To–day I spoke with the King; he has signed the petition for an
Academy, asking for an appropriation of $1200 a year from the
Exchequer. Subscriptions are now being privately arranged. We have
the offer of the free use of the dramatic company’s rooms,—in
accordance with the will of the donor (Collet), who gave them for
the benefit and advancement of the dramatic and musical arts, and
also to be a preparatory school for the Norse stage.
I have much to do, and meet, as always, a great deal of
opposition; but I do not doubt that it will go. One must strike
with all one’s force. Poor Thorvald![19] I try to quiet myself
with the thought that I did everything in my power to prevent his
going to sea, but he would make his own way for himself....
[19] This son had fallen from the mast of a sailing vessel in the
Mediterranean; he was buried at Malta.