 The relationship between Grimaldi and his son first became strained during the early 1820s . JS , who had made a career of emulating his father 's act , received favourable notices as Clown , but his success was constantly overshadowed by that of his father . He became resentful of his father and publicly shunned any association with him . JS became an alcoholic and was increasingly unreliable . In 1823 , he became estranged from his parents , who saw their son only occasionally over the next four years , as JS went out of his way to avoid them . They communicated only through letters , with Grimaldi often sending his son notes begging for money . JS once replied : " At present I am in difficulties ; but as long as I have a shilling you shall have half " . However , there is no record of him ever sending money to his father . JS finally returned home in 1827 , when the Grimaldis were awakened one night to discover their son standing in the street , feverish , emaciated and dishevelled . 
