SECESSION OF THE CAPITALISTS. 149 CHAPTER XI. Dissolution-Difference between a capital fellow and a fellow of capital -Mr. Stanfield and Mr. Ducrow-Family sorrows-Mr. Farren and a distinguished nobleman-Additional verses to a popular songDeath and drunkenness-Sir Robert Peal and the Patent TheatresA distinction between ways and means-Mr. Poole and the horn-blower-Death of Mathews-Italian airs-Laporte's opinion of them in a letter-Bunn's opinion of them in a song-Malibran's engagement→ Unprecedented terms-One man found to refuse what all the rest of mankind were trying to possess-A droll and a deep letter from Mali. bran-Extraordinary interference of the Lord Chamberlain-Killigrew's Patent-George the Third's Patent, and the fees paid for it-Charles Kemble's opinion of the Lord Chamberlain's powers-A surviving regicide-Deaths of Bellini, and Isaac Pocock, &c. ALTHOUGH it is absolutely necessary to enter into the fact of the dissolution of the UNION, which terminated with the present season, it is not important to go into the minutia. Notwithstanding, at the onset of its proceedings, my secrecy as to the exact nature of OUR CONSTITUTION was stipulated for, and religiously observed, it was not so strictly maintained by others, who were acquainted with its formation. Between the one who found all the money and the one who was invested with all the authority, many persons sought to draw a line of distinction, and naturally to produce a difference of opinion not amounting to a matter of much moment, but enough to disturb in some slight degree the harmony of affairs. Our respective positions had been very clearly laid down in a deed, bearing date the 24th of April, (1834,) and had been duly acted up to-but still the few "distinctions without a difference" that would be sure to arise between the impressions of a gentleman not long habituated to theatrical pursuits, and the experience of one whose life had been principally occupied with them, were likely to be exaggerated by officious and jealous people, whose object for the most part is accomplished when any mischief has been effected. The alterations of the prices had disconcerted my calculations and plans, and such a vital alteration as that seemed to me to be but the forerunner of others-petty misconceptions led to petty re marks on the part of those who did not, or would not, see the probable consequences of any breach between myself and my backer, and discord appeared to be their aim. In the midst of the slight dissensions such unworthy cavillings gave rise to, he was urged by his family and friends to disconnect himself if possible with the stage; and having possessed me of his wishes, I felt bound if possible to carry them into effect. It would be irrevelant to my purpose, and a proceeding of questionable delicacy, to fill up my book with deeds and agreements, calculations and arrangements, plans and promises made and entered into at the time, for the due fulfilment of our respective responsibilities. It will be enough to say that on the 6th December, in this year, I took the pecuniary onus off the shoulders of my friend and transferred it to my own, which had hitherto borne the practical one. All questions of a financial nature have been long since placed in the legal hands of our respective advisers, by whom the heavy debt due to my estate has yet to be adjusted, and to the discomfiture of those who wished a contrary result, Captain Polhill and myself are on terms of our accustomed intimacy. The retirement of the capitalist from any concern, and above all others from a theatrical one, is calculated either to shake its stability or embarrass its exertions-very likely both. If I had no past liabilities to contend with, I had no current capital of consequence to go on with. I had to fight my way single handed; and such as it was, " alone I did it." There were two important points now remaining to be decided: one was to see if, without the means it could thus far rely upon, it were possible to carry on the UNION; and if not, the next was how to get rid of it—nous verrons. Though the secession of "the capitalist" took place at the worst period of the whole year (the three weeks preceding Christmas,) we had the prospect, on weathering that of alighting on the best the Christmas holidays.) Following up therefore the plan of the last season, we produced a pantomime at Covent Garden theatre, and again enlisted the eminent services of my friend Ducrow,* for the production of an equestrian spectacle at Drury Lane theatre, under the title of King Arthur, and The Knights of the Round Table, the success of which was at least equivalent to its predecessor-it could not well go beyond it. The production of this spectacle was remarkable * Two silver vases, presented by his very ardent admirer in commemoration of his masterly exertions for the success of "St. George and the Dragon," and "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table," are a trifling contribution to his celebrated Cabinet of Art, but are a very inadequate token of the regard I have, through a friendship of long years, entertained for Mr. Ducrow. amongst other things, as having led to the retirement of Mr. Stanfield, the eminent artist, from the very cradle of his reputation, where he had long been "a spoiled but a favourite child." He had prepared, with great ingenuity, and at great labour, a splendid scene, representing the Entry into the City of Carlisle; and when it was shown at the last rehearsal, Ducrow had thronged every part of it with knights, squires, pages, attendants, and all sorts of characters, to give life and animation to the scene. Mr. Stanfied being of opinion that his scene had quite "life and animation" enough in it, without any of Mr. Ducrow's assistance, vowed he would leave the theatre unless the said scene was first discovered for the audience to gaze on and admire, and the multitude sent on afterwards. As this would altogether have marred the effect of the piece, and probably have operated as a wet blanket on its termination, it was too great a risk to run, at the mere instigation of vanity; and as I sided in opinion with Ducrow, the offended painter quitted the theatre. I very much regretted his secession, but thought, as I still think, it betrayed a littleness unworthy a great mind! Beaten down by hard work, not being in particularly good health, or good spirits-wanting moreover a little leisure for the adaptation of Auber's opera of Lestocq, on which I had then set myself a task, and knowing that the present prosperous career of the enterprise would sanction a few days' absence, I accompanied a party, of which Ducrow formed one, to Brighton. We were not long there before an opportunity presented itself of getting up a scene of more actual amusement than any we had left behind us. Farren, in ignorance of my having left town, had made an engagement, the sly," for one night with the Brighton manager; and perceiving the announcement in the play bills, we took the liberty of using the name of a nobleman not then at Brighton, and in such name wrote a letter to Farren (to ascertain if he would swallow the bait,) simply asking if it were compatible with his engagement to play Tam-o'-Shanter the following evening? The comedian did swallow it hook and all, as his reply will testify: 66 on *To prevent any misconstruction of this expression, it is only necessary to observe that within the few last months, I lost father, mother, and brother (a wealthy and respected magistrate and merchant at Sydney.) It is Young, I believe, who thus records such afflictions : "Insatiate Archer! could not one suffice? "Thy shaft flew thrice, and thrice my peace was slain.” 152 MR. FARREN. "Brighton Theatre, -0, and "Monday, January 26, 1835. "Mr. W. Farren presents respects to Lord Mbegs to inform him that his performance to-night will be his only one in Brighton." We had now to go through the purgatory of keeping out of the way, because, as the fish had bit, there would be no fun if it was not fairly landed. Another letter was therefore despatched, regretting the shortness of his stay, and asking, as a great favour, if it would be possible to gratify his Lordship's party, by singing a song he had then made popular, in Tamo'-Shanter, known by the title of Green Grow the Rushes O!” -and at the same time begging that six box tickets might be sent for the advantage of the bénéficiaire, Miss Helen Faucit. Hooked again-back came this reply: "Mr. W. Farren presents respects to Lord M 0, and encloses six box tickets for to-night; and will, if possible, sing Green Grow the Rushes,' at his Lordship's request. The only difficulty there will be to the doing so may be the want of orchestra parts, which Mr. Farren cannot at this moment tell, the leader of the band not being in the theatre." Every man in Brighton who could scribble a note of music was put into requisition-the utmost respect manifested, and the stage private box kept for the noble Lord and family. As we entered the house we requested one of the servants to take a note round from his Lordship to Mr. Farren, containing the money for the tickets, and a requisition from his Lordship! that Mr. Farren would be so obliging as to sing the accompanying additional verses: 1 1. "Green grow the rushes O, Was there ever sich a 'go?' When Farren thought 'twas Lord M In walked Mister A. Ducrow!" 2. "Green Grow the rushes O, Is vastly liked by Lord M-0, But Farren better likes, you know, It was put into Mr. Farren's hands, just as we entered the box opposite the entrance in which he was standing; and at the sight of his expressive face, I literally fell into a fit of laughter. The mere hoax was not the only point for Farren's considera DEATH OF SIR P. PARKER. 153 tion; for if, by any accident, he had been suddenly called upon to play that evening at Drury Lane, the little trifle of " £1,000 liquidated damages," for the due fulfilment of his article of engagement, would have been in an awkward predicament. The incessant volleys of laughter we kept up, even to the annoyance of the audience, convinced the absentee that I had no angry feelings; and being a very good-tempered fellow, he exhibited none. Of course we knew our man; that is, his easy nature, though not his gullibility; for, barring the question of pounds, shillings, and pence, and his taking you by the button hole whenever he wants to convince you of an impossibility, Farren is a gentlemanly man, and a very fine actor. Among other dilemmas, beyond his control, to which a manager is subject, are those arising from the intemperance of a performer. Poor Blanchard, a comedian of undisputed ability, and who, though he died without a sixpence, died also without a successor, was hissed off the stage on the 23d of February for being intoxicated. On the 24th I discharged him; and on the 25th he made this appeal to me:— "Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1835. "SIR, "I have to offer a most ample apology to you for the conduct you complain of, and very justly, but if you persist, I can see but ruin to me and my family. Sorry, truly sorry, should I be to have them suffer for my faults. Let this go by, and never again shall you have reason to reproach me with a similar offence. "A. Bunn, Esq. "Yours, Sir, "Most obediently, "W. BLANCHARD." "Great Russel-street, "Bloomsbury." The curiosity of this letter lies, in his "being truly sorry should his family suffer for his faults," without seeming to care one fig whether the theatre suffered by them, or not. Had I been constant Cimber should be banished," his family would have starved, and I been classed amongst the brute creation. In restoring him I endangered the safety of any piece he played in, and also the good will of the audience. More managerial trials-but there are plenty of others in store. A week or two after the occurrence of the Brighton burletta, I went to Paris, and was absent nine days. The evening preceding my departure, I had been chatting with a noble |