hose very seats to sell them. We have now a travelling staff of six
men, in spite of which Dolby, who is leaving me to-day to sell tickets
in Philadelphia to-morrow morning, will no doubt get into a tempest of
difficulties. Of course also, in such a matter, as many obstacles as
possible are thrown in an Englishman's way; and he may himself be a
little injudicious into the bargain. Last night, for instance, he met
one of the 'ushers' (who show people to their seats) coming in with one
of our men. It is against orders that any one employed in front should
go out during the reading, and he took this man to task in the British
manner. Instantly, the free and independent usher put on his hat and
walked off. Seeing which, all the other free and independent ushers
(some 20 in number) put on _their_ hats and walked off; leaving us
absolutely devoid and destitute of a staff for to-night. One has since
been improvised: but it was a small matter to raise a stir and ill-will
about, especially as one of our men was equally in fault; and really
there is little to be done at night. American people are so accustomed
to take care of themselves, that one of these immense audiences will
fall into their places with an ease amazing to a frequenter of St.
James's Hall; and the certainty with which they are all in, before I go
on, is a very acceptable mark of respect. Our great labour is outside;
and we have been obliged to bring our staff up to six, besides a boy or
two, by employment of a regular additional clerk, a Bostonian. The
speculators buying the front-seats (we have found instances of this
being done by merchants in good position), the public won't have the
back seats; return their tickets; write and print volumes on the
subject; and deter others from coming. You are not to suppose that this
prevails to any great extent, as our lowest house here has been L300;
but it does hit us. There is no doubt about it. Fortunately I saw the
danger when the trouble began, and changed the list at the right
time. . . . You may get an idea of the staff's work, by what is in hand
now. They are preparing, numbering, and stamping, 6000 tickets for
Philadelphia, and 8000 tickets for Brooklyn. The moment those are done,
another 8000 tickets will be wanted for Baltimore, and probably another
6000 for Washington; and all this in addition to the correspondence,
advertisements, accounts, travelling, and the nightly business of the
Readings four times a week.