The Sun.
London, England, 1834-07-25 00:00:00

MRS. SIDDONS'S DRAMATIC FAME.

I cannot now remember the regular succession of cha-
racters during this my first season, 1782-3. I think Bel-
videra came soon after Isabella, who almost precluded the
appearance of all others for a very long time ; but I well
remember my fears and ready tears on each subsequent
effort, lest I should fall from my high exaltation. The
crowds collected about- my carriage at my outgoings and
incomings, and the gratifying and sometimes comical re-
marks fheard on those occasions, were extremely diverting.
The royal family very frequently honoured me with their
presence. The King was often moved to tears, and the
Queen at one time told me, in her gracious manner and
broken English, th her only refuge was actually turning
her back upon the stage, at the same time protesting that
my acting was " indeed too disagreeable." In short, all
went on most prosperously ; and, to complete my triumph,
I had the honour to receive the commands of their Ma-
jesties to go and read to to them, which I frequently did,
both at Buckingham-house and at Windsor. Their Ma-
jesties were the most gratifying of auditors, because the
most unremittingly attentive. The King was a most judicious
and tasteful critic, both in acting and dramatic composi-
tion. He told me he had endeavoured, vainly, to detect
me in a false emphasis, and very humorously repeated
many of Mr. Smith's, who was then a principal actor. He
graciously recommended the propriety of my action, par-
ticularly my total repose in certain situations. This, he
said, is a quality- in which Garrick failed, " He never could
stand still, he was a great fidget." Ido not exactly re-
member the time (she continues) that I was favoured with
an invitation from Dr. Johnson, but I think it was during
the first of my celebrity. The doctor was then a wretched
invalid, and had requested my friend, Mr.. Windham, to
persuade me to favour him by drinking tea with him in
Bolt-court. * * The doctor spoke highly of Garrick's
various powers of acting. When Mr. Windham and my-
self were discussing some point respecting Garrick, he said,
" Madam, do not trouble yourself to convince Windham :
he is the very bull-dog of argument, and will never lose his
hold." Dr. Johnson's favourite female character in Shak-
speare was Katherine, in Henry the Eighth. He was most
desirous of seeing me in that play, but said, " I am too deaf
and too blind to see or hear at a greater distance than
the stage-box, and have little taste for making myself a
public gaze in so distinguished a situation." I assured him
that nothing would gratify me so much as to have him for
an auditor, and that I could procure for him an easy-chair
at the stage door, where he could both see and hear, and
be perfectly concealed. He appeared greatly pleased with
this arrangement ; but, unhappily for me, he did not live to
fulfil our mutual wishes. Some weeks before he died I
made him some morning visits. He was extremely, though
formally polite ; always apologized for being unable to at-
tend me to my carriage ; conducted me to the head of the
stairs, kissed my hand, and, bowing said, " Dear madam, I
am your most humble servant ;" and these were always re-
peated without the smallest variation.—Life Siddons.