Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847

part in a play. It was now New Year's Day. The theatre was closed, and

only a half-blind porter sat at the entrance to the stage, on which there was not a soul. I stole past him with a beating heart, got between the moveable scenes and the curtain, and advanced to the open part of the stage. Here I fell down upon my knees, but not a single verse for declamation could I recall to my ...