We are further told that on this occasion Mrs. Siddons was much indisposed previous to her going on the stage; and, after the curtain dropped at the end of the fifth act, was so very ill as not to be capable of walking to her dressing-room without support. Notwithstanding her suffering, she went through the part as if inspired. The Queen was so affected at her performance, that His Majesty seemed alarmed, and often diverted her attention from situations and passages that were likely to distress her. The following snarl was found among Horace Walpole’s papers:— For the _Morning Chronicle_. On the King commanding the Tragedy of _The Grecian Daughter_ on Thursday the 2nd inst. Jan. 10th, 1783. EPIGRAMMATIC Siddons to see—King, Lords, and Commons run, Glad to forget that Britain is undone. The Jesuit Shelburne, the apostate Fox, And Bulls and Bears, together in a Box. Thurlow neglects his promises to friends; And scribbling Townsend no more letters sends. Cits leave their feasts, and sots desert their wine; Each youth cries “Charming!” and each maid, “Divine!” See, of false tears, a copious torrent flows, But not one real, for their country’s woes. The club of spendthrifts, the rapacious bar Of words, not arms, support the bloodless war. Let Spain Gibraltar get, our islands France, So Siddons acts, or Vestris leads the dance. Run on, mad nation! pleasure’s frantic round; For acting, fiddling, dancing be renown’d! Soon foreign fleets shall rule the Western main; George fill no throne but that of Drury Lane. _Merlin._ George III. admired her, he said, “for her repose,” adding, “Garrick could never stand still; he was a great fidget.” The Queen told her, in broken English, that the only resource was to turn away from the stage; the acting was, indeed, too “disagreeable.” She was frequently summoned to read at the Palace, and to give lessons in elocution to the young Princesses.