Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 6
1836-04-08
A really pleasant and warm day. Went to the Office where I was engaged in Diary and accounts as usual. Wishing to make some inquiries respecting the Theatre and my Wife’s wish to go to it I returned home where I met A. H. Everett, and held some conversation with him. He appears very much discouraged, and has, I imagine, done nothing at Washington. The organization there is I fancy perfect without him and his former papers are remembered. He was not at all communicative to me which I wondered at, but suspect arose from a thoughtless observation of my Wife’s to him (he had just left her), which I afterwards learnt. I left him and took a short walk.
Afternoon, papers of Mr. Jay, not many, nor very interesting. But there are one or two among them which are curious. Evening, to the Theatre with my Wife and a party, consisting mainly of the Inches family, farce called Spring and Autumn, and a piece called the Jewess. Its main merit is the showy character of the decorations. I have so little fancy for pomp and splendor that I was very tired before it got through. Mr. Wallack is a tolerable performer, especially in comedy.1
James W. Wallack, about to turn from his long career as an actor to an even more important one as stage manager, had for years made the role of Rattle in Spring and Autumn his own (Odell, Annals N.Y. Stage
, 3:396, 601; 4:12, 54, 211). Wallack was supported in Halévy’s “operatic drama” by Mrs. Barrett in the role of Rachel. The management’s claim for the piece would appear to have been sustained: “Produced on a scale of great splendor, and at an expense of several thousand dollars, with entire new Scenery, Costumes, &c. The Boston Brass Band, will execute the marches” (Columbian Centinel, 8 April, p. 3, col. 6).