[60] Grimaldi played Acres at Covent Garden theatre, June 25, 1811. On the night of his benefit, June 24, 1812, "Cato" was performed, followed by the pantomime of "Harlequin Padmanaba," for the forty-ninth or fiftieth representation that season.
This year was rendered remarkable to him by some temporary embarrassments into which he was plunged, partly, he says, by the great expense consequent upon keeping a country as well as a town house, and partly by the great extravagance of his wife, who, although an excellent woman, had, like everybody else, some fault; hers was a love of dress which almost amounted to a mania. Finding that retrenchment must be the order of the day, he gave up his house at Finchley, discharged his groom, sold his horse and gig, and placed his affairs in the hands of Mr. Harmer, the solicitor, to whom circumstances had so oddly introduced him a few years before. Seven or eight months served to bring affairs into the right train again; by the end of that time every one of his creditors had been paid to the last penny of their demands.
In 1812, there was nothing particularly worthy of notice at Sadler's Wells. His second benefit, which took place in October, was a great one, the receipts being two hundred and twenty-five pounds. It was supposed the theatre would not hold more than two hundred pounds, but no benefit of his ever brought him less than two hundred and ten; and indeed one, which we shall presently have occasion to mention, produced nearly two hundred and seventy pounds—whether those who contributed this sum were all in the theatre at one period or not, we cannot of course pretend to say.
In the latter end of this month, he entered into an engagement to perform for two nights with Mr. Watson of the Cheltenham theatre, who arranged to give him a clear half of whatever the receipts might be. Previously to leaving town, he consulted with Mr. Hughes about this speculation, who told him that Cheltenham was a bad theatrical town, on account of its having many other amusements; but still he fancied he might clear his expenses, and perhaps forty or fifty pounds besides. At the appointed time he left London, having received a species of half-notice from Mr. Harris, that he would not be wanted at Covent Garden: and on the next night, played Scaramouch and sang Tippitywitchet with great éclat at Cheltenham. The following evening he played Clown in a little pantomime of his own concoction.
The house was full on each occasion, the performances gave perfect satisfaction, and he was induced by the manager to stay in that part of the country two days longer, and to go to Gloucester, nine miles off, at which place he likewise had a theatre. Thither they started early on the following morning, played the same pieces as at Cheltenham, and met with an equal degree of success.
After the performances were over, Mr. Watson and he supped together; and when the cloth was removed, the former said,
"Now, Joe, I can only allow you to take one glass of punch, time is so very precious."
"I do not understand you," replied Grimaldi.
"Why, what I mean is, that it is now twelve o'clock, and time to go to bed," he answered.
"Oh! with all my heart," said Grimaldi. "But this is something new, I suspect, with you. Last night, I remember, it was three hours later than this, before you suffered me to retire; and the night previous it was later even than that."