Contents:
The Librarian of that age managed to dispose of all copies of the book except one, which remained in the possession of Elizabeth Goose and her family, temporarily averting any potential disaster.
Now, strange things are happening around the world. Baird and her team of Librarians suspect that the magic of Mother Goose is again loose in the world, and with Flynn AWOL—again—it is up to Cassandra, Ezekiel, and Stone to track down the missing spellbook before the true power of the rhymes can be unleashed. As a media tie-in, the obvious attraction of this book is for fans of the television show to get another fix of their Librarians. And so, above all, Greg Cox main job is to spin a narrative which captures the overall tone of the show, mixing in the right humor, quirky adventures, and group dynamics to appeal to fans everywhere.
And for the most part, this novel accomplishes all those things. The concept of the Mother Goose Rhymes as powerful spells falling into the wrong hands is an exciting one, one which allows the author to separate our four characters, sending Eve, Ezekiel, Cassandra and Jake Stone out to complete their own separate parts of the adventure. These four different points of view allowing each character to strut their stuff, get their own time in the spotlight, and showcase their own unique personalities and strengths. We are even given some one-on-one time with Jenkins, as well as getting a better understanding of the Library, which quickly becomes a character in itself; the antics going on therein with some of its lively exhibits producing many of the funniest moments of the entire book.
The only weakness of the narrative is probably the fact that it does separate our favorite librarians so much.
Like most stories about groups, one of the magical qualities of the tv series is the group dynamics; how these people play off one another, bumbling and stumbling their way together through each hairy raising adventure. And here they were not together a large majority of the time. Chapter after chapter were the wonderful camaraderie and group humor was mostly missing. Successful dialogue in historical fiction depends on navigating the treacherous channel between sounding contrived and coming off too modern and anachronistic.
This is easier prescribed than accomplished. Diane Gabaldon of Outlander fame is the lady laird of archaic speech. Few are so blessed with an ear for precision or an acumen in Gaelic and Scots English. Even fewer of us have merited a companion book with glossaries and guides to Gaelic pronunciations. Instead, I applied what I call my mimetic toolbox to conjure authentic-sounding yet accessible dialogue.
Before commencing a new novel, I immerse myself in the vocabulary, rhythms of speech, peculiar syntax, and sounds of the era. Diaries and primary sources are helpful. Keeping a notebook of phrases, terms, and curses is invaluable. To gain mastery of the Scot accents in her Outlander series, Gabaldon listened to Scottish folk songs performed in live recordings.
She said she also learned a lot from overhearing the conversations of audience members during the lulls between sets. Likewise, while writing The Fire and the Light , my novel about the Cathars of 13th-century Occitania, I listened to contemporary renderings of authentic ballads and servientes once sung by the medieval troubadours.
I also read English translations of troubadour verse. Something in the timbre of the lute and viol from that period gave me a better sensibility for Occitan speech—or at least what modern ears might perceive this vanishing language sounded like. Gabaldon recommends reading other novels set during your era.
If confront the thorny issues of foreign dialect and speech patterns, consider avoiding the first-person point of view. The more distant you dial back the POV, the less the reader will be aware of the variances between modern and antiquarian idioms. But a frail, dark-skinned boy named James Douglas, inspired by a headstrong lass from Fife, defies three Plantagenet kings and champions the cause of his wavering friend, Robert the Bruce, to lead the armies to the bloody field of Bannockburn. A thrilling historical saga of star-crossed love and heroic sacrifice set during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
He practiced trial law before joining the Washington, D. The Ten Thousand is a grimdark fantasy penned by Paul Kearney. Inspired by the historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors in the Persian Empire circa BC, this tale is a gritty, bloody, and brutal look at the realities of ancient war especially civil war and its undeniable horrors. With more than a few fantastical elements added, Kearney turns this into far more than historical fiction, but magic does not play as large a role in the narrative as some would like.
On the world of Kuf, the Asurian Empire reigns supreme. The tall, golden skinned Kufr ruling a realm which stretches across the world and has subjugated every race — except for the barbaric Macht. The Macht are stuff of legends to the people of the Asurian Empire. Yes, they are viewed as a barbaric race which lives a simple life across the sea in the Harukush Mountains, but they are also seen as the most horrible, most fearsome, most lethal warriors in the world. The Kafr and their subjects introduced to the Macht way of fighting and finding they are not prepared for it.
Yet, wars are won by chance as much as force of arms, and soon the Macht find themselves in the most unenviable of positions: The fickle gods forcing them to do the unthinkable, the impossible to survive! Grimdark at its best is a mixture of many elements. It is graphic, shocking, and horrible at times. It shows the less-than-beautiful face of humanity. Characters are sketched in numerous shades of grey. Victory might be sweet, but it is never easy, comes with a huge cost, and leaves everyone involved traumatized by the experiences they have lived through. Grimdark pushes a reader past the boundary lines of modern sensibilities, forces them to confront the beastly side of mankind, and demands that they accept that all is not what it seems — even heroes, saviors, or grand crusades of righteousness.
With The Ten Thousand , Paul Kearney clearly shows that he is a master of harnessing the deep, dark passion of grimdark, integrating all these elements, and delivering an impressive story. This book a powerful narrative, overflowing with emotions, and never shying away from viewing the brutality of wars and what they make good people do to survive.
Yes, it is depressing at times, bloody in spots, and makes one want to look away from the things being done. But that also its strength and its power: The Ten Thousand a grimdark that accepts what it is and embraces it. Even then, it is still an enjoyable experience, but a foreknowledge of what is about to occur does deprive it of much of its suspense and power. The Ten Thousand is a grimdark among grimdarks, a tale filled with passion, realism, and brutality.
For lovers of the genre, they need look no further than here for their next fix. For newcomers, there are few grims more accessible, fast-paced, and easy to digest than this narrative. The Divine Cities 3. Maybe the only thing. Yet as Sigrud pursues his quarry with his customary terrifying efficiency, he begins to fear that this battle is an unwinnable one. And perhaps most daunting of all finally face the truth about his own cursed existence.
Purchase the book at Amazon. DC Comics August 9, When I read Flash graphic novels, I expect a good story, cool characters, and awesome illustrations. Zoom delivered all of that and more! The clue is ZOOM! All I can say about this book is that it was amazing! Whenever I get to see the Flash fight Zoom it is always good. Barry having to go at it with a psychotic crazy like Thawne just brings the best out in him. He gets to show just how powerful he is. The author brought everything to the plate that I want in a story. Wally gets some page time. And Barry shows that you can be a truly nice guy and not come in last all the time.
It was really cool stuff! Connor is a teenager We had a birthday! Where are the great books? But a time no better for the making of heroes… Two chieftain brothers lock swords in battle. He currently resides in the Ottawa-Gatineau region of Ontario and Quebec. Rise of the Rgnadon , Indie authors , indie fantasy book , indie wednesday , self-published fantasy , self-published fantasy books , sword and sorcery Leave a comment. Posted in Uncategorized 14 Comments. Tor Books April 25, Author Information: Subterranean Press May 31, Author Information: Purchase the book at Amazon Share this: Deathstroke Rebirth 1 Publisher: DC Comics March 14, Length: There was nothing to like about him.
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Authors E - K. Authors A - D. Create a free website or blog at WordPress. This site uses cookies. A necessary, but un- expected change of play, on some occasion, caused the usual question, — ''What shall we act? I immediately advised a second appearance of the " new gen- tleman. Raymond said that was also Mr. Arnold's wish ; and Mr. Kean played Shylock again on the first, third, and fifth of February.
Remembering Cooke's success in Richard, I strongly recommended Mr. Kean's playing that part, and many voices were against it. On his first rehearsing the part of Shylock, so little in- terest seemed to be attached to the event of Mr. I apolo- gised to Mr. Kean for this seeming neglect, which he appeared quite indifferent about; and was repaid for his philosophy by seeing his first rehearsal of Richard as fully attended as if it had been an evening's performance. He did not ' I once amony; many other singular excuses from per- formers for non-attendance received a letter from a lady, deeply deploring her inability to leave home, because she had " got such a head-ache as never was!
Wroughton, who was rehearsing King Henry, whispered me, '"This gentleman 's an actor! There were passages however in his Mr. Kean's reading, which did not at all accord with the ideas I had, from long observa- tion, formed of them ; and as a relative of the new performer had introduced him to me rather particularly, with a request that I would be very free and candid in my opinion of his rehearsing, — I took the liberty, when we were alone, of re- marking to Mr.
Kean what I observed: I did so, and returned the book at night, with excuses for having been more copious in my recomrrenda- tions than I had at first intended: It was at this time Mr. Kean's rehearsals of Richard hinted that the under- taking must fail, had, many years before, sat next me at Covent- Garden on the night of Cooke's debut, and remarked the paucity of spectators, I replied, " The thinness of the house, on a first appearance, can be no crite- rion: Cooke played Richard 24, and Kean 25 nights during their respective first seasons.
In brief continuation of this subject, I have to state that some months after Mr. Kean's appear- ance, I received the following note from the lady, who, in the year , had introduced me to Mrs. Garrick's compliments to Mr. The old lady desired to see me relative to a benevolence she wished to be conveyed in a particular manner to a musical person. It was a very cold day when I waited on her in her late husband's library ; a long room, from one end of which to the other Mrs.
Garrick tripped like a girl of eighteen, before T could prevent her, to place a screen between me and a door-way. She still retained just so much of her foreign accent as was agreeable ; and, first salutations over, the commission she wished me to under- take being arranged, refreshments offered and refused, the lady was pleased to say, — " Mr. Dipdin, I look upon you as a twick of the old school: I go now and then to my box there, and am much pleased with your new actor Mr.
Kean pos- sesses considerable talent. I believe you also approved of my friend Mr. Garrick ; but Mr. Kean — it is like Mr. Kean could never have seen Mr. Garrick, who was dead before your new actor was born: Garrick over the fire-place , but he seems to me to choose the very same board to speak them on ; and this, Mr. Kean, when the worth of my husband is still tickling I presume for tingling in my ears. Garrick observed much on the superior splendour of modern theatres when compared with those of lier day ; their larger expense in scenery, dresses, appointments, and number of actors.
You do more for the people now than we did, and they do less for you than they did for us. When 1 was joint manager with Mr. Garrick to ask a loan of the manuscript of the " Shakspeare Jubilee," written by her husband, and composed by my father ; which she would cheerfully have ac- commodated the theatre with, but it was at Hampton-Court and could not be got at.
I then took my last leave of her. Arnold ; and " Intrigue," by Mr. Poole, were all I recollect of novelty during the remainder of a season, which was principally supported by the amazing popularity and attrac- tion of Mr. Kean, notwithstanding much of conflicting opinion on and off the stage. In the course of this winter I made an agreement with Messrs. As I professed to give the original list VOL. John Kemble, who gave me access to his library, and frequently wrote me the casts himself, as thus: Oldfield ; Lucia, Mrs.
I wish these characters were as well represented now-a-days. Thank you a thousand times for your obliging present a book. Forty or fifty numbers of this work were pub- lished: I have this day October the 10th seen advertised the publication of a " Minor Theatre," with my name to it, of which I know nothing. In August I produced, at the request of Mr. I was paid fifty pounds for it, and sold the copy- right for five-and-thirty. John Taylor of the Sun , and a medical gentleman, — I followed the remains of my father to the grave.
It would not become me to say how much I think his talent was under-rated, especially by rival composers, during his life. Through the kind and unremitting zeal of that most amiable and benevolent friend, the late Mr. John Young, of the British Institution, a large subscription was procured, and several highly respectable public meetings held Ad- miral Sir Joseph Yorke presided at the last , for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of our national lyrist ; but what ar- rangements have been made since Mr. Young's lamented death, or when the subscribers are to be informed of the destination of their liberality, or to whose care the funds are entrusted, — my brother and self, as well as our personal friends, remain equally uninformed.
The theatre was altered, re-embellished, a new proscenium, with stage-doors, and several private boxes, added, at the expense of nearly fourteen thousand pounds. On the 10th of October I had the misfortune to lose my dear mother: I do not want to fill up my book with episodes ; but I have always thought there is more profitable food for the mind in marking the matter-of-fact progress of men of any pretension to talent, than in all the fascinating pictures of imagination for which our best romance-writers can draw on their resources.
The following, the original of which he gave me, is the first letter he wrote to his Northumberland friends on his arrival in the great metropolis, and is, I think, a very natural Joseph Andrews sort of an effusion: It is the season of amusement, and if I can hit upon any thing of the harmless and diverting kind to present you with, let business wait another post. What a strange place this London is!
I was laughing at the two fallen heroes, and looking back as I walked on, when, before I was aware, my head encountered a basket of tobacco pipes on a porter's shoulder, and had nearly dismounted it: Christmas is but half Christmas here, and seems very strange to one who has been used to north-country customs: I have not had a single night's diversion but one at Jenny Horsley's sister's, I mean Simpson's the tailor: Twelfth-day is a great day here among the pastry-cooks and the appren- tices ; and young people of the lower class meet together to choose king and queen.
There was in St. Giles's that night a queen who got drunk and broke a chimney-sweep's arm, while a dust- man was sent to the round-house for abusing the king her consort. Would to Heaven every one that abuses the king were served in like manner! We have seen the letter he wrote to me in Soon after I was at Drury-Lane, I had a letter of the deepest distress from him, requesting I would solicit the company of Drury- Lane for subscriptions to realize a pound or two.
All the professed saints on the face of the earth are not a hundredth part so ready to assist distress as theatrical performers: Arnold desired me to offer him a situation as housekeeper of the Lyceum. This was doing my friend a solid and permanent service, and doubled and trebled the good news I had to send poor Mark of the subscription. He came to town — grateful, but spirit-broken, and, as it eventually turned out, heart-broken. I shall, however, without mean- ing the slightest offence to any professional folks, give a fair idea of Lonsdale's professional senti- ments, which he never thought would meet the light, found among his papers after his death ; and which show that he understood something of management, and the interior of a theatre: It is better to go on with the regular chain of management, under no restraint as to particular wishes of particular performers: Arnold, who, though he began at the eleventh hour, completely anti- cipated a piece on the same subject which had been long in preparation at Covent- Garden, I wrote, jointly with Mr.
Arnold, " the Ninth Statue," which proved a golden one to me: Miller applied to the Lord Chancellor for an injunction against this intrusion on the copy-right, which was granted: I was present in court when the ap- plication was made, and heard it argued. As it was necessary to compare the copies. Lord Eldon read part of the first scene in my book aloud. Little did I think, when I was writing it, that I should have the honour of hearing the Lord Chancellor of England gravely recite to his solemn auditory, — " That's a great big bouncer, by St.
The pantomime this season was invented and produced by Mr. Kirby, the clown, who died lately in America: I had to put the recitatives and songs into form for him: On the 6th of March, , my wife pre- sented me with another son, who, as well as his brother, thank God! M undents part of Dozey in this farce was given with the same excellence which characterized his Captain Bertram, Mainmast, and several other parts I had had the good fortune to write for him. On the 1st of June Mr. Bannister bade the stage and his public patrons farewell: Kenny's comedy of " The World" was acted on this occasion ; and, at the conclusion, Mr.
On the 6th of July, Drury-Lane Theatre was closed for that evening, on account of a most melancholy incident, which was thus announced to the public, surrounded by a sable border: I ought also to state, that in the year preceding. Miss Mellon presented me with five pounds for a gallery ticket, and, in the note accompanying it, good-humouredly desired to have a place kept for her.
On the occasion of Mr. Robert Palmer's com- pletion of the 50th year of his engagement at Drury-Lane, I was applied to by Mr. Raymond to draw up a proposal to the company to sub- scribe for some token to be presented to Mr. Palmer, expressive of such an intention. This I embodied in the following words: Whatever was presented to Mr. Palmer had it been only a silver pencil-case or a pair of sleeve-buttons should have been made expressly for the pur- pose ; instead of which, a second-hand silver sporting cup, with a greyhound on the lid, ran away with our good intentions: Robins's sales, and VOL.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow. Lamb — Peter Moore, Esq. Bannister — Jack Litchfield — Mr. Soon after the death of Mr. Whitbread, there was a whisper of a change in the management of Drury-Lane Theatre; and, of course, there was to be an alteration in all the official situa- tions.
My engagement as prompter having been made by Mr. Arnold for three years, which ex- pired with the last season, I had every reason to suppose that if that gentleman resigned, those he had brought in would go out with him. Warren, a sort of comptroller among the money and check- takers, and high in committee confidence, " I do not imagine I shall remain as prompter if the management is altered. I stipulated that some gentleman on the stage should be appointed my assistant, with respect to addressing the audience on any occasion ; and also, as I was to be entrusted with much of the correspondence of the house, and other matters transacted in the manager's room, such gentleman would, being actively employed in the stage business himself, without much extra trouble be able to attend to rehear- sals.
I was asked to name my coadjutor, and mentioned my old friend Russell, between whom and Mr. Rae was then proposed to me ; his salary was to be increased from fifteen to eighteen pounds per week ; and, as among five gentlemen there will unavoidably be different opinions, an endeavour was once or twice made by one of the committee to invest Mr. Rae with a larger share of the management than belonged to myself, which was exactly the converse of my incipient agreement — even to a proposition not made with the slightest delicacy, that I should keep the prompter's room, and resign the more commodious apartment close to the stage to Mr.
I instantly tendered my entire resignation, and at length thought I conceded quite enough in accepting a complete equality of engagement jointly with Mr. Rae, than whom a more gen- tlemanly or better-meaning co-adjutor I could not have had ; but my years and experience, particularly on that very spot, gave me — I am vain enough to say it, because it is true, — gave me a decided professional superiority, and qua- lified me for a less limited exercise of discretion in almost all technical matters relative to the theatre ; and I can solemnly aver that this feel- ing alone, — a very just one, — gave birth to the desire I had to be unfettered in my zeal for the interests of the establishment.
It was very soon arranged by the committee that Mr. Rae should be immediately dispatched to France, and the sum of fifty pounds voted for his ex- penses, besides his salary. Rae's going there did not produce a single result, good or bad. I had now five masters and a co-adjiitor to go on peaceably Math, before the desires, fears, hopes, and whims of the congregated establish- ment were yet added to my cares: I say mine ; for by the absence of my partner, though ranking only as half manager, I had the whole of the work to do, and all its responsibility: I am quite aware of the delicacy it will require to describe the exact nature of my posi- tion, as connected with the five nobles and gen- tlemen with whom I now had the honour to be daily associated, and with whose proceedings I was so much necessarily identified.
I shall set- out at once with affirming, that no five men ever appeared to, or, I believe, could feel more for the welfare of the theatre, than they did ; or could be more anxious, not merely to fulfil, but to exceed, if necessary, whatever labours their honorable association in the service of Drury- Lane might involve: I hope and believe I conducted myself with equal respect to all ; nor will they deny, that where I thought it my duty to ex- press the different lights in which I but too often beheld points where the good of the theatre was concerned, I gave my sentiments with so little ceremony, as more than once to run great risk, however unintentionally, of giving offence.
George Lamb, the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird, and Mr. It may be remembered by some, that when, at the end of the season, my engagement was not renewed, I addressed a letter to the public, in a style, as one of the public prints termed it, of subdued resentment. After which, all un- pleasant feeling was forgotten ; and I had the honour of being visited, or noticed, in my after government of the Surrey Theatre by all but Lord Byron, who had then finally left England ; and at parting, besides a handsome present from his lordship at my benefit, I had to boast of the follow- ing tokens of the good-will of the whole commit- tee: The Earl of Essex, besides the exer- cise of great hospitality and affable condescension towards me in my frequent visits, by invitation, to Stanhope-street and Cassiobury-park, made me a present of two pies and a picture ; but take this with you, reader!
On my taking a lease of the Surrey Theatre, Mr. Moore took me to his bankers, Messrs. I should add, that I had constant invitations and often accepted them to the tables of Mr. Lord Byron introduced me to Lady Byron: Lamb gave me an Irish song, and the Hon. Kinnaird gave me — leave to go. Thus I was placed under very considerable obligations to every one. In proof of the urbanity and kindness which prevailed among much good-humoured difference of opinion respecting attainment of the same ob- ject, — I shall take the liberty of producing letters of business from each member of the sub-com- mittee.
I have in my possession between one and two hundred, above sixty of them from the Earl of Essex alone. I shall select only one or two, which were not confidential, and which may serve to show the anxiety of the parties for the business of the house, as also to prove how much of that business I had to attend to.
From Lord Essex, in consequence of one of many appeals or remonstrances from Mr. Rae and myself — and in which I acknowledged the particular kindness of two of the sub- com- mittee, I received, — - " Dear Sir, " I am always glad when you meet with kindness, because I am sure you deserve it. Rae's to the committee, and that every thing will be done, I trust, as you can wish, and I may say, without flattery, as our interests require.
To one of these gazettes Mr. I was sorry, for many reasons, I was forced to leave the committee so early the Friday before last. Your account of our going on is satisfac- tory. LIow is the new tragedy cast? Kinnaird, or some of you, would manage it for me. Voic have your hands full. The best thing in a theatre, next to decisive success, is decided failure: I can write no more: I am arraigned for stealing India rubber, and must defend. Remember me to Mr.
I hope to see you all on Monday. Was there a rehearsal of ' Love for Love' to-day, as promised? Lamb is very anxious no time should be lost in getting that out: I entirely agree with him. Kean play four times a week constantly? I send you something for publication: I cannot give a very favourable account of the piece I was condemned to hear yesterday. Speak to Lord Byron about the ' Spanish Friar: I have written to Paris for the costumes and the music of it. I quite agree with you about the new pieces: Dickons might be successfully introduced in a comic elderly character, and Bellamy's powers of mimicry in the Italian style brought to bear.
I am delighted at the prospect of engaging Mrs. There is a tragedy of Mr. Sotheby with a part for Kean in it. Speak to Kelly about the opera that was to have been for his benefit, — a translation or words made for the music of Mozart, Cosi fan tutte. I am to receive from Raymond to-morrow a good many pieces he has got on with. Will you have the goodness to send them enclosed?
I will be at the theatre to- morrow at four o'clock, and shall hope to find you will have been setting all hands to work on what is to be done. How had my weary way been cheered, on my peripatetic tour to Eastbourne, could I have anticipated the subjoined sympathy of a sub-committee man of " the Great Grand" National Theatre! I found the first so effec- tual, that I never used the second, as you will observe the bottle has never been opened. I think the salts and mint will also relieve you ; but I send the bottle to be at your disposal, take it or not: I wish it speedily.
I mean two orders for one each — single admission. With regard to the probable effect of the piece, you are the best judge: I hope you got home at last, and that Miss has recovered from the eloquenceof my colleague, which, if it convinced, it is the first time, — I do not mean the first time his eloquence had that effect, — but that a woman could be convinced she was not fit for any thing on any stage.
Dowton should be asked to play Shylock; that " The Maid and Magpie" should be cast, as it is termed, with the strength of the company ; and, in consequence, parts were assigned to Messrs. Dowton and Mun- den, certainly not equal to their talent ; but, as some anxiety was expressed by the com- mittee that no refusal of parts should cast a shade on our opening, we were requested to ascertain, as quickly as possible, whether those gentlemen would or would not undertake the characters.
Our council broke up at three o'clock that day; and I proposed to Mr. Rae, who had recently returned from France, that we should immediately set olF for Tunbridge Wells, where, fortunately, Messrs. Dowton and Mun- den were both playing, in order to read the piece to them, arrange the matter, and return in time to surprise the committee at the usual time of meeting next day.
This we accom- plished, as well as the aim of our journey ; got to the Wells to supper ; obtained assent from both gentlemen, who were much pleased with our attention ; set off for town at five in the morning, and gratified the committee at noon with the intelligence that all was as they wished. Arnold's theatre was yet open ; and where, by the manager's in- defatigable exertions, the Maid of Palaiseau's first appearance took place ; but this was no fault, nor do I think it acted otherwise than well for the interests of Drury-Lane ; the piece having been received with the greatest applause, and repeated, for the short remainder of Mr.
Arnold's season, just often enough to give the town an appetite for its continued representa- tion. Such proved to be its effect, when pro- duced on the second night of our season, that the half-price receipts, for many evenings, were above the nightly average of a hundred and forty pounds. You are requested to convey to the performers of the new piece the grateful sense we entertain of their very handsome, and I need not say suc- cessful, zeal in behalf of the property, for the success of which it will be ever our best reward that all connected with it should feel equally interested.
I beg to congratulate you on this auspicious commencement of Mr. Byrne's co-ope- ration in the ballets, as well as on the first display of Mr. Greenwood's talents under the new ma- nagement: Sirs, your obedient servant, " Douglas Kinnaird. Cooke made his dcbiit in Carlos in "The Duenna," and Mr. Being desired by the committee to sell the copy-right of " The Maid and Magpie" for their friend, who had sent it from Paris, I applied to my old publishers, Whittingham and Arliss, who bid very little. Lord Byron suc- ceeded better, as his own words to me will certify: Dove, printer, whose address he does not mention: I suppose we have done all for which we could, and have got him a decent price.
You should have Mr. Sotheby's tragedy in hand: When will Kean be out? I think he should be announced. Murray is not in town, but at Chi- chester ; his draft is, however, dated London, which I suppose will make no difference. Dowton played Shylock on the 5th and 12th: I think, had not Miss Nash been almost constantly indis- posed after her engagement, she would have proved a valuable acquisition to the theatre. Lamb and Lord Essex were at this time both from town, I now kept a sort of journal raisonne for each, and sent it by post as often as a sheet was full.
This is another of Mr. We must do something striking to counteract the expected attraction of Mrs. Alsop at the other house ; for though the description of her I have heard from an eye-witness is by no means appalling, still any power of acting, combined with the name of Mrs. Jordan's daughter, must ensure celebrity for a little time.
I have most flattering accounts of Miss Nash from those who have seen her at Bath. Plague on her hoarseness! We have not conquered the turn yet, i. The plan of your harlequinade is the most full of fun of any I ever remember: Kirby's pantomime of last year was ridiculously short. I still have great hopes of a tragedy from Coleridge: Jean Bart at the other house is not to be sneezed at. I must state that my acquaintance with the attorney who brings it arose entirely from his attachment to the theatre, and eager- ness to recommend some country actors to me.
If I get on at the bar by managing a theatre, it will be the most novel rise ever known in any court. Rae, and all friends who remember me. Whittingham and Arliss, of Pater- noster-row, bought the co] y-right. The reader is aware that 1 have never ventured to arraign, or wished to disturb, the verdict of the public ; but in this instance I had strong evidence, l oth before and subsequently to the representation.
The committee, one and all, were of this opinion ; and when I insisted on its being withdrawn, lest the town should imagine I ex- erted undue influence as manager, Mr. Kin- naird who never on any occasion flattered me wrote thus: I think you are too precipitate in withdrawing your farce, and I should like to think twice on that matter before it is resolved on.
Please to come, or send word where we can meet this evening: Pray come at two, if you can. I can- not bear to occupy your time, while you have so many other calls on it: Thurs- day, house crammed, — an alderman and his wife nearly squeezed to death.
If you have an inclination to take a little fresh air, return here with my carriage: I shall be happy to see you ; or if your subjects require, this evening, the attendance of both kings, I send up my landau and four horses to-morrow: I have directed my porter to receive your orders. This is my foot upon a stool. Every mark of equality finishes four out of five of the letters I am here honoured with ; and the ho- nourable gentleman who alone opposed four fifths of my intended measures, and at length disposed of myself, — is the only "obedient servant" I had to boast of in the whole sub-committee.
Poole ; on the 23d, Mr. Leigh's comedy of " Where to find a Friend," the prologue written by Mr. Rae, the epilogue by the Hon. Lamb ; and I wrote a song in the play for Mr. My brother Charles produced a very successful operatic farce called " My Spouse and I," on the 7tli ; Mr. Pope ; the epilogue was not written in time to be spoken this evening. The epilogue was finished, and this even- ing spoken by Mr. Harley with considerable effect.
Lamb is here, and has given me the best account of it. I shall always look back with regret upon those circumstances which prevented our seeing you this moment in com- pany with that respectable young man, Mr. John Horner, who is in the act of putting his finger into the Christmas pie ; and that you may not suppose I have forgotten my old friends, I have sent you one, which I trust will prove 78 AUT0B Covent-Garden, having Gri- maldi to support them, ought to blush scarlet for letting us even cope with them at all ; but letting us beat them, as I understand they have, they ought to drown themselves.
I shall not be at ease till some new first piece is actually in rehearsal: In the outset of my appointment, I had great pleasure in forwarding to Mr. Rae had heartily joined me in applying to tlie committee, and which was thus handsomely acknowledged: Rae for the friendly note which I have just had the pleasure of receiving ; and although it may be proper to acknowledge this extended and additional kindness to the gentlemen of the committee, yet I am well aware that it has been granted at the suggestion of you and Mr.
The privilege it affords me is a very agreeable one, but the manner and the time of its being granted I es- timate infinitely beyond the admission itself. So let it B. A question having arisen as to the remunera- tion which had been usually given to acting or stage managers at Drury-Lane, I took the free- dom of writing to the late Mr. Wroughton on the subject, who favoured my inquiries with the annexed response. Wroughton had known me from infancy, was a chief mate in the " Keep the Line," and I need not say was held in the highest respect by the whole of the theatrical profession: Barnes, an English lady from the American theatre, made her first ap- pearance in London at Drury-Lane as Juliet, on the 29th of December: She again crossed the Atlantic, and again reigned the favourite of New- York and Philadelphia.
In the summer previous to our opening, while I was one day very busy in council with the sub- committee, I was highly gratified by seeing Sir William Rawlins enter the room ; and, address- ing the gentlemen present, he said he had just heard rhat Mr. He was referred to Mr. Ward the secretary ; and then, turning round, he discovered me, and a very friendly greeting ensued. He warmly invited me to dine with him, and afterwards to accom- pany him on an approaching day's " jollifica- tion "' on board the City Navigation Barge.
The latter proposition I gladly accepted, as I was to meet many of Sir William's friends who remem- bered me when a boy. I wrote a song for the occasion, which was received like another " Lit- tle Cherub;" and — carpe diem — for that day forgot Drury-Lane, the committee, and all but the friends who vied with each other in showing me kindness and civility. Among the distinguished or fashionable cha- racters I have had the pleasure of meeting round the convivial board, through the introduction of Mr.
Colman, and my masters of the committee, were Mr. Sheridan and his son, the late Earl Craven and his brother the Hon. I will pledge my life for his zeal, integrity, and ability in whatever he may be employed. What the line is in which he may be made most useful, Mr. Ward is most competent to explain. I say nothing of his large family, many of whom are qualified to give fair assistance to the theatre.
I have only to add, that your kind attention to this will oblige me more than I can express. Sheridan a song Dido , which not having sent, from oversight or inadvertency, my seeming neglect called on me this re- fresher ; — THO. But promises like pie-crusts last. And folly 'tis to trust: A song without the words is like A pie without a crust.
In the first week of the year, Mr. Penley, while playing- Roderigo, received accidentally, in the fencing scene with Cassio, a wound in the knee, which deprived us of his services for some days. On the 12th Mr. Kean added a large leaf to his laurel by the reception with which his first appearance in Sir Giles Over- reach was honoured. The 30tli of January had for years been to me a clear day of repose from theatrical duties ; THO.
On the evening in question, orders were given that the Repetition should be pro- foundly private, and yet the boxes exhibited a very brilliant sprinkling of rank and fashion. Kean was the Young Meadows, one of the committee rehearsed Hodge and Justice Woodcock, a lady the part of Rosetta, and two Misses Halford, who were afterwards engaged, attempted Lu- cinda and Madge: Sir George Smart presided in the orchestra, and all the band were sum- moned, although not entitled to a shilling salary, on account of the theatre being closed from pub- lic performance, it being the anniversary of the martyrdom of Charles the First.
The two Misses Halford were en- gaged, and came out afterwards as Rosina and Phoebe, and both were well received. Covent-Gar- den gave it, I believe, the latter title, and pro- duced it as an afterpiece. At length, on the first of February, both pieces were launched, both applauded very much, and neither of them repaid the trouble and expense they had cost. How far the committee of management deemed our play successful, may be gathered from their secretary's official note: They further request, that you will convey to the ladies and gentlemen engaged in the performance of the play their best acknow- ledgments for the cheerful alacrity and zeal with which they seconded your exertions.
On the 15th, Mr. Rae and I had the honour of attending their Imperial Highnesses the Arch- dukes of Austria, who honoured " Macbeth" and the pantomime with their presence, and ex- pressed themselves in very warm terms of ap- probation, and that in downright good English. On the 17th a much less pleasing circumstance occurred, which in my manager's diary is thus recorded: I was not present at the man's examination ; but on the Monday received from the chief magistrate at Bow-street the following- letter: On the 29th I produced " What Next?
On the night of my benefit, the 2d of April, a young lady of the name of Murray, introduced by a member of the committee, made her debut as Cecilia in " The Chapter of Accidents: My night, by agree- ment, should have been on the Gtli, but I had the 2d by choice. On Easter Wednesday 1 produced a melo- dramatic spectacle called " Pitcairn's Island," which passed without dissent.
Rae, was brought forward, on the 29th, for that gentleman's benefit, and once repeated. A piece written by an amateur, said to be one of the committee and by mistake entered as mine in the manager's book, to celebrate the marriage of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte with the Prince of Cobourg, appeared May 2d with applause ; and on the 9th, the Rev.
Maturin's tragedy of " Bertram" experienced a most brilliant reception: Kean added much to his reputation by his performance of " Ber- tram;" and Miss Somerville now Mrs. Bunn made a successful debut as the heroine on this occasion. The day subsequent to the production of the above tragedy, Mr. Ward sent to the manager's room the annexed copy of a minute made by the sub-committee: Rae, that it is their intention and wish that they should retain the offices of joint-managers for the ensuing season.
The public were extremely dis- pleased at the obscurity of the box in which, by choice. Their Royal Highnesses were seated. The Prince most aftably expressed his satisfac- tion at the evening's performance. A melo-dramatic romance, from the German of Wieland, by my friend Benjamin Thompson, was produced on the 21st, but not with that success we all wished him ; the want of which turned out of most melancholy consequence to his family and all his friends.
The 23d completed my twenty-third year of marriage. I never made a better bargain than on the memorable 23d at Manchester, in , nor a worse than on this anniversary, when I took possession as lessee of the Surrey Theatre. John Johnstone accompanied me on the occasion, as a witness of my taking possession. On the 31st, I was invited to follow my friend Thompson to the grave: He had been talking with me of some arrangements respecting the Surrey Theatre, in which it was imagined he could be of use to me ; and with a view to arrange an engagement he was to call on me on Sunday the 25th: At a meeting of the sub-committee, notwith- standing what had passed before the minute of re-engagement was sent to Mr.
Rae and myself by Mr. Ward, I was informed that I could not keep my situation: I repeated, that if I remain- ed at Drury-Lane, I should not manage the Surrey myself; that I was then a proprietor of Sadler's Wells Theatre, and had been so for many years, as were Messrs. King and- Wrough- ton at the several periods of their managements of Drury-Lane.
I know what was said to me severallijhy the gentlemen then governing Drury- Lane ; but in council, nothing I said seemed to avail: I reminded them that I had a right to my salary up to October, having been engaged for a year, during which I had worked hard, and was the only stage-manager who did work during the last summer.
I mention this that you may not think me such a brute as never once to have been to see you at your theatre, of which I hear a most excellent account ; and that last night was an overflowing house. May they be so constantly is my ardent Wish! I assure you, I will take the earliest opportunity, when I can get to town for a day or two, to witness the suc- cess which I trust will ever attend you in this and all concerns.
I hope, during the summer months, for they have not begun yet, that you will be enabled to give us a Saturday and Sun- day at Cassiobury, when your soul and body shall be taken good care of. Cordell, both from a desire of ren- dering him a service, and from a conviction that he possesses talents to be of service to you.
I am induced strongly to believe, that should your engagements enable you to avail yourself of his talents, that you will acquire much additional strength to your own company, and give at the same time to him a fortunate pass- port to the higher honours and emoluments in his profession hereafter. I beg to present my compliments to Mrs. Dibdin, and am, " Dear Sir, your obedient servant, " Douglas Kinnaird. I am quite ashamed to think of the trouble I must have occasioned you. I have written to apprise the party of your kindness. With compliments to Mrs. Believe me " Yours truly, "G. Of the last letter I had from Mr.
Moore I give but a part: If my cordial wishes can advance your merits, you have them without reserve: If I could have imagined for a mo- ment, that the bill for which Mr. Temple West applied to parliament to enable him to open the Surrey Theatre, would, by undesigned and un- foreseen operation, have deprived Drury-Lane Theatre of your valuable services, I never would have sent him to you for that advice and instruc- tion, the honesty and good sense of which in- duced Mr.
West to press the undertaking and management of his theatre upon you. My dear Sir, " Yours very sincerely and faithfully, '' P. The following are extracts of a letter from Mr. Moore to the Earl of Essex: On the fullest consi- deration, I feel we cannot do without him, or some equally qualified person in his place ; and that to attempt to do without fresh aid, would be trying an experiment, by which the concern entrusted to us may be very seriously injured, and which we are not justified in hazarding, any more than Mr.
Whitbread, who was not of the profession, and could not supply any deficiency in management any more than your Lordship or myself. As to the Circus impeding Dibdin in his business here, as soon as it is once set in motion, the duties of that theatre on the supposition I was to have a manager there will be wholly performed by deputy ; and great utility may be derived from this subordinate establishment in Dibdin's hands, and with his good disposition to Drury-Lane. I have seen wonders, as it were by magic, performed in it the Surrey in no time: I know also that our rivals have applied to Dibdin for aid, to write for them against the approaching season.
I received many a kindness, during the four years I have recorded, from all its performers ; and the other morning, when I was, between sleep and awake, enumerating in my mind the favours I received from the sub-committee, favours already re- corded in the last chapter in vulgar prose, I dreamt I thus endeavoured to put them into dooo: From Lamb I gain'd a merry Irish stave To introduce in opera, farce, or play: I paid thy bankers, Peter, and surprised them ; And still of Capel's countenance am proud: With lines of Lamb, sung just as he advised them.
My singers have delighted many a crowd: My feelings too, though Douglas sacrificed them. Can thank him for the freedom he allow'd: I mean when guided by no sudden whim He gave me leave to go away from him. Our seven best receipts nightly receipts , taken individually, were — Jan. It had always been usual for the acting ma- nager to have the privilege of distributing what nightly orders or temporary free admissions it might be thought necessary to give either to performers or other friends of the theatre ; but the sub-committee, at one time, thinking that shareholders were entitled to such occasional privilege in preference to members of the thea- tre, and at another time imagining that the acting managers might possess too great an in- fluence in the theatre, — either took the privi- lege from us, or appointed the before-named Mr.
Warren to dole out to us a certain number ; and either to give away the rest himself for there was generally a mcLvimum fixed , or, as any members of the sub-committee might direct. By remonstrating frequently, and perhaps with more warmth than a mere deputy's deputy was sup- posed to be entitled to do, especially when difference of rank was evidently taken into the scale, — I more than once, though unintentionally, gave great off'ence, in the committee-room, to a very small portion of the aggregate number ; and on one occasion hastily left the room, ex- pressing the little regret I should feel if I never entered it again.
It might be suggested, by perfectly impartial friends, that it might not be wise to quarrel about the privilege of giving orders to persons in the establishment ; but that establishment consisted of between two and three hundred people, all of whom had been in the habit of looking up to the acting manager for those little courtesies, which, having in his power to bestow, enabled him frequently to distinguish those rising candidates for theatrical popularity, who were most assi- duous and attentive in their duties, by a kindness of much more consequence than its nominal value, when given as a mark of professional ap- probation.
Why, in the hands of a gentleman, who, however respectable in the counting-house, or at the head of the money-takers and their assistants, was no more a competent judge of the dramatic government of the theatre, or how far the proper distribu- tion of favours might help to support it, than many others, who have, since his time, held higher situations there. If a performer neg- lected the duties of his situation, we had ample power to punish by fine or discharge ; and no one, not even of the committee, disputed or wished to participate in this unpleasant pri- vilege: Poor Raymond, who was appointed to the stage management after my lateco-adjutor, soon sank under the weight of eternal and complicated committee conference, instruction, explanation, and undetermination.
It was necessary to hold correspondence daily, nightly, and all night with them: Garrick — Importunities of Mr. West to induce me to take his theatre — Reasons why I should not have taken it, and reasons why I did not know those reasons — Waterloo-bridge — Counteraction of its ex- pected benefit to my theatre by the sudden and literal inter- vention of another — Rent — Inordinate price of insurance — Extraordinary expense of nearly rebuilding the interior of the theatre — Liberality of my landlord — The theatre — Per- formers — Artists — Comic applications — Mr.
There was certainly something prophetic in the caution given me by Mrs. Garrick respecting the Circus, — but one would imagine I was a doomed man: Success with Englishmen, more than with all other men, is talent, knowledge, virtue. My father was the first manager of the Royal Circus. I became manager, as we have seen, for Mr. EUiston, when he new-named it the Surrey Theatre ; again at the period I am going to write about I managed it myself, and at this date August my brother is director there: With respect to the Surrey, I sought it not: At the moment as no doubt the evil one is always on the watch when I felt unpleasantly situated at the ever- varying opinions of my ever- varying masters, the quintumvirate, — I saw an advertisement in the papers inviting competitors for a lease of the Surrey Theatre.
West came behind the scenes on whose power of admission I know not at Drury- Lane, and insisted 1 was the only man to whom he should like to let the theatre, because his father had built it that my father should manage it ; that I should have it on liberal terms ; and that it should shake off the nick-name, by which he meant the distinction Mr.
Elliston had lately given it, and that the Circus should be "itself again. If I went into Drury-Lane green-room, Mr. West was there ; if I went to the manager's room, he was there ; if I went home, he was there: George's- fields, maybe divided into three parts: Ill admission, or not being able to dress decently if they had one, never go at all: These subdivided subdivisions would seem to promise but a sorry harvest: When I engaged in the Surrey, I looked for but one, and that a most dangerous competitor, namely, Astley ; and I knew that great exer- tion must be used in a fair race with him ; for that a good season in one year at both theatres had perhaps never been known ; but generally, when one house succeeded, the other was de- pressed ; their luck being like the barometer toy of the weather-house ; when one was in, the other was out.
How much worse then must matters prove, when, what I neither suspected, foresaw, or heard of, — a third theatre raised its head under a patronage which would appear to defy all rivalry! I knew not what cards I was playing my game with, nor did I follow this example ; therefore it was not to be won- dered at that few would pay at my house, when so many could repeatedly amuse themselves, without a shilling's expense, at another. My rent was one thousand a year ; and Mr. West was, besides, to have one third of the profits, without sharing in the risk to be run in obtaining them.
The whole interior of the theatre re- quired substantial repair: I 13 I was to insure the building to the amount of nine thousand pounds, adding three more for my own property in the house. The house itself is, without exception, at least in my opinion the best-constructed both for audience and actors in or near the metro- polis: From the twenty- third of May till the first of July, I had to re- build and furnish all behind the curtain ; to remove the horse-ride ; construct a pit ; alter, re-embellish, and furnish all in front of it: As soon as it was known I intended to open the Surrey, which did not happen till my ab- rupt dismissal by the committee left me no choice as to what steps I should pursue, the applications for engagements were almost incre- dibly numerous.
I rose at five or six in the morning ; was in the theatre close to which I slept till nine, writing and superintending the workmen ; went to Drury-Lane at ten ; stayed till three ; worked at the Surrey till five ; was again on the stage at Drury-Lane at the draw- ing-up of the curtain ; and, without the slightest injury to my health, continued a similar course of labour till the 28th of June, when Drury- Lane closed. As it was near the commencement of benefit- time at Drury-Lane when I began to turn my thoughts to the Surrey, there was no business for me to do but what related to the expiring season, which wanted little more than my pre- sence at the hours I have mentioned ; for as I was not to remain after the 28th, of course my presence was not required for the purpose of THOMAS DIBDIN.
I was only engaged by the committee yearly ; and there was no foreseeing, from year to year, when the ins might go out, and the outs come in again.
At last, finding I must go to work, to work I went seriously and comically, and in both ways I may say truly, con amove. I wrote the story of a ballet dance with which to draw up my cur- tain, and Mr. Byrne most liberally from old friendship volunteered to superintend its coming out for me, without charge, the only condition he insisted on.
One artist offered to paint me a proscenium drop as we call the painted cloth which falls between the acts ; another insisted on giving me a week's assistance ; but, with the exception of Mr. Byrne's trouble, I accepted nothing. Kean asked me to engage two of his relatives, who stayed three seasons with me: Thinking the best way to ensure attraction would be to deserve it, I commenced with a company which, though afterwards much improved, but then labouring under the disad- vantage of being almost all strangers to each other, performed, on the first night, with a precision often unattained in the " great grand" theatres: When they do agree, Their unanimity is wonderful!
The painters employed for many weeks to execute the mass of scenery wanted, and entirely to decorate the theatre itself, were no less than ten well-known artists, comprising Greenwood, Wilson, H. Smith, Kirby, and Meyrick. The band consisted of two-and-twenty select per- formers, led by Mr.
Woodarch, of Drury-Lane ; and at his return to Drury, by that modest and me- ritorious conductor and composer, the late Mr. The stage performers, exclusively of supernumerary aid, consisted gene- rally of thirty-five men and thirty-two females: Chat- terley, Miss Taylor, Mrs. The new wardrobe was not only superb, but correct as to costume; and for my Eastern spectacles, I found Lord Byron's drawings invaluable.