ho has said that Henry had
all his plays written for him, he pointed out that of twenty-eight
Lyceum productions only three were written "for" him--"Charles I.,"
"Eugene Aram," and "Vanderdecken."

_February 27._--(My birthday.) Henry gave me a most exquisite
wreath for the head. It is made of green stones and diamonds and is
like a myrtle wreath. I never saw anything so simple and grand.
It's lovely.

(During this year our readings of "Macbeth" took place.)

_April._--Visit to Trentham after the reading at Hanley. Next day
to hotel at Bradford, where there were beetles in the beds!

I see that Bulwer, speaking of Macready's Macbeth, says that
Macbeth was a "trembler when opposed by his conscience, a warrior
when defied by his foes."

_August._--(At Winchelsea.) We drove to Cliffe End. Henry got the
old pony along at a spanking rate, but I had to seize the reins now
and again to save us from sudden death.

_August 14._--Drove to Tenterden. Saw Clowe's Marionettes.

(Henry saw one of their play-bills in a shop window, but found that the
performances only took place in the evening. He found out the proprietor
and asked him what were the takings on a good night. The man said L5, I
think. Henry asked him if he would give him a special show for that sum.
He was delighted. Henry and I and my daughter Edy and Fussie sat in
solemn state in the empty tent and watched the show, which was most
ingenious and clever. Clowe's Marionettes are still "on the road," but
ever since that "command" performance of Henry's at Tenterden their bill
has had two extra lines:

"Patronized by SIR HENRY IRVING
and
MISS ELLEN TERRY.")

_September._--"Method," (in last act of "Ravenswood"), "to keep very
still, and feel it all quietly and deeply." George Meredith,
speaking of Romance, says: "The young who avoid that region, escape
the title of Fool at the cost of a Celestial Crown." Good!

_December._--Mr. Gladstone behind the scenes. He likes the last act
very much.

_January 14, 1892._--Prince Eddie died. Cardinal Manning died.

_January 18._--(Just after successful production of "Henry VIII.")
H.I. is hard at work, studying "Lear." This is what only a great
man would do at such a moment in the hottest blush of success. No
"swelled head"--only fervent endeavor to do better work. The fools