heartily applauded, and the same may be
said of all of us. I think Radcliffe studied the part of Old Knowell,
while I played Young Knowell. Speaking after this interval of many
years, I believe we were all word-perfect and pretty well conscious of
our respective duties. Charles Dickens arranged our costumes, while
Nathan supplied them. He arranged me well. I was quite satisfied with
my Elizabethan ruff wound round my throat, but must confess that it
was a little uncomfortable for the first three or four hours. My hose
also gave me great satisfaction and some little annoyance.

I thought if I could walk into court without changing my costume, what
a sensation I should create! What would Campbell or Jervis say to
_Young Knowell_?

My father, as I have mentioned, lived at Hitchin, about six miles from
Knebworth, and my professional duties calling me so early to town, I
arranged to sleep at Hitchin, and go to London by an early train in
the morning. Sir Edward was much concerned at all this, and again
wondered whether his library could not be appropriated. But the other
was the only practicable plan, and was adopted. Every day I was in
court by nine o'clock, sometimes worked till five, then went by
rail to Stevenage and drove to Knebworth, three miles. That was the
routine. It was then time to put on my Elizabethan ruff and hose.
After the play I once more donned my private costume, and supped
luxuriously at a round table, where all our splendid company were
assembled.

After supper some of us used to retire to Douglas Jerrold's room in
one of the towers, and there we spent a jovial evening, prolonging the
entertainment until the small hours of the morning.

Then my fly, which had been waiting a long time, enabled me to reach
Hitchin and get three hours' sleep.

All this was hard work, but I was really strong, and in the best of
health, so that I enjoyed the labour as well as the pleasure. One
cannot now conceive how it was possible to go through so much without
breaking down. I attribute it, however, to the attendant excitement,
which braced me up, and have always found that excitement will enable
you to exceed your normal strength.

I had very many theatrical friends, all of them delightful in every
way. Amongst them Wright and Paul Bedford. Such companions as these
are not to be met with twice, each with his individuality, while the
two in combination were incomparable. They kept one in a perpetual
state of laug