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before she reappeared in London . Of this event we have , happily , her own record : — * For a whole fortnight before this ( to me ) memorable day , I suffered from nervous agitation more than can be imagined . No wonder ! for
jny own fate , and that of my little family , hung upon it . I had quitted Bath , where all my efforts had been successful , and I feared lest a second failure in London might influence the public mind gTeatly to my prejudice , in the event of my return from Drury-lane disgraced as I formerly had been . In due time I was summoned to the rehearsal of " Isabella / 1
Who can imagine my terror ? I feared to utter a sound above an audible whisper ; but by degrees enthusiasm cheered me into a forgetfulness of my fears , and I unconsciously threw out my voice , which failed not to be heard in the remotest part of the house , by a friend who kindly undertook to ascertain the happy circumstance . The countenances , no less than tears and flattering encouragements of my Companions , emboldened me more and moTe ; and the second rehearsal
was even more affecting than the nrst . Mr . King , who was then manager , was loud in his applauses . This second rehearsal took place on the 8 th of October , 1782 , and on the evening of that day 1 was seized with a nervous hoarseness , which made me extremely wretched ; for I dreaded being obliged to defer my appearance on the 10 th , longing , aa I most earnestly did , at least to know the worst . I went to bed ,
therefore , in a state of dreadful suspense . Awaking the next morning , however , though out of restless , unrefreshing sleep , I found , upon speaking to my husband , that my voice was very much clearer . This , of course , was a great comfort to me ; and , moreover the sun , which had been completely obscured for many days , shone brightly through my curtains . I hailed it , though tearfully , yet thankfully , as a happy omen ; and even now I am not ashamed of this ( as it may perhaps be
called ) childish superstition . On the morning of the 10 th , my voice was , most happily , perfectly restored , and again " the blessed sun shone brightly on me . yt On this eventful day my fatlier arrived to comfort nae , and to be a witness of my trial . He accompanied me to my dresiing-room at the theatre . There he left me ; and I , in one of what I call my desperate tranquillities , which usually impress me under terrific circumstances , there completed my dress , to the astonishment of my
attendants , without uttering one word , though often sighing most profoundly . * At length I was called to my fiery trial . I found my venerable father behind the scenes , little less agitated than myself . The awful consciousness that one is the sole object of attention to tliat immense space , lined as it were with human intellect from top to bottom , and all around , may perhaps be imagined , but never can be described , and by me can never be forgotten .
• Of the general effect of this night ' s performance I need not speak ; it has already been publicly recorded . I reached my own quiet fireside , qn retiring from the scene of reiterated shouts and plaudits . I was half dead j and my joy and thankfulness were of too solemn and overpowering a nature to admit pf words , or even tears . My father , my husbana , and myself sat down to a frugal neat supper , in a silence uninterrupted , except by exclamations of gtoiness from Mr . Skkione * My W **
Untitled Article
542 Campbell ' s Life of Mm . Siddons .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1834, page 542, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2636/page/12/
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