I didn't seem to know a word of my part
yesterday at the dress-rehearsal, but to-night I was as firm as if
I had played it a hundred times.
_April 16._--The critics who wrote their notices at the
dress-rehearsal, and complained of my playing pranks with the text,
were a little previous. Oh, how bad it makes one feel to find that
they all think my Volumnia "sweet," and _I_ thought I was fierce,
contemptuous, overbearing. Worse, I felt as if I must be appearing
like a cabman rating his Drury Lane wife!
_April 20._--Beginning to play Volumnia a little better.
_June 25._--Revival of "Charles I." The play went marvelously. I
played first and last acts well. H. was magnificent. Ted saw play
yesterday and says I don't "do Mrs. Siddons well." I know what he
means. The last act too declamatory.
_June 26._--Changed the "Mrs. Siddons" scene, and like it much
better. Simpler--more nature--more feeling.
_July 16._--Horrible suicide of Edith and Ida Yeoland. The poor
girls were out of an engagement. Unequal to the fight for life.
_July 20._--Last day of Lyceum season--"Coriolanus."
(On that night, I remember, H.I.
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