CHAPTER XX.
1817.
More provincial success—Bologna and his economy—Comparative dearness of Welsh Rare-bits and Partridges—Remarkably odd modes of saving money.
Having no engagement at Liverpool, indeed, having no time to accept one,—Grimaldi remained there only two days, at the expiration of which time he went to Hereford, and having waited on Mr. Crisp, the manager, went to look at the theatre, which, to his great astonishment and concern, he found to be nothing more than a common square room, with a stage four yards wide and about as many high, the head of the statue in Don Juan being obscured by the flies, and thus rendered wholly invisible to the audience. What made this circumstance the more annoying, was, that on the statue being seen to nod its head depended the effect of one of the very best scenes of Scaramouch.
As Grimaldi did not hesitate to express his great mortification and annoyance, and his decided indisposition to act in such a place for four nights, which was the term originally proposed, a fresh arrangement was entered into, by which, he engaged to play two nights at Hereford, and two at Worcester, where he knew there was a better theatre. At the former town the receipts were on the first night 42l., and on the second 45l., his share of the total being 43l. 10s. At Worcester, the receipts of the first night were 87l., and of the second 93l. 16s.: here he also received a moiety of the two nights' receipts.
Having now concluded his provincial engagements, Grimaldi repaired to Cheltenham for rest and relaxation, and remained there until the second week in September, when he returned to London. While at Cheltenham, he stumbled upon his old friend, Richer, the rope-dancer, already mentioned as having been engaged at Sadler's Wells, at an early period of Grimaldi's career. He had retired from the profession, and was married to the widow of a clergyman who had died extremely rich. They were living in great style, and to all appearance very happy.
The following account of Grimaldi's gains during this short excursion will afford some idea of the immense sums he was in the habit of receiving about this time. The amount was so much more than he had supposed, that on going over the calculation, he could scarcely believe he was correct. It was as follows:—
| £ | s. | d. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton, four nights | 100 | 0 | 0 | |
| Birmingham, six | 210 | 0 | 0 | |
| Worcester, one | 50 | 0 | 0 | |
| Glasgow and Edinburgh, nine | 417 | 0 | 0 | |
| Berwick, two | 102 | 7 | 0 | |
| Liverpool, sixteen | 324 | 14 | 0 | |
| Preston, two | 86 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hereford, two | 43 | 10 | 0 | |
| Worcester, (2nd visit) two | 90 | 8 | 0 | |
| —— | — | — | ||
| Total | £1423 | 19 | 0 |