A PATIENT AUDIENCE.
Monday, Aug. 3.—The whole royal party went to see Lulworth Castle, intending to be back to dinner, and go to the play at night, which their majesties had ordered, with Mrs. Siddons to play Lady Townly.[311] Dinner-time, however, came and passed, and they arrived not. They went by sea, and the wind proved contrary; and about seven o’clock a hobby groom was despatched thither by land, with intelligence that they had only reached Lulworth Castle at five o’clock. They meant to be certainly back by eight; but sent their commands that the farce might be performed first, and the play wait them.
The manager repeated this to the audience,—already waiting and wearied but a loud applause testified their agreeability to whatever could be proposed. The farce, however, was much sooner over than the passage from Lulworth Castle. It was ten o’clock when they landed! And all this time the audience—spectators rather—quietly waited!
They landed, just by the theatre, and went to the house of Lady Pembroke, who is now here in attendance upon the queen: and there they Sent home for the king’s page, with a wig, etc.; and the queen’s wardrobe woman, with similar decorations; and a message to Miss Planta and me, that we might go at once to the theatre.
We obeyed; and soon after they appeared, and were received with the most violent gusts of joy and huzzas, even from the galleries over their heads, whose patience had not the reward of seeing them at last. Is not this a charming trait of provincial popularity?
Mrs. Siddons, in her looks, and the tragic part, was exquisite.