The summer heats were, however, beginning to be felt: we had reached the commencement of July, and I had to think about closing my theatre. However, instead of running after fortune, as in the previous year, I occupied myself with changing and improving my performance. The task was heavy; for I was filled with bold emulation, as I could not conceal from myself that my success imposed certain duties on me, and that, in order to keep it up, I must be constantly deserving of it.
The most painful part of my inquiries was, that my inventions must be completed by a certain day and hour, for the reopening of my theatre was fixed for the first of the next September, and, for many reasons, I determined on being punctual.
For two months I worked with great ardor, granting myself no rest or pleasure. Sometimes, however, after dinner on Sunday, I allowed myself a recreation which may seem strange to many of my readers: I went to the fairs round Paris, and studied the mountebanks. There I amused myself, I may say, as much as any of the spectators around me; though the pleasure I felt was not of the same nature as that of my neighbors. I amused myself by seeing their amusement, and nothing more; for any one who has seen this style of spectacle must have noticed that the mountebank gives his public very little for their money. The best part of the sight is often seen outside.
New Experiments--Aërial Suspension, &c.--A Performance at the Odéon--A Friend in Need--1848--The Theatre deserted--I leave Paris for London--Manager Mitchell--Publicity in England--The Great Wizard--A Butter-mould used as a Puff--Singular Bills--A Prize for the best Pun.
Instead of being able to recommence my performances on the 1st of September, as I had hoped, my compulsory holidays, which might be called my "penal servitude," were prolonged another month, and it was not till the 1st of October that I was prepared to offer my new experiments to the public.
My pecuniary interests were much affected by this delay, but I trusted, correctly enough, to the zeal of the public to visit me, as a compensation.
My new repertory contained the _Crystal Box_, the _Fantastic Portfolio_, the _Trepèze Tumbler_, the _Garde Française_, the _Origin of Flowers_, the _Crystal Balls_, the _Inexhaustible Bottle_, the _Ethereal Suspension_, &c.