ars.

The Bard was ready for a stroll, and after brushing our clothes and smiling
at the variegated guests, we sauntered into the street toward the Thames,
and soon found the entrance to the renowned Blackfriars Theatre.

A call-boy ushered us into the presence of the great actor and manager, who
greeted us with a snappish "Good morning!"

A number of authors and actors were waiting their turn to see the prince of
players, whose signet of approval or disapproval finished their
expectations. It was Saturday and pay day.

Turning abruptly to William, the proprietor said: "I understand you know
something about theatres and acting?"

"Try me; you shall be my judge."

"Then, sir, from this hour you are appointed assistant property man and
assistant prompter for the Blackfriars, at sixteen shillings a week, with
chance of promotion, if you deserve it!

"Your business hours shall be from noon, every week day, until five
o'clock; and from eight o'clock in the night until eleven o'clock, when you
are at liberty until the next day!

"Do you accept the work?"

William promptly replied:

"I accept with immeasurable thanks, and like Caesar of old, I cross the
dramatic Rubicon."

The Bard was then introduced to Bull Billings, the chief property man and
prompter, who at once initiated William into the machinery secrets of the
stage, with its scenes, ropes, chains, masks, moons, gods, swords,
bucklers, guns, pikes, torches, wheels, chairs, thrones, giants, wigs,
hats, bonnets, robes, brass jewels, kings, queens, dukes, lords, and all
the other paraphernalia of dramatic exhibition.

William was now launched upon the ocean of theatrical suns and storms, with
Nature for his guide and everlasting glory for his name.

_"Lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber turns his face;
But when he once attains the utmost round,
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend!"_

CHAPTER VII.

THEATRICAL DRUDGERY. COMPOSITIONS.

_"Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in its head."_

Shakspere had now his foot firmly planted on the lower round of the ladder
of fame, whose top leaned against the skies of immortality!

The fermentation of composition began again to work within his seething
brain, and the daily demands of the Blackfriars spurred h