Clowns -- Great Britain -- Biography; Grimaldi, Joseph, 1779-1837
A Clergyman's Dinner-party at Bath--First Appearance
of Grimaldi's Son, and Death of his old Friend, Mr.
Hughes--Grimaldi plays at three Theatres on one night, and has
his Salary stopped for his pains--His severe illness--Second
journey to Bath--Davidge, "Billy Coombes," and the
Chest--Facetiousness of the aforesaid Billy.
Two days after his arrival in Bath he appeared at the theatre, where
he was fortunate enough to elicit the warmest applause and approbation
from a crowded audience; nor was he less successful at Bristol, the
theatre being completely filled every night he performed. He remained
in this part of the country during five weeks, playing four nights in
every week at Bath, and the remaining two at Bristol. By this trip he
realized 287_l._-125_l._ for salary, and 162_l._ for benefits; but
although it was a lucrative expedition, it was by no means a pleasant
one, the weather being exceedingly inclement, and he being compelled
to return to Bath every evening after the performances at Bristol were
over. The nightly rides at that season of the year were by no means
agreeable; he suffered very much from colds, and, upon the whole, was
very far from sorry when his engagement terminated.
During his stay at Bath a little incident happened, developing, in a
striking point of view, a very repulsive trait of discourtesy and bad
breeding in a quarter where, least of any, such an exhibition might
have been looked for.
Higman, the bass-singer, who was then in great repute, and was
afterwards the original Gabriel, in Guy Mannering, but is since dead,
was invited with Grimaldi to dine with a reverend gentleman of that
city. They accepted the invitation, and upon their arrival found a
pretty large party of gentlemen assembled, the clerical host of course
presiding. The very instant the cloth was removed, this gentleman
commanded, rather than asked, Higman to sing a song. Not wishing
to appear desirous of enhancing the merit of the song by frivolous
objections, he at once consented, although he had scarcely swallowed
his meal. It was deservedly very much applauded and complimented, and
the moment the applause had ceased, the reverend doctor turned to
Grimaldi, and in the same peremptory manner requested a song from him.
He begged leave to decline for the present, urging--what was indeed the
truth--that he had scarcely swallowed his dinner. The observation made
by the host in reply rather astonished him.
"What, Mr. Grimaldi!" he exclaimed, hastily, "not sing, sir! Why, I
asked you here, sir, to-day expressly to sing."
"Indeed, sir!" said Grimaldi, rising from the table: "then I heartily
wish you had said so when you gave me the invitation; in which case
you would have saved me the inconvenience of coming here to-day, and
prevented my wishing you, as I now beg to do, a very unceremonious
good-night."
With these words he left the apartment, and very soon afterwards the
house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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