Devonshire Terrace, Thursday, Sept. 18th, 1845.
My dear Macready,
We have a little supper, sir, after the farce, at No. 9, Powis Place, Great Ormond Street, in an empty house belonging to one of the company. There I am requested by my fellows to beg the favour of thy company and that of Mrs. Macready. The guests are limited to the actors and their ladies—with the exception of yourselves, and D'Orsay, and George Cattermole, "or so"—that sounds like Bobadil a little.
I am going to adopt your reading of the fifth act with the worst grace in the world. It seems to me that you don't allow enough for Bobadil having been frequently beaten before, as I have no doubt he had been. The part goes down hideously on this construction, and the end is mere lees. But never mind, sir, I intend bringing you up with the farce in the most brilliant manner.
Ever yours affectionately.
N.B.—Observe. I think of changing my present mode of life, and am open to an engagement.
N.B. No. 2.—I will undertake not to play tragedy, though passion is my strength.
N.B. No. 3.—I consider myself a chained lion.[5]
Mr. Clarkson Stanfield.
Devonshire Terrace, October 2nd, 1845.