“But what have we to do with theatres in America?  Have we not the whole world of topics for discussion or conversation open to us?  Is not truth in religion, politics, and science suffered to be assailed by enemies freely, and does it not, therefore, require the time of all intelligent men to study, and understand, and defend, and fortify themselves in truth?  Have we time to throw away?

“More than this, have we not homes where domestic endearments charm us, where domestic duties require our attention, where the relations of wife, of husband, of children have the ties of mutual affection and mutual confidence to attach us to our firesides?  Need we go abroad for amusement?  Can the theatre, with all its tinsel finery, attract away from home the man who has once tasted the bliss of a happy family circle?  Is there no pleasure in seeing that romping group of children, in the heyday of youth, amuse themselves ere they go to rest; is there no pleasure in studying the characters of your little family as they thus undisguisedly display themselves, and so give you the opportunity of directing their minds to the best advantage?  Is there no amusement in watching the development of the infant mind and in assisting its feeble efforts?

“He must be of most unsocial mould who can leave the thousand charms of home to pass those precious hours in the noxious atmosphere of a theatre, there to be excited, to return at midnight, to rise from a late bed, to pass the best hours of the day in a feverish reverie succeeded by the natural depression which is sure to follow, and to crave a renewed indulgence.  Repeated renewal causes indifference and ennui to succeed, till excitement is no longer produced, but gives place to a habit of listless indifference, or a spirit of captious criticism.

“Monday, November 8, 1830. A year to-day since I left home.

“Tuesday, November 9. Ignorance at post-office.  Sent letters for United States to England, because the United States belong to England!

“Wednesday, December 1. Many reports for some days past prepared us for the announcement of the death of the Pope, Pius VIII, who died last evening at nine o’clock at the Quirinal Palace.”

The ceremonies connected with the funeral of the dead Pope and with the choice of his successor are described at great length, and the eye of the artist was fascinated by the wealth of color and the pomp, while his Protestant soul was wearied and disgusted by the tediousness and mummery of the ceremonials.

“December 14. Much excitement has been created by fear of revolution, but from what cause I cannot learn.  Many arrests and banishments have occurred, among whom are some of the Bonaparte family.  Artists are suspected of being Liberals.

“An assassination occurred at one of the altars in St. John Lateran a few weeks ago.  A young man, jealous of a girl, whom he thought to be more partial to another, stabbed her to the heart while at mass.