MRS. SIDDONS AS LADY MACBETH 55 



Does not the reader feel that in these close personal observa- 

 tions is to be found a far better conception of what the genius 

 of Siddons could do than is given in the long lives by Campbell 

 and Boaden ? Mrs. Siddons appears to have repeated the word 

 1 never ' before i shall sun that morrow see.' This appears not 

 only from note (15), but from a manuscript insertion of a second 

 f never ' after the pause indicated above. The next notes are on 

 the sixth scene, where Lady Macbeth addresses Duncan. 



Lady. 20 All our service 



In every point twice done and then done double 

 Were poor and single business, to contend 

 Against those honours deep and broad, wherewith 

 Your majesty loads our house : for those of old, 

 And the late dignities heap'd up to them, 

 We rest your hermits. 20 



At her exit comes this note : 



Bows gracefully to the king, when she gives him the pas in 

 entering. Then graciously and sweetly to the nobles before she 

 follows the king. 



On Macbeth's speech, Scene 7, beginning 



If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well 

 It were done quickly, 



there is the following : 



Kemble speaks this, as if he had never seen his sister, like a 

 speech to be recited. None of that hesitation and working of the 

 mind which in Mrs. Siddons seems to inspire the words as the natural 

 expression of the emotion. 



After the entrance of Lady Macbeth the notes continue : 



Lady. He has almost supp'd : why have you left the chamber 1 21 

 Macbeth. Hath he ask'd for me ? 



Lady. Know you not he has ? 



Macbeth. We will proceed no further in this business : 

 22 He hath honour'd me of late ; and I have bought 



20 Dignified and simple. Beautifully spoken ; quite musical in her tones 

 and in the pronunciation, soothing and satisfying the ear. 



21 Eager whisper of anger and surprise. 



22 Here again Mrs. Siddons appears with all her inimitable expression of 

 emotion. The sudden change from animated hope and surprise to disappoint- 



