[53] The Earl of Coventry was said to be an admirer of her mother.
[54] This seems to have been at Wolverhampton.
[55] Two interesting letters were published in the Courier many years ago, which proved that Sir Henry Bate Dudley (then Mr. Bate) was Garrick's ambassador on this occasion. Garrick's letter contains some remarks on Mrs. Siddons's condition which are more expressive than elegant.
[56] Should be the 13th.
[57] This incident is said to have occurred at a rehearsal.
[58] I do not know why Dr. Doran says "alleged" sister.
[59] Campbell's account of this incident makes its meaning quite clear. He says that when, after a supreme effort, the silence was broken by the solitary "that's no' bad!" the audience was convulsed at the "ludicrous parsimony of praise." But the laughter was followed by such thunders of applause that it seemed as if the galleries would come down.
[60] This is inaccurate. The play was a success, and Mrs. Siddons was said to have been seldom more admired than in it.
[61] Walpole's letter is dated Christmas 1782.
[62] This was the notorious Mrs. Curtis, previously mentioned. Mr. Percy Fitzgerald (Kembles, ii. 98) gives an admirable account of her life.