difference yvith a theatrical manager,flyingto Boyv Street for redress. T h e strikers averred that they yvould never strike under until they heard the footsteps of the " Ghost," and threatened to start semi-weekly theatricals in the long room of the Adelphi Hotel in Little Flinders Street. With reference to the dual ability of the pair of Knowleses, one of the newspapers expressed the opinion " that the Knowleses could go on quite as yvell yvithout the other performers as they did with them."
DEATH OF KNOWLES.
The worry and trouble, financial and otheryvise, proved too much for the unfortunate Knoyvles, who was stricken doyvn by a sickness from which he did not recover, and his death on the 19th June, 1844, yvas signified in the following obituary notice in the public journals :—" Died on Sunday evening last, after a short but severe illness, Conrad Knoyvles, Esq., son of the Rev. John Knowles, Wesleyan Minister." As the deceased yvas thefirstactor of established reputation yvho cast in his lot yvith the fortunes of the first theatre opened in Melbourne, and m a y be said to have sacrificed himself for the Pavilion, a few particulars about him will not, it is hoped, be deemed uninteresting:—In 1831 Knoyvles arrived as one of the first batch of immigrants at Syvan River, yvhere he endeavoured to find some literary employment, but failed. Unfriended, and with a very light purse, he m a d e his yvay to V a n Diemen's Land, and, as he was almost reduced to his last penny, he obtained the appointment of assistant teacher in one of the leading schools of the island. For this he yvas eminently qualified, as he yvas competent to give lessons in Greek, Latin, French, and Drayving. S o m e young lady pupils attended one of the scholastic establishments, and a someyvhat romantic attachment sprang up between one of them and the young usher, intelligence of yvhich soon reaching the ears of the girl's parents, they withdreyv their daughter, and her lover yvas sent about his business. Proceeding to Sydney, he arrived there just as a Mr. Barnett Levy, a theatrical entrepreneur, was beating up recruits, and Knoyvles having procured an introduction to him, his engagement folloyved. Having some Wesleyan connexions in N e w South Wales, Knoyvles' intended adoption of the stage as a profession was heard by them yvith m u c h repugnance, and it yvas likely he would forfeit their friendship in consequence. For some time he yvas in a state of indecision, attending rehearsals by day, and joining prayer meetings in the evening. But at length the spirit moved him to cut the Methodistical painter, and he "crossed the Rubicon" by afirstappearance. T o the stage he thenceforward devoted himself, and contributed m u c h in advancing the interests of his neyv calling in Sydney. H e became a favourite with the play-going public, was an actor of considerable merit, and had a deal of the gentleman in him. Universal sympathy yvas felt for his widoyv in her desolate bereavement, and she received the solatium of a bumper benefit. Knowles was hardly cold in his grave when his death yvas the signal-note for an influx of play people from Launceston, and amongst them were Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Grove, with Messrs. Searle and Watson. Mrs. Cameron had been for years in " leading business " on the Sydney stage, and Mrs. Grove and Mrs. Cameron were possessed of a moderate share of ability. Rival applications for a half-year's license yvere m a d e by Cameron and Mrs. Knoyvles, and by a private arrangement the privilege yvas granted to Cameron. T h e neyv management gave itsfirstperformance on 9th July, yvith " T h e Stranger." Mrs. Cameron's Mrs. Holier was a creditable rendering of the character; but Searle yvas said to have made Peter too m u c h of a buffoon. Mrs. Grove's Charlotte lacked animation, and Mrs. Murray's Countess was not what it should have been. Cameron's Stranger was at times strangely at fault. During the last act some of the spectators began to hiss and call for Mrs. Knowles. T h e disorder continuing, Cameron vehemently protested against such unseemly interruptions, and the drunken rowdies were finally compelled to succumb. T h e second performance was "Jane Shore," yvhen the Camerons did not do so yvell as on the preceding occasion, but the lady yvas suffering from a severe cold. T h e farce was " T h e Valet de Sham," and though the condition of the streets m a d e a visit to the theatre a comfortless and perilous excursion, there were a good many persons present. Cameron next issued a notice announcing the temporary closing of the Theatre Royal for repair, and large promises were m a d e for the future. Rules were to be adopted for the maintenance of peace, order, and regularity. Smoking, hitherto an abomination, yvas to be boldly grappled with and killed. " It
