Note 77 — Chapter V · ToC
Reading edition
Among Leighton's correspondence is the following interesting letter from Irving, who was an ardent admirer of Leighton's, and was among the first to join the committee formed to preserve his house for the public.
15a Grafton Street, Bond Street, W., January 1, 1889.
Dear Sir Frederic,—I am glad that you are coming to "Macbeth," and I wish you had been with us on Saturday.
The seats you wish for I enclose, though I should ever look upon it as a great privilege to welcome you myself.
Ellen Terry's performance is remarkable, and perfectly delightful after the soulless and insipid imitations of Sarah Siddons to which we have been accustomed.
You will find the cobwebs of half a century brushed away.
There is an amusing article in to-day's Standard, which overshoots the mark, and clearly shows how offensive it is to some minds to be earnest and conscientious in one's work. But I need not point this out to you.—Remaining, my dear Sir Frederic, yours sincerely,
H. Irving.