The Harry Watkins Diary, Volume 13 [August 19, 1856–October 22, 1860]

06 December 1856

Sat. (Saturday) 6 . Pleasant. At rehearsal. A.M. Things look squremovelally —Company all demanding money—manager declaring he had none to give. At night when I went to the Museum to prepare for the play, I found the doors locked—reason—the Gas company had cut off the supply of gas and darkness reigned supreme in this dirty Temple of Thespis. I expected something like this, for in the morning Ince wished me to leave town by the early afternoon train—telling me that he did not believe the Company would play. But I saw his

object. Had I left he would have thrown removethe upon my shoulders the responsibility of closing the house. This would have been injurious to my prospects, and laid me open to ceremovernsure from the actors, many of whom would not have played the previous evening had it not been for my Benefit. The Company assembled about the door to talk over their grievances, and then, actor-like, when the worst comes to the worst, laughed and joked over their misfortunes I took a walk about town and then, at 10. P.M. went to the Hotel and retired for the night.