23 February 1854
Thurs 23d Pleasant—Rehearsal A.M. Reading and study P.M. at Theatre 7 P.M. played Fitz James in the Lady of the Lake. Richings as Roderick Dhu. The piece was played according to the poem, in rhyme—which I think in poor taste—Rhyme is all very well in a poem but rather out of place on the stage which is supposed to "hold the mirror up to nature"—and what mirror ever displayed mankind speaking rhyme naturally I have heard men use almost every style of conversation yet known to the species—the literate and illiterate—the foolish and the wise—the
