The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 11 [July 22, 1853–June 12, 1854]

11 August 1853

Thurs. (Thursday) 11th . rather warm for comfort. At Castle-Garden [sic Castle Garden] all day preparing for the dramatic fund benefitexpand_less—attended to the rehearsal A.M. P.M. arranged the dressing rooms and got everything in readiness for the evening,—at 1/2 past six the doors were opened and people began to come in quite freely. We had a fine bill The entertainments commenced with an overture from William Tellexpand_less by the Italian orchestra under the direction of Max Maretzek, after which the "Young Widow," C. Burke as Splash—A H Davenport as Mandeville—Miss Weston as Aurelia Mrs John Sefton as Lucy; this was followed by the 4th act of "Lady of Lyons" Claude—Flemremoveming —Damas. G. Barrett—Beauseant—Pope—Deschapelles [sic Deschappelles] —J Byrne—Pauline—Eliza Logan—Madame—Mrs Cramer—Widow—Mrs Henry; then a "Pas Seul"—Gertrude Dawes——the "Morning Call" Sir Edward Ardent—Mr W. E.expand_less Marchant—Mrs Chillingtone—Mremoveissrs Laura Keene. "Pas de Deux"—by M'lle Henri & Mons. Maugin.. This should have been followed by the Tent Scene from "Julius Cesar [sic Caesar] " but Mr E. Eddy who was in for the part of Cassius, not making his appearance, removeI cu it had to be cut out—Eddy sent me a note in the morning stating that he removewould was called suremovecddenly out of town but, removethat if no accident prevented, he should return in time to play—I have removeno doubt but good cause forexpand_less removebelievingbelievingexpand_less that Mr Eddy had made

…illegible169 up his mind not to come near the place at all. I apologised to the audience for the omission and went on with the performance: the "Irish Lion"—Tim [sic Tom] Moore—Barney Williams—Squabbs—Griffiths—Ginger—Fisk—Captain Dixon—J A Allremoveean . McKenzie—Lamb—Wadd—Fredericks. Puffy—Rose. Mrs Fizgig—Mrs B. Williams.—Mrs Crummy—Mrs Henry. Miss Echo—Miss Hamilton—"Polka Nationale"—Miss Frances & Mons. Wiethoff—"Shelton's Brass Band" in a variety of airs—scene from "In and Out of Place"—Yankee girl—by Mrs B. (Barney) Williams.—Etiquette—Mr Bellamy—John Winans was advertised for a song and Miss Turnbull for a dance but removeasexpand_less they having to play at other Theatres could not arrive in time—Miss C Hiffert was up for a song and came all dressed to sing it but the band having left the orchestra and it being too late to hunt them up we went ahead with removethe "London Assurance"—Sir Harcourt—Mr C. Walcot—Dazzle—Brougham—Charles Courtly was to have been W Hamilton but he removecould didexpand_less not come in time and J Allan went on for the part: Max Harkaway—Mr Bellamy:—Dolly Spanker—John Sefton—Lady Gay—Madame Ponisi—Grace Harkaway—Mrs P. Warren—The whole wound up with a grand display of fireworks prepared for the occasion by Joseph G & Isaac Edge—the fireworks were in commemoration of the event of the A.D.F.A. (American Dramatic Fund Association) having attained the object of its institution—withe [sic with] the exception of the above drawbacks the evenings [sic evening's] entertainments passed off very pleasantly. There was [sic were] about twenty-two hundred persons present which was quite a respectable attendance considering the extreme hot weather. The performance was concluded by 1/2 past 12—much earlier than was anticipated

from the length of the bill. I was glad to get to bed, being about as tired as a fellow ought to be to enjoy a night's rest—though there is not much pleasure in sleeping in this hot weather