On the 29th, Grimaldi was so far recovered that he resumed his part of Clown in the "Disputes in China." The bills announced his re-appearance as "positively the last six nights of his performing;" and a further intimation, which was really a matter of fact:--"It is particularly recommended to those families who have not witnessed the _inimitable acting_ of Mr. Grimaldi and his son, Mr. J. S. Grimaldi, that they should secure places as soon as possible, much disappointment having been experienced by parties coming late and finding the boxes filled from the overflowing of the pit." Grimaldi sang on these last six nights his two most popular songs, "Tippitywitchet" and "Hot Codlins." His last night was August 3, and concluded the four weeks of his engagement. CHAPTER XXIII. 1823 to 1827. His great afflictions augmented by the dissipation and recklessness of his Son--He is compelled to retire from Covent Garden Theatre, and is succeeded by him--New Speculation at Sadler's Wells--Changes in the System of Management, and their results--Sir James Scarlett and a blushing Witness. From the period at which we have now arrived, down to within a year or so of his death, Grimaldi experienced little or nothing but one constant succession of afflictions and calamities, the pressure of which nearly bowed him to the earth; afflictions which it is painful to contemplate, and a detailed account of which would be neither instructive nor entertaining. A tale of unmitigated suffering, even when that suffering be mental, possesses but few attractions for the reader; but when, as in this case, a large portion of it is physical, it loses even the few attractions which the former would possess, and grows absolutely distasteful. Bearing these circumstances in mind, we shall follow Grimaldi's example in this particular, and study in the remaining pages of his life to touch as lightly as we can upon the heavy catalogue of his calamities, and to lay no unnecessary stress upon this cheerless portion of his existence. Grimaldi slept at Birmingham the night after his closing performance, and on the following morning returned to Cheltenham, where he was attacked by a severe and alarming illness, which for more than a month confined him to his bed, whence he rose at last a cripple for life.