January 14, 1892.—­Prince Eddie died.  Cardinal Manning died.

January 18.—­(Just after successful production of “Henry VIII.”) H.I. is hard at work, studying “Lear.”  This is what only a great man would do at such a moment in the hottest blush of success.  No “swelled head”—­only fervent endeavor to do better work.  The fools hardly conceive what he is.

     February 8.—­Morell Mackenzie died.

     March 1.—­Mother died.  Amazing courage in my father and sisters. 
     She looked so lovely when she was dead.

     March 7.—­Went back to work.

     October 6.—­Tennyson died.

October 26.—­A fine day.  To call on the young Duchess of S——.  What a sweet and beautiful young girl she is!  I said I would write and ask Mrs. Stirling to give her lessons, but feared she could not as she was ill.

November.—­Heard from Mrs. Stirling:  “I am too ill and weak to see any one in the way of lessons.  I am just alive—­in pain and distress always, but always anxious for news from the Lyceum.  ‘Lear’ will be a great success, I am sure.  I was Cordelia with Macready.”

November 10.—­First night of “Lear.”  Such a foggy day!  H. was just marvelous, but indistinct from nervousness.  T. spoke out, but who cared!  Haviland was very good.  My Ted splendid in the little bit he had to do as Oswald.  I was rather good to-night.  It is a wee part, but fine.

     December 7.—­Poor Fred Leslie is dead.  Typhoid.  A thunderbolt to
     us all.  Poor, bright, charming Fred Leslie!

December 31.—­This has been a dark year.  Mother died.  Illness rife in the family.  My son engaged—­but that may turn out well if the young couple will not be too hasty.  H.I. not well.  Business by no means up to the proper point.  A death in the Royal Family.  Depression—­depression!

     March 9, 1897.—­Eunice (Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher) is dead.  Poor
     darling!  She was a great friend to me.

     April 10.—­First night of “Sans-Gene.”  A wonderful first-night
     audience.  I acted courageously and fairly well.  Extraordinary
     success.

     April 14.—­Princess Louise (Lorne) came to see the play and told
     me she was delighted.  Little Elspeth Campbell was with her, looking
     lovely.  I did not play well—­was depressed and clumsy.

     May 13.—­It’s all off about “The Man of Destiny” play with H.I.
     and G.B.S.

     May 15.—­To “Princess and Butterfly” with Audrey and Aimee.  Miss
     Fay Davis better than ever.

     May 17.—–­Nutcombe Gould has lost his voice, and Ted was called
     upon at a moment’s notice to play Hamlet at the Olympic to-night.