of this skull went in confirmation of this ingenious theory. Rested. Acted Hamlet.

Philadelphia, November 20th.-Acted Macbeth. Before the play Mr. Ryder came to inform me there would be a disturbance. I would take no stimulant; had fortunately eaten a light dinner, conscious of having done nothing even questionable. I was prepared. I heard great shouting at Mr. Ryder, who was evidently mistaken by the deputed rioters for myself. Went on, and applause, with the hissing, coarse noises, &c., of the ruffians there, attended It my entry. I received it unmoved, and went on braving it. continued growing more and more faint through the scenes, the rioters, sometimes well-informed, trying to interrupt the more effective parts of the performance, but becoming gradually subdued, until applause aroused them again. They were sufficiently quiet before the end of the first act. They heard the dagger soliloquy, manifestly enrapt, and the applause was a genuine burst, but of course again a signal for the ruffian blackguards assembled. The murder went triumphantly, and the second act ended as having stilled them. I went through cheerily and defyingly, pointing at the scoundrels such passages as "I dare do all," &c. The third act also had evidently a strong hold upon them-in the early part a copper cent was thrown at me, missing me, which particularly excited the indignation of the audience-and when I went on a bouquet was thrown to me. I mention all I can recollect. The fourth act passed smoothly after my entrance. In the fifth act, as if the scoundrels were aware that it was a strong point for me, they began with more than their primary violence of noise and outrage. A rotten egg was thrown on the stage. I went in active and cheerful defiance through it, though injured in the more touching and delicate effects, and in the last scene threw all my heart into the contest, and wound up with great effect.

The majority-the large majority-of the audience were enthusiastic in their demonstrations of sympathy with me, and of indignation against these ruffians. I was called, and I went on-of course the tumult of applause, and of the attempts of those wretches was very great-I stood to be heard, and that for a long time, touched and moved at first by the genial and generous warmth of the bulk of the audience. Obtaining at last silence, I observed that at New York and at Boston I had been warned of an organised opposition to be in force against me, but there, as here, I had expressed my perfect confidence in the good feeling of an American public, and I was happy and grateful to find I was not disappointed. I had had long acquaintance with, and I might say I had studied, the American character, and was convinced it was incapable of sanctioning such gross injustice. There was much difficulty in proceeding, and I had to wait long for intervals of silence, during which they gave "Nine cheers for Macready," which were carried out, and three or four feeble "Cheers for Forrest." I observed that, in my country, it was an invariable principle of justice not to con

1848.

Reception at Philadelphia.

605

demn a man unheard, and that their laws were similar to our own. There had been an impression widely and most industriously disseminated that I had shown hostility in my own country to an American actor. I declared upon my "sacred honour" that not only were the assertions so made false in the aggregate, but that in all the circumstances carefully compiled there was not for a single one the smallest shadow of foundation; that I had been hissed in a public theatre by an American actor, an act which I believed no other American would have committed, and which I was certain no European actor would have been guilty of; that up to that period I had shown none but kindly feelings towards that person, and had never since then publicly expressed an unkind one.

I begged to observe that in my own country some players had organised a similar outrage to the present against some French performers, and that the leading European journal had designated them as "ruffians and blockheads, disgracing their country in the eyes of Europe;" that these people I was sure in the opinion of the audience would be considered as disgracing themselves in the eyes of Americans as well as Europeans. Under such unheard-of outrages as these, so unworthy of a civilised community (pointing to the filthy remains of the egg which lay upon the stage), I could not but feel grateful for the sense of the indignation which they had shown; that I should always remember the spirit in which they had resisted such proceedings, and in speaking of them should testify my gratitude for their generous sympathy; that I was perfectly ready if they desired to relinquish my engagement from that night (No, No, No); and that, under any circumstances, I should recollect with satisfaction and pride the support they had so cordially rendered.

Again and again I thanked them, and retired.* The applause was most fervent. An English gentleman, a Manchester man, wished to see me. He came to express his sympathy, and to notice some evidences that he had witnessed of the cabal. Colonel Lec, the Recorder, wished to be introduced to me, and was most ardent

* A "card," or letter, signed Edwin Forrest, appeared in print, dated Philadelphia, November 21st, 1848, which contained the following passages: "Mr. Macready, in his speech last night to the audience at the Arch Street Theatre, made allusion, I understand, to an American actor' who had the temerity on one occasion openly to hiss him.' This is true, and, by the way, the only truth which I have been enabled to gather from the whole scope of his address. But why say 'an American actor?' Why not openly charge me with the act? For I did it, and publicly avowed it in The Times newspaper of London, and at the same time have asserted my right to do so." The rest of the letter accused Macready of suborning the English press against him, instigated by feelings of envy and jealousy of his rivalry as an actor, and that he had, in consequence, been himself hissed upon the stage in London before the occurrence of his own hissing of Macready in Hamlet' at Edinburgh. He went on to deny having assisted in getting up "an organised opposition to Macready in America, and to state that, on the contrary, his advice had been to do nothing, and "let the superannuated driveller alone."-ED.

in the same spirit. He did not wish me to go home alone. I had told Burton and Ryder that one of them must walk home with me, in case of assault, to be witness for me, as alone my testimony would be comparatively valueless. Colonel Lee said he would go, and that they would not dare attempt anything, knowing him. I went with him to his house to get his overcoat. He gave me a cigar, and together we went; but not the slightest indication of out-of-door hostility. He accompanied me to my hotel, and took his whisky toddy, whilst I took my tea; afterwards we smoked cigars, talking on the democratic policy, which, as he described it, approached very nearly to my own; he mentioned to me, in reference to my objection to the territorial extension of the democrats, Calhoun's expression of "masterly inactivity," as the means, the best means, of letting the race extend itself over this continent. I quite agree with it, and think it must be successful if acted on. We parted late.

November 22nd.-Othello. 23rd.-Werner. 25th.-Richelieu. 27th.-Lear. 28th.-Stranger. 29th.-Virginius.

November 30th.-Record of anguish and the deepest grief. The friend of my life, my dearest only brother is gone before me. His death was sudden, instantaneous, and without suffering. For that, thank God! But he the youngest of us, gone, gone! In our childhood he was my playmate, in my youth I tried to form his mind and advance his prospects, and in manhood we were bound by love which, though sometimes shaken and disturbed, sometimes violently, yet still existed to knit again in closer bonds, which have not been broken, only elongated, by death. Beloved Edward, if thy spirit is conscious, and has insight into the world of mind still moving here, thou wilt know how fondly and tenderly my heart reverts to all that was sweet and precious in the affection of our lives, and how bitterly it sorrows for thy loss! sorrows for thy loss! Blessed, blessed be thy dear spirit! Amen.

December 2nd.- Acted Hamlet with care and energy; took especial pains to make the meaning of "I must be idle """ clear, which was followed by cheers on cheers after the first applause, when it was understood by the house that this was Mr. Forrest's fancy dance." Oh fie, fie! The play went off triumphantly. Was called, and enthusiastically received. I said, "Ladies and Gentlemen,-My words to you shall be very few, for to whatever length I might extend them, they would fail to satisfy in conveying to you the deeply grateful sense I entertain of the liberal support you have afforded me. The remembrance of my visit here will always be accompanied with the ready testimony of my gratitude for the truly noble and generous earnestness with which you have defended me, a stranger, from the grossest outrage, the grossest injustice. I have spoken and written of it as I shall ever do, with admiration and fervent thankfulness. I regret I cannot embody in more expressive language all I feel, but the attempt is vain: I must therefore only again and again thank

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Reception at Baltimore.

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you, in taking my respectful leave of you." The reception of this short address was all I could desire, and the impression left on the Philadelphian audience seems what I could most have wished.

Baltimore, December 10th.-Read over the last three or four letters of dearest Catherine, of Letitia, again, of dearest Edward's death, and I feel as if I had seen it all. Blessed spirit, farewell! May the suffering I have endured for thy dear loss make gentler my heart, and give me patience and wisdom to make my remaining days or years more holy in God's sight. This year, poor Susan my sister-in-law; my dear friend and tutor and relative, William Birch; my friend and cousin, Jonathan Birch, and dearest far of all, my beloved brother Edward, lost in this world to me.

December 11th.-Acted Macbeth. Called; was going off, when a person in the stage box called out, "Say something. What was

I to say? I told the audience that as the attempt had been made to associate the country with the outrage and persecution I had endured, they had vindicated it from so unworthy an insinuation, and I thanked them earnestly and gratefully.

December 12th.--Looked at the Baltimore papers, speaking of the performances last night in terms of equal general praise, or perhaps implying the superiority of Mr. Forrest. People here my friends -talk of the victory I have obtained, the triumph I have won! Victory! over what or whom? A large portion of the American public, the more intelligent and gentleman-like, have been shocked and ashamed at Mr. Forrest's "card," written in the worst taste, and convicting himself of falsehood in one or two particulars, and they believe that I am true, or for the most part so. A large portion-the democrat party-crowd to see him at the theatre, cheer him in the most tumultuous and pointed manner, calling forth his thanks for their "support," &c., and the papers speak of him in the same admiration and respect that they would of a real artist and a real gentleman! And I am to live in this country! Rested. Acted Cardinal Richelieu with pains and effect. A rascal in the pit set up a yell at the end of the loud applause in first act, and there was some disturbance with him in the third-they said he was removed. Was called, and some person proposed three cheers, which they gave. I am grown insensible. Ryder brought me the returns of the house.

December 13th.-Shylock. 14th.-Werner. 15th.-Hamlet.

Richmond, December 18th.-Acted Macbeth. 19th.-Richelieu. December 20th.-Acted Hamlet-taking much pains and, as I thought, acting well; but the audience testified neither sensibility or enthusiasm, and I suppose it is either not good, or "cavaire to the general." They gave me the skull, for Yorick's, of a negro who was hung two years ago for cutting down his

overseer.

December 21st.-Charles Buller is dead. I held him in great regard, and had a very high opinion of his talent and of his poli

tical honesty. He liked me, I am sure. Another friend, for such I am sure he would have proved himself to me, is struck awaythe lesson of dying is being taught to me very earnestly. "The friends of my youth, where are they?"

December 22nd.-Acted Werner.

Baltimore, December 24th.-Burned my yule log, and thought on my dear home. Looked over Hamlet.

December 25th.-Acted Hamlet.

26th.-(Nina's and Lillie's birthday.) To God I lift up my heart and voice in prayer for His best blessings of virtue, wisdom, and health, with many years to enjoy the happiness they must bring, upon my beloved Nina and Lillie-dear dear children. God bless them! Before I rose, this prayer was in my mind and uttered by me, and through the day as at my quiet table, the wish of "Many, many happy returns of the day" was frequently on my lips. Thinking of dear Nina's birth eighteen years ago, my dear Edward's presence, then preparing for his voyage to Ceylon, what a dream it seems! how life becomes to one's thoughts no more than σκιᾶς ὄναρ. Acted Stranger.

December 28th.-Werner. 29th.-Richelieu.

Washington, December 31st.-A year of awful, stirring, fearful, and afflicting events is this day brought to a close. Many friends, some most dear, and one among the very dearest, have been taken from earth, and I have been taught to feel the truth of my own mortality. The income granted to me has been very great, but the expense of the year has been great in proportion, and I have not added so large an amount to my capital as I could have wished. For all, however, I am most thankful, most grateful, O God, and bow down my heart in earnest and devout acknowledgment of Thy mercy to me!

1849.

Richmond, January 4th.-Left Richmond with a most delightful recollection of all attaching to it. Vivent! Thought much through the day and night on life, the dream it is. For the first time I saw in the glass to-day that I really am an old man. My mind does not feel old; and it is with a sort of wonder, mixed with melancholy heart regret, that I see almost all those endeared to me by boyish affection, and associated with the memories of my youth, lost to me. But I do not mistake the warning, I am fully aware of my mortality, and though I would not wish to die here, nor without seeing my beloved ones again, nor, indeed, until I had done all I really should have the power of doing to actually advance them, yet still I am not disposed to murmur, whenever God may send the dark angel for my spirit; the violent deaths of this land I would avoid, but to die as my dear brother did, or dear and revered