26 May 1854
Fri. 26 —Warm A.M—cloudy P.M. which prevented a fine eclipse of the Sun from being seen—much to the disappointment of the many thousands who had provided themselves with smoked glass in order to have a sight at the "free show"—The leading paper of this city—the "Commercial"—which, hitherto, has taken very little notice of my performance, and that little neither very flattering nor otherwise——in this morning's issue, speaking of my personation of the "Drunkard"—declared it to be "the finest piece of acting seen upon the National boards since the departure of Mr Anderson, and fully equal to some of that gentleman's finest efforts" and that—"all Mr Watkins required was to study and to wait"—the latter word being strongly emphasized—what it meant I cant imagine unless it meant that I should wait until the Astute Critic discovered all my talent and had found time and inclination to notify the public of the fact—if it be one