_Chronicle for November._
We are established at Derby. The Entertainment is written; and the
rehearsals are in steady progress. All difficulties are provided for,
but the one eternal difficulty of money. Miss Vanstone's resources
stretch easily enough to the limits of our personal wants; including
piano-forte hire for practice, and the purchase and making of the
necessary dresses. But the expenses of starting the Entertainment are
beyond the reach of any means we possess. A theatrical friend of
mine here, whom I had hoped to interest in our undertaking, proves,
unhappily, to be at a crisis in his career. The field of human sympathy,
out of which I might have raised the needful pecuniary crop, is closed
to me from want of time to cultivate it. I see no other resource
left--if we are to be ready by Christmas--than to try one of the local
music-sellers in this town, who is said to be a speculating man. A
private rehearsal at these lodgings, and a bargain which will fill
the pockets of a grasping stranger--such are the sacrifices which
dire necessity imposes on me at starting. Well! there is only one
consolation: I'll cheat the music-seller.