 8th. — Meet G. A. Sala. New publication
called London. Long chat with him at Edinburgh Castle.
nth. — Birthday. Mother to dinner. Howe looks in during
evening. Thirty-three this day ! Life's dissolving views —
thirty-third slide. ISth. — Go to Adelphi. See the ice scene
in Thirst for Oold ; wonderful efifect. Then to Olympic.
Robson is great in * Villikins.' At Wrekin hear he is about
thirty-six, and of weak health, poor fellow ! I6th. — Dine
with Mr. Williams, Ledger, Willott, Smith, Scott, and Wild.
P>om Smith £5. Davidson pays for * Villikins and his
Dinah' £1, and gives me a sovereign for tickets to the
Wilkins fund. 21sL — Writing pantomime plots. Arrange
^ This was sung by F. Robson as Jem Baggs in The Wandering
Minstrel, then nmning at the Olympic. It became the popular song of
the day. We have seen before how Blanch&rd wrote it as a boy for
private theatricals.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, us
to provide Era with them. 24^A. — Town early. Grand
dinner at Drury in Green Room. Health of the ' author '
proposed, and have to return thanks. Night rehearsal. Take
Albert Miller behind. 2^ih. — Christmas Day. Eoast beef
and plum pudding, wine and grog, make it as merry as pos-
sible, but company very ' slow. ' 26<A. — General holiday. See
pantomime at Drury Lane, Harlequin Hummingtop. All
goes off very well indeed. Sit in stalls, Spicer next to me,
and Kent in box above me. 27th, — OfiF to town early. Era
£2 for pantomimes. Olympic with Albert Miller. Harlequin
Columhua very slow ; columbine (Miss WyndUam) very good.
2^th, — Busy with theatres for paper. Moore calls, and take
him to Sadlers Wells : Harlequin Tom Thumb ; very good
for changes, and capital clown, Nicolo Deulin. Afterwards
to Belvidere. Fitzjohn calls in morning. Usual overwhelm-
ing cavalcade of Christmas accounts. 30th. — At home to
write Era notices, but interrupted for four hours by some one,
who wants song, etc., etc. At night to town with copy.
31«^. — Meet Woodin. See drama, first night. The Begging
Letter. Not good. To club ; large assemblage. Punch to
welcome the New Year in."
This season E. L. B. wrote the following pan-
tomimes : Drury Lane — King Hummingtop ; or,
Harlequin and the Land of Toys. Harlequin,
Milano ; columbine, Miss Annie Cushnie ; pan-
taloon, Halford; harlequina, Marie Charles; gro-
tesques, Ethair Family; clown, Tom Matthews.
Sadlers Wells — Harlequin Tom Thumb; or, Oog
and Magog and Mother Gooses Golden Goslings.
Harlequin, Fenton ; columbine, Caroline Parkes ;
sprite, Willikind Molino ; pantaloon, Naylor ;
clown, Nicholas Deulin. Also a pantomime for
Hall of Birmingham, and the usual songs for
Flexmore and Tom Matthews.
Rough calculation for year 1853, <£146 lO^,
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ii6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
1864.
" Sunday J Jan, \st» — Mother spends New Year's Day
with us. Write to Kent and Watkins in reply to pleasant
missives. See papers ; good accounts. 27id. — See Davidson ;
give him signatures for * Old King Cole ' and ' Villikins '
and * Pastimes,' for which £2. Dine at Edinburgh, and get
cheque from Greenwood, £14, for pantomime, ^th. — ^Write
address of * England Delineated ' for Tallis. Receive a very
kind and cordial response from my dear friend Kent. 9th. —
To Drury, seeing new piece of Mark Lemon's called Paula
Lazarro;^ not very brilliant. IQth. — Grand juvenile party
of seventeen little ones given by Master Walter — * Nunky
pays for all ' — Christmas tree, etc. Mother comes to assist.
Lovell Phillips looks in at evening, Howe at night. All
goes ofiF pleasantly ; a success ! I6^A. — Woodin pays for
entertainment £5. At night to Drury. Smith gives me
£5 extra for pantomime, llth. — Meet Phelps accidentally
at Sadlers Wells in morning, and he compliments me very
much upon the Shakespeare I edited for him. Pleasant to
feel that he is quite satisfied. \9th. — Look into Edinburgh
Castle. See account of Smith taking Shadwell Workhouse
for a theatre. * 23rd. — Go to Haymarket ; first night of
Miss Cushman's engagement. See her as Bianca in Fazio^
and opening of pantomime of Three Bears. Very good. 2%th,
— To Pam's, read papers; then to club — Wilton there-; chat
with Jonas Levy, and home. Levy called to the Bar. ZOth.
— See Brooke make his first appearance at Drury this season
as Brutus." *
* Or, The Ladrone^s Daughter. Gideon Lazarro, T. Mead ; Juana,
Miss Featherstone ; Gasper, A. Yoiinge ; Mrs. Lewis, Paula ; George
Bennett, Jose Maria ; George Wild, Xenophonte.
* E. T. Smith purchased the freehold estate on which the workhouse
stood, sold by the Stepney Union, the entire area comprised 17,066 ft.,
the workhouse stood on 3,800 ft. of ground.
^ Howe was the Giraldo, Mrs. L. S. Buckingham, Aldabella.
* In Howard Payne's tnigedy, Brutus / or, The Fall of Tarquin^ he
was supported by G. Bennett, Sextus ; Pearson (from Liverpool),
Valerius ; Kinloch, Aruno ; Lee, Claudius ; Belton, Titus ; Morgan,
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ED WA RD LEMA N BLA NCHA RD, 117
" Feh, 2nd, — Drama for paper ; see Adelphi piece of
Number Nip ; * very bad. 3rd. — Start for Coventry ; meet
at station Miss Lyon, Howe, Bamsby, and Buckland. Go
down with them. Uh. — To Birmingham. Stop at Suffield's ;
at night to theatre, and see Jack the Oiant-kiUer;^ much
pleased. Miss Emma Hall very good ; all very hospitable.
Monday y 6th. — About Birmingham with Hall. Call on Simp-
son ; arrange for three-act piece, £25, to be called Aston Hall,
llth. — Go to Haymarket ; see Palgrave Simpson's Randagh ;'
only moderately successful. IZth, — Turn tables, etc. \5th. —
See First Night at Olympic ; delighted with Wigan's wonder-
ful acting as Achille Talma Dufard. 17^A.— Cogitating;
make an efiFort to begin Woodin's entertainment, but a
failure. Review more books for the England, and write
Era correspondence. To town early, and see Lord Glengall
at Drury Lane about new Easter piece. I9th. — In evening
to Stirling Coyne ; arrange with him travestie of WiUikins
and Dinah. 2ith. — The piano comes, £15 ; a bargain. Play
over all the tunes I know."
" March let. — See in paper death of Thomas Holt, of the
Age. Vauxhall; seeC. May, first paymaster, and the proposer
of my health at Drury Lane last Christmas. 2nd. — Town
with copy ; go to crib — Phelps's benefit. The Miser and Wild
Oats. 4cth. — At night to club, Sala and W. Romer at my
side. Met Heath, Bayliss, etc. 5th. — Reading Cahagnet's
curious clairvoyant revelations. Sth. — Look in at Olympic ;
see charming little piece of To Oblige Benson.* IQth. — Busy
Collatinus; Mrs. Vickery, Tnllia ; Miss Fanny Cathcart (from Liver-
pool first appearance), Tarquinia ; Miss Lewis, Lucretia.
^ By Mark Lemon and Shirley Brooks, a burlesque extravaganza.
Mrs. Keeley in the title rdle. Miss Woolgar, Count Rudolph ; Mary
Keeley, Ida ; Madame Celeste, Cuthbert ; Emma Harding, James
Rogers and Paul Bedford were in the caste. The scene was laid in
the Hartz Mountains.
» This was by E. L. B.
' The scene was laid at Ranelagh in the time of George H., and the
play was in two acts. Sir Robert Rovely, George Yandenhoff ; Lady
Rovely, Miss Reynolds ; Mr. Coddlelove, J. B. Buckstone ; Miss
Coddlelove, Mrs. Fitzwilliam ; Colonel Crawfish, Tilbury.
* Adapted by Taylor from Un Service d Blanchardy Bind first played
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ii8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
day in town ; opening of the Panopticon.' Haymarket
Theatre ; Willikins and His Dinah^ first night, goes off pretty
well. \^th. — Begin Aston Holly but make little progress.
Drop in at Wells ; last act of Tovm and Country, 20th. —
To Adelphi ; Two Loves and a Life ; very good.^ 24tth, —
Stewing over Aston Halt. 27th. — First night of Chinese
Troupe at Drury I^ne ; * moderately successful. Leonce
opera, by Diiggan ; Drayton and Miss Lowe very good. 28th,
— Work on Aston Hall ; at night vivid dreams of Elizabeth
Ockerby ; never dreamed of her before ; curious, on account
of what I have recently read in Cahagnet's book, Visit from
Soul to Soul. 29th. — Much impressed with dream of last
night. 31«<, — Howe comes in evening."
^^ April Sth. — At night Toole comes, and pays £4 for
assistance. Go to town ; cheque changed by Ward. I2th.
— Working at Easter novelties for paper all day, and at
night to hear Toole at the Walworth Institute.*^ Take
Albert Miller, T. P. Cooke next to us ; all goes off admirably.
Club, and home with Mr. Stafford, author of * History of
Music' ISth. — Easter novelties for Era, but great scarcity
of information, nth. — Haymarket in evening ; see Planch^'s
clever extravaganza of Mr. Buckst one's Vgycige Round the
Globe (Srsi oight) ; house capital; piece ditto. ISth. — To
town. Era pays £1. Buy * Rambles by Rivers.' 2^th. —
Miserable day ; nothing done ; upset every way ; no money
from anybody ; pushed hard for cash. 25th. — All day brood-
Monday, March 6th, 1854. Emery, Benson ; Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Trotter
Southdown; Miss Wyndham, Mrs. Benson ; Robson, Trotter Southdown.
* The Royal Panopticon of Science and Art, Leicester Square, on the
site where now stands the Alhambra. Leicester Buckingham was ap-
pointed the special lecturer on science.
* By Stirling Coyne. Buckstone, Lord Pellemelle ; Mrs. Fitzwilliam,
Louisa Howard, H. Corri, also in the caste.
3 By Tom Taylor and Charles Reade. Sir Gervase Rokewode
Leigh Murray ; Father Radcliflfe, Benjamin Webster ; Annie Musgrave,
Miss Woolgar ; Ruth Ravenscar, Mme. Celeste ; Musgrave, O. Smith ;
Duke of Cumberland, Charles Selby ; John Daw, Keeley.
* They were jugglers, and clever.
* It was at the Walworth Institute that Charles Dickens saw J. L.
Toole as an attraction, and advised him to go on the stage.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 119
ing over the entertainment. Imagination and inventive
powers dormant. No exercise, no enjoyment, no money,
' no nuffin.' 26iA. — The day of prayer and humiliation for
the war; all the shops closed, and London quiet. 27<A,. —
John Toole to be married this morning at Stepney ; invited,
but can't go. Finish the theatricals of the week. Go
to town. Look in at Edinburgh Castle ; then Ashley's,
Marston, Barrett, and party."
^^ May lat — Begin description of new Crystal Palace for
Adams. Write to Hall for cash. 2nd. — ^Woodin calls to tell
me about Stacey and Palmer renewing their impositions of
last night. Go to lawyer (Abrahams), and thence start to
Brentford. Walk to Ealing ; a memory of old times vividly
reproduced (school days), and thence by G.W.R. to Pad-
dington. Srd. — Writing all day paragraphs for Woodin
about the impostors, but it turns out very unsuccessfully, for
the newspapers seem afraid. 4ih, — Writing * Theatres ' for
Empire ; reduced on Saturday to 4cZ. in price. 5th. — Severe
pain in my side. All day at home, but nothing done. Very
dreary, very weary, and very desponding. Read Manfred
at night, thirtieth time or thereabouts, llth. — Look in at
Drury Lane, Der Freyachiitz in the German ; * magnificently
done, incantation scene capital, Caspar good. I2th. — Home
till eight. Finish accounts of Crystal Palace for Adams. Go
into town and leave it, and receive £1 10s., balance of £2 10«.,
for ' Crystal Palace Guide.' I7th. — Wilson calls in morning,
and off for long walk round by New River, bowls at Highbury
Park Tavern, Homsey, and Highgate. Walk home after
seeing the imposition of Carpet Bag at Gate House ; very
bad and stupid ; sixteen persons present. 20th. — Off early
to British Museum, and work hard on * England and Wales,'
which I begin to find a very unprofitable work. Money
hunting, and failure. Provisions all going up, and my ring
follows the general example. Correct proofs of * England and
Wales.* Much perplexed by no remittance from Birmingham.
25th. — Receive from Hall for piece £15. Get out of debt
everywhere as much as possible, and to town with copy for
* Agatha, Mme. Oaradori ; Max, Herr Beichardt ; Caspar, Herr
Formes.
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120 EDTVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
paper. See W. Miller at Edinburgh Castle, Coyne at Nobb*s.
26^A. — To British Museum ; meet Percy St. John. 29^A.—
Receive one of my dear friend Kent's warm-hearted sunshiny
letters, asking me to become a contributor to a journal,* and
to dine with him at Weybridge. Z\st, — Derby Day. All
my investments prove unfortunate ; hand over the winner.
Adelphi ; Marble Heart^^ very good. • Look in at club ; Mr.
Copping from Australia, Courtney, Hartley, Tilbury, and
pleasant party present."
^^Jv/ne Is^. — Drama for paper. Go to Haymarket; see
Knights of the Roimd Table and burlesque. 2nd, — Davidson
pays in full for 'May Heaven Defend the Right/ and for
'Albion's Island Queen '£2 10«. Flexmore's benefit in
summer season at Wells; very bad house. Qth, — Sadlers
Wells, and see Blach-eyed Susan. Devonport. Sth. —
Mother's birthday, and she dines with me. IZth. — To town
to see Hush Money ^ at Olympic ; Robson's acting wonderful,
but piece bad. Club, and home with Levy. 16th, — Drama,
to town, and NorToa at Drury. Ascot Gold Cup run for,
Western Australian winning, and for the first time in my
life puts lOs. into my pocket. Toole in City. \^th, —
Meet Probert, of Illustrated London Magazine^ and Lofts.
l^th. — See Kent at Sun office; long chat with him. At
Adelphi see A Moving Tale* and last acts of Thirst for Oold.
2%th. — All day arranging little pars for Tallis's London
FictoriaL 27ih. — Write a little of the drama. To Princess's ;
see Faustus;^ very much pleased; last efifect beautiful.
2%th, — Era correspondence, and that's all. 29th, — Write
* The Marble Heart / or, The Sculptor's Dream. Drama adapted by
Charles Selby from Les Filles de Marbi'e, Leigh Murray, Raphael
Dachatlet ; Ben Webster, Volage ; Paul Bedford, Viscount ChAtean-
margaux ; Charles Selby, Mons. Veaudor§ ; Mmes. Celeste, Marco ;
Cuthbert, Clementine ; Emma Harding, Mariette ; Sarah Woolgar,
Marie ; Leigh Murray, Mme. Duchatlet.
' A revival of a farce by Dance, first played under the Vestris
management here, by Liston, Keeley, Frank Matthews, and Mrs. Orger.
F. Robson now played Jaspar Touchwood ; Mrs. Wigan, Sally ; Emery,
Tom Tillex.
* A farce by Mark Lemon, written for the Keeley family.
* Faust and Marguerite.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 121
theatricals. See lively new piece at Olympic called Heads
or Taila^ by Palgrave Simpson. Sadlers Wells prematurely
closes.* No pay, no Payne."
" Jvly 7th. — Finish, all but song of ' Metropolitan Grossip/
the first part of Woodin's entertainment; take it to him.
20th. — Receive £1 from Tallis for Pictorial, Numbers 1 to 5.
2l8t. — Go to Woodin's, and see the Lake Views ; dine there,
and meet Hampton, the aeronaut. 2&th. — Go to Haymarket ;
see Coyne's piece of The Old Chateau^ very good, and
Spanish Dancers ditto. 2Sth. — Go to Greenwich, and
dine with E. T. Smith, Lord Glengall, Captain Spinner, J.
Duncombe, Burgess, etc., at the Trafalgar. Splendid dinner,
but upset by the champagne, and out of order altogether."
** Aug. 5th, — Last night (549th) of Woodin's Carpet Bag
and Sketch Book. Sup at Woodin's with large party —
Planch^, Oxenford, Coyne, the Broughs, etc. Very pleasant
evening. 7^A.— Grisi's farewell of Boyal Italian Opera.* llth.
— Have a remarkably vivid dream about Caroline. Waking
in morning remember that it is exactly ten years since we
last JSSLW each other ; on one side at least, never forgotten !
I2th. — To club; meet Gomersal, low comedian, from the
North. Chat with Daly. 24th.— At night J. Toole drops
in, and tells me he has engaged with Mrs. Seymour,
St. James's. 2&th. — Sadlers Wells re-opens for the season.
2Sth. — To Lyceum in evening. Henry Russell as of yore.*
3l8^. — Home till evening. Drama for paper. Passed by
TuUy into Strand to see the Faust and Marguerite^
burlesque."
* Bobson, Qnaile; Emery, Wrangleworth ; MissMarston, Roeamond;
Alfred Wigan, Harold Djecaster ; Mrs. Alfred Wigan, Winifred.
* It re-opened the following week.
' Or, A Night ofP^il. Drama drawn by Stirling Coyne, suggested
by a novel entitled La Jeune Femme. Buckstone, Samson ; Howe,
General the Marquis de Leyrac ; W. Farren, Armand ; H. Marston,
Lalonette ; Miss Reynolds, Julie ; Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Jeannette.
* She appeared in Norma and The Huguenots. First appeared as
Ninetta in 1834. , . ,
* In the Emigrani's Progress^ and Negro Idfe,
* By J. Halford, the author of Mephistopheles ; Faust, Miss G.
Bodson \ Valentine, Miss F. Beaumont ; Marguerite, Miss F. BrunelL
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122 EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Very bad, and in wretched taste, though Halford's imitation
of Charles Kean good. "
''SepL 4<A.— Take Walter to Highbury Bam Tavern and
Tea Gardens to hear the pantomime. Tired, and back by
eight. John Toole calls; chat, and then away to Sadlers
Wells ; see one scene of Cymbdine. See Greenwood. 7th.
— Find John Watkins on return. 9^. — Visit to Brighton,
etc. 26th. — Leave Southampton at 12.30, and reach
I^ondon at 5 p.m. Find Walter delighted to see me, and
hosts of letters awaiting me. H. Boleno, the new Drury
clown, calls. 27th, — J. L. Toole comes in evening, and
reads over his parts to me. 2dth. — Writing all day for
Era the memoir of poor Mrs. Warner. ' Go to town with
it in evening. See Willoughby about stage edition of
Peridea. Hear of Wilks's death.* ZOth, — Pantomime ordered
* Mary Amelia Warner, died September 24th, 1854; bom at Manchester
in 1804. She was the daughter of Huddart the actor ; and, as Miss
Huddart, began her dramatic career, when only fifteen years of age, with
Brunton, the manager of the Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, and Birmingham
Theatres; made her first notable appearance in London asBelvidera, in
Venice Preserved, at Drury Lane, November 22nd, 1830, to Macready's
Pierre, though she had already played at some of the minor theatres
in town. Lady Constance, in King John / Olivia, in Jane Shore ; Emma,
in William Tell ; and Queen Elswith, in Alfred the Great, or, The Patriot
Kinfj^ — were her principal characters that season. In 1836 she was at
Drury Lane again, under Bunn's management, and played Lady
Macbeth, Emilia, and Marian in The Wrecker's Daughter, In 1837,
Evadne, in The Bridal (The Maid's Tragedy), at the Haymarket. In the
same year married Robert WiUiam Warner, landlord of the Wrekin
Tavern, in Broad Court. Mrs. Warner was for some four years a
member of Macready's company at Covent Garden and Drury Lane,
and in 1844 entered into partnership with Phelps at Sadler's Wells,
remaining there till 1847, when she became the manageress of the
Marylebone, and opened in October as Hermione in The Winter's Tale,
The management proved most unfortunate, and so Mrs. Warner returned
to the Haymarket (having already played there a couple of seasons
between 1837 and 1844), and appeared at Sadler's Wells for a limited
number of nights, commencing July 28th, 1851, in her most celebrated
characters, and made her last bow on the English boards as Mrs. Oakley
in The Jealous Wife, Mrs. Warner subsequently went twice to America,
but returned home in 1853, a confirmed invalid. Mrs. Warner left
a son and a daughter.
' Thomas Egerton Wilks, dramatic author, died this date in a state
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ED WA RD LEMA N BLA NCHA RD, 1 23
in honour of the Allied Forces gaining victory over Rus-
sians. News of the fall of Sebastopol."
From September 9th to 26th E. L. B. was
away from London on business for Mr. Woodin
principally, as is gathered from the diary, pro-
bably to see what success there would be for the
entertainment — ^best rooms, etc. It was also to
benefit E. L. B.'s health, which had been any-
thing but good. He started from Brighton, and
visited Arundel, Chichester, Portsmouth, Eyde,
Newport, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Weymouth,
Portland, Dorchester, and Brockenhurst ; doing
a considerable amount of walking, as was usual
with him.
" Oct, lat — Prepare MS. of Dodge^ Cinderella^ Crusoe^ two
pantomimes and songs for Coppin to take to Australia.
2nd. — Work hard on copy of Dodge. Tallis calls ; arrange to
do 10 sheets (5 parts in 2 months) by let December. Go to
St. James's ; King's Rival^ first night of opening. Mrs. Sey-
mour lessee, and Toole's first appearance. First piece not over
till quarter past eleven, and no chance for farce, so leave.
Srd. — Copping pays £5 for copy of Dodge. Sails to-morrow
from Southampton in the Argo. Propose his health, and
success to him. bth. — Write theatres for paper. See
Brooke at Drury as Stranger, and Wright in farce of
Young Widow. Qth. — Era for memoir pays £1. 9th. —
Princess's ; first night of Jerrold's new play, The Heart of
of wretched poverty. His first work was a romantic drama, The Red
Cross, produced at Sadler's Wells in 1831, and he afterwards wrote
some two hundred plays.
* By Tom Taylor and Charles Reade, of the time of Charles II.
Miss Olyn, Frances Stewart; Mrs. Seymour, Nell Gwynne; Vandenhoff,
the King ; T. Mead, Duke of Richmond ; J. L. Toole, Samuel Pepys ;
Miss Lydia Thompson was in the cast. My Friend the Major, by
Charles Selby, was played the same night
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124 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Qdd^ and first night of the season. Not one of Jerrold's
best. House very full, but not very enthusiastic. 12^A. —
Worried and flurried by press for copy. To Marylebone
Theatre, and see As You Like It ; * well done. Mrs. William
Wallack (Ann Waring) looking as well as when I saw her
last, twenty-five years ago. Captain Mayne Reid and his
young wife and Ben Armstrong present. \Zih. — At night
to Sadlers Wells to see grand rehearsal of Pei^idee. Goes
very well ; a magnificent spectacle. l4itA. — See Tallis, and
square with him, Part IV. of ' England and Wales.' See
Drury scene painters, and then to Sadlers Wells for first
night of Periclea} Brilliant triumph. Write notice for
Era, nth. — To Olympic ; see F. Robson in wonderful per-
formance of Job Wort in A Blighted Being} Mark Lemon
and Morris Bamett present. 19th, — Finish Birmingham at
British Museum, then write drama for Empi/re^ then to
Adelphi, Summer StormSj first night, Tom Parry's.* Era
£1 108. for theatricals. '25th. — Work late to make up for
last night. Idea of Jack and Jill. 26th. — I.<x)k in at
Strand ; Harriet Gordon as Don Giovanni in Dibdin's bur-
lesque. 2Tth. — Write Astley's notice for Era.^ See Lovell
Phillips about six songs of Mendelssohn's. 2Hth. — Take title
to Greenwood, Isanc Walton. SOth. — To St. James's;
Honour before Titles.'^ Bad translation. Adelphi, Bond-fide
' Douglas Jerrold's three-act drama. Ryder, John Dymond ; Miss
Heath, Maude ; J. F. Cathcart, Pierce Thanet ; Addison, Nuthrown ;
Meadows, Tewberry ; David Fisher, Michaelmas ; and Miss Murray,
Dolly Dindle. The Comedietta, Living Too Fast on a Twelvemonth's
Honeymoony was also played for the first time.
> William Wallack, Jacques ; E. F. Edgar, Orlando ; Mrs. Wallack,
Rosalind ; Shalders, Touchstone ; Miss Cleveland, Celia.
' Phelps, Pericles ; Miss Atkinson, the Queen ; Miss Edith Heraud,
Marina. The scenery by Fenton was perfection.
♦ Farce by Tom Taylor. Ellen Turner, Susan Spanker ; Horace
Wigan (playing as Mr. Danvers), O'Rafferty.
^ Keeley, Leigh Murray, and Miss Woolgar appeared in it, but it
was a failure.
* This was a wonderful representation called The Battle of the Alma.
' Taken from La Poissarde. J. L. Toole, Le Pailleux ; Madeleine
his wife, Mrs. Seymour ; Aurelie, Miss Clifford ; Jerome, Henry
Rivers (first appearance here).
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, i^s
TramVLeffB. Write to Woodin and NichoUs about idea for
entertainment, La Bdle Alliance"^
" Nov. l8^. — Write song for Phillips, * When Fancy waves
her Magic Wand ; ' first series of six. 6th, — Hard at work all
day on Drury pantomime of Jack and Jill, and finish it at
seven ; off to Drury with it. All delighted, and all right.
7th. — In the obituary of the Times to-day John Esdale
Widdicomb,^ sixty-seventh year, and riding-master for
thirty-four years at Astley's. At home on ' England and
Wales ; ' write song, ' Fairy Wings,' for Phillips. 13th. —
Hear of Charles Kemble's death yesterday.^ 1 6th. — See
very bad farce of Mark Lemon's, called The Slow Man, at
Adelphi. nth. — OflF to British Museum for data of memoir of
C. Kemble; useless labour, write it at Pam's. 22nd. — From
Era 10«. 6d. for Kemble memoir. Go to Drury; see props.
Adelphi, Raihvay Bdle, lively farce, by Mark Lemon. 23rd. —
Write theatricals for Empi/re, which I hear has changed hands.
To Haymarket ; first night of clever piece by Bayle Bernard
' Farce by William Brough, Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, R. Romer, and
Paul Bedford played in it.
* Prior to his being at Astley^s he had played the ** dandy lover '*
in pantomime to the clown of Grimaldi at the old Ck>burg Theatre.
He was to the last a wonderfully young-looking man, and was an
excellent ring-master.
' Youngest brother of John Philip Kemble and Mrs. Siddons ; and
was bom at Brecknock, South Wales, in November 1775. Educated
at Douai ; was in the Post Office, London, twelve months, but left it
to appear as Orlando in As You Like Ity at Sheffield, in 1792. Made
his dehut in London as Malcolm in Macbeth at Drury Lane, April 2l8t,
1794. Made his first mark at the Haymarket in 1798, as Wilford in
The Iron Chest In 1803 he joined his brother at Oovent Gardeui and
made his first appearance there in September as Henry in Speed the
Plough, He rapidly rose to be one of the most capable actors in an
extensive range of parts, which included Mirabel^ Doricourtj Cassio^
Benedick f Charles Surface^ Marc Antony y Falconbridge, Pierre^ etc.
In 1806 he married Miss Teresa Decamp, by whom he left three
children, Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Sartoris, and the Rev. John Kemble.
Charles Kemble retired from the stage December 23rd, 1836, as
Benedick. He, however, appeared by command of the Queen four
years later, and played for twelve nights his principal Shakespearean
characters. He held for a time the post of Examiner of Plays, but
resigned it to his son J. P. Kemble. In May and July 1844, Charles
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I 26 EDWARD LEMA N BLA NCHA RD.
called Balance of Comfort;^ well received. 25th. — Write song
of * Silver Rills/ and send it to Phillips. The Empire ends
with Livesey and begins with Thomson. 27th, — Write
altered opening scene for Sadlers Wells, and go there in
evening. Walter goes and spends evening at Phelps's in the
Square. 30^A. — Miss Clifford, protegee of Lord G., calls for
pantomime. Write drama, and take it; but though going
through pouring rain find not wanted, the Empire eschew-
ing fine arts for the future."
" Dec. 7th, — Last night of Peridea after a seven weeks'
run. Sth. — Write one comic scene for Smith ; go to Wells
at night and see The RivalSy Phelps playing Sir Anthony
Absolute admirably, llth, — Birthday; attain my thirty-
fourth year, and already grey and half worried out of my
life. N'importe ! Hard at work all day. Send Birmingham
bill ofi". mth, — To Drury; Gough's oration (Temperance).
To Olympic; new piece. My Wife's Journal; bad French
translation. To club. I9th, — Wilson (pianist) and Wilson
Ross (essayist) call. 25th. — A miserable Christmas Day;
not a creature with whom to interchange a pleasant reason-
able idea. 26th, — Walter, Miller, and self go in private box
to Drury Lane to Jack and Jill ; * crowded house, and all
goes oflF admirably. Back in cab, and the dear boy goes
gloriously through evening. 27th. — Drayton calls in morn-
ing and sings hosts of songs ; wanting an entertainment
done for him. Flaming account of the pantomime in all
the papers. Go to town ; see Yellow Dwarf ^^ a burlesque by
Planch^, at the Olympic ; not his best, but neatly written
and carefully got up. Then to club. Hear on my way of
Kemble gave Shakespearean readings at Willis's Booms. He died
November 12th, 1854, aged 79.
^ Mr. and Mrs. Torrington, Howe and Miss Reynolds ; Pollard,
Rogers ; Sheepshanks, Clark.
* E. L. B.'s pantomime, Jack and Jill ; or, Harlequin King Mustard
and the Four-aiid- Ticenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie. Harlequin, Milano
columbines. Miles. Boleno and Ellen Honey ; pantaloon, Herr Kohl ;
sprite, Willikind ; clown,Harry Boleno.
' F. Robson in the title rSle^ one of his great parts — Julia St. George,
King of the Gold Mines ; Miss Marston, Haridan ; Miss Bromley,
Syrena.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLAJSTCHARD. itj
my dear friend Kent's illness. 28iA. — Write notices of
Olympic and Sadlers Wells ^ for Era. Take Miller to St.
James's. Abort Hassan,^ by Talfourd, burlesque ; smartly
written, but ineffective. 29th. — Work on * England and
Wales/ completing proofs, and write St. James's notice.
Receive from Era £1. Drury, first juvenile night ; opening
at Covent Garden with promenade concerts injuring attend-
ance. Look in at Wells, opening with Payne ; by no means
realizing the expectations I had formed of it. ZOth. — At
home all day poring over newspapers, and wretchedly
hipped. Yesterday my friend Woodin was made the papa
of a nice little boy. On the same night he opens the
Carpet Bag at Birmingham. Mat — In evening Watkins
and his youngest brother come, and we see the Old Year out
and the New one in right merrily. All the papers favourable
notices."
Total receipts for year, ^189.
1866.
" Monday, Janr lat — Begin the New Year with a terrible
Cold. 4:th, — Look in at Wells, and £10 from Greenwood for
pantomime. Come home early with purchase of ' Tom Dibdin's
Reminiscences.' Read and reflect on the vicissitudes of an
author's life. 5th, — Accident again to the Italian Brothers^
and, as I hope, the last of all such exhibitions. 6th. — Take
Walter to Sadlers Wells. The Rivals and pantomime of
Forty Thieves. A very pleasant night j the boy delighted.
Great demand for cash in town, and looking anxiously into
the future for the prospect of keeping matters square.
8iA. — See Haymarket opening. Stupid, but scenic splendour
' All Baha and the Forty Thieves^ by W. H. Payne. Nicolo Deulin,
Clown; Charles Fenton, Harlequin ; Nay lor, Pantaloon ; Mile. Nathalie,
Columbine.
' Or, The Sleeper A wakened. The Caliph Haroun Alraschid, J. L.
Toole ; Miss Marshall, Abon Hassan ; Miss Elsworthy doubled the
parts of Gulnare and Amine.
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128 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCH ARD,
great.^ Entertainment wanted for Miss P. Horton, but
decline. Monday^ 1 5th, — All day at home on * England and
Wales.' Club. Long chat with Emery, Daly, Lowe, etc.
Hear of Angus Beach being mentally paralyzed, poor fellow,
and arrange about private theatricals for him. See Alcestea^
Miss Vandenhoflf the heroine. Delighted with the grand old
Grreek play. Sir Henry Bishop, the composer, presiding.^
Stop best part of Talfourd's smart burlesque; then walk
home. 1 %th, — Writing theatricals for Era, Go to Princess's,
but house full and can't get in. Look in at Hopkins's ; meet
Cormack, F. Cooke, ^Joe Hayes.' Snowballing the grand
amusement outside^ and Louie XL the dominant source
of attraction within.* 19th. — De la Motte married again
to Miss Caroline Wenlake. Monday^ 22nd. — All day over
* England and Wales.' At night to Belvidere. See in the
Globe the death of its Paris correspondent and our old friend
Mark Gibbons. 23rd. — British Museum for 'England and
Wales.' Bead Quarterly Review at Temple CoflFee-house ;
capital number. Article on Fire Insurance and Fires (house-
hold) very good. At night see Talfourd's smart two-act
adapted comedy of Tit for Tat at the Olympic.^
2Uh, — Club. Happen accidentally to say a good thing;
Tomlins saying A Beckett had a hymn-book before him
when writing, remark his wit was to be made a little psalter.
25th. — W. Fearman calls in afternoon, acquainting me with
the distressing fact of his having been out of a situation for
some time. Take him to Sadlers Wells ; give him five shillings
* LitUe Bo-Peep / or, Harlequin and the Girl who lost Her Sheep. Little
Bo-Peep, Lydia Thompson ; harlequin, Chapino ; columbine, Mary
Brown ; pantaloon, Barnes ; clown, Appleby.
' Alcestes^ adapted from Euripides by Henry Spicer, produced at the
St. James's. Miss Yandenhoff, Alcestes ; Stuart, Hercules ; Barry
Sulhvan, Admetus. GlUck's music arranged by Mr. Wellington
Guernsey. Ahon Hassan was the Talfourd's burlesque mentioned.
' His last public appearance.
* Charles Kean, Louis XI. ; Miss Heath, Marie; Graham, Philip
de Comines ; Meadows, Olivier-le-Dain.
* From the French Les Maris me font Rire. Emery, Frankland ;
Robson, Sowerby ; A. Wigan, Thomby ; Clifton, Easy Bolter ;
Miss Marshall, Mrs, Frankland ; Miss Bromley, Mrs. Sowerby ;
Miss Ellen Turner, Bose.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 129
and a word of hope. 21th. — At night to Sadlers Wells ; see
last act of TFiTiter'd Tale ; very well played. Miss Atkinson's
Hermione very good.* SOth. — * England and Wales.' Go to
town at night. Amateur performance at St. James's for the
Crimean Army Fund.^ Slat — Arranging old papers, and at
night Toole and his brother come to ask me to go to the
London Tavern and take- the chair on Wednesday next."
" Feb. 27id.— Call at Era office, and £1 U. paid for past
services. Hear of 0. Smith's death on Sunday last, his
sixty-ninth birthday. Walk back home to write memoir.'
Again walk into town. Buy Bunn's * Book of the Stage ' from
Lacy for 4«. 6d., three vols. 7th. — At home till 6 p.m.
Then to town, and take the chair at the London Tavern (MI),
a dinner as a testimonial being given to J. L. Toole. Propose
hosts of toasts ; between 100 and 120 present. Singsongs.
> Phelps, Leontes ; Barratt, Autolycua ; Bay, Old Shepherd.
* Charles XIL, The Honeymoon, and The Wandering Minstrel. The
Misses Elsworthy gave their services. House crowded.
' Bichaid John Smith (or 0. Smith, as he was generally known,
having taken the Christian name after his snccessful performance of
Obi Smith in Three-fingered Jack) was bom at York in 1786. His
mother was a Miss Seracs, an actress of some reputation ; his father
treasurer at the Bath Theatre. O. Smith had an adventurous life.
He began as a solicitor's clerk, but had a hankering for the stage, of
which his parents did not approve, so he gliipped himself off to Sierra
Leone. In the Ghiboon he assisted three slaves to escape, and was
severely punished for it. He came back to England ; was pressed for
the Navy, but liberated ; and was at last engaged by Mr. Macready at
Sheffield as '^ prompter, painter, and actor of all work, at the liberal
salary of Vis. a week." Thence he went to Edinburgh for two years,
and returned to Bath in 1807, and appeared at the Surrey under
Elliston in 1810 ; and it was here he got the name of O. Smith. He
was great as Bombastes Furioso, and a£ Vulcan in Cupid. In 1823 he
made a great reputation as Zamiel in Der Freischutz at Drury Lane.
In 1828 he caused the success of The Botde Imp at Coven t Garden.
He joined Messrs. Tates and Matthews' company soon after they
took the Adelphi in 1828, and from that time until his decease remained
attached to the fortunes of that theatre. His last original part was in
June 1863 in Genevihe ; or. The Reign of Terror. 0. Smith was very
tall, had a deep, almost sepulchral voice, and piercing eyes. He was
extraordinarily successful in characters of the " uncanny " type. He
left behind him a mass of valuable dramatic matters which he had
been collecting with a view to publication.
9
(^5i
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130 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
All goes oflF admirably. Keep it up till after midnight,
and then home, ^th, — Finish Magazine of Magic, with
W. Fearman's copying, and give him more of the pecuniary.
9th, — Sell to Lea Magazine of Magic, a second copy of book,
for two guineas. Go to Era office ; £1 Ss. for contributions.
I4th, — Look in at Drury ; see two scenes of a farce so bad
that it is utterly unendurable — The Writing on the Shutters}
\Uh, — Bachelorize all day. Pushed hard for cash, and
doubtful about the means for the forthcoming spriog.
22nd. — The death of Joseph Hume is announced in paper
to have taken place on Tuesday.^ 24^/i. — Last night of
the Drury pantomime, and all goes oflF tremendously.
E. T. Smith at Manchester; bought equestrian business.
Monday, 2Qth. — Write Toole's song for him. Toole comes
at night ; arranges matters. Sehearsal of songs with William.
Anecdotal evening, and rather late before they retire.
Funds at low ebb, and heavy claims on all sides with all my
economy. 2Sth, — Send oflF to Toole sketch of song, ^ A
NorribleTale.'"^
E. L. B. had a great deal of quiet fun in him,
and when any one romanced in his presence would
often cap his story with something more mar-
vellous. On one occasion some one in the com-
pany was descanting on the wonderful instinct of
dogs, and cited some ultra-Munchhausen instance.
E. L. B. appeared thoroughly to accept the story,
and then related one of a dog with which he was
* George Wild, Corker ; Miss Arden, Letty ; Miss Love, Fanny
Bung.
* Joseph Hnme, M.P. for Montrose, born 1778, began life as naval
surgeon, E. I. Company ; was a great Indian scholar, and of great
service in Mahratta War, 1803. Left service in 1808 ; travelled in
Spain and Portugal during war, and entered Parliament in 1811 as
Member for Weymouth.
' [Years after this amusing ditty was introduced by Toole into an
Adelphi farce, The Area Belief and became the popular song of the
day. It is a great favourite in the provinces to this hour. — C. S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 131
intimately acquainted. He was a mongrel terrier
of disreputable appearance, but of very knowing
air. This canine critic he invariably noticed every
Friday scanning the bills of Sadlers Wells (it was
during Phelps's r6gime)^ and noting what was set
down for the next night's performance. If it were
satisfactory the dog used to wag his very long
tail ; if he disapproved he turned away expressing
his contempt. On the Saturday evening, when so
minded, the dog used to contrive to shp by the
money and check takers, and secure a position near
the front row of the pit. As the play went on,
if Toby were satisfied, the tapping of his caudal
appendage on the floor could be distinctly heard ; a
very finely-delivered passage would elicit a low
whine of pleasure ; at the sallies of a Shakespearean
clown he would grin ; but should an actor tear his
passion to tatters, Toby's resentment and anger
would be expressed by a deep and savage growl.
Strange to say, the Munchhausen gentleman would
scarcely accept E. L. B.'s story as a truthful one.
" March 2nd, — Home again all day. The Emperor Nicholas
died yesterday morning. 3rd. — Look in at Drury; see
VEtoile du Nord ; very much pleased ; Bauer good ;
Drayton admirable. Monday, 5th, — To British Museum,
and meet Walter and mother in Hall of Antiquities.
Adelphi; see admirable drama by Dion Boucieault, Janet
Pride} 9th. — Hear from Miller of Charles Perkins having
died; another of our early friends gone. Monday, I2th. —
Scarcity of coin severely felt. ISth. — On * England and
Wales/ correcting proofs and preparing copy. No cash, no
' [Was a version of an old French drama, Marie Jeanne ou la Femme
du Peuple, Ben Webster, Reuben Pride ; Madame Celeste, Selby, and
Keeley. all distinguished themselves in the typical Adelphi drama.— C.S.]
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132 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
health, no nothing. Last night but three of Sadlers
Wells season. Want a gladdening gleam of sunshine very
much. 14iA. — Go to Haymarket ; see Coyne's piece of The
Secret Agent; not briljjiant^ Buckstone, Compton, Howe,
W. Farren, Mrs. C.^wnite^i^^ late Mrs, L, S. Buckinghamy
Mrs. Pojmter, and Miss E. Chaplin. Then to club. Toole
pays £2 for songs. Phelps' benefit at Sadlers Wells ;
Henry VIIL and Rob Roy ; Phelps the Bailie. \5th. — See
Tallis in morning, and receive from him £3 on account. Go
to British Museum ; see Thackeray. Give copy to printers
Dine at Bedford. \^th — Hear from Lovell Phillips. Olympic :
Lucky Friday^ Alfred Wigan ; and The Yellotv Dwarf and the
King of the Odd Mines ; F. Robson (dwarf, one of his best
charactiers), Julia St. George, E. Ormonde, Ellen Turner,*
Mrs. Bromley, and Mrs. Fitzalan. Drury Lane : The Artful
Dodge^ goes ofiF wonderfully well. Monday, I9th. — Arrange
to let Toole leave his furniture with us while he goes to
Edinburgh. Slst, — The amateur performance of pantomime
at Olympic for Angus B. Reach."
" April 4:th. — At British Museum on Part XII. of * England
and Wales.' Night to club ; take chair. Interesting system
of mental deduction derived from game of twenty-one
questions ; Lowe and Tomlins very clever at it. Hear of the
death of W. Dunn,' the old treasurer of Drury Lane, as having
taken place last night. Monday (Easter), 9th. — To Haymarket ;
brilliant epigrammatic piece by Planche. The New Haymarket
Spring Meeting 1855.* Afterwards to club. ISth. — Write
letters for Barratt to Napoleon and the Empress. Monday,
IQth. — Great excitement in town ; arrival of the Emperor and
' Soon after married Mr. Booth, and retired from the stage. Her
part, the Desert Fairy, was then played by Miss Fanny Maskell.
« E. L. B.'s own.
* He was seventy- two years of age, for fifty -six of which he was
officer to the committee of Drury Lane. He was full of dramatic
anecdote.
* Characters : London, Mrs. C. White ; Westminster, Miss Harriet
Gordon ; Belgravia and Tybumia, Miss Grantham and Mrs. Goe ;
Time, Chippendale ; Lord Mayor's Fool, Buckstone ; City of London
Theatre, Coe ; Standard Theatre, Miss Schott ; Britannia Saloon,
Misf Lavine ; Eagle Tavern, Clark.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 133
Empress of the French. \^ih, — The Emperor's visit to the [ k ^ ^
City; all London in a ferment. 26iA. — The treasury ex-
hausted. Thoroughly knocked up with weary walk after
the possibles — or, seemingly, the impossibles. The electric
telegraph laid down to Balaclava direct, so as to get news
from Sebastopol within twenty-four hours ! 27^A. — Scribbling
little matters for Woodin all day, and at night to town to
appointment with him. He engages Mr. Popham (Dr.
Daniel's secretary) for managing man. Give him receipt for
Olio of Oddities (£50), and receive from him on fresh
account £10. Charles Tallis pays £5 on account of Part XI.
2%th. — ToHaymarket; Sims Reeves, Fm Diavolo. Club;
Sala, Daly, etc. ; pay subscription, 5«., for the year to June
next. 30th.— All day on * England and Wales.' No sleep
again at night ; vivid memories of the past, and live through-
out the night on life embracing the most thrilling fanciful
periods of the last fifteen years. Sir Henry Bishop dies,
aged seventy-five." ^
" May Isi.— May opens with a bright full moon and
cloudless sky, blossoming of the buds of nature and of
hope. A day of dreamy retrospection and of wonderful
romance. C. C. B., after eleven years, from the 10th April,
1844, again encountered, and magical memories of the
bygone. Lovely moonlight night, and long walk home.
Mystic butterfly expansion and flight. 2nd. — Off to town
after writing memoir of Bishop. See Barratt ; revival of old
' Bom in London, 1780. Early showed talent for made. Was
placed under tuition of Francesco Bianchi, and at fifteen wrote music
for several ballets. The Circassian BridCy his first opera, was produced at
Drury Lane, February 23rd, 1809, the night before the theatre was burnt
down and the score destroyed. In 1810 was engaged as musical director
of Covent Garden, which position he held till 1824. Frwn 1811 to
1830 he either wrote the operas or the necessary music, additional and
arrangement, to operas, etc., of sixty-seven pieces, all produced at
Covent Garden ; in 1831, The Roma^vce of a Day; in 1834, Manfred;
in 1840, The Fortunate Ides ; besides other works for various theatres,
etc. He was director and conductor of Philharmonic Society, and
professor of harmony and composition R.A.M. He was made B.M.
Oxford in 1839, and professor there 1848, and was knighted, a then
unprecedented honour, in 1842.
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134 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
memories, and retrospective enjoyment. To club ; intensely
jovial by force of re-action, songs galore ; Leigh Murray and
his brothers (Edward and Garstin) there ; both sing very well.
I give three songs — the exuberance of spirits — and walk
home at 2.30 a.m. 3rd. — Another delightful day of dreamy
retrospection and romance, C. C. B. (Orphan Working School,
Hampstead). First visit; association thereafter. Tales of
the past and confessions of the heart. Kail way to Kingsland ;
dreary walk home. Changes and chances. Exquisite lines
by convolution ; title for drama, Cadetta ; or, The Story of a
Life. Here, if God gives me strength of health and intellect
to fulfil my plans, do I solemnly pledge myself to its com-
pletion, for the sake of one who is . 4tth, — To town ;
dreaming more than ever. At night to Haymarket; see
new piece, The Actress of Padua ; ^ very good, and piece
successful. Tomlins with me; house crowded. Hear of
romance of Oxenford : loved a fair creature, death, agony of
heart, reaction, first that came, equivocal union beneath him,
and another story of life's trials. 5th, — The imagination still
in thrall. Dreamy day, and night of dreams. Monday, 7th.
— On Woodin's business preparatory to the opening ; have
dinner with him and Huline the clown (odd association), and
at night to Albert Smith's ; delighted with entertainment.
Sleep at Haymarket (Woodin's). I2th. — Oflf to town; in-
tensely excited. First night of Woodin's Olio of Oddities ;
it goes ofiF wonderfully well, under all the disadvantages ;
Oxenford and all the press folks there ; place crammed, and
£12 in cash taken. Monday, \Uh. — Capital notices of
Woodin's in all the papers. At night to Polygraphic Hall ;
assist as much as possible. At club ; long chat with Spencer,
who had been present at some remarkable manifestations of
spiritual presence. Walk home late, pondering over the
marvellous experiences of the now thoroughly converted
chemist. \5th. — To Olympic for £'ra. See admirable three-
act comedy by Tom Taylor, called Still Waters Run Deep ; *
* The Actress of Padiuij taken from Victor Hugo's " Angelo."
Tisbe the actress, Miss Cushman ; Oatarina, Miss Reynolds ; Angelo,
Howe ; Rodolfo, W. Farren ; Omeida, Rogers ; Tasca, E. Villiers ;
Anafesta, Braid. Had been a success in America.
* First performance : Alfred Wigan, John Mildmay ; George Vining,
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EDWARD LMMAN BLANCHARD. 135
a powerfully constructed piece ; highly successful. Dr.
Kirkwood's congratulations ; and, though dull, dreary day,
glad to find success procuring notice from the upper ten
thousand. 18^A. — Shocked by visit from Charles Ball, old
editor of Weekly Times^ telling me he is utterly destitute.
Monday, 2l8t. — At night to Woodin's; first night of his
imitations of Russell, Smith, clown, etc. To club ; Henry
Hartley, of Stratford, in town, and a song or two in consequence.
23rd. — Take Walter into town. Find St. Paul's occupied by
Sons of the Clergy. Give Woodin verse naming Derby winner.
Then club ; and with Marston look in at Drury ; Vauxhall-
like masquerade. All the Sons of the Clergy there. 2Sth, —
Arranging copy for * England and Wales ; ' not much done.
A delightfully delirious dream about my dear C . Wild
and exquisitely dreamy imaginations. 29th. — Mrs. Woodin
and Miss CliflFord Clifton call ; the latter young lady, five
years at Princess's, reads Macbeth, and promising actress."
" June laL — Take boat to Chelsea ; wander dreamily round
Barossa Place; see the old house to let. Meet no one I
know. Walk back through park to Warwick Square. At
night to Canterbury Hall, Lambeth, large concert room
holding upwards of 1,200 people.^ 2nd. — Day of great
excitement and strange adventure. Letter from Hastings ;
St. Katherine's Docks, European steamer from Limerick.
4th, — More troubles ! Bothers increasing ! Go to town ;
dreamy and much perplexed. Poor mother annoyed last
night. 5th.— To British Museum for Part XV. of ' England
and Wales.' Correct proofs. 6th, — Era, and receive 10s.
Lounge in balcony; get more dreamy, thinking of many
painful matters and some pleasant ones. Sth, — Mother's
Captain Hawksley ; S. Emery, Potter ; Danvers, Dunbilk ; Miss Maskell,
Mrs. Mildmay ; Mrs. Melfort, Mrs. Hector Stemhold.
^ [TMs was the first of the Music Halls dae to the enterprise and
energy of Charles Morton, for many years manager of the Alhambra.
An ordinary sing-song in a tavern parlour developed into a handsome
Music Hall for the people, with a picture gallery that cost thousands
of pounds. Charles Morton's original and excellent idea was frustrated
by the iniquitous theatrical licensing laws. What is being done now
in 1891, viz. : freedom in amusements was conceived by Charles Morton
in 1855.-C. S.]
/6^^^!f
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136 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
birthday. Walk in morning to Highbury by New River;
home ; dreamy and speculative, heart and head enthralled.
Look in at Drury, Barbiere di Siviglia ; see two acts — well
done. 9th. — Day dreamed away. To club, and chat with
Talfourd about pieces in prospective. lUA. — Mrs. Stanley
calls, and tearfully entreats me to start her daughter with
an entertainment to America. I yield to her persuasive
eloquence. At night to Olympic ; see Ga/rrick Fever revival
(F. Robson, Emery, Danvers, White Rivers, Mrs. Fitzalan,
Miss Stephens, Miss Teman). Handsome present from
Talfourd of books — extravaganzas. Hear of new play by John
Saunders at the Haymarket not being a great success.^ 12th.
—To Standard (Wright and Paul Bedford there), and to City
of London (Charles Mathews, supported by Miss Eliza Arden
in his round of characters during engagement in Game
of Speculation, Patter versus Clatter, Used Up, Comical
GourUesSy Take tJiJOt Girl away, etc. Charles M. has £500
for the month, paid by Johnson and Nelson Lee to E. T.
Smith, from whom C. M. was farmed. 18^^ — To Woodin's,
Drury Lane; chat with Smith. Wandering through the
streets semi-drenched, and unable anywhere to screw my
courage to the adhesive point. \9th, — F. Tallis a bankrupt,
Woodin not doing more than paying expenses, and nothing
doing anywhere. 20th, — Off to town with Walter; spend
day at Woodin's, and take him to entertainment in evening
at WilUs's Rooms to hear a Miss Jay — mesmeric trance,
speaking medium ; nothing in it, all very bad. 2\8U —
See stupid slangy burlesque of Cherry and Fair Star? 25th,
— Letter from C. C. B., and answer. 27^A.— Woodin calls,
and we go to private box at St. James's ; French plays ;
Levassor, clever comedian in the Charles Mathews school,
^ Love*8 Martyrdom, play in five acts, " ^f/asi-Elizabethan in tone,"
and bearing some resemblance to The Hunchback, Barry Sullivan,
Franklyn ; Howe, Laneham ; W. Farren, Clarence Franklyn ; Leigh-
ton, Walter Freelove ; Miss Helen Faucit, Margaret ; Miss Ada Swan-
borough, Julia ; Miss A. Yining, Hester ; Mrs. Poynter, Bertha (an
old nurse). Messrs. Cullenford, Rogers, Braid, Ooe, Clark," Miss
Schott, etc., were also included in the cast.
* Author, C. J. CoUins. Miss Rebecca Isaacs, Cherry ; Miss Fanny
Beaumont, Fair Star; Mr. Shalders, Hassenbad ; Miss Somers, Pompey.
Music, good, by W. H. Montgomery.
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EDJVAUD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 137
supported by Mdlle. Teissifere. 2%ih, — To British Museum
for * England and Wales.' Not at all well, and far from
happy. Oppressed by the surplus population that I have
to provide for, and means getting apparently less every day.
30<A. — Household expenditure increasing. To Sadlers Wells ;
Printers' Dramatic Society plays School for Scandal. Walk
home with Leslie (age twenty-four) ; find him an enthu-
siastic lover of poetry, and improves on acquaintance.
Intelligence of Lord Raglan's death in the evening papers
of to-night." *
" Monday, Judy 2nd, — ^Remonstrance from C. C. B. ; wishes
to be fraternal for the future, but nothing more. I4th. — To
town, and see Emma Stanley, and receive on account of
entertainment £5, 16th. — Book hunting for C. C. B. Look
in at Strand ; bad house ; Wonderful Woman (Mr. Charles
Vincent, Misses Cleveland and Bulwer). Farren's benefit at
Haymarket, and last appearance on stage. Played scene from
Lord Ogleby? \Sth, — Evening dull and dreamy, and myself
ditto. Thoughts involuntarily turning towards what might
have been. \9th. — Chat with Meek anent Bacon, Sidney,
Marvel, and our choice English spirits. 23r(2. — Heraud's
play of Wife and No Wife produced this evening at Hay-
market.^ 26th, — Go to town ; disappointed much in cash
■ He died at 8.35 p.m. June 2dtb, 1855.
' The house was crowded. Miss Helen Faacit appeared as Eang
Bend's daughter; Mr. and Mrs. and Miss M. Keeley played the leading
parts in A Moving Tale; Mme. Celeste, Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Selby and
Mr. G. Cooke in first act of Flying Colours; Sims Beeves sang ** Bay of
Biscay " and " Death of Nelson ; " Perea Nena danced ; Albert Smith
sang " Ghtlignani's Messenger.'* The item of the afternoon was the
second act of The Clandestine Marriage^ with Mr. W. Farren as Lord
Ogleby (the character in which he first made his name) ; A. Wigan,
Canton; Chippendale, Sir John Sterling; W. Farren, jun., Brush.
The curtain fell on a wonderful performance, considering all things,
and rose again to show the veteran actor, who was too moved to be able
to speak, supported by Buckstone and Harley, who embraced his old
companion, and they were surrounded by every actor and actress of
note. After this Mrs. Stirling, Leigh Murray, and Compton appeared
in Where there's a Will therms a Way^ and Harley and Buckstone in
Box and Cox, and the programme concluded with a ballet by the
Spanish Dancers.
• Wife and No Wife, by J. A. Heraud, original play, illustrating the
\^^!^
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138 BDTVARD LEMAlsr BLANCHARD.
matters. Look in at Strand with Miller; see execrable
piece, Flitch of Bacon; or, The Custom of Dunmow.
The only thing noticeable was a good morris-dance that
was introduced, and excellent danaev^e, Mademoiselle Julie,
who imitated in a marvellous manner the style of Perea
Nena. 2Sth, — Club, and walk home with Deane the artist."^
" Aug, 27id. — More dreamy than ever ; domestically upset.
Write account of Princess's ^ and Olympic, closing for season,
and take them to Era. Dreamy, very. A double event
to-day; C. C. B.'s birthday, and her daughter bom on
the same day — an old anniversary commemorated in the
birthday of my heart. llth. — Take W. F. to concert
room. Green Grate ; very stupid place, and full and noisy.
Suggestion for article. Monday, IZth. — Having smoked
opiumized cigars preceding night experience curious results
therefrom. 14^A. — All day on ' England and Wales,' stirring
not from desk till 9 p.m. Hear from nobody, and wrote
to * somebody.' Beautiful weather ; like to be by the sea
amazingly. I5th, — Attend first meeting of contributors to
Comic Times at the house of Edmund Yates in 43, Doughty
Street — Broughs, Sala, Cuthbert Bede, Hale, McConnell, and
Bennett. nth, — Go to club; meet Leigh Murray, who
leaves Adelphi on 29th Sept. 23rd. — Quite upset this week
entirely through money matters. Heart broken, and dull and
dizzy beyond conception even of thought. Monday, 27th. —
state of the marriage law in the reign of Queen Anne ; a well written
and constructed drama. In it Miss Edith Heraud, the daughter of the
author, made a most favourable dibut as Olympia ; Howe, Pierrepoint
(a villain); Barry Sullivan, Lord Osmond (very powerful in a mad
scene) ; W. Farren, Sir Frank Olive (a sort of careless, gay, good-for-
nothing Oity knight); Miss Swanborough, Olarisse ; Miss Ellen Ohaplin,
Doric.
^ A delightful and accomplished gentleman, who has been associated
with the history of the Arundel Olub from its commencement. He
has the genuine critical faculty, and a conversation with Deane is in
itself an education. — 0. S.
* Specialities of the season : Louis XL y Jealous Wife yB>nd Henry VIII
The only failure Douglas Jerrold's drama, The Heart of Gold.
Olympic Specialities : Yellow Dwarf Still Waters Rwn Deep, revival,
of School for Scandal, and of Robert Macadre for Emery.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 139
All day at Sevefti Ages of Woman. * 2^th, — Horribly hard
up ! Waiting for Tallis. Wrote a little of entertainment.
To Drury Lane ; see James Anderson as Rob Roy.* Chat with
Smith about pantomime. Such lovely seasidish weather;
oh for the south coast ! ZOth. — Send to Tallis again without
avail. Ijovely weather, too — so provoking. At night to
Adelphi : revival of Vidorine ; or, FU Sleep On It? Mrs.
Leigh Murray very good as heroine. Write worse than
ever ; old memories revived by it. Meet Ryder, who is oflf
to Paris ; whilst I wish Oh ! don't I ? "
" Sept. 3rd, — Smith sends cheque for £2 2«. for posters,
African twins,* and book; write former. 7tL — Drary; see
finale of Slave and a little bit of the Mountain Sylph. Sth. —
Up early, and see my dear mother oflf to Hastings. Monday y
lOth. — Mrs. and Miss Stanley call, and pay balance of enter-
tainment ; I give former receipt for £20. Look in at Regent.
News arrives of the south side of Sebastopol being in our
l)os8e8sion. llth. — At night to Sadlers Wells; see Bob Roy,
Marston the Rob and Phelps the Bailie ; exceedingly good.
Thoughts wandering to the destination of to-morrow, the
chance of leaving London for the seaside presenting itself at
last. I2th. — Off for south coast ; London Bridge Station at
two. Arrive at five, and go direct to Old Swan Inn in
Hastings. Tea, and thence to the heart's Agapemone;
happiness and home beyond my hopes. Thrilling meeting ;
stroll by starlight by the beach. Old times and old loves
recalled ; the attachment of sixteen years found not to have
' For Emma Stanley.
* Helen Macgrefi^or, Mrs. J. W. Wallack ; the Bailie, Barratt ;
Dougal Halford, Raahleigh ; Osbaldistone, Stuart ; Francis Osbaldis-
tone, Herberte ; Major Galbraith, Hamilton Braham ; Diana Vernon,
Miss de Lanza. Sir Henry Bishop's mnsic.
' Leigh Murray, Alexandre ; Miss Woolgar, Elise ; Wright, Blaise ;
Paul Bedford, Bonassus ; Charles Selby, Chanteloupe.
* These were two negro children, MiUy and Christina, five years old,
" united at lower part of their backs by a fleshy ligature, sixteen inches in
circumference." Were first seen at a private exhibition for the satisfac-
tion of the Medical Profession and Press in the Saloon of Drury Lane
Theatre. They were very happy and cheerful, and fortunately agreed
well together. Were afterwards exhibited at the Egyptian Hall.
f^ *»■'■>'
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140 EDWAkD LEMAhr BLANCHARD.
abated one jot of warmth; fidelity yet in the world. At
night rest in the Temple of Thought, in her room, which
had been given up for my use. Little sleep in conse-
quence of the delicious reveries indulged in. Awakened
early in the morning by her voice. 13iA. — Eain, and home
amusements. Clears up in the afternoon ; visit St. Clement's
caves lit up ; cut out of sandstone rock& ; niece, Polly, and
mamma my companions. At night East CliflF and the life-
boat ; talking on through the twilight into the starlight ;
confessions of the heart ; ' Godolphin ' — the stars of the past
and of the future. Music ; ' 'Twere vain to tell thee all I
feel,' ' My Fairest, my Fondest.' Domestic enjoyment of the
highest and most refined character. Continual evidence of
attention, and the floodgates of old sympathies pouring forth
all its gushing happiness over the almost crushed heart of
the dreamer. Vivid pictures recalled of the olden times.
Wik, — Visitors arrive. Morning stroll by the beach ; Oliver
the boatman. Water Lily^ regatta, wins prize. Little Cupid
in the Temple. Afterwards Carina on the Marina, and
delightful walk to St. Leonards. More of the past recalled ;
of Chelsea, our first try sting-place ; of Richmond of 1842,
and of the fatal year of separation ; the history of a heart.
Music again at night — old songs that were wont to be heard
in the days of yore ; and the clocks strike 2 a.m. before we
all separate. l5tL — To Fairlight by water in Oliver's boat,
the Lively, ^ Alone, alone on the trysting-stone ; alone with
that dearly beloved one.' The Glen, the Lover's Seat ; happi-
ness shared ; the fullest enjoyment of a bright, cloudless day
on the greensward overlooking the sea for hours entranced.
Back through the old town by dusk. Tea on our return,
and most delightful termination to the most enjoyable day I
ever had in my life ; the realization of all that my early youth
dreamed of, and time makes at last a recompense for the
sorrows and suflFerings of the past ; regrets repaid by atone-
ment, but the separation already dreaded more and more.
Monday, 17 tL — Morning by beach, and dreamy lounging
along the shore. The Eev. Mr. Wood arrives ; we fraternize.
Beautiful cloudless weather. At night long and deeply
emotional tete-a-tete— the wedding of the souls. Still in that
shrine of Carina's above ; the last look and last touch at
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EDJVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 141
night, and again awakened in the morning by her call. '
Midst all the happiness of the time the dread of breaking
the spell still before me. Delightful dreams all night.
18^ — On the Marina ; meet Mr. Latimer Clarke, his wife, and
father. All go to Fairlight, the marked association of old
spots; scamper across the cliflFs with Polly. The French
coast seen with telescope, the Ulex Europa (? botanical) .
Ecclesboume Glen, its fine beach ; reminded of old com-
panionship at every step. Nine years ago visited this same
spot — coastguard station — thinking solus and solely of one
who afterwards shares the prospects with me. Time's
changes ! 19^A. — Dip into sea, first time ; persuade Mr. Wood
to join in the immersion ; ludicrous incident. Castle Gardens.
At night Louisa B. packs up and leaves for Homcastle.
Again, evening of exquisite happiness ; Paradise regained, the
heart still young as ever. Time has touched but lightly
the inner woman, and to me not made change visible
in the outer. Late to bed, and awakened early by call firom
Carina. 20^A. — At 5 a.m. wander through the footpaths
towards Hollington; beautiful green lanes, traversed with
the most enchanting and fascinating of companions ; then to
St. Leonards by 8 a.m., and breakfast. A solitary pilgrimage
at noon to the trysting stone, and memories thereof. Rest in
boat. Dip again, and catch cold ; but afternoon of music, and
evening of exquisite happiness renewed. Loathe more and
more to tear myself away from the circle of enchantment by
which I am surrounded ; but duty calls me from Paradise to
Purgatory ! 2\st — About all day by beach and shore, dreamy
and smiling blandly like Malvoisin ; unable to do more than
revel in reveries, and spend the hours of sunshine in fairy-
like enjoyment of happy mental visions. At night French
games, and much amusement therefrom. More happiness
by ourselves in conversation intellectual. Very late again.
227ic{. — Notwithstanding mutual severity of colds, in afternoon
boat on water. Shelley's fugitives one ' boat-cloak did cover.'
Sunset glorious. Hearts plighted, united, delighted ; * the
world forgetting, by the world forgot ; ' the union of thoughts,
hearts, and sentiments. In evening album presentation,
and lines written therein. 24^A. — Up at five again to see
Mr. Wood ofif: Day rendered sadder by my own approximate
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142 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
leave-taking. Revisit all the old localities so endeared to
me, and bid a silent ferewellto the sea for this year. Lonely,
desolate feelings stealing over me — the awakening from
idealities to realities— * The Icy Veil.' 25^A. — The dream
terminates. Will it ever come back again? Tear myself
reluctantly away. Presentation Pietas ; thoughtful souvenirs
at parting. The adieu ; the sunset vividly radiant over the
old town and its beauties. Eetum by 5 p.m. train ; the
dream of happiness over. Vividly moonlight evening, and
rapid railway transit. Eeaching home, find W. F. at supper,
and myself anxiously expected. Dreamy retrospections all
the while. 26iA. — Answering hosts of letters. What the
future has in store for me is a subject of fearful interest.
Worried and flurried by these matters and others beyond
measure. Wretchedly sad and unsettled, suflFering from the
reaction of the pleasant days just passed. 21th, — ' England
and Wales' copy gone on with; Era notices written.
Souvenirs C. C. B. Heart in agitation, and hand and head
too. Still dwelling on the past. * Godolphin ' seems at
home. Feverish dreams at night, and very far from well in
mind or body. 2%ih. — At night see, at Sadlers Wells, one
act of Lady of Lyons; Miss (Mrs.) Eburne, Pauline; pro-
mising actress. Chat with Heraud."
" Oct. 27id.— Send oflF to Woodin, who pays £10. Then
to Sadler's Wells with Quillinan. See Tempest^ admirably
played ; Barratt excellent as Caliban. 3rd. — Hear of W.
Gaspey, poor fellow, becoming insane. God grant my intel-
lects may remain clear to the last, though they have been
severely tried. Uh. — C. C. B. at Dublin, and undying
memories eternally ring in my mind. The past, not the
future, are links to bind us. Sth, — First night of Drury ;
opening for the winter season. Nitocria^ the Egyptian play ;
* Phelps, Prospero ; H. Marston, Alonzo ; Lunt, Antonio ; F.
Robinson, Ferdinand ; T. C. Harris, Gonzalo ; Lewis Ball, Trinculo ;
Ray, Stephan ; Miss Ebume, Miranda ; Miss Hughes, Ariel.
* Nitocris was written by E. Fitzball. Mesphra, Edgar ; Amenophis,
Stuart ; Tihrak, Barry Sullivan ; Koephed, Miss Anderton ; Cuzar,
George Wild; Ophan, Worrell ; Moscar, Robertson; Sesostris, Swan;
the Dark Warrior, W. Vincent ; Kaphona, Miss Cleveland ; Oran,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 145
theatre crammed to excess. 9iA. — To Lovell Phillips, and /f"^
arrange for £3 for songs. Dine at Woodin's. lO^A. — Charles
Mathews appears at Drury in Married for Money ;^ brilliant
reception, house crowded. Meet Watkins and Oxenford.
Wth. — At night to Eoston Sqaare to meet C. C. B. from
Dublin. Etty companion. Chat till late, 10.45 train.
Memories, and discussing presentation of the shamrock, and
legend of the missing leaf. Struggles between love and
duty, and latter victorious after severe contest. \2th, —
Early with Carina in town. Curious articles in Advertiser
about spiritual manifestations. \Zth, — Town early ; see
C. C. B. South coast, Croydon, King's Arms, Etty with us.
Dreams of the future dark and over-clouded ; retrospections
vivid and brilliant. Back at eight. See William Beverley
at Drury Lane, and chat about pantomime. 20th, — Call at
Lovell Phillips'. Come back with pocket full of toys, souvenirs
of Fairlight. Invitation to Doughty Street to see Edmund
Yates. Arrange for share in new monthly magazine, The
Plcmet^ and to subscribe £10 by December. To Olympic,
first night of season, School for Scaridal^ and new farce by
Coyne called CatchiTig a Mermaid (F. Robson, LuflBns a
Showman). Monday , 22nd. — Town early, and see Tallis ; £5
on account for Parts XVII. and XVIIL To Willoughby, and
very long chat about new work. Home expenses increasing.
Laporte ; Grand Hierophant, Yonnge ; Seer of the Pyramids, Temple-
ton ; Nitocris. Miss Glyn ; Urania, Mrs. Selby ; Amanthe, Miss
De Vere. Miss Rosina Wright was the dancer. The scenery was
something wonderful, and the lavishness of the expenditure on the
production had never been equalled. It will be remembered that a
play of the same name, written by Miss Clo. Graves, was produced at
Drury Lane, Nov. 2nd, 1887, with Miss Sophie Eyre in the title rSle^
and Mr. J. H. Barnes as Hedaspes — the character most answering to
Tihraky for there was little similarity in the plots.
> Married for Money ^ an adaptation of Poole's The Wealthy WidoWy
or, They're Both to Blarne, first played at Drury Lane, Oct. 27th, 1827.
Charles Mathews, Mopns ; Mrs. Frank Mathews, Mrs. Mopus ;
Miss M. Oliver, Matilda ; R. Roxby, Rob Royland ; A. Younge,
Sir Robert Mellowboy. The Lyceum Company had been engaged by
E. T. Smith, and played this as a first piece to Nitocris,
• Rentree of Mrs. Stirling as Lady Teazle ; Emery, Sir Peter ; G.
Vining, Charles Surface ; Mrs. Wigan, Mrs. Candour ; Alfred Wigan
Joseph Surface.
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144 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Death of Sir William Molesworth at noon to-day, aged forty-
five.* 23rd. — CoTfiical Times copy. Meet at Round Table,
oflF St. Martin's Lane^ Sala, the Broughs, Draper, Yates,
Oxenford ^Hall, Bennett (the Owl), and Bridgeman ; then to
Woodin's with most of them, being the anniversary of his
third year's debut. Albert Smith proposes Woodin's health,
and Brough answers ; very merry, and all jolly. Leave at
4 a.m. with Heraud, Yates, and Sala ; all perfectly right, and
no evil eflfects therefrom next day. 25th. — Write drama for
Era and little pars, for Comic Times. 26th. — Meet Yates,
Sala, and the Broughs at Round Table. Suggest title of the
Train for first-class magazine. Yates leaving for Brighton.
2Tth, — Take Walter to Phillips' to spend day, and to Camden
Town to spend week with mother. On * England and Wales ; '
much worried about Drury pantomime. At night to town.
Frank Matthews at Princess's.* New piece at Haymarket ; '
latter, by Mrs. Lovell, unsuccessful. Slst. — Go into Olympic
pit to hear Robson sing 'Country Fair,* in Gatchioig a
Mermaid; wonderful achievement."
"iVcw. Ist. — Give mother private box for Drury; Walter
with her. Write notice of Drury for Era. To Adelphi ;
see farce of The Hundred Pov/nd Note* very wretchedly
acted. 2nd.'— Write account of Adelphi for Era, and receive
> Bom May 23rd, 1810. Was member for Cornwall and Southwark
and Secretary for Colonies. [He was the gnardian and patron of Tom
Hood the Younger, and was the means of sending him to Pembroke
College, Oxford.— C. S.]
* Very affectionately received. Appeared as Crepin in The Wonderful
Woman, David Fisher, the Marqnis de Frontignac. The Critic was
also played. Fraak Mathews, Sir Fretful Plagiary ; Walter Lacy,
Puff ; Cooper, Sneer ; Mrs. Winstanley, Tilburina ; Harley, Meadows.
H. J. Turner also in the cast.
■ The Beginning of the End, by Mrs. Lovell, authoress of Ingomar, Very
doleful. Chippendale, Joel Lambert ; Howe, Mat Hall ; Miss Cushman,
Hester Lambert (too rugged). Rogers, Hoffman, Clark, Coe, and Mrs.
Poynter also in the cast
* The Hundred Pound Note was originally produced at Covent
Garden, February 7th, 1827, with the following cast : — Jones, Mont-
morency ; Blanchard (E. L. B.'s father), Morgan ; Bartley, Janus ;
Power (who was lost in the President), O'Shaughnessy ; Keeley, Billy
Black ; Mrs. Davenport, Lady Pedigree ; Madame Yestris, Miss Harriet
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 145
therefrom &\ for contributions. Expenses get awful, and
receipts very precarious. Srd.— Begin third scene of
pantomime. Feel to have lost the power of concentration ;
thoughts wandering more than ever. Letters from everybody
with orders for pieces and articles that I shall be unable to
accomplish, I fear. 6iA. — Busy on Drury Lane pantomime ;
finish it at 9 a.m., and read it to Charles Mathews, who
receives me iu the most courteous and considerate manner,
lioxby, Smith, and Boleno all delighted. Receive from Smith
£10 for pantomime, lih. — To town at night; Adelphi;
revival of Volefnivnjt and Orsoriy^ first time for eleven years.
Sth. — All day writing a little paragraph about Adelphi. At
night to Sadler's Wells ; see Comedy of Errors ; * very cleverly
played. 9^. — Lord Mayor's day; very quiet procession.
From Era 18«. Work on * England and Wales,' and write to
C. C. B. Bachelorizing and dreamy as usual. 10^. — All day
at home setting study to rights and reading. At night to
Drury; see Critic; very well played. Monday^ 12^A.— All
day writing song for Phillips, fifth of Mendelssohn's, The
Tvdlight Hour; send it. Letter from C. C. B. Meet Daly at
club, and talk about ruralities of country life. Earl, the
canine painter, and the mysteries of supematuralism dis-
cussed. I6th. — To Camden Town for carpet bag. Start at
2 p.m. for Hastings. C. C. B. The meeting, the memory,
the evening of quiet domestic enjoyment, the night of the
Arlington ; Mrs. Faudt, Mrs. Arlington. Keeley's catch phrase,
" D'ye give it up ? " was canght up by the town ; and Mme. Vestris'a
*^ Buy a Broom '' song, which she sang as a Bavarian broom-girl, was
hummed by every one ; the actress in the character was painted, and
modelled in plaster, and sold everywhere. The farce then achieved a
run. It did not go at the Adelphi. Keeley resumed his old character,
his daughter Mary took Mme. Yesths's, T. G. Shore (his London dSbut
favourable) Blanchard's, Hudson Power's, and Bland Bartley's. The
** Buy a Broom *' song, though excellently sung, was but little applauded
' Burlesque by Albert Smith. Mrs. and Mr. Keeley in theu
original parts; also Eliza Arden as Agatha; Kate Kelly, Oberon
Miss Wyniham, Miss Farebrother's part of Princess Eglantine ; Pau«
Bedford, King Pippin ; James Bland, Henry ; R. Bomer, Hanfray ;
Garden, the Green Knight ; C. J. Smith, the Bear.
' Antipholus of Ephesus, F. Robinson ; of Syracuse, H. Marston ;
the two Dromios, Lewis Ball and Charles Fenton ; Barratt, ^geon ; Miss
Eburne, Adrians ; Miss Travers, Luciana.
10
|C s-i)
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T46 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
covenant, halcyon hours of happiness, and old dreams realized.
Delight of all to see me, and cosy fireside chat about old
times and new emotions. The pangs of the past more than
atoned for, and all that life can give of the highest happiness
experienced. \lth. — To the sea in morning with Polly on
shore, age nearly sixteen. Thoughtfulness of arrangements
as marked as ever. The crisis of my fate apparently
approaching. Who would have prognosticated this same, no
matter how many years before? Very pleasant party at
night; an agreeable Mr. Atkins introduced. An hour by
starlight on the beach, and then the dear old songs sung by
those dear old lips with eternal youth upon them. \^th. —
Morning to East Beach ; herring-boats coming in and prodi-
gality of fish. Back at noon. Long and happy chat with the
never-to-be-forgotten one. Leave the paradise of my present
existence at 5 p.m., and seen oflF by my dear devoted Carina.
Arrive in town once again by ten, and write this after mid-
night in my own old study, with memories of the bygone
around me floating fancifully past. 2\8t. — Fetch Walter
from Camden Town. Take him to Sadlers Wells; see
Uannilton of BothweUhaugh^ and pleased with Marston
as Cyril Baliol the priest, and delighted with the first and
fourth acts. 2Uh. — All day in the midst of this conflicting
tumult of feelings ; write a comic scene for Sadlers Wells,
the first yet done. 2^th. — Writing introduction scene for
Sadler's Wells, second comic scene and scraps for Howe.
Letter to C. C. B. How it will all end a source of intense
anxiety. Endeavour to drown reflection and feel it hopeless.
The past, if it could but be recalled, might change this
earth into a heaven for me ; and now every day is a scene of
mental torture and heartfelt agony. 27^A.— Write comic
scene for Wells, but heart very sad. Consult at night with
Greenwood; but my thoughts wandering far hence, and
my heart going thither too. Midsummer Night's Dream
revived at Wells. Rose Edouin a clever Puck. 30^^.—
> A five-act historical play by Selous. Phelps, Hamilton ; F.
Robinson, the Regent Murray ; Miss Margaret Eburne, Margaret,
wife of Hamilton. Founded on the period between escape of Mary
from Lochleven and assassination of Murray. Not a very great
success.
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EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 147
King of Sardinia arrives, and illuminations in his honour.
A meteor flashes across London."
" Bee. \si, — To CampbelUs, and meet Val Morris ; have
piece to look over, then dine at Campbeirs ; Beale, etc.
Home to my study; read * Little Dorrit.' 4iA. — Montgomery
dies, aged forty-eight ; introduced to him by Maunder in '54*
5iA. — ^To, Drury, and see Used U'p^ and farce by Oxenford from
the French, Eight Pounds Reward, at the Olympic. Try
comic scene for Drury Annual. 6th. — Write theatricals
for Era, and part of comic scene for Drury. Mystified and
dreamy about the seaside visit. Eeceive from Hastings for
Mechanics' Institute for lecture, per C. C. B., £1. See Smith
of Drury, and receive balance of £10 for pantomime. Think-
ing of to-morrow's journey ; see Charles Mathews, and lOa.
from Era. 8th. — Off by 5.30 train, and reach St. Leonards
at 9.15. Stroll along beach ; the meeting and the proposal.
Meet Mr. Harry Gee; songs and convivialities. Monday,
lOth. — Leave by 10 train for Brighton ; 3.30 to town, journey
short, with C. C. B. Camden Town ; the long journey to-
morrow ; domestic evening with mother and C. C. B. Sleep
there, and read * Ivy Veil.' Emma Stanley comes out at St.
Martin's Hall with Seven Ages of Women, afterwards spoken
of as great success. Breach of contract, llth. — See C. C. B.
to Dublin. My birthday — thirty-five ! Unusual celebration
long remembered. I2th. — Write last comic scene for Drury
and Wells. Pass W. Farren into Wells. Write to Toole
about the Stanley affair. Capital notice in Times of Emma
Stanley. ISth. — Receive from Greenwood for Sadler's Wells
pantomime £10. Prepare copy for ' England and Wales ; '
at night to Drury with materials for pantomime. To Drury,
and see Patter versus Clatter, with Mathews's wonderful
impersonation. Meet Ward, of Bedford Head, about writing
book for Mr. Nicholson, proprietor of Shotley Bridge (North-
umberland) Ironworks, and arrange for interview next day.
lith.—Dine with Mr. Nicholson, Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, and
Mr. Weldon, railway contractor, at Reunion. Goes off" very
well ; tell him pamphlet, printing and all, will not cost more
than £100. Arrange to go down in February to Shotley, and
stop a month with him. Meet Phillips and Tomlius, who
/».'■>
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148 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
have been dining with Smith and Mr. Fladgate, the Drury
secretary to committee, Dunn's successor. Hear they have
spoken very kindly and very complimentarily about me. 15fA.
—Receive £2 198., balance of Part XIX., from Tallis. Ylth.—
Weather cold, and plaid a great comfort — associated with
agreeable memories. Expenses increasing at a frightful rate.
1 Sth. — A thorough invalid. Trying to make out Drury playbill.
Give Malcolm some copy for the Observer. The poet Rogers
died this morning, aged ninety-six.* 2l8t, — Finish panto-
mime plots for Era^ and to town ; receive from E. T. S. the
last £5 for pantomime. Spend evening with him at Van
Buren's. 24:th. — Go to Strand and see first performance of
pantomime, Black-eyed Sibsan, with Talfourd in private
box.' Then to club; spend Christmas Eve with Brough
and a few convivial members; bowls of punch, and con-
viviality and jocularity. Home, and find lamp, a present
from Herbert Watkins. 26th. — Mother arrives, and we go
in cab to Drury with Walter. Hey Diddle Diddle; or,
Harlequin King Nonsense and the Seven Ages of Many
pantomime by E.L.B.' Everything in the opening goes
oflF wonderfully well ; house crammed ; Covent Garden pan-
tomime a comparative failure. 27th. — Capital accounts in
all the papers. To town ; see Ledger ; receive £1 lOs. for
Christmas plots, and 10s. on account. At night to Princess's,
and see pantomime of Maid and Magpie ; * badly written
opening, but beautifully got up, and tricks by Bradwell
admirably and expensively made, but no point about it.
Beautiful letter and Christmas greeting from C. C. B., who,
thirteen years since — heigho! 2Sth. — At home all day
writing notice of Princess's pantomime for Era. Look in at
» Samuel Rogers, banker and poet, bom July 30th, 1763. Author
of " Pleasures of Memory," 1792 ; *' Poems," 1812 ; " Italy," 1822 ; and
"Recollections," printed in 1859.*
' Rickett, clown ; French, harlequin ; Priorson, pantaloon ; Mdlle.
Honriade, columbine ; Signer Plimmerini, sprite.
* Double harlequinade : clowns, Tom Matthews and Boleno ; panta-
loons, Johnson and Tanner ; harlequins, Yeroni and Herr Furth ;
columbines, Mddles. Boleno and Marie Charles ; sprites, Brothers
Elliott.
* Harlequin, Cormack ; clown, Huline ; pantaloon, Paulo ; colum-
bine, Phoebe Beale.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 149
Drury ; see Wild. House crammed to excess. Pantomimists
very slow and dreary, and lack of quick action. The new lamp
kindling up at home for study with great success. 29^A. —
Dear Walter's birthday — six. Groes to Camden Town to cele-
brate it. I go to British Museum, prepare copy; go to
Wells; see opening of Harlequin and Puss in Boots; or^
All the World and His Wife and the Ogre of Rats' Castle,
by E. L. B. ; very good.* Hear of death of Shelton Mackenzie.
Slst — Go to British Museum in morning, being the last day
before the annual closing. Prepare copy, and go to club ;
few, but jolly. See the Old Year out and the New Year in,
and sing an extemporaneous song to do honour to ditto.
Home with Spencer, chatting about clairvoyance the whole
way. So exits 1855. An annus Tnirabilis of pain and
pleasure to me, and God be thanked for the health and
happiness I have enjoyed in the course of it. Much of the
past atoned for by , the wasted life yet made happy by
memories, and if no union here, yet a hope of one hereafter.
The future a mysterious curtain to be withdrawn."
Lira's Problem.
A Metaphysical Madrigal.
I.
" What is Life ? " Don't hall and hovel
Share the sunbeam's warm caress ?
This reflection, if not novel.
Still is truthful none the less.
Question asked through countless ages.
Muddling mortals more and more,
Puzzling all the greatest sages,
Yet unanswered as before.
Question asked, and oft repeated ;
Only answer we can show.
Life commenced must be completed
Somehow, and that's all we know.
* Harlequin, Charles Fenton ; columbine, Caroline Parkes ; panta-
loon, Naylor; clown, Nicolo Edoain. Puss in Boots in opening
capitally played by Miss Rose Edouin, who was so excellent as Puck
in Midsummer Night* 8 Dream.
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150 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
n.
In its fleeting glimpse of sunlight,
In its rain-drops by the way,
Life presents, in more than one light.
Aspect of an April day ;
But an image, thought the brightest
When it caught the poet's eye.
Doesn't help us in the slightest
When we want to make reply.
Still through mental mazes blundering,
Seeking clues to pain and strife.
Everybody goes on wondering.
While they have it, " What is Life ? "
III.
What is Time ? To some a minute.
Others speak of Time as years.
Think of this, youll find more in it
Than immediately appears.
Pleasure's straw may lightly tickle
Idle palms with dainty touch :
Let old age once bring his sickle,
Harvests don't amount to much.
Each night ends with joy and sorrow,
Now a profit, now a loss,
LTp to-day and, down to-morrow,
What is life ?— Why, " Pitch and Toss."
E. L. Blanchard.
Total for year, £198 65.
185G.
" Tuesday^ Jan. Isf.— The new year opens wild and rainy.
First number of Train * out ; hardly fast enough ! 2nd.— In
morning welcome letter from W. B. announcing his return ;
meet him at 5 p.m. Then dine at the Divan ; Lord W. Lennox
' E. L. B. Btaies that the original staff was composed of the Brothers
Brough, Edward Draper, W. P. Hale, J. V. Bridgeman, Godfrey
Tamer, Edmund Yates, G. A. Sala, andC. H. Bennett and McConnell
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 151
in chair. Beverley presented with silver claret jug, and
Roxby with silver cigar case ; healths proposed and responded
to. AiK — Write Era copy ; to town with it, receiving from
Ledger for week, lOs. 5iA. — Go to Haymarket; Beaux'
Stratagem,;^ Bella Copeland's ci^6tt^ as Cherry ; inexperienced.
Buckstone's Scrub admirable. Drury the acknowledged
triumph of the season. Wth, — Go to Haymarket; see de-
licious piece of Little Treasure and the pantomime ; ^ rather
slow, though very well appointed. \2th. — Muddle day away at
home. Very dreamy, and reading Reichenbach's work on the
* Odic Forces ' : very curious. 1 1th. — Into town. Account of
Russia acceding to propositions ; lines about it to pantomime
and Woodin. Drury filled to overflowing. Hear of the
miserable end of J. W. Sharpe,' the comic singer, who died
in Dover Union, emaciated and destitute. \^th, — Home all
day. Finish article called * Five Fridays in a February,
and leave it with Yates for Train. Monday y 2l8t. — Read
the clever artists. *' Awakens pleasant yet sad memories; so many
have gone. \_The Trairiy a first-class magazine, was published by
Groombridge & Son, Paternoster Row, and lasted from 1856 to 1858.
The first number contained : — Chapter I. of " Marston Lynch,*' a story
by Robert Brough ; a poem by William P. Hale ; a story, ** Mr.
Watkins' Apprentice," by William Brough ; a poem by Godfrey Turner,
** Riding Away ; " an essay by John Bridgeman ; a story in verse by
Robert Brough ; the " Parisian Night's Entertainments," by G. A.
Sala ; a poem by E. Frank Smedley ; an article by Edward Draper ;
an essay on " Boys," by Edmund Yates ; and the famous *' Nights of
the Round Table." In 1858 there was a valedictory address " To Our
Readers " — " With this number The Train will stop." One sentence
in the address is very interesting : " The promoters of the magazine,
all working men in journalism, conceived that they would be doing good
service by helping to break through the custom of anonymity." — C. S.]
* The Beaux' Stratagem was compressed into three acts. W. Farren,
Aim well ; Howe, Archer ; Villiers, Gibbett ; Miss Reynolds, Miss
Sullen ; and Miss Swanborough, Dorinda.
* [The Little Treasure was Blanche Fane, a lovely actress, who was the
talk of the town, and the idol of the jeunesse dor6e of that time.— C.S.]
The BuUerfly's Ball and the Grrasshopper^s Feast, Miss Fanny Wright,
Lady Silverwing ; Coe, Wasp ; harlequin, Milano ; columbine, Miss
Mary Brown ; pantaloon, Mackay ; clown, Appleby.
« Sharpe was at one time quite the fevourite comic singer, but
through dissipation had got thoroughly reduced. He was absolutely
penniless and homeless before he was taken into the Union.
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152 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Reichenbach and curious tale in Chambers'^ *The Dopel-
ganger.' Think, and sing by myself all the evening.
2Zrd. — British Museum for * England and Wales.' Home to
dinner, W. B. dining with me. Then to club, receiving with
all the honours, through Mr. Levy, the pipe.* Speeches and
so forth ; large muster ; my old friend Lovell Phillips
present. 2Qth, — In evening Frank Toole comes and brings
some presents from J. Toole, with fine box of toys from him
for Walter."
''Feb, 27id.— Write for Phillips duet, * Bright be our
Guiding Star,' sixth of Mendelssohn's. 5th, — Moore comes
and lends me £5 to pay rent. At night we go to Covent
Garden ; private box ; see Black-^yed Suscm^ and pantomime.
7th, — Woodin calls again^ and nothing done in consequence.
At night to Adelphi ; see bagatelle of Boots at the Holly
Tree Inn,^ Then to Emma Stanley's, and delighted with
her entertainment From Era 10s. Sth, — Write Adelphi
notices ; song for Woodin. Not at all salubrious. Absolutely
without a penny in the world ! ^th. — Walk to Addison, and
sell copyright of the ' Twilight Veil ' and * Bright be our
Guiding Star ' for £2. Receive a letter from Greenwood with
£10. Pay a number of little debts. I go to Woodin ; his
thousandth night. \2th, — At night to Olympic ; the Queen
and Prince Albert there. Second night of French piece.
Stay at Home;* smartly adapted from the same source as
> Given by E. T. Smith.
* Professor Anderson, William ; Miss Harriet Gordon, Susan. The
pantomime was entitled. Ye Belle Alliance^ or, Harlequin Good
Humour and the Field of the Cloth of Gold, Clown, Flexmore ;
pantaloon, Barnes ; columbine, Emma Horn ; harlequin, 0. Brown.
' Benjamin Webster, Cobbs the Boots ; Parselle and two clever
children (Miss Manning and Miss Craddock), the juvenile hero and
heroine. The piece was a dramatization of the Christmas number of
Household Words,
* Both of these pieces mentioned, the latter by Palgrave Simpson,
were taken from Un Marl qui se DSrange, George Vining, Frank
Lauriston ; Emery, Dr. Metcalfe ; F. Vining, Sir Charles Letheridge ;
Leslie, Chancit ; Miss Fanny Turner, Mrs. Lauriston ; Mrs. Stirling,
Mrs. Metcalfe. Stay at Home was by Slingsby Laurence. [Otherwise
the great philosopher, George Henry Lewes.— C. S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 153
RaTidagh, Mth, — All day at work on drama, which slowly
gets done, and to town with it. Go to Adelphi, and see
farce by J . G. Moore, That Blessed Baby} See opening of Jack
and the Beanstalk : very bad. At club ; see Mr. Chute, the
manager of Bath Theatre, and Addison, manager of York
Circuit. 1 5th. — Go to dine at Van Buren's ; find myself
voted to the chair, E. T. S. on my right, Roxby to my left
Presentation of crown. Make a series of speeches, but suffer
from indisposition and low spirits all the time, but not, I
think, apparent to the company. I6th, — From Era lOs,
Monday, ISth, — The veteran Braham dies yesterday.^ 2lst. —
Mrs. Bradstock removes Toole's things. The last days in
the old house, and melancholy thereanent. Mother calls
and spends day, taking Walter to Camden Town. Meet
Train band at Mitre. Club with R. Brough till midnight.
> Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Mrs. Leigh Murray and Mr. Shore in the
farce. The pantomime was Jack and the Beanstalk, or, Mother Goose
at Home Again, Jack and harlequin, Madame Celeste ; Mother Goose
and columbine, Miss Wyndham : clown, Gordon ; pantaloon, 0. J.
Smith ; Paul Bedford, Bland and Romer, and Misses Mary Keeley,
Arden and Kate Kelly, were in the burlesque portion.
' Bom March 20tb, 1777. Made his first appearance as Cupid, in a
burletta called The Birthday, at the Royalty Theatre in Wellclose
Square, in July 1787, as Master Abrahams. He was adopted when
eleven years old by Leoni, an excellent vocalist and professor of music,
who gaye him instruction until he was fifteen, when Braham, as he was
then known, actually surpassed his master. He made his dSbut as a
tenor singer at Bath in 1794, and continued to study under Panzzini.
Braham also gaye lessons, and in 1795 Lady Nelson, the wife of the
hero of Trafalgar, then plain Captain Nelson, was one of his pupils.
Braham came to London, and first appeared at Drury Lane in 1796, in
Storace*8 opera of Mahmoud, After Storace*s death, Braham trayelled
in Italy with his sister, Signora Storaoe, and gained the highest honour.
He returned to England in 1801, to Covent Garden ; in 1805 joined
the Drury Lane company. His last important character was at Drury
Lane Theatre in 1839, iu Rossini's opera, William Tell, He built the
St. James's Theatre in 1835, and opened the Coliseum the same year.
He married in 1816 Miss Bolton, by whom he had six children ; one
afterwards became Frances Countess of Waldegrave, and four sons —
Charles and Augustus, tenors ; John Hamilton, basso ; and Ward, who,
like Augustus, also was in the army. Braham was a brilliant oonyersa-
tionalist and a composer of great taste. His " Death of Abercrombie '*
and " Death of Nelson '' wiU Uye for all time.
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154 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
22nd. — The miseries of moving commence. Monday, 25th. —
Moved to 29, Wilmington Square ; awful expenditure and
bother. 29th, — Hear from E. T. Smith that he has got the
Sunday Times.''
" Monday y Mar. 3rd — Send title of Sunday Times novel
of ^ Lionel Lee ; or, The . Man without a Destiny.' 4th. — Go
to Lowe's, Essex Street; pleasant bachelors' party. The
masquerade at Covent Garden * most fearfully and strangely
interrupted at five the following morning by a fire that
levels Covent Garden to the ground. 5th. — Go in afternoon
to see the ruins : deplorable sight ; about the spot all
evening. 7th. — Finish account of fire, and to town with it.
Evans's ; first time I see new room. Then to Hunt's, the
' Feathers,' and from his rooms overlook the still burning
ruins of the theatre; sad, melancholy, impressive sight.
Meet Albert Smith and Alfred Mellon. 8th.— To City
with W. B. Call at Tallis's; no effects. Take mother
to Haymarket; first night of Bayle Bernard's comedy of
the Evil Genius.^ 12th. — Receive from Era £1 10s. for
^ The cause of this fire was never ascertained. It originated some-
where in the flies. The masquerade, given by Professor Anderson (the
*' Wizard of the North "), the conjuror, was nearly at a close— in fact,
" God save the Queen " was being played — when the cry of " Fire ! " was
raised. Fortunately only some two hundred people were left in the
house. The building was uninsured, and entailed great losses on the
principal shareholders — the Kemble family, the family of the late Mr.
Harris, Mr. Sermon, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Thomas Grieve, etc. ; in addi-
tion to the exquisite scenery which had been painted by Grieve, Telbin,
and Beverley, the extensive wardrobe and properties, a hundred suits
of armour and a host of valuables. Only four pictures by Hogarth,
representing the Seasons, were saved. Worst of all, the dramatic
library — which was unique, and contained the original manuscripts of
The School for Scandal^ The Miller and II is Meriy and the opera of The
Slavey and the original operatic scores of Eliair dAmore of Donizetti
and the Oberon of Weber — was completely destroyed. Only some
furniture and a piano belonging to Mr. Costa, and the ^^ Wizard of the
North's " conjuring paraphernalia, were saved.
• Chippendale, Hill Cooler ; Buckstone, Tom Ripatone ; Miss Swan-
borough, Clara Fielding ; Miss Reynolds, Lady Aurora Ringwood ;
Compton, Joe Withers. The tendency of the piece was spoken of as
excellent, and the literary merit far above the average.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 155
articles in last week's paper. ISth. — From Woodin for
song, etc., £5. To Drury, and see Emery's Tale of a
Train ;^ very slow, yet very clever as far as artistic effect
is concerned. I9th. — To Emma Stanley's Seven Ages of
Woman at Sadlers Wells. 22nd. — First appearance of
* Lionel Lee ' in SuTiday Times. Monday, 2Uh. — Sadler's
Wells; first night of the summer season; opened under
G. Webster.^ 25th. — All day on tale, and horribly behind-
hand with everything. Off to Strand ; see five minutes
of Queen Bess;^ a dreary burlesque. 21th. — In morning
Miss and Mrs. Stanley look in, first time since the enter-
tainment. Hear they are engaged by Niblo to go to
America in June. 2Sth. — At night wiite a little fragment,
* Covent ^Garden,' but afraid I an> too late with it. My
old friend, poor George Wild, died this morning.* 29th,
— Receive from E. T. S., for first number of * Lionel
Lee,' £3."
'' A'pril 2nd.—FTom Era £\ 10«. 3rd.— To town with
proofs ; see at night first time Robson all through in Discreet
^ The speciality of this piece appears to have been a series of tableaux :
and in it Mr. Emery assumed, under the general title of Life in For-
traiture, the characters of Cromwell, Napoleon, Frederick the Great,
and Nelson ; and realized two of Haydon's pictures — Curtius leaping
into the Gulf, and the Field of Battle — besides various characters,
[incidental to the Russian War], supposed to be met with in Balaclava
Bay.
* The piece was The Marble Heart, or, The Satlpior's Dream j pro-
duced two years earlier at the Adelphi, and taken from La Fille de
Marhre. Leigh Murray, in his original character of Raphael ; E. F.
Edgar and Miss Jenny Marston also in the cast. The Invisible
Prince was the extravaganza, with Miss Harriet Gordon as Don
Leander.
' Good Queen Bess^ by C. J. Collins. Queen Bess, Mr. James Rogers;
Raleigh, Miss Somers ; Ormond, Miss Weekes.
* When lessee of the Oljrmpic, George Wild appears to have been
much annoyed with Punch for the following criticism it had passed on
his theatre: — "The Olympic is to the Adelphi what a Tap is to a
Tavern. The Pieces smack of the Spittoon; but they are often things
of real life, the more especially when a live Horse and a real Cab
from St. Clement's Stand are introduced upon the scene." Wild
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156
EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Princess;^ wonderful and painfully intense performance.
4th. — Look in at Sadlers Wells ; see Invisible Prince ; good
burlesque, but Harriet Gordon excepted, badly done. 5th.
— W. B. in afternoon, with sad disheartening story of his
accordingly posted up the following bill, giving the extract from
Punch : —
A COMPLIMENT TO THE OLYMPIC DRAMATIC AUTHORS.
List of Dramatists, whoee pieces " Smack of the Spittoon," and who have
been kind enough to contribute to that Theatre during the Management
of Mr, G. Wild— viz., from April 4, 1841, to the present date : —
Mr. SOMBBSBT.
\ Mr. Graves.
)
M);^MabkLemon.
Mr. WiLKS.
Charles O'MaUey '
Two Jack Sheppards
Area Sylph .
Maid of Biscay .
Toung Maids
The Sea
A Dey and a Knight^
Cupid .
Olympic Frailties
Cousin Peter
Ladies* Seminary
My Valet and I .
Dt^"«L8ai.yDear}Mr.BHnTON.
An Armful of Bliss. Mr. W. MON-
CRIEFF.
The April Fool . "
The Soldier's Widow
The Ranger's Daugh-
ter .. .
Convent Belles . ,
Behind the Scenes Mr. C. Selbt.
24th of May . . Mr. Reynoldson.
Angels and Lucifers
The Artful Dodge
Jack Nokesand Tom
Styles
Pork Chops ; or, A
Dream of Hope
Babes in the Wood
The Road of Life
Game and Game
Theatre Royal Olympic^
February 2Uh, 1844.
* The Discreet Princess; or, The Three Glass Distaffs. Prince Rich-
craft, F. Robson ; Prince Belavoir, Miss Maskell ; King Gander, Mr.
Emery ; Finetta, Babiliarda, and Idelfonga, the three princesses, Misses
Julia St. George, Ternan, and Marston ; Mother Goose, Miss Stephens.
-Mr. FiTZBALL.
Mr. K. L.
Blanch ARD.
The Little Gipsy
Gileso Scroggini
My Man Tom .
Ix)st and Won .
Captain Pro. Tem.
G w vnneth Vaughan
Self-accusation
GKzntleman in Black
Ladies' Club .
30, Strand .
Robinson Crusoe
Whittington and
His Cat .
The Demon Gift .
Love and Charity
Adventures of a
Gentleman
Love and War
Revolt of Bruges, Mr. Albert Smith.
The Scotch Mist. . Mr. H. Wills.
^SlETEfe""! }Mr.PB*KK.
The May Queen . Mr. Buckstonb.
My Uncle's Card, Mr. H. P. Gbattan.
The Rake's Progressv
Sixteen-String Jack
Jack in the Water
His First Cham-
pagne
Nerval
Sunshine and Shade
Life's a Lottery
Loves of the Devils
Son of the Desert
Our Village
Two Greens
The ProBigate .
Mr.LEMAK Rede
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 157
trouble. From E. T. S.,forthird chapter of novel, £3. MoTiday
7th. — Intensely horrified by reading the account of the wreck
of the RuUedge^ a Liverpool packet ship, lost at sea on
February 20th. 9^A.— From Era 158. for leader and
theatricals. Go to Surrey ; see World of London ; * Monsieur
HanloD, the gymnast, and Shepherd, first time for a long
time. lOth, — Morris Bamett's death at Montreal announced.'
llih. — Emma Stanley and mother in morning. Off to
America in a fortnight. Edinburgh Castle. Meet Sala, who
is off to St. Petersburg on Monday. 17th. — W.B. in ; after-
noon wasted in chat. From Era £1. 19 th, — Receive £3 from
E. T. S. for Chapter V. Club at night, and Tomlins in chair.
An American comedian, Mr. Florence,* introduced. 29th. —
After close work finish tale, and to town with it. Go to
Drury ; last act of Fra Diavolo, and Yankee Housekeeper, the
^ She simck on an iceberg, and began to fill rapidly. The sole survivor
of one of ibe boats, which, when it left the ship, contained thirteen
people, was Thomas W. Nye, who had been exposed for nine days to the
inclemency of the weather, and his hands and feet were much frozen.
' The drama was called, Hmo we live in the World of London, and
may almost be said to have been but a threading together of scenes of
which Henry Mayhew had written in " London Labour and London
Poor." In it were seen Shepherd, H. W. Widdicomb, Miss Sarah
Thome and Miss Marriott.
' Morris Bamett was bom in 1800, and spent a considerable portion
of his early life in France, where he was a musical condugtor. He came
to London to gain confidence, and entered the chorus of the Adelphi
under F. Yates. First appeared at Brighton, and in 1833 appeared at
Drury Lane, and was thoroughly successful as Tom Drops in The School-
fellows. In 1837 he wrote and acted Monsieur Jacques at the St. Jameses
Theatre, and saved the fortunes of the house. He then tumed his at-
tention principally to literature, but appeared in the Old Guard at the
Princess's under Mr. Maddox. He was musical critic to the Morning
Post and Era for nearly seven years, and in September, 1854, he gave
some farewell performances before going to America. He was not suc-
cessful in the United States. He wrote a goodly number of plays, of
which The Serious Family may perhaps be looked upon as the
best. [I have often heard my old friend, Mr. J. M. Levy, speak of
Morris Bamett as the most delightful of companions and the best of
men. He was on affectionate terms of close intimacy with Mr. Levy's
gifted and hospitable family. — C. S.]
* [The now celebrated *^ Billy Florence/' friend, pal, and cheery boon
companion of every good fellow in Bohemian Land, both in England
and America. — ^C.S]
ij^^
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158 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Florences having made their deimi last night ; the woman
clever, and two songs quaint.* 30^A. — At home all day, writing
Woodin's song of ' New Budget of Metropolitan Gossip/ "
^^ May \8t, — An anniversary! Dined with Woodin, and
received for song, etc., £5. At night to Soho Theatre ; see a
Mrs. Newberry as Mrs. Malaprop ; * mediocre. 2nd. — Writing
Era paragraphs for last week lOs. 8^A. — Write Whitsuntide
article for Era^ then to town ; Surrey, Miss Thome's ' benefit.
See Shepherd, who wants pantomime in a month. 9iA. —
Haymarket and Polygraphic Hall. Hear Picco, the blind
minstrel, at St. James's. Then night rehearsal, and home.
Monday, I2th — Work till late, hindered by W. B. in morning,
and pecuniary help asked, and given. Heavy drains on purse
from all quarters. I5th. — Mrs, W. Florence calls and pays
£20 plus £5 for piece to be written in a week from this
time ! Frightful work to contemplate. See Ledger ; Era £1 .
To St. James's to see Mrs. Purdy as Lady Teazle in School
for Sca/adal;^ amateurish. 23rd — ^At work all day on
Florence's piece of Working the Oracle, Coyne looks in at
night. 24eA.— Receive from E. T. 8. £3 for Chapter X.
To British Museum with C. C. B. Haymarket ; first night
of new piece. Rights and Wrongs of Waman^ by Maddison
Morton. Write account of it, and then to club. 30iA. —
Take Albert Miller to Drury: Cinderella; Miss Huddart
very good as heroine,"
^^ Monday, June 4ih. — Get tale done at last somehow,
and to town with it. Celeste's benefit at Adelphi, Flying
* The two songs referred to became quite the rage ; they were
" Bobbing around " and " Polly, won't you try me, oh ? "
* Sir Anthony Absolute, Mr. Shirley ; Captain Absolute, Mr. Charles
Lascelles ; Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Mr. Charles Howe ; Lydia Languish,
Miss Hemsworth. Mrs. Newbery was a Miss Lucy Bennett.
' Miss Thome played Deschappelles to Creswick's Claude Melnotte
and was highly spoken of.
^ Mrs. Purdy was professionally known as Miss Elphick at the
Liverpool and Manchester Theatres. Mr. George Purdy was the
Sir Peter.
* Mr. and Mrs. Marchmont, Mr. Howe and Miss Talbot, Sir Brian
de Beausex, J. B. Buckstone. Miss Bella Copeland played the part
of a tiger.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 159
Dutchman ; ^ and very bad piece too. Go to club ; find
myself proposed chairman for the supper night. 5th. —
Glashier on Emma Stanley's business, then A. Burnett,
an American poet, with letters of introduction. Write
little paragraphs for Era. 6th. — Send off Alonzo for
Emma Stanley. At night to Polygraphic Hall ; saw Off by
Train — good. See the great Ristori at Lyceum in Medea ;
very great performance, llth. — Emma Stanley starts for
America in the AtlaTitic. Go to Olympic ; see farce, Fasci-
rutting Individual.^ Eobson in it; not very good piece.
Hear of Harry Baxter dying this morning. IZth. — Receive
on account fix)m Tallis £5, from Era 158. At night to
club, and take the chair — annual club supper — Colonel
Addison vice. Presentation of snuff-box to Lovell Phillips.
Health proposed by Bridgeman in the neatest speech of the
evening. \Qth. — Go in afternoon to Train meeting, and
pay £Z for expenses. Hear but sad accounts of prospects.
20ih. — Write paragraphs for Era ; receive therefrom la. 6ci.
Buy eight volumes of Literary Oazette for 12«. 2l8t. — From
E. T. S. £3 for Chapter XIV. of tale. Not well, nothing
done. At night to Drury ; Lucy Escott's benefit ; and
Borrani in Bohemian Girl.^ Meet Smith ; a long chat.
Keeleys engaged, and I to write for them."
" Jidy 1«^.— Write bit of biography of Charles Young, who
* She played Yanderdecken in The Flying Dutchman, Miami in the
Green Bushes, and Harlequin in the pantomime in the same evening.
The Flying Dutchman was written by Edward Fitzball in 1826, the
original cast consisting of T. P. Cook as Yanderdecken ; John Reeve, von
Brnmmel ; Wrench, Toby Yamish ; and Terry, Captain Pepi>ercoal. On
this occasion the parts were filled by Wright as Yon Brummel ; Webster
as Yamish ; and Selby as Pepperooal ; Mary Keeley as Lestille ; and
Kate Kelly, Lucy.
' Robson, Gustayus Adolphus FitzMortimer ; Emery, Gaston
Murray, Danvers, and Misses Marston and Castleton were included
in the cast.
' Miss Escott, Arline ; Elliott Thaler, Thaddeus ; Courtaigne,
Devilshoof . On the same night Augustus Braham appeared as Edgardo
in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Miss Escott sang a new song, "The
Crimean Heroes ; or, Ladies, Beware ! " composed by TuUy, which was
encored.
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i6o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
died on Sunday/ Zrd. — Bead * Little Dorrit/ and delighted.
' England and Wales.* At night to Olympic ; see the Duo-
logical Farcey first night ; A Conjugal Lesson,^ was very good,
and much more pleased with Retribution. lOth, — OS for
walk round by Homsey ; Adelphi in evening ; burlesque of
Medea ; ' not particularly good. Wright as Medea, llth. —
Town with theatrical notices; from Era £1. I2th. — Busy
rewriting pantomime for Surrey. At night to Drury, and
see Louisa Keeley the youngest daughter; she makes her
debut with amateur pantomimists of Fielding Club, as
Gertrude, in The Loan of a Lover. Very good, and much
entertained. I4:th. — In afternoon Train meeting, and agree
to carry it on ; then to Olympic ; Brough's burlesque of
Medea;* Robson excellent, and piece smart. Meet Watts
Phillips first time. I5th. — Shepherd returns pantomime.
* Charles Mayne Young was bom January 10th, 1777, in Fenchnrch
Street. Was educated at Eton and Merchant Taylors'. Was in a
merchants' house, Longman & Co., for a short time, and first appeared
under the name of Green, as Douglas, at the Theatre Royal, Liverpool.
His success was so marked that the same winter he played lead at
Manchester, and returned to fill the like position at Liverpool the
following summer, from 1800 to 1802. He was the greatest favourite
in Glasgow. Married Miss Grimani, of the Theatre Royal, Hay-
market, on March 9th, 1805, but lost his wife in her first confinement.
Mr. Young made his Jjondon dSbut as Hamlet at the Haymarket, June
22nd, 1807 ; joined the Coven t Garden company in 1810, as second to
John Kemble, and lead when he was absent. He even surpassed
Kemble in many of the characters which were supposed to be the
great tragedian's own. Young was almost as good in comedy as he
was in tragedy. He bade adieu to the stage as Hamlet at Govent
Garden, May 30th, 1832. He was a great favourite in society, was an
accomplished gentleman, and a good sportsman. Some interesting
memoirs of him were written by his son, the Rev. Julian Charles
Young, rector of Umington.
' Played by Mrs. Stirling and F. Robson.
* Medea, or, TJie Libel on the Lady of Colchis, was by Mark Lemon.
James Bland, Creon ; Miss Wyndham, Jason ; Mary Keeley, Orpheus ;
Paul Bedford Glauc^. Smoothly written.
* This was Robert Brough's version of Medea, and Robson's im-
personation was reckoned one of his very finest. Julia St. George,
Jason ; Fanny Turner, Orpheus ; Miss Bromley, Creusa ; Clifton and
Miss Stephens also in the cast. Madame Ristori was present on the
first performance, and appeared to enjoy the fun immensely.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, i6i
Surrey Gardens opened this day with grand musical
inauguration.^ 1 9^A. — More painful worry of W. B. At home
all evening. 21«<. — Begin article for Train, * The Phantoms
of the Pavement.' Woodin sends his bust. Worried and
unwell all day. Working the Oracle produced at Glasgow
first time ; went ofiF well last Thursday. 22nd, — Look in at
Adelphi, and see Bom to Good Luck;* Barney Williams
very fair. 23rd.— Knish article for Train. 2dth. — Go to
Carpenter's Mesmerism Lecture at Shaftesbury Hall. See
experiments; nothing else done. 30^A. — Strand at night;
see Stuart in good three-act piece That House in High Street?
Zlet. — All day writing little paragraphs for Era; writing to
Smith, agreeing to do Calendar and Comic for Almanack."
" Monday^ Aug. 4th. — Go to club, P. Phillips present ;
he tells me he is preparing panorama for Albert Smith,
whereat I am glad. 8^^. — Telescope to be £1 158. Begin
almanack, and that's all. Madame Vestris died at midnight.^
* Jullien was the condactor, and gave a performance of the Messiah.
Madame Clara Novello, Madiune Rudersdorf , Miss Dolby, Miss Weiss
and Mr. Sims Reeves were the soloists, supported by a very large band
and chorus. In the evening Alboni was the principal vocalist, and
Piatti, Bottesini and Savori were the instrumentalists. Southby
provided the fireworks, and the back of the lake presented a view of
Constantinople and Scutari, painted by Dansen.
' Was first produced at Covent Garden in 1842 ; was founded on
False and True, produced some thirty years before. Barney Williams
played Barney O'Rafferty, and earned great success with his song,
" The Planning O'Flannigans." He was supported by Charles Selby,
Mrs. Chatterley, Mary Keeley, and Parselle.
' Three-act comedy by Mr. Stuart, who played Colonel Maitland ;
Mr. Basil Potter, Ensign Maitland ; George Cook, Doctor Villiers ;
Mr. Kinloch, the Major ; Miss Isabel Adams, Sophia.
^ Eliza Lucy Bartolozzi, Madame Vestris, was bom January 3rd,
1797, in St Marylebone, and was the granddaughter of the great
engraver Bartolozzi. From her father's teaching, and that of the
best masters, she became an excellent musician, as well as perfect in
French and Italian. She married Armand Vestris, a dancer at the
Italian Opera — a most depraved, dissipated man of only twenty-four,
but who had already ruined his constitution— she being only sixteen, on
January 28th, 1813, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, and made her dibut as
Proserpina in Winter's opera of // Eatto di Proserpina^ Thursday, July
20th, 1815, and achieved a most complete success, not only by the
excellence of her singing, but by her beauty and charm of manner.
11
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i62 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Wih. — Hard at work all day and night on tale, which finish and
post. Order for burlesque from E. T. Smith immediately. Lee
Irish comedian, dies.* \2th. — Pay third pound for the loan,
W. B. Work all day on ' England and Wales.' Knocked up
with overwork. XZih. — More * England and Wales.' Train
The young actress next appeared in Paris, both in comedy and tragedy,
and returned to London in 1819 to appear as LiUa in The Siege of
Belgrade f February 19th, 1829. She made a marked success as the
Don in Giovanni in London^ and her portraits in the character were all
over the town. She could not, however, with all her popularity, turn
Giovanni in Ireland^ an extravaganza full of grossest improprieties,
into a success. It was played December 26th, 1821, and was with-
drawn after a very stormy run of four nights. Her husband died in
1825 ; and, having created a most favourable impression in the pro-
vinces, she became manageress of the Olympic in 1831, and opened it,
January 3rd, with Mary Qneen ofScoiSj and Olympic Bevels, written by
Planch^ and Charles Dance. She brought the theatre up to a pitch of
prosperity, and Charles Mathews having made his dibut here December
7th, 1835, in his own farce of The Hump-backed Lover, in which he
played George Battleton, won her affections, and they were married
July 18th, 1838, at Kensington Church, and immediately sailed for the
United States ; but their visit was not a success, and Madame Yestris
made her reappearance at her own theatre, which had been managed
during her absence by Plauchd, January 2nd, 1839, as Fatima in Blue
Beard. Her lesseeship came to an end on May 31st, and she com-
menced that of Covent Garden Theatre, September 30th, 1839. This
only lasted three years, and was unfortunate. She and Charles
Mathews for a time joined Macready at Dniry Lane, and then
Webster at the Haymarket, remaining there till 1845. After a tour
they appeared at the Princess's, March 1846. In 1847 Madame
Vestris became manageress of the Lyceum till July 26th, 1856,
making her last appearance on that date in Sunshine through the
Clouds; and it was during this term of years that those exquisite
extravaganzas. The King of the Peacocks, The Island of Jeioels, Theseus
ami Ariadne, The Golden Branch, etc., were produced. Many hard
things, perhaps deservedly, have been said of Madame Vestris ; but
great allowances must be made for her. Had her first husband been
a different man, she might have proved a very different woman ; for,
with all her follies, she was good-hearted, and did many acts of
kindness. Her extravagance, however, was unbounded ; she was
known to have cut up a three-hundred-guinea Indian shawl merely
to use a portion of it for a turban and sash in Oberon. She lies buried
in Kensal Green Cemetery.
1 Bom in Dublin, December Ist, 1810. First appeared at Sadlers
Wells as Eemy in Suil Dhuv } or. The Coiner, in 1828. Appeared at
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 163
band at Fetter Lane ; Masonic Hall copy wanted. Brough to
Bruges. Lovely moonlight night ; glorious by the sea. Ah,
eh ! don't I ? 20<A. — Tired and knocked out. Write para-
graph about Irish piece of Irelamd as it is ^ for Era. 2l8L —
Home all day, but nothing done; look over my new pur-
chase (telescope). Arrange little matters. 22nd. — Eray
'Madame Vestris,' £1 Is. 29th. — Introduced to Little of
the Illustrated N&ivs."
^^ Monday y Sept. 1st — Lovely weather, and I indoors
stewing over tale all day, writing sixty lines of it. Knocked
up, and very feverish. Hear of Gr. A, a Beckett's death at
Boulogne.^ Princess's open for the season.* 3rd. — Go to
Shepherd, and get the piece of Three Perils of Man from
him, for which oflFer him £5, Walk over bridge with Cres-
wick, and write paragraph for Era. Election night at club,
and everybody elected. ^Excitement about the British Bank
having stopped payment, ^th. — Begin rewriting burlesque.
At night to Haymarket ; see Miss Booth's * first appearance
as Rosalind; good, but not great. Meet W. E. Hall and
Bayle Bernard. Take them to club to supper, and spend
lively agreeable evening. Delighted with Bernard. &th, —
most of the London and provincial theatres, and was a member of Mr.
Macreadj's company at Covent Garden daring his leaseeship. Was
an excellent stage Irishman. Was the proprietor of Beckford's Hotel,
Old Street, St. Luke's ; of the Adam and Eve, St. Pancras ; and of the
house where he died, the Hoop and Adze, St. John's Street, Olerkenwell.
* Or, The Middleman^ by J. H. Amherst, an actor well known over
the water thirty years before, but who died in America — Barney and
Mrs. Williams, Bagged Pat and Judy O'Trot. Had been played in
the United States seven hundred and sixty- three times. Second title
used by H. A. Jones in 1889 at Shaftesbury.
» Gilbert Abbott k 'Beckett, called to the Bar, January 1841. Was
made magistrate of Greenwich and Woolwich Courts in 1849, and
exchanged with Mr. Seeker to Southwark, where he administered
justice until shortly before his death by typhus fever. He was well
known as a dramatic author.
' Revival by Charles Kean of Sheridan's Pizarro, Mrs. Charles
Kean, Elvira ; Charles Kean, Bella ; Miss Heath, Cora ; John Byder,
Pizarro ; Cooper, Orozembo ; Cathcart, Alonzo.
* Niece of the celebrated " lively Sally Booth." Compton, Touch-
stone ; Chippendale, Adam ; Howe, Jacques ; W. Farren, Orlando
(first time) ; Patty Oliver, Celia ; Mrs, E. FitzWilliam, Audrey.
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i64 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
All day on burlesque, which find after all no hurry for.
Receive from E. T. S., for Chapter XXIV., £3. Sadlers Wells
opens with Macbeth^^ and write notice, ^th. — All day on few
lines of tale, and sit up till very late, but hardly anything
done. A Mr. Caldwell, a sporting gentleman, calls about
sporting matter of almanack. Hard pressed, and heart
aching. lO^A. — Work on tale. Smith and Collins call, and
I go through burlesque of Pizarro. Finish tale at night.
llth. — At night to Surrey; see new piece of Half Caste ;^
very fair. Carpenter there, and with him to Belvidere. Bad
news from Yarmouth. Pleasant letter from C. C. B. \2ih.
— All day at work for Era. For last week £1, Mother's at
night. IZth, — Night to club. Harlstone and ArkcoU, chat.
Portrait of mother, given by 0. C. Watkins. \5th. — Drury'
and Lyceum * open for season. Attend both ; Mrs. Waller at
former house, and Toole's first appearance at latter. David-
son calls. Pass Miller into Drury ; hosts of old faces collect
and re-collect about premises. \Qth. — Begin tale with aching
* Thirteenth seaaon of Greenwood and Phelps. Miss Atkinson, Lady
Macbeth ; the witches, J. W. Bay, Lewis Ball, and Charles Fenton ;
Phelps, Macbeth ; and Henry Marston, Macduff ; Rayner, Banquo.
* Re-opening by Creswick and Shepherd. House newly decorated.
The Half Caste ; or. The Fatal Pearly adaptation by W. Suter of Le Sang
MelSf Porte St. Martin drama. The lessees. Miss Marriott, Basil Potter
Widdioomb, Fanny Bland, Kate Percy, Julia Lascelles in the cast.
The same night was played Mould Hall, a new Irish drama, in which
Miss Marriott, Potter, and G. Yamold appeared.
* Opened under E. T. Smith's management with Ladi/ of Lyons ;
Mrs. Emma Waller, an actress who was considered to have made a
name in Australia and California, as Paulino — ^she lacked vigour, but
was gentle and graceful. Barry Sullivan, Claude Melnottc ; Patty
Oliver, Helen ; Robert Roxby, Modus. The Keeleys, George Honey,
Mrs. Selby, and Charles Mathews, were also membera of the company.
* Under the management of Charles Dillon, who appeared in the
title r6le in Delphegor ; Mrs. Charles Dillon, Madeline. This was a
memorable occasion—for Miss Marie Wilton (Mrs. Bancroft) made her
first appearance in London as Henri ; and J. L. Toole his first appear-
ance as Fanfaronnade, and made a great hit. Perdita; or, The Royal
Milkmaid, a burlesque by William Brough on the . Wintei^s Tale
was also played, the author appearing as Polixenes, and Mr. S.
Calhaem, Leontes ; Perdita, Marie Wiltou ; Miss Woolgar, Florizel ;
Mrs. Buckingham White, Hermionc ; Harriet Gordon, Time Chorus ;
Toole, Autolycus.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 165
head, and on it all day. From Ward i\ worth of wine to
gladden the heart. Look in at Belvidere; one Alex. Law-
rencOy a brother of a famous stockbroker, strange being,
half cracked, and wholly hard up. Strange reflections thereon.
17^. — Go to Lyceum and see end of burlesque • very good.
Toole funny and Miss Wilton clever. 19^A. — Letter from
Woodin, Brighton, Call at /S. T. office, see Bennett; then
going down Thames Street call on Horace Green. Six
volumes of Athenceum from him ; return home with them
in cab. 20^A.— Send off copy of almanack to Tonks of
Birmingham. Receive from E. T. S., for Chap. XXVI., £3.
To club, and hear of the extensive Crystal Palace forgeries
of W. J. Robson.* Monday ^ 22nd, — ^AU day at tale. Mur-
doch's* first appearance at Hay market ; Pizarro ' burlesque
produced at Drury. 2Uh, — Books from Jonas Levi/ Theor-
trical Observer^ and Arcadia. 25th, — Busy on * England and
Wales.' To Adelphi ; a very bad piece called Lucifer Matches ; *
Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams. From Era for last week 15fl.
26^. — Town ; see Beverley about pantomime."
" Oct. Ist, — Go to town and see Bdphegor^ burlesque; very
fair considering. 2nd. — Write theatricals for Era, and receive
therefrom £1. Go to Wells, taking Walter ; see Merry Wives
* W. J. Robs^n was the author of Love and Loyalty, and also of
Bianca, He was a man of very extravagant habits, and it was only
surprising that, knowing the amount of his salary, the attention of the
directors had not been sooner drawn to his style of living. He forged
to an enormous amount.
' An American actor of reputation, who appeared as Mirabel in The
Incomtantf or, The Way to Win Him, and was very successful. An
excellent delivery and musical voice, and possessed ease and dignity.
Chippendale, Old Mirabel ; W. Farren, Duretdte ; Mrs. E. FitzWilliam
Oriana ; Miss Talbot, Bizarre.
* Written by Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Pizarro and Rolla ;
George Honey, Alonzo ; Mrs. Frank Matthews, Cora ; Miss Cleveland,
Elvira ; Tilbury and A. Younge, Ataleba and Orozembo.
* Or, The Yankee Girl, a sort of skit on Faust, in which Mrs. Barney
'V^^iams represented a Mephistopheles, and Paul Bedford a very ugly
gentleman who imagines himself very handsome.
* By Leicester Buckingham. Belphegor, Miss Cuthbert ; Madeline,
H. J. Turner ; Bcey, the Chevalier de Rollac, J. Clarke ; Fanfaron-
nade, Master Edonin,
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i66 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
of Wi/ndaor; Phelps's Falstaff ; much pleased. Sth. — Begin
fourteenth chapter of ' Wanderings and Ponderings.' lOth.
— Bra 10«. Look in at Haymarket ; IncoTistant piece going
slowly. Read report of Gobson's apprehension and examina-
tion this day. llth. — Sadlers Wells ; first night of revival of
Timon of AthenB ; ^ go, and write account for Era ; very good.
Meet Mr. Folville, of Hampshire paper, the Independent,
1 4th. — Look in at Soho Theatre ; French plays. 1 5th. — Hard
at work on ^Wanderings and Ponderings;' buraing headache.
W. B. pressing very hard on spirits as well as on purse.
I6th. — Write column and a half with great diflSculty, and to
town ; see piece of The Musketeers at Lyceum ; * very feir ;
not over till past midnight. 1 7th. — Look in at Lyceum, Drury ,
and then to Sadlers Wells; farce, ^ Fll write to the Times;'
very fair; Ray and Belford. Monday ^ 20th. — Meeting of
Train band committee. Then to Haymarket, and see Murdoch
in Wild Oats ; Tim, by Buckstone, very well acted. At club ;
all talking of the sad catastrophe last night to Spurgeon's ^
congregation at Surrey Music Gardens. 23r<i.— Go at night
to National Dramatic Club, Newman Street ; amateurs ; highly
respectable. Meet Bristow, Carlton the mimic (real name
Cooper), in bookseller's shop. Fleet Street. 29^A.—Dyk-
wynkyn calls, and long chat of six hours about pantomime.
Zlst. — Off by train 2 p.m. St. Leonards. Nice journey, and
there by 5 ; pleasant people, and pleasant day accordingly.
The pleasures of the past revived, and all sorts of pleasant-
ries for the future talked about."
* Phelps, Timon ; Henry Marston, Apemantus ; Rayner, Alcibiades ;
Ray, Flavins ; Robinson, Lucnllns ; Lucins, Mr. Belford * Flaminius,
Lewis Ball ; Cnpid, Miss R. Edouin ; Timandra, Miss Rawlings.
' The Three Musketeers, an adaptation of Dumas* story. Charles
Dillon, d'Artagnan ; Mrs. Buckingham White, Anne of Austria ; Mrs-
Weston, Lady De Winter ; Miss Woolgar, Constance ; Mr. Stuart,
Richelieu ; J. G. Shore, Buckingham ; McLien, Athos ; Barratt,
Porthos ; Swanborough, Aramis ; and Holston, Bonacieux.
' This arose from a false alarm of fire. The hall was densely
crowded. There were seven people kiUed and upwards of fifty
injured. It was a wonder, considering the thousands collected, that
more serious results did not arise. Mr. Spurgeon was wonderfully
calm and coUected throughout the occurrence, and no doubt prevented
even worse arising by his presence of mind.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 167
"iViw. \%t. — Lovely morning; boat to Fairlight; friend
Lowe of Brentford calls, and joins us. Old places revisited,
and sunshine perpetual in future, Monday^ Srd. — Strolls
and so forth. Woodin to Worthing. Back by five train with
Polly. Leave her at Mrs. G.'s. Back home; horrible
accumulation of letters to reply to, and everybody in an
intense state of pressing for copy. 4^A. — Look in at Adelphi ;
see Border Marriage * (bad piece), and Leigh Murray's re-
appearance. 13^A. — Go to Strand; see Little Dorrit; very
slow. \6th — At night to Sadlers Wells ; Timon of Athena
and Astley's Dread. Write notices for Era. 2Uh. — Send
in to Wells first comic scene. Go to Olympic; Wivee as
they were^ and Talfourd's Jones the Avenger;^ both slow,
27th, — See Albert Smith's fourth night of new season. Very
smart, and much pleased with it. 29th. — Go to Drury, see
II Trovatore and Grisi."
^^Mondayj Dec. Is^. — Correct proofs, and read ^Dorrit.'
Dillon's benefit at Lyceum, and see him play Othello ;* first
night in London. Very fair. A peep at Giovanni at
Drury. Write notices for Era of preceding night ; then to
St. James's amateur performance ; meet Bristow, of the
Theatrical Journal ; tells me he is seventy next February.
Uh. — See bit of Mysterious Stranger at Adelphi, and ditto
Elves. 6th. — To Lyceum, and see the Gagot;^ first night.
* An adaptation from the French JJn Mariage d VArquebuse, by
Messrs. Langford and Sorel. Leigh Murray played Sir Walter
Raebum.
' Wives as they werCy and Maids as they are^ Mrs. Inchbald's comedy.
Miss Swanborongh's first appearance here as Lady Priory ; Mrs.
Stirling, Miss Dorillon ; Miss Herbert, Lady Mary Baffle ; Mr.
Addison, Lord Priory ; F. Vining, Su* William Dorillon ; Gaston
Murray, Sir George Evelyn.
' Adaptation from Le Massacre d^un Innocent by Frank Talfourd.
Bobson very good as Jones, and J. Rogers made a hit as Shrilly
Pipes.
* Charles Dillon appeared to have been most succesful in the
gentler side of Othello's character, and was, for him, curiously devoid
of any rant. Mrs. Charles Dillon was the Desdemona ; Stuart, lago ;
M^Lien, Cassio ; Shore, Boderigo ; and Mrs. Weston, Emilia.
* The Cagoi; or, Heart for Heart, by E. Falconer. Charles Dillon,
Baoul ; Mias Woolgar, Lady Eug^uie ; Stuart, Sir Aymer de Beriot ;
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i68 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Goes off well. 9iA. — Lyceum, and see BedouinArabs — clever,
and Dead Shot — very well played. Walk home with W. B.
lOth, — Begin * Man about Town.* At night to Cowell's den at
Surrey, and take my dear Walter as a treat to see Bombastes
Furioao. Meet Davidson and a friend of Toole's; then
home, and write away till five in the morning ; knocked up,
and still not nearly finished. ll^A. —Birthday, and thirty- .
six ! Where will the thirty-seventh anniversary be spent ?
Finish S. T. article ; to St. James's for Amateurs ; home, and
write notices for Era,' tor which I get £2 this day; all
theatricals for current week. 13^^. — To Surrey; see Neiv
Juliet, Miss Clara Leslie ; ^ very fair. 17th. — At night grand
dinner in saloon of Drury Lane. 2Ath, — Christmas Eve
spent at night with few but facetious friends — Talfourd,
Hale, Leigh Murray, etc. Welcome Christmas, and hope for
a pleasant realization therewith expressed. 25ih. — Christmas
Day. From E. T. S. for current week £7. Dine soltta. Go to
rehearsal at Drury at night, and an unpleasant termination
of evening. 2Qth, — To Davidson and get copies of panto-
mimes. Go to Adelphi and Olympic for S, T. and Era,
Write notices, and not home till 4 a.m. 29th, — At night
look in at Sadlers Wells; see Fisherman and Oenie; or,
Harlequin Padmanaba and the Enchanted Fishes of the
Silver Lake ; * slow, my ideas not carried out — but it goes
off well. Slst. — Spend the Old Year out at club; divide
extemporary song with Hale, who is going to Australia,
and after pleasant hour home with Coyne. Sic transit
1856.*'
Total for year £266. N.B.— Of the above gave
W. B. over JE60.
Mrs. Weston, Astarte. The play was in blank verse. It was thought
that Grattan's novel, The Cagot's Hut, may have suggested some of
the incidents. On the same night J. L. Toole acted Hector Timid
in The Dead Shot,
* This performance gave promise of greater strength in tragic
parts.
• Miss Olivia Sharp, columbine ; 0. Fenton, harlequin ; Nicolo Deulin,
clown ; Naylor, pantaloon. Masters B. and N. Deulin as sprites.
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E L. Blakchard as he appeared when aged about 87. [See page 168.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 169
1867.
"t/ifiTi. 3rrf. — At night to Woodin's, and pleasant dinner
party — T. P. Cooke, Yates, Maekery, Oxenford, Rent, etc.
Goes off with great succ^s. 9^A. — Write Drama for Era^ 10».
At night to Pearson'i ^ Amelia B. Edwards, her new novel
out, and her departufe^o Italy next week. XZih, — Meeting
of Train, but nothing done. I4th. — Duggan in morning.
All day at home beginning * Men about Town,' and very far
from well; mind and body both out of order. Troubled
much with domestic affairs, and the future clouded by dark
anticipations; not understood at all at home. 1 5th, — Go
to Marylebone; see new piece Ruth Oakley^ produced.
Emery, Miss F. CliflFord very good. IQth. — Writ^ notice of
last night. Go to town, and feel thoroughly upset, mentally
and bodily. Back home, and in bed by 9 p.m. ! ! ! ! — a thing I
have not been guilty of for years. Era lOs, 20tL — Edward
Fitzwilliam,* composer, died yesterday. 2l8L — Hear of Sam
Emery having been smashed going home, via cab, with Jonas
Levy. 22nd. — Look in at Olympic ; see Young and Hand-
some;^ very neatly written, but not equal to the former
' Mr. Emery opened the theatre as lessee. Ruth Oakley was a drama
in three acts by A. Harris and T. Williams— a very good melodrama,
in which Miss Fanny Clifford played Buth, and Mr. Emery Paul
Oakley. Miss Ranoe played the part of a child remarkably well.
Messrs. Bailey and Belmore, and Mesdames Bobertson, Addison, and
Kate Carson, were also included in the cast.
' Edward Frands Fitzwilliam, bom at Deal, August 2nd, 1824.
Educated in England, and finished his education at a good school
in Boulogne. Studied under Sir Henry Bishop and John Bamett.
When twenty-one years of age he composed his first work, a Stahat
Mater, which was performed March 15th, 1845, at Hanover Square
Rooms. Appointed musical director of the Lyceum under Madame
Yestris^s management, October 1847. Was musical director of the
Haymarket from Easter 1853, remaining at the theatre until the time
of his death. He wrote several cantatas ; The Queen of a Day (a comic
opera) and A Summer Night* a Lore (an operetta) — both produced at
the Haymarket ; besides numerous songH, ballads, and lyric odes; and
the music to The Green Bushes, The Flowers of the Forest, and Perea
Nena^s baUets. Married Miss Ella Chaplin, December 1st, 1853. He
died of consumption, and was buried at Kensal Green.
• F. Robson played Zephyr.
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170 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
extravaganzas of Planch^. 23rd. — See Two Heads Better
than One at Drury; usnal punishment of tight boots. From
Era 158. Chat with Green and Baraett of Sunday Tvmea.
Monday, 26<A.— Hear of Bread Riots— the 250,000 builders'
labourers out of employ. 21th, — Finish * Man about Town.*
Look in at Lyceum ; brilliant transformation scene by
Fenton.* At Comer meet Talfourd, Hale, Green, W. B.
Kenney, and Calhaem. Hear of Albert Smith's house,
at Walham Green; his failure predicted. 2Sth. — Hear of
Harroway's death."
" Monday, Feb. 2nd. — Black Book ^ produced at Drury.
1th. — E. T. S. for paper £2, and presentation of silver snuff-
box for pantomime.' Meet Palgrave Simpson. \2th. — To
Haymarket; see a wretched perfonnance by a aoi-dnsant
Mr. Charles Dawson, of The Irish Attorney. Era Ids. 17 ih.
— Night, St. James's Amateurs : Othello and Wreck Ashore ;
very bad. Haymarket, Wicked Wife, and very good. I9th.
— Finish Svmday Times copy. Go to Olympic ; new piece,*
and Sheep in Wolfs Clothing/, by Tom Taylor. Same subject
at Haymarket ; goes off well. Meet Mr. Kelly, and sup with
him at Edinburgh Castle. Monday , 23rd. — Heavy day's
work at home on * England and Wales.' Begin the account of
London. See farce at Lyceum, My Friend from Leatherhead^
by Yates and Harrington ; not very good, but goes well, thanks
to Toole. To club, and hear of the Webster and Cfeleste dis-
solution of partnership. Francis tells me of Charles Sala
(Wynne) buried to-day at Kensal Green.® 2%th. — Hajrmarket;
^ This was in the pantomime Conrad and Medora, and was supported
by Miss Woolgar, Mrs. Charles Dillon, Mrs. Buckingham White, and
Marie Wilton ; Messrs. J. L. Toole, S. Calhaem, Tom Matthews, and
H. and J. Marshall.
' This was taken from the French, and, as Lea MSmoires du DidbU^
was played at the Vaudeville in Paris in 1866. It was chosen as
containing a part eminently suited for Charles Mathews. He was
supported by Patty Oliver.
^ Now in the possession of Augustus Harris.
* This was A Splendid Investment, a farce by Bayle Bernard.
* Toole played Loophole ; Marie Wilton, Lemon-drop, a soubrette.
^ [He was the brother of O. A. Sala, to whom he was deeply attached.
-C. S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 171
see pantomime.^ Last week of it, and find it very well done
indeed. 21th, — Go to Surrey and see pantomime of Wvrder
mid Spring ; a mixture of dulness, slang, splendour, and vul-
garity. To club, and chat with Tomlins about Thomas
Mayhew, who died by prussic acid. The Literary Times
his projection.'*
^^ Monday y March 2nd. — Night to Lyceum; Coyne's
adaptation of Une Femme qui dSteate son Mari; ^ very slow,
and, with the exception of Toole, badly acted. I2th. — At
Princess's see gorgeous revival of Richard 11. ; ' first night,
episode brilliant. 1 3^^. — Write notice of Richard II. for Era^
£\ 58. Then to club ; meet Tomlins, Mellon, Sydney Foster,
Sala, and McConnell; chatting about Babelais' old books
and Dutch booksellers. 14th. — E. T. S. at Bridport can-
vassing for M.P.-ship ; £2. At night Virginius "* at Lyceum ;
Dillon very good. Bet Lowe crown bowl of punch that
Smith gets in somewhere. 20th. — See Dillon's ^Tamfef * at
Lyceum; very good, and well got up. 23rd.— E. T. S.
canvassing for Bedford. 26th. — See new piece of Daddy
Hardacre • at Olympic, an adaptation by Palgrave Simpson
of La FUle de lAvare; Bobson very good. Lyceum, ABC
Club, Amateurs of Rank and Fashion; very fair. 27th. —
Account of theatres last night for Era ; paid for same £1 5«.
^ This was The Babes in the Wood^ or, Harlequin and the Cruel
Uncle. Harlequin, Milano ; Fanny Wright^ columbine ; pantaloon,
Mackay ; clown, W. Driver.
* By Madame Girardin, and was entitled Angel or Devil.
* Ml. and Mrs. Charles Kean, Richard and his Queen ; Ryder, Boling-
broke ; Walter Lacy, John of Gaunt ; Cooper, Duke of York. Mr.
Hatton composed the music, and the scenery was by Grieve. [There
was a superb scene, in this revival, of the King's en^ into London on
horseback. — C.S.]
* Mrs. Dillon, Virginia ; M^Lien, Icilius ; Stuart, Appius ; Barrett,
Siccius Dentatus.
^ Dacre Baldie, Laertes ; Barrett, Polonius ; Stuart, the Ghost ; Mrs.
Weston, Gertrude ; Miss Woolgar, Ophelia ; J. L. Toole, first grave-
digger.
' Robson played the title rdle, that of a miser. Miss Hnghes (after-
wards Mrs. Gaston Murray) was excellent as Esther ; George Yining,
Charles,
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172 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
ZXhL — To Toole's benefit: crowded house; see Fimder,
Dominiquey and Oood for Nothing. " * '
" April 2nd. — Finish * Man about Town * and theatrical
paragraphs. To town, and at night to Lyceum ; Dillon's benefit,
and last night of the season. Richelieu ^ and Belphegor ; good
house, and capital speech. 3rd. — Toole telLs me he had £230
in from his benefit. Aih, — Begin Woodin's new entertain-
ment, Woodin^a Looking^laas of Life. Easter Monday^
13th. — Look in at Sadler's Wells ; first night of Webster's
summer season ; see Fair One of Oolden Locks burlesque.^
I4th. — Haymarket; see clever burlesque by Talfourd,
Atalanta.* l6tL — Era £1 5s. for Easter week. 22nd.
— Finish ' Man about Town.' Leave by train for Hastings ;
arrive at 9.30; Eoyal Oak; sleep in quaint old bedroom
overlooking sea. Frequenters dull and dense, but full of
the influence of the place and pleasures of propinquity.
23rd. — About Hastings all day ; walk to St. Leonards with
C. C. B. The Bevels' in the evening ; the past, the present,
and the future ; alternate themes of thought and cogitation ;
the delight of domesticity, and the explanation of silence.
24th. — The day sunny, yet sombre and soft in its shadows
* In The Wonder Charles Dillon played Don Felix ; Mrs. Bucking-
ham White, Donna Violante; Toole, Lissardo, and the title r6le of
Dominique the Deserter, and Tom Dibbles in Good for Nothing ; Miss
Woolgar was the Nan. - '
' This was the first time Dillon had played the Cardinal in London.
During his season he had appeared as Belphegor, d'Artagnan, The
Cavalier, Fabian, Othello, William Tell, Citizen Sangfroid, The Cagot,
Lord Revesdale (in Life a Ransom), Virginius, Hamlet, Don Csdsar,
Don Felix, and Richelieu.
' Mr. George Webster was the lessee. For his opening night he
gave The Death of Eva, a stage episode from " Uncle Tom's Cabin ; "
Cordelia Howard as Eva and Mrs. Howard bs Topsy. The burlesque
by Planche was the same as had been produced at the Haymarket in
1843. Miss Woolgar appeared as Nan in Oood for Nothing^ and the
evening wound up with The Jew of LUbeck, of which Mr. J. L. Lyon
was the hero.
* Or, The Three Golden Apples, by Francis Talfourd. Patty Oliver in
the title rSle ; Marie Wilton, Cupid, "a great success ;'* Hippomenes,
Miss Ellen Teman ; Paidagogos, Mr. Compton ; the King, Mr.
Chippendale.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 173
and sunlight. Fairlight unforgotten, and a day never to be
unremembered ; the last look at the old spot, and the dream
of the future. 2^ih, — Another day delightfully spent by
seaside^ strolling about among the cliffs so happy, and, like
Malvolio, rubbing my hands, smiling and musing medita-
tively. 27iA. — Bleak north-east winds, but pleasant, never-
theless ; wanderings and ponderings about among the cliffs.
Chat again at night, and quiet social circle ; all peaceful and
pleasant, and happy halcyon days. 28iA. — To Orr Church in
afternoon ; new cemetery. Not much better in health, and
more vexed at the circumstance from the desire to be better
than usual. 29iA. — Write * Man about Town ' in h&r sitting-
room ; made very comfortable, and as happy as affection can
render me ; evidences of tender thoughtfulness in all arrange-
ments, and sense of home made manifest everywhere. Z^th,
— Wet and windy ; up the heights and down in the valleys
all day, and at night songs and company. Idea for articles ;
* Man in the Moon ' a possible eequitur to the ' Man about
Town.'"
*^ May 1st. — An anniversary, and spent most happily
dolce far niente all day, and evening next door at Revels' ;
the presentation of the cork stick, and John Chivery sort
of situation. 2nd. — A day marked with a white stone;
Eastbourne, Beachy Head, Carina, the coastguard station ;
back to Eastbourne. Mr. Hardy; the organ at the old
church ; the twilight reverie, with the solemn diapason ;
moonlight, and so happy. 4:th. — Cold north-easterly winds.
I intend returning, but do not. Evening ramble with
Carina; more dreams of the future, and delicious retro-
spective memories of the past. About by the sea ; moonlight,
minstrelsy, and the last, last evening at the dear old spot.
Adieu, or au revoir — which ? 5th. — Start at 2.30 by South-
Eastem ; home by 6 p.m. ; cold, bleak journey, and feel the
effects thereof. Find hosts of letters, and my poor boy
wretchedly ill; self not much better. I5th. — Scribble para-
graphs for Era, 17«. 6d. 27^A.— Derby Day, fine; Blink
Bonny, a very dark horse, rather startling the knowing ones
as the winner. Finish article, and to town. Cross the
bridge ; see the return home ; dust and din. Go to Surrey
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174 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Gardens/ first time ; Madrigals very well sung ; bcIvs all
evening. 28^A. — Begin description of Derby for Era ; write
on late. Looking in at Comer — Guerint, his early history;
cetdt. sixty-five. 29th. — Peace anniversary. Town with copy;
correct proofs for Era ; see Ledger, and receive last week's
17«. 6d. Home ; Guerint comes and spends evening. 30^A* —
Wells suddenly closed; G. Webster Tion eat, and no money."
" Monday, Jv/ne Ist. — Begin ' Man about Town/ Town at
night and see Signer Alfred Bosco,' a new wizard, at the
Strand, the best * passer ' I have seen since Blitz. 4th. — Go
to St. James's ; French play Lea Deux Aveugles ; Pradeau very
* The Boyal Surrey Gardens were at this time being undertaken by
a company, of which Sir W. de Bathe was chairman, and the Mr. Ellis
mentioned at times by E. L. B. was secretary. The working capital
was £30,493. The directors appear to have engaged as good musical
talent as was available : Mr. Sims Beeves, Miss Yinning, Mrs. Lockey,
and Mrs. Weiss having inaugurated the season by a performance of
Mendelssohn's Elijah. Miss Dolby was also engaged, but could not
appear the first night (May 11th) owing to indisposition. A very
capable orchestra was conducted by JuUien, whose programmes, con-
sisting principally of light music, were very attractive to the many.
Madrigals and part-songs were sung by the Surrey Gardens Choral
Society, under Mr. Land. The Surrey Music Hall, built in the
grounds and opened July 1856, and which cost £18,000 to build, could
hold thirteen thousand persons altogether. There were panoramas, and
fireworks always closed the entertainments. The Guards on their
return from the Crimea were publicly feasted here, August 25th, 1856.
On May 27th selections from II Barhiere di Sivigliaj known as " Opera
Recitals," were given ; also Elijah^ during the week; and talented
vocalists were engaged.
' E. L. B. was himself a great proficient in the art of prestidigitation,
and was a most admirable sleight-of-hand performer, his long lithe
fingers lending themselves to feats of this description. I remember on
one occasion, after a stroll through the leafy glades of Cobham Park,
we dined together at the Bull at Bochester : and he frightened a
bucolic waiter, whose look of astonishment as he saw shillings rubbed
together until they disappeared, and sixpences come out of the per-
former's eyes, was a thing to be remembered. Blanchard used to sing
a song (of which I fear no copy exists) about three wizards who were
holding a quiet slance^ " and conjuring every one," but who were dis-
turbed by the advent of a fourth wizard, whose feats were of such a
remarkable character that the other three quietly rose and departed,
agreeing that they had been spending the evening with the evil one.
Whilst the song was in progress he illustrated it with a number of feats
of legerdemain. E. L. B. was also a very admirable improvisatore.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 175
clever. Monday, 8th. — Dear mother's birthday. Douglas
Jerrold * died this morning, in his fifty-fifth year ; a great loss
to the world, as well as to his own social circle. 9^. — Tremen-
dous fire at Pickford's ^ at 10 at night, and square lit by the
flames. lOth. — Willoughby sends for memoir of Jerrold,
and note for * Heads of People.' No one comes ; all solitary
and sad — very, very sad. Monday j IQth — Am offered an
engagement on Tfte Field. Tempting, but must decline for
reasons of honour. 17 th. — Have interview with Lowe re-
specting Fidd and Critic. Chat with Hale about the
> Bom in London, January 3rd, 1803. He obtained his dramatic
knowledge mostly through his father having been manager of the
Southend and Sheemess theatres. Having taken a great predilection
for the sea, he became a midshipman in the Boyal Navy, in the ship of
Captain Austin, brother to Miss Austin the novelist. A year and a
half cured him of his love for seafaring, but the knowledge of maritime
life that he had gained stood him in good stead afterwards. He was
next apprenticed to a printer, where he worked with Leman Blanchard.
His first effort in dramatic writing was The Smoked Miser^ or, The
Benefit of Hanging , a farce that was very successful in 1823 at Sadlers
Wells, when Egerton was manager. He obtained his footing on the
Press through an essay which he wrote on Der Freyachiitz. He was a
wonderfully rapid ooncocter of plays, and for some time supplied a
fresh piece of some sort at the Coburg every other week, besides
writing for Sadlers Wells and editing the Weekly Times. His best-
known piece is Black-eyed Staan^ produced at the Surrey, June 6th,
1829, with P. P. Cooke as William. The Rent Day, Drury Lane,
January 1832 ; Nell Gvxy^me^ Covent Garden, January 1833 ; The
Housekeepevy or, The White Rose, Haymarket, July 1834; The
Prisoner of War, Drury Lane, 1842 — were amongst his most famous
plays, of which space will not permit giving an entire list. He con-
tributed much to magazines. His " Caudle Lectures " in Punch will
always be remembered. He started a shilling magazine and JerroUTs
Newspaper, but these were not successful. About 1852 he became
editor of Lloyd's Newspaper. He was a brilliant conversationalist and
satirist. He died of disease of the heart, and was buried in Norwood
Cemetery.
' One peculiarity of this fire was the turning loose of upwards of
one hundred horses, which galloped over London in the wildest
manner, the whole of which were not recovered for some days. Only
one, a very savage animal called " The Man-hater,'' was burned ; he
would only allow his own particular carman, who drove him, to
approach him, and as he was not on the spot no one else could
liberate the beast. Forty thousand quarters of com were destroyed,
besides other property of great value.
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176 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Rhine. 19^A. — Into town with copy ; Era i\ 16s. Home
sad, and health ditto. 22?Mi. — Finish second song of Woodin's;
printer turns up for ^England and Wales/ which is to be
resumed. Write to Lowe declining engagement on Fidd,
2Ath. — Slow, sad, and solitary all day. Finish * Man about
Town.' Walk. In bed by 1 1 ; heart broken and head bewil-
dered, life looking more perplexing in its mysteries than
ever."
June 26th to 30^^ E. L. B. spent at Margate to
endeavour to recruit his health.
" July 2nd, — Olympic at night ; Brough's new burlesque
of McLsanieUo^ &[^t time, very good, and goes oflF briskly,
4iA. — Go to Camden Town in evening, and provide mother
with a few of the creature comforts, %th, — At night to
Newman Street spiritualistic reunion; a new association,
every Thursday, ^th. — Town with copy; night to Hay-
market; see Tom Taylor's new comedy of the Victivia;^
admirably written. Monday ^ IMh. — At .night to Grecian;
chat with Conquest and his son, who, author, actor,
artist, shows talent. I6th. — Write remainder of * Man
about Town.' Era paragraphs, and town with them. 2l8t.
— Join the London ArchoBologists, and go over the whole
of the Tower; a very great treat. 25th, — 'England and
Wales ' all day. To club ; take chair. Sala, Bumand, and very
pleasant party present. 2Sth, — An event ! After going to
mother's, returning to dinner William Douglas Haly, of
New York, pays me a visit after fifteen years' absence. Find
^ Robson in the title I'Sley in which the author bad given him some
of the most excruciating puns^ but in which character this great actor
displayed those tragi-comic powers for which he was so noted. Miss
Swanborough, Alphonso ; Miss Hughes, Elvira ; Miss Thirlwall,
Lorenzo ; G. Cook as a Neapolitan policeman.
' Buckstone, Josh Buttersby ; Mrs. Poynter, Miss Minerva Crane ;
Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Merryweather ; Patty Oliver, Mrs. FitzHerbert ;
Howe, Mr. Merrjnveather ; and Rogers, Rowley. Messrs. Clark,
Cullenford, and Braid were also in the cast. This was the 1,124th
night of the season under Mr. Buckstone's management, during which
the theatre had never been closed, except on Sundays. A new ballet
called Tlie Gleaners was an item of the programme on the same night.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 177
out Hunt for him, and scene at interview. Night with
Coyne and Hinton at Highbury. 29iA.— Busy on 'Man
about Town/ but too much thrilled by the event of yester-
day to. do much. At night to Adelphi; Jerrold night.
Bjemi Day and Black-eyed Svsan} Home at 2 with Deane.
30^A.— Begin 'Shall Covent Garden be rebuilt?' Writ^
till very late."
" Aug. laU — Crystal Palace Water Tower thrown open first
time ; fountains a great treat. Sth. — Brough, E. F. B.,
and Watkins' brother introduced first time. Haly, Sargeant,
and Holt talk about Atlas with Mr. Christie. Photo done, and
bring it home, with general applause. \Oth. — With C. C. B. to
Olympic, which opens under Robson's and Emden's manage-
ment. 1 Ith. — At night to Olympic and see the Lighthovse ; ^
delighted with it ; most eflfectively got up. Look in at club
afterwards ; Horsley, of Staples Inn, keeps me chatting late.
Monday f nth. — To mother in morning, and give her usual
little present. Kingston, Fred Vizeteliy Holt, etc. ; adjourn
to Bed Lion. Boss,' the comic singer; ^ome to 13, Wharton
> This was the second of the series of the Jerrold remembrance
nights which had been arranged for the benefit of his widow and
family. They included a concert at St. Martin's HaU, readings by
Charles Dickens, an account of his Crimean doings by William Howard
Russell (the Times correspondent), and an entertainment by a literary
amateur troop at the Gallery of Illustration. The first dramatic
tribute was given on July 15 th at the Haymarket, when The House-
keeper and Hie Prisoner of War were played, and only two of the
original cast — Messrs. Webster and Buckstone — appeared.
• The Subterfuge — an Euglish version of Livre troisUme, Chapitre
premier^ previously adapted at the Haymarket under the title of
A Novel Expedient^ and later as My AunCs Advice — was the first piece ;
an address written by Robert Brough was spoken by Mr. Robson;
and Wilkie Collins's Lighthouse^ done at Tavistock House two years
previously by amateurs, made up the bill with Mascmiello, In The
Lighthouse^ Aaron Gumock, first played by Charles Dickens, now fell
to Mr. Robson ; Jacob Dale, Mr. Addison ; Martin Gumock, Walter
Gordon ; Samuel Farley, G. Cooke ; Phcebe Dale, Miss Wyndham ;
Lady Grace, Miss Swanborough. Mr. Vining spoke the original
prologue in front of the act-drop, which was an exact reproduction
of Stanfield's original picture representing the lighthouse.
' Ross used to sing at the Cyder Cellars, in Maiden Lane, an under-
ground music-hall that was contemporary with Evans's, but was not
12
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178 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Street, with him. Odd idea of a ' Comic Cyder Cellar ' man
singing the worst songs. Passion for dahlias ; elegant place
and nice garden. Stroll by daylight ; the odd idea worth a
mem. 227i(i. — From Sunday Times £2. Not well in
morning, so off by train at 2 p.m. to Epsom, which I see for
the first time. Walk on through Leatherhead to Dorking, ten
miles, with carpet bag slung over my shoulder; stop at
White Horse ; Bull Inn better. Monday^ 2Uh,—0S early to
Leith Hill, a spot long the landmark of my vision. At night
to travelling theatre, the Fire Raiser ; one Montague there,
an actor, very good. Moonlight and starlight ramble.
Dreamily reposing, with literary chat, refreshing to mental
exhaustion. A night and day of pleasant dreams. 25th. —
Up Box Hill, and glorious view from the summit ; down hill
again, and chat with one of the strollers. Interesting reverie,
and pleasant afternoon conversation ; then the farewell, the
train, and back by 11 to W^ilmington Square, and the stem
realities. 27th, — Finish * Man about Town,' and do a little for
Era, from which £1. Look in at Lyon's Inn; Lowe and
Francis there ; early home ; long read, and write memoir of
poor Th&Ase Cushnie.^ 29th. — E. T. S. for Sunday Times
£2. Sorting papers all day. Club, and see George Coppin
returned from Australia."
" Sept. llth. — Arrange with Mr. Christie, of AUaSy to do
80 respectably conducted. He sang very powerfully, and with great
dramatic effect, a song called ^* Sam Hall," which would not now be
tolerated by decent audiences.
^ Married in 1849 to Milano, the well-known harlequin and ballet-
master. During her whole life Th^r^se Gushnie was most highly
esteemed for her private worth, and she was celebrated as a dancer.
From the first she worked very hard at her profession, having made
her cUbut at an early age at the Garrick Theatre, followed by engage-
ments at the Grecian Saloon, Surrey, and Astley's. She then studied
hard for two years in Paris, of the best masters ; her first succeeding
English engagement being at the Theatre Royal, Manchester, which
was followed by her being engaged as one of the principal dancers at
the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden. With her sister Annie and
her husband, she was for two seasons at Drury Lane, since which time
they were at the Haymarket. Th^r^se Cushnie last appeared in The
Babes in the Wood, at Christmas 1866. She died on September 22nd,
after giving birth to a still-bom child.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 179
a country letter for Birmingham weekly. 12^A. — Sadlers
Wells opens for the season with Hamlei;^ write notice,
and home early. Mcmday^ 14^A.— Begin Sunday Times
almanac; tedious work. Get flurried about winter's ap-
proach and work to be done. To Myddelton Hall, and see
Seymour Carleton's* imitative entertainment; excellent.
1 5th. — Much depressed in spirits ; indoors, but write little.
Go to Wells ; Mrs. Charles Young,* an Australian actress, ap-
pearing as Julia in the Hunchbdck. nth. — Try a little more
* Man about Town.' Go to Haymarket ; Mrs. Sinclair as Lady
Teazle.* Era £1 10s. 18^A.— Not well. Brown and Coyne
at Angel, and proposition to start vid Eastern Counties next
day. I9th. — OflF in afternoon to Cambridge: stop for ten
minutes at Broxboume; reach the city of colleges at 7,
and stay at Castle, good inn in St. Andrew's Street. Much
pleased with Cambridge ; go to theatre, in evening at
Barnwell; see Lady of Lyons; Mrs. Mayland (Miss A.
' Eeopened the thirteenth year of the Phelps and Greenwood Shake-
spearian management. Henry Marston again the Ghost ; Bayner,
Claudius ; F. Bobinson, Laertes ; Lewis Ball, first grave-digger ; Miss
J. Marston, Ophelia ; Miss Atkinson, the Queen.
' It was called Familiar Faces ; or, Old Friends in New Places, and
was an exact reproduction, aUke in voice, manner, and appearance,
of Albert Smith, Charles Mathews, Phelps, Henry Marston, Paul
Bedford, Wright, Miss Oushman, and Mr. Bobson. At the same time
Mr. Arthur Toung gave, in the costume of the sixteenth century, dra-
matic readings from Othello^ Merchant of Venice, and Richard III,
' [Afterwards Mrs. Hermann Vezin.— C. S.] Mrs. Charles Young
was married, when scarcely sixteen, to Charles Young, with whom
she was very unhappy, and eventually obtained a divorce from. She
was graceful, had a very good, clear delivery, and as yet a not very
strong voice ; but it was sweet and sympathetic. The fault that
was to be found with her at this time was want of power. She was of
English birth, but had commenced her career as an actrensrin Australia.
F. Bobinson was the Modus ; Henry Marston, Sir Thomas Clifford ;
Lewis Ball, Fathom ; and Phelps, Sir Walter.
* Mrs. Catherine Sinclair proved herself more capable in the later
gcehes. She was supported by Miss Talbot as Mrs. Candour ; Miss
Emma King as Maria ; Mrs. Poynter as Lady Sneerwell ; Chippen-
dale, Sir Peter; Howe, Joseph Surface; William Farren, Charles
Surface, who sang " Here's to the Maiden," usually allotted to Care-
less; Bogers, Sir OUver; Compton, Crabtree; and Buckstone, Sir
Benjamin Backbite.
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i8o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Hudson) very good actress. MoTiday, 2\8t, — To Cathedral in
morning at Ely, and shown over it; a very great treat. Back
by train ; stop at Audley End, and go over Lord Braybrooke's
fine place ; very pleased indeed ; home by nine. 22nd. — See
Greening for almanac. To town; see American tragedian,
Roberts, as Sir Giles, at Drury, and find him good.^ 2Uh.—
Hear of Sinclair's ^ death on Tuesday, and write memoir for
Era; to town with it, receiving £1 78. 6d. for past services.
Flexmore calls. Write London letter for Dudley Expreas—
the first. 25th.— To town with copy of letter, which finish,
and pipe aolua in club. 2Uh.—E. T. S. £2. See Cywbdine '^
at Wells, and Greenwood ; one minute at Drury^ Roberts as
Richard IH.^ 29th.— At night with Coyne at Garrick Theatre,
^ John Sinclair was born in Edinburgh in 1785. When twenty-five
years of age, came to London to take up his commission in a regiment
in India, but was asked to sing for the benefit of a lady at the Hay-
market in Lock and Key, and sang his three songs so well that he was
persuaded to give up the idea of a martial career, and he studied for
three years under Thomas Welsh. He played for a short time previous
to this as Mr. Noble at the Margate Theatre, and made his first appear-
ance as Carlos in The Duenna, September 20th, 1811, when actually
under articles to his master. He made a great hit as Apollo in the
burletta of Midas. In 1816 he married, and in 1818 his long engage-
ment with Mr. Harris of Co vent Garden terminated. He went to
Italy and studied under Rossini, and made his Italian d6hui at Pisa in
Torvaldo in 1821. He then made a most successful Continental tour,
and on November 19th, 1824, was engaged by Mr. Charles Kemble at
Covent Garden, and appeared as Prince Orlando in The Cabinet in 1826.
He went to Drury Lane in 1828, to the Adelphi in 1831, again the
principal tenor at Drury Lane, and then visited America ; on his
return from thence he confined himself to chamber concerts. He
became the proprietor of the Tivoli Gardens at Margate, and spent
the remainder of his life there. He was a most accomplished singer ;
he possessed a wonderful falsetto, and was great in Scotch ballads. He
was the father of the Mrs. Catherine Sinclair recently referred to.
* Marston, lachimo ; Rayner, Belarius ; BeLford, Guiderius ; F.
Robinson, Arviragus; Lewis Ball, Cloten. Imogen was played by
Mrs. Charles Toung; she showed great earnestness of manner and
unaffected pathos. Phelps, Leonatus.
3 Mr. Roberts was an American tragedian, and made his first appear-
ance, Monday, September 21st, as Sir Giles Overreach, in A New Way
to Pay Old Debts, On Wednesday, 23rd, he played King Lear to Miss
Portman's Cordelia. On Thursday he appeared as Richard III. with
Mrs. Yickery as the Queen ; Miss Portman as Lady Jane ; Mrs. Selby
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. i8i
music hall, and literary loanges. 30^A. — See one act of
iove's Labour's Loat,^ revived, first night at Sadlers Wells."
** Oct. 3rd.— Night to Lyceum, Norma ;^ write notice for
Eray and home after club. Monday^ 5th. — Busy with
almanac contributions. Night to Haymarket; see Lady
of Lyons ; ^ Miss Amy Sedgwick's first appearance in London ;
very successful. 6th. — Ought to have dined with Coppin at
Craven Hotel, but only got th^re at the end of the feast,
having looked in at Adelphi to see Poll amd My Partner Joe.^
\2th. — Busy with almanac, and give copy. At night to
Strand; James Rogers's farewell benefit,* prior to his departure
for America. See Robson {Country Fai/r), Keeley's Blessed
Babby^ and then to club ; nothing talked about but the horrid
murder and mutilation.® I5th. — Finish * Man about Town.'
Look in at Haymarket ; first two acts of Lovechase ; ^ write
notice for Era. From Era £1 lOs. I6th. — Become member
as the Duchess of York. Mr. Roberts' performances were rather
promises of fature excellence, when he should have gained more
experience.
^ Marston, Biron ; Miss Fitzpatrick, Rosaline ; F. Robinson, Ferdi-
nand King of Navarre ; J. W. Ray, Lord Chamberlain ; Mr. Williams,
Holofemes ; Lewis Ball, Costard ; Miss Rose Williams, Moth. It was
noticeable that Dr. Ame's songs of •* Spring " and " Winter," generally
transferred to As You Like Ity were introduced and well sung by Miss
Eva Breet and Mr. Thompson.
* Norma, Madame Caradoro ; PoUio, Augustus Braham ; Oroveso,
Hamilton Braham ; Adelgisa, Susan Pyne. The orchestra and chorus
under the direction of Alfred Mellon.
^ Howe, Claude Melnotte : Chippendale, General Damas ; William
Farren, Beauseant ; Mr. Rogers and Mrs. Griffiths, Mons. and Madame
Deschappelles.
* By John Thomas Haines. T. P. Cooke, Harry Halyard ; Miss
Arden, Mary May bud ; Miss Mary Keeley, Abigail Holdforth ; Mr.
Wright, Watchful Waxend ; Billington, Joe Tiller ; Charles Selby,
Black Brandon.
* The bill provided was the comedy, The Gentleman Opposite : Miss
Herbert, Mrs. Mowbray ; Phantom Wivesj That Blessed Bahy, with
Mr. and Mrs. Eeeley ; Ycu are sure to he shoty with James Rogers as
Tom Tipper ; and the burlesque of Traviata,
^ This refers to the finding of a portion of a man*s body by two lads
in a carpet ha^ lying on the third buttress of Waterloo Bridge. [After-
wards known as the Waterloo Bridge Mystery. — C. S.]
' Amy Sedgwick as Constance ; Chippendale, Sir William Fondlove ;
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i82 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
of the Savage Club,^ and promise to dine with them to-
morrow. 17<A. — Dine with the Savages at Crown Inn ; Yard
in chair. Afterwards to club, and home by midnight.
Monday^ \%th. — Miss very much my poor old dog Fid, who
has been with me for eleven years, and has now absented
himself for four days ; mysterious disappearance. Go to
Mrs. Maraton, Widow Green ; Howe, Wildrake ; William Farren,
Master Waller ; Mrs. Caroline White, Lydia ; Bogers, Tmeworth ;
Clju-ke, Last.
' This club was originated by a choice few of the real " Bohemians,*'
who nsed to meet at the White Hart, at the comer of Exeter and
Catherine Streets, Strand. Finding that their little social conver-
sations were often intruded upon by strangers the dubbists made a
change. Fred Lawrence, joint author with Halliday in KenUtoarth,
discovered a new habitation for them at the Grown Tavern, Vinegar
Yard, kept by one Lawson. Nine of the original members migrated,
and had an upstairs room looking on to Drury Lane ; and the landlord,
though he kept a room strictly for their use, charged them only
public-house prices— <ui advantage to men whose pockets at that time
were not too well lined. As far as can be ascertained the names of
the nine were Halliday, Strauss, " Professor '' Anderson, William Hale,
Lawrence, and William, Robert, John and Lionel Brough, of whom
the last is the only one surviving. These thought it would be advis-
able to recruit their number, and had no difficulty in collecting many
really good Bohemians, some of whom are still living and are imporj^t
members of the club, such as Edward Draper, Tegetmeier, J. E^t (
Francis, Dr. Strauss, etc., etc. The name of the club was suggested
by Robert Brough, who thought they might through its assumption
either call themselves " Savages '' and outside the pale of civilization, or
take rank as followers of Richard Savage. Some months afterwards
J. Daffit Francis gave the club some savage weapons, shields etc., and
from that time the members have all called themselves ^* Savages."
After a time the club removed to the Nell Gwynne, off the Strand,
and it was joined by Sala, Byron, Frank Talfourd, Tom Robertson,
Leicester Buckingham, Jeff Prowse (" Nicholas "), William McConnell,
Charles Bennett, Harrison Weir, Edmund Falconer, and other well
known literati and Bohemians. Thence they moved their quarters to
the Lyceum Tavern, and again moved not so very many yards off
to ^^ Jessop's " — the building in which the Echo office is now situated,
and which was once known as a great resort for budding histrions who
used to pay for the privilege of acting, and later had an unenviable
notoriety as a very late dancing- saloon. The affections of the Savages
appear to have leaned towards the Nell Gwynne, for we once more
find them located there ; but after a time they successively pitched their
tents at the Gordon Hotel, then under the management of ^* Doctor
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 183
town ; see Smith, Dykwynkyn, and Beverley at Drury, and
settle on Jocfc HorTver^ or, Harlequin A B G iox pantomime.
To Wells at night, and arrange to do Beauty and the Beast
for his subject. 20th, — Find poor dog has been secretly
poisoned by a canine Marchioness Brinvilliers. 2\8U — Write
Strauss ; " at Ashley's Hotel, at Haxell's, and at the Caledonian. This
seems to have been their last resting-place on sufferance, for they
then took premises of their own in the Savoy, where they dispensed
hospitality and good fellowship for a considerable time ; but, becoming
cramped for room, they eventually took the lease of their present
premises on Adelphi Terrace. It would be impossible to give a Ust of
the really great men known to Art and Literature who have been
members. There is scarcely a journalist, artist, or actor of repute
but has been enrolled as a ^* Savage." They have been ever foremost
in works of charity, ever ready to assist any of their members in
distress, or to aid the families of those who have been left scantily
provided for. They have at various times given dramatic performances,
which have been invariably of the very best ; and the results of which
have succoured those who could not look elsewhere for support. The
series of " Savage Club Papers," cleverly written and well illustrated,
were issued in the cause of charity. They have a Masonic Lodge, the
working of which is wonderfully perfect, and to this day the Savage
Club remains a Bohemian Club in the best meaning of the term. It
may be mentioned that the Arundel Club, of which E. L. B. was for
y £^ so many years an esteemed member, was an outcome of the Savages.
Jy H. J. Byron, W. P. Hal^ and Leicester Buckingham, formed a sub-
committee (when the*^[avages were at the Lyceum Tavern), and were
deputed to find a new habitation. In their search they came upon
some premises in Arundel Street, and took them in their own names
and, on their returning to the Savage Club they announced that if
some ultra-Bohemian members were not requested to resign, they
should start a club of their own in Arundel Street. As their wbhes
were not acceded to they became the founders of the Arundel Club.
The first Savage Club performance was at the Lyceum in aid of the
Lancashire Cotton Famine Fund, and was attended by nearly all the
Royal Family (the Queen, Prince Consort, Prince of Wales, Princess
Boyal, etc., etc.) The burlesque played was Forty Thieves, written by
seven of the most popular burlesque writers of the day. Mrs. Stirling
spoke an address, and all the characters in the burlesque were per-
formed by Savages (including the ^^ 40 ''). Miss Louise Laidlaw was
the one exception in the cast. It was afterwards played for the
same object in Liverpool, and the Club were enabled to hand over
nearly £600 to the Fund. [Mr. Lionel Brough, one of the found-
ers of the Savages, kindly supplied some of the above interesting
information.]
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i84 EDWARD LBMAN BLANCHARD.
Olympic notice of Leading Strings} 23rd. — Town with more
copy. Chat with Christie and Mr. Lawrence at Atlas office ;
settle with latter £3 for one month's Dudley letter, to last
week, No. 5. 24iA. — Correcting almanac proofs and arranging
them all day. Night to ' Savages ; ' then to opening of Ade-
laide Casino.^ Club, and give them my picture, and give Doyle
lOs. for poor Ball. Monday^ 26th. — About almanac matter
in morning ; in afternoon Christy Minstrels ; then to Olympic ;
bad farce of Deadly Reports,^ Then to club ; Chippendale in
chair. Hear news of fall of Delhi in evening papers ; excite-
ment everywl^ere in consequence. 27th. — Not the thing;
try warm bath at 98°. Begin * Man about Town.' 2Sth. —
E. T. S. calls and pays half for almanac, £10. City of
London prize drama, Lucy Wentworth.* See Nelson Lee.
29th. — At night look in at St. James's amateurs. At club
with Talfourd and Godfrey Turner. 31«^.— E. T. S. £2.
Visit from Miss Florence Law (a wife separated from a
literary husband), who is introduced by Albert Smith.
Myself with terrific neuralgic headache. To bed by
eight!!!!!!"
" Monday y Nov. 2nd, — Frightful headache, and in bed at
7 a.m. 3rd. — Congestion of brain ; pain awful. Flexmore ^
calls, but unable to talk or write. Hear the Leviathan is
* This was a three-act comedy of A. C. Troughton, taken from
M. Scribe's Toujours, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Leveson ; George Vining,
Frank Leveson ; Miss Swanborough, Edith Belfort ; Binnings the
butler, Mr. Addison ; Miss Wyndham, Flora Mackenzie.
' This was opened by Bignell, late of the Argyle Rooms, in con-
sequence of his licence for that place of entertainment having been
refused. It was a casino, and another Argyle to all intents and
purposes.
' By Palgrave Simpson, and was taken from the French.
* Lucy Wentwmihf or, The VilUige-hom Beauty, by T. P. Prest.
The action of the play commences in 1812. One of the features of
the scenery was a view of " Frost Fair on the Thames in 1814," with
a skating dance on the ice, with Blackfriars Bridge and St. Paul's in
the distance. The writing of the drama was said to have been much
above the average.
^ It should be mentioned of Flexmore that when quite a lad he used
to work as a warehouseman by day, and as '^ general utility '* at halls,
singing-places, and theatres, in order to earn sufficient to enable him to
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 185
launched — Qreai Eastern ; an accident, and failure. 4:th,
— Still in pain ; try a little writings but process agonising.
At length contrive to be comic ! and do a bit of * Man about
Town.' Go to Wells ; Clandestine Marriage revived, and
Phelps as Lord Ogleby. 5th. — Era £1 3a. Lyceum; see
one act of Rose of CastiUe ; ^ farce, A Pair of Pigeons ; very
like Is he jealous ? 6th. — A little better, thank God. Finish
Era paragraphs. Try a comic scene, but failure. Go to Sadlers
Wells; two acts of ClaTidestime Marriage; very good.
1th. — Haymarket at night ; new comedy by Tom Taylor,
The Unequal Match ;^ very good, and highly successful.
Monday y 9th. — Lord Mayor's Day, and for the first time no
water procession. Begin Drury pantomime of Jack Homer,
llth. — To mother's in morning to see the boy, who is re-
covering from a severe cold ; take her some old port, etc., to
drink many happy returns of Bill's birthday. 12th. — To
Hanover Square Rooms ; Professor Frickell, wizard, without
apparatus ; very neat indeed. IMh. — Write notice of the
wizard, and to town. From Era £1 5s. Monday y 16th. —
Musing over pantomime, but little done. At night to
Adelphi ; The Headless Man *— a very bad piece, very well
got up. 17 th. — Busy all day on Drury pantomime ; go not
out, and do not much. More annoyances present them-
selves, so utterly undeserved by me, and so impossible to
Bopport his mother. Though he became one of the most graceful
dancers, he was getting well on in his teens before he had karrU his first
step-dance from Joneph Cave, who used often to be employed at the
same houses with him of an evening.
* This was done by the Harrison Pyne Company, which included
amongst its members Louise and Susan Pyne, Harrison, Weiss, St.
Albyn, Walworth, and George Honey. The Pair of Pigeons^ by Edward
Stirling, was acted by George Honey, and Miss Cuthbert, who donned
male attire and played a fop.
* Amy Sedgwick, Hester Grazebrook ; W. Farren, Harry AmdifEe ;
Mrs. Buckingham White, Mrs. Montresor ; Buckstone, Doctor Botch-
erby ; Gompton, Blenkinsop ; and Chippendale, Braid. Clark and Mrs.
FitzwiUiam also included in the cast
* An adaptation of La lAgende de V Homme sans Tite, by MM. Edouard
Brisebarre and Eugene Nus. It was a ghostly story of a vampire,
specially noticeable for the acting of Webster and Celeste as Carl
Blitzen and Christine. Selby, Doctor Neiden ; and Wright, Mary
Keeley, and Marie Wilton were included in the cast.
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1 86 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
contend with. Sit up till 2 a.m. ; sad, nervous, and solitary.
\%t}i, — Club; meet Charles Dillon and Charles Webb,
Wilson, and home late. 19^A. — To Olympic; Robson's^
reappearance after provincial engagement. Club ; Levy.
20iA. — All day on Drury Lane pantomime, and by sitting
up late I think finish it satisfactorily, as far as the rough
draft goes. Getting careworn and heartsore for want of
heart-sympathy. Monday , 23rcZ. — Olympic ; Coyne's new
farce of What will they say at Brompton f * Then to Free-
masons' Tavern; Era supper — ^the thousandth number;
meet Crewe (aged 74, a wonderful singer), George, Fidler,
Hughes (one of the staff), Herr Lowenthal, etc. 27 th, — Look
in at Strand, and see Bridgeman's farce of Telegram.^*
" Dec. 5th.— From E. T. S. £2. Flexmore and Bdmes in
morning. Owing to more interruption write in eight hours
two pages of a comic scene for Sadlers Wells. Hear of
Moncrief s death from Wilton and Tomlins. 7th. — Write
comic scene for Flexmore, and take it to Drury, where meet
everybody. On account of pantomime £10. 8^^ — Cold
worse, and from domestic causes spirits utterly crushed and
broken. All day at work writing second scene of Sadlers
Wells opening, which take, and after sit up till 3, cogitating
over remainder, llth, — Thirty-seven this day!!! Have I
done enough to be that ? My life must answer the question.
Ride to Tumham Green, and walk back for exercise. Glass
with W. B. at night at the * Savages ; ' and so ends the end
of the thirty-seventh year. I2th, — All day over the front
comic of Sadlers Wells. Much indisposed, and greatly upset
mentally and domestically ; paying a vast amount for no com-
fort, no happiness, or sympathy. 15th, — Drury in morning ;
see Tully, and watch progress. Soyer presents me with his
book.^ Home to make out Drury bill. Dear boy and Sola
^ He resumed his old character in The lAghlhouse,
' Robson, Samuel Todd ; Miss Wyndham, Mrs. Todd ; G. Cooke,
Croker ; Addison, Harwood Cooper and Miss Marston also in the
cast.
3 This must have been " Soyer*s Culinary Campaign/' a book which
he published after his experiences in the Crimean War. He was sent
to reorganize, originally, the hospital kitchens of the British Army, and
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 187
to Hudson's entertainment ; a painful domestic scene after-
wards. 227Ki. — Drury rehearsal in morning ; back, and write
reviews. At night attend the usual Christmas supper at
club. Tomlin in chair, vice R. Brough ill; Sala 'vice/
Toole and I next him. Pratton.<gIajrionette/Lazan^
very good. Sing *Guy Fawkes* and Almanac song; all
goes off famously. Home at 4 with Marston, Summers,
Dr. Brown, and Deane ; pleasant eyening. 2^iL — Write
paragraphs for J&ra, from which £2 10a. for Christmas week.
25^A. — Christmas Day. Miller dines with us, and as jolly
as possible under the circumstances. At night to theatre
for rehearsal ; all goes off well, Back by midnight, and
read for an hour. 26^A. — Very busy day for me. In morning
after he had got these into working order on the Boephorus, he did
the same for the Divisional Hospitals at the front. To his efforts and
those of Miss Florence Nightingale, with whom he cordially worked,
supported by John Milton, Accountant General from the War Office,
and the Commissioner sent out by the Times newspaper, it is owing
that many lives were saved. Tears before, in 1846, when chtf of the
Beform Club, he had rendered most useful service during the famine
in Ireland. Soyer was a genial, kind-hearted man, and was much liked
and esteemed. The semi uniform that he had adopted in the Crimea,
and which he used to wear mounted on a white Arab, created then
quite a sensation. Our allies, French, Turkish and Sardinian, often
wondered what his position in the army could be. His cortege was the
more noticeable in that he was invariably attended by his secretary,
a black gentleman, one Peter de NuUy Taylor, who had been well
known in the law courts in London, as a very able shorthand reporter*
Alexis Soyer was bom at Mean, Brie, in France, October 1809, and
he was intended for the Church ; but not feeling the vocation, he
was apprenticed to the celebrated chef Dewix of the Palais Royal,
Paris, and perved with him five years. Soyer^s brother was chef at
Cambridge House, Piccadilly; and when Alexis came over to England
to visit him, and liked the country, he determined to remain, and
eventually became chef to Lord Panmure, Secretary of State for War>
and other noble families. He was the author of '^ The Modem
Housewife " (1849), and " D^laissements Culinaires," of the " Gastro-
nomic Regenerator," of *' Pantropheon," and " The Shilling Cookery."
During the time of the Exhibition of 1851, he had a magnificent species
of restaurant, called the " Symposium," at Kensington, by which he lost
£4,000, which he honourably paid. He died August 5th, 1858, and was
buried at Kensal Green in the vault which he had erected for bis wife,
who had been an artist of considerable note.
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i88 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
to town; dine at club; write Sadlers Wells ^ and Strand*
notice for Era. Then to Drury ; ' private box for mother and
the dear boy. Go to Olympic ; * write out notices, and do
Sunday Times and Era; all goes oflF well. E. T. S., as
usual, £2. Monday^ 2%th. — Pottering about at home,
wretchedly uncomfortable all day. In evening to Drury;
see pantomime ; goes oflF very well, but long. Look in at
club, and walk home with Marston. 29th. — Hear fix>m Haly,
New York. Pay Dr. Brown for medical attendance for self
and boy. At night to Sadlers Wells; see pantomime,
Beaviy and the Beast; scenery good, but wasted thought
and energy as usuaL Slst, — Hard at work on ^Man about
Town' all day» Walk into town at night; see the Old
Year out with Talfourd, Grould, and Watts at club; slow
and sad. And thus 1857 cometh to a close, the year
not unproductive of coin, the reward of excessively hard
work ; but to the heart a blank, chilling void, that has
had but one distant glimmer reflected therein. For all
thank God."
Total for year Je260 10s.
* Harlequin and Beauty and the Beast, or, Little Goody Two Shoes
and Mother Bunch's Book-case in Baby-land. Harlequin, Charles
Fenton ; clown, Nicole Deulin ; columbine, Caroline Parkes ; panta-
loon, Mr. Naylor.
* Harlequin Novelty and the Princess who lost Her Heart Harlequin,
Miss Craven ; W. Dean and J. Howard, clown and pantaloon ; Mifis
Wyatt and Mdlle. Deulin, columbines. '* U - /V- - ■ ' < ^v^^^-~
' Little Jack Homer. Harlequins, Messrs. Milano and St. Armand ;
clowns, Flexmore and Boleno ; pantaloons, Nasb, and W. A. Barnes ;
columbines, Madame Boleno and Mdlle. Christine.
* The Doge of Duralto, or, the Enchanted Eyes, a fairy extrava-
ganza by Robert Brough, with Miss Hughes, Miss Wyndham, Robson,
G. Cooke, and H. Wigau in the cast to be noted.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 189
1858.
^^Jan. \8t — ^The year opens with a bright sunny day, but
with myself a sad feeling of being thoroughly used up. Town
to correct proofs * Man about Town/ and then to St. John's
Gate. Start a new society — the Friday Knights ; * HoUings-
head, Friswell, Draper, and very pleasant party. Songs, and
break up after midnight ; the old room over the Gate the
scene of the symposium. Pay 58. for annual term of mem-
bership. \^th. — Home all day on * Man about Town,' and
sit up till 3 a.m. to finish it. The wasted hours, the wasted
hopes, warring against, but pressed cruelly hard, yet sub-
missively stoical, and shockingly sensitive withal. Bead
Emerson, and resolutions strengthened. \5tk, — At night to
the Gtite. Appointed chairman for Friday next. Rules
1 Several members of the Re-Union resided in North London, or on
its confines — ^to wit : Jonas Levy (Gray's Inn), Henry Marston (Baker
Street, Lloyd Square), E. L. Blanchard (Wilmington Square), Hain
Friswell (Holbom), and W. R. Belford (Pentonville). On the off-
nights of the Re-Union these worthies used to assemble occasionally at
a little ale-house, the Shakespeare Head, at the comer of Myddelton
Turning, Arlington Street, Clerkenwell, opposite Sadlers Wells. It
was a smoke-pipe and tankard cotirie, wherein the talk turned on the
drama mainly. Friswell became exceedingly anxious that a club
should be formed in North London for the convenience of its Re-
Union members, and Henry Marston was deputed to beat about for
a cosy and comfortable lodge. By an accident the actor strolled into
the Old Jerusalem Tavern, attached to that vestige of antique London,
St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, and saw its host— genial, intelligent
Benjamin Foster, an excellent antiquary, and no less excellent caterer
— explaining his mission. Foster, delighted at the project, said the
best room in the old Olerkenwell Gatehouse could be placed at the
disposal of Mr. Marston and his friends, free of charge, with every
attention to their comfort. They were informed of this proposal, and
on a November night, in 1856, Messrs. Hain Friswell, Jonas Levy,
Sterling Coyne, and Henry Marston, having sent an invitation to some
select spirits, met together and proposed that a club should be formed,
inviting every gentleman present to become a member. It was agreed
to, and in commemoration of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem,
formerly associated with the Gate, and of their night of the week to
assemble, it was resolved to name the new coUrie *^The Friday
Knights." £. L. B. became one of its most enthusiastic members.
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IQO EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
settled and agreed upon. The Emperor's escape from assas-
sination yesterday the general theme of conversation,* Era
£\ 5a. \^i}i— Davidson calls, * Hoop-de-dooden-doo ' to do,
£2. To Lyceum ; burlesque* slow and dull. Momdciy^ XWu
— Putting papers to rights ; hear of Mrs. Nisbett's death on
Saturday.* 19^A.— With Amelia B. Edwards, 'Middy,' and
Mrs. Gale to St. John's Gate, whereat nobly entertained by
B. Foster; over the battlements, under the crypt of St.
John's. Skeletons and signs of wasted mortality, earthy
smells, and strange associates. At night to Her Majesty's
1 This refers to the Orsini conspiracy, when the Emperor and
Empress arrived at the opera. A piece of one of the shells cut the
Emperor's hat, and General Roqaet, who was sitting in the carriage
(which was much shattered), was slightly wounded in the back of the
head. Sixty people were wounded and three killed.
' This was Lalla Rookh, supported by Charles Dillon's company,
which included J. L. Toole and Miss Woolgar.
' Louisa Cranstoune Nisbett, Lady Boothby, died January 16th,
1858, of apoplexy, at her residence, St. Leonard's, near Hastings,
Sussex. She was the daughter of Frederick Hayes Macnamara and
Jane Williams, and was bom April 1st, 1812, at Ball's Pond, near
Islington. Her father was a successful actor, and from him she, at an
early age, learnt to recite. Her maiden attempt was in private the-
atricals in 1820, as Adolphine de Courcy in the fsxce of Monsieur
Tonson, Her success urged her to appear at the private theatre in
Wilmington Square as Juliette, Miss Hardcastle, Jane Shore, even
before she was ten years old, for at that age she played Angela in The
Castle Spectre at the English Opera House; and, having given a wonder-
ful performance of Jane Shore, the infant prodigy determined, as
Louisa Mordaunt, to tour the provinces, commencing at Dorking in
Surrey. At the age of sixteen she made her dSbui at Drury Lane, as
the Widow Oheerly in The Soldier*8 Daughter, and by the time she was
eighteen she had been acknowledged to be almost perfection in the
roles of Juliette, Beatrice, and Rosalind. She married Captain
Alexander John Nisbett of the Guards in 1831, but lost her husband
seven months later by a fall from his horse, and was thus a widow at
nineteen. Pecuniary troubles compelled her to return to the stage,
and she reappeared in 1832 at Drury Lane. In 1835 she was mana-
geress of the Queen's Theatre, and here one of her great parts was that
of Comet FitzHerbert FitzHenry in The Married Rake, Subsequently
she went to the Strand for a time, and to the Surrey ; and undertook
the management of the Olympic during a temporary absence of Madame
Yestris. On October 9th, 1837, she appeared at ijie Haymarket under
Benjamin Webster as Constance, and reached the pinnacle of her fame.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 191
first festival perfonnance/ Macbeth. Phelps, royal box, fine
sight, but otherwise dreary. Meet Ledger, Barney Williams,
and other notables. 23rcZ.— E. T. S. £2. At night to third
festival performance at Her Majesty's, Piceolomini in La
Sonnambvlaj and ballet. House densely packed. Mondayy
25th. — The marriage-day of the Princess Boyal. From
Greenwood usual payment of £10 per cheque for Wells pan-
tomime. 2Sth.-—A\l day on * Man about Town,' and finish
at night. 29th.— Era copy written. For last week £2 10«.
About this time the property to which she was entitled through her
late husband came into her possession, and her first care, as it had been
all through her career, was to provide for the whole of her family
— grandmother, mother, brothers, and sisters — ^besides doing many acts
of kindness for other relatives. In October 1839, Mrs. Nisbett divided
the honours of Govent Garden with Madame Yestris, and it was during
this engagement that London Assurance was produced, in which she
was the original Lady Gay Spanker. At Drury Lane she played with
Macready and Anderson, and afterwards returned to the Haymarket.
Whilst here Sir WOliam Boothby, Bart., of Ashbourne Hall, Derby-
shire, was smitten mth her, and married her on October 15th, 1844.
Lady Boothby became a widow in 1846, and returned to the stage in
1847. She appeared on March 28th, 1851, and was then suffering from
an indisposition from which she may be said to have never really re-
covered. She was able to appear for Anderson's benefit on April 12th,
but was obhged to resign the part of Eatina Nelidorf, in The Queen of
Spades, which she should have acted on the 24th, but Miss Yining was
obliged to read her part. Mrs. Nisbett made her final appearance at
Drury Lane, May 8th, 1861, as Lady Teazle. From this time her
health broke down, and domestic bereavements in her &mily, to one
who was so deeply attached to her relatives, helped to aggravate the
evil. The death of Mrs. Macnamara was the final blow, and from its
date, December 8th, 1857, till her own deatb, she never completely
rallied. Mrs. Nisbett was one of the most entertaining Actresses ever
seen on the London stage, and those who were fortunate enough to
have heard her laugh always quote it as one of the most rippling,
joyous, and musical ever heard.
* This was one of a series of four given in honour of the marriage
of the Princess Koyal to the Prince Frederick William of Prussia.
Duncan, T. G. Harris ; Donalbain, GaroHne Parkes ; Banquo, A.
Rayner ; Macduff, Howe ; Lady Macbeth, Helen Faudt ; the three
witches, Messrs. Emery, Ray, and Lewis Ball ; Hecate, Mr. Weiss ;
singing witches, Madame Weiss, Mdlle. Sedlatzek, Mr. Montem Smith,
Mr. Wynn, and Mr. Bartleman. The National Anthem was sung by
those appearing as the singing witches, assisted by Benedict's Yocal
Associatioo of three hundred voices j Benedict conducted. Oxenford's
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192 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCffARD,
Then at night to the fourth and final festival performance —
the state wi^it— Rivals^ and Spitalfidds Weaver. 30th.
— To Haymarket; see Sleeping Beauty^ pantomime; very
nicely got up."
^^ Monday^ Feb. 1«^. — British Museum for 'England and
Wales ; ' then at night off to Gravesend by rail to be ready for
the embarkation of the Princess Royal to-morrow. Stop at
Mitre ; good house. Then up to the top of Windmill Hill ; old
associations of place revived ; find town in a bustle. 2nd. —
The event. Take up my stand amidst a pitiless snowstorm ;
meet all the Press there — Murphy, Holt, Foster, Collins, Levy,
and so forth. Afterwards dine with Mayor, and at night to look
at sloshy town illuminated. Weather very unpropitious.
3rd. — Back in evening to town, with nothing got but a severe
cold. To bed tired. 4th. — Elected this day member of
Dramatic Authors' Society. IStL — Helen Faucit's first night
at Lyceum;'' six nights' engagement. 22nd. — Chat with^
Capel and a Mr. Stephen Massett, a new actor. / 2Srd. — Not
well ; only small paragraph written. liooking out for new
quarters."
" Monday, March let. — At night Miss Groddard * at Surrey.
Go to Haymarket ; see Miss Sedgwick Julia in HuTichback.^
2nd, — Scribbling a few Era paragraphs all day. Committee
fiirce of Ticice Killed was also given, with the Keeleys, Messrs. Kinloch,
Clark, Tilbury, W. Templeton, and Glendon, Miss Patty Oliver and
Mrs. Leigh Murray, in the cast.
* The BivalSf by the Haymarket Company ; and The Sjpitalfields
Weaver, by the Adelphi Company. The National Anthem was sung
by Clara Novello.
* The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood / or. Harlequin and (he Spiteful
Fairy. Mr. Coe, Miss Fitzlnman, and Miss Leclercq.
' She appeared as Lady Macbeth ; Dillon in the title rdle; J. L. Toole
one of the witches ; and C. Webb Banquo.
*• After having been absent six years in Australia and California,
Miss Goddard returned, and appeared as Lucretia Borgia, a part she
had played three hundred nights in Australia. Creswick was the
Gennaro, and Shepherd Gabetta ; Miss E. Webster, the Princess ;
Basil Potter, Duke of Ferrara.
^ Buckstone as Modus and Miss Swanborough as Helen ; William
Farren, Sir Thomas Clifford.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 193
meeting of club. Byronic deformity mentioned by Trelawney ;
discussed as aflFecting his mental character. The assertion of
the StaTidard that it has this day sold ten thousand copies
also disputed with vehemence. Srd, — At night to Lyceum ;
Yates and Harrington's farce, Double Dummy} Practical
fun successful. At club elect Toole and three others, ^th,
— All day over ' Man about Town.* Town with it, and spend
hour afterwards at Dr. Brown's with Coyne and Levy. Hear
of Sunday Tim^es already having changed hands, or being
about to do so. 6th. — Copy for Era^ from which ^61. Take
Hall to Drury for opening, then to Friday Knights. Meet
Toomy, who revives old memories of the Astrologer, 6th, —
Take chair at club, and introduce O'Callaghan. Home late,
and find more feuds have occurred whilst away: stupid,
narrow-minded, and vulgar squabbling about nothing. Mon-
dayy StL — Coyne's comedy of The Love Knot * produced at
Drury with success. I go to Hanover Square Rooms ; Stephen
s^ Massett ' not a gyeat success, though a good voice and delivery
to aid him. Monday y l5tL — Indoors all day. Mrs. Charles
Young was a Miss James Thompson, cousin of Mrs. W. West
19^A.— Hear of Sunday Tvmea being sold; Timbs being off
the UlvMraled London News. 20th. — E. T. S. £2, and one
month's notice from this date that the engagement on
Sumday Times ceases. 2Uh. — Begin 'Man about Town,'
and at home as before. Belvidere for hour at night ;
chat with George Ford, the comic singer, and find from
Ad/vertiser that E. T. S. has got licence for Alhambra,
but not for Radnor. Anxious about matters pecuniary.
25^A.-— Last pight of Sadlers Wells season. Phelps's
benefit; Virginius and Young Rapid. 26th. — See Printers'
Dramatic Association at Sadlers Wells, and then to Friday
Knights, whereat find HoUingshead and pleasant company.
' J. L, Toole and Miss Woolgar as Mr. and Mrs. Priddles ; J. G.
Shore as Tom Tomkins — ^very clever.
• Marion, Miss Patty Oliver ; Wonnley, Mr. Kinloch ; M. Bernard,
Mr. Leigh Murray ; Lady Lavender, Mrs. Leigh Murray ; Lady Har-
botile, Mrs. Frank Matthews ; Lord George Lavender, Mr. B. Boxby ;
Sir Croesus Harbottle, Mr. Tilbury.
' This was an American, who sang various songs, and gave imitations
of different people he is supposed to have met with on his travels.
13
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194 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
27<A.— From E. T. S. £2, or rather from Edward Wilmot
Seale, being the first week of new proprietorship. CJoncert
at Sadlers Wells for distressed literary gentleman, believed
to be W. Bridgman. To Belvidere, as far as I can do, and
wasted and weary day, half worried and half worn. 29i/t.
— Passion Week. General and Theatrical Fund Dinner,
but can't go. Still in limbo. Get out to night to Sadlers
Wells ; * goes ofiF very well."
" April \8L — To town, first time for a month being able to
walk. Era pays £2 10s. in advance, 30s. for last week. 3rd. —
For Sunday Times £2. Go to town in afternoon. Meet Car-
penter at the Black Swan, Doctors' Commons. Arrange about
doing the music for paper. 6th. — At night for five minutes to
Sadlers Wells opening company.* 9^.— To town with re-
mainder of copy at night, and look in at Alhambra, first time ; '
place crowded. Then see Talfourd's cleverly written burlesque,
Pluto and ProaerpiTie} Era for week 25s. See Ledger.
lOeA.— From the Sunday Times (ought to be more) £2, Call
at Tallis's, but find him out of town, and no cash. Go to look
at new bridge at Chelsec^ Battersea Park, etc.; get into
' This was an entertainment given by Miss Julia St. George, under
. the title of ITome and Foreign Lyrics, in which she is supposed to visit
Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Itdy, India, America, and her own idand,
and in which she also imitated various people she had met, dressing
them in their national costumes. The arrangement of the music
was by G. F. Diiggan, and Miss Amelia B. Edwards had written the
entertainment.
' Opened by TuUy—Maritana and The Beggar's Opera, Henry Haigh
as Don Caesar de Bazan ; Miss Stanley as Polly ; Russell Grover as
Captain Macheath ; Mr. and Mrs. Barrett as Mr. and Mrs. Peachnm.
' This was originally opened as " The Panopticon of Science and
Art," and, failing, was purchased by E. T. Smith, and opened on
Sundays for sermons aad sacred music. It was now taken by Howes
and Gushing, American entrepretieura, and was opened as " The Al-
hambra Palace Circus," with the usual feats of horsemanship, acrobats,
and clowns.
* Or, The Belle and the Pomegranate, by Francis Talfourd, was
played at the Ha3anarket. Pluto, Compton ; Proserpine, Miss Louise
Leclercq ; Minerva, Mrs. Poynter ; Ceres, Mrs. Buckingham White ;
Diana, Miss Fanny Wright. The costumes were designed by Alfred
Crowquill. Talfourd punned in Greek, French, and Latin in this
piece.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 195
Wandsworth Road with difficulty, and see after ten years the
old house in Albion Grove (now called Wilton Street) that I
used to occupy. Monday y \2th. — Write to Glover, of Glasgow,
about pantomime of SirJbady £20 asking for it, but July
being the time to think about it. \Zih, — Indoors all day
doing very little, and pressed for copy too. At night go to
Wells ; Trcyvaiore, Meet Henry Haigh, TuUy, and a few of
the old folks at the Comer. \Uh. — Begin * Man about
Town/ At night to I-iondon Tavern, Dinner of Friends of
the Clergy; Murphy {Daily Newa)^ Barrow {Time8\ Warren
{Po8t)y and Carpenter there. Fielding, Montem Smith,
Misses Stubbach und Palmer, vocalists. \5th. — At night to
St. Martin's Hall ; hear Dickens read * Christmas Carol,' and
delighted. Then to opera, second night of season. See
HugueTiotSy and much pleased with prima donna^ Mdlle.
Titiens. VI tk. — At night go to Princess's and see KiTig Lear ^
revived (first night). Monday ^ \Qth. — Not the thing again ;
but ofiF early to town ; among the artists at the. British
Institute and the Water Colour Society. Then see Watkins,
and meet with Dillon Croker, who accompanies me afterwards
to club. Go to Olympic together: Oxenford's DovbtfuL
Victory^ first night, and then to Re-Union, and Croker's clever
imitation pronounced truly wonderful. 2\8U — Busy with
*Man about Town' copy, but not much done. 22nd, — To
town with ^ Man about Town,' then to Surrey. See Henry
Phillips ; a wreck compared to what he was. Then to
Equestrian. Meet Buckstone and Courtney. 23rd. — Having
been up all night, oflf early in morning, 9.15, via Great
Western. Reach Langton by 11.35; walk over to Stratford
(ten miles) by 4 p.m. Attend dinner, Shakespeare's birth-
day, at Town Hall ; Buckstone in chair.^ Pleasant day and
» Lear, Charles Kean ; Edgar, Byder ; Edmand, Walter Lacy ; Duke
of Albany, J. F. Cathcart ; Osv^ald, David Fisher ; Fool, Miss Poole ;
QoneriljMiBsHealih ; Began, Miss Bufton ; Cordelia, Miss Kate Terry.
Music by Hatton.
' A version of the French A la CampcLgne, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs.
Flowerdale ; Miss Hughes, Violet ; George Yining, Colonel Olive ;
W. Gordon, Alfred Cleveland.
3 Buckstone made a very good speech. In the afternoon the Bev.
Julian Charles Young, son of the great Charles Toung, gave a Shake-
spearean reading. In London the day was commemorated by the
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196 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
late hours at Harry Hartley's hospitable Golden Lion.
24^. — About in morning to Shottery and Bowling Green;
whereat see mulberry tree; then dine with Folkard, Car-
penter, and so forth, and take fly to Warwick. Train at
7.40, and town by 11 p.m. ; cab to offices, and then to club,
and tired out. Monday^ 2Uh, — The execution of Lani*
(Haymarket murder) this day. ZOth — To Royal Academy,
private view ; then write about it. Go to Friday Knights,
whereat pleasant company. The Exhibition very good this
year; and with some pictures highly delighted."
" May \8t — To town, and from Sv/nday Times, with arrears,
£5. Dine with Coyne and liowe at Hinton's, Highbury Bam ; *
then rush off to opera ; new ballet ; ^ write about it, and home
at 2.30. 2iid. — Off to Gravesend. Monday^ 3rd. — About
Gravesend all day looking for houses, and pleased with one
in London Eoad, No. 5, Eosherville ; walk over all old locali-
ties, and then to town viSb Tilbury line. 4^A. — Try to write :
failure. Go to Her Majesty's Theatre at night : II TrovOf
tore. Delighted with Alboni, Titiens, and Giuglini. Sth. —
Sunday TrnveSy £5. Go to morning concert, Willis's Booms,
then home ; dress for opera, then to Lyceum ; see * Joe
Robins' make his first appearance as Simmons in Spital-
fidda Weaver * before a London audience ; the Keeleys, and
performance at the Haymarket of Much Ado about Nothing, and at the
Princefl8*8 of A Mul^mmmer Nig7U*8 Dream,
^ Giovanni Lani, a Sardinian, convicted of the mnrder of H^loise
Thanbin, a Frenchwoman, at a honse of ill-fame in the Haymarket
Before being executed he confessed that he was guilty and admitted
the justice of his sentence.
' Grattan Cooke was the conductor of the band, and there was a
^* Leviathan Platform " for dancing. [It was under the management
of Hinton, an amiable and very versatile man. Archibald Hinton was
in turn manager of Anerley Gardens, Sydenham, and of Highbury
Bam, and afterwards the spirited proprietor of hotels at Cherbourg in
France, at Hayling Island, and lastly at Shanklin, where he established
Hinton's Hotel, and where this good old man died. — C. S.]
' This was Fleur des Champs, with Mdlles. Pocchini and Annetta.
* This was a performance almost entirely by amateurs. Joseph
Bobins had appeared as clown in an amateur pantomime. He also
played in a version by Mr. Sorrel of Les Deux Aveugles, called PUif the
Poor Blhid, as Horace Tibbs; and T. Knox, jun., as John Hoggins,
the other pretended blind man.
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EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 197
so forth. Monday^ lO^A.— At night to St. James's Hall, and
Garde Nationale Band. Stop first part, then to club ; chat
with HoUingshead^ Sala, etc. Going to Bedford Chambers,
Southampton Street, Strand. Wth. — So runs the stream of
life. Sign agreement with Cox for Bedford Chambers ; then
back, and dress for opera, Don Giovanni — ^goes ofiF very well.
1 2th. — The miseries of moving commence ; the rent of
chambers, £9 per year, commenced at half-quarter day (last
Monday); 3«. per week for housekeeper. I3th. — Hard at
work packing up for Bedford Chambers, whereat get most
things fixed by night. 14^A. — At my chambers ; write * Man
about Town' here, and get through immensity of copy.
Knocked up at last. Money pouring out like water for all
sorts of expenses. I5th. — Royal Italian Opera opens. I
write notice (one column and a half for Sunday Times) ; get
done at 2 a.m. From Sunday Times £5 5s. 17^A.— Take
possession of house, 5, London Boad, Bosherville ; see mother,
etc., all safe, then walk to Northfleet to meet van and boy.
All sorts of expenses in every way. ISth. — Pay Drewell £10
for moving, Mr. Switsur £9 6«. 8d. for rent in advance.
Supply housekeeping expenses, and then back to town very
tired, and sleep in chambers first time. Miller calls, and
smokes the friendly inaugurative pipe here. I9th. — Derby
Day ; ought to have gone. Stop and do a quiet pipe indoors,
and write account of the same — a story that takes me all day.
20tL — Working very hard indeed on the * Derby Day ' article.
In a rapid walk to Corner learn that my annual speculations
on the event are failures, and lose 10s. 6d. 2l8L — Up at 6,
and to desk again. Write, and finish * Epsom,' etc., for Sunday
Times. Paragraph for Era firom it, 10«. Going out stunned
by intelligence of W. B. ofi" the paper — old story; more
troubles, I fear, in prospective, and heart and hope quite
crushed once more. Go to Vocal Association, St. James's Hall,
and heavily and sadly home to bed. 22nd. — From Sunday
Times £5. Busy all day scribbling paragraphs for it. Go to
Adelphi ; new piece of Morton's Frerach Lady's Maid * for
* Was a broad, eccentric drama adapted by J. Maddison Morion.
Madame Celeste, Mdlle. Zephyrine ; Mrs. Chatterley, Mrs. Paddi-
foot ; Benjamin Webster, Horatio Sparkins ; Charles Selby, Major
FoUey.
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198 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Era, To Her Majesty's and to the oi>era. Monday^ 2^th. —
Walk with the boys up Windmill Hill. 2%th, — After dinner
back by rail to chambers. Lots of letters; copy wanted.
Hear of Charles Dickens's separation from his wife on Satur-
day! 2Sth.-'Era, £1. Go to Friday Knights. 29th.—
Suv/Jxiy TiTnea, £5. Long chat at Anderton's, and back to
woik. At night to Her Majesty's Theatre ; Nozze de Figaro
and new ballet."
^ June 2nd. — Last night of the old Adelphi.^ Leave Graves-
end by boat at 5.30, and off Blackwall find the Jenners on
board ; pleasant chat. Home to chambers, and find hosts of
letters. 5th. — Sunday TimeSy £6. Busy all day, and fright-
fully overworked at night. To Olympic ; see and write about
^ This theatre, more than fifty years old, originally called the
Sans Pareil, was built by Mr. B. John Scott, an oil and colour man in
the Strand, and was opened Kovember 27th^ 1806. The brothers
Rod well purchased it in 1821, and called it the Adelphi. Terry and
Yates became lessees July 1825 ; later, Yates was joined by Charles
Mathews the elder. His son succeeded with Mr. Yates, who yielded
up his position to Mr. Gladstanes, who, after Frederick Yates' death
in 1842 continued the lesseeship for a year, and then handed it over to
Benjamin Webster, and Madame Gdleste became manageress and con-
tinued so up to 1858. Benjamin Webster took his first and last benefit:
Our French Lady's Maid, Welcome Little Stranger, with Wright as Mr.
Osnaburg ; Paul Bedford, Mr. Kitely ; Mrs. Ohatterley, Mrs. Currier;
Miss Laidlaw, Martha ; Miss Eliza Arden, Mrs. Kitely. Miss Boden
gang "Waters of EUb." Next followed the second act of Black-eyed
Susan. Benjamin Webster then addressed his patrons on past successes
and future prospects. In his address he mentioned how those inimit-
able artists — Power, Mr. and Mrs. Yates, the elder Mathews, Terry,
Wrench, John Reeve, O. Smith, Mrs. Nisbett, Mrs. Honey, Mrs. Fitz-
William, Mrs. Waylett, and many others known to fame — ^had appeared
on the boards. Referred to the theatre having been built on the very
spot on which originally stood the roadside farm of the celebrated
actress Nell Gwynne, and to the well of pure spring water that still
bore her name. He traced the history of the theatre through True
Blue Scott, Rod well and Jones, Terry, Yates, etc., and concluded with
an expression of his thanks to the public and the press. Then followed
That Blessed Baby, with Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Messrs. Billiugton and
Page, Mrs. Chatterley and Miss Laidlaw ; after which came a scene
from the musical drama MephAstopheles — ^Mephistoplieles, Mias Wool-
gar ; Fiametta, Mary Keeley — and the National Anthem, with the
solo parts by Miss Roden, Miss Eliza Arden, Miss Woolgar, Miss
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 199
(for Era) Tom Taylor's new comedy, Govng to the Bad^ and
then write accounts of two Italian operas, ^ih, — Writing re-
view of * Bachers Memoirs.' Mother's birthday, celebrate it
by presents and a little impromptu festivity. \Wi. — From
Svmday Times £5. Finish lots of copy, and go to Princess's
in evening to see Merchaid of Venice? Covent Garden Opera
till 5 a.m. next morning. 15^^. — Take the boys by boat to
Sheemess, and then for half-hour encounter prize-fighting
for championship on the river, and hear Tom Sayers ^ is the
victor. Was man destined to be pommelled by another?
and for cash too ? Vlth. — Very hard-worked as usual, writing
all day. Hear Dickens at night read ' Poor Traveller/ 'Boots
at the Holly Tree Inn.' 18^A.— Hard at it again from 9
a.m. till 7 p.m. Annoyed by W. B.'s creditors coming as
usual to ask me to pay the amounts owing : no end to the
vexations. JEra, 30«. \9th, — Sunday TimeSj £5. Work
hard all day long. Meet E. T. S. and Emden, who wants
piece for Lewis Ball, and so forth. At night see Fra Diavolo
at opera. 22ifid. — Give everybody a treat by having a fly to
Cobham Woods and dinner at Ship Inn ; costs me over £1,
but hope at least they have enjoyed the day. 23rd. — Come
to chambers by evening, after experiencing the frightful
effects of the black and beastly Thames, about which every-
one is now talking. 26iA. — At night to three operas — Drury,
Mary Keeley, and Paul Bedford. Madame Celeste and Webster were
received with great enthusiasm. The latter was afterwards presented
with a valuable gold watch and chain, on the former of which was a
suitable inscription, and which was subscribed for by one and all in
every department of the theatre.
* Peter Potts, F. Robson ; Lucy Johnson, Miss Wyndham ; Captain
Horace Hardingham, George Yining ; Miss Isabella Dash wood, Miss
Herbert ; Major Steel, Mr. Addison ; Mr. Bevis Marks, G. Cooke ;
Smythers (a hairdresser), Horace Wigan ; Moss, H. Cooper ; Charles
Rushout, Gaston Murray. F. Robson^s benefit.
' Antonio, Graham; BasFanio, Ryder; Salanno, G. Everitt; Gratiano,
Walter Lacy; Lorenzo,. J. F. Cathcart; Shy lock, Charles Kean; Launce-
lot Gobbo, Harley ; Old Gobbo, Meadows; Portia, Mrs. Charles Kean;
Nerissa, Miss C. Leclercq; Jessica, Miss Chapman— very successful,
first appearance.
' This was a fight between Tom Sayers and Thomas Paddock for the
championship of England and £200 a side. Twenty-one rounds were
fought, occupying an hour and forty minutes ; Sayers won.
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200 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Covent Garden, and Her Majesty's ; the weather warm, but
breeze towards night. 2^th, — Talk of fire at the London
Docks this day;* immense damage done. 30iA.— Dine at
home, and suddenly taken by Lovell Phillips to a dinner of
music publishers at Palliser s : Addison, LuflF, Duflf, Mr. Giddy,
Chatterton, Jewson, Simpson, F. Bomer, Metzler, etc. Home
to chambers."
E. L. B. used to tell with great gusto a story of
an American, to whom he acted the hospitable
cicerone throughout one day, engaging a cab to
drive about in and show him as much of London as
could be seen in the time, limching and refreshing
him entirely at E. L. B.'s expense. The American
had to return to Southampton that night, and
so they had to cross Waterloo Bridge, which
was not then free. E. L. B. put his hand in his
pocket for the toll, when the American stopped
him, saying, " No, sir, allow me ; you have been
bearing the costs all day, it 's my turn now," and
magnanimously paid tJie penny.
" JvXy 3rcJ. — From Sunday Times £5. Work till night.
Then to Drury, Don Pasquale and Trovatore ; Covent Grarden,
Mario and Martha; Her Majesty's, Sonrianibula ; Emden's
benefit at Olympic.^ Back to write all. lOth, — Sunday Times
£5, At night to Hay market ; last night of season, and Buck-
stone's benefit, having kept open five years.' Write column for
* The fire bamed for some seven hours, and was fortunately stopped
by an explosion which was caused by the contact of some sugar and
saltpetre. The damage was reckoned at £100,000.
* A Handsome Husband and Hush Money. Robson, Jaspar Touch-
wood ; and Mrs. Emden, Sally. The Watidering Minstrel made up
the programme.
' The Married Rake, and The Way to keep Him, Lovemore, Howe ;
Mrs. Lovemore, Miss Reynolds ; Sir Bashful Constant, Mr. Buckstone ;
Lady Constant, Mrs. Buckingham White ; Sir Brilliant Fashion, W.
Farren ; Widow Belmour, Mrs. Charles Young ; Mrs. E. FitzWilliam
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 201
Era; Drury and Her Majesty's for Sumday Times, nth. —
E. T. Smith's benefit at Drury,* and last night of the nine
weeks' operatic season. Opening of Lyceum ; ' benefit at
Olympic' Wrote accounts of all. ISth. — To Gravesend.
Toole calls to tell me of his brother's engagement at Adelphi.
22mZ. — My old friend George Bartley * died this afternoon,
aged 74. 23rd. — Hear from Haly again. Hard at work on
the Bartley memoir and other matters. Coyne to Ramsgate,
and I undertake the remaining matters. Era £1 58.
24:th. — From Sunday Times £5. W. B. turns up sorrowing
and Mr. Clarke were two domestics. The ballet of Jach*8 Return from
Cantoth made np the programme. Mr. Buckstone made a lengthy
speech, and alladed to the opening of the theatre in September.
' Close of the cheap Italian Opera. Don Qiovanni was played, with
Signor Naadin as the Don, which was followed by The Waterman,
Newcombe, Bobin ; Bebecca Isaacs, Wilhelmina.
» Opened by George Webster with The Lady of the CameUaa.
Mrs. Charles Tonng as Yiolette St. Valerie ; Belton, Armand Duval.
The Burlesque The Lancashire Witches / or, The Knight and the Giants,
Mrs. Howard Paul, Sir Lanncelot de Lake ; Tilbury, King Arthur ;
Clarke, Wamba. Why don't She marry f made u^ the programme.
• George Vining's. He played Colonel Gayton in The Soldier's
Courtship. Ooing to the Bad and Wandering Minstrel made up the
bill.
* Bom at Bath in 1772, was apprenticed to the chef at the York
House Hotel in his native city. As soon as he was out of his inden-
tures joined the theatrical profession. At a very early age married
Mrs. Swendall, who, though considerably older than himself, had nursed
him through a dangerous illness in Jersey. Through the influence of
Mrs. Jordan, who discerned his merits, he was engaged by Sheridan
at Drury Lane, and appeared there as Orlando, December 11th, 1802.
During the five years he was a member of the company he often
appeared during Bannister's absences. He joined Incledon at the
Lyceum in giving the entertainment called A Voyage to India^ and
the seven succeeding years travelled in various capacities throughout
the United Kingdom, and greatly increased his reputation. Married
a Miss Smith in 1814 (his second wife), at Birmingham. She was
a tragic actress of repute, and with her he went to America and
amassed a considerable fortune. On his return joined the Covent
Gkirden Company, and in 1829 was one of the principals who aided
Mr. Charles Kemble to carry on the theatre. He was then appointed
stage-manager, and the fortunes of the house changed. He remained
stage-manager till 1843, when his son, who was at Oxford, died, and he
withdrew from the stage. He played before Her Majesty at Windsor
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202 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
and borrowing. I go to Lyceum to see Aldridge * as Othello,
and to Covent Garden to see new ballet. 29iA. — Get through
usual mass of copy, unusually slow. First night of Bon
Giovanni at Italian Opera ; too full to get in."
" Aug. 3rd. — See in American papers the death announced
of my old friend H. Hall,^ the comedian. 5th, — Writing
but slowly all day. At night dine at Crystal Palace with
directors ; all the Press there ; S. C. Hall and John Timbs.
Back with Carpenter, etc. Look in at the Red Lion ; hear
of Soyer (see note December 15th, 1857) having just died,
and the American submarine cable just laid. 6^. — At night
to Park Lane ; see for first time Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton,
who receives me most cordially, and with whom I spend a
delightful hour. Era £1. 1th.— Sunday TiToea £5. W. B.
in morning. Chair comes, sent by mother. Work till late ;
then go round to all the theatres : Lyceum, Leigh Murray *
re-appears. Last night of Her Majesty's, and Martha at
Covent Garden. \Oth. — Queen's embarkation at Gravesend
to see the Princess of Prussia ; see the yacht go, also the
fireworks at night with the boys, and back. \4:th. — Last
night of the Italian Opera ; go : Martha. Monday^ \^th. —
With Lovell Phillips and wife to Cobham ; wandering in
the woods, run against Kingsbury, the musical man, and
Castle and Buckingham Palace : Sir John Falstaff being one of his
great characters. His last appearance was at the Princesses, Decem-
ber 18th, 1852. He was for many years the respected treasurer of the
Covent Garden Theatrical Fund.
" Ira Aldridge, the African Roscius. B^hut of Annie Ness, as
Desdemona. Mrs. Brougham's first appearance since her return from
Australia as Emilia. Stuart, lago ; Belton, Cassio.
* Bom June 4th, 1809. First appearance at the Strand, May 6th,
1836, in Bowling's travesty of Othello, Played low comedy parts for
several seasons under the management of W. J. Hanmiond, and when
he retired Hall became manager. Was great as Creon in burlesque of
Antigone played in 1845. Subsequently joined the Lyceum company
under Vestris from 1850 to 1855. . Was stage-manager of the
Birmingham theatre for Mr. Simpson. Left in the laUer year for
America. \
' As John Mildmay in Still Waters Run Deep, Mrs. Brougham,
Mra. Sternhold ; Fitz James, Hawksley ; and George Peel, Potter.
H. Widdicomb also joined the company in Sarah's Young Man,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 203
his wife. 2^ih, — Go to Friday Knights, pleasant hour ; and
walk home with Draper, discursively discussing. Hear of
Harley this night being paralyzed. 21«^. — See Leigh Murray
in ParerUa and Ouardiana} MoTiday, 23rd. — Hear by
paper of Harley's death yesterday morning, aged 72.*
2%th. — Go to Lyceum in evening; and am pleased with
Falconer's comedy Extremea : ^ successful. Look in at Drury,
John Douglass in bad piece of Ben the BocUavxiin.^*
^^ Sept \8t — Look in at Lyceum; new farce, Kicks and
Halfpence : * very bad. Club slow, but lively by comparison.
2nd. — 111, and still worried : W. B., etc., wearing out my
spirits. Monday, Qth. — Do a short review (gratis) for
^ He played Mens. Tourbillon, and during the same week Claude
Melnotte to Mrs. Charles Young's Pauline Deschappelles.
' John Pritt Harley, bom in February 1786. Began life in a
solicitor's office, joined the Southend and Canterbury theatres. He
may be said to have made his professional dibut in April 1808, as Doctor
Ollapod in The Poor Gentleman. He played here and at Worthing
and Brighton under Mr. Trotter, the manager of these theatres, as
principal comedian till February 1813, when he joined the York
Circuit and played Ludovic in The Peasant Boy, March 8th, 1813. He
appeared in London, for the first time, Saturday, July 15th, 1815, as
Marcelh in Arnold's opera of The DeviVa Bridge^ and Peter Fidget in
Beazley's farce of The Boarding Ilome, and at once leaped into favour.
First appeared at Drury Lane, Saturday, September 16th, 1815, as
Lissardo in The Wonder ; and on the 23rd of the same month made
a great success as Doctor Pangloss in The Heir-at-Law. He was a
great favourite of Jack Bannister^s, who called him ** his theatrical son
and successor," and made him several valuable presents. He was for
a short time at the Lyceum, and at the St. James's Theatre in 1836.
Was with Macready at Coven t Garden, 1838, and remained at the
theatre with Yestris and Charles Mathews. He joined Braham at
Drury Lane in 1840, and in 1850 became a prominent member of
Charles Kean's company at the Princess's Theatre. Was one of our
best Shakespearean clowns. He had been acting Launcelot Gobbo on
Friday, August 20th, 1858, and seemed in unusual health and spirits
when he was seized with paralysis of the left side. He was a great
favourite both on and off the stage, was of a merry disposition and
equable temper, and possessed an extraordinary fund of anecdote.
' The author played Frank Hawthorne, and was supported by
James Rogers, Mrs. Wallis, Mrs. Charles Young, Miss E. Miller,
FitzJames, and Charles.
^ By W. Brough and Doctor Franck.
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204 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Suvday Times, Little stroll at night, and back to the
'lively' circle. Interruption of communication with the
electric cable. I5tk, — Paid last week's £2 at Sunday Times,
Write *Man about Town.' Gossip at club with Godfrey
Turner and HoUingshead. 16tL—Go to Sadlers Wells
(opened last Saturday) ; see Jealous Wife * admirably played ;
meet Jonas Levy. 2\st, — C. C. B.'8 interview with mother,
and hear of her change in intentions respecting residence.
22mJ.— Back early to chambers. W. B. on * check ' at Drury.
23r(i. — Go to Lyceum in evening ; see clever ballet by the
Lauri family. 2^th, — Go to Haymarket; write notice of
Wives as they were^ and Maids as they are} 29^.— Go
to Olympic; new farce of A Tale twice toLdy by J. P.
Wooler."
At one period, during E. L. B.'s residence
at Rosherville, he derived much amusement
from a contemplation of the shifts used to carry
on a neighbouring hotel, which was financially
embarrassed.
This establishment had been started as a rival
to the glories of the Trafalgar and the other
well-known whitebait hostelries at Greenwich;
but its anticipations were not realized : it had to
fall back on tea and shrimps for the multitude,
and even then its career was not prosperous.
Occasionally a traveller of the better class would
stop and enquire what he could have for dinner,
and would be answered — as if the resources
* Mrs. Charles Young, Mrs. Oakley ; Phelps, Mr. Oakley ; Miss
Mitchell, Harriet Russet ; Miss M. A. Victor, Lady Freelove ; Major
Oakley, Henry Marston.
' Chippendale and Mrs. Buckingham White, Lord and Lady Priory ;
Howe, Sir William Dorillon ; E. Villiers, Sir George Evelyn ; W. Fairen,
Bronzely ; Mrs. Catherincj» Miss Dprillon ; Mrs. Wilkins, Lady Mary
Raffle. 'hfliiiy
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 205
of the cuisine were on the most lavish scale —
that he could have everything in season. When
he had ordered his repast, a timepiece, which
was one of the few articles of any value which
remained, was despatched to a neighbouring
pawnbroker's, and out of the proceeds of its
hypothecation the comestibles were purchased,
the timepiece being ultimately redeemed when
the bill was paid.
"Oo^. 2nd. — Princess's opens with Merchant of Venice,
To Gravesend in afternoon ; go on to Northfleet to Leather
Bpttle for an hour, and splendid view of comet returning.
6^A. — New ballet at Drury. IZtL — At night to Olympic ;
see Wilkie CoUins's extraordinary drama of Red Vial:^
acting of Mrs. Stirling wonderfully fine, l^th, — Writing Era
paragraphs all day, and feel worried and heart-worn more
than ever. W. B. in afternoon, and give him m^ frock-coat
as a protection from the cold weather. Dine at Ward's late in
the evening with Hart and A, Mellon. Back to Olympic, and
write notice. 15^. — Anniversary of mother's fiftieth wedding
day ; go down to Gravesend at night to keep the celebration
of the event above recorded ; drink my dear mother's health
in the best I can afiFord. IQth. — Walk round to Southfleet ;
beautifully secluded village among hop-grounds, with a fine
old church, at which stop and meditate among the tombs ;
evening spent at the Leather Bottle— no companionship
Monday, ISth, — All day arranging papers of * Man about
Town ' for publication : heavy day. 21 at. — Leave book with
F. Wame at Soutledge's, and anxious about issue. See
Mr. Seale at Bank, who kindly and complimentarily regrets
severance of our connection. Club ; Mr. Durham the sculptor,
Lowe, eta 22nd.— Write to G. Bell, 186, Fleet Street, exe-
cutor of Boyne, about my old MS. of * Dinners and Diners.'
* This was a very strong melodrama. In it Mrs. Stirling played the
part of the Widow Bergmann ; Miss Marston, Minna ; Walter Gordon,
Karl ; and Eobson was j^reat as a half-witted fellow, Hans Grimm,
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2o6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
W. B. in morning; doing nothing. At night to Sadlers
Wells; first chat with Greenwood about Harlequin Izdok
Walton. Then to Friday Knights, now rechristened the
Urban Club ; ^ punch in honour; take chair, and late festivities-
23rc?. — W. B. and usual upset in morning ; cannot write a
line after. Try boat to Chelsea; walk back, and then go
* The room at the Glerkenwell Gate in which the clabhists assembled
was no other than the chamber in which Edward Cave, the famous
printer and publisher, set up the type of The Gentleman^ Magazine,
edited it, and gathered about him, not only his contributors, Samuel
Johnson, Richard Savage, and Goldsmith, but our Boscius, David
Garrick. Cave, it will be remembered, signed himself in The Gentle-
man's Magazine " Sylvanus Urban" So on the night of November
28th, 1858, Mr. Sijerling Coyne rose amongst the Friday Knights, and
proposed that they should abandon their original designation and call
their Society the Urban Club, a title not only fit but felicitous, holding
their gatherings in a room redolent of memories of the old editor and
his historic staff of writers. Coyne's proposition was greeted with
acclamation, and the dubbists of to-day retain the name of their coUrie
with peculiar fondness. Two events in the Urban year are anticipated
with great interest, their Shakespeare Commemoration — that of April
23rd, 1890, was the thirty- third — and the Foundation Supper, as near
November 28th as possible, each occasion being marked by the services
of a member as chairman, who never fails to dilate on the associations
of .the club. Amongst the Shakespeare presidents have been H. Marston,
Westland Marston, Tomlin, Oxenford, Heraud, Henry Morley, Dr.
Doran, Hepworth Dixon, Yates, Sala, Albery, Dr. Richardson, R. H.
Home, Cordy Jeaffreson, Joseph Knight, W. E. Church, J. E. Carpenter,
Thomas Woolner, R.A., and Bamett-Smith. E. L. Blanchard presided
at the Foundation Supper in 1863, and at the Shakespeare Dinner in 1867.
Among the hon. sees, of the club have been Hain Friswell, H. Thomas
(teacher of Elocution in City of London College, where Irving had
instruction from him), Carpenter the song-writer, Henry Marston,
Daly Besemeres the playwright. Redding Ware, and W. E. Church,
the latter holding the office at the present time, having filled it during
a period of twelve years. Members on the roll include the names of
SirCrichton Browne, Tbos. Woolner, R. A. ; Dr. Richardson, Maddison
Morton, Henry Graves, Thomas Catling, W. Maw Egley, Dr. Evan
B. Jones, Dalgety Henderson, Barton Baker, R. G owing. Rev. H. Y.
Le Bas, Rev. Astley Cooper, Arthur Lucas, Dr. Noble Smith, George
Cockle, Jonas Levy (only surviving founder), and about fifty others
The pedigree of the club in reaUty goes back to the Mulberries. From
the Gate the Urbans had to migrate in 1880, went to Ashley's in
Covent Garden, and thence to Ander ton's, at which Fleet Street hotel
they have found a resort since 1882.
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ED WARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
207
tx) Sadlers Wells to see revival of Henry V. : ^ very well
done. 24:th, — Going down to Gravesend in morning, meet
THE URBAN CLUB.
DRAWN BY WARWICK REYNOLDS.
KEY,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
18.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Edward Lkman Blanchard.
Sterling Coyne.
James Hain Priswbll.
William Farmer.
Fred. Guest Tomlin.
Okorub Linnjeus Banks.
Jonas Levy.
Henry Marston.
J. W. Ray.
William R. Belford.
Benjamin Foster.
Edward D. Johnson (science editor.)
Henry Thomas (a clever vocalUt and
a teacher qf elocution.)
James Bruton.
Westland Marston.
Robert Barnabas Brouqh.
Thomas Spencer.
QeOROB CRUIKBHASrK.
Dr. Edwards.
John Abraham Heraud.
21. Dr. T. S. Barrinoer.
22. Dr. Edward Baker.
23. John Hollimgbhead
24. J. Crawford Wilson.
25. Charlhs Horsley.
26. John L. Toole.
27. Wiluam Hale.
28. Edward Draper.
29. Leicester Buckingham.
30. Charles Wright.
31. William Fielding.
32. Db. Canton.
33. Thorp Pedb (eonipoacr.)
X4. Blagrovb Snell.
85. Charles Lowe.
36. Captain Jacobs.
37. Mr. Lbard (ffentleman.)
38. Louis Hermann.
39. Renan.
40. Joseph Knight.
41. John Oxbnford.
our old friend Mr. Payne of the Bnmswick ; we ramble to
* F. RobinBon, Fluellen ; Henry Marston, Chorus ; Charles Toung,
Pistol ; Bay, Williams ; C. Fenton, Nym ; Mrs. Marston, Dame
Quickly ; Grace Egerton, Katherlne.
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2o8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Springhead. Back, and find W. B. ; dinner, wine, dessert,
and wind up a pleasant but expensive day. 2%tK — Write a
few paragraphs for Era^ and at night to Canterbury Hall to
see new Fine Art Gallery ; hospitably entertained by Charles
Morton. 30iA. — Pavilion opens. Mother in morning, and
tells that which dissipates all the long dreams indulged in.
C. C. B. is lost to me for ever ! — a severe shock ; but it is but
another added to the trials I have passed through, though
the barque is now nearly shattered by the violence of the
storms."
" Nov, 4:tk, — At night to Pavilion ; bad piece, The TaUor's
Home; and decorations of theatre not finished ; walk thence
to Sadlers Wells ; see clever farce by W. Phelps, A Tenant
for Life. 5th. — At work for Era all day, whence 258. Coyne
at night to St. John's Gate, the Urban Club Supper ; Coyne
in chair, self in vice ; meet Farmer, editor of Weekly News,
and home with a pleasant Dr. Russell of Westminster. 6th. —
Arranging papers in morning, and at night to Haymarket for
Eray Charles Mathews's benefit ; new piece by W. Brough
and Dr. Franck : * goes oflF fairly. Back, write notice, then to
club ; an hour with Moy Thomas, a highly-gifted and well-
educated young author.* 10th. — Back-at 6 to town, and chat
a bit about Hudson,* Irish comedian, going to Melbourne,
Australia; and get through an agreeable hour at club. ISth.
— Farce of My Mother's Maidy* at Haymarket, in which
Charles Mathews appears : not very good. 19^. — ^AU day
^ Tale of a Coat Charles Mathews, Jaqaes Molina t ; E. Villiers,
Baron de Meremont ; Miss Fitzlnman, Donna Inez ; Mrs. E. Fitz-
William, Paquita. It was followed by The Dowager, Charles Mathews's
comedy, which he prodnced at the Haymarket in 1843. Mrs. Oharles
Mathews (formerly Mrs. Lizzie Davenport) appeared for the first
time in England as the Dowager Conntess of Tresilian.
' [This is the William Moy Thomas who has been for many years
the dramatic critic of The Daily News. — C. S.]
' Bom in 1811. Made his first appearance at the Nottingham
Theatre in 1830. He was an all-ronnd actor, and was considered
almost the equal of Tyrone Power. One of his great characters was
Gerald Pepper in The White Horse of the Peppers^ but he was almost
equally at home in legitimate drama, comedy, or burlesque.
< Another version of the French Edgar et sa Bonne,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 209
with Era paragraphs, from thence 35s. 24^A. — From E. T. S.,
for pantomime, cheque of £10. 26th. — At night to Adelaide
Gallery, Ohio Minstrels, ]inder management of Schmidt;
meet Card, husband of Georgina Eagle, daughter of Barraud.
21th. — Busy making fair copy of Wells pantomime ; at night
to Haymarket, last night of C. Mathews and wife. Belle's
Stratagem, wretchedly played, and The Critic. 2Sth. — Go to
Gravesend ; reach there at 6 p.m., but find grumbling and
growling in the ascendant. Monday, 29th. — Tremendous
row, making the home a most uncomfortable one both for my
poor mother and self; I am thoroughly upset in consequence,
and become ill once more. '60th. — My dear mother confined
to her bed from the effects of yesterday and causeless and
uncomfortable scenes of such frequent recurrence."
" Dec. Ist. — More disappointments : Boutledge declines to
publish • Man about Town,' and self dreading to incur the ex-
pense. No relief from domestic worries ; at night seek refuge
in club,and chat with Sir William Don. 2nd. — Go to Olympic ;
first night of The Porter's Knot: ^ a charming piece, exquisitely
acted by Robson and the rest. 3rd. — Write notice of Olympic
for Era, from which £2 ; then dine with Talfourd at the
Garrick Club, being entertained by him in a most princely
style ; meet Arcedeckne and Drinkwater Meadows ; after-
wards to Okey's, and amusing talk with the table, ^th. —
From E. T. S. for pantomime, £10. Astley's for stupid new
piece of Modem Anatomy. 10th. — Era copy, from which
35«. llth. — Another birthday: thirty -eight ! and getting
very grey. To Wells ; see the Whed of Fortv/ne,^ with Phelps
as Penruddock. Monday, IZth. — At Gravesend, writing a
* Only a germ of this remarkably clever serio-oomic drama was
taken by John Oxenford from Lea Crochets du Fere Martin, by MM.
Cl^rmon and Grange, produced at the Gymnase, Augost 18th, 1858.
The character of Sampson Burr will always be associated in one's
memory as one of F. Robson's greatest performances. He was
supported by Mrs. Leigh Murray as Mrs. Burr ; H. Wigan, Smoothly
Smirk ; W. Gordon, Augustus Burr ; Miss Hughes, Alice ; George
Vining, Stephen Scatter; G. Cooke, Captain Oakham.
^ Mrs. Charles Young, Emily Tempest ; J. W. Ray, Tempest ; H.
Marston, Sydenham ; J. Chester, Sir David Daw ; Robinson, Henry
Woodville : Mifs Atkinson, Mrs. WoodviUe.
14
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2IO EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
few prefaces for Loft's plays. 16^A. — Attend first rehearsal
at Drury; back in haste to write notice of comedy, The
Tide of TiTifie} Then late to Haymarket; see Don in
ToodleSy an American piece, llth. — Era^ 30s. To Wells
and see Greenwood; and then, though tired out, a very
pleasant evening with Amelia B. Edwardes, Duggan, the
Coynes, and Miss Philp, a charming vocalist and composer.
18^A.— Write out plot for Sunday Times, and at night to
Princess's, for Jealous Wife? 24:th. — All morning at Drury
attending rehearsal, and receive from E. T. S. for pantomime
settlement £10 : in all £30. Annual banquet ; meet all the
celebrities, and B. J. Armstrong, Middlesex magistrate. Then
walk with Sala, Green, and Dyson to Midnight Mass at St.
George's Cathedral. 25th (Christmas Bay), — Up at 10, and
start for Gravesend ; rain pouring heavily ; go down by North
Kent ; find Sola returned from Shields ; get through the
day with a round at whist and a bottle of port. 27th. — Up
to town again by 4.30. London swarming with holiday folks.
Ix)ok in at Drury with Byron ; opening goes ofiF famously.
Then to Olympic, see Mazeppa ; ' write notice for Daily
Telegraph, and stop with Levy and Albert Feist till
4 a.m. waiting for proofs. 2Sth. — Satisfactory reports of
Drury * in all the papers. Very knocked up, but go at night
^ By Bayle Bernard, in three acts. Chippendale, Pendarvis ; Miss
Reynolds, his daughter Mildred ; Compton, Sir Dormer de Brazenby ;
Howe, Spalding ; Rogers, Grainger ; Mrs. Poynter, Miss Sabrina
Grickhowell ; Miss £. Ternan, Alice ; and Buckstone, Molehill. Sir
William Don played Timothy Toodlcs, and was a very grotesque and
humorous low comedian, and for such a big man proved himself extra-
ordinarily active.
' Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean as Mr. and Mrs. Oakley ; Frank
Matthews, Squire Russet ; Cooper, Major Oakley ; Walter Lacy, Lord
Trinket ; J. F. Cathcart, Charles Oakley ; H. Saker, Sir Harry Beagle;
Mrs. Winstanley, Lady Freelove ; Miss Heath, Harriet Russet.
3 By H. J. Byron. Mazeppa, F. Robson; Olinska, Miss Wyndham;
Drolinsko, Lewis Ball ; Laurinski, G. Cook : Zemila, Mrs. Emden ;
and Abder Khan, Horace Wigan. It was a piece of the wildest
extravagance.
^ E. L. B.'s pantomime, Rubin Hood. Harlequins, Signer Milano
and M. St. Maine ; clowns, Harry Boleno and Signer Delavanti ;
pantaloons, G. Tanner and another Delavanti ; columbines, Madame
Boleno and Miss F. Brown.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 211
to Surrey for Tdegrwph^ Harlequin Father Thames;^ see
Shepherd; back, and write a column notice for the paper.
Houses indifferent through Victoria accident.^ 29th. — See
morning performance at Drury. Then to Strand; see
Kenilworth ' extravaganza : very good, and magnificently
placed on the stage. 31si. — Finish theatricals. Payne
calls in afternoon, and we go to Drury in evening. Thence
to Sadlers Wells : very well done. Thence to Friday
Knights ; the loving cup passed briskly rounj], and we
welcome the New Year in with friendly warmth and social-
ity. Thus ends a year in which I have been more heavily
worked and more heavily drained financially than any yet
experienced. For all its blessings God be thanked ; and its
hardships may have had advantages that some time I may
learn. Exit 1858."
Total for the year, £221.
^ Harlequin Father Thames and the River Queen; or, Y* Lorde
May ore of London, Clown, Buck : harlequin, Tapping ; columbine,
Mdlle. Rosine.
' This happened at the afternoon performance of the pantomime on
Boxing Day, through the rush of the people who had seen the per-
formance coming out, meeting a number who had collected ready to
obtain admission for the evening performance. The casualties occurred
on the gallery stairs, a false alarm of fire being raised, when there was
a dreadful struggle, in which there were sixteen people killed and
upwards of fifty injured, some most seriously.
» Or, y« Queen^ F« Earl, and F« Maiden. Earl of Leicester, Miss
Swanborough ; Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Selby ; Amy Bobsart, Patty
Oliver ; Sir Walter Raleigh, Marie Wilton ; Varney, J. Clarke ; Way-
land Smith, James Bland ; Tresilian, Charlotte Saunders ; Mr. Poynter
and Mr. Turner as Tony Foster and Michael Lambourne.
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212 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
1859.
" Jan. \sL — The New Year opens dim and misty. Dine
in town with my old friend W. Payne, at The Bedford,
meeting Webster and Murray, reporter. Start for Graves-
end at 8. Spend the New Year's night filially with
my dear mother ; very quiet, very tired, and so dozily and
dreamily to bed. lih. — Era for week £2. Look in at
Lyceum,^ clever harlequinade by the Lauri family. 8tA. —
At work at memoirs and prefaces for * British Drama.' 13/A.
— Write article for Era. Go with Miller, to Adelphi ; * see
comic business; Croueste, Flexmorean clown, very active,
but with hardly any purpose. 20iA. — To Lyceum ; see Thz
Sister'^a Sacrijicey^ with C61este therein : a literal translation.
22nd. — Go to Wells ; see Macbeth and the pantomime ; latter
done in an hour and a quarter, 23rd. — At night to Red Lion,
and attend a spirit meeting : very curious manifestations,
and much gratified. 25ih, — Dream away day at home. Hear
of Fowler's death (reporter and manager of Hie Standard)
announced in papers. 27th. — Era, 30«. Go to Gallery of
Illustration, and see good and interesting panorama of Ame-
rican scenery (Brewer's). 28th. — At night to hear Bamum at
* Tfie Siege of Troy^ by Robert Brough, produced on Boxing Day.
Hector, Mrs. Keeley ; Ulysses, Ellerton ; Ajax, Charles Young ; Patro-
clus, James Rogers ; Achilles, Miss Sabot ; Paris, Miss Portman ;
Troilus, Miss E. Romer ; Cressida, Miss Kate Saxon ; Minerva, Miss
G. Oliver ; Cupid, Miss Julia St. George ; Iris, Miss Rosina Wright ;
Homer, Mr. Emery.
' This was the new Adelphi Theatre, opened by Mr. Benjamin
Webster on December 27th, 1858, with an introductory speech written
by Yates and Harrington, and entitled, Mr. Webster's Company is re-
qiiested at a Photographic Soirie ; it introduced all the old Adelphi
favourites, and in addition, Mr. J. L. Toole. The well-known farce,
Good for Nothing, followed, with Toole and Mrs. Mellon as Tom Dibbles
and Nan ; and the pantomime was Mother Red Cap / or, Harlequin and
Johnny Gilpin. Hildebrand, harlequin ; Miss Jenny Hayman, colum-
bine ; Lupino, pantaloon ; Croueste, clown ; Le Barr, a fop and sprite.
' Or, The Orphans of Valneige. Genevieve, Madame C^este ; Josette
(a half-sister), Miss St. George ; Cyprian Girard, Emery ; Catherine,
Mra. Keeley.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 213
St. James's Hall, and delighted. Afterwards to club, whereat
meet Edgar, Clemow, etc. Begin * Bamum ' life for Wil-
loughby. 29^A. — Delamotte in morning. Gro to Willoughby,
and receive from him &\ for Bamum article.**
" JW. \Bi, — Letter from Hunt, dated Croydon, asking for
loan of OS., which send. Hear of Charles Farley's death on
Friday, aged eighty-eight.^ Mh, — Write a few paragraphs for
£ra, whence £1. Back to chambers ; look over old papers, and
become sadder than ever. Try to work in evening, but hardly
anything done. To Haymarket, and see pantomime of
Undine:^ scenery very good, and comic business excellent.
5th. — Receive from Lofts £4. Dine at Edinbro'. At night
with Talfourd, Green, Holland, and Pearson to spirit acaTUsey
as before ; phantasmagoria and extraordinary eflFects.' 6th. —
Start at 4 p.m. for Gravesend, and startled by the intelligence
of A.'s flight from home — more sorrows. Monday , 1th. —
Hear the reason why : find tradesmen's bills to the amount
(known) of £10 unpaid ; settle as many as possible, and
order and pay for coals and coke. %th. — All day paying all
sorts of bills, for which I find I am liable, and cruelly upset
by fresh discoveries ; have the greatest difficulty in meeting
the expenditure so unexpectedly evolved, ^ih. — Fit for
nothing. No tidings of A. Intend going, but stop through
day, and try to enliven the paity left behind. No sleep.
\Mi. — Arrive early. Hear from W. B., who calls in after-
. noon, where A. is, and send her 68. Then afterwards visit
from Hannah, and sad story of the woman's foolish and
* Charles Farley was bom early in 1771, and made his first appear-
ance at Coven t Garden as far back as 1782, as a page. He was call
boy and afffidstant prompter, bnt was so quick that he was soon en-
trusted with small parts, and then with more important ones. Though
he was a clever actor, he rose to greater fame as what we should now
call a stage-manager, or producer of plays. He coached Grimaldi to
play Orson. He was connected with Covent Garden and Drury Lane
during the time of the Kembles, the elder Kean, and from Macklin
down to Charles Kean. He retired from the stage in 1834 ; he also
wrote several melodramas.
• Undine; or, The Spirit of the Waters. Harlequin, Arthur Leclercq;
pantaloon, Herr Cole ; clown, Charles Leclercq ; columbine, Fanny
Wright. It was notable for the beauty of its scenery, by Beverley.
Louisa Leclercq was the Undine.
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214 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
headstrong way. Send 10s. t-o her, and thus cleared out of all
finances. Gro to Adelphi at night ; revival of Invisible Prince.^
From Era £1. llth. — Trying all day to scribble a few para-
graphs, but quite upset for work. Pass Miller in to Adelphi ;
see burlesque and BiHhjplace of Podgers. I2th,— Money all
going out, and none coming in ! At night attend another
spirit stance with Talfourd, his mother, etc. ; meet Mr.
Chinnery, and very interesting manifestations. 15th: — A.
returns in evening : first of all defiant and insolent, then
reticent and repentant ; but next time I may not so easily
forgive. 1 Qth. — Celeste's benefit, new piece by Oxenford, Lost
Hope : * not good. Last night of Wells pantomime ; average
run. I7th. — Busy for Era^ with Adelphi notice of Wright's
return, and Lyceum. Feeling crushed and heartbroken by
the persecutions to which I am liable. 18^^. — Finish Era
paragraphs £1 58. Dine at Edinbro'. Looking for Lofbs, and
find Tallis. To Evans's, hearing a glee or two, and meeting
Albert Smith and some old familiar faces. 19i^A.— Mrs.
Woodin calls in morning. Leave MS. of ' Journey round
St. Paul's' with Smith & Sons. Dine at Bertholini's ; at
night to Pearson's; Holland, Mole, Spenser and family
present ; a * Marshall ' display. Then to club, with Talfourd
(born about 1827). 24:th. — Scribble a few paragraphs for Era,
Reynolds comes, and give him a trifle. Working on Woodin's,
but very little done. 26th. — Revise Croker's burlesque for
him, and put old papers to rights. To Covent Grarden,' and
* Or, The Island of Tranquil Delights, Originally produced at the
Hay market, Christmas 184G ; taken from the story of Prince Lutin in
the Countess d'Anois' fairy-tales. Furibond, J. L. Toole ; Apricotina,
Kate Kelly ; Princess Xquisitelittlepet, Mary Keeley ; G^ntilla, Eliza
Arden. By Planch^.
■ An adaptation by John Oxenford of Dugud's Les Amours Maudiis^
produced at the Ambigu Comique in 1855. Doctor Blangini, Barrett;
Madame Antoine, Mrs. Wallis; Alfred Warnford, G. Murray ; Michali,
Fitzjames; Mark Momus, James Rogers. The Child of the Wreck -^^
also played : Madame Celeste as Maurice, the dumb boy; Mrs. Keeley,
Frantz.
' Little Red Riding Hood; or, Harlequin and the Wolf in Granny's
Clothing, by J. V. Bridgeman and H. Sutherland Edwards. Messrs.
Mortimer and Rj^noe ; Clara Morgan, columbine ; Henry Payne, har-
lequin ; Flexmore, clown ; Barnes, pantaloon. Scenery by Beverley.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 215
see house and pantomime first time ; Rose of CastiUe and
Red Riding Hood : the Paynes very clever."
^^ March 2nd. — OflF by 4.30, and at night see very bad
piece at Lyceum, the Leprachaun,^ for Barney Williams;
then Adelphi, Still Waters and Dotnestic EcoTiomy. \Oth.
— Writing for Era, Go to Alhambra Palace, and see the
Rocky Wonders of California: clever troupe. Wth. — Era
for week £1 10s. Toole and Lofts to Edinbro' Castle. Then
to see Infani Magnet^ with Lowe ; experiments curious, but
not conclusive. \2th. — List of plays for Lofts. Besume
* England and Wales ' after long delay. At night to Hay-
market ; see new play by Palgrave Simpson, of The World
and the Stage^ for Miss Amy Sedgwick's benefit. 16^^. — To
Lyceum, Robert Macaire ; ' then Co vent Garden ballet, of same
piece. 1 Ith. — Do Era paragraphs ; and whilst dining meet
Tully and Reynolds first time at Bedford Head, and wine with
them. Adelphi ; see Wigan in Bengal Tiger ; * first night.
\%th. — At night see James Bennett, first appearance in
I^ndon, at Lyceum, as lago ; good intelligent actor.* Club ;
meet Bayle Bernard, Charles Kenney (first time), and pleasant
party. 2^th, — ' England and Wales ' in the morning. Dine
at Bedford Head, sad and aohis, Cooke's benefit at Astley's; ®
* Or, Bad Lack's Good Ltick with Good Looking After. By Edmund
Falconer, founded on an Irish superstition related by Mr. Crofton
Croker. Fitzjames, Gil Perez ; Miss Kate Saxon, Inez ; Gaston
Murray, Vicentio ; Barrett, Corregidor ; and Barney Williams, Phelim
O'Donnell.
* Amy Sedgwick, Kate Robertson ; W. Farren, Hon. Harry Malpas;
Compton, Buzzard ; Howe, Leonard Ashton ; Miss E. Teman, Lady
Castlecrag ; Mr. Rogers, Sir Norman Castlecrag ; Miss Eliza Weekes,
Hephzibah ; and Miss Fanny Wright, the French landlady.
' Emery in the title rdle ; Charles Young, Jacques Strop. Same
night, Lato for Ladies: Mrs. Barney Williams, Sophia Hear tall, in
which character she represented a numher of different personalities,
a sort of Amencan variety show of that date.
* He played Sir Paul Pagoda to Mrs. Wigan's Yellowleaf ; J. L.
Toole, David.
* Clara Weston, Desdemona ; Mrs. Weston, Emilia; Gaston Murray,
Cassio ; Fitzjames, Roderigo ; E. Falconer, Othello.
® William Cooke, jun., had been laid up for four months. Quy
Mwmering was played, with Miss Rebecca Isaacs as Julia. Marian
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2i6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
his first appearance since his accident — Quy Ma/nnervtvg.
30^A. — To Olympic : revival of FashioTUxhle Arrivals. Zlst. —
Night to Lyceum ; see Francesca,^ a new play by Falconer ;
good, but too long — over four hours ; then farce and ballet :
not over till after 1."
^^ April l«f. — Payne calls and joins me in the evening.
We go to Red Lion Street, and enjoy a pleasant two hours'
manifestation. Payne pleased and astounded. Club, and late
vigils. 2nd. — To Haymarket : Sterling Coyne's new comedy,
Everybody's Friend * — goes oflF well. Meet Hayden, the old
publisher of Grown. 5th. — Begin Wyndham's piece, make
little progress. 7tk. — Phil Phillips, and chat anent Woodin.
Then to see Lola Months * at St. James's Hall ; first night, and
Simpaon, Lucy Bertram ; Paul Bedford, Gabriel ; W. H. Ebume,
Henry Bertram; Kate Laidlaw, the Gypey; Anson, Dominie Sampson;
R. Phillips, Dandie Dinmont; Mrs. Dowton, Meg Merrilies, with scenes
in the circle to make up the programme.
^ A Dream of Venice. Mrs. Charles Young, title rdle ; Edmund
Falconer, Signor Gradenigo ; Gaston Murray, Leonardo ; H. Vanden-
hoff, Antonio Foscarini. Same night new farce, Husbands, beware!
by Edmund Falconer, was played. It should be stated that the ballet
did not begin till one o'clock.
' Felix Featherley, Charles Mathews ; Mrs. Featherley, Mrs. Charles
Mathews : Frank Icebrook, Compton ; Mrs. Swansdown, Miss Rey-
nolds ; Major Wellington de Boots, Mr. Buckstone ; Mrs. de Boots.
Mrs. Wilkins. This was afterwards known as Tfi^ Widow Hunt
^ Lola Months, Maria Dolores Porris y Months, was bom in Scotland
about the year 1820-21. She went to India, came to London, married
Captain Thomas James, and led an extraordinary life, wandering about
the world, and eventually captivating Louis I., King of Bavaria, who
made her Countess of Landsf eld, and caused her to be received at court
in 1847. But she was the cause of his abdication ; for the people re-
belled against the influence she had obtained over him, causing a
scandal. Soon after her marriage with Captain James she became
a Bohemian ; and, having some knowledge of dancing, in which she
very greatly improved afterwards, she came out as Lola Mont^ at
Her Majesty's Theatre. In 1849 she went through the form of
marriage with Lieutenant H , a wealthy young fellow ; but this
was proved to be illegal, her first husband being then alive. She then
returned to Paris. About this time she published her memoirs, but
they were of no great value. She then went to America and tried
dancing there, but was not a success. She was very beautiful at one
time, but was very quarrelsome, and full of eccentricities. She went
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 217
home early to write notice. Eeceive from Era £2. 9th. —
Send off sketch to Wyndham. Meet Tom Matthews, who
has written his life ; Shepherd, who wants Pork Chops. At
night with Frank Talfourd and family to see some more of
the wonderful spiritual manifestations. Message : ' Edward
Blanchard, there is a poor little knot,' — exceedingly curious.
13^A. — Back to chambers. Look in at Lyceum: Beau
Bruw/md^ Emery, short irregular season of six nights. \Wi.
— Write a few Era notices, and receive for week from office
£1 5«., and receive for Part XXXIX., from Tallis, £4 16«.
\6th. — Death of Bozio,* the Zerlina of last season's Italian
opera, etc., announced in yesterday's papers. W. B. in
morning; usual help. Woodin in afternoon, and then to
physical manifestations: curious evidence adduced, but
effects feeble on account of uncongenial influences; two
sceptics being requested to retire. 16iA. — Receive from
to California in 1853, and there she is said to have married again, this
time to a journalist named Hull. From thenoe she went to Australia,
and, returning to the United States, she figured as a lecturer, and did
fairly well ; and so she came to England, and gave her lecture in this
country. The latter portion of her life she was by turns a free-
thinker, a spiritualist, and eventually turned devote. She had retnmed
to America, and lived very quietly there for a considerable time. In
1860 she had a stroke of paralysis, from which she never completely
recovered, though she was able to get about. She took cold about the
Christmas of 1861, and died of inflammation of the lungs, January 17th
of the following year. Notwithstanding her irritability of temper, she
was often a good friend to many, did numerous kind actions, and,
though she was suspicious of those around her, may be considered to
have been charitable. She was really almost a pauper when she died,
but some of the many friends she had made took care that she wanted
for nothing. Her influence over the King of Bavaria was made the
subject of a clever skit, which was produced at the Haymarket under
the title of the Pets de Fascination^ in which Mrs. Keeley appeared a
la Lola Months and Keeley as a barber.
* Beau Brummel ; or. The King of Calais — two-act drama by Blan-
chard Jerrold. Emery's make-up as the Beau, and his delineation of
this once celebrated character, were very complete. He was supported
by Barrett as Buntley; Ellerton as Isidore, the Beau's valet; and James
Rogers as Smalls, a tiger.
' Made her first appearance as Adina in Donizetti's UEUsir d' Amove.
Was celebrated as a singer throughout Europe, and died, after a very
brief illness, at St. Petersburg, April 12th, 1859,
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2i8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Wyndham for piece draft £10. MoncLay^ 18^A.— To town to
attend General Theatrical Fund Dinner; Charles Mathews
in chair, and his speech good. Sit with Ledger's party ; a
feeling of melancholy somewhat induced by recollections of
former occasions when present at same place. 19^7i. — Over
paragraphs about the suppression of German Reed's entertain-
ment at the Olympic by the Lord Chamberlain, till very late.
20iA. — Club, and meet Hermann Vezin; chat about Berlin
and mesmerism. Meet R. B. Brough, a sad hypochondriac :
in his case see my own reflected. Heaven guard me from
it ! 2l8i.— Hard at work for Era, from which 30^. Old
memories revived this day by a renewal of the links of the
chain that time had severed. 27iA. — At desk work all day.
At night to Adelphi ; see a wretched burlesque of DefmX on
Two Sticks,^ 2Sth. — Busy all day. Night to Haymarket;
see Talfourd's clever punning extravaganza of Electra} 2^th,
— Finish Era paragraphs, from which £\ 158. Leave toys
for Coyne's little ones. ZOth, — Mother in town ; gives me a
call ; take her to Bertholini's to dinner ; then to Bennett's ;
meet Buckstone. See SonnaTrdnday Drury Royal Italian
Opera ; but Victorinft- Balfe does not sing through indis-
position; Mazzini, new tenor, good. Club; meet Sorrel
first time."
^^ May 5tL — Write paragraphs for Era. Phil Phillips
looks in. We go to Princess's; see Henry F. ;' rather dis-
appointed by eflfects. 6th. — Night look in at Drury; see
last act of Lucia di Lammermoory and Victori^' Balfe
* AsmodeuSf the Devil on Two Sticks ; or, The Force of FriewlMp,
founded on the novel of *'Le Sage." Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Don
Cleophaa ; Toole, Asmodeos (very clever in his song and recitation) ;
Kate Kelly, Don Mendoza ; Mary Keeley, Leonora ; Miss Arden,
Fatima (sang very sweetly, " Who shall be fairest ? ") ; Bedford, Don
Fernando.
' Oompton, iEgisthus ; Mrs. Wilkins, Glytemnestra ; Maria Teman,
Orestes ; Eliza Weekes, Electra ; Louise Leclercq, Ohrysothemis ;
Fanny Wright, Pylades ; Clark, Lycus.
^ This was produced on March 28th for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Kean. On these occasions they generally gave a Shakespearean
revival, and this was the first time that Henry V. had been done at the
Princess's. Mrs, Charles Kean represented with marvellous effect the
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 219
very good. 7^A. — Lofts for plays £2, on account of Nos. 16
to 27, £5. Wih, — Arrive in town early. See Toole at
Adelphi in new farce by Mr. Williams, Id on parle Fran-
faia ; then to St. James's and see French plays ^ — private box
I2th. — Era £1 58. Busy all day with Era paragraphs. At
night to the Marshalls' ; interesting spirit manifestations, and
talk with them soltua for hour after. Meet Soames, Monk-
house, etc. The spirits write, * We do our best, but the con-
ditions are not favourable, Mr. Blanchard,' and more, vide
pocket book. I6th. — Meet Mackenzie, nearly blind, beloved
uncle of the Murrays. 1 7th. — Mother returns. On Woodin's
entertainment all day. 1 Sth. — To Adelphi ; see The House or
the Home ; * good piece, and Wigans very clever in it. I9th. —
Busy writing for Era, from which £1 lOa. 21«^.~St. James's
in the evening, Amateur Military performance ; Miss Wad-
ham's benefit. Write notice for it for Era, 25th, — To town.
Olympic and good farce, Retained for the Defence,^ Take
Miller to Lyceum, and hear Emery's farewell speech for
his benefit. 2%th, — Up at 7 ; feel very sleepy all day
after. Do a little for Era\ then to Adelphi. Coyne's
TalkiTig Fish* and failure. OflF to Surrey, Flexmore's benefit : *
chorus of the play, or muse of history. Her delivery was most ex-
cellent, and of rare grace. The revival was one of unexampled grandeur.
Kean, Henry V. ; Pistole, Frank Matthews; Fleuellen, Meadows; Duke
of Exeter, Cooper ; Williams, John Ryder ; Queen of France, Miss
Murray ; Princess Catherine, Miss Chapman.
^ The season was under the direction of M. Jules Samson. Vaude-
ville called Monsieur Chapolard ; Marie ; ou. La Perle th Savote^ from
which the opera, The Pearl of Savoi/j was taken ; and the Courrier d^
Lyon^ and Les Crochets du Pbre Martin, from which Tlie Porter's Knot
was taken ; formed the first week's programme, and were played by a
troupe selected from the smaller Parisian theatres.
* By Tom Taylor ; said to have been suggested by Perile dans la
Demeure, Hon. Horace Chetwynd, M.P., Alfred Wigan.
' By John Oxenford, taken from VAvocat d'un Grec, Pawkins,
Robson; Whitewash, George Vining; Mottley de Windsor, G. Cooke;
Agatha, Miss Cottrell.
* This had already been seen at the Olympic, under the title of
Catching a Mermaid,
* William Tell, played in three acts ; comic ballot, J/y FeteA, with
Madame Auriol and Flexmore; Black-eyed iSM«an— Ryder, William ;
Mrs. R. Honucr, Susan — formed the programn\e.
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220 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
house crammed. W. B. calls, and tells me of engagement at
Metropolitan Electric Telegraph Company, which relieves
me. Receive from Era &\ 158. 28iA.— From Tallis on
account of Part XL., £3. Arrange with Lacy for publication
of pieces. Artful Dodge^ Road of Life, etc., the amount, £7,
to be deducted out of the takings of the Society. Meet Car-
penter of Sunday Times, who leaves paper in dudgeon with
Seale. Gravesend at 8."
" June let, — Derby Day. Musjid winning unexpectedly.
Come up from Gravesend by boat. Go to Strand and see
very bad farce of Caught by the Ears, in which Rogers
appears, and bit of burlesque, JUaid and Magpie. 3rd. —
Finish Era paragraphs, whence £1 5s. Dine at Bertholini's ;
then walk to Garway Road, Bayswater, to see C. C. B. ; chat for
an hour, and walk back. To club, and hear of Stiffs new paper,
The London Daily Journal , being stopped by injunction of
Ingram . 4cth, — Leave copy of * England and Wales ' at printers*.
Write a paragraph for Lofts. Night see a bit of Trovatore at
Drury. E. T. S. gives me a douceur of £10 in place of a testi-
monial. Sth. — Mother's birthday ; make her a present, and
Mary Perks comes down to spend the day with her. 9th. — Up
at 7 and off by early train. Era £2. Get Smith's cheque
cashed. Begin Whitsuntide amusements for Era, and then
with Pearsons and C. C. B. to see some highly interesting
manifestations. A nice party, and a decided success. Take
her back to Bayswater. To club, rather tired. lOth. — Finish
theatricals in morning, and afterwards attend usual meeting
at the Mesmeric Infirmary. Meet and see Dr. Elliotson first
time. Go to Bertholini's. Meet Byron and friend of his,
and take them to Stone's, llth, — Dine at Opera Colonnade
Hotel with Dramatic Authors Society; Colonel Addison in
the chair, and Planche, aged sixty-three, vice. Maddison
Morton, Vincent Wallis, Robert Bell, Palgrave Simpson,
Bayle Bernard, Oxenford, Yates, Talfourd, and Byron present.
Pleasant evening, dinner 25s. each. 16^^,. — Very busy with
Era. W. B. in afternoon, and — usual money pressure : very
heavy and anxious about the future. At night with Pearson's _^
party to Red Lion Street ; interesting hour with the invisibles
and meet Dr, Hales for the first time. 20^A.— First of the
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 221
Handel Festivals at Crystal Palace.* VliK. Hear of Toole's
odd accident to the eye occurring this day.* 29iA. — Go to
Haymarket; first night of Tom Taylor's well written but
badly constructed Contested Election.^ Meet Ledger, Povey,
Harris, Albert Smith, Walter Lacy, Yates, etc., at Cafe de
I'Europe."
'^Jvly let — Write more paragraphs for J?ra, from which
£1 5«. 1th, — Town by rail, and see Drayton at Adelphi,
Never Judge by Appearaiicea : not good.* lOth. — The Tooles
come down by boat, dine with us, and we go out afterwards
for a fly and a row, back, and a fly and a row out. 11^. —
Too hot to write ; oflF by train. Go to Olympic, see Payable
on Demand,^ Tom Taylor's new piece ; clever, but won't be a
^ The Messiah, Sims Reeves, Clara Novello, Miss Dolby, Weiss,
and Belletti ; Costa, conductor. The Dettingai Te Deum, Belshazzar,
Israel in Egypt, were the works given. Receipts were about £30,000,
and this amount was derived from the 80,000 people who attended,
and in whose refreshment the following items of commissariat were
consumed : — 1,600 dozen sandwiches, 1,200 dozen pork pies, 400 dozen
Sydenham pasties, 800 veal and ham pies, 650 pigeon pies, 480 hams,
3,509 chickens, 120 galantines of lamb, 240 fore-quarters of lamb, 150
galantines of chicken, 60 raised game pies, 3,050 lobster salads, 3,825
dishes of salmon mayonnaise, 300 score of lettuce, 40,000 buns at a
penny each, 25,000 ditto at twopence each, 32,249 ices, 2,419 dozen
beverages, 1,152 ditto ale and stout, 403 Crystal Palace puddings, 400
jellies, nine tons of roast and boiled bee/j 400 creams, 350 fruit tarts,
3,506 quarts of tea, coffee, and chocolate, and 485 tongues, exclusive of
wine swallowed by the visitors.
* Toole was pla3ring with his little boy (then three years old),
and the child in some manner ran the comer of an envelope with
such force into his father's eye as to cut the eyeball. Toole played
the same night, but was obliged to absent himself for two nights
afterwards.
' Charles Mathews, Dodgson; W. Farren,Wap8hott; Fanny Wright,
Clara Honeybun ; Compton, Mr. Honeybun ; Mrs. Charles Mathews,
Mrs. Honeybun ; Buckstone, Puckover ; Rogers, Topper ; Braid,
Gathercole ; Clark, Spitchcock.
* This was a musical duologue, written by Henri Drayton, and per-
formed by himself and Mrs. Drayton as respectively the Count and
Countess de Belleville. The music, which was agreeable, but without
any great pretensions, was by E. J. Loder.
^ Leading incident the same as that in The Jew of Frankfort. Action
of the play is supposed to take place in 1792, and in its coarse some
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222 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
long attraction. Wih, — At night Lady of Lyons burlesque/
by Byron, at Strand ; find it good and amusing. 20th,— At
night to Adelphi ; see Byron's Babes in the Wood ; ^ Toole in
it. 2\8t. — To Adelphi to see Planch^'s new (old) piece of
Old Offender's : ^ success moderate. 23rd. — Day wasted going
into city for * England and Wales.' Mmulay, 25tL—The last
night of Vauxhall for ever announced.* Take short stroll;
but very sad and much pressed by pecuniary emergencies.
Try Woodin's, and failure. At night look in at Tom
Matthews's entertainment. Literary matter. 29ih. — C. C. B.
in evening ; call with her on Watkins ; pleasant walk through
Westminster and elsewhere. Meet at club spiritualistic
astrologer, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie. Curious anecdotes
about Thomas Buckley, and sit late telling there-anent.
SOth. — Mother calls in morning with C. C. B. Take them
to dine at club, and thence to coflfee and ices to Gatti's at
Hungerford. See them into 'bus, and go to Albert Smith's
entertainment of Ghiiui ; last night of the season,* but see
it for the first time — much pleased."
twenty-three years are supposed to pass away. Reuben Goldsched,
Robson ; the Marquis de St. Cast, W. Gordon ; Lina Goldsched, Miss
Wyndhain ; Jonadab Manasseh, G. Cooke ; Isaac, J. H. White ; Horatio
Cocles Bric-^brac, H. Wigan ; Marcus Junius Brutus, H. Cooper.
* Charlotte Saunders, Claude Melnotte ; Pat tie Oliver, Pauline ;
J. Clarke, Beauseant ; James Rogers, Widow Melnotte.
* The Babes in the Wood and the Good Little Fairy Birds. Sir
Rowland Macassar, Mrs. Alfred Mellon ; Lady Macassar, Mrs. Billing-
ton ; the babes played by Miss Kate Kelly and J. L. Toole ; Smith
(a good-natured ruffian), Mr. Paul Bedford.
' Another version of Le Cajntaifie Voleur^ already done under the
title of ** £500 ReioardJ' Purefoy, J. L. Toole ; Artimesia, Miss
Henrietta Sims.
* The entertainment consisted of a ballet by Chapino's pupils ; a
concert under the direction of R. Dean, in which Miss Lizzie Harris,
Mrs. Mears, Messrs. T. Critchfield, Matz, and Russell Grover distin-
guished themselves ; an equestrian performance in which Harry
Croueste is mentioned ; fireworks with two tableaux, " Thanks, kind
friends," and " Farewell, for ever ; '* and there was the usual dancing
on the platform.
^ This was also the last time of his appearance as a bachelor, for on
Monday, August 1st, Albert Smith was married to Mary Keeley by
the Rev. J. C. M. Bellew, and started immediately after the ceremony
for his beloved Chamouni.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 223
^^ Aug. 4ih, — To Haymarket to see bad new farce of Old
of Sight Oubt of Mivd^ and then to club. 6th, — From Era
£1 10s. In evening P. Phillips calls about entertainment,
which may be christened Tfte CabiTiet of Curiositiea. At
night to Canterbury Hall. Hear fourth act of Verdi's Mac-
beth : first time in England, and not good. 6th. — At night to
Adelphi, Webster's benefit ; and see charmingly acted piece
of Owe Touch of Nature.^ IStft. — Go to Sheemess and back
by boat. On board meet Bennett (The Ckul), Roberts and
his friend Shelton, who get off at Southend. I6th. — Try
what town atmosphere will do, and come up by 3 o'clock.
Find M from Tallis on account of Part XLI. At night to
Mr. and Mrs. Reed (Miss Priscilla Horton) ; first .time of my
seeing her in any entertainment at all.^ I9th. — Come from
Gravesend by boat. Dine at Carr's, chambers, and write
a few lines. Phillips calls, and engages me till evening in
discussion about Woodin's entertainment. Dr. Smethurst's
trial over : found guilty, and great excitement over it.* Last
night of Olympic season.* Go for hour to Robson ; hear his
speech. 23rd — Try to be funny for Woodin. Treat mother
and boy to Rosherville, and the sad, sad story on our return :
frightful trial to patience. 27th. — At night Mrs. Charles
Mathews's benefit at Haymarket — take Miller ; in Masks and
Faces, Webster, Triplet, and Mrs. C. M. Peg WoiBSngton :
* This was written specially for Charles Mathews, who played the
part of Gatherwool.
* This was an adaptation of Mr. Webster's own from the French,
and in which he achieved one of his greatest successes, as Holder, a
poor copyist, who is in search of the child that his wife had carried off
some twenty years before, when she deserted him.
' They were then playing at the Royal Gallery of Illustration.
* The prisoner was accused of the murder of a lady named Isabella
Banks, by the constant administration of small doses of irritant poison.
He had committed bigamy in having married the deceased, and had
induced her to sign a will leaving him all she possessed, about £18,000.
Serjeant Ballant/ne prosecuted, and he was defended by Serjeant
Parry.
* The programme consisted of A Doubtful Victort/y Payable on
Demand ^ and Retained for the Defeiwe. Robson's speech consisted a
good deal of a running and punning commentary of the various pieces
that had been produced under the joint management of himself and
Mr. Emden.
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224 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCffARD,
not over till midnight. 30^.^— At night to Soho Theatre,
Butler's benefit ; * meet J. Wilton, Hall, Chatterton, Kenney,
Falkner, etc. : performance very bad."
^^ Sept Ist, — Writing all day for Era^ from which 30«.
Dine at Carr's. Pay Reynolds's weekly black mail. Night
to Strand ; see brisk farce by Augustus Mayhew, Goose with
Oolden Eggs^ — good ; and Victorine revival and Lottery Ticket
^ The evening before, August 29th , was the last night of Mr. Charles
Kean's management of the Princess's Theatre, when Henry VIII. was
played, and the lessee recapitulated the events of his nine years*
management, and, among other facts, said that in one season alone he
had expended very nearly £50,000 on productions ; in improvements
and enlargements of the theatre, £3,000 had been expended; and
£10,000 in addition to the general stock which he was compelled
by the terms of his lease, to leave behind him. Spoke in the most
feeling and graceful manner of the support afforded him by the
*^ indomitable energy and devoted affection of Mrs. Charles Kean,''
and bore tribute to the consolation she had been to him in his hours of
depression. He also contradicted the report that had been circulated,
that with his retirement from management he intended to retire from
the stage. Before the separation of the company Mr. Eean had
presented to almost every member some token of his regard. The
following is a sununary of the history of the theatre during the past
nine years : — 1850, Lessees Mr. and Mrs. Eean, and Mr. and Mrs. Eeeley.
Opened September 28th with Ttoelfth Night The Eeeleys retired
with the summer season of 1851, and then Charles Eean became sole
manager, and produced Merry Wives of Wiiidsor November 28th, 1851 ;
King John, February 9th, 1852 — ^the first great Shakespearean revival ;
Corsican Brothers, February 24th; Macbeth, February 16th, 1853;
SardanapaluSy June 18th, 1853. In 1853-4 Richard III., Faust and
Marguerite, Courier of Lyons, were produced ; 1854-5, Henry VIII. ran
a hundred and fifty nights ; April 5th, 1855, Winter's Tale — another
great success ; September 1st, 1856, Pizzaro revival, and October
15th, revival of Midsummer Nights Dream : March 12th, 1857, King
Richard II.~& success; July Ist, The Tempest; April 7th, 1858,
King Lear, and June 12th, Merchant of Venice; March 28th, 1859,
King Henry V. These were the principal pieces, and those by which
Mr. Charles Eean^s reign will be remembered.
* Henry Butler was an actor and theatrical agent. Delicate Ground,
Monsieur Jacques, in which Butler filled the name 7'6le ; Miss Raynoe
was the daughter.
3 Full of bustling fun, turning on the endeavour to recover a goose,
under the wing of which a bank-note for £500 has been concealed, and
sent as a present to the daughter of Bonsor, W. Mowbray ; Turby,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 225
at Adelphi — very bad. 4iA. — Reading Mrs. Winstanley's
clever book of * Shifting Scenes in Theatrical life.' 7^A. —
Qreai Eastern leaves Deptford, and stays off Purfleet, in
Long Beach. 8^. — See the Qreat Eastern ^ pass Rosherville
this morning — a great event; she stays an hour opposite
town. Write paragraphs for Eray for which receive 35«.
Spend evening at Foster's, with spiritual manifestations,
chat, and David Prince Miller, who works wonderful feats of
legerdemain, and gives me marionette. 10^. — To opening
of Wells at night ; Miss Heath's Juliet good. 1 5th. — To town
by 12; meet Beverley; talk about pantomime; chop with
Smith, who goes off to Gloucester festival. To chambers ;
correct proofs of Artful Dodge. Era £\ 15«. Coffee at
Simpson's with Willet, Ledger, etc. To Sadlers Wells ; see
John BvU} 17^.— On ' England and Wales.' Pay D. P.
Miller 7«. for two figures. At night to Haymarket, benefit
of Charles Mathews: Road to Rvin and* PavZ Pry first
time ; house crowded, Mathews' Goldfinch very good. His
Paul Pry less broad than the Listonian rendering. 22nd. —
See Amy Sedgwick as Miss Dorillon in Wives as they were^
and Maids as they a/re ; * and new farce, by J. Bridgeman,
called The Rifle^ and How to Use lU 23rd.— Finish Era
paragraphs, and receive £\ 15«. 24^.— £5 from Woodin.
Regers ; and Flickster, J. Clarke ; Tnrby's daughter Clara, Miss Ida
WUton.
^ She was oommanded by Captain Harrison, was piloted down the
river by Atkinson, and the principal tags in attendance were the
Victoria^ Napoleon^ Alliamce^ and True Briton. There was considerable
difficulty in getting her down the Thames, on account of her draught
of water— 21 feet 10 inches aft and 22 feet 3 inches forward. Though
she was very badly trimmed, and yet though her draught of water was
so light as not to allow her paddles or screws anything like full force,
she was reckoned the then fastest vessel in the world.
' John BuU; or, An Englishman* 8 Fireside. Job Thomberry (originally
played by Fawcett), Phelps ; Mary Thomberry, Caroline Heath.
' Chippendale, Old Domton ; Howe, Harry Domton ; Buckstone,
Silky ; Mrs. Charles Mathews, Sophia ; Mrs. Wilkins, Widow Warren.
In Paid Pry Mrs. Charles Mathews highly spoken of as Phcebe.
* This was played at the Haymarket Mrs. Wilkins, Lady Maiy
Raffle ; Chippendale, Lord Priory ; and Howe, Sir William Dorillon.
In John Bridgman's farce Buckstone played Percival Fluff ; Bogers,
Sidney Jubkins ; Compton, Mutton.
15
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226 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Olympic * and Princess's * reopen for season. Receive from
Tallis £2 on account of Part XLII. Go to both theatres ;
Princess's not over till nearly 1 a.m. ; Ivy HaU — not good,
and Love cmd Fortune^ Planchd. 27th. — Domestic tempers
f^in burst out like a volcano, and overwhelm the peace of
the valley. Mother and self quite upset, and all things
made uncomfortable, and completely miserable. 28^. —
At night come up to town ; see Adelphi ferce of Love and
Hv/nger ' — very lively ; David Fisher very amusing. 29th.
Busy with Era paragraphs all day, from which source
receive £2 10«. At night go to Adelphi ; see Willow Copse*
revival — well played; and afterwards to club, meeting
Charles Hall, leader, and originally in Arcadia at Grecian."
^^Oct. Ist. — Dine at Edinbro' Castle with Bridgeman and
Leslie, meeting Fry and Landels afterwards. At night to
St. James's ; * Widow's Wedding^ and travestie of Virgimius.
' The Olympic re-opened again, under the management of Robson
and Emden, with Payable on Demand; Retained for the Defence; and
A Morning Call taken from Ilfaut qu^une porte aoit ouverte ou fermSe.
George Yining, Sir Edward Ardent ; Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Ghillingstone.
' Prinoess's opened, under the management of Augustus Harris.
The Theatre had been thoroughly re-decorated in Italian style. The
pieces were Ivy Hall by John Oxenford, a piece which resembled
Love in a Village ; and a dramatic tableau in " Watteau colours/' en-
titled Love and Fortune^ by J. R. Planch^. The company consisted of
Messrs. Harcourt, Bland, F. Widdicombe, Frank Matthews, Meadows,
Graham, Gasden ; Mrs. Weston, Newbery, Miss K. Saville, and Mrs.
Charles Toung — in Ivy Hall, Messrs. Frank Matthews, H. Saker,
B. Oathcart, J. B. Shore, M. Petit ; Misses Louisa Eeeley, Carlotta
Leclercq ; Clifford, G. Darley, E. Wadham, H. Howard, and Mdlle.
Yilliers — in Love and Fortune. The scenery was painted by Beverley.
[It was in Ivy Hall that Henry Irving made his first appearance in
London. Having been tried and found wanting, he went back to
Manchester. — ^C. S.]
' By Maddison Morton. David Fisher, who joined the oompany,
played Bagster ; and Paul Bedford, Stephen Stock.
* David Fisher played Hulks— quite out of his line, but very good ;
Henrietta Sims, Rose Fielding ; J. L. Toole, Augustus de Rosherville ;
Paul Bedford and Miss Woolgar resumed their original characters of
Staggers and Meg. Miss Laidlaw, Lucy Vanguard.
' The theatre opened, under the management of F. B. Chatterton,
with a shilling pit and a sixpenny gallery, and boxes at three shillings
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 227
First night of season, house crammed, pieces queer. 15/A. —
Look in at Covent Garden ; see, first time, two acts of
Meyerbeer's opera of Dmorah^ and delighted : a wonderfully
effective storm scene in second act. 19^. — To Sadlers
Wells ; see Tom Taylor's new play of The FooVa Revenge ; *
Foster with me : admirably acted, and a success. 20th, —
Very busy in the morning. In afternoon see C. C. B., chat
with her; gleams of sunshine through the clouds. 2\8t
— At night see Cavalier Poletti, a conjuror, at Gallery
of Illustration: very good. 227id. — To Haymarket, Amy
Sedgwick's benefit ; Plot and Passion^ Amy Sedgwick being
Madame de Fontaine : piece not too well played. Monday^
2Aih. — Busy all day on * England and Wales ' — now approach-
ing its termination, after seven years ! ! ! ! 28^. — At night
through pouring rain to Pelham Place, Brompton ; agreeable
two hours, and then circuitous route in cab home. Have had
this week to chronicle the deaths of two old friends, Didear
and Tom Manders.* 29th. — At night to St. James's ; stupid
piece called Cwpid^s Ladder^ by Leicester Buckingham.
and two shillings. The Widow* s Wedding was by Edward Fitzball, and
in it were Miss Katherine Hickson, Miss Eliza Arden, Miss Murray,
Charles Young, Emery and Barrett. Virginim ; or, The Trials of a
Fond Papa, was a burlesque by Leicester Buckingham ; Charles Touug,
YirginiuB. The Dead Shot was also played, with Miss Eliza Arden and
Mr. R. CockriU.
■ Adaptation of Victor Hugo's Le Roi s^amxMe. Duke Qaleotto
Manfredi, Henry Marston ; Serafino, Frederic Robinson ; Fiordelisa,
Miss Heath ; Brigitta, Mrs. Henry Marston ; Francesca Bentivoglio,
Miss Atkinson ; and Bertuccio, Phelps.
' Tom Manders, bom December 22nd, 1797, was clerk in the Bank
of England from 1814 to 1821, when his office was abolished by the
withdrawal of the one-pound notes. He then turned his attention to
the stage, and began a proyindal career with his wife Louisa Powell,
whom he had married in 1820. He became a manager, and then came
to town; played Justice Greedy to the Sir Giles Overreach of Edmund
Eean, at the City Theatre, Milton Street He was afterwards a mem-
ber of the Strand and Olympic Theatres, but latterly of the Queen s,
to which theatre he was attached some sixteen years, and was a great
favourite. Was the original Tom Stag in the farce of Captain Stevens,
and Sam Slap in The Rake's Ptvgress. He became the proprietor of
the Sun Tavern, Long Acre, a favourite theatrical rendezvous. He was
much esteemed, and died October 28th.
' This was written for Lydia Thompson, and she appeared in it in
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228 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Back to write notice. Zlst, — Bring mother up to town by
early train; receive £9; make a little festival for her at
Bedford Head, whereat meet Paul Bedford and Webster,
who knew her in 1818 ; take her by cab to Mrs. Hubbard's,
at Maida Hill. Back to chambers; six hours' work on
' England and Wales.' Amusing introduction to Miss Grace
Darley, our Drury Lane fairy."
" Nov. 2nd. — Back to town in afternoon ; go to Princess's,
seeing The Master Pasaion^ a new piece by Falconer — not
very brilliant. 3rd. — At night to Leslie's chambers. Seance;
Mrs. William Johnson, Pearson, Robt. and Sam Emery present.
Afterwards to Hubble's, and chat about it ; meet Clark,
Leicester Buckingham, etc. Place full, being first night of
Halliday's bad burlesque of Romeo and Juliet.^ 6th. — Up at
9, and, after reading for an hour, ofif to British Museum for
* England and Wales.' At night to see Albert Smith's China;^
first night of the season. Write long notice. 9th. — Mother
calls at chambers, and take her to St. James's ; new comedy
by late James Kenney, Living for Appearan^ces : * very fair.
lOth. — At night to Adelphi ; new piece by Watta Phillips,
several characters, and danced extremely well. Miss Nellie Moore was
very charming as Winifred ; Charles Young, Giles. On the same
evening Leigh Murray and Mrs. Frank Matthews appeared in TheyWe
both to blame.
* The Mcuter Passion / or, The Outlatos of the Adriatic^ taken from
Les Noces VdnStiennes of M. Victor S§jour. Giovanni Orseolo, Ryder;
Olympia, Miss Carlotta Leclercq ; Morosina, Mrs. Charles Young ;
Spolatro, Graham ; Galieno, George Melville.
* Produced at the Strand. Romeo, Charlotte Saunders ; Juliet,
Marie Wilton ; Paris, Miss Bufton. The scenery was painted by W.
Broadfoot and A. Callcott, who gave excellent promise of what they
would become in the future.
' The entertainment opened as usual at the Egyptian Hall, and was
very warmly received. A considerable alteration had been made in
the first part. The scenery was painted by Beverley and P. Phillips. ,
* London Pride; or. Living for Appearances. A moral lesson on the i
folly of a young couple living beyond their means, and, through their
extravagance, laying themselves open to the wiles of a designing indivi-
dual. The young couple brought to their senses by an outspoken, kind- '
hearted uncle. Harrington, Leigh Murray; Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. i
Frank Matthews ; Toby Veneer, R. Cockrill ; Julia Harrington, Nellie I
Moore ; John Warner, Barrett ; Frederick Anson, Brazier ; Falsetto, j
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 229
called Thb Dead Heart : ^ lasts more than four hours, but very
eflFective, and well played, llth. — Hard at work on Adelphi
notices ; by no means well. At night go to Gate ; Besemeres
resumes his secretaryship. Late vigils, and home with Levy,
seeing his remarkable library in Gray's Inn : the most perfect
set of chambers, perhaps, in the world. I2th. — At night to
Princess's; see farce by Williams called Nursey Chidcweed;^
take Miller. 1 6th. — Town at night; St. James's ; bad burlesque
called The Swa/a and Edgar. ' 19^. — Night to Haymarket ;
see bad piece by Tom Taylor, The Late LamerUed;* French
flimsiness. 2(KA. — Think of staying in town, but go down
to make all happy, and find I should have been much
happier in my own company. Sad and ceaseless annoyances,
and no comfort. Monday y 2\8t. — Worse ; frightful scene of
domestic trials. 22nd. — All day on pantomime, but very
little done. At night to Gardens. 23rd. — Up to town by
4 p.m. train. To Princess's ; see comedietta, Oossip : * fair,
but not great. 25th. — Finish rough copy of Johannes
cum Beanstalk. 26th. — Indoors all day with terrible cold.
W. Carle ; Darby Colchanen, Charles Toung ; Willis, Miss Murray.
It was taken from the French, and stroDgly resembled Living too
Fast.
^ This was written in a prologue and three acts. The cast consisted
of — Robert Landry, Benjamin Webster; Catherine Diival, Mrs. Alfred
Mellon ; Count St. Val^^rie (&ther and son), Billington ; Abb6 Latour,
David Fisher ; Jacques Legrand, Stuart ; Beboul, Paul Bedford ;
Tonpet, J. L. Toole ; Cerisette, Miss Kelly. The performances of
Benjamin Webster and David Fisher will always stand out in dramatic
history as perhaps their most successful attempts.
* Widdicombe, Jonathan Chickweed ; Barnes, H. Saker ; NeDy,
Louisa Keeley. The farce bore considerable resemblance to Good for
Nothing.
" Or, The Fairy Lake, It was by Sutherland Edwards and Charles
Eenney, and only passed muster through the charming dancing of
Lydia Thompson as Cygnetta.
* It was taken from the French, and was the same plot as that
in Never Judge by Appearances, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Miss
Reynolds and Buckstone were the principals in a small cast. It was
only acted three times.
^ This was an adaptation by Augustus Harris, sen., and Thomas J.
Williams of L Enfant Terrible. Alfred Fortescue, Harcourt ; Mrs.
Chatterton, Mrs. Charles Young ; Mark Beresford, Ryder ; Mr.
Wilmington, Meadows ; Horace Cleyeland, J. G. Shore.
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230 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Night to Haymarket to see Charles Mathews as Colonel
Feignwell (first time) in Bold Stroke for a Wife:^ not very
good. Monday J 2Sth. — Gravesend ; indoors all day, a regular
invalid. 30^A.— Go to Lyceum, third night of Celeste's
opening, and see bad piece of Paris cmd Pleasure}
" Dec. 3rd. — Called upon by a poor fellow named M. Dargan,
of Bradshaw's, to relieve his distress ; piteous tale of woe.
Trying to begin Wells pantomime, but out of spirits for it.
At night look in at Drury (promenade concerts) ; go to
Princess's; ^ clever new grotesque dancer, Espinosa. Monday^
5th. — Make fair copy (and post it to Wells) of three scenes
of opening. Down to Gravesend at night ; Northfleet Volun-
teer Corps forming ; old Times reporter, Dunoon, a character,
nth. — Thirty-nine this day ! Astonished at it myself. Take
Miller to Gravesend, and dine at home for the sake of dear
mother. Back in dense fog, and in chambers by 10.30.
Afterwards read, smoke, and meditate. Mondayy \2th. —
fiead pantomime at Drury, and about theatre all day. Back,
and read George Vandenhoffs ^Dramatic Beminiscences.'
lAth. — To Grecian ; Arthur Young * in Shylock : very queer.
nth. — Attend rehearsal at Drury, and from E. T. S. receive
per cheque £10. Send MS. of pantomime to Davidson's;
^ Mrs. Charles Mathews, Ann Lovely ; Chippendale, Periwinkle ;
Compton, Obadiah Prim ; Bnckstone, Simon Pare ; Tradelove and
Philip Modelove, Rogers and Clarke.
* Or, Home and Happiness^ founded by Charles Selby on Lea Enfers
de Paris, Written expressly that the manageress might represent
eight different characters, one of them a Mephistopheles. She was
supported by F. Villiers, Walter Lacy, Miss Hudspeth, Julia St.
George, Kate Saville, James Vining, James Johnstone, F. Morton,
S. Lyon, Agnes Burdett, and Misses Neville and Stuart. A Pheno-
menon in a Smock-frock was played at the same time by Bouse and
Miss M. A. Hatton.
' This was under Augustus Harris's management, and Home Truths^
an adaptation by Mr. Reynoldson of Gabriel^ made a hit. It was
admirably acted by Mrs. Charles Young, Frank Matthews, J. G. Shore,
and Carlotta Leclercq. Espinosa had made a great foreign reputation,
and was supported in Le Grand Pas du Dervish de Faust by Mdlle.
Marequita.
* He had made some reputation as a reader of Shakespeare. He was
supported by Jane Coveney as Portia and Harriet Coveney as Jessica.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 231
make out plots of Drury and Wells for SuTiday Times;
correct proofs * England and Wales/ and then deliver them.
2Srd. — Hard at work, as before. At night, E. T. S.'s annual
dinner party (Albion); go, sitting next to Sloman (of
Cursitor Street) and opposite Downes (!) of Strand. Mr.
Metcalfe, barrister, proposes my health, and I return thanks.
Then to club ; supper, Lowe in chair. Bates Richards in vice,
but only stop a few minutes. Self much upset by severe
cold, and equally disinclined for pleasure from hearing of
Albert Smith's serious illness.^ 24dh. — Woodin in morning,
and receive from him for entertainment what makes it £50.
Hear of death of Wright.* At night to rehearsal at Drury :
all looking pretty well, but very tedious in trying over.
Finish at club ; wish friends a merry Christmas, but self not
well, and sad exceedingly. 25ih. — Take Albert Miller down to
Gravesend ; roast beef and plum pudding : much as it has
been for the last ten years. Monday ^ 26^A.— Back to chambers.
At night go to Strand to see Talfourd's burlesque of WilUam,
Tell ; ' write notice of it for Telegraphy and then to club, and
hear all at Drury* (whereat passed Miller) went off admirably.
1 He had a stroke of paralysis.
' Edward Wright died at Boulogne on December 2lBt. He was born
in 1813, and was therefore forty-six years of age at the time of his
death. Made his dSbtU at the Queen's in 1834, but was not a great
success, and so went into the provinces. His first recognized appear-
ance in London was at the St. James's, under Braham, September 29th,
1837, as Splash in The Young Widow, to the Aurelia of Mrs. Stirling,
and Fitzcloddy in Meihinks 1 see my Father, He was for twenty years
a member of the Adelphi company. He was great as Paul Pry, John
Grumley and Muster Grinni<^e, and was an immense favourite with
the public.
" It was entitled, Tell and the Strike of the Cantons; or, The Pair, the
Meddler, and (he Apple. It was supported by — ^Eleanor Buf ton and
Ada Wilton ; J. Clarke as Gesler ; Patty Oliver as Lisetta ; Miss
Lavine as Yemer ; Semem the Seneschsd, James Rogers ; William
Tell, Charlotte Saunders ; Albert, Marie Wilton ; Mrs. Selby and
Bosina Wright were also in the cast, and the scenery was painted by
Albert Callcott and W. Broadf oot.
* This was E. L. B.'s pantomime. Jack and the Beanstalk, The harle-
quins, Milano and Si Maine ; columbines, Madame Boleno and Miss
Sharpe ; pantaloons. Tanner and Buckingham ; clowns, Harry Boleno
and Flexmore; sprite was Deulin. Misses Mason, Helen Howard, and
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232 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Tired out, but satisfied with the reports I have heard, for my
good night's rest. 27^. — W. B. in afternoon, and give him
a Christmas box for the children of 13s. Get cheque changed.
Very tired, but make up for a wasted day by a busy night.
Look in at Drury (crowded) ; then cab to Wells ; see panto-
mime of Ocld&a Ooo8€} from private box ; back in cab, and
write notice of it for Daily Telegraph. 2%th. — Write all
day for Era; night to club, whereat only business talked
of — proposed alterations of rules of election. 29^A. — More
paragraphs for Era^ and at night to Lyceum;' see Spanish
Dancers first time — ^very fisiir, the burlesque nicely tod
smartly written, the transformation magnificent. 3(WA. —
Hard at work finishing Era paragraphs, firom which receive
£3. 31fit — Make up accounts for the year; see burlesque at
Adelphi ;' and then the Old Year out at the club with Toole
Messrs. Templeton and Tom Matthews, appeared in the opening.
Robert Boxby was the stage manager.
* Harlequin and the Golden Chose / or, The Old Mother Earth, the
Little Red Man, and the Princess whom Nobody could make la^gh. It
was founded by E. L. B. on one of the Brothers Grimm's legends.
Misses Hodson, Hill, Bose Frampton and little Eliza Collier in the
cast. E. L. B. had evidently drawn on his connection with the Friday
Knights for one subject, for there was a reproduction of St. John's
Gate, Clerkenwell, which Mr. B. Foster, the landlord of the tavern there,
had BO caref uUy restored. Charles Lauri made his first appearance as
clown at Sadlers Wells ; H. Lauri was the pantaloon; Charles Fenton,
harlequin ; Caroline Parkes, columbine.
* The pantomime here was King Thrush-heard, the Little Pet, and the
Great Passion; or, Harlequin Hafiz ai\d the Fairy Good Humour, The
opening was written by F. Talfourd. It was a marvellous transforma-
tion scene, worthy of the Yestris productions. Misses Hudspeth, Julia
St. Gteorge, Neville, Turner, and Stuart; J. Bouse and Forester were in
the opening; J. and H. Marshall, harlequin and clown; Nay lor, panta-
loon ; Miss Bosine, columbine. The Spanish dancers appeared for a few
days in the pantomime. They were Donna Isabel Cubas and Don Juan
Ximenes.
^ This was H. J. Byron's The Nymph of the Lurleyberg ; or. The
Knight and the NaXads, based on Lvrline, and was spoken of as one of
Byron's happiest efforts. Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Sir Bupert the Beck-
less ; Paul Bedford, Baron Witz ; W. Ebume, Count Calimanco ; R.
Bomer, the Family Herald; J. L. Toole, the Seneschal — he made a
hit in a doleful ditty ; Lurline, Miss Webb ; Wavelet, Mias Laidlaw ;
Lady Una, Kate Kelly.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 233
and Talfourd, ByroD, Sala, and the Re-Unionists. Thus dies
out 1859 : for all the blessings received during which and
other years, God be thanked."
Bough estimate for year, ^£246 10^.
1860.
" Monday y Jan. 2nd. — Begin the year with usual settle-
ment of Christmas bills. Heading and pottering in study
all day. Find town in uproar from the landing of discharged
troops, most of whom appear to be unmitigated blackguards.
5ih. — At night look in at Drury ; house crammed in every
part ; see E. T. S., who pays bidance of pantomime, £25 ;
see Albert Miller, Tomlins, Talfourd, and Murray. 6^. —
Write paragraphs for Era^ from which £2 58. Telegraph
pays for Christmas article £2. Finish theatricals, and at
night take Miller to Princess's: Jocfc the Oiant Killer;^
masks and scenic changes the best part of it. 7th. — Dyk-
wynkyn calls in afternoon. Meet Green,* and go to Drury ;
overwhelming house ; then to his chambers in Danes Inn ;
very snug. Club ; meet Dillon. Morning, get books from
Davidson ; chat with Paul Bedford, and hear his St. Asaph
story of Incledon and Jack Johnson. 11^. — E. T. S. wants
a three- act drama in three weeks, which I promise to do ! !
13th. — Finish Era paragraphs, for which £1 58. W. B. in
afternoon ; not in good spirits, as himself, so go to St. John's
Gate, where Brough's exquisite poem anent the good Samuel
Johnson is read and ordered to be framed. I4th. — To
Haymarket; see pantomime of ValentiTie'e Day ;^ pretty,
* Opening was King Arth^,r and the Knights of the Round Table.
Louise Keeley, Jack ; Rose Leclercq, Queen Bee ; Saker, King Arthur;
Gorgibusier, J. G. Shore ; Sybil, Kate Laidlaw ; Forest, clown ; Cor-
mack, harlequin ; Paulo, pantaloon ; Caroline Adams, columbine.
' [This is Horace Green, a member of the Arundel and Be-Union
Clubs, a delightful companion, and a Bohemian of the better kind.
He was the secretary of seyeral beneyolent institutions and dabbled in
literature. — C. S.]
* Or, llarUqnin, the Fairy and the True Lovers* Knot, Misses Hen-
rade, Clara Denyille, and Rose Williams were the principals in the
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234 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
but slow in eflfect. Pantomimists (Leclercqs) very good.
Monday y l^ih. — To Gravesend, calliiig as I go upon David-
son, who pays the annual £2 28. for pantomime printing.
Night to Northfleet ; chat with a Mr. Hoames, Lecturer at
Panopticon, Polytechnic, etc. ; experiments in figures and
imitative clairvoyance gone through. \%ik. — To St. James's ;
see stupid piece, My Na/me ie Norval, by Oxenford ; very
crude. 19^. — See pantomime with Greenwood,^ and from him
receive £20. 21»^.— Dine at Athenian Club, and am put up
for member. Much pleased with the place and the people,
and meet hosts of old friends. Look in at Lyceum ; see
comic business. Marshall's fitting as usual very well, and
one good transformation scene of house changing round.
26th. — Night to Pearson's ; friendly circle ; tapping, and
message from John Kemble Chapman to me: ^ You judge
none harshly; love all mankind.' Hope to Heaven I may
ever do so. Pleasant evening. 28^. — Mr. Levy sends to
me about the Daily Telegraph. Have interview with him,
and undertake to write articles. All day afterwards over
one on the critical clairvoyance case ; and at night, with
brain overwrought, look in at Club. Mondayy SOih. —
Gravesend. Bring mother up to town; dinner at Bedford
Head ; see her off to Richmond, as the home she chooses
for the future. At night to Lyceum ; Tom Taylor's adapta-
tion of Tale of Two Cities.* Very well done; slow. My
article in Telegraph.'*
" Feb. let. — Walk ; pay for boy's schooling in advance at
Gravesend College. Write Era copy. 2nd. — To Olympic ;
see Alfred the Great (burlesque),* and find it goes very slow ;
opening. The Leclercq family were in the harlequinade, with Heir
Cole as pantaloon.
1 This was at Sadlers Wells.
' It was done in a prologue and two acts. Oollette Dubois ; and
Madame Defarge, Madame Create; the Marquis St. Evremond, Walter
Lacy ; Lucie Manette, Kate Saville; Jarvis, T. Lyon; Doctor Manette,
James Yining ; Sidney Carton, Yillers; Ernest Defarge, Morton; James
Johnstone, Solomon Barsad ; Rouse, Jeremiah Cruncher. The dance of
the Carmagnole^ with the original music, formed a very effective tableau,
and the trial of Damay (Fon-ester) was also a faithful reproduction.
' By H. Holt. Carlotta Leclercq, George Melville, Mrs. Weston,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 235
good lines, but dramatic construction queer. Emden wants
farce and Nvmiber Nip done. See Levy of Telegraph.
Era, £1 10«. Sth.—To Princess's; first night of Hall's
comedy, Caught in a Trap : slow a£fair ; pointless and plot-
less. 9^. — Look in at Strand and see pleasant little &rce
by WooUer, called Sisterly Service. lOih. — Finish Era copy,
whence £1 ISs. To St. John's Gate ; take a distinguished
party (Lady Talfourd and fiunily) over building, crypt of
chapel, etc.; then dine with Frank Talfourd at Garrick
Club; then with him to Wells, llth. — Long chat with
Adams in morning; dine at Athenian Club. Night, to
spirit seance ; communication : ^ Sound the trumpet so that
every one may know the glory of God (SoflSth),— One that
loves you. Do the work of faith ; it will be well with you.'
Physical manifestations follow, and all very satisfactory.
15^. — To town in evening, to Colonel Addison,* Elm Tree
Villa, Elm Tree Road, St. John's Wood, after an expensive
cab hunt, which may furnish material for paper, *How I
went to the Colonel's Party ! ' Met the Marshalls and
Pearson; and spirit s<ice tried — startling the Colonel;
only stop till midnight, and home in cab again. 16^. —
At night to Pearson's, returning book. Get communication,
* What you want is your time more at your own disposal,'
— very true ! ' We like you,' — very complimentary. ' Your
time would be useful to us,' — very kind. Afterwards to
Club and long chat with Bate^ Richards.* 18iA.— Walk, after
dining with Woodin, from Richmond through Mortlake to
Barnes, and up by train. Go to Drury with him, then to
Club, and receive testimonial from E. T. S. of silver claret
jug. 2\st. — W. Callcott sends me by his father a strikingly
eflFective water-colour sketch, which I get framed directly.
22nd. — To town, and annual dinner of Dramatic and
Miss Clifford) Frank Matthews, and B. Oathcart, principals in the
cast
' [An eccentric and genial patron of the play and dramatic author.
He wrote several d propos farces for the Adelphi in the days of Webster.
— C. S.]
' [Bates Kichards was the author of Cromwell and several other fine
literary plays. He was for some time editor of the Morning Advertiser,
■«C. 8.]
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236 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Equestrian Sick Fund Association; Thackeray in chair;
Tom Taylor and Russell and celebrities present ; wine with
Toole. Story told by Rolfe amusing. 23rd. — Few para-
graphs for Era. Night see Tom Taylor's new comedy of
The Overla/nd Boute^ at the Haymarket, which is freshly
written and constructed, and a success. 24:th. — Finish Era
copy, from which £1 lOs. Phil Phillips at night. Pass him
in to Drury. Behind the scenes have a chat with Smith,
lessee of Her Majesty's ! ! then sup with him at Albion,
where meet Boxby, J. W. Davison, Miller, and hosts of
people. 29th, — To Adelphi; see new comedy of Paper
Wimga,* by Watts Phillips, with Wigans in it ; pretty good.
Hear of Phelps being sole lessee of WeUs."
"Jforc/i let. — Committee of Dramatic Authors, which
attend for first time as chairman. 7th. — Amateur perform-
ance of Savage Club, which come up to attend : School for
Scandal,^ and burlesque of Forty Thieves. Lyceum crammed,
and pay to amphitheatre 58. Grieved to hear from Clemow of
the serious illness of my old friend Lovell Phillips. Sth. —
* Tom Dexter, Charles Mathews ; Captain Smart, Braid ; Mrs. Sea-
bright, Mrs. Charles Mathews ; Colepepper, Chippendale ; Sir Solomon
Fraser, Compton ; Miss Colepepper, Miss M. Teman ; Captain Clavering,
E. Yilliers ; Mrs. Lovibond, Mrs. Wilkins ; Major Hector MacTnrk,
Rogers ; Lovibond, Buckstone ; Moleskin, Clarke. It was subsequently
revived under the Bancroft management at the Haymarket.
' This was a story of City life. Sir Richard Plinlimmon, Alfred
Wigan ; his daughter Blanche, Henrietta Sims ; Jonathan Garroway,
David Fisher ; Mrs. Chickane, Mrs. Alfred Wigan ; Owen PercivaJ,
Billington ; William Kite, Esq. (" Accommodation Bill''), J. L. Toole ;
Tawdry, Kate Kelly ; Flimsey, Charles Selby ; Peter Pantile, Paul
Bedford ; Colonel Wiley, Howard ; Alderman Fungus, R. Romer.
' This was a performance in aid of the widows and families of two
literary gentlemen recently deceased. Talfourd, Sir Peter ; Robert
Brough, Sir Benjamin Backbite ; Joseph Surface, J. C. Wilson ; Moses,
Doctor Strauss. The Forty Thieves was written by at least a dozen of
the members of the club. Prologue was written by Planch^, and was
delivered by Leicester Buckingham. H. J. Byron was Ali Baba -,
Talfourd, Coji Baba; Robert Brough, Morgiana; Lionel Brough
Ganem ; Francis Brough, Mustapba ; Halliday, Cassim Baba ; W-
Brough, Hassarac ; John Holingshead, Mirza ; Albert Smith also
figured in it ; and Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and Princess Alice
were present.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 237
Committee of Dramatic Authors. Meet Colonel Addison.
To Lyceum: revival of Serjeant's Wife^ with Celeste and
Mrs. Keeley as Lisette and Margot. Then to Olympic :
Unde Zachary^ — adaptation by Oxenford of old French
force. I4:ih. — liook in at Drury : see Fitzball's new drama
of Christmas Eve ; or, The Devil in the Snow? 1 5^. — Attend
Society of Dramatic Authors as chairman, meeting Westland
Marston, Selby, Palgrave Simpson, etc. Dine with Bayle
Bernard. Era £2. 16<A. — Going to British Museum an
atom comes into my eye and causes such excruciating torture
that I am scarcely able to make my way home again ; after
some hours of agony am somewhat relieved by a clever
chemist (Wellspring of Chandos Street), but compelled to go
to bed at 8, and there sleep and dream for fourteen hours,
and the inflammation very painful, and in one instant feel
how all my hopes of a living might be destroyed by the
loss of sight. Monday y \9th. — Supply some scraps that
Howe wants for his forthcoming lecture, this being, I hope,
the last time of asking on his part. 2Qth, — Finish the
lecture memoranda. 2l8t. — To town, and grieved to hear
of the death of my old friend Lovell Phillips ' (on Monday,
aged forty-three), with whom many pleasant hours have
I spent. To Lyceum at night, and see Colonel Addison's
romantic drama of Abbe Vaudreuil;^ write notice, and
then club for an hour ; all talking of the loss of our dear old
' Another version of UOncle Baptisie, played under the title of Peter
and Paul at the Haymarket in 1842. Zachary Clench, Robson ; his
wife Tabitha, Mrs. Leigh Murray ; his daughter Amy, Miss Herbert ;
her lover Frederick Montgomery, Walter Gordon ; his uncle HoDghton .
Highbury, Frederick Vining ; Reginald Ready, George Vining ; Saul
Clench, G. Cooke.
' This was suggested by Gerome*s famous picture, ^^ Tragedy and
Comedy," representing the duel in the Bois de Boulogne between men
dressed as a Pierrot and an Indian. Emery, Yemer ; Mrs. Dowton,
Miss Page, Roxby, and Helen Howard were in the cast.
' William Lovell Phillips died in Oakley Square, Camden Town, of
dropsy, aged forty-three. He was an instrumentalist and composer.
Was educated at the Royal Academy of Music ; was musical conductor
of the Olympic, and composed the music of Gwynneih Vaughan, He
for many yeai's directed the music of the festivals of the General
Theatrical Fund.
* Or, The Court of Louis XV. Madame Celeste in the title r6k.
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238 EDWARD LEMAN BLAJSTCHARD.
member W. L. Phillips. 22nd, — To Adelphi : see revival of
Jecdoua Wife; very badly played. Olympic: new ferce by
F. C. Burnand and Montagu Williams, B, B, (The Benida
Boy); very laughable.^ 2Srd, — Notices for JFra, and 35«.
24th. — Letter of condolence to Mrs. Phillips. Letter from
C. C. B. on important business. To Lyceum : see new fiurce
by Colonel Addison;^ write notice. Last night of Drury
season. 29th. — The miscellaneous benefit night at Covent
Garden for the benefit of Dramatic College goes oflf well.
30^.— Paragraphs for Era, from which £2 28. 31«i. —
Lyceum : last night of season ; ' Celeste speaks the address ;
write notice."
" April 3rd.— To Sadlers Wells and see Julia St. George's
entertainment.* I2th. — Go to Lyceum : see Neoct of Kin ^ and
Forty Thieves burlesque ; Calhaem good. IMh. — Finish Era
paragraphs, whence £2 28. I4:th. — Italian Opera; first time
this season of Titiens and Giuglini in Trovaiore.^ The pro-
spects for E. T. S. looking very good at present. Haymarket:
see Pilgrim of Love? \9th. — Attend spirit 8kmce with
Foard, Leslie : results very satisfactory. 20th. — Finish work
for Era ; for last week £2 28. See clever burlesque oiMiUer
andHis Men^ at Strand. Monday, 2Srd. — The Shakespearean
Festival at St. John's Gate ; Marston in chair : splendid
oration ; Westland Marston, Tomlins, Lowe, Draper, Bamett,
' [The farce was one of Bumand*8 first contributions to the stage.
Both authors are alive and well. — C. S.]
» It was called "227, Arundel Street, Strand."
' The pieces were — Suzanne / or, The Pmoer of Love, which had not
been seen in London for twenty- two years ; with The AbbS Vaudreuil,
and Colonel Addison's farce. There were also a variety entertainment
and the transformation scene from King Thrush-heard.
* Home and foreign Lyrics ; and she also appeared as Joan of Arc.
^ The theatre opened under W. Brough and Falconer's management,
the latter being the author of The Next of Kin, which appears to have
been suggested by Warren's " Ten Thousand a Year." The Forty
Thieves was a version written by members of the Savage Club.
^ [Giuglini was a celebrated tenor of the Bubini school, with one of
the sweetest voices ever heard. He subsequently went mad.— C. S.]
' Fairy Bomance, by H. J. Byron, suggested by Washington Irving's
** Tales of the Alhambra."
® Written by Henry J. Byron and F. Talf ourd.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 239
Foard, Besemeres, and the cream of the Urban Club present ;
sing a rechauffe of my old song of * St. Q-eorge/ 2^th. —
Write a full account of yesterday's dinner for Era. Con-
gratulate French on his new comedy of A Friend in Needy
successfully produced at St. James's. 30^A. — Meet mother
and C. C. B. ; see them back to Netting Hill. Go to Adelphi :
Julia Daly (Mrs. Alwyn),* American actress, very good."
^^ May l«i. — An anniversary, but only mental celebration.
9^. — Meet Foard ;^ take him to Haymarket ; new and bad
comedy of The Family Secret^ by Falconer. 11^.— Benefit
proposed for B. B. Brough, poor fellow, a long, sad invalid, to
get him change of climate. Monday^ 14^. — To Crystal
Palace. Then to Olympic to see Dear Mamma^ a new version
of My Wife^a Mother, nth. — General annual meeting of
Dramatic Authors' Society ; to Haymarket, and see some bad
amateurs.^ 18^. — Busy with Era paragraphs, from which
£1 10«. 2Zrd. — Derby Day, and Thormanby wins. Para-
graphs for Era. Going out for evening papers, deeply grieved
to hear of Albert Smith's death* this morning ; very sudden,
and the result of professional over-exertion. 26^. — An
' She appeared in a two-act comic drama called Our Female American
Cousin^ written by Charles Galer. She had been seen at Drury Lane
the year before.
' [J. T. Foard, a barrister on the Northern Circuit, was the original
projector of the Arundel Club ; at least he kindly advanced the money
to enable them to move from Arundel to Salisbury Street, Strand. He
was for some years dramatic critic to the Sunday Times, — C. S.]
' These were Miss Ida Sumner, Miss Brennan, and Charles Coghlan,
who appeared in Somebody Else, Neither of them were spoken of as
showing much promise.
* He died at half -past eight in the morning, in his own home at
Walham Green, of bronchitis. He was bom at Chertsey, May 24th,
1816, and was educated at Merchant Taylors. Was intended to follow
his Other's profession as a surgeon, and studied medicine at Middlesex
Hospital and at Paris, and commenced work in 1837 with his father.
He soon turned to literary pursuits, and contributed to The Mirror,
Medical TimeSy etc. Wrote several dramas and burlesques, novels, etc., —
his "Wassail Bowl," "Adventures of Mr. Ledbury," "Scattergood
Family," "Marchioness of Brinvilliers,*' "Pottleton Legacy,"* and
" Christopher Tadpole," were all successes. He also wrote a series of
clever sketches on various classes of London society. In 1850 he pro-
duced his Overland Route ; in 1852, March 15th, his Mont Blanc, which
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240 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
inaaguration dinner at the Arundel Club ;^ eleven present ;
cost, with wine, 5«. 6d. per head. To Haymarket: new
farce, Fitzsmythe of Fitzsmythe Holly by Maddison Morton ;
write notice. The mortal remains of Albert Smith this day
consigned, in strict privacy, to Brompton Cemetery."
" June let. — Dramatic College fete and fancy fair, laying
foundation-stone. 5th. — Finish and send oflF to The Welcome
Guest poem of * Grandmother's Caddy.' 6th. — All day reading
he ran till 1858 at the Egyptian Hall. He married Miss Mary
Keeley, August Ist, 1859.
' In the account of the Savage Club, October 1857, Lionel Brough
gives it as his idea that the Arundel Club was an outcome of the
'* Savage," and that it was founded by H. J. Byron, W. P. Hal^and
Leicester Buckingham, in consequence of a little disagreement with
the '^ Savages." Mr. J. T. Foard's account scarcely tallies with this,
and as one of the original members it is probably the more correct.
He states : ''It was originated by some of the members of the old
Be-Union Club, held at the Bedford Head, in Covent Garden, who
were dissatisfied with some of the members of that Club and their
autocracy on club nights, and was first talked over there, viz., at the
Be-Union (identified with < the Owl's Boost ' in T. W. Bobertson's
Society.) The original members, so &r as I recollect, were— G. F.
Torrclino, the Shakespearean critic, and author of a small book on the
English stage, and one of the council of the Camden Society ; Frank
Talfourd; Blanchard ; Hollinshead, who seceded, however, at the first
meeting or very soon after ; Crawford Wilson, myself, and two or
three others : among these being H. J, Byron, who joined its in a few
months, and Tom Bobertson, introduced by Byron, about or within
a year after, if my memory serve me. The premises we first took were
at the bottom of Arundel Street, Strand — ^hence the name of the Club —
on the site of the present Arundel Hotel, and we occupied two or three
rooms. Leicester Buckingham and Belford, the actor, were among
the members during the years 1859-60. Crawford Wilson, Byron,
Horace Green, D. W. Deane, Bobertson, Belford, and Buckingham,
were among the regular attenders at the Club during the first year.''
The Arundel Club removed to 12, Salisbury Street, Strand, in Jime
of 1861, and remained there till the month of September, 1888, when
the excellent premises in which it is now located, 1, Adelphi Terrace,
Strand, were occupied. The Salisbury Street house (now pulled down)
was celebrated for its large upstairs room, in which the members met,
and in which, perhaps, more thoroughly jovial suppers were eaten than
in any other dub in London. The ceiling was a particularly handsome
one, and the old copper kettle for hot grog a standing institutioitis^^^
The Arundel was, and remains, a thoroughly Bohemian dub. In the
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EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 241
Professor Hare's wonderful book on spiritualism ; riveted to
its pages, and convinced of the truth of the statements therein
recorded. 7^. — Ascot Cup day. %ih. — Dear mother's birth-
day, her seventy-third. Go with Payne to spirit s^-wce with
the Marshalls at Leslie's chambers; Boosey, Jackson, and
Leigh Murray present ; strong manifestations. 9^A. — Meet
Barry Sullivan (just returned from American tour), Foard,
Talfourd, and Hogarth, who have been to spiritual manifes-
tations, and are convinced of the truth thereof. 13th. — At
Astley's: Fair Rosamond; not good. 14^. — At night to
spiritual s^Tice : large party present ; the spirit hand pro-
mised to be seen ; I am asked to change places, and the bell
list of members for the year 1868 — the earliest that is procmuble —
we find the following names : Committee — J. Y. Bridgeman, Henry
J. Byron, Charles J. Coleman, D. W. Deane, James T. Foard, Horace
Green, A. S. Hart, Samuel Joyce, Frederick Lawrence, Jonas Levy,
W. H. Maitland, G. A. Sala, J. Palgrave Simpson, Frederick G.
Tomlins, J. Crawford Wilson. Members— W. R. Belford, John BU-
lington, £. L. Blanchard, John Boosey, Leicester Buckingham, F. C.
Bumand, Edwin Canton, J. H. Chute, John Clarke, J. Sterling Coyne,
Edward Dicey, Charles Dickens, jun., Andrew Halliday, Tom Hood,
Henry Howe, Horace Mayhew, JuUan J. Portch, W. J. Prowse, W.
Winwood Beade, T. W. Robertson, George Rose (Arthur Sketchley),
Clement W. Scott, E. A. Sothem, Barrv Sullivan, Francis Talfourd,
J. L. Toole, Hermann Vezin, F. Walle^tein, Harrison Weir, W. S.
Woodin. To this illustrious roll in after years were added :— James
Alhery, Sydney B. Bancroft, Maurice Barrymore, Ernest Bendall,
Edward T. E. Besley, Arthur Cecil Blunt, Henry G. Bohn, Stanislaus
Calhaem, d'Arcy Chaytor, Frederick Clay, C. F. Coghlan, Henry B.
Coulson (Conway), Earle L. Douglas, A. W. Dubourg, Charles Dun-
phie, T. H. S. Escott, Sebastian Evans, W. Schwenck Gilbert, Bernard
J. Hall, John Hare, Sir John Holker, Bronson Howard, Cecil Howard,
Henry Irving, David James, J. Cordy Jeaffreson, W. H. Kendal, John
Kershaw, W. Beattie Kingston, Joseph Knight, Frederic Lablache, Luigi
Lablache, W. Meyer Lutz, Viscount Macduff (now Duke of Fife), F.
H. Macidin, Dr. Westland Marston, Herman C. Merivale, W. Cosmo
Monkhouse, H. J. Montague, Albert Moore, Dominick Murray, H.
Nairn, Captain Power, Robert Reece, Wybert Reeve, Thomas Wemyss
Beid, Frederick Robson, Dante G. Rosetti, Sir Charles Russell,
Frederick Sandys, Captain Hawley Smart, George Clarkson Stanfield,
Joseph Ashby Sterry, Charles J. Stone, Thomas Thome, H. F. Turle,
Charles Warner, James A. M. Whistler, Horace Wigan, W. G. Wills,
Hon. Lewis Wingfield, Thomas Woolner, Charles Wyndham, William
Tardley, Sir Charles L. Toung. (See Appendix.)
16
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242 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
is then rung in the air and placed on my knee — a thrilling
touch. 23rcZ. — Era £1 5«. All London in an uproar with
grand review of Volunteers ; I go up the Duke of York's
column, and get splendid view of the eflfects of the masses ;
cab to Hyde Park ; have good position. To Haymarket in
evening : Miss Sedgwick's benefit ; new comedy by Falconer,
Does He Love Me f — middling ; write notice. Read Fitzball's
* Thirty-five Years of Dramatic Author's Life.' MoTiday, 25tJi.
— Send lyric * Leaf from Author's Note Book ' to Welcome
Quests which contains this week the Caddy poem. Much
pleased with the simple-mindedness of Fitzball's narrative
and the evident sincerity of his style. 26iA. — Odd and
strange dream of my own death ; afterwards hear that at
that moment B. B. Brough * died, at the age of thirty-two,
at Manchester. 21th. — Try to arrange a drawing-room opera
for Alfred Mellon ; complete it at night — Red Rufus, 2Sth.
— Write a few paragraphs. Look in at Arundel Club and pay
£2 2s. for year's subscription; poor Bob Brough's death
universally talked about and regretted. 29th. — Writing
memoir of Robert Brough for Era, from which £1 158.
To Coyne's party ; meet Mr. Allum, the architect,* Mr. and
* Robert B. Brough was born in London, April 10th, 1828, went to
Manchester in 1843, and in 1847 conducted a very bright periodical,
called The Liverpool Lxorij which he enlivened both with his pen and
pencil for many a year. His first dramatic work was a burlesque, called
The Enchanted Isle, written in collaboration with his brother William,
and was brought out at the Amphitheatre, and was soon reproduced at
the Adelphi in London. He married Miss E. Romer in 1851. He
became well known as a contributor to all sorts of periodicals. Among
them may be mentioned The Man in the Moon, Diogenes, The Comic
Times, The Welcome Guest, Train, and National Magazine, Some of his
poems bear the stamp of genius. He wrote two novels, ''Marstou
Lynch " and " Which is Which ? " and a remarkable set of Radical
poems, called " Songs of the Governing Classes," and he was the author
of several burlesques. He was no mean actor. His health completely
broke down, and he was on his journey to Wales to recruit it, when
he was taken ill at Manchester, where he died of atrophy, and left a
widow and three young children, one of whom, Miss Fanny Brough
(Mrs. Boleyn), is one of the bngbtest ornaments of the modern stage.
He was loved by all who knew him, and was the most generous of men;
' [Mr. Allum designed the Grand Stand at Lord's Crid^et Ground,
and promised on his plans to make a little box on the staircase from
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 243
Mrs. Storr and Amelia B. Edwardes, about twenty others,
and a most pleasant evening. ZOth. — Calleott calls from
Madame Celeste about Lyceum pantomime; decline, but
give her Chaucer manuscript as available. See Beverley, at
Covent Garden, and arrange to do Peter Wilkina and Tom
Thumb at Her Majesty's. To Arundel Club, but find the
dinners discontinued. With Archer, Barry Sullivan, and
Mr. Morris to Athenians, whereat have cold fish to make
up. Reunion, and give Mellon drawing-room opera MS. to
consider."
^^July I3th, — Meet Mr. Home, the celebrated American
medium, at Lawler's, the artist's : at night go to his house in
Sloane Street ; a large party assembled, Mrs. Milner Gibson,
S. C. Hall and wife, Barratt, Robert Dale Owen, Miss Howard,
Miss Andrews, Wilkinson, Waterhouse (of pamphlet reminis-
cences), Squires, and above fifty others, including Hogarth
andTalfourd. I4th, — Go to see Mr. Bat hurst Burch give his
entertainment called Odds aiid Ends at Willis's Rooms : his
sleightK)f-hand very good. Monday j \^th. — Arrange copy
of pantomime for Astley's, Harlequin Chaucer and Orira
John of Gaunt. Idth. — To Adelphi and Strand: Harvest
Home revival at former, and bad farce. Volunteers^ BaU,^ at
latter. Busy on Brough's benefit. 20th. — The Brough con-
cert wretchedly attended. 21 st — Dramatic College fete at
Crystal Palace : ^ go, of course, but expensive afiair ; all goes
which several of us could see the matches of the year. Robert Reece,
Frank Marshall, etc., were among the first visitors, and I have seen
every cricket match of importance from that box for the last twenty
years. — C. S.]
^ By Williams and Burnand.
' The various actors held different stalls. J. L. Toole was a '* Cheap
Jack," James Rogers looked after » " Temple of Mystery," Clarke of
the Haymarket had a " Punch and Judy Show." Benjamin Webster
delivered an address written by Robert Bell. There was an excellent
concert, to which the best-known vocalists contributed. Miss Marshall,
Miss Hudspeth, and Miss E. Johnstone looked after a fairy post-office.
Buckstone and Compton had the Aunt Sally. All the favourite
actresses had stalls of some sort ; 8,409 people were admitted by pay-
ment of half-acrown. [The Dramatic College Fetes were the most
degrading exhibitions ever patronized by the dramatic profession.
They did not save the Dramatic College from bankruptcy.— C.S.]
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244 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
oflF admirably ; back, and write account for Era. Chat with
Toole, who worked wonderfully all day, and Hermann Vezin,
who tells me is engaged at Sadlers Wells. 25<A. — Brough
Benefit.^ 26^A. — Look in at Strand ; new piece of Observar-
Hon and Flirtation.^ 2Sth. — To Gravesend in Mr. John
Clarke's beautiful yacht, The Oiimpsey with Mr. Wheaton,
a yacht artist ; no wind, but get caught in a sharp thunder-
storm ; do not arrive till midnight, at which time make the
Terrace pier ; rather slow, but hospitably entertained."
^^Aug. Ist — Hear of Alfred Dickens's death. 2nd, — Era
copy all day, whence £2 2s. Go to Marshall's for Maitland
to come to seance ; meet Lady Dinorben, Lady Ann Sherson,
Captain Sherson, Mr. Halse, mother, C. C. B., who stays till
midnight. Many happy returns. See them home in cab.
Manifestations very interesting and convincing. 3rd. — De-
lighted by a visit from Emma and Mrs. Stanley, after
their four years' wandering in all parts of the world.
Monday y ^th, — All day writing an account of my view of the
spiritual sSance notice in All the Year Round, 9th. — Go to
the Stanleys' to dinner : all sorts of reminiscences of travel.
Fancy Mrs. Stanley with box of lucifer matches in jungle
keeping off lions and tigers on journey from Madras to
Bombay ! IQth, — Arrange Era paragraphs. Go to Astley's,
seeing Mazeppa and W. West and Batty for first time :
* This was held at Drury Lane, and the artists were the principals
from the Haymarket, Adelphi, Princess's, and Strand Theatres, assisted
by members of the Savage Club. House was well filled. Burlesque
and the comedietta, Oruel to be Kind; The Last of the Pigtails ; a scene
from The Willow Copse, and Fitzsmythe of Fitzsmythe Hall — ^formed the
programme. G. A. Sala spoke an excellent address. Mrs. Stirling
spoke a prologue written by Shirley Brooks to the burlesque, The
Ejichanted Isle, which was the earliest work in which Robert Brough
took part in writing with his brother ; and the characters were taken
by members of the Savage Club. George Cruikshank, Alonzo ;
Leicester Buckingham, Prospero ; Francis Talfourd, Caliban ; J.
HoUingshead and J. D. Francis were also in the cast ; Kate Terry,
Ariel ; and Fanny Stirling, daughter of Mrs. Stirling, made her d6lnU
as Miranda.
' Written by Horace Wigan. It was acted by Misses Bufton, H. J.
Turner, M. Oliver, La vine, and Swanborough.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 245
greatly disappointed by the interview. Era £1. Vlih, — At
night to sSaTice, meeting Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Chinnery,
Halse, and Colonel Addison : the spiritual manifestations
interesting. The hand shown, and a message to me,
' Blanchard, do not fear ; we will not injure you by our
touch ; you have much power. God bless you ! you will lose
your nervousness.' 20th, — Hear from Pilsner of the death
of poor Flexmore,* in his thirty-sixth year. * Where be thy
quips and thy jibes now?' 2l8t — Write memoirs of three
clowns — Paul Herring, Flexmore, and Nelson^ — and sad
memories of the past. 25th. — Emma Stanley calls and pays
for song £3; we then go to Egyptian HaU, and settle
for rooms for her for £400 a year. Go to Floral Hall
afterwards for Mendelssohn night. Slst — Stance in Duke
Street : the * man in the cloak ; ' singular movements of
furniture, chairs going about in all directions ; very wonder-
ful and convincing; present, Halse, Trench, Belford, and
Buckinghamu"
" Sept. let. — Write memoirs both of Mrs. Yates ' and
1 Richard Flexmore was the son of a oomic dancer of the same name,
and was bom at Kenningtou, September 15th, 1824. Began his career
at the Victoria ; first appeared as clown at the Grecian 1844. In his
first season he broke the small bone of his leg, which incapacitated him
for some time ; but he appeared the following year at the Olympic as
clown. He was for several seasons at the Princess's, and one of his
greatest successes was his graceful imitation of the principal opera
dancers ; the dance he used to accompany by a very clever song. He
was seen at most of the theatres in London, and last appeared as clown
in Jack and the Beanstalk^ at Drury Lane, in 1859. He married in 1852
Mdlle. Auriol, and performed with her a great deal on the Continent.
He was most generous, and supported his mother up to the time of his
death. He was buried at Kensal Green.
' Arthur Marsh Nelson was born in 1811, and died 'at Burnley. He
began his connection with the stage, playing leading parts in the
legitimate drama in the provincial and minor theatres. He subse-
quently adopted the talking down as his vocation ; he was a clever
musician and a great favourite. His last appearance in London was
at the Alhambra.
' Mrs. Tates was the daughter of Brunton, a respectable actor of
old Covent Garden Theatre, and afterwards a provincial manager.
She was bom at Norwich, January 21st, 1799, and made her first
appearance at Lynn, March 15th, 1815, as Desdemona to Charles
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24^
EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Countess of Craven \ (Louisa Brunton), who both died this
week. A poor ' super ' calls on me to-day for aid, and makes
me very sad to hear his history. \\k, — Write paragraphs for
Era, See ballet of Bon Juan at Bosherville : very efifective.
Look in at theatre, and see Gr. Smythson, a good low comedian.
^th, — Poly graphic Hall, and see liauri family; three chil-
dren.* %th. — Sadlers Wells opening night under Phelps' sole
management : As You Like It ; Mrs. C. Young (afterwards
Mrs. Hermann Vezin) plays charmingly, Hermann Vezin very
good.^ Write paragraphs for Sunday Tmies, Coyne being oflF
for his tour, and long notice for Era. I2th. — More Era copy.
Kemble*8 Othello. Her next success was at Birmingham, as Letitia
Hardy to the Doricourt of EUiston. She then gained experience in the
provinces, and came to Covent Garden and played Letitia Hardy for
the first time in London, September 12th, 1817. She was equally
successful in Shakespearean characters. Was leading lady in her father's
theatre, the West London (afterwards the Queen's, and Prince of Wales's
of Tottenham Court Road) at the time of his opening it, September
9th, 1822. She married Mr. Frederick Yates in 1824, and when he
joined Terry as proprietor of the Adelphi, she became one of the prin-
cipal attractions of the theatre. After her husband's death Mrs. Yates
only played for one season at the Lyceum, and then retired to Brighton,
where she died. Her connection with the Countess of Craven, and
her own agreeable manners, attracted round her a large circle of friends.
She was the mother of Edmond Hodson Yates, who, even whilst he
was in the post office, devoted considerable attention to literature, and
made his name, as an author, journalist, and critic, as the ^' Lounger at
the Clubs " in the Illustrated Times, and later became proprietor of
The World.
* This was the once celebrated Louisa Brunton, of Covent Garden
and Drury Lane Theatres. Her father was Brunton, the well-known
manager of the Norwich circuit, who had been appreciated at Covent
Garden as far back as 1774. Louisa Brunton was born in February
1782; and made her first appearance at Covent Garden, October 6th,
1803, as Lady Townley in T/ic Provoked Husband. The mantle of Miss
Farren, afterwards Countess of Derby, fell on her shoulders in 1796,
and she became the favourite actress in genteel comedy. She was
very handsome, and retired from her profession on her marriage with
Lord Craven, which took place about 1807.
* Jenny, Fanny, and Septimus Lauri appeared in a sketch by James
Bruton called Going on Anyhow, and assumed a variety of characters.
Fanny appears to have shown most promise.
' Phelps, Jaques ; Mrs. Charles Young, Rosalind ; Hermann Vezin,
Orlando ; Lewis Ball, Touchstone ; Barrett, Adam ; Kate Saxon,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 247
See capital piece called Colleen Bawn,^ by Boucicault : effects
at end of second act extremely good. ISth. — Haymarket at
night ; see Miss Morence Haydon ^ make her (Mmt in Naval
Engagements — very fair. To Wells : interview with Phelps
about pantomime ; settle on Sinbad the Sailor, and £1 per
night. 28th. — Meet Thompson, who wants articles written
for London Review, and Stiff, who gives me copyright of
^ Confessions.' Getting oppressed by heavy work in prospect.
29th. — Bennett (the Owl) to spiritual sSance. * You will not
yet get in this house ; the house is surrounded by its circle.'
* Gentlemen, this is my house.' * Cromwell, did you not
see him ? ' ' This is my dwelling-house.' "
" Monday, Oct, 1«^. — Prepare * Confessions ' for publica-
tion : ready at night. Take Walter to Rosherville Gardens,
and see monkey ballet of Savoyard and His Monkey;
Willikins Molino very good. Zrd. — Boat to town : see bad
piece at Lyceum of Brigand and HisBanJcer.^ 4ith, — Give 10s.
Audrey ; Fanny Josephs, Celia. The Welsh Girl was played after-
wards, with Fanny Josephs as Julia. E. L. B. wrote of Hermann
Vezin : — " There was an evidence of intelligence which gives us great
hopes of his future career on these boards. His voice and figure are
greatly in hia favour, and his action is unexceptionally easy and
graceful."
' Colleen Bawn; or, The Bride of Garry wen, taken from Gerald
Griffin's novel, "The Collegians." Dion Bourcicault (at this time
he used to spell his name Bourcicault), Miles-na-Coppaleen ; Billing-
ton, Hardress Cregan ; C. J. Smith, Corrigan ; Mrs. Billington, Mrs.
Cregau ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Anne Chute ; David Fisher, Kyrle
Daly ; Mrs. Bourcicault (Agnes Robertson), Eily O'Connor ; Falconer,
Danny Mann ; and Father Tom, C. H. Stephenson. The piece was
celebrated for the cave scene, where Miles jumps into the water and
saves the ** Colleen Bawn." It was followed by an extravaganza, She
wovXd he an Actress, in which Mrs. Bourcicault personated several
characters.
* She appeared in Madame Vestris's original character. Miss Mortimer.
' This was by Tom Taylor, and was founded by him on M. Edmond
About's Le Eoi des Montagnes. It was in two acts. Miss Porcupine,
Mrs. Keeley ; Miss Melton, Miss M. Teman ; Photini, Madame
C^este ; Captain Obadiah Harris, H. Watkins ; Doctor Schultz,
Villiers ; John Joseph Jcrrams, John Rouse ; Hadji Stavros, George
Vining ; and Captain Perikles, Forrester. It was a failure, and was
withdrawn within a week.
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248 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
towards Flexmore monument. Finish Era copy. 5^. — CJooper
calls, and receives for revision of * Dinners and Diners ' £5 ;
take him round to Delamotte's, and arrange for £15 for use
of ^ Confessions ' in penny numbers and a five-shilling
volume. lO^A. — To Lyceum — Josephine Gougenheim ; ^ then
to Haymarket — John Brougham.' Will. — Go to Olympic to
see a supposed new farce by Morton, called A Begidar Fix^
but which I recognize as Gouche du Soleil of thirty years ago.
I2th. — Hear of the Alhambra licence being granted. Then
to Strand : see burlesque of Fra Diavolo. nth. — Gravesend
very gay ; Queen disembarks here from her Continental tour.
Work away at my pantomime and correspondence in Morning
Star touching spiritual manifestations. ISth, — From Era
for concert rooms £2 28. Lyceum, Love Chase,* with Miss
Gougenheim as Constance. Miss Rose Howe's first appear-
ance in Orist to the MUl:^ not much. 2^th. — All day on
Drury pantomime of Peter WUkinSj and complete a fair
copy by sitting at my desk from 4 p.m. to 4 p.m.— 24 hours ;
quite knocked up. 27 tL — Interruptions again ! People ap-
parently take me for a rich relieving officer.* Monday, 29th,
— Busy on Tom Taylor's opening at St. James's,* under
' This actress had appeared in London some nine years before, and
in the meantime had made some reputation in America and Australia.
She re-appeared in The Irish Heiress^ by Dion Bourcicault, which was
originally produced at Covent Garden in 1842 ; as Norah Merrion she
made a very favourable impression. Henry Neville made his first
appearance in London as Percy Arden, and he also made a hit ; he had
come from the Theatre Royal, Liverpool.
' After eighteen years' absence in America (during which he had
made a reputation as author and actor), previous to which he had
been a member of Madame Yestris's company at Clovent Garden, he
re-appeared in England in Romance and Reality, a two-act farce.
Himself as Jack Swift, an Irish under-servant, to the Rosabelle of
Florence Arden, and the Oliver and Jasper of Rogers and Chippendale.
' Robson appeared as Mr. Hugh de Brass.
* Mrs. Keeley played the Widow Green ; Henry Neville, Master
Waller ; and George Vining, Wildrake.
* She appeared as Francine. Sang nicely. She was married to
Mr. H. Watkins, an American comedian.
^ [How true this is ! It happens to every literary man who lives in
chambers. People think your time is theirs. — C. S.]
^ The theatre was opened by Alfred Wigan with the drama entitled
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 249
Wigan's management. 30^A.— To meet mother and C. C. B.,
and take them to dine at Bertholini's ; then with C. C. B.
and Mrs. Green to Gatti's, and after to Emma Stanley's
entertainment ; see fifeven Ages : the outlines rather worn, but
a triumph of head-work. Oysters at Rule's after, and see them
home. SlsL — Walk in morning round by Chelsea, Barossa
Place, and then back to town musing. To Strand ; see clever
piece of The Postboy , with James Eogers excellent."*
" Nov. 5th. — All day on Tom Thwmb for Her Majesty's ;
but in no spirits to be funny. Wi. — Princess's ; see Byron's
new fiurce of Oaribaidi Excwraioniata ; * odd eflfect of gas going
out and piece played in the dark. \Qih. — To Haymarket ; see
Tom Taylor's Babes in the Wood;^ a very long and dull comedy.
Monday y 12th. — New piece by Watts PhilUps, The Story of
the '45,* produced at Drury this evening, with Webster, Toole
and Paul Bedford from Adelphi. Drama too long, and not
well constructed. 15^. — ^A^''ith Ledger in morning to St.
James's, to see new French sovhrette danaeuae.^ From Sra £2.
nth. — Made ill by an uncalled-for aspersion on my literary
honesty in AtheTueum of this week ; whence source as the
text for an article on plagiary ; write reply. 2l8t. — Stick to
the Wells pantomime and sit up till 3 a.m. making rough
Up at the Hills, which told of Indian life. Alfred Wigan, Major
Stonyhurst ; Mira Herbert, Mrs. Everaley ; Charles Young, Captain
Slack; Ashley, Lieutenant Grecnway ; Terry, Nabichull. Mrs. A. Wigan,
Mrs. Colonel M*Cann ; Monee, Kate Terry ; Dewar, Tunstall ; Emery,
Dr. M^Kivett ; Miss Nelly Moore, Margaret Lovell ; Miss Mason, Kate
Neil It was a success. At this time. Miss Kate Terry was appearing
in a modernised version of The King of the Peacocks at this theatre.
' This drama was by J. T. Craven. Rogers played Joe Spurrit ;
Patty Oliver, Maria Bingley ; Parselle, Mr. Bingley ; J. Bland, Sir
John Bingley ; Miss Bufton, Miss Wharton. The piece was a tremen-
dous success."
' All the gas in the front of the house and the footlights went out
suddenly; some water had got in the metyl? Some few of the audience
left the theatre.
' The piece was in four acts, and played four hours. Miss Amy
Sedgwick was Lady Blanche ; and W. Farron, Frank Rushton.
* Webster played Sir Andrew Silverton ; Toole, Enoch Flicker ;
Bedford, Guffoy ; and Miss Henrietta Sims, Isabel.
^ This was a Mdlle. Albina de Rhona.
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250 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
sketch of the introductory scenes. 22nd. — Wells ; see
Edmund Phelps as Ulrick in Wefnwr\ To Her Majesty's to
^ee Bobin Hood} 2Uh, — il^Aenceum prints vindication. 2^th.
— To Lyceum : see Drew in Handy Andy ; ^ good Irishman
in bad piece. Era copy, £1, IO5."
^^ Dec. \8t — Dniry closes through bad business to-night.
Carlton Cooper about ' Confessions : * £15 to pay. 1th, — Era
£\ 10«. Tallis pays balance £4 Ss., thus closing the long-
standing account of 'England and Wales' account. Go to
Alhambra inaugural banquet.^ Sit next to Sala, and pleasant
chat about old times. %th. — To Princess's to see Fechter in
Corsican Brothers ; * not so good a version as before, llth. —
My birthday : forty ; not spent very agreeably. I4:th. — Para-
graphs for Eray receive £2 2». ; then arrange with Mr. Levy
of Telegraph to write articles for Christmas. I5th, — Call on
E. T. Smith and first instalment of pantomimes £20. Mon^
day, nth, — Write Woodin's last song ; see him go through
rehearsal. Poor Deulin^ dies very suddenly. ISth. — Make
out Woodin's programme of Gahmet of Curiosities, and
see him go through in costume all the parts. 21«^. — Era
^ Sims Reeves having been taken ill, his part was sung by Mr. Swift-
* It was by Sterling Coyne, with John Drew in the title rSle. Miss
Hudspeth was Oonah Rooney.
' The banquet was by E. T. Smith, who was the proprietor. The
designs were under the superintendence of William Beverley. The
paintings in the dome were Moorish, representing the Court of Lions in
the Alhambra, and incidents relative to the last invasion of Spain by
the Moors ; these were carried out throughout the proscenium. James
Ellis, once of Cremorne Gardens, was the director of the refreshment
department ; James Tully, musical director. The building cost £120,000,
and was calculated to hold with comfort 3,500 people. E. T. Smith
presided at the banquet and George Augustus Sala replied for the
Press.
* Miss Murray was the Emilie de Lesparro ; Rose Leclercq,
Folichone ; Meadows, Colonna ; Augustus Harris, Ch&teau R^naud.
^ His real name was Isaac Dowling. He had made a reputation as
Harlequin at the Grecian Saloon. He was about forty-eight years of
age. Had been at rehearsal in the afternoon and was quitting the
theatre when he found he was spitting blood ; and, almost immediately
after, in Wilson's tavern, Drury Lane, he vomited a large quantity of
blood, and in a few minutes expired. His lungs were found to be
extensively diseased.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 251
£1 lOfi. Sadlers Wells; see Phelps and bit of rehearsal.
Engage tx) put the ' Noctes Ambrosianae ' into shape for him ;
he tells me he was the tenor with the Woods. Go to Drury,
see scenery searched after by I^edger. Write paragraphs of
the death of Alfred Bunn.* To Polygraphic Hall; W.
Woodin's Cctbiifiet of Curiosities^ first night. 24:th, — Write
letters to mother wishing her the compliments of the season.
Write articles for Telegraph, to introduce the Christmas
notices. 25th. — Christmas Day. A large family dinner;
evening passed in various ways; chat and song, and conjuring
tricks. 26th. — Private box at Drury* for mother, Horace
Greene, Talfourd and Miller. Go to Strand, Cinderella.^
Write notices ; take them to office ; finish at Arundel. 21th.
— Go to Wells ; see Sindbad the Sailor; * sit with Phelps in
front of house. Afterwards to Telegraph oflfice and write
notice. 2Sth. — Writing from morning till night Era copy.
Eeceive £2 58. Take Byron to Drury ; see Peter Wilkins
first time, and very much pleased with the way in which it
is acted. 29th. — At Her Majesty's* first morning performance,
' Mr. Alfred Bann died at Boulogne, December 20th, of apoplexy.
He had been connected with the stage ever since the year 1826 at the
Birmingham Theatre. In 1833 he was manager of Drury Lane and
Covent Garden Theatres, and continued to manage Drury Lane until
1848. He was noted for the strong companies that he got together.
He was the author of the libretto of T?ie Bohemian Girl^ and of several
other works, and had latterly been correspondent to two or three
London papers.
* E. L. B.'s pantomime, Peter Wilkins ; or, TTarlequin and th£ Flying
Women of the Loadstone Island. Harkquins, Cormack and St. Maine ;
pantaloons, Naylor and Martin ; the Misses Gunniss, columbines. The
Lavater Lee Family, sprites. Clowns, the Hulines and Power. Tom
Matthews played Jack Robinson ; Temple ton, Peter Wilkins.
' Or, The Lover ^ the Lackey, and the Little GUiss Slipper, by H. J.
Byron. Patty Oliver, the Prince ; Charlotte Saunders, the Valet
Dandini ; J. Clarke, Baron Balderdash ; Rogers, Clorinda ; Miss
Simpson, Cinderella ; Miss Lavine, Thisbe.
* E. L. B.'s pantomime, TIarUquin Sindbad the Sailor ; or, The Fairy
of the Diamond Valley ami the Little Old Man of the Sea. Miss Fanny
Josephs, Undine ; Kate Saxon, Gulbeyaz ; Miss Caroline Parkes was
the prima ballerina ; Martin, harlequin ; Phoebe Lauri, columbine ;
Frederic Lauri, clown ; Edward Lauri, pantaloon.
^ At this theatre under E. T. Smith's management comic opera,
Queen Topaze, was being given, and, for the first time on record here
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252 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
which goes off very well, but a very indifFerent house. Little
Lilia Ross very good. Z\%L — With general wishes for every-
body's Happy New Year, go out to post my letters, and sit up
to see the Old Year out at chambers alone ; reading my own
novel of twelve years ago, 'Confessions of a Page,' just re-issued
in numbers ; and so goes out the year, for the mercies re-
ceived during which, and the strength given me to bear up
against almost unparalleled annoyances and depressing
domestic anxieties, God be thanked with the most profound
and heartfelt gratitude!^ And so exits Old 1860, that has
flashed past with the rapidity of a dream."
Rough revenue for year J6289.
a pantomime written by E. L. B., entitled Harlequin and Tom Thumb ;
or, Merlin the Magician and the good Fairies of the Court of King
Arthur. J. Lami was the harlequin ; Jenny Laori, columbine ;
C. Lauri, clown ; H. Lauri, pantaloon. Lilia Hoes played Tom
Thumb.
^ Mr. James T. Foard in a moat interesting letter referring to E. L. B.
and the Arundel Club relates the following : — " I had an introduction
to Leman Blanchard as far back, I think, as 1850 or '51, at any rate
while he was writing * The Wanderings and Ponderings of an Autumnal
Excursionist ' [referred to by E, L. B. in his diary for 1850] as he was
then journeying in the northern counties, the Lake District, etc., etc.
We met at Liverpool, and he stayed with me for two or three days
there. I recollect acoompan3ring him to a social gathering at Liverpool,
at which Mr. Spencer the chemist, and discoverer of the electrotype,
was present, when Blanchard favoured us with some of his improvised
verses on the company present. [This is evidently the pleasant evening
referred to by E, L, i?., songs and supper, Aug, 12/^, 1850.] ... I can
recall at this instant, one anecdote of Blanchard which places his
gentle and considerate character before the mind as well as any other
I might be able to remember : One night, it was in the sixties, he asked
me to acompany him to Sadlers Wells. I was going on a * first night '
to Drury Lane, and could not, and so he left the Club in a great hurry
to take a cab to drive to the Wells. Some few minutes after, I walked
leisurely to the theatre in Drury Lane, and found him standing ner-
vously restless, as was usual with him, in front of the house and with
one solitary cab on the stand. I asked him what he was doing there,
as he said he was in a hurry. He replied, * Well, there's only this
horse on the rank, and he is just getting his evening meal ' (the horse
had a nose-bag on), ^ and I don't like disturbing him, as it is perhaps
his first comfortable meal to day.' This no doubt was whimsical, but
it was thoroughly characteristic,'^
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 253
1861.
" Jan. \%L — The year opens with much anxiety about the
future. Shall I ever have any happiness ? 3rd. — Cheered by
New Year'? congratulations in letter-box. Take Talfourd and
Hogarth to Drury ; pantomime goes off very well, and house
good. 4^A. — From Era £\ 15fi. Look in at Alhambra, and
afterwards at Her Majesty's ; Queen Tcypaz very bad, Tom
Thumb good. Wih, — Take boy to Sadlers Wells; see
Sindbad; chat with Phelps, and from him £15 on account of
pantomime. Arrange to do the German play, and * Noctes,'
etc., for him. \2th. — Take the boy to morning performance
at Her Majesty's; house good. Evening to Lyceum;* see
Callcott*8 charming scene. IQth. — Bead for Phelps a trans-
lation by Hermann Vezin of German play called Reinhard
mid Leonora^ from which Tom Taylor evidently derived the
basis of his Unequal Match ; present version won't do. Look
over my dear father's old pocket-book diaries. 17^. —
Paragraphs for Era, whence £i 10«. After hearing of poor
Mr. Stirling's death, have to take chair at Athenian supper,
but out of spirits. 24^.~Get for pantomime copyrights
£5 ; write for Era and receive £1 lOfi. At night to Strand ;
see Wooller's drama of Silver Wedding^ a pretty piece, and
successful. Then to Whittington Club; see a Mr. Bland
give a conjuring entertainment. 2Uh. — Go to Leader and
Wick, get for copyright of Starlight and chorus, £2 2«. Go
to Home's, Sloane Street, to stance ; meet Lawler, Sargood,
Mr. Boyd, and Madam. Very interesting; get permission
to bring Buckingham, Talfourd, and Hogarth. Off in a cab
to town and fetch them. Accordion played, bell rung, and
' Tho extravaganza of Chrysahelle ; or, The Rose xoiihout a Thorn, was
being played here by Edmund Falconer, and in it appeared John
Rouse, Forrester, J. Morris, Clifford ; Misses Lydia Thompson, Neville,
Teman, Hudspeth, Marie and Annie Colinson, Tamer, Stuart, and
Clara Denville.
* Two-act drama by J. P. Wooler. Max Altmann, Parselle ; Gertrude
Altmann, Mrs. Selby ; Adeline, Fanny Hughes ; Wilhclm Leonhardt,
W. Mowbray ; Judas Braitkopf, H. J. Turner ; Rosa Morgenroth,
Charlotte Saunders.
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254 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
handkerchief passed across table, etc. : much pleased. Supply
Woodin with his book, for which £10. 29i/i. — Begin notice
of Charles Kean's appearance with his wife ^ last evening at
Drury, when the house was crammed from floor to roof.
30^A. — Go to Richmond ; take mother her pension, dining
with C. C. B. and mother ; seventy-four last birthday, and
finding her in good health and spirits."
"-Feft. \st. — Finish quantity of Era work, whence £1 155.
Chat with Byron about a new entertainment for Wooller and
Beale, * the British Serenaders.' In evening to Drury with
C. C. B., and see Harrdet: the play scene* best; houF**
crammed. 2l8t. — To Olympic ; see charming piece by
Craven, called Chimney Corner.^ 22nd. — To Grecian ; much
pleased with pantomime of Blue Bird of Paradise.^ 2Srd,
— To Drury, seeing Game8t&i\* a dreary piece; but Kean
good. 27th. — Astley's^ put up for auction by Batty, and
bought in, no bidding being high enough. 28th. — To Drury;
Kean's benefit, Richard IIL^ To Sadlers Wells, and see
Julius Cceaar ; ^ chat with Phelps."
^ They had been absent from London some eight months, and
re- appeared as Hamlet and Gertrude. Miss Chapman, Ophelia;
Cathcart, Laertes ; Lambert, Polonius ; M*Lien, the Ghost ; Belford,
the King ; and Tilbury, First Gravedigger.
* Peter Probity, F. Robson ; Patty, Mrs. Leigh Murray ; John,
Walter Gordon ; Solomon Probity, Horace Wigan ; Charles Chetty,
Gaston Murray ; Grace Emery, Miss Hughes ; Sifter, H. Cooper.
' This was by Conquest and Spry. King Charming, Harriet
Coveney ; Princess Fiorina, Miss Conquest ; Prince Pigmy, G. Conquest;
who distinguished himself greatly by his acting of the part, and by his
extraordinary aerial flights, jumps through traps, etc. Clown, Rowella ;
pantaloon, Harry Power; Harlequin, Osmond; columbine. Miss
Da vies.
* By Edward Moore, originally produced in 1763. Mrs. Siddona
and John Kemble were great as Mr. and Mrs. Beverley, now played
by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean. Cathcart, Stukely ; Lambert, Jarvis ;
Everett, Lawson ; and Miss Chapman, Charlotte.
^ It was held on lease from Mr. Cobbold at a ground rent of £500
per annum, forty-four years unexpired. The bidding rose to £15,000,
but £17,000 was the reserved price.
^ Mrs. Kean as the Queen ; Miss Chapman, Lady Anne ; Cathcart,
Richmond.
^ Phelps, Brutus ; Henry Marston, Cassius ; Hermann Vezin, Mark
Antony ; Barrett, Casca ; Miss Atkinson, Portia.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 255
^^ Mar, laU — For Sadlers Wells pantx>mime £30 from
Phelps. Era £2, ^th. — Hay market Theatre ; see new
comedy by Tom Taylor — A Duke in Difficulties ^ — not well
constructed at all. Busy on Woodin's article. Monday^
1 \th. — To Assembly Rooms, where see Le Moiski, a Polish
duke, who performs some wonderful feats in mesmerism.
Experiments most extraordinary, and I think most con-
vincing ; the power explanatory of some supposed miracles.
14<A.— To Strand, and see bad farce of Change for a
Sovereign^ by Horace Wigan. \5th, — The death of the
Duchess of Kent this morning. 20th. — To Princess's; see
Fechter play Hamlet^ first time, and the first time I
ever sat through the five acts of this play, and saw the
Closet Hamlet of Shakespeare presented on the stage ; very
good indeed, and very successful. Read Kent's charming
memoir of Bulwer in the volume of the ' Derby Ministry,'
and look over old letters from him, expressing the warm
friendship that has existed over twenty years unbroken.
2\8L — Slowly writing review of Fechter's Hamlet. 22nd, —
Go to masquerade at Her Majesty's ; E. T. Smith's benefit.
Have a rapid chat with him ; tells me he has lost £21,000
there. 23rd. — Letter from C. C. B. Last night of Drury
dramatic season. 2Qth. — Writing notice of yesterday's
Theatrical Fund Dinner. E. T. Smith in chair."
^' Monday^ April \8t. — With Oxenford to Strand, to see
Byron's burlesque of Aladdin; very fair, and write notice
for Telegraph of it. 2nd. — Go to Haymarket: see Mill&i*
and His Men revival ; fairly written, but badly acted, ^th.
— Era copy, £1 Ids. Hear of poor Saker's^ death, of
* This was a piece written specially for Miss Fanny Stirling, who
appeared in it as Colombe, with her mother Mrs. Stirling as Joconde.
' This was the first time that Hamlet had been played in England with
a flaxen wig. Fechter also made considerable alterations in the dress
and '* business." Miss Elsworthy, the Queen ; Miss Heath, Ophelia ;
Graham, Claudius ; Basil Potter, Ghost ; J. G. Shore, Laertes; Meadows,
Polonius ; L. J. Sefton, Horatio ; Widdicombe, First Gravedigger.
* He had only a few days before played the Second Gravedigger in
Hamlet. He died from a virulent attack of small-pox, while quite
in the prime of life. He was well-known in the provinces and DubUu,
and was a great favourite at the Prinoess's.
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256 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Princess's. 11^. — On Grand Jury at Maidstone, Easter
Sessions; find the affair very dreary, and brother Grand
Jurymen very stupid. A lovely day; but stop over the
indictment some seven hours. Sleep at Bell ; Landlord Epps
a character. Wh, — Correspondence for JEra, whence £2 10«.
for last heavy week. \1ih, — From Tdegrwph for Easter, £\,
See Brough and Halliday apropos sketch of ITie Census —
amusing. Hear of Edwin James and his fraud of some forty
thousand pounds on the Earl of Yarborough and son. Hear
also of Benton Nicholson's serious illness. I9th. — Era
paragraphs done, whence £1. Go to Lyceum ; see Miss
Matilda Heron as Medea — very bad.^ liast night of
Lyceum. 2Srd. — Attend the annual celebration of Shake*
speare's birthday at St. John's Gate ; Westland Marston ill
chair; sit next him, with Tomlins, and Morgan John
O'Connell, and George Daniell, aged seventy-two; sing
' St. George ' with improvised verse ; all a great success."
^^May 9th. — Up to town with Harrison Weir; copy for
Era, and £1 5s. Then to Oxford Concert Hall, and after-
wards to Weston's ; back to dress and go to Italian Opera at
Covent Garden for Dramatic College benefit.* Begin at 7 ;
not over till 1.35 a.m., after which write a column notice;
finish at 3 a.m. ; meet there Copping, Charles J. Dunphie,
of the Moiming Post, a very congenial companion. 18^.
--Hear this day of the death of Eenton Nicholson.'
^ This was an American actress, and she appeared in a version of
Legonv^^s tragedy which closely followed the original text, and was
in prose. She was artificial in her acting and over elaborated. Forrester
was Jason.
' Scenes from seven different pieces were played. Celebrated
vocalists also gave their assistance ; there was a vocal association of
two hundred voices. Mrs. Stirling and Miss Fanny Stirling spoke an
address, written by Tom Taylor, entitled, "Past and Present," a
dialogue between the ghost of Anne Bracegirdle and Miss Thalia.
Almost every actor and actress of note took part in the evening.
3 When E. L. B. was but a boy of seventeen, and looking anywhere
to earn an honest penny, circumstances almost compelled him to write
for The Town, a scurrilous and infamous paper, with which, but for his
necessities, E. L. B. would not have been associated. His contributions
to it were harmless enough ; they were theatrical reports and tavern
sketches, one of which '* The Wrekin," embodies some curious and
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 257
23r(2. — At night go to Princess's; see Phelps as King
interesting aoconnts of its most celebrated habiiuSs. It was the pro-
perty of Benton Nicholson, better known as the Lord Chief Baron
Nicholson, who had a strange, chequered, and, it must be said, not
too reputable a career. He was bom early in the century, in a then
pretty suburban thoroughfare of East London, Hackney Road. But
when a mere child he was brought to Islington, near which a couple
of sisters opened what then fell under the name of " a young ladies'
seminary." By this means they supported themselves with comfort
and in respectability, and carefully looked after their little brother
Benton, early deprived of parents— a serious deprivation, for the lad
never had a firm moral hand laid on his procUvities. When a boy at
home with the hard-working, kindly sisters, he became a nightly
visitor at old Sadlers Wells, hard by the sisters' domus; and, in after
years, Nicholson used to tell capital stories of the famous clown, Joe
Grimaldi, on and off the stage. At sixteen Nicholson became a pawn-
broker's assistant in High Street, Shadwell, where he grew intimate
with all the plebeian pugs, rooks, and sports of that essentially black-
guard and unsavoury parish. Amongst other companions he found a
good friend in Jem Ward, originally a coal-whipper, but subsequently
a great expert in the fistic art. When Nicholson's articles of appren-
ticeship ended, he migrated due west to a Kensington shop, kept by
Wells, a successful pawnbroker and silversmith. Other situations in
the same capacity, about various quarters of London, brought Nicholson
in contact with all the representatives of Bohemian and flash life—
journalists, players, tavern vocalists, soiled doves, rooks of all shades,
from the turf welsher to the skittle sharp ; Bow Street runners, mags-
men, and bruisers — with which remarkable fraternity the help to " mine
uncle " had a fast tie to the end of his days. About 1830, Nicholson
opened a jeweller's shop in Granboume Alley, his chief customers
being sixty-years-ago *' mashers" and members of the demi-monde.
It soon ended in insolvency and the King's Bench. From that time
to his death, in May 1861, at the age of fifty- two, Nicholson was
always in the hands of money-lending sweaters, "friendly " attorneys,
and sheriffs' officers. Nicholson himself almost boasted, in the Gordon
Hotel, under Ck>vent Garden Piazza, that his practical knowledge of
London bagnios and debtors' " stone jugs " was not to be matched by
any ^ flash cove," living or dead. Let it be said that Nicholson, who
got hold of plenty of money, always paid pounds for the shillings he
might, for the time being, have in his possession. He was literally the
Robin Hood of forty-years-gone Bohemia ; barefacedly a freebooter
among the aristocratic pigeons, but literally a Good Samaritan to the
impecunious and fallen of both sexes. Association with him led one
to arrive at the conclusion that he might have been a splendid fellow
but for striking his flag to a sense of duty and simply going on the
down-grade of inclination— that mode of conduct that may be called
17
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258 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Lear ; * to Alhambra, and thrilled by Leotard's * wonderful
feats of throwing himself across the building."
** Jwnje, 5th, — Maitland's amateur performance at Campden
House ; meet Dunphie, Levy, Oxenford, Mr. and Mrs. Milner
Gibson, Lord Raynham, Boucicault ; large and brilliant party,
grand supper afterwards. 6th. — Paragraphs for Era^ thence
£1 17s. 6d. ; see Blondin at Crystal Palace ; second per-
formance — appalling ; meet Dicey, just returned from Rome.
8th. — Dear mother's birthday ; seventy-six this day. 20th. —
See new comedy of A Chat^ming Woman ' at Olympic ; write
notice ; go on with ' Noctes AmbrosianaD.' 227id. — Princess's ;
see a stupid comic drama called A Honneatead Story ; * write
the ** I-shall-do-as-I-Hke method." Nicholson became notorious, after
keeping ^* brown money " gambling houses, cigar-shops, betting resorts,
and bagnios, by projecting a weekly publication called The Town. It
ante-dated our society journals, but chiefly dealt with the phenomena
of flash life. The first number appeared on Saturday, June 3rd, 1837 ;
Last, the printer, finding capital, Archibald Henning, who drew the
first Punch cartoon, furnishing the pictures, while Nicholson sat in the
editor's chair. The paper was published by a Mr. Forrester — ^not to
be confounded with the artist who playfully called himself " Alfred
Crowquiir* — at 310, Strand. Amongst the writers were Dalrymple
(burlesque author), a clever Bohemian ; Henry Pellott, once clerk and
solicitor of the Ironmongers' Company ; J. G. Canning (" Theophilas
Pole ") ; Dr. Maginn, scholar, wit, and free liver ; and Hemming, of
old Adelphi memory. Nicholson subsequently attained immense
notoriety as Chief Baron of the judge and jury at the Grarrick's
Head, Bow Street, and the Coal Hole Tavern, whose site is occupied
by a part of Terry's Theatre. Nicholson used to have a refreshment
booth on all the big race-courses, and, for a time, was proprietor of
Cremorne Gardens. He may be described as a plebeian Falstaff turned
tapster ; humorous, handsome, obese, sensual, impudent ; a rooker of
the rich and the soul of good nature to the poor.
' Edmund Phelps, Edgar ; Miss Atkinson, Goneril ; Miss Heath,
Cordelia ; Ryder, Kent ; Maria Harris, the Fool.
' He had made a wonderful Continental reputation, and may be said
to have almost introduced the trapeze pcrfoimances into England.
His feats were so gracefully performed as to take from them any
thought of accident or danger arising to himself.
3 An adaptation by Horace Wigan from Hosier's comedy A Trente
AnSj produced at the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris, in 1840. Amy
Sedgwick, Mrs. Bloomly; Horace Wigan, Sympton, at* imaginary
invalid.
* Taken from a French piece called Genevieve,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 259
notice, and then to Waterloo Bridge to see the dreadful
conflagration in which Braidwood was killed.^ 29^. —
Olympic ; see bad farce of Peace wnd Quiet ; ^ write notice."
^^Jvly 4ith. — First paragraph I read records the death of
my old friend Harry Hartley. Go to meeting of Arundel
Club, at their new premises in Salisbury Street ; meet Toole,
Woodin, etc., there. I2th. — To Haymarket Theatre; Buck-
stone's annual benefit.^ 25th. — Go to sSaTice to Marshall's ;
communication to me : ' Edward, you will have good news,
the Lord will help you ; Edward, you are quite safe.' 2Qth.
Writing for Era all day, £2 10«. Great excitement of the
Northumberland Street tragedy of Roberts and Murray.* "
" Aug. Ist. — Go to Eed Lion aSaTice; a large party, Foster,
Murray, Buckingham, Marston, etc. Communication to
me : * My dear friend, the Lord will give you power.' 27id.
— Finish Era paragraphs, £2 5^., which includes Southend
article. Sth. — To Gore Lodge to see Charles Mathews and the
* This was a fire at the Loftus Alum Works, known as the Tooley
Street conflagration. The wall fell into the roadway and buried
Mr. Braidwood and a Mr. Scott under the ruins. The oil, tallow, and
tar floated on to the Thames and absolutely set it on fire. Several
lives were also lost on the river. The funeral of James Braidwood,
the respected Superintendent of the London Fire Brigade, who was
much lamented, was one of the most impressive scenes witnessed in
London. Nearly 2,000 people took part in the procession. There
were fourteen mourning coaches, and several private carriages. The
body was interred at Abney Park Cemetery.
> By F.J. Williams.
' For the occasion a new comedy in five acts, founded by J. R.
Planch^ on Alexander Dumas' Un Mariage sous Louis XV,, entitled
My Lord and My Lady / or, It Might have been Worse j was played.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews as Lord and Lady Fitzpatrick. A
Mr. Andrews, an American actor from the Park Theatre, New York,
made his dSbut as a French servant Louis. It is supposed to have
been the first comedy ever produced on a Friday night.
^ Roberts was a solicitor in Northumberland Street. Major Murray
occupied himself with finance. Roberts appears to have had some
grievance against the Major, and fired at him in his (the lawyer's)
chambers. Major Murray in self-defence took up first the tongs and
then a champagne bottle, which he broke on Roberts's head. Roberts
died from the effects, and a verdict of justifiable homicide was returned.
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26o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Court of Uncommon Pleas party. 22nd. — At Lyceum ; see
Falconer's comedy of Wom^n; or, Love cyavnst the World; *
very slow and wordy. 3(WA.— Call at Dramatic Authors'
Society ; square accounts ; find £15 17«. recorded in my
favour; paying for my contracts £7 58.y receive balance
£8 128. 31»^.— To Gallery of Illustration in afternoon.
Close of Reed's season, and much pleased with John Parry .^
Then to Haymarket ; first night of the new comedy (said to
be by Charles Mathews), called The Soft Sex ; ^ not good—
a satire on strong*minded women."
" Sept. 4^. — Und my article on the * Grand Jury ' is in
All the Year Round ; writing another one for ' Robin Good-
fellow,' which send home ; title, * Twenty-one Miles from
London Bridge.' 6ih. — Byron asks me to write for new
publication, called Fun. 7th. — To Sadlers Wells, first night
of season ; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, American actress, as Julia in
the Hunchback; moderate. Monday y IQth. — Byron's new
publication of Fun comes out this week; a close copy of
PuTich in all its arrangements. 2l8t. — First night of
Louis XL; Phelps very nervous, but in some parts very
good. 24:th. William Farren died this day.* 26th. — Receive
^ Miss Murray, Mrs. Weston, and Lydia Thompson, with Hermann
Yezin, Walter Lacy, and Addison, were the principals in the cast.
' Mr. and Mrs. Beed and John Parry were appearing as Mr. and Mrs.
Candytuft and Mr. Babbleton in a triologue called The Card Basket,
written for them by Shirley Brooks.
' Charles Mathews acknowledged this as his. It was not well
received.
* Bom, May 15th, 1736 ; died, September 24th, at his house, 23,
Brompton Square, from paralysis, from which he had long been
suffering, in his seventy-sixth year. His father was an actor, who had
played with Garrick at Drury Lane, and he died in 1795. He was
educated in Soho, and had Liston for a schoolfellow, and made literally
his first appearance as Sir Archy MacSarcasm at Plymouth; played for
a considerable time in Ireland, and made his London debu4 at Coveni
Garden, September 10th, 1818, as Sir Peter Teazle. He remained at
this theatre till 1828, playing at the Haymarket during the summer
seasons ; and he then went to Drury Lane, remaining there till 1837,
when he returned to Covent Garden under Osbaldiston's management.
He then joined Benjamin Webster at the Haymarket as stage-manager.
Had his first paralytic attack in 1845, while playing Old Parr. He
afterwards beoune Icvaee of the Strand and Olympic Theatrea. Took
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 261
for All the Year Sound article £3 3s. 2Sth,—(xo to Strand,
and sit in orchestra by the leader, Frank Musgrave, the
house being so full, to see Byron's new burlesque of
Esmeralda ; ^ full of puns, words that «ound like puns, but
are not ; very successful."
"Oci. 2nd. See bad piece of Midsummer's Eve at
Lyceum ; * and Edwin Booth ; good actor, second night as
Shylock' at Haymarket. Srd. — Write obituary notice of
Arthur Smith * for Era, Go to Olympic ; see bad piece of
Jack of AU Trades.^ To Haymarket, and behold a worse one,
of Paul Pry Married and Settled.^ 4th. — VandenhofF^ dies
this day, aged seventy-one. 10^. — To Strand, and see
his farewell of tjig. s.ta^ at the Haymarket, July 16th, 1855, in one
scene, as Lord Ogleby in The CUmdestine Marriage. This character,
Sir Peter Teazle, Squire Broadlands, Michael Perren, Uncle John
Nicholas Flam, Uncle Foozle, Grandfather Whitehead, and Old Parr
were his meet celebrated parts, and in them he was surpassed by
none. He was married to Mrs. SaviUe Faucit.
' Esmeralda ; or, The " SemaUon " Qoat^ founded on Noire Dame.
Marie Wilton appeared as Gringoire ; Fanny Josephs, Esmeralda ;
Eleanor Bufton, Captain Phoabus; Kate Carson, Fleur de Lys; James
Rogers, Claude Frollo ; Danvers, the Goat ; H. J. Turner, King Clopin.
The music was arranged by Frank Musgrave.
• In this Miss Ellen Terry played Puck. It was written by W. H.
Yelland.
3 Mrs. Charles Young was the Portia.
^ Brother of Albert Smith. Died October Ist, in his thirty-seventh
year. He was business manager at the Egyptian Hall for his brother,
and arranged Charles Dickens's readings. Was one of the committee
of the " Thames Fisheries Society," and wrote the little brochure. He
was also almoner of the Fielding Club, a benevolent association to
assist actors in distress.
' A serio-comic drama adapted from the French Le Ramoneury by
H. Neville and Florence Haydon, who, with J. W. Ray, made their
first appearance at the Olympic. Horace Wigan was also in the cast.
* Written by Charles Mathews for himself.
^ John Yandenhoff, bom at Salisbury in February 1790, and being
intended for the Priesthood in the Romish Church, was educated at
the Jesuits' College, Stoneyhurst. Made his first appearance as Osmond
in The Castle Spectre at Salisbury, in 1808. Worked steadily in the
provinces till 1813, when he played Rolla at Liverpool. Appeared at
Covent Garden, December 9th, 1820, as King Lear ; but, finding the
best parts were occupied at that theatre, he returned to Liverpool and
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262 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
farce Shxyri and Sweet :^ another version of How do you
Manage ? Agree with Mr. Simpkin for £6 to write
almanack, llth, — Era copy, whence £2. Dine with the
Fun folks at the Ijondon Tavern : our inaugurative dinner ;
present Mr. Maclean, his son, Bumand, Brough, Byron (in
chair), Ince, artist, and Urquhart., the commercial director ;
a very pleasant gathering and liberal spread.^ 12th. —
Receive from Mr. Phelps for 'Noctes Arabrosianse,' £12.
I4ith. Send article * Rhyming flamble up and down the
Thames' to Simpkin, and copy to Fun. 19th. — Byron pays
for Fun, £1 10«. Go to Wells ; see the revival (first night)
of Midsummer Nighfa Dream. Then to Princess's, and see
outrageous burlesque by John Brougham, called Po'COrhon-
taa^ a wild absurdity. 2Zrd. — Send copy to Fun, and see
Fechter as Othello, first time at Princess's : a curious per-
formance, with some considerably good points ; Ryder as
lago, and Carlotta Leclercq as Desdemona very good. 2%th.
— To Haymarket in evening ; Charles Mathews's benefit :
Old and Young Stager, and On^ Hour, or. The Carnival Ball.
Startled by his saying, in a sort of farewell address, that
he was going to give an entertainment and take his leave
of the stage. Slst. — To Haymarket, and see Booth as
Richelieu."
brought about the "" Salter nots," so called from its being thought he
was going to oust an actor of that name who was a great favourite with
the Liverpudlians. The difficulty was got over by both Salter and
Vandenhoff being engaged, and alternating the principal tragic charac*
ters. In June 1834 Yandenhoif played lead at the Haymarket, and
then went to Covent Garden and Drury Lane. At the former theatre
he appeared frequently with Macready and Charles Kemble. Took
his farewell of the stage October 29th, 1858, at the Theatre Royal,
Liverpool, as Brutus in Julius Ccusar, and Wolsey in the third act of
Henry VIII. He died of paralysis.
^ By A. C. Trough ton. How do you Manage f was adapted by Haynes
Bay ley for the Adelphi, and was acted there in February 1835.
' [Maclean, the first proprietor of FuUy was a picture-frame dealer
in the Strand. I think Tom Hood must have been at the dinner, for
be wrote for the first number of Fun^ and was afterwards the editor.
— C. S.]
' Or, The Gentle Savage. Miss Helen Howard in the title rSle,
Augustus Harris burlesqued an operatic tenor, and John Brougham
gave imitations of leading tragedians.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 263
*' Ncfv, 7th. — Do Era copy ; then to Wells with second
scene ; to Drury — see Avonia Jones as Medea, her second
performance — very good ; then to Lyceum, Falconer's *
henefit ; then to Alhambra ; see Leotard ; hear of Tal-
fourd's ' marriage and all sorts of interesting news. 9th. —
To Lyceum : Peep of Day ; ' begins at 7, and not over
till midnight. ISth. — See Greenwood's piece of la it the
King ? * in which Ada Swanborough makes a successful first
appearance. 16th. — To Haymarket, and see Sothem, from
America, play a foppish lord very funnily.* 18^A. — Octoroon^
produced at the Adelphi,but no great hit; the Colleen Bavm
reached its 278th night on Saturday. 23rd.— To Her
Majesty's concert-room, and Charles Mathews's inauguration
supper for his *At Home.'^ 2Sth. — To Strand, and see
Byron's apropos sketch o{ Rival Othdloa ^ — very slight ; then
* This was distinguished by the bSnSficiare reciting a poem of his own
composition on the early courtship and marriage of Shakespeare and
Ann Hathaway.
' Francis Talfourd was married, on November 5th, to Miss Frances
Louisa Towne.
' Or, Savoumeen Dheelish, by E. Falconer. It was taken from one
of the " Tales by the O'Hara Family.'* Harry Kavanagh, Hermann
Vezin; Mary Grace, Clara Weston; Barney OToole, Edmund Falconer;
Captain Howard, Walter Lacy ; Father O'Clery (priest), Addison ;
Kathleen Kavanagh, Mrs. D. P. Bowers. There was a great quarry
scene in this.
^ At the Strand, in the character of Christian of Denmark ; really a
girl, but brought up to the age of sixteen years, and known to the world,
as a boy.
* This was in Our American ComWy in which Sothem appeared as
Lord Dundreary, which was afterwards to secure for him a world-wide
fame. The part as originally writtei^ when the piece was played
at Laura Keene's, in New York, consisted of about twenty lines. As ^
Trenchard, Buckstone ; Florence, Mrs. Charles Young ; Abel Murcott
(a broken-down, hard-drinking clerk), Chippendale; and Mary Meredith,
Patty Oliver. The play was by Tom Taylor.
" Or, Life in Louisiana, was by Dion Boucicault. The author, Salem
Scudder; Agnes Robertson, Zoe (the octoroon); Emery, Jacob M'OIos-
key. Salem Scudder was afterwards played by Mr. Dolmon Grace.
^ This was an autobiographical account of Charles Mathews* life,
interspersed with songs.
* These two characters — Theophilus White and Augustus Brown,
J. Clarke and James Rogers — burlesqued the methods of Brooke and
Fechter.
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264 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
to Drary Lane, and see his burlesque of Miss EUy O'Connor.^
*29th, — Era copy, and receive from paper £2 28. ; to Her
Majesty's Concert Boom to see Mr. and Mrs. Mathews at
home ; very entertaining to me, from its suggestiveness and
associations of the past, but not likely to be a permanent
success. SOth. — To Myddelton Hall to Maclagan's concert ;
very versatile and clever ; then to Bayswater Athenaeum, to
hear Yates deliver a lecture on Modem Society ; very fair,
and Albert Smith-like."
" Dec. 5th. — Chat with Smith about Louise Keeley playing
the part in the pantomime. 11^. — Close my forty-first
year, a day of solemn retrospection. Have at least the
satisfiustion of knowing that during that time I have never
injured a living creature. Get up a little festivity for the
juveniles. 12th. — To Sadlers Wells; see Mrs. Conway as
Ion* — very good. Then to Myddelton, and see Conway
very violent; George Daniel (seventy-two) very amusing.
14ttii. — The whole town in excitement about Prince Albert's
illness ; hear in evening that he died at eleven ; all deeply
impressed with the significance of this event. 16th. —
Papers all in mourning — Morning Star excepted, through
machine difficulties. Telegraph admirable ; 141,622 copies
officially announced to have been sold this day. 23rciJ. —
Funeral of the good and deeply lamented Prince Albert ;
to Strand for Telegraph; write notice, finished by 1 a.m.
27^.— Busy with Era work, and £2 58. Sadlers Wells at
night; see Cherry and Favr Star.^ See Fen ton — funny,
1 Atkins appeared in the title rSle ; Louise Keeley, Miles-na-Coppa-
leen ; Eliza Arden, Hardress Gregan ; Robert Roxby, Danny Mann.
Tom Matthews appeared in the piece as Serjeant TooralrooraL It was
interspersed with parodies of the cniTent songs of the day.
* Mrs. Conway was a younger sister of Mrs. Bowers. Possessed an
intelligent face, good figure, and a rich and melodious voice, and was
devoid of the exaggeration for which the American school had then
rather a bad character.
' This was E. L. B.'s pantomime, Cherry and Fair Star^ or, Harle-
quin and the Singing Apple, the Talking Bird, and the Dancing Waters.
Charles Lauri, clown ; Chapman, pantaloon ; Duprez, harlequin ;
Mdlle. Nathalie, columbine. Miss Hudspeth was the Princess Fair
Star; and Charles Fenton, Prince Cherry.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 265
and transformation scene good ; write at Tdegraph office
accounts thereof. 28^A.-"From E. T. S. £20} Monday,
30^. — Wishing everybody • A Happy New Year ! ' — feeling
myself intensely miserable and wretched. ZlsL — See the
last of the year, the sun sink eclipsed beneath the horizon.
Look in at Grardiner's; see bowls of punch preparing, but
hasten away back to melancholy musings ; read Byron, and,
whilst turning over the pages of * Manfred ' hear the bells ' ':\ '^\
ringing in the New Year. I open the window and look
seaward, out into the cold winter air, and breathe a fervent
prayer for the peace that I hope the New Year will bring
to my spirit, with a hearty thanksgiving for the blessings I
have received throughout my life."
Bough estimate of revenue for year, £284 10s.
1862.
" Wedmesdayy Jan. Xst. — The year dawns upon me as usual
very tired, and much perplexed to guess what the future has
in store. 4iA. — Paid for almanack fix)m Fun office for matter,
£\ 168. To Haymarket; see Miss Jane Coombes * appear as
Constance in Love Chase : a failure ; write about it. 10^. —
On Era paragraphs, for week, £2. From Daily Telegraph
for Christmas week, £2 2«. 11^. — Dicey calls, and arrange
to write letter for Northampton Mercwry^ beginning from
next week. Attend an interesting stance : communications
from my father and D. W. Haly — all very singular and con-
vincing. Messages from my father, January 11th, 1862:-^
* There are many spirits which have assembled to greet you
* TbiB was for E. L. B.'s pantomime, IlarUquin and the Hotise that
Jack huUt: or, Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog. The
dog was represented by Signer Lorenzo. Harlequins, Cormack and
St. Maine ; columbines, Misses Gunniss ; pantaloon, O. Tanner ;
clowns, Forrest and Huline ; sprites, the Bidgway and Summerell
fiimilies.
'This was a young lady who was supposed to have made her
professional reputation in Canada and America. She wanted bright-
ness.
• [This was the property of the mother of Edward Dioey. — C. 8.]
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266 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
here to-day ; I tarn glad to make you sensible of my presence.
I am often with my friends on earth ; yes, my son, I am
delighted to speak and say to you, I am with you often when
you are not aware of my presence. You have much medium
power, and you will be sensible of that presence.' * I wish
you to bear a message to mother : say to her, I am often
with her in spirit, and stand at Heaven's portals ready to
greet her when we shall be reunited never more to separate :
William, for Sarah his wife.' 16^A. — To Hay market : morn-
ing performance of pantomime, Little Boy Blue;^ then to
Sadlers Wells, and hear of the death of Raymond.* ISth, —
St. James's ; see a new piece,^ which turns out old adaptation
of Chevalier de St. George ; write notice. 22nd. — Write the
first London letter for Northampton Mercury ; post it. SOth,
—From Fun, £2 6s. ; Era, £1 Sa. To Sadlers Wells to see
Romeo and Juliet, with Mrs. Conway as Romeo." *
^^Feb. 6iA.— From Fun, 158.; write 'Summer Shadow'
song; Era, £1 158. Sth.—From Phelps, Sadlers Wells,
£34 for forty-eight nights; up to date. l5th.—Go to
Princess's ; see an appalling piece, The Angel of Midnight.^
^ The title of this was LHtle Miss Mufet and Little Boy Blue ; or,
Harlequin and Old Daddy Long Legs, Miss Muffet, Louise Leclercq ;
Little Boy Blue, Henrietta Lindley ; The Queen Bee, Miss Henrade ;
Harlequin, G. Becket ; Columbine, Miss Rosine ; Clown, Charles
Leclercq ; Pantaloon, Herr Cole.
' Malone Raymond, or more properly Richard Malone, was bom in
Dublin in 1800, and came of a very good family. Made his first
appearance in Londonderry as Collooney in Tha Irishman in London.
Performed in Ireland for a considerable time, then came to Liverpool,
where he made a hit in the character of O'Slash in The InvincibleSy
and from that time adopted Irish characters exclusively. Made his
first appearance at the Haymarket, April 14th, 1842, as Major
O'Flaherty in The West Indian. After giving entertainments for
some years, in 18G0, he became acting manager of Sadlers Wells,
remaining there till the time of his death.
' Self-Made^ three-act drama adapted by George Vining, who played
the principal male character ; Miss Herbert, the Countess de Presle.
* Mrs. Rogers was the Juliet. They both were successes. Phelps
was the Mercutio. [Romeo has also been played by Miss Cushman,
and Madame Vestvali. — C. S.]
*An adaptation by John Brougham from the French of MM.
Barribre and Plouvier, L'Ange de Minuit. Miss Marriott was the
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 267
Monday^ I7th. — Write memoir of Mrs. Bradshaw^ (Miss M.
Tree), who died this day at noon. 20th, — Last night of
Cherry and Fair Star at Wells. Get cheque for London
letter, £5. 21 si.— Paragraphs for Era, and receive £2. From
E. T. S., £10 ; in all, £50. To Princess's ; see last night of
pantomime, Dick Whittington.^ 25th, — The long looked-for
case, Ledger versus Webster,^ this day decided before Cock-
bum at Court of Queen's Bench : verdict for plaintiff. Is,
2Sth, — Era paragraphs and notices, £1 Ids, To Surrey, and
see Adam Bede.'' *
^^ March 1st — To Wells in evening, and see Pizarro.^
Receive from Phelps balance due from pantomime, £11,
Midnight Angel ; George Jordan, the Student ; Ryder, Colonel Lambeth.
Spoken of as a sensation drama conceived in the very worst taste.
* Maria Tree, sister to Mrs. Charles Eean, began life as a vocalist,
was instructed by Signor Lanza and Tom Cooke. First appeared as
Polly in TheBeggar^s Opera at Bath, November 13th, 1813. Appeared
at Covent Garden, September 10th, 1819, as Rosina in The Barber of
Seville — made a great success ; also as Ophelia, Viola, Juliet, Rosalind,
Imogen, and appeared with Miss Stephens in The Comedy of Errors.
Was an exquisite figure, had very expressive features ; made her last
appearance at Covent Garden, June 16th, 1825, as Mary Copp in
Charles IL, and Clari in the opera of that name, of which character
she was the original. She married Mr. James Bradshaw, some years
M.P. for Canterbury, who died, leaving her a widow with one daughter
who married Mr. H. Langley of the 2nd Life Guards.
* This was Whittington and His Cat, or, Harlequin King Kollywobbol,
and was by Byron. Princess Popsi-wopsi, Rose Leclercq ; John Haslem
made a hit as the little Bacchus, and imitated Leotard on the trapeze ;•
Hildyard, Clown ; Paulo, Pantaloon ; John Lauri, Harlequin ; Caroline
Adams, Columbine.
' This was a libel case, brought by Frederick Ledger, proprietor of
the Era as plaintiff, against Benjamin Webster, manager of the New
Adelphi Theatre, as defendant. It had arisen out of certain strictures
which the plaintiff had passed on certain systems and tricks made
use of at benefits in aid of dramatic charities. [Notably the Crystal
Palace Fancy Fair, which was most justly condemned in the Era as a
disgrace to the dramatic profession. — C. S.]
* This was by J. E. Carpenter. Creswick made his reappearance,
and was supported by VoUaire, Maclean, Miss Pauncefort, Miss E.
Webster, Miss E. Johnstone, and Charles Rice.
* Revival. Phelps, Rolla ; Edmund Phelps, Alonzo ; F. Villiers,
Pizarro ; T. Lyon, Orozembo ; Miss Atkinson, Elvira j Mrs. James
Rogers, Cora,
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268 EDJVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
making £49. 3rci. — Feehter appears at Princess's as lago :
a decided success. 6^A. — To Princess's, and see WorkiTig the
Oracle produced first time in London — ^a farce I wrote six
years ago : goes off pretty well. Sth. — Go to St. James's ;
see a good comedy, adapted from the French by Horace
Wigan, called Friends or Foes} Wih. — Deeply grieved to
hear of my friend Frank Talfourd's ^ death, which took place
on Sunday at Mentone. Have to prepare Fun copy, but not
in the humour for it, feeling very Fad. 13^. — From Fun
office, £1 6«. 6d. Another American medium arrived, and
pronounced satisfactory ; he answers my writing with Fran-
cesco F. on the arm. 15<A. — Write for Era notice of Sadlers
Wells ' and Harrison's benefit, and Phelps', the last night of
the season. Then go to Marshall's, sit at circle, and have com-
munications purporting to be from my dear friend Talfourd :
* My old friend, this is a happy change into everlasting life.'
Question : * Can you write ? ' Answer : * I will try.' Then
the name written. ' The truth of heaven is revealed, thanks
to the knowledge of spiritualism.' Question : * Whom did
you meet ? ' Answer : ' Alfred, Elizabeth, and all my friends :
William Talfourd, in the fifth sphere.' 18^.-29,701, the
last number of The Morning Chronicle^ published this day,
and announced to be re-named on Monday. 22nd. — Attend
the presentation by Gladstone (then Chancellor of the
' Taken from Yiotorien Sardou's No% Intimes, Mr. and Mrs.
Union, George Yining and Miss Herbert ; Mr. and Mrs. Meanley,
W. H. Stephens and Mrs. Frank Matthews ; Doctor Bland, F. Dewar :
Frederick Fervid, F. Charles ; was a great hit. [It was in this play that
Miss Kate Terry (Mrs. ArAur Lewis), made her first great hit. She
was the under-stndy for Miss Herbert, and once she took the character
Miss Herbert never played it again. Another version of the same play,
called Perily by Savile and Bolton Rowe, was produced years after at the
Prince of Wales's under the management of the Bancrofts. — 0. S.]
' Francis Talfourd was the son of Justice Talfourd, and was in his
thirty-fifth year when he expired, on March 9th ; was educated at
Eton, and intended for the bar. His first travestie was Alcestis, but
the burlesques he wrote after this were almost innumerablQ. He had
only been married five months. He was a most genial, warm-hearted
companion, of brilliant literary powers, and was always ready to help
in any good work.
' The City Madam was played, followed by Doing for the Best, with
Phelps as Dick Stubbs,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 269
Exchequer), of the Kean testimonial at St. James's Uall.^
Last night of the season at Drury, and Smith's benefit.^
21th. — Receive from Davidson for copyright of pantomime,
Drury, £2 2«. Look in at Strand : Gr. W. Jamieson/ an
American actor, as G-randfather Whitehead."
^* April 2^th. — Copy for Woodin's entertainment to be
done, £20. Look in at Strand ; see burlesque of Pizarro : *
not very brilliant. See diorama and ballet at Lyceum, and
hear of Lord Westbury's haunted house. 25th. — On Era
work, £1 10«. 29th. — Chronicle the death of The Literary
GazettCy after forty-five years' existence, on Saturday last.
30^. — Mother comes up for her quarterly treat. Take her
and C. C. B. to St. Clement's,*^ but not a good dinner ; then
to Adelphi, Dot cmd the Phantcna ; ® Toole's Caleb Plummer
very good."
** May \8t. — Great International Exhibition opens : all
day writing account of it. At New Eoyalty see a bagatelle
called The Spirit Medium, IZth, — Hear with regret of Sir
William Don's^ death. IQth. — Walk to Wells: write account
of new piece called Family Pride^ adaptation from the
> This was a service of plate valued at 2,000 guineas. Several
of Charles Eean's old co-Etonians took part in the presentation.
* The Wonder was played, compressed into three acts. Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Eean were Don Felix and Yiolante ; Miss Chapman,
Donna Isabella.
' He had made his mark in The Octoroon at the Adelphi. Grand-
father Whitehead was a stock character of his in America, and his
performance in England justified his having played it upwards of
three hundred times in the States.
* Or, The Leotard of Peru by Leicester Buckingham. Rogers, Cora ;
J. Clarke, Pizarro ; Ada Swanborough, Alonzo ; Eleanor Buf ton,
Elvira ; Fanny Hughes, Orozembo ; Fanny Josephs, Atahba.
* [This must have been Carr's Restaurant in the Strand. — C. S.]
® This was another version by Boucicault of The Vampire^ which had
been seen in England originally in 1820, and revived in 1829, both at
the English Opera House. T. P. Cooke was great as Ruthven.
' Died at Hobart Town, Tasmania, March 19th, 1862. Was the
son of Sir Alexander Don, a Scotch baronet. Was originally in the
5th Dragoon Guards, but ran through his property and was obliged to
sell his estate, Newton Don, which fetched £85,000. Being accounted
a good amateur actor, he determined to take to the stage as a pro-
fession, and so played in the North of England, and went to America
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270 EDWARD LEMAN BLAJNCHARD,
French of The Poor Nobleman} 2Uh.—0S to Crystal Palace
to see Flower Show ; then to Princess's ; return of Kean :
see Louis XI, SOth. — Hear that sale of the Athenceum is
about 10,000 ; of Critic, about 2,500."
^^JuTie Uh. — Derby Day: Caractacus winner.^ All day
over London letter. 5th, — Write Derby article for Era.
Hear of John Drew's' (comedian) death. 6th, — Win 15«» by
Oaks stake. 2l8t, — Great excitement about the Boucicault
and Webster dispute, and what they will do on Monday. To
St. James's, and see comedy by Watts Phillips, called Hi8
Last Victory,"
^^July 3rd. — Bad piece at Strand.* 5th, — Gro to Arthur
Sketchley's ^ entertainment at Bijou Theatre, and to Lyceum,
and see bad farce called Colleen Baton.^ I9th, — Dramatic
College Fancy Fair at Crystal Palace. 2]8t. — Grieve to see
in the Times obituary for to-day the death of Freeman Gage
in 1851, and was successfal in New York and Philadelphia, remaining
there five years. Then came to England, played in the provinces, and
eventually at the Haymarket. Was over six feet in height, and was
only thirty-six years of age, when he died of consumption, leaving a
widow.
' These were both taken from Le Pauvre Gentilhoimne,
* [A rank outsider, which belonged to a London publisher. He had
won at Bath a few days before. — C. S.]
3 Born in Dublin, September 3rd, 1825. Was taken to America when
he was but six years old ; began life as a sailor. Made his first
appearance at the Richmond Hill Theatre, New York, and his first
hit in 1845 at the Bowery as Dr. O'Toole. In 1853 was lessee of the
Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia, and from that time was looked
upon as a star actor. About 1858-9 visited San Francisco and
Australia with great success ; came to Dublin, October 1860, and from
thence to London, where he appeared in The Irish Emigrant.
* This was a piece called The Silent Si/stem^ by T. J. Williams,
brought out to introduce Miss Tungate.
^ [Arthur Sketchley was the nom de plume of George Rose, most
amusing and charming companion. He was an Oxford man (Magdalen
IlaU), and was for some years a clergyman in the Church of England.
On his conversion to the Church of Rome he became private tutor to
the present Duke of Norfolk. He was an able dramatist and litUrateur,
and is buried at St. Thomases Catholic Church near Fulham. — C. S.]
^ By WilUam Brough and Halliday. It was a farcical extravaganza,
called, The Calken Bamn Settled at Lout It was a piece of topsy-
turveydom.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 271
Delamotte, aged forty-eight : another of my old friends gone !
2^th, — A visit from Mr. Bonner (engraver of Cumberland's
plays) respecting my old drama, Road of lAfe^ the manu-
script of which he has lost, and arranging advertisement
offering reward for its recovery.* 2^th, — To see Josephine
Woodin and Madame Mortimer in new entertainment. This
is in opposition to Woodin, to whom she is sister : very
indiflterent."
^^ Aug. 22nd. — To sSance at Marshall's; communication
from Talfourd : ' I will be with you in your room, and
impress you with holy thoughts. You must keep up your
spirits, for I can see plenty of luck in store for you, my old
friend. Give my regards to the King of the Gate, Leicester
Buckingham. I will be with him at his table. All spiritual
powers will be great on earth. I will give you a piece ; use
it. " Cock Robin "— " Francis. " ' Began at 9 ; over at 10.30."
^^ Sept I2th. — Look in at Strand, and see Belford's Dun-
dreary in Sam's Amvcd? he good, piece bad. \Zth. — Keceive
letter from C. C. B. announcing her intended departure to
Otago, New Zealand. Meet Falconer, and settle pantomime
subject as Qoody Two Slwea arid Harlequin Cock Robin
(Talfourd). Walk to Ealing, reviving old memories of school
and boyhood. Call on C. C. B. at her brother's : coming of
age of her nephew. \dth. — Era £\ 158. Drury Lane: see
Boucicault's spectacle. Relief of Lucknow ; very effective in
parts. C. C. B. getting ready for starting, and the last
interview: feel very, very sad. 20th, — Pack up parcel of
literature for New Zealand, and off to Blackwall to visit the
ship. A memorable day, making another change, and
indicating an approaching loss: severely felt, and terribly
depressing my spirits. 2^th. — To Gravesend, and find the
ship has only just arrived. A dark night, but take boat and
go on board. The first page of a new chapter in life's sad
experiences. 26th, — Again on board, taking things essential
to voyage. The last adieu, or au revoir — which? Back,
and twilight stroll : meet a sympathetic friend, and the story
* [Why did he not go to the Lord Chamberlain's office, where he
would have found a copy ? — C. S.]
' This was an *• absurdity " by Oxenf ord.
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z^ji EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
told of the secrets of the heart. 2^ih. — This day, at 11.30,
sails the ship for Otago, New Zealand, bearing the one who
has been so long loved. Sadly to town, and plunge into
work, and finish at Arundel amidst the light-hearted, feeling
silently the heavy blow I have just sustained. 27iA. — Sadlers
Wells, reopening for winter season under management of
Lucette and Phillips."^
" Oct, 3rcZ. — Find letter from C. C. B. on her voyage.
4^A. — To Surrey: reopening with Medal of Bronze^ and
looking-glass curtain, ^th. — Sadlers Wells for new piece
of WiUow Marsh : ^ not good."
" Nov. 6th. — See John Duncan^ ship, oflf to Otago, with
Miss Eye and female emigrants, and feel to envy her, as she
will see my loved one if she has safely arrived. My domestic
tranquillity much upset ; but what is the use of grieving ?
I have made my bed — I must lie on it 7th. — To Wells :
very bad piece. Charity ; or, My Lord Welcome^ founded on
Lea MiaSrablea.^ Sth. — To Drury Lane : Othello -j^ Swinbourne
the Moor : write notice, llth. —
Again Ftm, and little done ;
Though up to 1, yet scarce a pun ;
What pleasure ? — ^None,
Frost — begun.
^ A new drama in three acts, Clowh and Sunshine in a Life, by
Adolphe Faucquez, was played. Henry Forrester, B. F. Edgar, A
Montague, Sophie Miles, W. H. Stephens, Lewis Ball, Charles Crook,
Emily Dowton, and Miss M. Ball, a child, appeared in it. Catherine
Lucette and Morton Price (Captain Horton Rhys) gave a musical
entertainment, called, A Double Courtship ; and Tioo Heads are BtUer
than One made up the bill.
' Or, The Queen of the Innocents, adapted from La Bo^iquetihre des
Innocents, by Vollaire and H. G. Plunkett. Under the sole lesBeeahip
of Mr. Shepherd, who played Jacques Bonhomme. Mr. E. Price from
Liverpool, made a successful debut in London as King Louis ; Miss
Fanny Clifford, Margot ; Miss G. Pauncefort, the Marchioness. The
looking-glass curtain was a new arrangement of plate-glass in eight
compartments, and was said to comprise upwards of one thousand feet
of mirrors.
' This was also by Adolphe Faucquez.
* Adapted by Hazlewood, and compressed into two acts.
^ Mr. Swinbourne had made a good professional reputation, which
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 273
\UK. — To Olympic ; see GamiUa'a Husband : * a good piece.
20th. — Make a fair copy of pantomime for Drury. Send oflF
a short poem to Tom Hood, called 'Phantasmagoria.'*
28^A.— To Drury, and see Bohemian Qirl: Miss Hills the
d&mtante.'^
" Dec, Ath, — Make complete copy of Princess's pantomime
of Riquet with the Tuft, or, Harlequin and Mother Shipton,^
loth, — Sit up till past midnight for the sake of drinking my
own health, having none else to care about me, on having
attained my forty-second year, which at one time* I never
expected to see. God be thanked for all, and hope for peace
at some date. Find letter from C. C. B., dated the Tropics,
October 22nd, 26th. — Go to Strand ; see Ivanhoe* for Daily
Telegraphy and write nearly three columns. 27th. — Kindly
notices in all the papers of my pantomimes. At night to Dion
Boucicault's new Westminster Theatre :^ beautiful and com-
modious building, but the pantomime of Lord Dundreary
dull and pointless. 3 1 8^. — The Old Year goes out on one of
was confirmed by a London success. Ryder, lago ; Charles Yanden-
hoff, Cassio ; Fanny Clifford, Desdemona ; Miss Atkinson, Emilia.
* This was a three-act drama by Watts Phillips. Dogbriar, F.
Robson ; Lady Camilla Hailstone, Miss Kate Saville ; Fusell, Horace
Wigan ; and Manrice Warner, H. Neville. [This was the last play in
which Robson appeared. — C. S.]
' A lovely little poem was printed in a periodical called Saturday
Night. Among the contribators were Arthur Prowse, Gilbert Robert-
son. Rands, Byron, Sketchley, and C. S.
• Prince Biq'iiet with the Tuft; or, Harlequin and Old Mother Shij>Umy
E. L. B.'s pantomime. Milano, Harlequin ; Annie CoUinson, Colum-
bine ; Holford, Pantaloon ; R. Power, Clown. The scenery was by
Beverley.
♦ Ivanhoe, in Accordance with the Spirit of the Times. Burlesque
extravaganza by H. J. Byron. Cedric, Turner; Wamba, Miss
Marshall ; Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Charlotte Saunders ; Sir Brian de
Bois Guilbert, C. Rice ; Laac of York, J. Clarke ; Rowena, Ada
Swanborough ; Rebecca, J. Rogers ; Black Knight, Eleanor Bnfton ;
Prince John, Fanny Josephs.
^ This had hitherto been known as Astley's, and had been thoroughly
rebuilt. The pantomime was called La^jHrd; or. Harlequin Lord
Dundreary, Miss Edith Stuart was charming as Buttercup ; Duprd,
Harlequin ; Miss A. Cushnie, Columbine ; Huline, Clown ; Silvester,
Pantaloon.
18
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274 ED WARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
the brightest of days. I see it out quietly by myself over a
solitary pipe, recalling many memories of yore."
Approximate revenue for year, £311 2s.
1863.
"Jan. 2y\d, — To Princess's, taking Crawford Wilson; well
pleased with pantomime ; well played, and beautifully put
on the stage. But, with the exception of Drury, very bad
business going at all the theatres. Look in at St. James's and
see Carte de Viaite} Hear of the death of Mrs. William
Barrymore,* and add another to the list of the records of the
lives I have known ; feel very sad. Go to St. James's : see
Arthur Sketchley's new drama of The Dark Cloud : ' a success !
lOth, — Lyceum opens under Fechter's management: sketch
of Sudden Attack and Duke*8 Motto; house full, theatre
looking very elegant, 'everybody' there. 13th.— Receive
from Falconer for Drury I^ane pantomime* £25, first in-
stalment. I6th. — Startling proposal for directorship of the
* ThiB was a farce by F. C. Bumand and Montagu Williams, and
introduced a new comedian in Mr. Johnson of Edinburgh, and a pretty,
lively soubrette in Miss Nisbett.
' Known some fifty years previously as Miss Adams, one of the best
of English dancers ; was always an attraction at the Old Circus, now
the Surrey, in the grand ballets there. Her husband, William Barry-
more, was for many years stage-manager and inventor of pantomimes
at Drury Lane, at which theatre she appeared with great success,
particularly as Fenella in Masaniello. In 1831 she and her husband
went to America, made a great reputation, and settled at Boston ; and
when Mr. Barrymore died, in 1846, his widow returned to this country,
where she resided up to the time of her death, having reached nearly
her eightieth year. She was a clever linguist, artist, and musician.
' An original play. Miss Herbert, Arthur Stirling (excellent), Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Adeline Gottrell, and Miss Nisbett were
in the cast.
* The theatre was opened under the management of Edmund
Falconer, who had completely restored it after the Louis XIV. style,
introduced a new chandelier^ and thoroughly re-upholstered the house.
The pantomime was E. L. B.'s, Little Goody Ttoo Shoes, or, JEfarlcqmn
Cock liohin, Lydia Thompson, Helen Howard, Miss Wentworth, and
Messrs. Bobins and Tom Matthews, were in the cast. Harlequins,
Cormack and St. Maine ; columbines, Madame Boleno and (he Miasee
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 275
Globe Printing Company.^ \lih. — In morning to day per-
formance of Adelphi pantomime, Oeorge de Bamwdly^ the
French clowns being very good. At night write to C. C. B.,
and go after to Olympic and see Robin Hood? 23rci. — Fire
at Princess's ; poor little ballet girls burnt in pantomime.*
MoTidayy 26th. — To New Westminster, to see Boucicault's
new piece of the Tried of Ejffle DeaTis.^ Slat — See clever
adaptation from the French by Leicester Buckingham at
St. James's, called Tfie Meri^ Widow^^ with a good situation
of reading an imaginary letter, an idea I have had long
years in view."
''Feb. 5^A.— Write a lyric for St. Valentine. This day
Ganniss ; pantaloons, G. Tanner and Deulin Johnson ; clowns, Harry
Boleno and Charles Lanri.
* [This wap the company that started The Glow-toorm of which
Frank BamS}^ and Arthur A. Beckett were editor. On the death of
the paper the offices became a Sporting Club, it became the Vaudeville
Theatre.— 0. S.]
» Or, Harlequin Folly m the Realms of Fomjcy^ by H. J. Byron. The
burlesque portion included Fancy, Miss Seaman ; Romance, Miss
Wright ; Claptrap, Miss Vining; Folly, Miss Woolgar, who afterwards
burlesqued the part of Millward to the George Barnwell of J. L.
Toole, in which he was inimitable. Miss Kate Kelly was admirable as
Maria ; Paul Bedford and Miss Stoker were also in the cast. John
Lauri, harlequin; Hildyard, clown; Paulo, pantaloon; Caroline Adams,
columbine. The French clowns were Arthur and Bertrand.
' This was by F. C. Bumand.
^ The girls' names were Hunt and Smith, who died from their hurts.
Robert Roxby, stage-manager, was seriously injured in endeavouring to
put out the flames. It was fortunate, with such a number of people on
the stage, that the accident did not result in more evil consequences.
* Miss Atkinson, Meg Murdochson ; Rose Leclercq, Madge Wildfire ;
Ryder, David Deans ; Leeson, Laird of Dumbiedikes ; Swinboume,
Geordie Robinson ; Dewar, Ratcliffe ; Henry Vandenhoff, Duke of
Ai^U ; Charles Vandenhoff, Reuben Butler ; Dion Boucicault,
Counsel for the Defence.
® Taken from the French Jeanne qui Pleure et Jeanne qui Eit of
MM. Dumanoir and A de Keranion ; done at the Gymnase Dramatique,
April 4th, 1860. Mrs. Charles Mildmay, Miss Herbert ; Florence,
Patti Josephs ; Niobe, Adeline Cottrell ; an army surgeon, Arthur
Stirhng ; Mrs. Frank Matthews was old Mrs. Mildmay ; and Frank
Matthews, Decimus Dockett. [I used the same situation in my httle
play. The Cape Mail—Q, S.]
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276 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Parliament is opened with much excitement, the public
looking forward to the marriage of the Prince of Wales with
Princess Alexandra. Write account of the funeral of the
poor little ballet girls, and contribute my mite towards the
subscription. ^iK, — Surrey, to see Shepherd's version of
* Heart of Midlothian ; ' ^ well got up, but not remarkable for
construction. 13iA.— -Fun office £3. EraiX 15«. Second
instalment from Falconer for Drury pantomime, £25. 1 %th,
— A glance at New Royalty, Effie Deans? Princess's, Winning
Suit,^ not bad. Then to Alhambra: see Verrick, another
horrible acrobat, bending his neck back — sickening sight !
23rd. — Arrange for first deposit of €50 in Ix)ndon and
Westminster Bank as a nest egg. Bonnie Dundee,^ a Scot<;h
spectacle, produced at Drury LAne by Falconer: a failure.
27th, — Mr. Edward Levy calls, and I agree to write the
Gravesend account for the Daily Telegraph of the Princess's
landing. 2Sth. — To St. James's, and see adaptation of * Lady
Audley's Secret ': ® not badly done ; scenery, by Beverley, very
good indeed."
" March 7th. — The Princess Alexandra of Denmark arrives ;
see the landing from Terrace pier, with Press celebrities and
Prince of Wales ; write Era account, and up all night over
* This was called Effie DeanSy the Lily of St. Leonard's. Mrs. Ebnme,
Jeanie ; Mrs. Emma Bobberds, Effie ; Miss G. Pauncef ort, Madge
Wildfire ; Mr. Gourlay, the Scotch comedian, was the Laird of Dambie-
dikes, and sang *^ The Laird o' Cockpen '^ well
* This piece was called The Scotch Sisters; or, The Trials of Jeanie
and Effie Deans. Fanny Clifford, Jeanie ; Julia Walmisley, Effie ;
H. Eraser, David Deans ; Hussell, Laird of Dumbiedikes ; Miss
Plucknett and Mrs. Russell, Madge Wildfire and Meg Murdocbson.
' By Lewis Filmore, known as the translator of Goethe's Faust.
Amy Sedgwick, Orelia ; Herman Vezin, Roderic ; Henry Marston,
Pedro ; W. H. Stephens, King of Castille.
* Or, The Gathering of the Clans. Edmund Phelps, Graham of
Claverhouse ; Mrs. E. Falconer, Janet ; Henry Loraine, Alastor
McDonald ; Charles Selby, M'lan ; Miss Hudson, Elspat ; Miss Went-
worth, Jessie. It was principally spectacular.
^ Mr. George Roberts, George Walters, adapted Miss Braddon's novel.
Miss Herbert was excellent as Lady Audley ; Frank Matthews was
the Luke Marks ; Arthur Stirling, Robert Audley ; Gaston Murray,
George Talboys ; Simpson, Sir Michael Audley ; Miss Cottrell, Alice
Audley ; Ada Dyas, Phoebe.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 277
four columns tor Daily TeUgraph ; begin at midnight, and at
10 next morning deliver copy. dth.^Daily Telegraph comes
out with supplement, which, Id. with paper, find sells the
amount of 205,884 copies ! Unprecedented. At night bon-
fires all over the place. 13^A.— From Telegraph office £6 6«.
for the hard week's work past. Era paragraphs £2 5«. I9th.
—From Sketchley £1, Era £1 10«., and Fun £4. To
Olympic and see clever adaptation by Horace Wigan of
Taming a Truant} To Haymarket : Wild's benefit, and see
debut of Ellen Terry in LitUe Treasv/re ! ! ! * 2 1«<.— Record
the death of Charles Selby, who died this morning.' Balance
from Falconer for Drury £26, pantomime having gone
seventy-six nights. Settle on story, The White Cat^ for next
year."
^^ April ^th. — Attend General Theatrical Fund Dinner:
Charles Dickens in chair ; about two hundred present ; goes
oflF well ; write notice. Monday, 6th. — Attend Strand :
Byron's burlesque of Ali Baba, or^ The Thirty-nine Thieves ;
goes oflF well. lOth.—Fun £2, and Era copy £2. At night
> Taken from La Papillone by Sardou. Miss Haghes, Aurelia Howard;
Miss Latimer, Florence Flutter; Henry Neville, Flutter ; W. Gordon^
Captain Pertinax ; Horace Wigan, Blush.
' This was a memorable night, for Miss Ellen Terry made her adult
London dSbut as Gertrude, having come from the Theatres Boyal,
Bristol and Bath. This is what E. L. B. said of her :— ** Is very
young, but shows no trace of immaturity either in her style or figure.
Tall for her age, of prepossessing appearance, and with expressive
features full of vivacity and intelligence, she secured at once the
sympathies of her audience, and retained them by the joyous spirit
and deep feeling with which she imbued the personation. In the
girlish playfulness exhibited through the first act Miss Ellen Terry
was especially happy, and in characters illustrative of a frank and
impulsive temperament the young actress will prove a most desirable
addition to the feminine strength of the dramatic corps." [It was not
her d^butj for she had played as a child, as Mam^lius in the Winter*8
Tale at the Princess's, under Charles Kean. — ^0. 8.]
' He was in his sixty-second year, and was as favourably known as a
light dramatist as he was as aa actor. He joined Mr. Macready at
Drury Lane in 1842. Was for a considerable time a member of the
Adclphi and Lyceum companies, and shone most in character parts.
His forces were favourably received at almost every theatre. His last
appearance was as M^Ian in Bonnie Dundee^ at Drury Lane.
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278 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
to Yates's entertainment ; spirii>-rapping skit a failure, rest
good.* To Princess's and see Byron's Haidee^^ a prettily got up
but confusedly constructed extravaganza. 16^A. — Go to Hay-
market : Telbin's panorama ; very good, prefaced by Coyne's
sketch' — average. Sorry to hear of the death of James
Eogers;* write memoir. \lth, — Shown by night the Telegraph
at full work ; ten feeders to each machine, 270 a minute ;
see the casting operation, all done by Italians ; very interest-
ing. 2Zrd, — At St. John's Gate : Shakespeare dinner, John
Oxenford in chair, Coyne in vice ; about forty-five sit down ;
I give the old song of * St. George,' and respond to the toast
of ' Literature and the Press.' "
" May \8L — Write letter to Mr. Levy, accepting engage-
ment offered on Daily Telegraph. Qth, — At night to Hay-
market: Countess of Gifford's (Lady Dufferin's) comedy
Finesse; or, Spy and Counterspy; not very brilliant, but
successful.® 227id. — Description of dreary Derby Day for Era
* [This was at the Egyptian Hall, in conjunction wiih his friend
Harold Power.— C. S.]
* This was called Beautiful Haidee. Miss Patty Oliver in the title
rdle ; Miss Murray, Lord Bateman.
' This was a holiday piece called Buckstone at Home ; or, The Manager
and His Friends. It was a sketch after the manner of Planch^'s The
New Haynvarket Spinng Meeting. The panorama that was introduced
represented the principal points in the Prince of Wales's Eastern tour,
and an illustration of the marriage scene at Windsor.
* James Rogers was bom in 1821, and was intended for an engraver,
but joined Mr. George Wild at the Olympic in 1841. He made a hit
in E. L. B.'s drama. The Road of Life. He soon made his mark as a
burlesque actor, and had parts specially written for him. One of his
great characters was the Post Boy, in Craven's drama of that name.
He visited America for a short time in 1857, and then joined the
Lyceum company. He was best known perhaps as a favourite at the
Strand, in all the burlesques produced there. Was buried in Brompton
Cemetery.
* On the 18th of this month a benefit in aid of the widow of the
late James Rogers was given at Drury Lane. The application for
seats was so great that the whole of the space generally occupied by
the orchestra and half of the pit were converted into stalls. The
programme consisted of Retained for the Defence^ played by members
of the Savage Club. Lionel Brough, Pawkins; Leicester Buckingham,
Whitewash ; W. H. Prowse, Thwaites ; H. J. Byron, Fergusson.
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EDWARD LBMAN BLANCHARD, 279
£3 5«., and Fmi &\ 158. To Olympic : Neville's benefit
Augusta Wilton made her d^but in this. Arthur Sketchley gave Mrs.
Bvoion at the Play, Webster appeared in One Touch of Nature ; J. L.
Toole and Paul Bedford in a scene from The Green Bushes ; Creswick
in a scene from Hamlet. The Strand company in the farce of My
^ Preserver; and Widdicombe and J. G. Shore in the farce of Th^ Two
p^\^ "^ Pofits, During the evening Miss Patty Oliver delivered the following
address written by £. L. B : —
*' Ere yet more pleaders in this cause appear,
I, for a moment, ask a listening ear.
As one who often held that Actor's hand,
Who sent the roar of laughter through the Strand ;
And watched the kindling of the light of mirth
From eyes that now have looked their last on earth ;
I, too, — a sister of the art — would crave
Your leaves to throw a wreath upon his grave.
" You have heard — some know — the story of his life,
That brief existence with afQictions rife ;
How to the last he struggled with the foe,
Whose shadow darker nightly seemed to grow ; —
Still smiling through his sufferings, and though wrung
By quivering pain, a jest still on his tongue.
He had cause indeed to wish the play had power
To * ease the anguish of the torturing hour.'
Shall it be said, the man who bravely fought
Life's battle out, no noble lesson taught ?
No I 'twas a hero's sermon for the age.
Preached from the Players' pulpit of the Stage.
" This fortitude in bearing sorrows shown
Enabled others to forget their own ;
How many a care he banished from their mind.
How many hearts he gladdened, left behind ;
He from the saddest laughter could beguile.
The dullest left his presence with a smile.
Though broad Burlesque his later path attended,
To gross extravagance he ne'er descended —
The proper range of humour well he knew.
Kept strict decorum constantly in view.
Quaint and original in each design,
The truthful artist filled up every line.
** You have felt, like us, 'twere idle tears to shed,
^ To help the living is to mourn the dead ;
Those whom he laboured for demand our care,
In our remembrance of to-night they share.
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28o EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
— Claude Melnotte ;* write notice." 25^A. — Take Walter to pay
his first deposit into savings bank, 10s. Record death of
General Stonewall Jackson — a heavy Confederate loss, and
deeply to be regretted. 27^/t. — Hear of Swanborough's*
sudden death ; Strand Theatre closed. Go to Olympic : see
first night of clever piece by Tom Taylor called The, Ticket-
of -Leave Man ; ^ goes off" well, and admirably acted. 29^/6. —
Era copy £3, and Fun £2. Daily Telegraph £2 2«., and
arrange to begin regularly ; complimented by Mr. Levy on
the past. Go to Cremome with Belford and see my piece
Bridal of Beauty, and receive for balance £15."
^^ June ^ih, — Night to Haymarket: slow fiirce, Urducky
Mortal. 6iJi. — From Daily Telegraphy for first week on
staff, £3 38. Sth. — Dear mother's birthday, aged seventy-
nine. Attend Princess's,* Adelphi, and Strand, writing notices
afterwards of each. 11^. — To Haymarket, and see indifferent
If we cannot recall the one so gifted
To raise our spirits, tJieirs can be uplifted ;
Your presence here will give those hearts relief,
Your sympathy assuage their bitter grief.
For service to a woman thus bereaved
From woman's lips be gratitude received.
So take for one missed sadly from our ranks
The Actors' tribute, and the Widow's thanks."
The benefit realized £350.
^ Henry Neville was much admired as Claude Melnotte ; Pauline,
Kate Saville ; the bmdficiaMs father, General Damas ; Mrs. Stephens,
Madame Deschappelles ; Mrs. Leigh Murray, Widow Melnotte.
* H. V. Swanborough, sen., who committed suicide while suffering
from mental depression.
3 It was in this tliat Henry Neville was the original and best Bob
Brierly that has been seen, frequently as it has been acted by others.
Atkins, James Dalton; G. Vincent, Melter Moss; Kate Saville, May
Edwards ; Horace Wigan, Hiiwkshaw the detective ; Maclean, Mr.
Gibson; Fanny Hughes, Emily St. Evremond; R. Soutar, Green Jones;
Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Willoughby ; Miss Baynham, Sam Willoughby ;
Harwood Cooper, Maltby. [The play was adapted by Tom Taylor,
from a French play by Brisbarre, called Leonard, — C. S.]
* At the Piincess's, Court and Camj), an adaptation by G. Roberts of
Lea Premiers A mours. At the Adelphi The Willow Copse was revived ;
J. L. Toole, Augustus de Rosherville. At the Strand Aladdin was
revived ; Miss Jenny White made her first appearance in London in it.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 281
adaptation by Burnand and Williams called Easy Shaving,
18^.— Hear from C. C. B. from Otago, dated April 18th. To
Princess's and see Walter Montgomery make his first appear-
ance in London as Othello : ^ not at all striking. 24^. —
Princess's, seeing Mademoiselle Stella Colas^ make' a London
dcbvi as Juliet — decided success. 26th. — From Lindus,
Princess's pantomime, £10 on account. To St. James's
Hall : the first and only reading of the Keans, prior to their
departure for Australia.^ Meet dear friends Kent, father and
son."
^^ July \sL — Licensed Victuallers* School Dinner at
Cremome ; hear my address indiflferently spoken by the
boys. Write introduction, etc., for paper. See mediocre
comedy drama by John Brougham, While there's Life there^s
Hapej produced at the Strand. 10^. — To Adelphi ; see
Haunted Man and burlesque of II Trovaiore; Toole in
both excellent. 11^.— Record death of Distin.* 16^.— To
Strand, seeing new burlesque of the motto, / am * AU there,'
by Byron ; very good."
^^ Aug. lat. — Dine at Anerley with Telegraph people
(eighth anniversary) ; Edward Levy in chair; 115 present ;
back by eleven in waggonette, having proposed chairman's
health and sung ' Honourable Ted.' lih. — Appalled by
intelligence about the Globe Printing Company, which
' EUen Terry was the Desdemona ; Henry Marston, lago ; Miss
Atkinson, Emilia ; C. Yemer, Cassio : Robert Rozby, Roderigo.
' Stella Colas came from the Th^tre Fran^ais, and had made her
name in St. Petersburg as well. She played with comparatively little
French accent, and she had all the advantages of youth, a pretty, ex-
pressive face, graceful figure, and a very rich voice. She had studied
under Ryder. Whether in the balcony or the tragic scenes, she was
equally graceful Walter Montgomery was the Romeo ; George Yining,
Mercutio.
' This was in aid of the Shakespeare Fund, which was established in
1861 for the purchase of various interesting relics relating to Shake-
speare at Stratford-on-Avon. The Keans read scenes from King John;
Charles Kean recited the ** Execution of Montrose" and Macaulay^s
" Horatius Codes," and Mrs. Charles Kean, Hood's ** Bridge of Sighs."
* John Distin, sen., died July 8th, aged sixty-nine. Was a celebrated
comet player, and also manufacturer of brass instruments.
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282 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
quite upsets me. Vlih. — Go to Strand to see farce
by T. J. Williams, called Twm Him Out; practical fun.
22nd. — Go to Princess's ; the theatre opens to Walter
Montgomery's Shylock in Merchant of Venice; his man-
agement not good. 24ith. — Go to Adelphi ; Mrs. Stirling's
return in new drama of Hen and Chickens. Slat. — To
Olympic ; first appearance here of Miss Lydia Foote * (real
name Legge), niece of Mrs. Keeley ; and to New Royalty
opening, under Mrs. Selby's management ; a French adapta-
tion of one of Selby's singularly bad farces." *
^^ Sept. 4:th. — Seeing Wright. Sadlers Wells reopens for
winter season, under Miss Marriott's management, with
Love's Sacrifice ; very fairly played. Monday, 1th. — Go to
Olympic; Tom Taylors AwfuL Rise in SjpirUs; an ex-
ceedingly bad piece, that elsewhere would have been hooted.
lO^A. — Settle with Greenwood about pantomime for Prin-
cess's. F'ind a letter from Nelson Lee, requesting an address
for his opening at City. — \2th — Woodin and his wife come
about entertainment. To Drury ; opening of season ; new
comedy, Nature^s above Art;^ very foggy and feeble.
Monday, \Uh. — To Adelphi and Surrey; new comedian
(Wood) — not great — at former, and (Wallace)* The Scottish
Chief, a repolished play, at latter. 2l8t. — Go to see new
piece at Strand by Bridgeman, called Where's your Wife ? the
* She appeared as May Edwards in the Ticket-of- Leave Man and
made a great suocess. She had previously appeared at Sadlers Well8
and the Victoria.
' This was a piece called Cox^rt Gallants, There was also a ballet
divertissement in which Rosina Wright danced well, and concluded with
a burletta called The Pirates of Putney, In this Jenny Wilmore and
Ada Cavendish made their <Uhuts in London. The company was
composed of a number of new people, and was spoken of as a nursery
for promising talent.
' Or, A Romance of the Nursery ; a three-act comedy by E. Falconer.
The theatre was re-opened under his management in conjunction with
F. B. Chatterton. The company included Ryder, G. Belmore, Walter
Lacy, Addison, Miss Murray, Rose Leclercq, Charlotte Saunders, Mrs.
E. Falconer, Barrett, F. Charles, and Eate Harfleur.
* This was phiyed by Anderson with Fernandez as Douglass, and
on the same evening Thomas Thome appeared as Peter Spyke with
Miss Esther Jacobs as Gertrude in A Loan of a Lover,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 283
re-opening of the Haymarket — much improved ; * then new
drama at Drury by Bumand — The Deal Boatman? 25th. —
Greenwood, arranging pantomime ; then Dykwynkyn ; then
Woodin and worry — so the morning goes. To Adelphi;
Webster's annual benefit ; Masks and Faces ; Mrs. Stirling
playing admirably. 2Sth. — At Princess's; and see new
burlesque at New Royalty, by Bumand, called lodon? Have
to look in at Haymarket besides."
" Oct. 1st. — To Adelphi ; Miss Bateman * as Leah ; house
crowded. Find the child has grown up a fine young woman.
27id. — Go to Marylebone Theatre, meeting Sefton Parry.
See there The Ohost, without glass illusion. Srd. — Dine at
Arundel. Look in at City of London,* opening night of
season; hear my address fairly spoken, and see a bit of
Peep of Dayy and hosts of people. 5th. — Woke at 3 a.m. by
a shock of earthquake, which was felt all through England.
9ih. — Strand in evening; new piece; good: H. T. Craven's
Miriam's Grvrrie. 12ih. — Opening of Eoyal English Opera ;
Wallace's Desert Flower ; a very mild afiair, but well received.
2Uh. — To Haymarket. Charles Mathews's reappearance, in
Cool as a Cucumber ; after Parisian triumphs plays admirably,
and looks wonderfully fresh. 31s^ — To Lyceum. First
night of Fechter's second season ; Bel Demonio.^ "
^ Re-opened with Charles XII. ; The Bengal Tiger; and Founded on
Facts.
' This was spoken of as creditable to Mr. Bumand, it being his first
attempt at serious dramatic composition. George Belmore excellent as
Jacob Vance, a Robsonian character ; Rose Leclercq, Mary Vance.
^ Or, The Man at the Wheel. Jenny Wilmore in the title r6le.
Ada Cavendish, Venus ; David James, Mercury ; Joseph Robins,
Ganymede ; FeUx Rogers, Minerva. It was a great success.
^ This was the elder of the Bateman children who had made a
sensation as child-actors here. Miss Bateman had returned to America
and there gained experience. Her performance of Leah was univers-
ally considered great. Her delivery of the curse was actually blood-
curdling.
* It was opened by Nelson Lee. J. F. Young spoke the address.
^ Fechter had introduced fresh mechanical appliances to the stage,
and some patented improvements, and generally bettered the arrange-
ments behind the footlights. Bel Demoiiio, a Love Stery was a new
version, by John Brougham, of the French drama L'Ahhaye de Castro^
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284 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
^^ Nov. 2nd. — To Drury; new fitrce by Oxenford, after
' Manfred ; ' Beaidy or the Beast ^ a wild adaptation of an
outrageous French farce, but goes oflF well. Uh. — The
Svriffing Ooat — a new piece at Haymarket — and BvU in
China Shop ; go, and find it exceedingly bad. 10^. — To
Sadlers Wells; Westland Marston's new play, Pure Oold;^
nicely written, but with few exceptions execrably acted.
ISth. — Write pantomime for Princess's, Old Woman who
lived in a Shoe; or, Harlequin Tom Tucker, l^th. — Evening,
Haymarket; translation by Leicester Buckingham SUken
Fetters ; ' success moderate. Monday, 16th. — Surrey, Oarne
of Life ; or. Swallows of Pa/ris. Hear from New Zealand.
25th. — Hear of the death of Robson, ' the old playgoer.' *
Then to Strand ; burlesque by Bumand, Portient Penelope ;
or, The Return of Ulysses;^ short, but a success."
" Dec. 4:th. — Bead pantomime to Falconer, Chatterton, and
which had already been dramatized under the title of Tlie Broken Vow,
and was played at the Olympic Feb. 17th, 1851. Fechter played Angelo ;
Mw8 Kate Terry, Lena ; G. Jordan, Count Camperesdi ; Emery,
Ranuccio ; F. Charles, Fabio ; Miss Elsworthy, the Countess. Bel
Demonio was preceded by UTicle Baby, a comedietta by W. Gilbert,
in which H. Widdicomb, Carlotta and P. Leclercq, J. G. Shore, and
F. Charles appeared.
^ Taken from Ma Nikce et Mon Ours.
• Henry Marston, Frank Rochf ord ; Miss Mandlebert, Mrs, Bochf ord ;
Mrs. Buckingham White, Miss Fortescue ; Edmund Phelps, Sir Gerard
Fane ; Miss Marriott, Evelyn.
' This was taken from Scribe's La Chains played at the The4tre
Fran9ai8 in 1841, and also had been previously done at the Adelphi in
1842, under the title of The Breach of Promise of Marriage, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Mathews, W. Farren, Howe, Maria Harris, and
Chippendale were in the cast. Maria Harris had been playing very
charmingly in this as Clara Hazelton, and in the title rdh of T. J.
Williams's comedietta Little Daisy,
* He obtained this sobriqit^t from having written an interesting book
called **The Old Playgoer" in which he stood up for the Kemble
school of acting. He was originally a schoolmaster, and wrote several
educational works, and also contributed to periodical literature. His
great companion was Mr. Caulfield, the author of *^ Wonderful and
Eccentric Characters.*'
^ Suggested by Le Retour (V Vlysse. Eurymachus, Maria Simpson ;
Medron, Charles Fenton ; Penelope, Ada Swanborough ; TJlyssee,
G. Honey.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 285
Roxby, of Sindhad the Sailor} All seem satisfied. 15^. —
From E. T. S. on account £20, for Chaucer; or, John of
Oavmt. 28<A. — Good notices in all the papers. 29th. —
Write to my old friend Kent, now proprietor of the Snn
newspaper, giving him my annual New Year's greetings.
Z\st. — Write column for Era^ then a host of New Year
congratulations to everybody. Then a sad hour of solus
meditation, recalling the memories of the few, very few
pleasures I have had in my life, and reading old articles of
the season I wrote in Ch/cmbers* London Journal twenty
years ago. Thus see out the Old Year, which, bringing me
a larger income than yet recorded, has brought me more
work to earn it and more to support out of it. But for the
health therein enjoyed, and for the fortitude that has
enabled me to bear up against troubles almost unparalleled,
I here give the Great Ruler over our destinies heartfelt
thanks."
Estimated revenue for year JE370 18^.
1864.
" Friday, Jan. 1st. — Go to Astley's with Clement Scott ;
opening fair, but not carried out.* To Daily Tdegraph for
arrears, £6 68., when proposition is made for permanent
engagement on leader staff, — to consider. Sth. — The Princess
of Wales has a son at 9 p.m. Era, £1 5$., and Lindus,
' Sindbad the Sailor; or, The Great Roc of the Diamond Valley ^ and
the Seven Wonders of the World. Young England, Miss Rose Leclercq ;
Ali Ben Rnmfiz, Tom Matthews ; EPEb-Nee, Mr. Fitz James; Sindbad,
Lizzie Wilmore. Clowns, Harry Boleno and G. Lanri ; pantaloons,
J. Morris and Mr. Barnes ; harlequins, Cormack and SaviUe ; colum-
bines, Madame Boleno and the Misses Gunniss. In the opening, the
scenery of which was painted by W. Beverley, there were no less than
nine magnificent tableaux, and in the harlequinade, so different to
modem pantomime, there were nine different scenes, winding up with
another grand tableaux.
' Ilarlequm and Friar Bacon ; or, Oreai Orim John of Qauni and the
Enchanted Lance of Robin Goodfellow, by " Fi*ancisoo Frost."— E. L. B.
Oberon, Miss Nisbett; Chaucer, Miss Craven ; Harlequin, W. Driver;
Columbine, Miss Newham ; Harlequina, Miss Nelly Davis ; Pantaloon,
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286 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
balance of pantomime, £16; Daily Telegraphy £3 3^., and
Fvun oflBce, £1. Meet T. W. Robertson, — his birthday, thirty-
five, — and afterwards read his graphic theatrical sketches.*
Go to Drury, and see a dreary piece, three acts, by Falconer,
called Night and Morning ; very bad, — say so.^ Monday ^
Wth. — Second deposit in Westminster Bank of £50. Attend
St. James's ; appearance of Charles Mathews in Love Letter}
To Strand, and see bad farce of Margate Sands.* 22nd, —
From Greenwood, £50. Go to Doughty Street, and meet
Mr. and Mrs. Byron, Price, Mr. and Miss Levy, etc.* Most
agreeably entertained ; an evening to be remembered, 26th.
— During a walk to Gad's Hill meet Charles Dickens on my
way, pedestrianizing like myself, and mutual recognitions."
" Feb, Ist. — At night to the Strand : new comedietta of
Unlimited Confidence ; very good.° Uh. — To Egyptian Hall ;
see Arthur Sketchley make his appearance in Paris, which
Stilt ; Clown, Edwin Edwards, well known on the Continent and at
Olympic, some years previously. Music arranged by TuUy. [I was
appointed dramatic critic to the Suivday Times on July 20th, 1863.
This was one of my first professional visits to the play with E. L. B. —
tJ. S.]
^ Probably on the Illustrated Times. — C. S.
« No similarity to Bulwer Lytton's novel. Julian di Vivaldi, Phelps ;
Princess Olympia, Miss Heath (afterwards Mrs. Wilson Barrett) ;
Ninetta, Miss Murray (afterwards Mrs. Samuel Brandram) ; Santoni,
a monk, John Byder ; Duchess of Ferrara, Miss Atkinson ; scene laid
i n Italy. Phelps poor in his part.
* Adventures of a Love Letter. Charles Mathews's adaptation of
Sardou*s Pattes de Mouche, was done at Drury Lane in 1860, by Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Mathews, as Major Blunt and Catherine Bright ;
Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr. Wagstaffe ; Misses Fanny Josephs, Emma
Waterpark and Cottrell, H. J. Montague, Arthur Clinton and J. John-
stone also in the cast.
* By W. Hancock. Adolphus Pilkington, Belford ; Carnation
Curleycrop, A. Wood — plot turns on exchange of clothes after bath-
ing ; better done by George Wild and James Rogers in James
6ru^ton*s farce, Bathing ^ at the Olympic twenty years before. The
same idea occurs in the modem French play, Niniche,
* [The Levys, Byrons, and Yateses, all lived in Doughty Street. — C. S.]
® By A. C. Troughton. Miss Jefferson, Miss L. Thome ; Florence,
Marie Wilton (excellent as a reputed young widow) ; Lieut. Hilliard,
Parselle ; Col. Dacres, Belford.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 287
is likely to be popular.* lliA. — Hear of Sothern's accident —
thrown from horse — and write paragraph for Era about it,
very sorrowfully.^ 15^A. — To Princess's: new comedy by Watts
Phillips, called PauCs Retuim, which is a success.'* To Surrey ;
see drama called Ashore cmd Afloat^ with very strong effects.*
From Drury, second cheque of £25. Go to Polygraphic Hall
and see Grace Egerton (Mrs. Case).^ 25^A.*^ — Go to Eoyalty,
and delighted with Theresa Furtado, representative of Ixion ; ^
then look in at Her Majesty's, and see the last act of Faust
in English.® 27^A. — To Princess's, and see the brothers Henry
and Charles Webb appear as the two Dromios in Comedy of
Errors : a decided success."
" Monday, March 7th. — Go to Drury : fresh bill, Manfred
revived, and The Alabama, by J. M. Morton, altered from his
1 This was a sketch of an excursion to Paris, in which the Griggs's
and Mrs. Brown are prominent. The panoramic illustrations by
Matthew Morgan, hitherto only known ait a designer of cartoons, were
specially commended.
* Sothern would ride all sorts of horses ; this accident happened on
the 9th in Hyde Park — he injured his shoulder very much. The
Haymarket was closed that night in consequence of his being unable
to appear.
' Richard Goldsworthy, George Vining ; Abel Honeydew, David
Fisher ; Beatrice Goldsworthy, Elate Saville ; Lieut. Herbert, H.
Forester ; a domestic comedy.
^ The effects were a sea-fight, and the descent into a mine. Hal
Oakford, Shepherd ; Newton Barnard, J. Fernandez ; Buth Ringrose,
Miss G. Pauncefort ; Abel Bingrose, C. Foster ; Joshua Boynton,
J. W. Ray (first appearance here) ; Algerine Pirate, C. Butler.
[Thomas Thome highly spoken of for his humour in a mariner's
part. He chaffed " Dick Shepherd " dreadfully throughout the play,
but got all the laughs. — C. S.]
* She appeared in two sketches entitled A Drawing-room Floor ^ and
The Wizard of the East, and assumed a number of characters, male
and female.
« On this date Ellen Alice Terry (Miss Ellen Terry) married G. F.
Watts, the celebrated R.A.
^ Buniand's burlesque, Ixion ; or. The Man at the Wheels had reached
its 130th performance.
* Santley, Mephistopheles ; Lyall, Valentine ; Swift, Faust (Sims
Reeves indisposed) ; Mdme. Lemmens-Sherington, Margaret ; Florence
Lancia, Siebel ; Mdme. Jaccani, Martha ; Dussek, Wagner.
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288 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
own farce, The Spitfire} Sih. — A visit from Toole, who sings for
the first time in London my old song of ' A Norrible Tale/
in farce of Area Belle, last night : a success 11th ! * 2l8t, —
Look in at Adelphi: Webster in Dead Heart; then to
Montgomery's readings at St. James' Hall.' To Woodin's : his
first night of ElopeToeTU Eostra^ordinary* and Bachelor's Box:^
a decided success — the best thing he has yet done. 24th. —
Theatrical Fund Dinner, nineteenth anniversary; hear Miss
Poole sing * Wapping Old Stairs' again : a great treat.® 2Sth
— To Drury, and see the revival of Henry IV, (first part) ;
Phelps good as FalstaflF, but, beyond the rush of supers at
the end, not very expensively produced. 29th. — To Hay-
market ; see Bumand's new burlesque of Ventis aiid Adonis :
cleverly written, but ineflfective in representation." ^
> The caste was the same as already seen at the theatre, inclading
Phelps, Poole, Ryder, Misses Cicely Nott, Rose Leclercq, Heath, etc.
Percy Boselle appeared in The Four Mowhrays^ in which he played
four characters and sang some songs. This play was seen at the
Adelphi in 1831, under the title of Young and Old. Miss Poole, as a
-child, made a hit in a similar character to that little Boselle now played.
In Alabama Lydia Thompson played Phoebe ; G. Belmore, Christo-
pher Clipper. The Spitfire was originally played at the English Opera
House, September, 1837. Miss P. Horton as Phoebe.
' After a long illness at Blandford, in Dorsetshire, surrounded by
his wife and family, on Friday, March 11th, 18G4, died Sam Cowell, a
descendant of the Siddons and Kemble families. Began life as a singer
and member of Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. Then joined Adelphi and
Princess's, sang with Sims Reeves under Bunn*s management at Covent
Garden, and before Her Majesty at Windsor. Gave concerts in the
United Kingdom. He bore the reputation of being the originator of
Music Halls, and certainly first drew attention to the Canterbury,
where he was a great favourite. He was afterwards, for a long time,
at Evans's, where he made large sums. He had been a bankrupt, and
died in distress, leaving his family totally unprovided for.
^ Walter Montgomery, the actor, gave selections from Shakespeare,
Hood, Tennyson, Macaulay, and the " Ingoldsby Legends."
* By John Oxenf ord.
* By Tom W. Robertson.
' Shirley Brooks in the chair. Buckstone spoke for the General
Theatrical Fund ; Mark Lemon for the Drama and Dramatic Litera-
ture. B. .Webster proposed chairman's health.
^ Miss Snowden, Jupiter ; Coe, Pluto ; H. Compton, Ynlcan ; W-
Farren, Mercury; Caroline Hill, Apollo; Fanny Wright, Bacchus;
Henrietta Lindley, Proserpine; Clark, Ate; Nelly Moore (from
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 289
" A'pril \Bi. — Write obituary account of my respected firiend
George Daniel, who died on Wednesday, aged seventy-four,
whose memoir I never expected to write.* MoTiday^ 4ih. —
This day dies the veteran T. P. Cooke, aged seventy-eight.^
Garibaldi at Southampton ; great reception and excitement.
8^. — Write memoir of T. P. Cooke, and hear afterwards of
the death of Charles James, the bright scenic artist, and my
friend : delighted to hear this is a false report. 9th. — Find
myself booked for the Garibaldi business for the D. T. llth.
Theatre Boyal, Manchester, and from St. James's), Venus ; Louise
Keeley, Adonis ; iwfnct Rogers (from Strand), Aurora. Oscar Byrne
arranged a wonderful sabot and other ballets for it. Miss Snowden
afterwards became Mrs. Chippendale.
* George Daniel, the Director-General of Cumberland's British
Theatre^ was bom in London, September 16th, 1789, and died at his
son's house, The Grove, Stoke Newington, Mardi30th, 1864. As early
as the year 1805 he published '* Stanzas on Lord Nelson's Victory and
Death." Li 1812 endeavours were made to suppress his " Royal Stripes ;
or, A Kick from Yarmouth to Wales," it being very telling against the
Prince Regent, and £10 was offered for a single copy. He was the
author of several works — ^a three- volume novel, " The Adventures of
Dick Distich*' (written before he was eighteen). His burlesque.
Doctor Bolus, was produced at the Lyceum in 1818 ; his musical farce;
The Disagreeable Surprise, Drury Lane, 1819 ; and Sworn at HighgaUy
in 1833. He became editor of Cumberland's Minor and British
Theatre in 1825, and edited the entire sixty-four volumes. He con-
tributed largely to magazines. Used for years to dine at the Sir Hugh
Myddelton, and was a prominent member of the Urban Club.
' Thomas Potter Cooke was the son of a surgeon, and bom in Titchfield
Street, Marylebone, April 23rd, 1786. Joined the Royal Navy in
H.M.S. Raven, in 1796 ; was a sharer in Earl St. Vincent's victory ; was
wrecked off Cuxhaven, and afterwards joined The Prince of Wales.
He left the navy after the Peace of Amiens, and joined the dramatic
profession in January 1804, at the Royalty Theatre, and subsequently
was a member of Astley's, the Lyceum (under Laurent, the clown) ;
and then went to Dublin. In 1809 he was at the Surrey, and made
his first appearance at Drury Lane, October 19th, 1816, as Diego in
The Watchword; or, The Quito Gate; went to Covent Garden, October
1822. He first played Long Tom Coffin in The Pilot, at the Adelphi,
October 1826, and William in Black-eyed Susan, June 6th, 1829.
His last appearance was on March 29th, 1860, as William, at Covent
Garden, for the Dramatic College Benefit. His most celebrated
characters he acted the following number of times :— William, 786 ;
Long Tom Coffin, 662 ; the Monster in Frankenstein and the Vampire
(this character he also played in 1826, at the Porte St. Martin,
19
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290 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
— Up early, and off to Nine Elms, in carriage arranged for by
Maedermott of the Mommg Post, to write the triumphant
entry of Garibaldi into London : Woods, Times ; Murphy,
Daily News. Narrow escape on retum,^ — post-chaise upset,
and self scarred and shaken. Five hours on the road from
Vauxhall to Stafford House, amidst millions of people the
whole way: emphatically the greatest sight ever wit-
nessed. Write notice with difficulty at office; not in bed
till the morning. 12th. — Find myself severely strained
and sprained ; receive a flattering recognition oiF the satis-
factory result from the Daily Telegraph. Go to Drury after,
and see a bad farce called An April Fool} 2\8t. — The
Stratford Festival ; off by 4.30 train, reach Stratford at 9.
Rest at Eed Horse, in next room to that of Washington
Irving. Stroll to the Pavilion — magnificent building. Meet
John O'Connor, of Haymarket, and Alfred Mellon. 22nd. —
Dine with Mr. Flower, the mayor,— very hospitably treated ;
then to Pavilion, write despatch for town ; then home to Red
Horse. 23rd. — The Tercentenary Festival begins. Banquet
at Pavilion ; meet Edward Ledger with Massey ; stop to see
fireworks, which are very bad. Parkinson of Daily News^
Macdermottof Po8^,Williamsof /SCaTwZarcZ. See Shakespeare's
house, meet Halliday, and general reunion. Write copy and
send off parcel by train. Monday, 26tk. — In for a busy week ;
Messiah in morning, concert at night. 2^th. — Off to Charle-
cote ; see the old hall of the Lucys', and its park and pictures ;
send off a column about it, and then to see Twelfth Night at
Pavilion.*^ 2'7th. — Send copy for Daily Telegraph ; then to
Paris), 366 ; Roderick Dhu, 250 ; Aubrey {Dog of Montargis), 250 ;
Vanderdecken, 165; the Red Rover, 120; Poor Jack, 140; Luke,
the Labourer, 181 ; My Poll and My Partner Joe, 269. He was the j
best representative of the British sailor ever seen on the stage ; was a !
noble, kind-hearted man, and had the interest of the dramatic pro-
fession sincerely at heart. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery.
^By Brough and Halliday. Lydia Thompson, Robert Roxby,
G. Belmore, and G. Weston in the cast.
' Tuodfth Night was done by the members of the Haymarket com- !
pany. Louisa Angel, Viola ; Henrietta Lindley, Olivia ; My Autit's '
Advice — Sothern's version of "Pierron and Laferriere" (Livre II., j
Chapitre iii.) — followed : Sothern as Captain Howard Leslie. In |
Comedy of Errors H. and C. Webb were the two Dromios, and
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 291
Pavilion : Comedy of Errora and Romeo and Jvliet. Back
to Red Horse; a strange tramp, Patrick O'Keith, — songs
from Lover, and songs and recitations very good ; give him
a line or two in Daily Telegraph afterwards, and hope to
make him a subject for a special article. 28^^. — To Pavilion,
and Ad Yait Like It} Take chair at our final supper to the
Stratfordians. Oflf to town, going up with Compton, Gruneison,
Robert Keeley. Go to Strand Theatre for Byron's burlesque
of Mazoiirka? Write Stratford copy at office ; to Era^ and
do ditto. 30^^. — Daily Telegirtph^ two weeks, £6 68. In
evening to Haymarket: new three-act piece called David
Oarricky by T. W. Robertson, from the French ; goes off well.'
Stratford expenses paid, £10."
^^ May 2nd. — To St. James's: Silver Lining, and revived
farce, Out of Sight out of Mind ; see Mathews playing Mr.
Gatherwool. \lth. — To St. James's: new comedy called The
Fox Ghase,^ by Boucicault, which proves to be a five-act farce,
— diverting, but decidedly not an * original ' comedy. 13^^.
Am sorry to record the death of William Searle, an excellent
actor, who twenty-two years ago played admirably in my Road
of Life and Pork Chops. ^ \6th. — Go to Strand ; new piece,
J. Nelson and Yining the Antipholi ; in Romeo and Juliet Stella
Colas, Juliet; J. Nelson, Borneo.
* Mrs. Charles Yonng, Rosalind ; Charlotte Saunders, Audrey ;
Creswick, Jaques ; W. Farren, Orlando ; Chippendale, Adam.
* Mazourka ; or, The Stick, the Pole^ and the Tartar, taken from Le
Diable d Quatre. Maria Simpson, Mazourki ; Marie Wilton, Mazourka ;
Eliza Johnstone, Count Tiddlewinki ; George Honey, the Countess ;
David James, Turner, and C. Fenton also in the cast.
' The original cast was David Garrick, Sothern (in this he made
his greatest success next to Dundreary) ; Simon Ingot, Chippendale ;
Ada Ingot, Nelly Moore; Squire Chevy, Buckstone; Mrs. Smith.
Mrs. Chippendale; Araminta Brown, Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. Rogers
and Clarke were also in the cast.
* The idea was taken from the French Sullivan, Charles Mathews
and Frank Matthews appeared in it.
* William Searle, bom January 1816, first appeared at the Surrey
under Osbaldiston ; from thence went to the Adelphi, and then joined
the York and Norwich circuits. Made his first hit in London at the
Strand, as Bats in Douglas Jerrold's Perils of Pippins. He then went
to the Olympic, where he remained till 1844, and subsequently became
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292 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
MaM of Honour, by J. P. Wooller : slight, but successful.
Then to Olympic ; Tom Taylor's " morality," Sense arid Sen-
sation : very dreary.* 1*1 th. — At night to Princess's ; Dominic
Murray, an Australian actor, in Bom to Good Luck : fair, but
nothing particular.* ISth. — Go soljis to Cremome ; find it
dreary enough by one's self, but pleased with entertainment.
See E. T. S., and from him receive £10, which I accept as
payment in full for Astley's pantomime, as he has had severe
losses this year. 20th,— Era, £2, DaUy Telegraph, £3 3«. ;
then to Freemasons' Tavern ; Newspaper Press Dinner, in-
augural festival ; Lord Houghton in chair ; meet hosts of
Press people I know. OfiF at 8 o'clock to Lyceum to see
Fechter's Hamlet ; ' not over till past midnight ; then write
notice for Era. 25th. — Derby Day fine, and Blair Athol wins.
Go down in landau with Gilbert, Howe, Church, King, and
Montgomery; first time by the road, about which I have
written for more than twenty years (!). Very fatiguing day's
work ; back by rail at 6, and at 9 get to Telegraph, where
work till 2.30, getting about two columns done."
" Juns Ist — In Era record with a sad heart the death of
my old friend Phil Phillips.* Sth. — Mother's birthday ; after
clearing up papers, go to Kensington, and celebrate her
stage-manager of the City of London and Astley's Theatres. Waa an
admirable " character " actor.
* Or, The Seven Sisters of TJiule. It was a peculiar production, in
which the seven cardinal virtues were supposed to combat the seyen
vices. It had a very strong cast, and C. Coghlan and Rignold made
their first appearance in this theatre in it.
* He played Waverley Brown, and the next night Taddy O'Rafferty
in Bmm to Good Luck.
' Kate Terry was the Ophelia ; Miss Elsworthy, Queen Gertrude ;
Miss M. Henrade, the Actress ; G. Jordan, the Ghost ; G. F. Neville,
Laertes ; H. W. Widdicombe, First Gravedigger ; Emery, Claudius.
The scenery was magnificent.
^ He died May 29th, 1864, aged sixty- two. Studied contemporarily
with Clarkson Stanfield, and painted dioramas for the Surrey, when
Davidge was manager. In 1839 he built and opened the Bower Saloon,
in the grounds of the Duke's Arms Tavern, Stangate Street, West-
minster, which he had purchased, for musical and pictorial entertain-
ments ; but they did not succeed. He subsequently became scenic artast
to the Lyceum, Haymarket, and Adelphi Theatres. He accompanied
the Queen to Ireland in 1849, and under Her Majesty's patronage took
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 293
attainment of an eightieth birthday by taking her (and
Mrs. and Miss Hall) to Cremome. M<mday^ \Zth. — Pay
Church my share (£Z 8«.) of Derby Day expenses. Hay-
market, new farce, Lord Dv/nd/reary Married and Done
for : very slight affair ; * Adelphi, Dead Heart ; revival same
cast. 19^. — Off to attend dinner of Dramatic Authors'
Society at Gravesend (Ship) ; John Oxenford in chair,
grouped with Stone, Buckingham, Webster, Wigan and
Walter Gordon, Palgrave Simpson, Planch($, Bernard, Bur-
nand, Byron, etc. : a pleasant day. 20^A. — To Olympic ; see
revival of MaaanieUoj with Miss Raynham ^ as the hero, the
piece suggesting a host of painful memories. 25th. — Attend
piece by Oxenford from Casimir Delavigne, The Monastery
of St. Ju8t, at Princess's.'^ Have letter from Stage. To
Princess's; house crammed, and have to stand at back of
boxes; piece not over till 11.30. Then to chambers and
write notice. 28^. — Shocked this morning to see the sudden
death recorded of Washington Wilks, who died last night at
public meeting."
" JvZy 6th, — Buckstone's benefit at Haymarket, and last
night of the season. Go to see old comic opera of The Castle
of Andalusia, which goes off pretty well, but has a very old-
fashioned look. 7^.— With Draper stroll through Covent
Garden market, tasting bananas for first time, a vegetable
the "Chinese Gallery" at Hyde Park Comer, where he exhibited
a panorama illustrative of the Irish tour. Mr. Phillips married the
daughter of T. Bouse, of the Boyal Grecian, in 1837 ; she was also a
celebrated artist. Their pictures were hung at the Royal Academy
and other exhibitions. He was much esteemed.
* By H. J. Byron, and had been done at Liverpool in the beginning
of the year. My Lord is snubbed by every one of the characters except
Asa Trenchard, and most of the characters of the original reappear —
Abel Murcott as a reformed man.
* [Miss Baynham was a very remarkable impersonator of boys'
characters. Her Sam Willoughby, in llie Ticket-of- Leave Afan, was
unequalled. — C. S.]
'Produced in Paris in 1835 as Don Juan d'Auiriche; at Covent
Garden, April 23rd, 1836, as Don Juan of Austria, John Dale and
Helen Faucit principals. At Princess's Stella Colas doubled the parts
of Donna Florinda de Sandoval, and Peblo, a boy-novice ; G. Yining,
Philip II. ; Henry Marston, Charles V. ; John Nelson, Juan ; J. W. Bay,
Quexada ; Mrs. Henry Marston, the Duenna Dorothea.
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294 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
sausage tasting like marrow flavoured with pine-apple. 9^A.
— To Bwily Telegraph office, and thence for two weeks and
extras, £6 6s. In evening to St. James's : bad burlesque by
Bumand, Faust and Marguerite} IQth, — Fifth Dramatic
College Festival at Crystal Palace ; write account for Daily
Telegraph? 2Qth. — Look out materials for life of Mrs. Wood
(Miss Paton). Mother meets with serious fall, which keeps
her in bed."
^^ Monday y Aug, let, — To Princess's, where see Dion
Boucicault's drama (or adaptation) of Streets of London : not
brilliant.' 2nd. — Meet E. Ledger, and lose bet about T. P.
Cooke's legacy. 3rd. — Letter from Gus Harris about doing
Covent Garden pantomime. Smoke a solitary pipe at mid-
night, musing, and ' sitting on the carpet of circumstances,
wagging the beard of bewilderment.' &th, — Attend ninth
dinner of Daily Telegraph at Old Manor House (Toomer's)
in Green Lanes ; E. Levy in chair, Ellis vice : I give two
toasts. Back with Prowse, Wright, Dicey, and Shenton to
Doughty Street, where champagne supper winds up. Sth. — To
Adelphi : new farce by T. F. Williams, called My Wife's
Maid; a translation, but goes oflf well, thanks to Toole.*
1 Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mephistopheles and Marguerite,
the latter imitating Stella Colas and Miss Bateman in ^* the corse ; **
John Clarke, Martha ; Walton Chamberlayne, Wagner ; H. Ashley,
Faust ; H. J. Montague, Valentine. Wallerstein arranged the music,
Oscar Byrne the ballets.
* A fancy fair was held, with a Richardson's Show, a WombwelVs
Menagerie, and such-like afEairs. Toole and Paul Bedford had a
" Temple of Magic, '^ and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul a ^* Fan-tastic
Fan-like Fan-ny Edifice," in which they sold fans.
* Taken from Brissebarre and Nus* Les Pauvres de Paris, produced at
the Ambigu Comique in 1856 ; also adapted by Stirling Coyne for the
Surrey, as Fraud and its Victims, March 2nd, 1857 ; also by Benjamin
Bamett and J. B. Johnstone, as Prule and Poverty, at the Strand ; and
in America as The Poor of New York, by Dion Boucicault. G. Vining
was great as Badger ; Jonas Puffy, David Fisher ; Dan, Dominick
Murray ; Gideon Crawley, J. W. Ray ; Captain Fairweather, H.
Mellon ; Lucy Fairweather, Fanny Gwynne (first appeai-ance in
London) ; Paul Fairweather, H. Forrester. The sensation scenes were
the proposed suffocation by charcoal of Lucy and her brother, and the
house on fire, when real engine, etc., were introduced.
* Mrs. Mellon played Barbara Perkins ; and Paul Bedford, Tootles
Senior. Toole, Lysimachus Tootles.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 295
9iA. — ^Dine at Arundel, meeting Toole, and amused by his
legerdemain proclivities. Wih. — New farce at Adelphi, by
Brough and Halliday, called The Actor's Retreat, which is
very far from good.^ 12^A.— Hear of F. Robson's death
as having occurred late last night: write the memoir.*
13tk. — Interview with Committee Eoyal English Opera to
do pantomime, as Brothers Grinn, for £100; Harris to
have £20, and publishing rights to go with sale. 22nd,
— Grieved to hear of the death of my old associate James
Howe, who, had he lived till October 23rd, would have been
forty-four. Another gone of a group that I little thought
I should have outlived.* 27th. — Meet Greenwood by appoint-
ment at Covent Garden, and arrange pantomime scene with
Harris. Meet Toole, who tells me has renewed engagement
with Webster on advantageous terms — £30 per week and
two months' conge a-season.* 29^A.-^See new piece at Adelphi
(a translation, I believe, by Webster), called A Woman of
BtL8i7ie88 : Toole and Mrs. Stirling very good."*
* Toole ia supposed to have a horrible dream, in which old actors, etc.,
in their several parts, pass before him.
' Bom at Margate in 1821 ; was apprenticed to a copper-plate en-
graver, but chose the stage, and first appeared at the Amateur Theatre,
Catherine Street, as Simon Mealbag in Grace Huntley. He then went
to Whitstable, Uxbridge, etc., and then joined the Grecian in 1844,
and remained there five years; in 1850 he went to the Queen's Theatre,
Dublin, and stayed there, and at the other principal house, three years.
At Easter 1853 he succeeded Mr. Compton at the Olympic, where he
made his first appearance, March 28th, in Catching an Heiress. His Jem
Baggs, Macbeth, Shylock, Fouch^, Medea, Yellow Dwarf, will always
be spoken of as extraordinary performances. He was joint lessee with
W. S. Emden of the Olympic from 1857 to the time of his (Robson's)
death. He was, without doubt, the actor who could alternate extrava-
gance of farce with the most powerful tragedy, and be equally successful
in both. He had been ill for a considerable time before his death.
' This is the James Howe so often mentioned in the earUer pages of
E. L. B.'s diary. He was a first chorister at Westminster, and later at
the Temple, and was a good buffo singer; many of his songs he arranged
himself. E. L. B. was a kind friend to him.
* [This was considered, at the time, a marvellous salary. Actors not
nearly so popular now demand as much if not more. — C. S.]
* Toole, Simon Foxcraf t ; Billington, Mr. Hall ; Mrs. Stirling, Mrs.
Hall; Mrs. Billington, the Hon. Shrimpton Smallpiece; C. H. Stephen-
son, Wylie.
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296 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
^^ Sept 14:tL — Up for Toole's benefit at Adelphi: house
crammed. New piece, Stephen Digges, is admirable.^ Write
notice, and cab to office, but crowded out by press of matter.
16th, — Olympic closes under Emden's management, and with
farewell address in very bad taste. Ticket-of^Leave Man
performed to-morrow night for 407th time, this having been a
continuous run. nth. — Heavy thunder showers, in midst of
which otF to Surrey ; new four-part drama, A Fight with
Fate — not good piece, but ship on fire and earthquake efifects
striking.* ISth. — To Haymarket: opening night of season,
Castle of AndaJ/uaia.^ 2l8t. — OflF at 11 by special train to
Woking — Dramatic College picnic: very slow aiBFair, Toole
the life of the party. See Starmer, Frimley, Campbell,
H. Bedford, and Mrs. Rivers among the inmates ; the latter
formerly Miss Smith, who played Duke of York to Kean's
Richard at Drury.* 24:th. — Drury opens for season; first
part of Henry IV, ; look in.* Then to Adelphi : Webster's
benefit, and last night.** Write notices of all. 2Sth. — To
Strand, and see charming piece by Craven, called MUky
Whitey^ in which the author plays the hero admirably.
' Suggested by Balzac's Le Phre Ooriot to John Ozenford. In this
Toole played the name-part, and exhibited that pathos with humour
for which he is now so famous. Mrs. Alfred Mellon was excellent as
an old servant, Betsy.
' Fernandez, highly spoken of as Henry Martindale.
'Weiss, Compton, Chippendale, W. Farren, Buckstone, Louise
Keeley, and Nelly Moore were in the cast.
* [When the Dramatic College finally collapsed, all the remaining
pensioners were solaced with a fund started by Edward Ledger, Editor
of Tlie Era, who had protested from the outset against the worthless
scheme. — 0. S.]
^ Phelps, Falstaff ; Walter Montgomery, Hotspur; Henry Marston,
Henry IV. ; Helen Howard, Lady Percy ; H. Baymond, Bardolph.
8 Stephen Digges and Who's Your Friend .'—with Webster as Giles
Fairland, written for him, but originally played by Charles Mathews —
with Babes in the Wood, formed the bill.
' H. T. Craven wrote the piece for Robson, who was to play Daniel
(Milky) White, a saturnine, disagreeable, deaf man, who recovers his
hearing sufficiently to lead him to imagine that he has learnt that his
daughter is hoping for his death, and turns her out of doors. Ada
Swanborough played the daughter, Annie ; David James, Archibald
Goode (her lover) ; Stoyle, Dick Dugge ; Mrs. Manders, Mrs.
Suddrip.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 297
James Stoyle, a new comedian, makes his first appearance in
same drama/'
" Oct. \8t — Terrific explosion of the powder mills near
Belvidere at 7 this morning, startling London and the
country for miles round.* Srd. — Writing for Daily Telegraph
all day, and after dining go to Astley's — ^Ada L. Isaacs Menken*
as Mazeppa; then toHaymarket — new French actress;' then
to Adelphi — John Collins, Irish comedian,* good. Qth, — Attend
Dramatic Authors' Society : clear up for entire year, and give
receipt for £42 28. lOd. To St. James's : see Woodcock^ a Little
Game J stupid adaptation by M. Morton.* 8iA.— To Drury :
^ These were the Messrs. Hall's powder-mills at Low -wood, and those
of Messrs. Daye, Barker, & Co. ; 104,000 lbs. of powder exploded ; the
river embankment was blown up, and fatigue parties of soldiers were
employed to construct a fresh one. Panes of glass were broken in
Erith and Gravesend, and not one was left in Woolwich. The shock
was felt in London, and the report heard even as far off as Aylesbury.
Two barges were blown to pieces, several houses destroyed, and some
lives lost, while numerous people were injured. The loss to the mills
alone was £200,000.
' [This extraordinary and gifted woman was the wife of J. C. Heenan,
a prizefighter, who fought with Tom Sayers the memorable battle.
Her sympathetic and poetic talent was acknowledged by Charles
Dickens, Algernon Swinburne, and many others. — C. S.]
' Mdlle. Beatrice (Lucchedini), from the Od^n and Vaudeville, an
Italian, appeared in the title-rdZ^ in Fanny Kemble's English version
of Dumas's Mademoiselle de Belle Isle, originally played by Mdlle.
Mars at the Fran9ais. Other versions of the play are A Night in the
Bastillej played, December 1839, at Drury Lane. Mrs. Stirling, Gabrielle ;
Yining, Richelieu ; Elton, D'Aubigny. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean
produced A. B. Storr's version. The Duke's Wager, at the Princess's,
June 4th, 1851. The cast now was — the Due de Richelieu, Howe ;
Due d'Aumont, Walter Gordon; D'Auvray, Weathersby; D'Aubigny,
W. Farren ; Marchioness de Valcour, Louise Angel.
* John Collins was the original Paul Clifford, and had been well
known at the Covent Garden and Hay market Theatres; returned after
eighteen years' absence in America. He appeared as Sir Patrick
O'Plenipo in The Irish Ambassador, and Teddy Malowney in Teddy the
Tiler, and was highly successful in both.
* Taken from La Terre Promise, produced at the Vaudeville-Felix.
Principal character— Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mrs. Colonel Carver.
Charles Mathews, Woodcock ; Miss Went worth, Mrs. Larkins; Fanny
Hunt (first appearance here), Mrs. Woodcock; H. J. Montague, Chris-
topher Larkins ; J. Johnstone, Swansdown.
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298 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Oihdlo} Then to Sadlers Wells: new play by Buchanan,
called Tlie Witch Finder; success moderate.* 10th. — Go to
New Royalty, seeing an indifferent piece by John Brougham,
called The Demon Lover. Then look in at Adelphi : Rory
O'More.^ 15th. — Opening of Strand Music Hall (now the
Gaiety Theatre), and the New English Opera Company,
Limited, at Covent Garden, with Masanidlo. 11th. — At
night go to Drury : Helen Faucit's reappearance in
CyTobeline. Falconer's new farce, O'Flahertys, very bad :
the play well acted, but heavy.* ISth. — To Hanover Square
Kooms to see the Davenport Brothers:^ a very puzzling per-
formance, but, owing to the noise of a ' press meeting of
seventy of the leaders of opinion,' not so complete as expected.
22nd. — Eeopening of Lyceum with The King^a Butterfly.
Go to Lyceum : house full, piece long, scenery by Callcott
good.® 2Uh. — At night see two wretched farces at Adelphi
and Haymarket, Doing Banting and On the 8ly7 21th.
^ Phelps, Othello ; Creswick, lago ; Mrs. Hermann Yezin, Desdemona
(first appearance here) ; G. F. Neville, Gassio ; Walter Lacy, Roderigo.
' Action of play took place in 1693, at Salem, New England. Miss
Marriott, Elijah Brogden, an imbecile youth — ^very good ; George
Melville, Martin Holt ; Charles Horsman, Walter Vane ; W. H.
Drayton, Josiah Jones, the villain ; Miss E. Beaufort, Ruth Holt ;
Miss L. Harrison, Hester Holdenough.
' Rory, John Collins (originally played by Power, who sang the
*' Cruiskeen Lawn ") ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Kathleen ; Paul Bedford,
Scrubs ; BiUington, De Lacy.
* Miss Faucit first played in it at Sadlers Wells in 1854. The cast
was — Leonatus Posthumus, Phelps ; Creswick, lachimo; Miss Atkin-
son, the Queen ; A. Rayner, Cjrmbeline ; Walter Lacy, Cloten. The
second title of The O'FlaJteitya was The Difficulty of IdeJitifying an
Irishman, Falconer's reappearance, after his two years* illness, as
Thaddeus O'Flaherty ; G. Belmore, Gammon ; Miss Hudspeth, the
Chambermaid ; Miss E. Falconer, Mary Constant.
* [These swindlers, led by an American adventurer named Fry, were
subsequently exposed and routed out at Liverpool, through the instru-
mentality of Henry Irving and Philip Day, both actors. — C. S.]
* New version of Paul Meurice's Fan/an la Tulipe ; another adapta-
tion was Court and Camp, produced at Princess's in May 1863. Miss
M. Henrade, Alice de Rosel ; Fechter, Fanfan; Ryder, Baron d'Alvare;
Widdioombe, Ramponneau ; F. Charles, Gabriel ; Carlotta Leclercq,
. Mdme. de Pompadour.
^ The first by Brough and Halliday; the second, Maddiaon Morton's
adaptation of Tinvite h Colonel.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 299
— Off to Haymarket : see Th& StrcmgeTj and good perform-
ance of Mrs. Haller by Mdlle. Beatrice. Then to Drury :
Othello, Creswick ; lago, Marston. 28^^. — To Surrey, and see
Leslie's clever drama of The Ch^ange Girl. 29th. — St. James's
at night : new comedy by Palgrave Simpson, called Step by
Stefp^ goes off very well."
" Nov. \8t — To Olympic ; first night of Horace Wigan'^s
management ; The Hidden Hand, and two new farces, all
French adaptations.* 1th. — To Strand, to see a Miss ' Milly '
Palmer (fiancee^ it is said, of Liverpool Joe Nightingale)
make her debut as Pauline in Delicate Orov/nd.^ Then to
Adelphi, and see Colleen Bcx/wn, with C!ollins as Myles.*
15th. — MS. for Covent Garden; chat with Harris, and dine
with him and Santley (going to Barcelona), J. L. Hatton,
Jarvis, A. Miller, and others at Albion ; a notable affair.
21 8^. — Leave first scene with Eoxby. Then Drury farce,
A Young Lad from the Country^ by Oxenford : very queer.
Then Bumand's burlesque, STiowd/ropj at Royalty, which
goes off well.^ 22nd. — Go to I^ndon Pavilion : see Bed wood,
the tight-rope dancer ; hear Vance, a wretched singer ; see
' This was the seoond title, the first being Sybilla; scene in Den-
mark. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews^ Nilo Fleming and Sybilla ;
Frank MatthewH, Joachim ; H. Ashley, Gonnt Wolfenstein ; Fred.
Robinson, King Christian.
' Tlie Ridden JJand was an adaptation of Dennery and Edmond's
UAXeuU, produced at the Ambigu Comique, October 17th, 1863. Motive
traced to Lytton's Lucretxa, Lord and Lady Penarvon, Henry Neville,
and Eate Terry : Muriel, Louisa Moore ; Enid, Lydia Foote ; Sir
Caradoc ap Ithel, H. Coghlan ; Lady Gryffyd, Miss Bowering ; G.
Vincent, Madoc ; his niece, Nelly Farren. The farces were : The Girl
I left behind me, by John Oxienford, an adaptation previously done by
Palgrave Simpson as First Affections ; and J. M. Morton's adaptation
of Les Trois Chapeaux, entitled My Wife*8 Bonnet Amy Sheridan
and Nelly Farren played in them.
' Afterwaids married Herr Bandmann, the German tragedian.
* Henrietta Sims, Eily O'Connor ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Anne
Chute ; R. Phillips, the Danny Mann.
* Or, The Seven Mannikins and the Magic Mirror / recalled the fate
of the Sleeping Beauty. Fanny Clifford, Queen Narcissa ; Lydia
Maitland, Prince Candid ; Joseph Robins, Frizzle ; W. H. Stephens,
£jng Bonbon ; Rosina Wright, the Elf King ; and Nelly Burton,
Snowdrop.
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300 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Lauri family (with whom chat) do a clever ballet ; the Dmry
clown very good indeed, and very like Wieland.^ A muscular
woman in the ballet he tells me is Miss Kathleen, a Sadlers
* " A litUe more than forty years ago— or, for the satisfaction of those
who insist on chronological accuracy, on the evening of Saturday,
September 15th, 1838—1 was waiting at the wing of the Royal Eng-
lish Opera, as the Lycenm was then called, to accompany my early
fiiend, George Wieland, to the City of London Theatre. The &mous
pantomimist, who was here filling np his time before the recommence-
ment of the Drury Lane season, had promised to give his services that
night for the benefit of a well-known clown at the East End, who
stood sadly in need of some substantial help through sudden pressure
on his pecuniary resources, caused by the afflictions that had befallen
his family. It was well known in the profession that the purse and
personal services of George Wieland were ever at the disposal of his
more unfortunate brethren ; but in this case he had taken especial
interest, as the poor wearer of the motley supplicating his aid was a
man of acknowledged worth and ability, though his talents had never
enabled him to secure more than a scanty subsistence for a fiimily
increasing out of all proportion to his reputation.
^* Old playgoers need not be told that Wieland was an artist in his
peculiar Une, excelling aU who had come before him, and who has never
been equalled since. He was about twenty-eight years of age at this
time, but had been upon the stage since a child : and his marvellous
embodiment of the droll imp in the baUet of Th^ Daughter of the
Danube had then placed him at the highest point of his particular
branch of the profession. In the dangerous department of the art to
which he had devoted himself with so much zeal he had suffered the
usual penalties of popularity ; and after being shot up traps and sent
flying off on wires at perilous heights for nearly a quarter of a century,
the reflection that so many of his limbs were left unbroken used to
astonish him in his frequent moments of serious meditation. He was,
however, no mere acrobat or gynmast. His powers of expressing
purpose by action were of an extraordinary kind ; and when Edmund
Kean, after witnessing some of his remarkable pantomimic perform-
ances, used to say *that boy could convey, by gestures alone, the
significance of every line of Hamlet,^ the compliment conveyed was
felt to be only a fair tribute to the cleverness of an exponent of what
is now almost a lost art.
** On the Saturday night referred to, Wieland was playing, for the
twenty-eighth time, his popular character of Diavoletto, in Alexander
Macfarren's now almost forgotten dramatic composition, known as
The Devil's Ox>era, in which Miss Priscilla Horton as Pepino, the page,
and Miss Poole as Signora Giovannina, the gouvernante, rendered with
such admirable effect the best songs of the composer. In the last
scene, Wieland had to rapidly run down to the footlights on his knees,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 301
Wells child the*^other day, .but now twice married ! 2%ih. — To
Haymarket : Bridgman's version of Mosenthal's play Bwany
Vale Farrriy for Mdlle. Beatrice ; very dull, and by no means
a great success. 29th. — To Oxford Music Hall : hear Orphce
mix Enfers : very well done, but the comic singing so
a feat of physical dexterity on which he had always prided himself.
The carelessness of a stage-carpenter had left the trap by which the
pantomimist had ascended a few moments before, above the level, and
the result was a severe injury to the knee-cap of the performer, that
compelled the immediate descent of the curtain. Borne to the wing
in an insensible condition, Wieland was placed on a couch, while the
nearest surgeon was sent for. When he attended, the painful nature
of the accident suggested the ready opinion that many days, if not
weeks, must elapse before the pantomimist could appear in public
again. Wieland, suffering most acute tortures, feebly murmured that
he had promised, in the course of the next hour, to appear at the City
of London, in his character of the imp in the ballet of The Daitghter of
the Danube, and that if disappointed, the audience would probably
resent their displeasure by hooting at the poor clown who was taking
a benefit that night, and injure, in many ways, the prospect of pro-
viding for the poor sick family depending on the extra attraction that
had been offered. Medical remonstrance was of no avail, and the
coach, coming to the stage-door of the Lyceum at the appointed time,
Wieland was helped into the vehicle, and I accompanied him, in his
state of acute suffering from the injured limb, to the theatre then
recently opened in Norton Folgate. The house was full to over-
flowing, and relying on the unfailing punctuality of the prominent
* star,' the overture to The Daughter of the Danube was, at the instiga-
tion of the prompter, proceeding at the appointed hour. There was
but a short time left for assuming the needful costume, during which
brief period Wieland fainted three times from the extreme physical
agony he was enduring, but the promise he had so generously given
had been faithfully kept, and though the weird antics of the amusing
goblin never created more merriment than on that occasion, and tears,
wrung by pain, streamed frequently from under the mask during the
memorable combat with Gilbert, the good-natured, self-sacrificing
representative of the German goblin exerted himself more than usual,
and even complied with the earnest demand of the audience for a
repetition of the principal movement. 'This will lay me up for
another month,* said Wieland feebly to me as we parted aiter midnight
at the door of his house in a street near Bedford Square ; ^ but, thank
Heaven ! I have helped to put into the pockets of the poor fellow a
good hundred pounds, for the benefit of tJie sick children he is work-
ing so hard to support.' " — ^E. L. B.
It was E. L. B.'b opinion that Wieland was the greatest exponent
of the now almost lost art of pantomime whom he had ever witnessed
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302 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
dreary ! 30^A. — To Adelphi to see produced the great French
drama of Th& Workraen of Paris :^ begins at 7, and not
over till 12 ; delighted with it."
" Dec. 5th.— Take MS. to Roxby. Buy Bias, with Fechter,
at Lyceum.^ lOth. — Make out Drury pantomime bill, on
which all day. Sit up solus till after midnight, and, as
nobody else seems to think about it or care about it, wish
myself the usual happy returns on the occasion of it being
— nth — my birthday: attain my forty-fourth year: a letter
from mother received this morning assuring me it is not
forgotten. Make the household as lively as I can, but not
merry myself. 227id. — OflF to St. James's for new comedy,
A Lesson in Love,^ 25th. — Oh ! what a sad, dull day for me !
Don't see a creature to say to, or receive from, a genial word ;
and after striving over a few lines of notice for Daily
Telegraph, attempt a dinner at the Divan, which costs me
48., and is execrable. 26th. — Very busy day. Write intro-
duction, New Royalty, Adelphi, and Strand notices for Daily
Telegraph. See OHn Bushes of Byron at Strand, and no
in the course of his lengthened experience ; this was high praise from
one who had been a worshipper of the great Joey Grimaldi, and who had
seen Ella, Bologna, and all the most famous pantomimists of his time.
He used to relate an anecdote of meeting Wieland at a supper- party
on one occasion. Wieland, upon being asked to give a specimen of his
art, said it was difficult for him to do so without the aid of a definite
story, and costume and scenery. He, however, threw a sofa cushion
on to the hearthrug, which was supposed to represent a dead child,
whilst he, as its father, portrayed such grief and sorrow, by his action
alone^ that he moved his little audience to tears. Wieland first ap-
peared as harlequin, in Harlequin Blue Beard, at the Adelphi in 1843.
1 Or, The Dramas of the Wine Shop, taken from the Porte St.
Martin play, Lea Drames du Cabaret. Benjamin Webster, Van Gratz ;
Mrs. Stirling, Marguerite ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Blanche ; Henrietta
Sims, Josepha; A. Seaman, Rosetta, Mr. and Mrs. Billington, R.
Phillips, J. Clarke, C. H. Stephenson, and C. J. Smith were also in
the cast.
' Ryder, Don Salluste ; Carlotta Leclercq, Princess Neuborg ; Mrs.
Winstanley, Duchess of Albaquerque ; Fitzpatrick, Don Caasar.
^ Three-act comedy adapted by Mr. Cheltnam from the French.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Orlando Middlemark and Mrs.
Sutherland ; Mrs. and Mr. Frank Matthews, Anastasia Winterberry
and Mr. Babblebrook ; Miss Wentworth, Edith Leslie.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 303
great success. 27^A. — Glad to find good notices in all the
papers. Rise early, very tired, and see morning performance
at Drury:* as usual, not half the efifects carried out.. To
Covent Garden; transformation scene capital.* 29^A. — Walter's
birthday, completing his fifteenth year to-day ; and may he
have a bright career before him ! At Adelphi : farce by
Coyne on Davenport subject. Dark Days in a Cupboard j
which turns out very indifferent. Sls^. — Dine with the
usual large Christmas party at the Levys', 2, Russell Square.
All the leader-writers and staff of Telegraph present, with
Charles Braham (son of the B. whose style he resembles),
Sothern, Byron, and others. Magnificent dinner : songs (I
sing * Honourable Ted ' and ^ Almanack and St. George *), and
with gin punch see the Old Year out and the New Year in.
Thus ends a very busy, prosperous year, for health during
which I give God thanks."
Estimated revenue for yeaj £491 2^. 6d,
1866.
^^ Monday y Jan, 2nd, — Reappearance of Miss Bateman
at Adelphi as Leah. 8^^. — Hear by American mail that
James Wallack^ died at New York ; write memoir. I3th, —
^ E. L. B.'s pantomime Hop 6' My Thumb and His Eleven Brothers ;
or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-League Boots, Lydia Thompson,
Sungleam ; Helen Howard, Man in the Moon ; Miss Hudspeth,
Actinia ; Tom Matthews, Daddy Thumb ; clowns, Harry Boleno and
C. Lauri ; pantaloons, W. A. Barnes and J. Morris ; harlequins,
Gormack and S. Saville ; columbines, Madame Boleno and the two
Misses Gunniss.
* E. L. B.'s pantomime, Cinderella ; or. Harlequin and the Magic
Pumpkin and the Great Fairy of the Little Glass Slipper, Clara
Denvil, Cinderella ; E. Danvers, Prince Ugolino. The Payne family
were great in the opening, and Donato the one-legged dancer made a
great hit on this his first appearance. In the harlequinade F. and
H. Payne appeared as harlequin and clown ; Mdlle. Esther, colum-
bine ; Paul Herring, pantaloon. I. V a
^ James Wallack was bom in Hercules Buildings, Lambeth, August
1 7th, 1 794. His father, William Wallack, belonged to Astley's company,
and married Mary Johannot, who became one of the favourite actresses
on the minor boards. James Wallack made his first appearance as
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304 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Destruction by fire of Theatre Royal/ Edinburgh, Wyndham
being at the Surrey Theatre the same evening. 14^. — To
Drury, and receive from Falconer and Chatterton £50 on ac-
count. Receive from Mr. F. for prologue £3 3«. Monday, \^ik.
— See Billing and Cooing ' at New Royalty, by Oxenford, and
a child actor in 1804 at the German Theatre in Leicester Square, and,
at twelve years of age was engaged at Drury Lane. He played the
Negro-boy in the pantomime of Furibond; or, Harlequin Negro^ in
1807. October 10th, 1812, on the opening of the New Theatre, though
only eighteen he played Laertes to EUiston's Hamlet^ and from that
time was a prominent member of the company, appearing with Edmund
Kean. Li 1817 he married the daughter of John Johnstone, the Irish
comedian, and took his new-made wife to America. Made lus dibut
at the Park Theatre, New York, in September 1818, as Macbeth.
Lester Wallack, his eldest son, was bom in 1819. James Wallack only
stayed a year in America, then returned to Drury Lane to appear as
Hunlet, and .made his great success as Bolla. Re-visited America in
1821, and on the journey to Philadelphia the stage carriage broke
down and he received a compound fracture of the leg, from which he
never thoroughly recovered. He returned to England in about two
years' time, and was received with acclamation. July 14th, 1823, he
played Roderick Dhu in The Knight of Snowdon, at the Opera House.
On the 28th of the same month he played Faust in PremmpUon ; or,
The Fate of Frankenstein, and in the autumn of that year became
stage-manager at Drury Lane, appearing as Doricourt, Lovemore, and
Harry Domton. His great parts were: Allessandro Massaroni in
Planches The Brigands, Drury Lane, 1829; Martin Heywood in
Douglas Jerrold*s The Rent Day, January 25th, 1832. JSoon after this
he went to America again, became manager of the National Theatre,
New York, in 1837. August 31st, 1840, he played Don Felix, in
The Wonder, at the Haymarket in London. Li 1841 again went to
New York, and on May 21st of that year the National Theatre was
burnt down, by which he suffered considerably. He then starred in
the States, and, returning to England first appeared at the Princess's,
October 8th, 1844, as Don Csesar, also made a name in The Rent Day
and Wild Oats. He then returned in 1845, and re-appeared at the
Park Theatre, New York, and in September became associated with
the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Made a success throughout
the States, and in May 1852, opened what had been Brougham's
Lyceum as Wallack's Theatre, remaining in America until his death,
and appearing frequently in Shakespearean parts.
^ This was built on the site of the Adelphi Theatre, which was also
burnt down. May 1853, and was situated at the head of Leith Walk.
Several lives were lost.
' Taken from Oli InamoraU of Goldoni,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 305
Mrs. GreefrCa Snug Little BusineaSy^ at Strand ; the first piece
quaint but badly acted generally, the last very bad. \%th. —
To Covent Garden ; receive cheque from Company vid Mr.
Bussell, my share being £65. Deposit in London and West-
minster another £100, making total of £305. 19^A.— Pay
Harris his £20 ; settle on Aladdin for next Easter subject.
2\8t — At Lyceum see Fechter playing Robert Macaire in
piece called The Roadside Inn} House full of fog and
famous folks. Have Kent with me in stalls, and greatly
grieved to hear his father has been struck with paralysis.
Drama goes off fairly — not greatly. 2Mi, — Hear a local
legend of the Ship, Southfleet, when mendicant arrives and
leaves the old landlord Drew some thousands in his will ;
occurred some years ago. 30^A. — At Drury see Phelps as
Cardinal Wolsey in H&wry VIII. (three acts) ; Miss Bateman
as Julia in Hunchback — a moderate success ; near midnight
begin copy. Hear Surrey Theatre is being burned down ;
rush back to chambers for dates of history.^ Slsl — My
opinion is, the Surrey, with no loss of life, is not a thing to
be deplored."
*^ Feb. let. — Go and look at the ruins of the poor old
Surrey; meet Chaplins and Vokes, who appear quite dis-
tracted. 2nd, — Paul Bedford's complimentary benefit at
^ This was by Charles Smith Gheltnam.
> [Taken from L'Auberge des Adreta, H. Widdicombe, Jacques Strop.
Fechter made some ingenious alterations, particularly in the death
scene of Robert Macaire, in which he tumbled down the staircase,
and into his son's arms. — G. S.]
' The fire occurred at twenty minutes to twelve on the night of
Monday. By twelve o'clock the theatre and its contents were nearly
burnt out, so rapid was the spread of the conflagration. The baUet
girls, children, and those employed on the stage, could only escape in
the light costumes in which they had been appearing, there not being
even time to procure a cloak, and had to turn out in the snow. Messrs.
Shepherd and Anderson were the lessees ; they suffered to the extent
of some £10,000. Numerous benefits were given in aid of the
sufferers. The proprietors of the Daily Telegraph gave £50, and
opened a list ; William Batty, £20 ; George Vining, £10 10«. ; and a
subscription hst was opened at The Era Office. Much more loss of
life would have occurred but for the coolness and presence of mind of
Bowella the clown, Evans the pantaloon, Yivian the sprite, and Green
the stage-manager.
20
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3o6 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Drury ; ^ an immense house^ and the whole of the theatrical
profession on stage; a really extraordinary and gratifying
sight. Having written for JBra* a history of the Surrey
Theatre, get for week and last £3. To Bedford Head;
invitation to dine with Paul Bedford, J. L. Toole, Watson
(Williams in theatrical matters), and pleasant little fes-
tival. All sorts of songs and speeches, and gratifying com-
pliments to everybody. 13^. — Morning performance of
MoTiey at Drury for General Theatrical Fund. 15^ — Find
I have to record the death of poor Gustavus Dunning (E. T.
Smith's manager), aged 44. Cardinal Wiseman dies this
day. IQth. — Benefit at Drury ' for the Surrey Company ; house
crowded. 20(L — Bush off to Haymarket to see a Miss
* Blanche Aylmer ' make a debvut as Lady Elizabeth Preelova*
Then to Drury to see Richelieu — Phelps very good. 25th.
— At night to St. James's ; new (adapted) comedy by Leicester
Buckingham called Fojcea in the Fvre^ which goes off very
well. To Princess's ; see a wretched farce of David Fisher's,
Heartatringe and Fiddlestringa.^^
" March 4tth. — At Olympic see Tom Taylor's five-act drama
of Settling Day ; ^ a long four-hours' piece, smartly written,
but an ineffective drama. 6th — To Drury; see wretched
^ The Area Belle, My Aunfa Advice, and Box and Cox oonstitnted
the programme.
' This was a most truthful and concise history, occupying two and a
quarter columns of the Era of February 6th.
3 School for Scandal and first act of Black-eyed Susan were played.
Phelps was the Sir Peter, and James Anderson the Charles. Creswick
the Joseph, Amy Sedgwick Lady Teazle, in the first piece. In the
second Mr. Shepherd, William ; J. L. Toole, Gnatbrain ; and Miss
Woolgar, Susan.
* This was in A Day after the Wedding. W. Farren played Colonel
Freelove. Miss Blanche Aylmer proved a very novice, but was nioe-
looking.
* Taken from Mathilde; or, La Jalousie, by M.M. Bayard and
Laurencin, produced at the Yaudeville, Paris, June 1835. Mrs.
Hargrave, Mrs. Charles Mathews ; Mrs. Glanvil, Miss Herbert ; Philip
Hargrave, Mr. Arthur Stirling ; Mr. Glanvil, Frederic Bobinson ;
Cecil Vane, Charles Mathews.
^ This was an original play and the following were in the cast.
H. Wigan, H. Cooper, D. Evans, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss Kate Teriy,
Miss Lydia Foote, Maclean, B. Soutar.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 307
farce, Oaing to the Dogs, by Brough and Halliday, and Helen
Faueit reappears as Imogen in Gymbeline} Look in at Adelphi.
1th — To Astley's ; see a very clever piece by Henry Leslie
GsXioA The MariTier^a Corwpasa,^ 13^^.— Fechter ill, Mdlle.
Beatrice plays Mrs. Haller as an attraction at the Lyceum.
lAith, — To Astley's, private box, to see JocfeiSpra^, with Lawson ;
goes oflF very well. VI th. — Find Coyne's cheque for Dramatic
Authors' Society, £25 6». 6d., paying all up to this date and
defraying my annual subscription for benevolent fund. Take
the chair at dinner ; and though severe cold, the usual two
songs and make lots of speeches, to my own astonishment.
Bamett proposes the chairman's health, and Tomlins the
'Drama and Stage.' Buchanan and hosts of old Urbans
present. ISth. — To Haymarket and see Watts Phillips' piece
of Woman in Mauve ; ^ much disappointed. 2Qth. — To Drury
Lane ; see a bit of Romeo and Juliet : Helen Faueit play-
ing Juliet charmingly. 22nd, — ^To Princess's; see an ad-
mirable drama by Dion Boucicault called ArrahrTUi'Pogue ;
goes oflf with great ^dat. The Daily Telegraph this day
published extra half-sheet, the largest size it has yet
attained. 2Zrd. — Dramatic Authors' Society meeting; re-
solving authors shall reserve for a twelvemonth any piece
they please and then place it on the books. Fees increased
for first twelvemonth. Then to Adelphi ; see bad farce by
Morton called Steeplechase} Hear from C. C. B., date of
17th January. 25th, — Ninety-ninth and last night of Drury
Lane pantomime. Destruction of Surrey Theatre at Sheffield.
21th, — See comedietta from the French called Cross Pur-
poses ; ^ piece very slight."
^ James Anderson was the lachimo. Walter Montgomery, Leonatus
Posthamas.
^ This was the author of The Trail of Sin and The Orange Girl.
Fernandez excellent as Ruby Dayrell. E. T. Smith was the lessee at
this time.
' This was a piece of which Sothern had great opinion, though his
character, that of Frank Jooelyn, was not a very great one. [It had
been advertised for weeks before, all over London, in a novel manner :
" Watch this Frame " (a blank one.) When filled in the words were
Tlie Woman in Mauve. — C. S.]
* [It proved to be one of the greatest of Toole's Successes. — C. S.]
^ This was an adaptation by Mr. Parselle, and was played at the
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3o8 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
" A'pril 2nd. — Bichard Cobden dies this day, aged 61 ; and
thus goes a great man. Srd. — To Olympic, comedietta
Always IntcTided; adapted by Horace Wigan — more bright.
7th. — Look out material for a sketch of the Queen's, now to
be called the Prince of Wales's, Theatre ; and to open next
week with Marie Wilton for directress. lOth. — Byron's
pastoral extravaganza at Adelphi PaUy or, The Loves of
Echo and Nardasua; not so much done with subject as
might have been — ^well played by Toole as Pan. I2ih. —
Greneral Theatrical Fund dinner. Wilkie Collins in chair ;
good chairman and excellent speech, but not a very good
dinner nor a very enjoyable evening : the Freemasons' Tavern
Company pronounced inferior to the old time of the land-
lord. 13^. — New burlesque at Royalty called Pirithovs, by
Bumand. Well got up and neatly written, but no story.
Mth, — Write anticipatory notice of new Prince of Wales's
Theatre, then go up and see it. Meet Charles James, Mrs.
James and her daughter. Old times gossip with Tomlins,
Leigh* (grand-nephew of old Mrs. Charles Mathews). 15^.
— To Prince of Wales's Theatre'; first night of season. Byron's
burlesque of Sonnambula; good, house crowded, and all
Strand, the author appearing as Edward Hartwright. Mias M. Palmer,
Laura Goodman.
^ [There is nothing like hereditary genius. Mr. Denny, the admirable
artist at the Savoy, is the son of Mrs. Leigh, long known as the best of
old women on the stage. — C. S.]
* The following account of the Prince of Walea's Theatre in Tottenham
Street, Tottenham Court Road, is taken from the anticipatory notice
which he wrote, and which gives a history of the theatre. It was origin-
ally established in 1810, when a hcense was given to one Paul, a retired
pawnbroker, persuaded thereto by his wife, who was anxious to go on
the stage, and was opened on Easter Monday, April 23rd, 1810, as the
King's Ancient Concert Booms, with a burletta called The Village
Fite^ founded on Love in a Village, really the opera itself ; Mrs. Paul
the Bosetta. The speculation was not successful, Paul lost all his
money, and in 1821 Mr. Brunton became manager. He was a fair
actor, and his daughter, afterwards Mrs. Yates, played the leading rCles.
S. Beverley then followed as manager. Fr^d^ric Lemaitre made his
dibut in this country here, the theatre being then known as the
Begency, and was afterwards again entitled the West London
Theatre, the name Brunton gave it when he opened the house in
1829. It was called the Queen's, in compliment to Queen Adelaide, on
the accession of William lY. Messrs. Chapman and Melrose were
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 309
goes ofiF well. VliK — To Strand, Om Tree Hill^ and Drury,
Comua} 2^th. — Startled by American mail bringing the
intelligence of Abraham Lincoln's assassination by Junius W.
Booth, the actor ; can think of nothing else. 29th. — To Her
Majest/s Theatre ; first night of season ; see Sonnambula :
managers in 1830, Macfarren in 1831, and a noticeable performance of
Acts and Galatea was given with E. Seguin, Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Humby,
T. Green, and Mr. Tilbury. In December 1833 the theatre was called
the Fitzroy, and was run by some members of the Mayhew family.
Gilbert Abbot k Beckett and Henry Mayhew (under the title of ^' Ralph
Rigmarole/*) being the two authors to the theatre. It came under Mrs.
Nisbett's management in 1835, who called it the Queen's again. Then
Colonel Addison, with Mrs. Waylett as directress, and George Wild
tried to make the house pay, but without success. In 1839 Charles
James, the well-known scenic artist, took up the management, and con-
trived for twenty-six years, up to the time of its passing into the hands
of the Bancrofts to obtain some income from it. Under the new
rlgime of Marie Wilton and H. J. Byron, the appearance of the house
had been thoroughly altered. It was made a perfect little bijou of
a theatre, not only by the taste displayed in the ornamentation and
upholstery, but in the introduction of flowers and ferns, and, as a
matter of record it will be well perhaps to give the programme and
cast of the opening night. The first piece was J. P. Wooler's The
Wimnvng Hazard, Miss Lilian Hastings (from the Bath and Bristol
Theatres), and Miss Bella Goodall from Theatre Royal, Liverpool, as
Aurora and Coralie, Sidney Bancroft (from Prince of Wales, Liverpool),
Jack Crawley, all made favourable impressions, as did F. Dewar as
Dudley Croker, and E. Dyas as Colonel Croker. Then followed
Byron's new burlesque extravaganza La Sonnambula^ or, The Supper^ the
Sleeper^ and the Merry Swiss Boy. Marie Wilton, Alessio ; Lilian
Hastings, Teresa ; Bella Goodall, lisa ; F. Dewar, the Count ; J. Clarke,
Amina ; Harry Cox, *' A Virtuous Peasant ; " and Fanny Josephs as
Elvino. It was followed by Troughton's farce, Vandyke Brown.
^ A two-act drama by H. T. Craven. Mr. and Mrs. Bubble, Mr.
Belford and Miss Milly Palmer; Tom Foxer, D. James; Cecilia
Weston, Ada Swanborough ; Jack Salt, H. T. Craven ; Dick White,
James Stoyle.
' Milton*s masque. Miss Augusta Thompson made her dkhut as
Sabrina. Henri Drayton, First Bacchanal ; Mrs. Hermann Yezin,
the Lady ; Walter Lacy, Comus ; Elder Brother, Edmund Phelps ;
Toxmger Brother, Miss E. Falconer. Wilbye Cooper was also in the
cast. The masque was first performed in 1834. The adaptation for
the stage was first made by John Dalton, and was brought out in three
acts, with music by Doctor Ame, in 1738 — Quin as Comus, and Mrs.
Cibber as the Lady. Mrs. Clive, Mrs. Arne, and John Beard were in
the cast. In 1772 it was done by George Colman at Covent Garden,
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310 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
a Miss Han is ^ very bad ; the new tenor, El vino, not much
better."
^^ May \st. — New Eoyalty: a trifle by Wooler called
Squire of Ringwood Chase. Egyptian Hall, Colonel Stod-
dart's illusions ; young man expert practitioner. Then
Victoria, Celeste's reappearance.' 3rd. — To Drury: Falconer's
long play of Love* 8 Ordeal, or, The Old and New Regime^ —
very long (four hours) and very dull. A:th. — Attend Charles
Salaman's concert lectures at Grosvenor Street, ' Music and
History of Italian Opera.' At Olympic; see Ticket-of-Leave
Man revived. lOth. — To Prince of Wales's ; see comic drama
The Fair Pretender, . by Palgrave Simpson * — not very good.
llth. — Look in at Drury : King Lear,^ I2th. — Hear of Hood
having Fun, and my payment problematical.® ISth. — Edward
Ledger comes down, and take him (vid Singlewell), long ten-
miles walk through Cobham Wood ; tea at FalstaflF. Picked
up on road by an unknown but courteous friend, and drive
and afterwards at the Haymarket, Mrs. Siddons having appeared as
the Lady. It was revived at Drary Lane in 1833 by Bunn ; by Madame
Yestris at Govent Garden in 1842 ; and by Macready in 1843 ; but it
appears that it was never more splendidly mounted than by Messrs.
Falconer and Ghatterton.
' This was Miss Laura Harris, Elvino was M. Carrion ; the Goant
was Mr. Santley ; Mdlle. Bedi, Lisa ; Signer Bossi, Alessio ; Signor
Casaboni was the Notary.
' This was in The Woman in Red,
" In this play the author endeavoured to give a larger and more
truthful picture in action than has hitherto been presented on the
stage, of the pre-existing social antagonisms and rival class character-
istics which in ferment produced the great French Revolution of
1782." Gomte d'Ostanges, J. Neville ; his wife, Mrs. H. Vandenhoff
Hortense, Mrs. Hermann Yezin ; Due de Ghartreux, Walter Lacy
Yicomte Lauzan, H. Sinclair; Mdlle. de Meranie, Rose Ledercq
Eugene de Momy, Edmund Phelps; Mens. Robespierre, Edmund
Falconer. The play was of considerable literary merit.
* An original two-act drama.
^ Phelps, Lear; Miss Atkinson, Qoneril; Mrs. Hermann Yezin,
Gordelia ; Miss Gorbet Weston, Regan.
® [On the contrary Furiy under Tom Hood's management, was a
brilliant success. On the staff were Gilbert, Prowse (Nicholas), Archer,
Brough, Harry Leigh, Tom Robertson, Arthur Sketchley, Savile Glarke.
-0. S.]
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 311
back to Rosherville; the day a success. \biK — Operetta
at Hajrmarket called The MiUer^i Daughter,^ by Langton
Waiiams — slight. Then to Lyceum, Don Cceaar de Bazan :
Fechter as usual. \%th. — Opening of the new Alexandra
Theatre, Highbury Bam ; ^ see a burlesque of W. Brough on
Ernani. 17 th. — See at Olympic Coyne's comedy of Every-
body's Friendy and a Mr. Charles Walcot, an old American
actor,* make his appearance as Major de Boots — not good,
ISth, — Upset by letter about the confounded Olobe Company,
that I thought I had long heard the last of. 20th. — Second
annual festival of Newspaper Press Fund : Charles Dickens
in chair. Arrange to become a life subscriber. 24th. — Hay-
market ; see new comedy by Oxenford, called Brother Sam ;
not a very brilliant aflfair, produced for Sothem. Pay to
Newspaper Press Fund three guineas, making me a life sub-
scriber. 29th. — At night to St. James's ; drama of EleaTu/r'a
Victory^ adapted from novel by Oxenford; Miss Herbert
very good.* Slat. — Derby Day ; off to course per South West-
em Eailway. Go all over Downs. Meet Clark and Halliday,
with whom lunch ; then Toole and Billington in Mr. Thorpe's
wagonette, with whom stop and go back to town ; Gladiateur,
the French horse, winning, amid great excitement ; the road
very crowded retuming.'*
"t7u7i6 5th. — To Strand; Bumand's extravaganza of
WiTidsor Castle,^ with new music by Frank Musgrave : the
* Book by W. Suter. Miss Louise Eeeley was the Diana, and sang
very charmingly ; Mr. Whiffen, John Digby.
' Edward Giovannelli had been for some five years proprietor.
The burlesque was Emani, or, Horns of a Dilemma, The music by
B. Isaacson. Don Carlos, Josephine Ruth ; Emani, Bachel Sanger ;
Scampa, Mr. Danvers. Rachel Sanger made a great hit, as did Mjr.
Danvers.
* He was an Englishman by birth and was supported by Kate Terry
as Mrs. Swansdown ; and H. Neville as Felix Featherley ; Lydia
Foote, Mrs. Featherley ; R. Soutar, Icebrook ; Mrs. Leigh Murray,
Mrs. Major de Boots.
* Miss Herbert, Eleanor Vane ; Gaston Murray, Mr. Monkton ;
H. J. Montague, Launcelot Darrell ; Arthur Stirling, Dick Thornton ;
Frederic Robinson, Bourdon ; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Major
and Mrs. Lennard; J. Johnstone, Yandalenr Vane; Miss Weber,
Laura Mason.
* Messrs. J. Stoyle, D. James, C. Fenton, H. Turner, Collier, Edge,
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312 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
first opera-burlesque in this country — a success. 7^. —
Attend Olympic, Twdftk Nigkt * — not very brilliantly played.
Sth. — Mother's birthday ; take her some wine, and with her
to Cremome; see all the amusements, even to the fire-
works at eleven — a great success. lOth. — Attend Prince of
Wales's : new drama by Byron, War to the Knife ; ^ written
with much smartness, and goes off very well. 12ih. — To
Adelphi; see tragedy called Oeraldvne^ written by Mrs.
Bateman, and with Bateman and his daughter in the cast.
\9ih. — New farce called Powter'a Wedding * at St. James's ;
turns out to be a very bad adaptation by Maddison Morton
of a French comedy. 20th. — Attend meeting at Drury with
Beverley to settle pantomime; to be entitled Fortunatvs.
24ih. — Attend Lady of Lyons at Adelphi ; Miss Bateman's
benefit ; piece goes off pretty well, but nothing particular.
2Qth, — See a very weak adaptation of French piece, The
Better Half^ at Strand. 21th. — Leigh Murray's benefit at
Drury.® 2Sth, — Off to Apsley House and hear the dreary
readings of Mr. and Mrs. Alfired Coyne. 2^ih. — Off to
and Thomas Thome ; Mesdames Ada Swanborongh, M. Simpson,
Fanny Hnghes, L. Weston, Elise Holt, Baynham, and the Misses H.
and E. Gnuniss were in the cast.
* The cast included Messrs. H. Wigan, G. Vincent, R. Sontar,
Coghlan, Edgar, Maclean, Evans, Rivers, and H. Cooper ; Mesdames
Kate Terry, Lydia Foote, and A. Bowering.
' Mr. and Mrs. Uarconrt, Mr. Montgomery and Fanny Josephs ;
Mrs. Delacour, Marie Wilton ; John Blunt, E. Dewar ; Mr. Rubbly,
J. Clarke ; Captain Thistleton, Sidney Bancroft ; Jane Trimmer,
Blanche Wilton.
' [Or, The Master Passion, Geraldine de Lacey, Miss Bateman ;
Hubert de Burgh, G. Jordan ; David Ruthin, Mr. Bateman. He was
an old Welsh Harper, and cut a ridiculous figure. — C. S.]
^ Taken from Les Noches de Maluchet, Simon Pouter, F. Robson ;
Alderman and Mrs. Marrowfat, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews.
' Taken by T. J. Williams from Madame AndrS, and already known
at the Adelphi as TJie Woman of B\mness.
Second act of Masks and Faces^ two scenes from TwelfUi Night ;
selection from A Regular Fix ; W. H. Weiss, Louisa Pyne, Santley
and Madame Sainton Dolby sang ; an address written by Shirley
Brooks and delivered by Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Murray ; scene from
TJie Willow Copse; Robson sang, for first time in London, " Villikins
and his Dinah," and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul gave" a portion of
their entertainment.
F
o^c \\^
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 313
Adelphi ; Toole's benefit ; new piece called Through Fire
and Water * — good idea, but piece too long. 30f A. — Meet
Toole ; and at night to Olympic, Kate Terry's benefit, and
new drama The S&rf^ by Tom Taylor — not very brilliant."
^^ July 4:ih. — A visit from Tallis about my old work
* Temple Bar.' 5th. — OflF to Hanover Square Eooms:
Charles Hugo Hind, tragedy from memory — very dreary.
Walk back with Dunphie to Olympic, Neville's benefit ; and
see a very bad burlesque by a Mr. Trail, called Olaucus.
IQth. — To Dramatic College fSte for Daily Telegraph,
29th. — To Haymarket ; first night of Walter Montgomery's
season, and he as Hamlet ^ — not a bad performance."
^^ Aug. Qth, — Vivid dreams at night about C. C. B. and
mother curiously commingled. 10th. — The Prince and
Princess of Wales depart in Osborne Royal yacht for
Germany. I go in boat on river with ' Gentleman Joe
Martin,' the pilot. I2th. — To Olympic, and see a wretched
burlesque Prince Camaralzaman* by Messrs. Best and
Bellingham — very bad indeed. 11th.— OS in Barker's
steam tug {The Nelson) with party from London ; meet
Bates, Spencer, Hunt, Carpenter, etc. Go round the Nore
and have a pleasant day. Look in at Rosherville Gardens,
leaving them there. 2l8t. — See Aldridge as Othello at
Haymarket ; ^ performance tol-lol in some parts and in-tol-er-
* This was by Walter Gordon. Principal characters played by
J. L. Toole, Henrietta Simms, and Mrs. Alfred Mellon.
^ Or, Love Levels All, an original drama. Ivan, H. Neville ;
Countess de Manl^n, Kate Terry ; Khor, Horace Wigan ; Count
Karstaff, G. Vincent. Miss Kate Terry delivered an address written
for her by Tom Taylor, and in it he referred to her having been an
old stager when she closed her teens, and to her having doubled
the parts in Twelfth Night, and various other characters she had
appeared in.
3 Madge Robertson made her first appearance in London as Ophelia,
and obtained a conspicuous share of the honours of the evening.
Fernandez was heartily welcomed tD the West End as Laertes.
* Or, The Fairies^ Revenge, The music was by J. H. Tully. Nelly
Farren, Prince Camaralzaman ; Miss H. Lindley, Badoura.
^ Montgomery was the lago ; Fernandez, Cassio ; Hon. Lewis
Wingfield, Eoderigo ; Madge Robertson, Desdemona.
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314 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
able in others. 30^A. — To Haymarket ; see an extraordinary
play in five acts, seven tableaux, called Fra Angelo^ written
by W. C. Russell, son of Henry Russell, composer ; laughter
more than applause."
" S&pt 2nd. — Very unwell ; come up for opening of New
Royalty under new management. Have to stew in a hot
theatre on the loveliest of moonlight nights ; Cdsfle Qrim^ a
new operetta — very grim affair. Ath. — First night of Rvp
van Winkle^ at Adelphi, with Jefferson — a decided hit;
meet Dicey and Sala. 23rd. — Drury re-opens for season :
Macbeth BJid Comus. 25th, — Re-opening of Prince of Wales's
Theatre ; burlesque of Luda di Lammermoor — not good."
" Oct. 4:th. — To Princess's, first night : Never Too LaU to
Mend ; * house very full ; all the celebrities there ; piece
begins at 7 p.m., and over by midnight ; great excitement in
theatre about the prison discipline in second act. 9^. — Go
to Astle/s (Child of the Sun) ^ — a failure ; and Haymarket,
School for Scandal, reopening for season ; piece seemed long
* Period of the thirteenth century. VoUaire as the Hunchback in
the title rdle. Marina, Louisa Moore ; Leonora, Katherine Bodgers ;
Marquis de Volenza, Fernandez. [The author is the now celebrated
writer of nautical novels, and the son of "Cheer, boys, cheer"
Russell, happily alive and well — C.S.],
* Music by G. Allen, book by R. Reece. Elliot Galer, G. Honey,
Fanny Reeves, Susan Galton, and Lydia Maitland were the principal
members of the company.
' Or, The Sleep of Twenty Years, Drama by Dion Boucicault. Mrs.
Billington as Gretchen ; Henrietta Simms and Billington, Paul
Bedford, Felix Rogers, were included in the cast.
^ By Charles Reade, in which the author closely followed his own
drama, Oold, produced at Drury Lane, January 1853. Tom Robinson,
Yining ; Susan Merton, Katherine Rodgers ; Louisa Moore, the boy
Josephs ; George Fielding, G. Melville ; William Fielding, Gaston
Murray ; Meadows, F. Villiers ; Isaac Levi, T. Mead ; Peter Crawley,
Dominick Murray; Rev. Mr. Eden, J. G. Shore; Hawes, the Governor,
Charles Seyton ; Jacky, S. Calhaem. There was almost a riot in the
house about the death of Josephs in the prison scene, and Mr. Yining
had to come forward and make a speech to quiet the audience. [F.
Guest Tomlins, the dramatic critic of The Morning Adveriisery got up
in the stalls and made a speech protesting against the brutal realism
— C.S.]
^ This was by John Brougham. Ada Isaacs Menken as Leon ;
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 315
and dreary. 14^A. — St. James's reopens ; though a wretched
wet night, go; see Caught in the ToilSy Brougham's weak
adaptation of *Only a Clod** — very dreary, and only Miss
Herbert eflfective. l^th. — The great domestic difficulty
pressing heavily at the present time ; three nephews more
to keep. 23rd. — Eoyal English Opera season opened on
Saturday, and good accounts of it in papers. Edward
Ledger married Miss Tayler this day. 2%th — Aladdin
pantomime at Covent Garden; then to Coyne, and per
cheque Dramatic Authors' Society, £36 3^. St. James's Hall,
to see French giant, Anak the Anakim.* Take McDonell
to Drury : Falconer's farce of Husbands^ Beware! and Julius
Cceaar. SOth. — To St. James's, for revival of The Ladies^
Club. Hear of the death of James Lowe, editor of the
Critic^ who expired on Sunday at 10, Lancaster Place,
Strand, where he had chambers : another link snapped in
the Re-Union chain."
"i\rov. Uh. — To Drury; revival of King John"^ — not
brilliantly played. 6th. — To Lyceum ; meeting Kent in
staUs ; pleasant chat between the acts of a dull piece. The
Watch Cry* under Fechter's management. 8th. — To Olympic :
Kate Carson, Juanita. The music was by J. H. TuUy. The theatre
was under the management of E. T. Smith.
' This was Miss Braddon's novel. Miss Herbert played Julia Des-
mond ; Walter Lacy, Francis Tredethlyn ; Belton, Roderick Lowther.
' This was a Frenchman, named Jean Joseph Brice, who was bom on
January 26th, 1840. Was 8 feet high, weighed 30 stone, 54 inches
round chest, 25 inches across shoulders. He appeared as a Brobding-
nagian, supposed to have been overcome by some Lilliputians.
' Phelps, King John; James Anderson, Faulconbridge; Swinboume,
Hubert ; Master Percy Roselle, Prince Arthur ; Miss Atkinson, Con-
stance ; Rose Leclercq, Blanche of Castille ; and Mrs. H. Vandenhoff,
Elinor.
* An adaptation by Palgrave Simpson of Lazare le Pdtre, originally
produced at the Ambigu in 1839. Another version of it, done at the
Grecian, was called Roland the Reaper. Fechter, Leone Salviati ;
Bianca d'AIbiz2d, Miss Elsworthy ; Judael di Medici, S. Emery ;
Mosca Caponi, H. Widdicomb ; Messrs. Raymond, C. Horsman, Clif-
ford, and Fitzpatrick were also in the cast. [Emery recovered damages
in an action for libel against Arthur k Beckett, who said he did not
know his part ; which was perfectly true ! — C. S.].
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310 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
new (adapted) comedy by Oxenford called A Cleft Stick * —
very farcical, but very funny. 11th, — Go to Prince of
Wales's Theatre ; new comedy of Society ^ — brisk, and well
received. 13th. — To Haymarket; see wretched piece, Who
killed Cock RohinV adaptation by Charles Mathews, l^ih. —
All day sketching a history of the Strand Theatre,* and writing
a lyric for Tom Hood's next Christmas number. l%th. — Go to
Strand re-opening; entirely reconstructed; Bumand's bur-
lesque of LAfricaine^ — not very brilliant. 2l8t. — At first
scene of Drury pantomime. Little King Pippin; or. Harle-
quin Fortunatua, which is only now being thought seriously
* Taken from Le SuppUce cTun ffomme, by Grangier and Thibonst.
F. Tounge made his first appearance after his return from Australia
as Timothy Tickleback ; Garuaby Fix, Horace Wigan ; Mrs. Camaby
Fix, Miss Beauclerc ; Mrs. Strombelow, Mrs. Stephens ; Sybilla, Mrs.
St. Henry.
» By T. W. Robertson. Sydney Daryl, Sydney Bancroft ; Tom
Stylus, F.Dewar; Cbodd Senior, J. W. Ray; Cbodd Junior, J. Clarke;
Maud Hetherington, Marie Wilton ; Lord and Lady Ptarmigant, Mr.
Hare and Miss S. Larkin ; Olinthus O'Sullivan, H. W. Montgomery.
[This was the stepping stone to Robertson's success. — C. S.]
' From Le Meurtrier de Thiodore,
* Fifty years previous to this the building was known as " Reiuagle
and Barker's New Panorama, near the New Church in the Strand," and
there was presented a view of the Bay of Naples. Then Burf ord had
a panorama there, and for a short time it was used as a chapel. In
1832 it was opened by Benjamin Lionel Rayner as " Rajmer's New
Subscription Room '' in the Strand^ with two new burlettas entitled
Professionals Puzzled and MysUficationy in which Mrs. Waylett was the
chief star. The larger theatres had the Lord Chamberlain on their
side in their endeavour to crush the smaller houses, and so it was
declared illegal to take money at the doors. An adjoining sweetmeat
establishment was annexed to the premises, and visitors paid four
shillings an ounce for lozenges, and had an admi&sion for the Strand
boxes given them; or bought half an ounce of peppermint drops and
had a gratuitous ticket for the pit thrown into the bargain. At last
W. J. Hammond became manager, and produced Othello according
to Act of Parliament, the first attempt to give the theatre a reputa-
tion for burlesque. Harry Hall was manager from 1842 to 1845,
then Roberts, then William Farren in 1850, and about 1858 the
Swanboroughs.
^ J. D. Stoyle, Vasco di Gama ; David James, Nelusco ; Thomas
Thome, Selika ; Inez, Ada Swanborough; Don Pedro, Miss Raynham;
Don Alva, Elise Holt ; Grrand Liquisitor, Charles Fenton ; Don Diego,
H. J. Turner.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 317
about. 25^A. — Leave MS. of three scenes at Drury, going
over them with Dykwynkyn ; then to Haymarket, Overland
Route revived; meet George Coppin, who departs for
Australia this night. Then to Drury ; see a bad adaptation
by Falconer, called Qalway go Bragh** ^
^^Dec. 9th. — Dykwynkyn calls: his birthday, fifty-four,
comparisons and congratulations; then to work on Henry
Dunbar,^ which piece comes out at Olympic ; not over till
midnight, and write a column notice for Era. llth. — This
day am forty-five ! ! ! Can hardly realize the &ct, and God
be thanked for all. 16th. — Off to St. James's : School for
Scandal; Miss Herbert, Lady Teazle' — very good, rest queer.
22nd. — All day preparing a notice of Miss Bateman,* who
this evening takes a fiurewell of the stage at Her Majesty's
— house crowded. 23rc2. — Look in at Alhambra to see
Callcott's transformation scene; go to Astley's.* 25ih. —
Oh ! such a doleful, dreary Christmas Day for 'me ! Stop in
chambers over article for Daily Telegraphy which deliver at
night ; then back, and at other articles till 4 a.m. 26th. —
Another rushing day. Greatly grieved to hear at Arundel of
death of Hart, whose next birthday I had hoped to celebrate.
* Or, Love, Fun, and Fighting. It was taken from Lever's " Charles
0*Malley." Falconer, Mickey Free ; Miss Hazlewood, Frank Webber;
Rose Ledercq, Lucy Dashwood.
' Or, The Outcast, adapted by Tom Taylor in a great measm^ from
VOuvrikre de Londres, by M. Hippolyte Hostein, done at the Ambigu
Comique, November 1864. Kate Terry, Margaret Wentworth; Henry
Neville, Joseph Wilmot ; H. J. Montagae, Clement Austin ; Helen
Leigh made her dilnU as Laura Dunbar, and Nelly Farren played a
souhrette.
' Frank Matthews, Sir Peter ; Mrs. Frank Matthews, for first time,
Mrs. Candour ; Walter Lacy, Charles Surface ; and Belton, Joseph.
* She appeared as Juliet to the Romeo of J. C. Cowper ; Howe was
the Mercutio. On the same evening Miss Bateman*s two little sisters
made their appearance as Diggory Dawdlegrass and Daisy, in T.
Williams's farce. Little Daisy.
* Harlequin Tom Tom the Piper's /Sow, Pope Joan, and Little Bo-Peep;
or, Old Daddy Long Legs and the Pig that went to Market and the Pig
tJiat stayed at Home. Caroline Parkes and Milano in opening scenes ;
Rowella, clown ; Yestris and Esther Austin, harlequin and harlequina ;
Misses Emma Carle and Grosvenor, columbines.
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318 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Go to Adelphi* ; look in at Drury ; rush off to Prince of
Wales's ; ^ and write notices. 27^fe. — Go to stalls at Drury
Lane; see lAiHe King Pippin;'^ delighted with Percy
Roselle ; the other little things not done so well as they
might have been. 28th. — Take Horace Green to Covent
Garden to see Aladd/i/n ® — splendidly got up. 29th. — Look in
at Haymarket: Orpheus and Eurydice,^ by Planch^ — very
neat. SOth. — Dress, and then to grand annual banquet at
2, Russell Square, given by J. M. Levy to the Telegraph
staff; meet the Lord Mayor (Mr. Phillips), Ghas. Braham,
Edwin Arnold, Byron, and all the strength of the staff.
Sing 'Norrible Tale' (bi8% ^Rotunda,' and 'Guy Fawkes,'
which I had no notion I could recollect, and ' Almanack '
song; pleasant evening. 31s^. — The last day of the old
year — awake very tired. ' Family ' reunion. Send books of
pantomimes, etc., wanted for Australian copyright to Coyne.
Quiet evening, and welcome the New Year in by reading
Tennyson's poem and keeping open doors. Thus closes the
busy, chequered year 1865; and God be heartily thanked
for all the blessings vouchsafed to me. Welcome 1866, and
may peace and happiness come with it."
Estimated revenue for year, £441 8s.
*> ^ Behind Time, Toole very funny as Jeremiah Fluke.
l^. * Little Don Giovanni / or, Leporello and the Stone Statue, by H. J.
Byron. The Don, Marie Wilton ; Leporello, J. Clarke ; Ottavio, H.
Collier; Donna Anna, Miss Hughes; Masetto, Fanny Josephs; Zerlina,
J. Hare.
-1 3 Or, Harlequin Fortunatus and the Magic Purse and Wishing Cap, by
E. L. B. Augusta Thompson, Fortunatus; Master Percy BoseUe, Little
King Pippin; Henri Drayton, Mammon; Boleno and E. Lauri, clowns;
Cormack and S. Saville, harlequins ; Barnes and J. Norris, pantaloons ;
Madame Boleno and Miss C. Morgan, columbines.
•^ * Or, Harlequin and the Flying Palace. E. L. B.'s pantomime. Alad-
din, Bachel Sanger ; Abanazar, W. H. Payne, afterwards Clown ;
Eazrac, Fred Payne, afterwards Harlequin; Widow Chin Chin, Charles
Steyne ; Princess Badroulbadour, Blanche Ellidton ; Genius of the
Lamp, Miss Dacre ; Columbine, Mdlle. Esta; Pantaloon, Paul Herring.
* This was called Orpheus in the Haymarket, David Fisher, Orpheus;
Eurydice, Louise Keeley ; Pluto, Bartleman ; Juno, Miss Snowden ;
Jove, W. Farren ; Minerva, Miss Coleman ; Diana, Henrietta Lindley;
Cupid, Ellen Woolgar; Venus, Nelly Moore; Mercury, Fanny Wright.
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ED WARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 3 19 ^
1866.
^^Jan. 8iA. — To Strand: see John Brougham's very bad
three-act drama called Nellie's Trials (same piece as Might
of Right)} lOth. — Take Walter to morning performance at
Astley's: Tom, Tom, the Pipers Son.^ 1 Ith. — Get private box
for Lyceum ; see for first time Master ofRavenswood^ strongest
impression being that Carlotta Leclerq is very good, and that
last act is the best. IZth. — Dine with the Lord Mayor!!
(Phillips) at the Mansion House at 6 ; about eighty there ;
magnificent spread ; meet George Phillips and brother, old
acquaintances; sing *St. George,' *A Norrible Tale,'
'Almanacks.' Mr. J. M. Levy touchingly spoke of his
fifty years' friendship with the Lord Mayor, and how they
climbed the hill of life together. To E. Levy's, where Albert
C. Wright and Byron. \dth. — Receive from Drury £25, first
instalment of pantomime account. See burlesque of Princess
Priw/rose (produced on Saturday),or, The Four Pretty Princes;^
prettily put on the stage, but very coarsely written. \%th. —
* Or, The Soul of Honour, produced at Astley's, January 80th, 1864.
Ada Swanborougb in the title r6le. Tom Thome as Jacob Tinsel. «
' It was by T. L. Greenwood.
' Palgrave Simpson's adaptation of TJie Bride of Lammermoor, The
most popular version of this novel was a three-act drama by John
William Galcraft, in which Messrs. Murray, Mackay, and Mrs. Siddons
appeared in Edinburgh. E. L. Davenport and Mrs. Mowatt played in
it at the Marylebone in 1848. Fr^dric Lemaitre was great in the
French version. La FiancSe de Lammermoor, as Edgar Ravenswood, at
the Porte St. Martin, March 28th, 1828. In the Lyceum version,
Lucy Ashton, played by Carlotta Leclercq dies in the arms of Ravens-
wood (Charles Fechter), as they are swallowed up by the quicksand.
This was a marvellous moonlit scene, and the rest of the scenery, by
T. Grieve, was looked upon as some of the best that he had ever
painted. Hermann Vezin was the Hayston of Bucklaw; Miss
Elsworthy, Lady Ashton ; G. Jordan, Sir William Ashton ; Mrs.
Teman, Alice ; Widdicombe, Captain Craigengelt ; J. H. Fitzpatrick,
Colonel Douglas Ashton ; Miss E. Lavenu, Henry Ashton ; and Sam
Emery, Caleb Balderstone.
* By Best and Bellingham. The four Princes were — Amrus, Lydia
Foote ; Turfi, Amy Sheridan ; Hasard, Ellen Leigh ; and Pecki, Miss
H. Everard. Miss Wilson was Princess Primrose ; R. Soutar was the
Demon Uglee.
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320 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
See new farce at Adelphi, Pipkin's Rural Rdreai^ by T. J.
Williams; goes off well; Toole very good. 19^A. — All day
writing with a sad heart the memoir of poor G. V. Brooke,
drowned in the London steamer, on the 1 1th instant !* Story
of Toole's success on his first trip. 2l8t — Meet Kingston
and Avonia Jones (widow of poor G. V. Brooke), and with her
fruitlessly go in search of E. Gardner, that she might hear
poor Brooke's last words."
* Toole played Brittle Pipkins ; Miss A. Seaman, Betsy Perks;
Paul Bedford was Shandy Gaff.
' E. L. B. states that Gustavus Yaughan Brooke was bom on April
25th, 1819, at Hardwick Place, Dublin, and as a child was a great
favourite of the novelist, Maria Edgeworth, by whose brother Lovell
he was educated ; and was noted for his love of, and skill in, athletic
sports. He was then placed under the tuition of the Bev. William
Jones, to be prepared for college, with a view of his joining the Irish
Bar. He went to see Macready when he was fourteen years of age,
and this decided his future career. He called the next day on the
great actor, and told him that he wished to join the profession, and
Macready pointed out to him all its perils, dangers, and hardships.
This did not alter Brooke's determination, for he soon after called
upon J. W. Galcraft, manager of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, and
requested to appear in the character of William Tell, and recited to
him one or two pieces. Galcraft and his wife were very much struck
with his recitation, but told him that they could do nothing at present.
Almost immediately afterwards, Edmund Kean, who had been engaged
to appear, was unable to do so through illness. The manager was in a
fix, and thought of Gustavus Brooke, and allowed him to appear on
Easter Tuesday, 1833, as William TelL The result was sufficiently
satisfactory to obtain for him an engagemeut, and he appeared as
Virginius, Frederic in Lover's Vows, Douglas and Rolla. He then went
to Limerick and Londonderry, and was engaged for twelve nights for
Glasgow. From thence to Edinburgh, where he was engaged for the
rest of the season, and earned the title of '^ The Hibernian Eoscius." He
then came to London to the Victoria and joined the Kent circuit
After considerable work in the provinces he appeared as Othello at the
Olympic Theatre, January 2nd, 1848, and was at once acknowledged
as one of the greatest tragedians of the age, and had the most liberal
offers, but he returned to the provinces, and after a tour went to
America, and made his d6but at the Broadway Theatre, New York,
December 15th, 1851, as Othello. His first appearance in Philadelphia
was on January 5th, 1852, as Sir GUes Overreach. He had made a
considerable sum of money, but he invested it in taking the Astor
Place Opera House, New York, which he opened in 1852, but lost
everything, and became deeply involved in debt ; but, to his honour
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 321
" FA. 5^.— See dismal comedy at Strand of Fly and the
Web^ by Troughton. &ik. — Drury Lane second payment
of £25. \Qth. — At Drury see Strcmger; Phelps, and Mrs.
Hermann Vezin as Mrs. Haller. Hear from Edward Murray
doubts of C!ovent Garden, but find it open after aU ; hear
the money is very doubtftd indeed there. 15^. — To Hay-
market: A Romantic AttachTnent, and Ada Cavendish's
first appearance.* 27th. — Go to St. James's; She StoopSy
very indifferently acted ; Calthrop, under name of Clayton
Hastings, not a light comedian. 2Sth. — Try a desperate
remedy for the 'blues:* go in evening to first supper of
*The Vagrants,' held at what used to be Hubble's; James
Bruton in chair, and some fifty present ; I take McConnell,
the barrister, who returns thanks for visitors ; I return for
Literature, proposed by Carpenter ; a very pleasant evening."
" Ma/rch 3rci.— Go to Drury, and by cheque from Chatterton
be it remembered, he paid every shilling afterwards. On Septem-
ber 6th, 1852, be reoommenced touring throngb the States as a star,
and his progress was triumphant. He returned to England and
reappeared at Drury Lane, September 5ih, 1853. In 1854 he took his
faiewell of the London public, and sailed for Australia. He became
lessee of the Theatre Boyal, Melbourne, but the speculation was
unsuccessful, so after seven years* absence he returned to Drury Lane,
October 28th, 1861, appearing as Othello. G. Y. Brooke was tall, digni-
fied, and graceful ; his features were eminently expressive, and on the
stage his walk and presence were majestia As a tragic artist he stood
at one time in the highest rank. His style was perfectly natural, from
no school, but fresh from the hand of Nature. He possessed a voice of
great power, which he used effectively. He was almost absurdly
generous. The unfortunate steamer, London^ had left Plymouth on
January 6th, and had been battling with fearful weather until the
11th, when she went down with two hundred and twenty souls. Only
sixteen of the crew and three passengers survived. Gustavus Y.
Brooke set an example of courage and fortitude to all on board — ^work-
ing at the pumps ; and appears to have accepted his coming doom with
resignation. The last words he was known to have uttered were, '* If
you succeed in saving yourselves, give my farewell to the people at
Melbourne."
^ Suggested by Scribe's Le Gardien, Scene transformed to England
and to epoch 1760.
* This was her first appearance in comedy rOlea, she had hitherto
appeared in burlesque and extravaganza. W. Farren, Oompton,
and Mrs. £. Fitzwilliam were in the cast.
21
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322 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
£25. To Standard ; see piece of A Patriot Spy} lOth.—
Write to R. Banner Oakley, to ask him for something for
Covent Garden pantomime: not had a sixpence yet, and
greatly concerned thereby. lOth. — Dine at Freemasons'
Tavern, Newsvendors' Benevolent Institution; McCullogh
Torrens, M,P., in chair; I respond to the Press toast,
giving a hint about the unstamped prize and subscrip-
tion boxes; go to Masham, 80, Fleet Street, and get
two guineas, for which I give up all further claim on
Covent Garden. 24th. — To Adelphi, and see I72nd and last
night of Rip van WirMe, JefiFerson's benefit. A fire at
Daily Telegraph oflSce ; suspicion of incendiarism. 28th. —
General and Theatrical Fund dinner. Lord Mayor (Phillips)
in chair ; attend dinner, the Telegraph Levys all present, but
my severe cold completely destroys the pleasures of the day.
31 8^. — Then to New Royalty : new burlesque by Reece called
Ulfthe Minstrel ;* and Olympic Ticket-of^Leave Man revived
(419th representation)."
" April 2nd, — Off to Haymarket : Favourite of Fortunje^
Westland Marston's new comedy, charmingly written and
goes off well. 1th. — Chatterton pays per cheque £20,
balance due for Drury. ^th. — First night at Surrey of
Theodora : * Avonia Jones (Mrs. G. V. Brooke) ; no great
* Originally produced at the Surrey Theatre, November 1859 ;
Creswick and Sarah Thome in their original characters.
' The theatre was opened under the management of Patty OUver.
R. B. Brongh had a share in the writing of the piece. Patty Oliver
played the Princess Diamonduck ; Lydia Maitland appeared as Ulf ;
Annie Bourke as Bimbo.
^ Caroline Hill appeared as Euphemia ; Henrietta Lindley, Camilla ;
Sothern, Frank Annerley ; Mrs. Chippendale, Mrs. Lorrington ; Buck-
stone, Tom Sutherland ; Kate Saville and Nelly Moore, Hester and
Lucy Lorrington.
* Theodora^ Actress caul Empress^ by Watts Phillips. In this drama,
showing an episode in the career of the celebrated actress and courtesan,
the main interest turned upon her condemning to death her son Philip
the issue of her marriage, some twenty years before she became
empress, with Creon, whom she has won from Miriam, a young Jewess
that Creon had deserted, and who from that time forward devotes
herself to vengeance on Theodora. Avonia Jones, Theodora ; James
Bennett, Creon ; Miss G. Pauncefort, Miriam ; James Fernandez,
Philip ; C. Butler, Justinian,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 323
success. As I sit in the stalls, a thumping bundle of bread
and cheese plumps down from gallery nearly on my head
— ^a narrow escape."
^^ May 5th. — See Byron's new drama of A Hund/red
Thouacmd Pounds^ at the Prince of Wales's Theatre : first act
very good, and the piece a success ; meet hosts of people
I know. Back to write notice, and then to Wobum
Lodge and sup at Edward Levy's ; Robertson, Sloper, Albert
Levy, and Byron and Prowse present. 1th, — ^To Adelphi:
see La Famille Benoiton^ called The Fast Family^ and
don't like it.* I6th. — Derby Day, and Lord Lyon, the
favourite, comes in the winner ; go down by S. W. E. ;
weather cloudy but fine ; spend on the course four dreary
wretched hours, all alone ; then meet Mr. Lawson and the
Phillipses (sons of Lord Mayor), and kindly provided with
sitting room and refreshments. Back to town at 6, and
then work away for Daily Telegraph, producing a two-
column article. All my speculations, as usual, in ' sweeps '
awful failures, nth. — To Princess's: a tremendous house,
and brilliant reception of the Keans,' this being their first
appearance in England after their return from their famous
tour round the world. Go to Lyceum; Gorsican Brothers
being played here for the first time with Fechter.* Then
to Prince of Wales's.^ 23rd.— Death of Miss Cottrell® of
Olympic, who died on Monday, aged only twenty-five."
* The first act of this was considered to be the best. Marie Wilton,
Alice ; Sydney Bancroft, Gerald Goodwin ; J. W. Ray, Joe Barlow ;
J. Clarke, Pennythome ; John Hare, Fluker ; P. Dewar, Major Black-
abaw. Miss Goodall, Blanche Wilton, and Montgomery were also in
the cast.
* It was by Ben Webster, Junior.
*They appeared in Henry VIII. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean as
the Cardinal and Queen Catherine ; Miss Cbapman, Anne Boleyn.
* English version of Alexandre Dumas' novel, dramatized by MM.
Grange and X. de Montepier, first played at the Th^d,tre Historique,
August lOtb, 1850. Fechter ; the brothers Dei Franchi ; G. Jordan,
Ch&teau R^naud ; Hermann Yezin, S. Emery, H. Widdicombe, Mrs.
Teman, Mesdames Henrade and E. Lavenu were also in the cast.
^ Louisa Moore made her first appearance here as Miss Thistledown
in The Bonnie Fishwife,
^ At a very early age she had appeared as an actress at the Olympic
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324 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
" JwM 2nd. — See Offenbach's Bhiebeardy^ a preposterous
piece of nonsense, ^ih. — Go to Lyceum : Dr. Davy^ Vezin's
piece. Then to Princess's : Louis the Eleventh} Qth. — Send
mother hamper of wine and spirits as a birthday present.
20th. — Go to Haymarket: Dundreary Married and Done
For revived ; to Princess's : last night of Kean's Merchant
of Venice and Jealous Wife; and Olympic (Kate Terry's
benefit)/ The Hunchback. SOtL — See La Belle HcUn^^
at Adelphi: Offenbach's music very pretty and sparkling;
and Bumand's libretto in rhyme very neat."
"July 2nd. — To Princess's: The Huguenot Captain;^
Watts Phillips. 6^^. — At Arundel, and meet Barry Sullivan,
just returned after four and a half years' absence in Australia.
14^. — Opening of the Hall at Margate-by-the-Sea (Spiers
and Pond) ; meet Brown, Leigh, and everybody. 26ih. —
This day poor Robert Eoxby dies,^ the stage-manager of
and St. James's Theatres, and had made her mark ; bnt possessing a
considerable knowledge of music, she thought it advisable to turn it
to account on the operatic stage, and only the week before her death
was appearing at Her Majesty's Theatre, as Mdlle. Edi. She married
John Haines, the violoncellist.
^ An adaptation by Bellingham of Offenbach's Barbe-Bleu. Libretto
by Henri Meilhac and Hal^vy, music arranged by J. H. Tully. Bobert,
Ellen Farren ; King Earlypurl, W. H. Stephens ; Prince Sapphire,
Amy Sheridan ; Mopsa, Susan Galton.
» E. L. B. evidently means by this that Hermann Vezin excelled as
David Grarrick in Doctor Davy^ for the piece was really an adaptation
by James Albery of Docteur Robin. Miss Henrade was the Mary.
' Charles Eean, J. F. Cathcart, Miss Chapman, Mrs. Charles Eean,
and Vollaire were in the cast.
* Kate Terry played Julia, for the first time ; Miss Ellen Terry (Mrs.
Gr. F. Watts) played Helen, also for the first time, with great spirit
and animation ; Henry Neville was the Master Walter ; Horace
Wigan, Modus. Boite Terry delivered an address written by Tom
Taylor.
* E. L. B. means by this Helen; or, Taken from the Grreek, Bumand's
free version. Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Paris ; Paul Bedford, Calchas ;
Miss Furtado, Helen ; J. L. Toole, Menelaus ; Miss A. Seaman,
Orestes.
^Mrs. Stirling, George Honey, George Yining, Augusta Thompson
were in the cast. Miss Neilson played Gabrielle.
' Son of William Roxby Beverley, and brother to William Beverley,
the scenic artist. After considerable experience in the provinces he
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 325
Drory^ after a long illness; I should think he was about
fifty-seven."
^^ Aug. 4cth. — Poor Charles Ball, the original editor of
lUuatrated London News, LloycPa Weekly News, ' Censorius '
of the Diapatchy died, aged, I should think, over seventy.
6th. — First night of Amy Sedgwick's opening Haymarket :
The Unequal Mdtch. 11th. — Astley's opens under the
management of a Miss Sophie Young, with The Mysteries
of AucUey Gourt^ dramatized by John Brougham ; piece
very bad, actress middling: take Jonas Levy. 27<A. — To
Strand: Waitvng for the Underground; trashy fun byL. H.
du Terreaux. 2%th. — Busy with Era copy. To Adelphi
(Toole's benefit), and see Paul Pry and stupid farce, Keep
Towr Door Locked.^ Write notices Daily Telegraph. A son
of Mrs. Warner^ tries Hamlet to-night at Wells for his
father's benefit : not great. ZOth. — For three weeks' hard
work for Era £3 10«., being my own modest estimate : ought
to be ashamed of myself."
^^ Sept. Sth.—Era £2. Surrey Theatre reopens: prize
drama, True to the Gore,^ by A. Slous ; good subject, drama
indifferent, acting capital. Write column and a half notice
appeared at the St. James's Theatre in 1839, when Hooper was the
lessee. From that time he remained in London, and was for a long
time a member of the Lyceum and Drury Lane Companies ; at the
latter theatre he had been stage-manager for eleven years.
* Robert Andlej, George Jordan ; Oeorge Talboys, Henry Sinclair;
Alicia Audley, Maud Shelley ; Phoebe Marks, Miss Marian ; Lady
Audley, Sophie Young.
' This was the first time that Toole had attempted the character of
Paul Pry ; he dressed it exactly after the manner of Listen. Mrs.
Alfred Mellon was the Phoebe, and gave the song of " Cherry Ripe,"
Robert Herrick*8 words, so charmingly set to music by Charles Horn.
Harry Stanley, originally played by Mrs. Waylett, fell to the lot of
John Billington. The farce was by Arthur Matthieson. On the same
night Toole played Menelaus in Helm.
' This was John Lawrence Warner. He was described as having a
tall, graceful figure, fine forehead, and most expressive features. His
performance was considered highly creditable. Miss Neville was the
Ophelia ; W. Roberts, the King ; Mr. Jaques, Laertes ; and W.
Brunton, the Gravedi^;er.
* The action of the play takes place in July 1588, and had to do with
the coming of the Spanish Armada. Creswick, Martin Truegold;
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326 EDWARD LEJdAN BLANCHARD.
for Era, 1(WA. — To New Royalty (second night of season) ;
burlesque by Eeece, Th^ Lady of the Lake} 13^.— To
Sadlers Wells (first night of season) : see Othello ; Salter *
the Moor, young Jjawrence Warner lago; both very fair.
14tth. — To Haymarket: see Amy Sedgwick in Love Chase
(her benefit, and last night but one of her summer season).
15th. — To Lyceum, opening with Boucicault's new drama of
A Long Strike^ which I think very highly of. Write long
notice for Era. Go to Arundel, and hear of Robertson's
comedy of Ours * being a success at Prince of Wales's, opening
also this evening. 22nd. — Drury opens]: King John and
Comedy of Errors.^ Have Palgrave Simpson, Stone, Clayton,
and Leigh in private box. 2Qth. — See dress rehearsal of a
bad piece by Tom Taylor, The Whiteboy, at Olympic, which
Mabel, the " Rose of Devon/* Kate Saville ; Marah, Georgina Paunoe-
fort ; Master Wallet, the Pedlar, Mr. Shepherd ; and GeoiFery Dangers
Henry Marston. The Admiral, E. F. Edgar.
* The full name of this was The Lady of the Lake^ plaid in a New
Tartan. James Y. of Scotland, Rosina Ranoe; Malcolm Gneme,
Henrietta Lindley; M'Howler, W. H. Stephens. The theatre was
under the management of Miss M. Oliver.
' This was J. H. Salter, from the Theatre Royal, Liverpool. Miss
Leigh was the Desdemona, and Mrs. J. F. Saville, from the Nottingham
Theatre, Emilia ; Cassio, Mr. Collier, late of the Strand. Later in
this same week Salter and Warner reversed the parts.
' This play was in four acts, and was suggested by Mrs. Gaskell's
stories, " Mary Barton " and *' Lizzie Leigh." Mrs. Boucicault, Jane
Learoyd ; Dion Boucicault, Johnny Beilly ; S. Emery, Noah Learoyd ;
J. C. Cowper, who had been for a long time a favourite at Liverpool ;
Jem Starkie ; H. Widdicombe, Moneypenny.
^It had its trial trip at the Prince of Wales's, Liverpool. Sir
Alexander Shendryn, J. W. Ray ; Blanche Haye, Louisa Moore ;
Mary Netley, Marie Wilton ; Lady Shendryn, Miss Larkin ; Angus
McAllister, S. Bancroft ; Prince Perovsky, Mr. Hare ; Hugh Chalcot,
Mr. Clarke ; Sergeant Jones, F. Younge. One of the scenes which
produced the greatest enthusiasm was the departure of the troops for
the Crimea, and in the third act was shown the interior of a Crimean
hut with Chalcot, the hitherto useless man ai>out town, doing the
cooking.
* Phelps, King John ; Barry Sullivan, Falconbridge ; Percy Roselle,
Prince Arthur ; F. Barsby, Louis the Dauphin ; Barrett, Cardinal
Pandulph; Miss F. Bennett, Prince Henry; Mrs. Hermann Vezin,
Constance — her first appearance in the character, very highly spoken
of ; Mrs. H. Yandenhoff, Queen Elinor ; Adelaide Golier, Lady
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 327
opens for season to-morrow.* My old friend * Bob Sonter ' of
the Advertiser^ the oldest leader of the * Gallery/ died this
week, aged seventy. 2%th. — Meet Billington and Hare (the
young actor of Prince of Wales's) for the first time in
private."
" Oct. 1«^. — To Haymarket : Hevr-^t'LaWy^ first night of
season. 27id. — Look in at Drury : Macbeth, Barry Sullivan ;
and Lady Macbeth, Amy Sedgwick. 4tk. — To Haymarket :
return of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews.' Qth. — New
Holbom Theatre* opened with Boucicault's drama, The
Blanche. In the Comedy of Errors, the brothers Webb were the two
DiomioB ; and H. Sinclair and F. Barsby respectively Antipholus of
Ephesus, and Antipholas of Syracuse.
^ This was sapposed to have been written many years before it was
produced, and E. L. B. seems to have thought it founded on one of
the " Tales by the O'Hara Family." The scenery was laid in Ireland,
in 1795, about three years before the great Irish rebellion. Captain
Trevor, H. J. Montague ; Grace Moriarty, Miss E. Wilson ; Grace
Dwyer, Milly Palmer ; Redmond O'Hara, Henry Neville ; Paddy
M^Eew, George Yincent. In this, too, Miss E. Farren played the part
of Pandreen, an *4nnocent," who is dumb. Jerrold Beeves, Sergeant
Sidebottom.
' With one exception, when it was played for Harley's Benefit at the
Princess's about twelve years before, The Heir-ctt-Law had not been
seen since 1835. On ihia occasion J. B. Buckstone was the 'Zekiel
Homespun ; Chippendale, Daniel Dowlas ; Mrs. Chippendale, Lady
Duberly ; Nelly Moore, Cicely Homespun ; CaroUne Hill, Caroline
Dormer ; W. Farren, Dick Dowlas ; and Compton, Doctor Pangloss.
' They appeared in Used Up, and in W. Brough's adaptation, The
Comical Countess. Under another title, A Decided Hit, a translation
by Howard PauL It had been played at the Lyceum some fifteen
years before.
* Built by Sef ton Parry, and named by him Holbom Theatre Royal,
was situated on the north side of Holbom, not very &r from the
opening of Chancery Lane. The gallery entrance in Brownlow Street,
was built on the site in which Charles Mohun died in 1684. The
theatre had three entrances, from Holbom, Brownlow Street, and
Jockey's Fields. The act drop was painted by Charles S. James, and
was a Watteau theme. The bill of the play for the night was a new
farce by T. J. Williams, called Larkins's Love Letters, very similar to
Waiting for the Underground, The second title to the Flying Scud
was A Four-legged Fortune, and the cast in it was certainly excellent.
Captain Grindley Goodge, G. Neville ; Colonel Mulligan, E. Garden ;
Mr. Chouser, AYestland ; Mo Davis, YoUaire ; Tom Meredith,
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328 EDIVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Flying 8oud, with which delighted; it makes a decided
hit. Write notice which runs to three columns. 8^. —
To Haymarket and St. James's: write notice of former
(Overland Boute and Critic), and leave latter (BeUe's
Stratagem)^ for another occasion. Meet Harrison of the
Daily Telegraph. 9th. — To Strand ; see a burlesque by
Bumand on Der Freischutz.^ lOth. — To Prince of Wales's :
see very bad burlesque by Byron, Der Freiachutz.^ IStL —
To Drury, taking Stone, to see Macbeth ; a new tragedian,
named Talbot, not good.* \^th. — Strand: see a slight
adaptation by W. H. Swanborough, In the Wrong BoXy
and sit through the burlesque. 17th. — See at New Boyalty
a clever piece by H. T. Craven, called Meg's Diversions.^
20th. — Go to Drury: Fatist carefully got up, but a very heavy
G. Blake ; Katej Bideout, Bessie Foote ; Nat Gosling^ G. Belmore ;
Ned Gompo, Miss M. Fawsitt ; Julia Latimer, Miss J. Fiddes ; Lord
Woodbie, Fanny Josephs. The part of Nat Gk^ling was one of the
best that G. Belmore ever played, and but little behind him was
Charlotte Saunders, as Bob Buckskin, another jockey who will put on
too much flesh. Yollaire's Mo Davis may almost be saidio have been
the original from which so many stage Hebrews have been copied.
^ This was for the re-opening of the theatre under Miss Herbert^s
management. She appeared as Letitia Hardy to Henry Lrving's Dori-
oourt. Walter Lacy, Flutter ; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Hardy
and Widow Racket; Gaston Murray, Sir George Touchwood; Mr.
Burleigh, Saville ; F. Charles, Oourtley ; £. Dyas, Yillers : Garlotta
Addison (first appearance here), Lady Frances Touchwood : Eleanor
Bufton, Miss Ogle. On the same night a new farce by John Oxen-
ford, entitled Professor of Whatf — and in it J. D. Stoyle made his
first appearance here as Job, and created a most favourable impression.
Henry Irving was the stage -manager.
' Or, ^ Qood Cast for a Piece, Zamiel, Miss Baynham ; Caspar,
Charles Fenton ; Budolph, David James ; Agnes, Ada Swanborough ;
Madame von Stuckup, T. Thorne ; William, Miss E. Johnstone;
Anne, Fanny Hughes ; Catspaw, F. Bobson.
'Or, The Bell, the Bill, and the Ball. Lydia Thompson, Max; J.
Ckirke, Caspar ; F. Younge, Zamiel ; Louisa Moore, Agatha ; Lydia
Maitland, William ; H. W. Montgomery, Eusno ; F. Glover (first
appearance here), Hugo.
^ This was H. Talbot, an actor who had made a considerable name
in the provinces. Miss Amy Sedgwick was the Lady Macbeth.
^ Miss Oliver in the title rble, the author as Jaspar Pidgeon ; Boland,
F. Dewar. In this was introduced a realization of Calderon's picture,
" Broken Vows."
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 329
play in representation.* 22nd. — Standard Theatre burnt
down yesterday morning.* 24^A. — Begin first scene of Drury
pantomime, Nuwher Nip; or, Ha/rlequin and the Gnome
King of the Oiant Mountain. 27th. — Daily Telegraph
arrears £3 3«. Olympic : first night here of Wilkie Collins's
piece of The Frozen Deep;' goes slowly. Slat. — To Hay-
market: A Dangerous Friend^ adaptation by Oxenford
of La Tentation; not good, though with C. Mathews
and wife in it."*
"iVIcw. \8t. — Reece, like Albert Smith and Byron, has
* walked ' the hospitals. 2nd. — Dine at Arimdel, and then
to St, James's, seeing a stupid farce by Norton, called
^ Bayle Bemard^s version of Lewis Filmore's translatioii of Faust
Phelps, MephiBtopheles; Mrs. Hermann ye2dn, Marguerite; W. Harrison,
Valentine ; C. Harconrt, Siebel ; F. Barsby, Wagner. Lisa was played
by Miss Poole, who sang " Dews from the Heaven descending.*' The
arrangement of Spohr's music was by J. H. TuUy, who had also taken
some of the best numbers from Bishop, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and
Weber. The piece was most elaborate in scenic effects, the whole
stage-management being entrusted to Mr. Edward Stirling. This was
the first season of Chatterton being the sole manager of Drury Lane.
' It was situated in High Street, Shoreditch, and built some twelve
years previously by Mr. Douglas. On the same ground had been a
theatre originally built by Mr. Gibson, who was succeeded in manage-
ment by Nelson Lee, and then by Mr. Douglas. This building was
erected on the site of the little Curtain Theatre, in which Grimaldi
once performed. The theatre, now burnt down, was calculated to hold
some four thousand people. The evening before, Ber FreischiitZf a
burlesque by John Douglas, son of the proprietor, had been performed,
and the house had been crammed. The place was entirely gutted, and
not a shred of scenery, dresses, or anything else was recovered, except
a carroty wig belonging to Brittain Wright, the comedian. The fire
began at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning.
» First played on Twelfth Night, 1867, at Tavistock House, Charles
Dickens's London residence, with scenery by Stanfield and Telbin,
and in it Charles Dickens's family appeared, he himself playing Richard
Wardour ; Wilkie Collins, Frank Aldersley ; Mark L^mon, Lieutenant
Crayford. At the Olympic, Lydia Foote was the Clara Vernon;
Henry Neville, Richard Wardour ; H. J. Montague, Frank Aldersley ;
Horace Wigan, Lieutenant Crayford ; Dominick Murray, John Want ;
Mrs. St. Henry, Lucy Crayford ; Amy Sheridan, Mrs. Steventon ; Miss
Alliston, Rose Ebsworth. Hawes Craven painted the scenery.
* Another version of this, called The House or the Homey by Tom
Taylor, was done at the Adelphi.
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330 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Newington Butts, 5ih. — Leave first scene of pantomime at
Drury. To St. James's : Hunted Down ; or, Two Lives of
Mary Leigh, three-act drama, rather heavy, but of ingenious
construction, by Boucicault.^ 10th. — To Strand ; see adap-
tation from Charles Goldoni's comedy by Oxenford, called
Neighbours, \2th. — Scarcely able to write a line through
the terrible mental worry I am enduring. To Princess's : see
Bamaby Rudge * — a failure. Miss Miggs by Mrs. John Wood
(daughter of Mrs. H. Vining). Write notice by 2. I3th.
— To Artemus Ward's first night at Egyptian Hall, Among
the Mormons ; get a hearty laugh. AU the notabilities there :
meet Home the medium, now Lyon, in possession of large
property. lUh. — Hard at work; see Dykwynkyn about
pantomime ; much behind-hand. Then to Alhambra dinner :
Cossett in chair; Oxenford, Dunphie, HoUingshead, etc.
^ John Leigh, Walter Lacy ; Rawdon Scudamore, Henry Irving ;
Mary Leigh, Miss Herbert (originally played at the Prince's Theatre,
Manchester, in August, by Miss Kate Terry) ; Clara, Miss Ada Dyas
(originally played by Lydia Foote) ; Lady Glencarrig, Miss Guillon
Le Thi^re ; Mrs. Bolton Jones, Mrs. Frank Matthews. It made a
most favourable impression on the audience.
' This was not the first version of Dickens's novel, Charles Selby
having already arranged one, which was produced at the English Opera
House, afterwards named the Lyceum, June 28th, 1841 : The author
played Chester ; Miss Fortescue, Bamaby Rudge ; Mrs. Harris, Miss
Miggs. In the December following another version was brought out
at the Adelphi : Mrs. Tates as Mrs. Rudge ; Miss Chaplin, Bamaby ;
Wilkinson, John Willett ; Paul Bedford, Gabriel Varden ; 0. Smith,
Hugh ; Edward Wright, Tappertit ; and Yates, Sir John Chester, and
doubled the character with that of Miss Miggs. In a few weeks Yates
resigned both characters — Mr. Cullenford then playing Chester, and Miss
Gower Miss Miggs. The play was most probably produced to intro-
duce Mrs. John Wood to the London stage. She was for some time a
member of the Theatre Royal, Manchester, where she married Mr.
John Wood the comedian, and accompanied him to America in 1864.
Made her debut there, in September, at the New Boston Theatre. Five
years later she was manageress of the American Theatre, San Francisco;
and, returning to New York, became an immense favourite. Miss Miggs
was made a *' Yankee girl," and as such was a success so far as the act-
ing was concerned. Mrs. Henry Vining was Mrs. Rudge ; Katherine
Rodgers, Bamaby ; Augusta Thomson, Dolly Varden ; Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Horsman, Maypole Hugh and Mrs. Varden ; S. Calhaem, Simon ;
C. H. Fenton, J. Willett.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 331
15^A. — Record death of Mrs. Chatterly.* Vlih, — Hear from
C. C. B., dated September. 19^A.— To Drury : Helen Faucit's
reappearance ; * and then to Her Majesty's : 0<maghj long-
winded five-act drama by Falconer,* 2\8t. — To wretched
burlesque at Haymarket, by Burnand, on Antony and
CleopcUra: weU got up, but so dull !* 23rd. — To St. James's
Hall, Miss Glyn's readings ; Helen Faucit as Pauline at
Drury. Write notices of both. 2 Qth. — At Adelphi new drama
by Tom Taylor and Dubourg, called A Sister* 8 Pemince ;
good acting by Kate Terry .^ 29th.— To New Royalty : latest
edition of Black-eyed SusaUy indiflFerent burlesque by
^ Maiden name, Louisa Simeon. Born October 16th, t797 ; made
her first appearance at the old Lyoemn, Jnly 1816, as Harriet in Is He
Jealous f Soon after married William Ghatterly, a fayourite comedian
at that theatre. In July 1821 she played Julia, in 27i« Rivals, at
the opening of the Haymarket Theatre. First appeared at Covent
Garden as Mias Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer ; in the November
following also played there — Letitia Hardy, Edmund in The BUnd Boy
and Lady Teazle. She was afterwards marriec]^ to Mr. Place, February
13th, 1830, and left the stage ; but, again being left a widow, joined
Mr. Alfred Wigan's company when he was manager of the Olympic.
Her last engagement was at the Adelphi Theatre. She died Sunday,
November 4th.
* As Rosalind in ^« You Like It Walter Montgomery, Orlando ;
H. Webb, Touchstone.
' He opened the theatre as manager with his play, the second title of
which was The Lovers of Lisnamona, founded on Maria Edgeworth's
novel and Carlton's " Fajrdouroughra the Miser." The author played
the Miser. Oonagh was played by Miss Fanny Addison. The play
dragged its weary length along till past two in the morning, when the
carpenters took the law into their own hands, pulled the carpet from
under the actors' feet, and lowered the curtain. Tlie play was never
finished, for it was not seen again.
* It was called "-4n Eccentnc View of the Well-known Tale of
Antony and Cleopatra: Her Story and His Story related in a
Modem Nilo-metre." Compton, Lepidus ; Caroline Hill, Eros ;
Mrs. Charles Mathews, Cleopatra ; Charles Mathews, Antony ;
Rogers, Pompey the Great ; Fanny Wright, Octavius Caesar ; Clark,
Octavia.
' Into this was introduced a scene of the Indian Mutiny, and John
Billington as Ammedoolah figured conspicuously in the play, he having
fallen desperately in love with Alice Vernon (Kate Terry). Fanny
Hughes was the Marion Yemon, the sister who was betrayed; Hermann
Yezin. Markham, the hero.
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332 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Burnand^ Write notice of that and Haymarket revival of
Qwrne of Speculation.^*
" Dec. 10th. — The * good Mary ' returns with ^ Joey ' after a
week's stay in Essex. Stop up till about 2 a.m., and drink my
own health, sadly solv^. 11th. — Complete my forty-sixth
birthday ! ! ! Read pantomime of Nvmber Nip in green-
room of Drury, and usual delay in theatre. Sorry to hear of
my old friend Palser's (the printseller) death ; about fifty-
seven, I think. According to my old custom, spend the
evening with my mother, taking her a little present, and
receiving one (book) in exchange. This week have about
as serious an attack of illness as ever I had in my life.
Beautiful day. Ledger's daughter married; invited, but
can't attend.* 25th. — Christmas Day. I spend my Christmas
Day, as usual, solus in my chambers, working for Daily
Telegraph. The housekeeper sends me up a slice of goose
for my dinner, and I work on till 3 next morning to get
ready with the heavy pressure of * light' articles wanted;
awfully tired. 2^th. — In morning to Haymarket : see clever
troupe of performing children.' Then to Olympic;* then,
1 The title of this was, The Latest Edition of Black-eyed Susan, or,
The Little BUI that was Taken Up, Patty Oliver in the title rOle;
Bosina Banoe, William ; Danvers, Dame Hatlej ; Fanny Heath
(from the York circuit), Gnatbrain ; Miss Bromley (a dibutante in
London)^ Dolly Mayflower ; Charles Wyndham, Hatchett ; Dewar,
Grosstree ; Bussell, Doggrass.
' Eliza Ledger, elder daughter of Frederic Ledger, married John
McCabe.
' They were called ** The Living Miniatures," were trained by Mr.
Goe, of the Haymarket Theatre, and appeared in a sketch called
Littletop's Christmas Party, and in a burlesque written by Beginald
Moore, entitled Sylvius ; or, The Peril ! the Pelf! ! and the Pearl ! I !
The names of these children appear to have been mostly noms de
gv£rre,
* Benjamin Webster, lessee ; Horace Wigan, manager. London
Assurance was played. Gharles Mathews returned to the theatre, in
which he made his first appearance in 1835, to play Dazzle ; Lady Gay
Spanker, Mrs. Gharles Mathews ; Grace Harkaway, Milly Palmer ;
Ellen Farren, Pert ; Horace Wigan, Sir Harcourt Courtly ; Addison,
Max Harkaway ; Henry Neville, Charles Courtly ; Dominick Murray,
Dolly Spanker ; G. Vincent, Mark Meddle ; H. Cooper, Cool.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 333
after a hurried peep at Drury, which appears to be going on
all right/ to Prince of Wales's: Byron's PrometheiL8 cmd
Pandora's Box — very slight.* 27th. — Very tired, but cheered
by the good accounts of Drury in papers. Writing hard for
Era. Then to Haymarket: Lesson for Life;^ very dull.
29th. — With Stone to Drury to see Number Nip^ and I am
disappointed, as usual. Then to St. James's : see Gilbert's
first piece, a burlesque called Dulcamaray which goes ofiF
well.* Era £1 15s. Slst. — See at Drury morning perform-
ance Duke of York's boys in attendance ; and usher in the
New Year at midnight after a very dull hour, which I do my
best to turn into a lively one. Thus goes out a year of (to
me) almost unprecedented hard work and domestic worry.
God be thanked ! — though I had few happy hours in it, I have
done much, I believe, to make others happy ; and again I
hope the severe trials, to which my life has been subjected
will soon end, and that at last the peace I have so long
^ E. L. B/s pantomime, Number Nip, or, Harlequin and the Gnome
of the Qiant Mountain. Nymphalin, Miss Hndepeth ; Pipalee, Lydia
Thompson ; Percy Roselle, Number Nip ; Tom if atthews, Hans
Hansell ; Harry Boleno, down ; Barnes, pantaloon ; Cormack and
Madame Boleno, harlequin and columbine. There was a double set in
the harlequinade : C. Lauri, clown ; S. Saville, harlequin ; J. Morris,
pantaloon ; Ad^e Marion, columbine.
* This was called, in the bills, Pandora^s Box or, The Young,
Spark and the Old Flame. F. Younge, Jupiter ; Henrietta Hodaon,
Prometheus ; Lydia Maitland, Venus ; Lydia Foote, Minerva ;
Mr. Trafford, Phoebus ; Mr. Tindall, Vulcan ; Nelly Thompson,
Pandora ; J. Clarke, Juno ; Bella Goodall, Hebe ; W. H. Mont-
gomery, Epimetheus.
' Tom Taylor's play, originally done by amateurs at the Lyceum,
and produced in Manchester, October 4th, 1866. Sothem played
Vivian ; Nelly Moore, Mary ; Chippendale, Doctor Vivian ; Howe,
Lord Greystone ; H. Compton, Raggett, the Cambridge *^ Leg ; ''
Clark, Topham.
* This was the piece, in the writing of which the now celebrity, W. S.
Gilbert, was to commence his career as dramatic author. He called it
an '^ eccentricity,*' and its second title was, The LitUe Duck and the
Great Quacky founded on L'EUsir d^Amore. Frank Matthews in the
title rdle ; Carlotta Addison, Adina ; Miss E. McDonnell, Memorino ;
J. D. Stoyle, Beppo ; F. Charles, Beloore ; Gaston Murray, Tomaso ;
Eleanor Bufton, Gianetta.
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334 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
prayed for will be mine. So, 1867, do all that you can
for me, please."
Estimated revenue for the year, J6289.
^^ Memorandum. — Have this year lost £100 by Covent
Garden, and been heavily drained by domestic troubles and
ceaseless claims of my brother and his family."
1867.
" Tuesday^ Jan. let, — Begin year by paying taxes. Fine
frosty day. \2th. — To this date nothing to record but
domestic grievances, which had better be left unwritten.
Now nine in family to support — belonging to other people.
\Zth, — To Princess's, revival of Streets of London; and to
Hay market, revival of Serious Family. 1 5th. — Sad accident
on the ice at Regent's Park ; hear of thirty lives lost.* IQth.
— Hear of death of Harry Webb, the actor and manager of
Mr. T. L. Greenwood.* ISth. — Go to St. James's ; hear Miss
Glyn read Othello. Clever, but dreary. 2l8t. — See John
Bull at Drury; very badly done.^ 25th,— Era £1 10^.
Dramatic Authors' Society £18 4«. 9d. 28^A.— To Covent
' Some fifteen hundred people were on the ice formed on the orna-
mental water opposite Sussex Terrace, when it suddenly gave way,
and all the people were precipitated in the water. It happened about
four o'clock in the afternoon. Nearly fifty lives were lost.
* Henry Berry Webb, bom in London, November *22nd, 1814. After
playing as an amateur in London, appeared at the Chichester Theatre,
June 1833. Then went the Devon circuit in 1838. Succeeded Wright,
of Adelphi fame, at Birmingham, and remained with Mr. Simpson
eight years. Made his dSbut in London at the Surrey, September 7th,
1846, as Gravedigger to Macready's Hamlet, Remained there until
Mrs. Warner took the Marylebone, when he joined her, and then
subsequently became lessee of the Queen's Theatre, Dublin. With his
brother Charles Webb constantly played the Two Dromios His last
engagement was at Drury Lane, under Chatterton's management,
when he played First Witch in Macbeth, Was buried in the cemetery,
Gravesend, on January 18th.
8 Phelps, Job Thomberry ; Mrs. Hermann Vezin, Mary Thomberry ;
Mrs. H. Yandenhoff, Mrs. Btulgruddery ; Edmund Phelps, Tom
Shuffleton.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 335
Garden ; see Forty Thieves ; coarsely treated — all legs and
limelight — but splendidly got up.''
" Feb. 4:th. — Drury : Phelps as Sir Pertinax MacSycophant ;
then to Hanover Square Rooms: Captain Mayne Reid's
readings very bad. After feverish night have odd dream
about C. C. B. and mother, utterly unsuggested. 5th, —
Have heard of dear mother's illness, which is curious in con-
nection with the dream recorded above. 6th. — To Princess's :
T. W. Robeitson's drama of Shadow Tree Shaft ; * not a great
success. \2th» — To the Grecian, and much pleased with
George Conquest's Devil on Two Sticks. Vampire and
twenty-eight traps employed."
^^ March 4ith. — Look in at Drury : School for Scandal^; then
Hay market : Gilbert a Becket Junior's version of Victorien
Sardou's Nos Bons VillageoiSy here called Diamonds and
Hearts.^ Record death of James Bruton ; died this day, aged
about sixty.* 6th. — Charles Browne (Arten^us Ward) died this
day at Southampton, aged thirty-three. Saddened by having
the usual luck of writing memoirs of' those I have known.*^
nth. — Drury, Wanted Husbands for SiXy by Charles Kenny,
from the French. I6th. — Adelphi; and see Watts Phillips's
^ The scene was laid in Staffordshire in the time of the Young
Pretender, but what success did attend the piece was principally owing
to the scenery. The cast was not an extraordinary one.
* Phelps as Sir Peter ; Mrs. Hermann Vezin, Lady Teazle ; Barry
Sullivani Charles Surface ; T. Swinboume, Joseph Surface.
'Wellboume, Chippendale; Sir Charles Claverton, Howe; Frank
Wellboume, W. Farren ; Maud, Nelly Moore ; Lady Claverton, lone
Bourke ; Growler, Rogers ; Pennybrass, Clark.
* Bom at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1815, was apprenticed to a silver-
smith, but turned his attention to literature, and became celebrated as
a comic lyrist. Though self-educated, his work was excellent, and
he turned out several charming ballads. He was a great humourist
and punster.
* Bom at Waterford in America in 1836, was a printer by trade,
and travelled throughout New England until he settled down in
Boston, and eventuaUy became writer. His forte consisted in comic
stories and essays. He afterwards turned his attention to lecturing,
and from the quaintness of his delivery he became a great favourite,
and earned considerable sums of money. He lectured in all sorts of
extraordinary places, and before some very extraordinary audiences.
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336 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Lost in London — well written, but not a great go.' 26ih* —
Look in at Lyceum : revival of DvMs MottOy which ran 174
nights the first season. See Swinboume play Rob Roy, very
well done, at Drury."
" A'pril 27id.— Alfred Mellon buried this day at Brompton
Cemetery ; nearly a thousand people attend.* 27id, — Go to
New Royalty ; one hundredth night of Blddo^ed Suscm; a
supper in celebration, and Miss Oliver in chair. I return
thanks for Press. 4^. — Era £\ 15«. Sorry to see an-
nounced the death of Charles H. Bennett, a clever young
artist {The Owl), aged thirty-seven. 6th. — To Prince of
Wales's ; see Robertson's new comedy of Caste ; a brilliant
success, and one of the best pieces I have ever seen.* 8^A. —
To Haymarket, and see Mrs. Scott Siddons make her
amongst the mineis, Mr. Hingston, his agent, having piloted him well.
He was once captured by Indians, and in crossing the Rocky Moun-
tains he and his agent were attacked by wolves. After travelling in
America, from about 1863, he returned to New York in 1864. He
came to London in 1866, wrote for Punch, and then lectured in the
Egyptian Hall. He will always be remembered at least by one work :
" Artemus Ward, his Book." T. W. Robertson was a great friend of
his, and with E. P. EUngston was appointed his executor. After pro
viding for his mother he left a considerable number of legacies to
children, and at his mother's death her legacy to be devoted to the
foundation of an asylum for aged and incapacitated printers.
* Job Armroyd, Henry Neville ; Nelly Armroyd, Miss Neilson ;
Benjamin Blinker, J. L. Toole ; Tiddy Dragglethorp, Mrs. Alfred
Mellon; Gilbert Featherstone, Ashley. It was a play with a very
sad ending, but with great capabilities for any actress who undertook
the part of Nelly Armroyd,
' Was bom at Birmingham in 1822, the youngest of fifteen children,
and was the only one who showed an inclination for music, and by the
time he was fifteen had acquired such proficiency on the violin as to
be admitted a member of the orchestra at the Birmingham Theatre,
where he aoon rose to be leader, which post he held for seven years.
He was also possessed of an excellent voice. His Figaro, Duleamara,
and Count Bodolpho were most efficient. Became conductor of the
Adelphi in 1844. In 1847 appointed leader of the ballet music at the
Boyal Italian Opera, and was also conductor of the Italian Opera in
the provinces. In 1857 conducted the Pyne-Harrison English Opera
Company at Covent Garden, where was produced his opera of Victarine.
His Promenade Concerts were the best, perhaps, that were ever given.
He married Miss Woolgar. Died March 27th, 1867.
' The Hon. George d'Alroy, Frederick Tounge ; Captain Hawtree,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 337
metropolitan djSyui as Bosalind; only a promising actress J
11^. — Copy out and send off the Nuptial Ode, which I call
* Cupid's Rose Leaves/ to H. B. Ffarington, Mansion House.
Vlth. — Robert Bell, journalist and dramatist, died this day,
aged sixty-four.* \Zih, — See the Oxford and Cambridge boat
race. Oxford again the winner — seventh time in succession.
Finish extra lines for H. B. Ffarington, from whom letter of
thanks and £5 58. 20iA. — See Clarke make his first appear-
ance at Adelphi in bad piece of A Fretful Porcupine ;' then
to Strand, and see indifferent burlesque by W. Brough, of
Pygmalion} 22nd. — Finger-weary ; go to six theatres and
write something about each of them ; finish about half-past
one. 23rd. — Meet Arthur Sketchley, with whom to Drury :
OrecU City — great rubbish.* Olympic, burlesque equally bad.®
2bth. — Era£\ 10s. for Easter theatricals. To St. James's ; see
Bancroft ; Eccles, George Honey ; Sam Gerridge, Hare ; Marquise de
Saint Maur, Miss Larkin ; Esther Eccles, Lydia Foote ; Polly Cedes,
Marie Wilton.
^ W. Farren, Orlando ; Howe, Jaques ; Chippendale, Adam ; Comp-
ton. Touchstone ; Nelly Moore, Gelia ; Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam, Audrey ;
Caroline Hill and Miss Sydney, Silvius and Phoebe.
' Well known on the Atlas newspaper, and by his novel, *' The Ladder
of Gold,*' also by a remarkable article which appeared in the Comkill
Magazine on modem spiritualism, entitled " Stranger than Fiction."
He wrote two good comedies, Marriage and Temper^ played at the
Haymarket Theatre.
' He played Tracey Toogood. The piece was taken from the French,
and was very like Chesterfield Tkinskin. On the same evening J. Clarke
played Blinker in Lost in London^ in the absence of J. L. Toole.
^ Or, The Statue Fair. Ada Harland, Galatea ; Ada Swanborough,
Venus; Elise Holt, Cupid ; Miss A. Newton, Psyche ; Eliza Johnstone,
Mopsa ; David James, Cambyses ; Miss Baynham, Pygmalion ; Thomas
Thome, Princess Mandane. The music was arranged by Frank
Musgrave.
^ By Andrew Halliday. Madge Robertson, Edith Fairlam ; C. Har-
court, Arthur Oarrington ; W. M*Intyre, Mogg ; Miss R. G. Le Thi^re,
Mrs. Mauvray ; C. Wamer, Lord Churchmouse ; F. Villiers, Mendez,
a Jew ; J. 0. Oowper, Blount. The final scene was a realization of
Frith's picture of " The Railway Station."
•A mythological burlesque by F. C. Bumand, entitled Olympic
Chimes. Amy Sheridan, Aurora; Maria Harris, Mercury; NeUy
Harris, Hebe ; Louisa Moore, Venus ; Mrs. St. Henry, Juno ;
Dominick Murray, Minerva; H. J. Montague, Mars. Ellen Farren,
described as the life and soul of the burlesque, played Alectryon.
22
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338 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Idcdia — not good.* 29th. — New Haymarket piece in five acts
called A Wild Goose Chase, for Sothern; long rambling affair.*
SOth. — Find mother better. Hear of Young's marriage, and
taste the wedding cake. Bless us! how time has passed!
And I?"
^^ May 6th. — The Day newspaper dies, after short seven-
weeks* struggle. 7th. — Forage for memoir of my old friend
John Povey,^ who died last Thursday, aged sixty-nine ; and
Madame Persiani, whose death is recorded.* 13/A. — To
Adelphi : Henry Dunbar, first time there. See John Parry's
new sketch called Merry Making. I4:th. — Poor William
^Founded by Mr. Roberts on Ouida's novel, and partly perhaps
on Miss Edwards's '' Half a Million of Money." Miss Herbert in the
title role; Henry Irving, Count Falcon; F. Charles, Victor Vane;
J. D. Stoyle, Volpone Vitello ; Gaston Murray, Baron Lintz ;
Charles Wyndham, Hugh Stoneleigh ; Mrs. Frank Mathews, Madame
Paravent.
' A version by Boucicaidt of a story by Major Edward Bruce
Hamley, entitled " Lady Lee's Widowhood," on which John Lester
Wallack had previously founded a play, entitled Rosedale^ which was
really an Adelphi drama, but Sothern took a great fancy to it since it
would enable him as Captain Robert Devlin to impersonate one or two
characters. Caroline Hill played Lady Merivale; Howe, Colonel
Higham Ferrers ; Rogers, Mike Walsh, the gipsy ; Bnckstone, Squire
Bubb; Walter Gordon, Doctor Vane; lone Bourke, Aurelia; Miss
Sydney, Neena ; Mrs. Chippendale, Lady Frances Devlin.
' John Povey was bom at Birmingham in 1799 ; was the son of
James Povey, known as the " Warwickshire Indedon," John Povey
appeared at Drury Lane in 1817, with Edmund Kean, EUiston, Munden,
Tom Cooke, Fanny Kelly, etc. In 1821 was at the English Opera
House. He went with his sister, the well-known ballad-singer, to
America, and appeared at the Park Theatre, New York, as Hawthorne)
in Lave in a Village. Remained in America for twenty years. He was
manager and agent to Mrs. FitzwiUiam, Miss Phihps (formerly of
Drury Lane Theatre), Charles Mathews, and Buckstone ; and from his
straightforward conduct was known as '' Honest John Povey." Was
buried by the side of his sister, who died in 1861.
^ Fanny Persiani was the daughter of the distinguished tenor Taochi-
nardi, and was born at Rome, October 4th, 1818. First appeared as
Francesca at Leghorn in 1832 ; soon after married the composer
Persiani. First great success was in the title r6h of Lucia di Lammer-
moor at Naples, in 1835. Was great in La Sonnambula. Came to
London in 1837, and was an operatic star here for ten years. Retired
from professional life in 1849.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 339
McConnell, the young and clever artist, dies this day. \^ih,
— To Princess's, first night of summer season ; see Antony
and Cleopatra; Miss Griyn good.* l^th. — To Olympic; see
Patter versus ClMter ; Charles Mathews very good. ISth. —
Clarkson Stanfield dies this day, aged seventy-four.* 2l8t.
— Call on Coyne. From Dramatic Authors' Society £6 148.
22nd. — Derby Day. Prepare to go, but driven back by storm ;
so take to writing instead all day, memoir of Stanfield, etc.
Hermit won. Meet Harry Eeeves, the always unfortunate
light comedian, whose request for small loan is responded to
for sake of old memories. 2^th, — Birthday of Joseph Knight
of Sv/nday Times, 25th. — Attend opening of New Royal
Amphitheatre, Holbom ; the horsemanship very good indeed.'
^ Henry Loraine, Mark Antony ; Charles Yemer, Enobarbus ; H.
Forrester, Octavius Csosar ; E. F. Edgar, Pompey ; Walter Joyce.
Lepidus ; James Johnstone, Eros. The first recorded performance of
Antony and Cleopatra was at Dniry Lane in 1759 : Garrick, Antony;
Mrs. Yates, Cleopatra. In 1813, at Covent Garden, Eemble's version,
which contained mnch of Dryden's All for Love, was performed with
Young as Mark Antony ; Mrs. Faucit, Cleopatra. At Drury Lane,
again, a revival took place in November 1833 : Macready, Antony ;
Miss Philips, Cleopatra. The best revival was that under the Phelps
and Greenwood management at Sadlers Wells, in 1849, with Miss Glyn
as the Cleopatra.
' Bom at Sunderland in 1793, and died at 6, Belsize Park Road,
Hampstead, after a few weeks' illness. Was the son of James Field
Stanfield, who in early life had been a sailor, which probably led to
the son following the same profession for a time ; but in 1822 he first
appeared as a painter, and exhibited at the Society of British Artists,
and was engaged as scene-painter at the Coburg in 1824. Went to
Drury Lane, and from that time his scene-painting became celebrated,
He particularly enriched the pantomimes. For Harlequin and the
Queen Bee, in 1828, he painted a diorama of Spithead, Portsmouth, the
Isle of Wight, etc. ; in 1829, for Jack in the Box^ a diorama of Windsor
and its neighbourhood ; in 1830, a diorama illustrative of Swiss and
Italian scenery ; in 1832, Harlequin Traveller^ of American scenery ;
in 1833, St George and the Dragon, of Egyptian, with the cataracts
and pyramids ; in 1837, Peeping Tom, of Coventry, of Italy, Savoy and
French Flanders. This was his last pantomime scene-painting. In
1839, out of friendship for Macready, he painted the scenery for the
revival of Henry V., and in 1842, for the same reason, some Sicilian
views for the production of Ads and Galatea, He was elected an
Associate of the Royal Academy in 1832, and was celebrated for his
seascapes.
' This was opened by Thomas M'CoUum and William Charmion, and
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340 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
2^th, — Hear of W. E. Copeland's death, of Liverpool, aged
sixty-seven." *
" JuTie \%%. — At Adelphi see new piece by Charles Eeade
called Bcra^ for Kate Terry ; first act good.* 8^A. — Mother's
birthday — write to her. Holbom theatre ; Tom Taylor's new
drama^ The Antipodes, or, Ups andDonma of Life ; not good.^
\6th. — Interview with Chatterton, and settle on Jdck the
Gicmt-kUler. New piece at Strand, Our Domestics — trans-
lation ; good.* Princess's, True to the Core.^ llth. — Chat with
was bailt on the site of what had been a metropolitan horse bazaar.
It would contain about two thousand spectators. The drop-curtain
was by Julian Hicks. Thomas Fillis, " Charlie " Keith and the
brothers Daniel were the clowns ; John, Joseph and Henri Delevanti
were the acrobats and jugglers. A new farce called Grim Griffin Hotel;
or, The Best Boom in the House, by Professor Pepper and John Oxen-
ford, was played; in it Sallie Turner appeared as Pertzer the chamber-
maid, and sang, "The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington." It was a
vehicle for introducing Pepper's " Cabinet of Proteus," from which all
sorts of extraordinary people came forth.
^ Lessee and manager of the Theatre Eoyal and Eoyal Amphitheatre,
Liverpool. Was apprenticed to a chemist ; but, through his father
having become possessed of the lease of a theatre, and carrying it on,
he became interested in stage life, and took to it altogether. He
married a sister of Douglas Jerrold, and a sister of his was the cele-
brated Mrs. Fitzwilliam. He was well known on the western and
northern circuits. About 1842 he succeeded Mr. Hammond as lessee
of the Liver Theatre, and, in 1843, of the Theatre Boyal and Royal
Amphitheatre, which he let to H. J. Byron in September 1866. In
1851 he was manager of the Strand Theatre, London, which he re-
christened " Punch's Playhouse." His oldest friend was J. Baldwin
Buckstone.
* Founded on Alfred Tennyson's poem. Luke Blomfield, Billington;
Farmer Allen, Henry Neville; William Allen, Ashley; Mary Morrison,
Miss Hughes ; and Dora, Kate Terry. Henry Neville's disguise was
excellent, and he and Miss Kate Terry were highly conmiended.
" Had in it some of the racing element in England and the digging
element in Australia. Ellen Terry, Madeline ; Vollaire, Murray Sey-
mour ; Emery, Duck-fingered Joe ; Westland, Mowbray Darcus; M^.
Raymond, Mrs. Seymour ; E. Price, Sam Strangeways ; G. Blake,
Dingo ; Charlotte Saunders, Miskin.
* Adapted from Nos Domestiques by Frederick Hay ; very much
resembled High Life Below Stairs, Tom Thome and David James
excellent as Joseph and Francis.
* Transferred from the Surrey : Creswick in his old part, Martin
Truegold ; Nelly Moore as Mabel.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 341
Toole, who has given more than £200 for a piece by Byron.
To Adelphi, and see a new farce by T. M. Morton, called A
Slice of Luck. 21 st — The longest and the saddest day to me ;
the house a den of misery — no sunbeam even in the sky.
24:th. — At night to French plays; opening of season with
Ravel and Desehamps as the principal attractions. House
very full; pieces very uninteresting. Raphael Felix was the
director."
*^ Jvly Is^. — ^To Haymarket ; Sothem revives Lord Dutv-
dreary; crowded house, but think less of assumption than
ever. Write long notice for Daily Telegraph, Srd. — Dress
and sally forth for 103, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, which
reach by eleven. Brilliant aflfair — Mr. Levy's party. Meet
Titiens, Lemmens-Sherrington and husband^ Boucicault,
Sothem, Raymond, Edmund Yates, Mapleson, A. Wigan
and wife, John Parry, Arnold, Robertson, Wright, Greorge
Moss and his wife, etc. Leave soon after midnight. Aih, —
Attend Buckstone's annual benefit — Peter SmivJc, and Who
wants a Guinea? Write notice.* ISth. — Saddened by seeing
in the Times obituary the death of Leicester Buckingham,
who died at Margate on Monday, aged forty-two.* 20th. — To
Princess's; first night of Man o' Airlie, with Hermann
^ Peter Smink also played under the title of The Armistice at the
Surrey, in 1824. It was by Howard Payne. The original Peter was
John Beeve, and Ninette Madame Yestris. Who wants a Ouinea f
by George Colman the Younger, was originally produced at Co vent
Garden, April 1805 ; was revived at Drury Lane, 1828 — the respective
representatives of Solomon Grundy being Fawcett and Liston, now
played by Buckstone ; Barford by John Kemble and Cooper, now
played by Howe ; Andrew Bary by Emery and Harley, and now by
Compton ; and Henry by Charles Kemble and Wallaok, now by W.
Gordon. The originals of Fanny were Mrs. Gibbs and Miss Love, now
played by Miss lone Bourke.
» Was the son of James Silk Buckingham, the traveller and journal-
ist, and at one time Member for Sheffield. He had travelled a great
deal with his father, and was well known as a lecturer. He deUvered
the explanatory description at the Panopticon, later the Alhambra,
when it was a scientific institution, and also described the places of
interest in Hamilton's Tour in Europe. A great many of Leicester
Buckingham's farces, and indeed comedies, were taken from the French.
He was a dramatic and musical critic of the Morning Star^ as well as a
writer on general subjects.
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342 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
Vezin's management for summer season.^ 227u2. — Chat with
Russell at Covent Garden about pantomime, and YaleniviM
and Orson chosen. To Spectroscope at St. James's Hall,* and
the Love Chase at Haymarket.' 25th. — The ' distinguished
amateurs ' at Holbom, Marquis Townshend,* etc. Go to see
them* in King O^NeU and Miller and His Men"
"Aug. lO^A.— Death of Ira Aldridge this day recorded.* 12^^.
— Write article in reply to John HoUingshead's injudicious
one in Broad/way. 16th. — Walter busy for his departure on
Sunday. I shall miss him very much here. He has accepted
* Suggested to W. G. Wills, the author, by a German drama by Carl
voQ Hoelt. It will be remembered that the hero, James Harebell,
is a poet who entrusts all his savings to a scamp, in order that
his work may be published. The man to whom he sends the money
uses it for his own purposes, which drives the " Man o* Airlie '' mad
for a time. Hermann Yezin gave a very powerful rendering of the
title role.
' This was an invention by M. Gompertz, and by its means extra-
ordinary optical illusions were produced, such as the sudden appearance
of ghosts, etc.
' The cast was almost the same as when played here seven years
before. Miss Amy Sedgwick, Constance ; Mr. and Mrs. Chippendale,
Sir William Fondlove and Widow Green ; Howe, Wildrake ; Kendal,
Master Walter ; lone Bourke, Lydia ; Rogers, Tmeworth ; Clark,
Last.
* This was in aid of the Universal Beneficent Society. King
O'Neil ; or, The Irish Brigade, Marquis Townsend played Louis XV ;
Sir B. Roberts, General Count Dillon ; W. L. Maitland, Sir Henry
Arundle ; Lord Arthur Pelham Clinton, Major de Burgh ; and Sir
John Sebright, Raf e. These also appeared in TJie Miller and His 3/Jwi,
and in Turn Him Out They were supported in the evening by Eleanor
Bufton, Ada Swanborough, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Patti Josephs and
Louisa Eden.
^ He died on August 7th, at Lodz, in Poland ; having been bom in
1804. Was the son of a chief in Senegal, and was intended for the
pulpit. He was not allowed to appear in New York for long, on
account of his colour, as his appearance produced disapprobation ; but
in 18S3 he made his dehut in London under the name of Keene, at the
Victoria Theatre, and subsequently at Covent Garden on April 10th
1833, as Othello to Warde's lago and Ellen Tree's Desdemona. He
made a splendid continental reputation, and was well liked in the
provinces. Was decorated by the Emperor of Russia. His last
appearance in London was in August, 1865, at the Haymarjcet, as
Othello, to the lago of Walter Montgomery.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD 343
post as tutor in a school. 18^A. — Walter starts on his expedi-
tion to Mr. Kinshaw's school at Brixton. I give him a sove-
reign for pocket money, and Mr. Gilley half a sovereign ; so he
goes oflF well stocked and in good spirits. 2l8^. — To Adelphi ;
see Kate Terry's Julia in Hunchback, 22ndJ.— My old friend
George Cockerell, of The Sunday Times, dies, aged forty-
eight. 31 8^. — Kate Terry's last appearance on the London
stage as Juliet — at Adelphi, in Romeo and Juliet "^
^^ Sept. 2nd. — Go to Haymarket (Mrs. Scott Siddons)*;
Egyptian Hall (Frederic Maccabe^ ; ' and Strand (Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Paul).* 5th. — Write a few lines about Oscar
Byrne, who died yesterday, aged seventy-one.* llth. — To
Haymarket : Mrs. Scott Siddons as Juliet — weak, but with
some good points.® 14:th. — First night of Surrey season, new
farce by T. J. Williams,^ and piece by Watts Phillips,
Nobody's Child; house crowded; the drama pretty, but
* Henry Neville was the Borneo ; Billington, Mercutio ; Miss Terry
shortly afterwards married Mr. Lewis.
' She appeared as Rosalind in As You Like Ity to the Orlando of
Mr. Kendal.
' His entertainment was called Begone, Dull Care! in which he
assumed various characters.
* They appeared in two little sketches. The first, Ripples on the
Lake, as Mr. and Mrs. Dove. Mrs, Howard Paul represented Selina
Ann, and gave her famous imitations of Sims Reeves, Thdrdsa, the
Parisian singer, and Henry Russell. Howard Paul impersonated
Napoleon HI., sang H. S. Leigh's " Life of Julius Csesar," and ap-
peared as MephiBtopheles in his vocal version of J^aust He appeared
as Staley Myldew, and sang the song of " The Twins," and also as
" Major Greenback, the Stage Yankee."
* Appeared at a very early age in a ballet called Oscar, arranged by
his father, a well-known dimcer, a contemporary of Garrick, at Drury
Lane, where for some years he remained the stock " Cupid." He then
travelled in the United Kingdom and on the Continent. In 1850
joined the Princess's, under Charles Kean's management, for whom he
arranged all the ballets and dances introduced into the Shakespearean
revivals and the pantomimes. Subsequently was at Drury Lane
under Falconer and Chatterton, and his last engagement was at Her
Majesty's, November 1866.
^ Kendal was the Romeo.
^ A Cure for the Fidgets. Edward Terry played Finnikin Fussleton ;
his dSbut in London.
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344 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD,
better written than constructed.^ 16^A.— To Lyceum ; first
njght, and Fechter as Claude in Lady of Lyons ; house
crammed. Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins in box beside
me, and the usual notables present ; much struck with the
excellence of Carlotta Leclercq's Pauline ; piece not over till
midnight.* nth. — Hear from C. C. B., dated June 19th,
and from mother; old memories refreshed, but not re-
awakened, for they have never slumbered!! 2l8t. — Drury
reopens with Faust and Miller and His Men? Take
Courtney — ^private box — and saddened much by hearing of
the death of my old friend F. G. Tomlins, aged sixty-three ;
I shall greatly miss him. 23rd. — Very sad, writing a tri-
butary paragraph in memory of dear old Tomlins.* 28^A.
— Prince of Wales's reopens for season with Gaste^ which
see again with real pleasure. ZQth. — Revival of Arrah-TUh-
Pogue at Princess's."
" Oct. 11th. — Meet Kent, chat, and hear he is working
The Olobe with The Suny and a dozen provincial papers.
^ There was a very strong part in this for Mr. Creswick as Joe, a
poor miserable waif, almost an idiot. Georgina Pauncef ort, Patty
Lavrock ; E. F. Edgar, the villain, Capt. Lazonby ; Vollaire, Peter
Grice, the miser ; Edward Terry, Limping Dick. Some wonderful
scenic effects in this piece.
* Fechter made a great success. Miss Elsworthy, Widow Melnotte ;
Mrs. H. Marston, Madame Deschappelles ; G. Jordan, Beauseant.
' Phelps and Mrs. Hermann Vezin again the Mephistopheles and
Margaret. It was the first time The Miller and His Men had been
done at Drury Lane, though it was produced at Covent Garden so far
back as October 1813. In the present production, Edith Stuart,
Claudine; Miss Stafford, Ravina; C. Harcourt, Count Frederick Friberg;
E. Phelps, Lothair.
* Frederick Guest Tomlins had been for many years connected
with journalism, for, in January 1814, he criticised Edmund Kean's
Shylock at Dniry Lane. Was for some time acting editor and after-
wards proprietor of Douglas Jerrold's Weekly Newspaper, Was
political editor of The Weekly Times, and wrote under the name of
" Littlejohn." Was dramatic and then art critic to the Morning
Advertiser, and was the author of the tragedy, ** Garcia; or, The Noble
Error, produced at Sadlers Wells, December, 1849. He was clerk to
the Painter- Stain ers Company, and died at his town residence,
Painters Hall, Little Trinity Lane, City. He was buried at St. Peter's
Church, Croydon.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 345
14^A.— Attend Adelphi, Drury, Haymarket, and Gallery of
Illustrations ; back by midnight, and write copy.^ 16<A. —
To St. James's ; see J. S. Clarke, a new American actor, as
Major de Boots in A Widow Hunt — funny, very.* 19^^. —
This week record the deaths of Avonia Jones ' and Madame
Boleno/ 2l8t. — To Olympic ; see one of Maddison Morton's
adaptations. If I Had a Thousand a Year^ 23rci.— To
Adelphi : Mavd^s PerU, by Watts Phillips ;• effective drama,
Belmore and Miss Herbert capital. 24tth. — Opening night
of the New Queen's Theatre : Charles Eeade's piece of The
* Man M not Perfect^ nor Woman Neither^ adapted by Benjamin
Webster Junior, from L Homme N'est Pas Parfait, by E. Thiboust,
played at the Yaridt^ ; also adapted by Clement Scott in his Off the
Line. Harry Mallet, G. Belmore ; his wife Jane, Mrs. Alfred
Mellon ; Mike Chizzle, C. H. Stephenson. At Drury Lane, Macbeth,
Mrs. Hermann Yezin and Barry Sullivan principals. At Haymarket,
Amy Sedgwick, Hester Grazebrook in ^» Unequal Match. For first
time The Winning Card, adapted by an actor, W. A. Wood, from the
French. Mr. and Mrs. German Reed and John Parry at Gallery.
* Stirling Coyne's comedy had been previously played as Everybody $
Friend. Was first brought out at the Haymarket in 1859. It was
also played at the Olympic May 17th, 1865, with Mr. C. Walcot, an
American actor, in the principal part. Henry Irving and Ada Caven-
dish, Mr. and Mrs. Featherley ; Eleanor Bufton, Mrs. Swansdown ;
Miss Larkins' first appearance at the St. James's as Mrs. Major de
Boots ; G. W. Blake, Icebrook. From this date almost may be traced
the life-long friendship which was struck up between E. L. B. and
J. S. Clarke.
'Avonia Jones, Mrs. G. V. Brooke, was bom at Richmond, Vir-
ginia, U.S.A., in 1836. Was the daughter of George Jones, well
known at the Bowery Theatre from the year 1831. Avonia Jones
made her dSb^U in London at Drury Lane, November 5th, 1861, as
Medea, and also played at the Adelphi and Surrey Theatres ; she had
made a good reputation in Australia. She died October 4th, 1867, in
New York, of rapid consumption. She never completely recovered
the sad loss of her husband in the London.
* Celebrated as a columbine.
* Charles Mathews, Paddington Green ; Horace Wigan, Percy
Chaffington. It was in two acts. Mrs. St. Henry and Louisa Moore
also in the cast.
* Suggested by Dr. Bernard's L' Innocence d'un Format, Miss Herbert
played Maud Sefton ; Ashley, Gerald Gwyn ; BiUington, Sir Ralph
Challoner ; G. Belmore, Toby Taperly ; Mrs. BiUington, Susan Taperly.
Belmore showed much of the genius and versatility of Bobson in this
part.
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346 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Double Marriage} 25th. — After recording the death of W.
H. Weiss, the vocalist,* hear that another Arundel member,
poor Frederick Lawrence, the barrister, died to-day, aged
forty-seven."
In Echoes from the Clubs, of October SOth, 1867,
we find the following description of E. L. B. under
'' First Night " notice :—
"Do you see that pale-faced, long-fingered man in the
second row of stalls? It is impossible to tell his age.
He looks thirty, but may be over a hundred — indeed, must
be somewhere thereabouts, if his experiences are to be
believed. He has done more earnest, slave-driving work in
literature than any man in the house, and yet he is com-
paratively unknown. We all love him, for he has made
us laugh every Christmas since we were in petticoats, and
we all turn to him for information, for he is a walking
encyclopaedia. He writes to order for the Israelites just
now. Why turn up your nose ? If he doesn't do it, some
one else will. He must live."
" Nov. 2nd. — To Doge of Venice at Drury Lane ; good
adaptation by Bayle Bernard.' Ath. — To Arundel, and then
* The New Queen's Theatre was built from the designs of C. J.
Phipps, on the site of St. Martin's Hall, Long Acre, and was opened
under the management of Alfred Wigan. A new comedietta, by Felix
Dale, He's a Lunatic^ was the first piece, and John Clayton appeared
as Oolney Hatch ; Sanger, Sir March Hare ; Ellen Turner, Mrs.
Han well ; Fanny Heath, a maidservant, Hatter ; Charles Seyton,
Bedlam, a burglar. The Double Marriage was a dramatization by
Charles Beade of his novel, ** White Lies," which in its turn was
founded on a play by Auguste Maquet, entitled Le Chdteau de
Grantier, produced at the Gaiety, Paris, 1862. Baroness de Baure-
paire, Mrs. E. F. Saville ; her daughters Josephine and Hose, Fanny
Addison and Ellen Terry ; Edouard Riviere, F. Charles ; Captain
Raynal, Alfred Wigan ; Colonel Dugardin, C. Wyndham ; Doctor
Aubertin, W. H. Stevens. Lionel Brough made his dibiU in London
as David.
' Willoughby Hunter Weiss was bom April 2nd, 1820. Made his
first appearance as Count Rodolpho in La Sormambula at the Princess's
Theatre, January 1843.
' Of Lord Byron's play, Marino FalierOj first acted at Drury Lane,
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD. 347
to Prince of Wales's ; see bad farce by W. S. Gilbert, AUxm
Me to Explain} 6th. — Pay 10«. 6d. for Burton memorial, and
£1 Is. for* Tomlins testimonial ; pay also one gainea for
preliminary fee for installation in Urban Ixxige in re Free-
masonry, llih. — See new piece at Strand, Ki/ad to a Fault
— very good.* Harrdet at Lyceum ; hear Fechter is unable to
play after second act.' Write article after midnight. Meet
Murray returned from Scarborough. Vlih. — To Olympic:
a revival of Marston's comedy of The Way to get married.
lAth. — At night to Queen's : Still Waters run Deefp} 15th.
— Expenses for some weeks past exceeding income. 18^A.
— To Lyceum : Miss Vestvali, Romeo — not great, but far
from bad.* 2WA. — Gro to St. James's ; see J. S. Clarke as Tyke
in School of Reform''^
April 25th, 1821. Lord Byron's drama waa revived by Macready at
Drury Lane in 1842, he appearing as Marino ; Hndson, Bertuccio ;
Anderson, Lioni ; Phelps, Israel Bertuccio, and Helen Fancit, Angiolina ;
Miss Turpin, Mariana. It was only played for three nights. On this
occasion the cast was as follows : Israel Bertuccio, J. C. Oowper ;
Marino Faliero, Phelps ; Angiolina, Mrs. Hermann Vezin ; Fernando,
Edmund Phelps ; Leoni, Barrett ; Bertram, 0. Harcourt ; Calendaro,
Charles Warner ; Strozzi, W. M*Intyre ; Steno, H. Sinclair. Edward
Stirling was the stage-manager of this piece, which was produced on a
very lavish scale, and with a carnival scene in which was a great
ballet arranged by Gormack.
* George Honey, Cadderby ; Bancroft, John Smith ; H. W. Mont-
gomery, Ferdinand Baker ; Rose Massey, Mrs. Cadderby.
*By William Brough ; reminiscent of Is He Jealous f It was in
two acts.
' John Ryder finished the performance as Hamlet, and H. Mellon
played the Ghost
^ First produced at Olympic May 14th, 1855, with Mrs. Melfort as
Mrs. Sternhold, and Miss Maskell as Mrs. Mildmay. Mrs. Wigan, who
now appeared as Mrs. Sternhold, took up Mrs. Melfort's part after a
few nights at the Olympic, but was not the original. Alfred Wigan
resumed his old character ; Ellen Terry was Mrs. Mildmay ;, Charles
Wyndham, Captain Hawkesley ; W. H. Stephens, Potter.
^Felicita Vestvali had been a singer, and was a native of West-
phalia. Had made a reputation in America, and had been seen at the
Surrey some years previously. MiUy Palmer, Juliet ; Ryder, Friar
Lawrence ; Walter Lacy, Mercutio.
^ Originally produced at Covent Garden, January 15th, 1805. The
original Tyke was Emery, also played by Lionel Raynor in 1824 at
Covent G^arden, and by Lysander Thompson at the Olympic in
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348 EDJVARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
" Dec. 2nd. — To Olympic : From Grave to Gay, comedy
adapted by young Ben Webster.^ 5^^.— See farce of W. S.
Gilbert's at Royalty, called Highly Improbable, and which
is very queer. O^A. — Hear of Her Majesty's Theatre being
burned down; write history for Daily Telegraph. 7th. — See
ruins of Her Majesty's.* See farce at Adelphi called Up for the
Cattle Show, by Harry Lemon. 10th. — All morning preparing
complete history for (Era) Almanack of Her Majesty's. To club
to be brightened up ; and Green is the only one to remember
that on the 11th I turn forty-seven — much to my own
surprise ; and thank God, with all the singularly unceasing
family trouble I have had, apparently am ' getting on ' still.
13^A.— More almanack work, and finish Era copy, £1 158.
Obliged to draw £25 more from my little deposit account to
February 1848. He went to America, and Clarke, who was very clever
in the character, appears to have taken him as his model. Henry
Irving played Ferment ; Eleanor Bnf ton, Mrs. Ferment ; Miss Larkin,
Mrs. Nicely ; Ada Cavendish, Lady Avondale.
1 Taken from Feu Lionel^ by Scribe and Charles Potron, first pro-
duced at the Fran9ais, January 23rd, 1858. Richard Wise, Charles
Mathews ; Lady Diver Kidd, Mrs. Stirling ; Colbum, Addison ; his
daughter Constance, Louisa Moore ; Edward Armitage, Henry Neville ;
Cornelius Tattenham, Horace Wigan.
» The fire was discovered at five minutes to eleven ; by one o'clock
the theatre was gutted, and the whole of the Arcade at the back was
burned — nothing was saved. Mr. Mapleson, who then had the theatre,
was not insured for a single farthing ; and Lord Dudley, who held the
ground lease, only insured for £40,000. Madame Titiens, Mdlle.
Kellogg, Mr. Hohler, and Santley were the principals engaged^ and
were to have appeared in Fidelio the following night. The theatre
which originally stood on this site was erected by John Yanbrugh ;
thirty people subscribed £100 each, and it was opened with opera 1705.
This theatre was burnt down June 17th, 1789, the Italian Opera being
transferred first to the Haymarket, and then to the Pantheon in
Oxford Street. The house was re-built and re-opened in 1791 as the
King's Theatre. Taylor, Goold, Waters, Ebers, Benelli, Laporte, and
Lumley, were among the earlier managers, and the greatest singers
who had appeared here were Mesdames Fodor and Pasta, McCrevell,
Begrer, Naldi, Ambrogetti, etc. Lumley revived the fortunes of the
house in 1842, and had a splendid season in 1847 with Jenny Lind.
E. T. Smith held the lease for five years, from 1861, when it came
into Mapleson's hands. La Scala excepted, it was the largest theatre
in Europe. It changed its name from the King's to Her Majesty's in
1837.
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Chattkrton, Halliday and Blanchard. [See page M9.
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 349
meet expenses — doubled by recent hard work. Terrible
account of Fenian explosion at House of Correction in
evening papers.* 2l8<. — Rush to Prince of Wales's : new
comedy by Boucicault, Ho^ she loves him ; farcical afiFair.^
24^A. — To Haymarket ; see bad burlesque of The Brigand,^ by
Gilbert i Becket. 2Qth. — I think, with all the terrible hard
work of yesterday, this has been the very hardest day I ever
had ; copy all day from daybreak. Peep at Drury, meeting
a young Phelps ; then to Strand, in dense fog : see Brough's
Caliph of Bagdad^ — very slight. Copy down to Daily
Telegraph ; and at Era copy till 4 a.m. 21th. — A visit from
Walter, who yesterday was, and to-day is, going through his
Civil Service examination. Jonas Levy and I look in at
Drury;* stop to see a bit of comic business — well done.
Hear of Lyceum pantomime being all in a state of confusion
with alarm of fire.* Miss Foote (Dowager Countess of
^ Deaths and injuries to fifty-seven people occurred through this
wanton act, which it was imagined was perpetrated with a view to free-
ing Colonel Burke and Casey, members of the brotherhood, who were
detained there. Timothy Desmond, Jeremiah Allen, and Ann Justice
were first charged with being concerned. Dr. Kenealy defended.
' S. Bancroft, who made a hit as Beecher Sprawley in this, says in
his book that the piece went weU up to the end of the third act, when
a situation went dl wrong, and the rest of the play was not allowed
to redeem the mistake ; he appears to have regretted it. W. Blakeley
played Sir Abel Hotspur ; Hare, Nettletop ; H. J. Montague, Dick.
Heartley ; H. W. Montgomery, Doctor Minimum ; E. Dyas, Sir Jericho
Maximum ; Mrs. Leigh Murray, Lady Selina Raffleticket ; Lydia
Foote, Mrs. Nettletop ; Marie Wilton, Atalanta Cruiser.
' Or, New Lines to an Old Ban- Ditty. Oompton, Massaroni ; lone
Bourke, Marie Grazia ; Kendal, Albert ; Fanny Wright, Theodore ;
W. Rogers, Prince Bianchi ; Clark, Fabio ; Miss Dalton, Ottavia.
* The Caliph, Ada Swanborough ; Mahoud, Tom Thorne ; Darina,
Miss Newton ; Chibib, Mr. Turner ; Cadi, David James ; Lady Camira,
Miss Harland ; Hazib, Charles Fenton ; Hassan, Elise Holt.
* At Drury, E. L. B.'s 18th pantomime, Faw, Fee^ Fo, Fum / or.
Harlequin Jack the Oiant-Jciller. Ondine, Miss Poole ; Jack, Joseph
L-ving ; Adelgitha, Edith Stuart ; Pigwiggin, Percy Roselle ; Nectarine,
Kate Harfleur ; Harry Boleno, C. Lauri and Little Tom Dot, clowns ;
Fanny Lauri, Ad61e Marian and E. Yalckenaere, columbines ; W. Barnes,
J. Morris, and J. Russell, pantaloons ; S. Saville, Olger, and Cormack,
harlequins. TuUy arranged the music, and Chatterton was the manager.
* At the Lyceum, E. T. Smith was manager. The evening opened
with a farce by T. J. Williams, entitled Cabman No, 93. The pantomime
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350 EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD.
Harrington) dies, aged sixty-nine.^ 28iA. — Edward Ledger
rushes up with copy of Era ^ Almanack,' which looks very
well.* To Adelphi, and see No Thoroughfare^ with which
much pleased.' Look in at Re-union, and receive congratu-
lations ; then to Arundel, meeting Horace Mayhew. 29^A. —
Pack up, and off ; reach Rosherville by 6 p.m. ; the turkey
cooked; find a ' family party ' ready to partake of it. 30<A.
— Leave again ; come up for Haymarket drama, A Wife
WeU Won, founded by Falconer on Paul de Kock's Man with
the Three Pai/rs of Breeches.* New Year wishes interchanged
with old friends. Slat. — The last day of the eventful Old
Year, and send off greeting to mother, as the only one left
with a memory of the past. Miss Sally Booth dies, aged
seventy-six.* ^ Nothing is so wonderful as to-morrow,' Arab
uxw Harlequin Coch Robin and Jenny Wren ; or, Fortunattts^ The Three
Bearsj The Three Gifts^ The Three Wishes, and the Little Man who tpoo'd
the Little Maid, by W. S. Gilbert. Among the principals were Henry
Thompson, Kate Blandford, Bella Goodall, Espinosa, Nellie Burton,
Lizzie Grosvenor, Caroline Parkes, Miss Furtado, and Miss Boselle. Har-
lequin, N. Waite ; harlequina, Esther Austin ; columbines, Misses Page
and Lizzie Grosvenor ; clowns, A. Forest, E. Lauri, F. and J. For^t ;
pantaloons, J. Beckenham and T. Lovell ; sprites, the Dusoni family.
^ Maria Foote was descended from Samuel Foote the dramatist, and
was bom at Plymouth, June 1798. Her fether originally in the army,
became manager of the Plymouth Theatre, where she made her dibut
as Juliet, July 1810, and in 1814 as Amanthis in The Child of Nature
at Govent Garden. Her parts were Maria Darlington in A Roland for
an Oliver, Rebecca in Ivanhoe, Virginia and Miranda, and Lefcitia Hardy
in the Belle's Strategem. Her only son Charles, Viscount Petersham,
predeceased her ; her daughter, Lady Jane St. Maur Blanche, married
the Earl of Mount Charles. She married Charles, fourth Earl of
Harrington, April 1831.
> This was the first issue (1868).
' This was Wilkie CoUins's dramatization of his story of the same
name, written in collaboration with Charles Dickens for the Christmas
number of All the Year Round. Joey Ladle, Benjamin Webster;
Walter Wilding, Billiugton ; Bintrey, Belmore ; George Vendale,
Neville ; Obenreiser, Fechter ; Marguerite, Carlotta Leclercq ; Sally
Goldstraw, Mrs. Alfred Mellon.
* Sothem, Albert Bressange ; Madge Robertson, Maiguerite de
Launay ; Rogers, Goulard ; Buckstone, Alexandre ; Kendal, Marquis
de Chamont ; Howe, the Count ; Braid, Citizen Latour.
*Wa8 bom at Birmingham in 1793, appeared when only eleven
years old, at the Manchester Theatre under the elder Macready 8
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EDWARD LEMAN BLANCHARD, 351
proverb. ' After all, these years, which we get to look upon as
definite periods of time marked ofiF by a sort of temporal
park fence, are nothing of the kind ; there is no break in
the sweep of that planetary motion which we thus set oflf
into hours, days, and years. " Time " itself is an incident of
sense and circumstance, as strictly non-essential to existence
as night, which is nothing but the poor little penumbra cast
over its space by our own little world.' Thank God for all !
and * bless everybody,' as Tiny Tim says."
Estimated revenue for year J6283, including
salary from Daily Telegraphy JB160.
management as Duke of York and Prince Arthur. From thence she
went to the Surrey under Elliston, and made her dihut at Covent
Garden, November 23rd, 1810, as Amanthus in The Child of Nature.
Was the original Glaudine in The Miller and His Men. Played Juliet
and Cordelia. Was a member of most of the better London theatri-
cal companies. Made her last appearance at the Marylebone in 1841
for the benefit of Mr. Attwood, when she played Kate O'Brien in
Perfection, and Lisette in The Sergeant's Wife.
END OF VOL. I.
Printed by Uaaell, Wateon, & Viney, Ld., London and Ajloebury.
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