hardly conceive what he is.

_February 8._--Morell Mackenzie died.

_March 1._--Mother died. Amazing courage in my father and sisters.
She looked so lovely when she was dead.

_March 7._--Went back to work.

_October 6._--Tennyson died.

_October 26._--A fine day. To call on the young Duchess of S----.
What a sweet and beautiful young girl she is! I said I would write
and ask Mrs. Stirling to give her lessons, but feared she could not
as she was ill.

_November._--Heard from Mrs. Stirling: "I am too ill and weak to
see any one in the way of lessons. I am just alive--in pain and
distress always, but always anxious for news from the Lyceum.
'Lear' will be a great success, I am sure. I was Cordelia with
Macready."

_November 10._--First night of "Lear." Such a foggy day! H. was
just marvelous, but indistinct from nervousness. T. spoke out, but
who cared! Haviland was very good. My Ted splendid in the little
bit he had to do as Oswald. I was rather good to-night. It _is_ a
wee part, but fine.

_December 7._--Poor Fred Leslie is dead. Typhoid. A thunderbolt to
us all. Poor, bright, charming Fred Leslie!

_December 31._--This has been a dark year. Mother died. Illness
rife in the family. My son engaged--but that may turn out well if
the young couple will not be too hasty. H.I. not well. Business by
no means up to the proper point. A death in the Royal Family.
Depression--depression!

_March 9, 1897._--Eunice (Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher) is dead. Poor
darling! She was a great friend to me.

_April 10._--First night of "Sans-Gene." A wonderful first-night
audience. I acted courageously and fairly well. Extraordinary
success.

_April 14._--Princess Louise (Lorne) came to see the play and told
me she was delighted. Little Elspeth Campbell was with her, looking
lovely. I did not play well--was depressed and clumsy.

_May 13._--It's all off about "The Man of Destiny" play with H.I.
and G.B.S.

_May 15._--To "Princess and Butterfly" with Audrey and Aimee. Miss
Fay Davis better than ever.

_May 17._---Nutcombe Gould has lost his voice, and Ted was called
upon at a moment's notice to play Hamlet at the Olympic to-night.

_June 20._--Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's for the Queen's
Jubilee. Went with Ed