The Diary of Harry Watkins
@watkinsdiary.bsky.social
Fragments from the diary of Harry Watkins, an actor and a gentleman. On this day, 171 years ago, Harry wrote....
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/h/hwatkins/
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/h/hwatkins/
Anniversary of my wedding day--very well satisfied as far as I have got--
February 5, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Anniversary of my wedding day--very well satisfied as far as I have got--
Cool,--Reading & writing
February 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Cool,--Reading & writing
Cold--Rehearsal . . . writing & studying
February 3, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Cold--Rehearsal . . . writing & studying
Miss Makeah met with a most deplorable accident last night by which she lost her entire stage and street wardrobe --On returning to her hotel, the Galt House after the performance last evening, she found her room enveloped in flames.
February 2, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Miss Makeah met with a most deplorable accident last night by which she lost her entire stage and street wardrobe --On returning to her hotel, the Galt House after the performance last evening, she found her room enveloped in flames.
Miss Makeah's Parthenia might have been more agreeable had she been supported by a better Ingomar. Mr Johnston's rendition of which was poor indeed
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Miss Makeah's Parthenia might have been more agreeable had she been supported by a better Ingomar. Mr Johnston's rendition of which was poor indeed
Miss Makeah's Margaret Elmore was not as good as her Julia--Poor house
January 31, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Miss Makeah's Margaret Elmore was not as good as her Julia--Poor house
1st appearance of Miss Makeah--She is a novice in the profession--having made her debut . . . some three months since, and with success. She makes a fine appearance and . . . has talent that, with care, will win for her an enviable position--In private she seems an excellent woman
January 30, 2026 at 12:50 PM
1st appearance of Miss Makeah--She is a novice in the profession--having made her debut . . . some three months since, and with success. She makes a fine appearance and . . . has talent that, with care, will win for her an enviable position--In private she seems an excellent woman
When the weather is cold and the walking bad it is impossible to get the residents of this city out of their houses I shall make $28,00 by the Ben , that is better than nothing
January 29, 2026 at 12:50 PM
When the weather is cold and the walking bad it is impossible to get the residents of this city out of their houses I shall make $28,00 by the Ben , that is better than nothing
Quite a heavy fall of snow--Reading, writing all day
January 28, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Quite a heavy fall of snow--Reading, writing all day
Bates telegraphed for me to take a benefit on Monday next--I wanted to postpone it until a later period of the season, as there is not the [slightest] prospect of doing anything now. But there is no help for it--the old man's orders are imperative.
January 27, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Bates telegraphed for me to take a benefit on Monday next--I wanted to postpone it until a later period of the season, as there is not the [slightest] prospect of doing anything now. But there is no help for it--the old man's orders are imperative.
Benefit of R Johnston--Strong bill, but it couldn't draw
January 26, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Benefit of R Johnston--Strong bill, but it couldn't draw
Tis a settled fact that the public will not come to the Theatre no matter how meritorious are the pieces played, or how well they are put on the stage--There is no encouragement to labor--when labor produces nothing
January 25, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Tis a settled fact that the public will not come to the Theatre no matter how meritorious are the pieces played, or how well they are put on the stage--There is no encouragement to labor--when labor produces nothing
Cold--Rehearsal . . . Writing & Study
January 24, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Cold--Rehearsal . . . Writing & Study
Cold--some snow . . . the expected stranger not yet arrived
January 23, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Cold--some snow . . . the expected stranger not yet arrived
Harriet had spasms this P.M. brought on I think, by some morphine that was administered to her to alleviate her pains.
January 22, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Harriet had spasms this P.M. brought on I think, by some morphine that was administered to her to alleviate her pains.
Writing nearly all day--Wife got sick yesterday--it is not likely that she will be better
January 21, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Writing nearly all day--Wife got sick yesterday--it is not likely that she will be better
heavy rains in the evening . . . Fair house.
January 20, 2026 at 12:50 PM
heavy rains in the evening . . . Fair house.
2[n]d night of "Two Loves"--house improved.
January 19, 2026 at 12:50 PM
2[n]d night of "Two Loves"--house improved.
1st night... of a new play, in four acts, entitled "Two Loves and A Life "--a sweet title and a sweeter play--Why it has not been played in New York I cannot imagine for it is... one of the most beautiful plays in the language--and met with considerable success on its first production in England
January 18, 2026 at 12:50 PM
1st night... of a new play, in four acts, entitled "Two Loves and A Life "--a sweet title and a sweeter play--Why it has not been played in New York I cannot imagine for it is... one of the most beautiful plays in the language--and met with considerable success on its first production in England
all the P.M. arranging scenery, machinery, etc, for a new piece . . . three farces drew a few more people than we have had in the house lately--
January 17, 2026 at 12:50 PM
all the P.M. arranging scenery, machinery, etc, for a new piece . . . three farces drew a few more people than we have had in the house lately--
Pleasant--Rehearsal . . . Writing & studying
January 16, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Pleasant--Rehearsal . . . Writing & studying
Brought out the "Lawyer's Secret or, the False and True Blood". This was the first play I ever wrote--it was while I was in Boston. Being a very full piece I never had a good oppertunity of playing it before--The house was poor but the piece was well received--it plays very well--
January 15, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Brought out the "Lawyer's Secret or, the False and True Blood". This was the first play I ever wrote--it was while I was in Boston. Being a very full piece I never had a good oppertunity of playing it before--The house was poor but the piece was well received--it plays very well--
I close my worldly account with thirty years on this day. All right so far[.] Reading, studying & writing--
January 14, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I close my worldly account with thirty years on this day. All right so far[.] Reading, studying & writing--
Cold--clearing off--Rehearsal . . . Writing & studying
January 13, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Cold--clearing off--Rehearsal . . . Writing & studying
Disagreeable weather . . . Poor house
January 12, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Disagreeable weather . . . Poor house