The theatre was, at this time, his favourite place of resort.  We have seen how enthusiastically he expresses himself on the subject of Mr. Kean’s acting, and it was frequently my good fortune, during this season, to share in his enjoyment of it,—­the orchestra being, more than once, the place where, for a nearer view of the actor’s countenance, we took our station.  For Kean’s benefit, on the 25th of May, a large party had been made by Lady J * *, to which we both belonged; but Lord Byron having also taken a box for the occasion, so anxious was he to enjoy the representation uninterrupted, that, by rather an unsocial arrangement, only himself and I occupied his box during the play, while every other in the house was crowded almost to suffocation; nor did we join the remainder of our friends till supper.  Between the two parties, however, Mr. Kean had no reason to complain of a want of homage to his talents; as Lord J * *, on that occasion, presented him with a hundred pound share in the theatre; while Lord Byron sent him, next day, the sum of fifty guineas[29]; and, not long after, on seeing him act some of his favourite parts, made him presents of a handsome snuff-box and a costly Turkish sword.

Such effect had the passionate energy of Kean’s acting on his mind, that, once, in seeing him play Sir Giles Overreach, he was so affected as to be seized with a sort of convulsive fit; and we shall find him, some years after, in Italy, when the representation of Alfieri’s tragedy of Mirra had agitated him in the same violent manner, comparing the two instances as the only ones in his life when “any thing under reality” had been able to move him so powerfully.

The following are a few of the notes which I received from him during this visit to town.

[Footnote 29:  To such lengths did he, at this time, carry his enthusiasm for Kean, that when Miss O’Neil soon after appeared, and, by her matchless representation of feminine tenderness, attracted all eyes and hearts, he was not only a little jealous of her reputation, as interfering with that of his favourite, but, in order to guard himself against the risk of becoming a convert, refused to go to see her act.  I endeavoured sometimes to persuade him into witnessing, at least, one of her performances; but his answer was, (punning upon Shakspeare’s word, “unanealed,”) “No—­I’m resolved to continue un-Oneiled.”

To the great queen of all actresses, however, it will be seen, by the following extract from one of his journals, he rendered due justice:—­

“Of actors, Cooke was the most natural, Kemble the most supernatural,—­Kean the medium between the two.  But Mrs. Siddons was worth them all put together.”—­Detached Thoughts.]

* * * * *

TO MR. MOORE.

     “May 4. 1814.

     “Last night we supp’d at R——­fe’s board, &c.[30]

     “I wish people would not shirk their dinners—­ought it not to
     have been a dinner?[31]—­and that d——­d anchovy sandwich!