Actresses -- Great Britain -- Biography; Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831
“The remaining part of our journey was made almost intolerable by
her fretfulness. One minute she was screaming out lest the coachman
should overturn us; she was sure he would, because she would not give
him anything for neglecting to keep her trunk dry; and, though it was
immoderately hot, we were obliged very often to sit with the windows up,
for she had been told that the air was pestilential after sunset, and
that, however people liked it, she did not choose to hazard her life
by sitting with the windows open. All were disposed, for the sake of
peace, to let her have her own way, except the person whom we were really
obliged to for quieting her every now and then. She had been handsome,
but was now, I suppose, sixty years old. I pity her temper, and am sorry
for her situation, which I have set down as that of a disappointed old
maid.
“At about seven o’clock we arrived at Dorchester. On my stepping out
of the coach, a gentleman very civilly gave me his hand. Who should it
be but Mr. Siddons! who was come on purpose to meet me. He was very
well, and the same night I had the pleasure of seeing my dear boy, more
benefited by the sea than can be conceived. He desires me to thank Mr.
Whalley for the fruit, which he enjoyed very much. We have got a most
deplorable lodging, and the water and the bread are intolerable; ‘but
travellers must be content.’ Mr. Whalley was so good as to be interested
about my bathing. Is there anything I could refuse to do at his or your
request? I intend to bathe to-morrow morning, cost what pain it will. I
expected to have found more company here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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