Open [15.7 MB]

THEATRE ROYAL, DUBLIN. 105
learned that Mr. Pigott had gone to the " Temperance
Hotel," whence Mr. Mitchell repaired. He entered a
rather dingy parlour, rang the bell, no answer ; rang again,
with like result. He proceeded to the drawing-room (it
was Sunday evening), rang three times, some minutes in-
tervening between each sound. At length a very ruddy-
visaged waiter staggered in, saying, in broken accents
"
D-d-id you r-r-ing,
sir ? wh-wh-who d-d-d-i-u want ?" and
fell right down on Mr. Mitchell's arm in a glorious state.
Mr. Mitchell, who was rather slow and formal in ex-
pression, was naturally surprised, and asked, " Is not this
the *
Temperance Hotel ? ' " " O-o-f c-u-u-r-se it is,"
was the reply. The impresario made the best of
his way out, and never forgot the event, as he renewed
the recollection at a dinner-party at Mr. Bussell's table on
his last visit to Dublin, about 1865.
The next Italian engagement occurred in September,
1838, when Signor De Angioli announced that, " in com-
pliance with many applications from distinguished parties,
and the general accommodation of the public, he has en-
gaged the Theatre Royal from Mr. Calcraft for one night
only, this present Thursday, 6th September, 1838, on
which occasion the performance will include an unprece-
dented combination of musical talent Madame Persian!
(Cantante di Camera di S. M. I. e R. LTmperatore di
Austria), and Signor Rubini (being his last season pre-
vious to his retirement from the stage), Signor Nigri
(Basso Cantante from Naples), and the violinist, Signor
Emiliani."
A grand vocal and instrumental Concert commenced