ther than bad, and rejoice accordingly. I was too tired and
sleepy to talk, or even to listen, much.

_Wednesday, 11th._-- ... Lady Charlotte Greville and General Alaba
called. I am always grateful to him for the beautiful copy of
Schlegel's "Dramatic Lectures" which he gave me. Lady Charlotte was
all curiosity and anxiety about Lord Francis' play. I am afraid the
newspapers may not be much inclined to be good-natured about it. I
hope he does not care for what may be said of it. In the evening,
the boys went to the theater, and I stayed at home, industriously
copying "The Star of Seville" till bedtime.

_Thursday, 12th._--To the theater to rehearsal, after which I drove
to Hayter's (the painter), taking him my bracelets to copy, and
permission to apply to the theater wardrobe for any drapery that
may suit his purpose. I saw a likeness of Mrs. Norton he is just
finishing; very like her indeed, but not her handsomest look. I
think it had a slight, curious resemblance to some of the things
that have been done of me. I saw a very clever picture of all the
Fitzclarences, either by himself or his brother, George Hayter. The
women are very prettily grouped, and look picturesque enough; the
modern man's dress is an abominable object, of art or nature, and
Lord Munster's costume, holding, as he does, the very middle of the
canvas, is monstrous (which I don't mean for a rudeness, but a
pun). The Right Reverend Father in God (A.F.) is laughably like.
They have insisted on having a portrait of their mother introduced
in the room in which they are sitting, which seems to me better
feeling than taste. Their royal father is absent. I worked at "The
Star of Seville" till I went to the theater; as I get nearer the
end, I get as eager as a race-horse when in sight of the goal....
The piece was "The School for Scandal;" the house was very full. I
did not play well; I spoke too fast, and perceived it, and could
not make myself speak slower--an unpleasant sort of nightmare
sensation; besides, I was flat, and dull, and pointless--in short,
bad was the sum total. How well Ward plays Joseph Surface! The
audience were delightful; I never heard such pleasant shouts of
laughter.... My father says perhaps they will bring out "The Star
of Seville," which notion sometimes bring