Ellen Terry and Her SistersPemberton, T. Edgar (Thomas Edgar)
History
Ellen Terry and Her Sisters
Pemberton, T. Edgar (Thomas Edgar)
Actresses -- Great Britain -- Biography; Terry, Ellen, Dame, 1847-1928
"_October 21, 1826._--We returned to a hasty dinner in Pall Mall,
and then hurried away to see honest Dan Terry's house, called the
Adelphi Theatre, where we saw 'The Pilot,' from the American novel
of that name. It is extremely popular, the dramatist having seized
on the whole story, and turned the odious and ridiculous parts,
assigned by the original author to the British, against the
Yankees themselves. There is a quiet effrontery in this that is of
a rare and peculiar character. The Americans were so much
displeased, that they attempted a row--which rendered the piece
doubly attractive to the seamen at Wapping, who came up and
crowded the house night after night to support the honour of the
British flag.... I was, however, glad to see honest Dan's theatre
as full seemingly as it could hold. The heat was dreadful, and
Anne was so very unwell that she was obliged to be carried into
Terry's house--a curious dwelling, no larger than a squirrel's
cage, which he has contrived to squeeze out of the vacant spaces
of the theatre, and which is accessible by a most complicated
combination of staircases and small passages. Here we had rare
good porter and oysters after the play, and found Anne much
better. She had attempted too much; indeed, I myself was much
fatigued."
Later comes a sadder note:--
"_February 3, 1827._--Terry has been pressed by Gibson for my debt
to him. That I may get managed."
And again--
"_April 15, 1828._--Got the lamentable news that Terry is totally
bankrupt. This is a most unexpected blow, though his carelessness
about money matters was very great. God help the poor fellow! He
has been ill-advised to go abroad, but now returns to stand the
storm--old debts, it seems, with principal and interest
accumulated, and all the items which load a falling man. And wife,
such a good and kind creature, and children. Alack! alack! I sought
out his solicitor. There are £7000 or more to pay, and the only
fund his share in the Adelphi Theatre, worth £5000 and upwards, and
then so fine a chance of independence lost. That comes of not
being explicit with his affairs. The theatre was a most
flourishing concern. I looked at the books, and since have seen
Yates. The ruin is inevitable, but I think they will not keep him
in prison, but let him earn his bread by his very considerable
talents. I shall lose the whole or part of £5000, which I lent him,
but that is the last of my concern."
And then follow these interesting and touching entries:--
"_May 8, 1828._--I have been of material assistance to poor Terry
in his affairs."
"_June 18, 1829._--Poor Terry is totally prostrated by a paralytic
affection. Continuance of existence not to be wished for."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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