of Albany's son, like Sir
Galahad. I slept at Bridgewater House, but on my way to St. James's
from there my clothes were torn and I was half squeezed to death.
One man called out to me: "Ah, now you know what it feels like at
the pit door, Miss Terry."

_April 15._--Lyceum. "Coriolanus" produced. Went home directly
after the play was over. I didn't seem to know a word of my part
yesterday at the dress-rehearsal, but to-night I was as firm as if
I had played it a hundred times.

_April 16._--The critics who wrote their notices at the
dress-rehearsal, and complained of my playing pranks with the text,
were a little previous. Oh, how bad it makes one feel to find that
they all think my Volumnia "sweet," and _I_ thought I was fierce,
contemptuous, overbearing. Worse, I felt as if I must be appearing
like a cabman rating his Drury Lane wife!

_April 20._--Beginning to play Volumnia a little better.

_June 25._--Revival of "Charles I." The play went marvelously. I
played first and last acts well. H. was magnificent. Ted saw play
yesterday and says I don't "do Mrs. Siddons well." I know what he
means. The last act too declamatory.

_June 26._--Changed the "Mrs. Siddons" scene, and like it much
better. Simpler--more nature--more feeling.

_July 16._--Horrible suicide of Edith and Ida Yeoland. The poor
girls were out of an engagement. Unequal to the fight for life.

_July 20._--Last day of Lyceum season--"Coriolanus."

(On that night, I remember, H.I. for the first time played Coriolanus
_beautifully_. He discarded the disfiguring beard of the warrior that he
had worn during the "run" earlier in the season--and now that one could
see his face, all was well. When people speak of the evils of long runs,
I should like to answer with a list of their advantages. An actor, even
an actor of Henry Irving's caliber, hardly begins to play an immense
part like Coriolanus for what it is worth until he has been doing it for
fifty nights.)

_November 16._--"New York. Saw delightful Maude Adams in 'Quality
Street'--charming play. She is most clever and attractive.
_Unusual_ above everything. Queer, sweet, entirely delightful."

From these extracts, I hope it will be seen that by burning most of my
diaries I did not inflict an unbearable loss upon present readers, or
posterity!

I am afraid that I t