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ary, he received a copy of Philips' Distrest Mother; and our French pupil, by way of coup d'essai, prepared to counterfeit the deep tragedian," in the part of Phoenix. Mr. Elliston was the Pyrrhus, and the whole perform, ance went off with much eclat. "Our bero, upon whom Melpomene had not bestowed her choicest favours, still acquitted himself with tolerable credit, and, but for the decorateur of the evening, who had adorned his side with a toledo of more than ordinary length, which somewhat embarrassed his action, be would probably have enjoyed a more ample share of the puffs which the audience, as a token of respect no doubt to the congenial spot over which they were collected, very liberally rewarded the exertions of the young tragedians." It is often curious to trace the history of public characters to its origin; and it is not a little remarkable, that two young persons, who for their own amusement had acted together in a small room over a pastry-cook's shop, should find themselves after a separation of fifteen years, the tragic and comic heroes of the theatre royal in the Haymarket, enjoying the highest honours of the profession, and followed by the most genuine applause of the public. But before we bring our hero to this point of elevation, we must accompany him through the humble gradations which led to it. He had not yet witnessed the representation of a play at the theatre; a place which his father, from religious motives, was not in the habit of encouraging One even ing, however, in the year 1790, be paid a stolen visit to Covent-garden, when the Orphan and the farce of Retaliation were to be presented. The effect the performance had on his mind decided bis future destiny. The stage now entirely occupied his thoughts; for this "all causes must give way;" trade became his fixed antipathy, and, instead of attending to business behind the counter, the stage-struck youth was frequently mounted upon it, endeavour ing to give the shopman and maid some relish of the opposite beauties of Otway and O'Keeffe. The ruler was used for a truncheon, the red ink for blood: these, with the kitchen-poker, gracefully dangling from a button-bole of the breeches pocket; a towering goose quill affixed to his hat turned up in the front à la mode Espagnole; and the skirt of his coat carelessly thrown over the left shoulder, thoroughly equipped for the

tragedy hero. Whether it was that "Young Master's" auditors did not melt into tears at the "syllables of dolour" which fell from him as he painted the distresses of Jaffier, and the despair of Romeo, or that his admiration of the inimitable Parsous, whom he saw perform about this time, estranged him from the buskin, we cannot determine.

From this period, however, he resolved to pay his court to the Comic Muse. "The old men seemed to occupy his most particular attention; and with a view to the public efforts which be now meant seriously to make, he procured a collection of wigs, which, for number and variety, from the proud full bottom downto the humble scratch, was thought to outvie even Suett's celebrated stock, that, to the unutterable grief of every virtuoso and collector of similar curiosities, were said to be burnt with the Biriningham theatre in 1792."

In September 1793. he appeared on the Richmond stage in the opposite characters of Richmond and Bowkitt.

In March 1794, he played the former character, and Old Doiley, at Canterbury, and immediately afterwards engaged with one of those theatrical crimps who come over occasionally to kiduap our youthful spouters for the Dublic theatre, deluding them with promises they never mean shall be fulfilied, and holding out to them hopes they are pre-determined to disappoint.

With the expectation that all the flattering representations that had been made him would be fully realized on his arrival in Dublin, Mathews embarked for that city He was engaged to play the principal characters in low comedy, and made his appearance in Jacob Gawky and Lingo, on the 19th of June, 1794, for the benefit of the celebrated Mrs. Wells, the original Cowslip. Ho was very favourably received; the songs of Lingo were all encored; and he repeated the latter character, a few nights afterwards, for the benefit of the late Mrs. Pope (then Miss Champion). But this was not the line of business he was inveigled over to perform : he was not to be an hound to hunt, but one to fill up the cry. The Country Pans, the princely Burgundy, and walking Gentlemen of the most insignificant cast, were allotted to him. Complaint was fruitless at this distance from home; and to his friends he was prevented, by a feeling of pride, from making

known the difficulties of his situation. It would be an endless, as well as an unpleasant, task, to enumerate the circumstances of degradation, insult, distress, and cruelty, he was obliged to submit to, while under the rod of his scenic tyrant. After suffering a penance of eighteen months for the imprudent step he had taken in quitting England, he resolved to return to London, and with this intention got on board a packet bound from Cork to Bristol, but which, owing to contrary winds, was forced to put into a port in Wales. At Swansea, he went to play, and introducing bimself to Mr. Masterman, the manager, obtained his permission to perform. From the warm reception he experienced, an engagement was offered him, and for three years he was the favourite comedian in Mr. Masterman's circuit, which included Swansea, Caermarthen, Monmouth, Cardiff, Llaudilo, &c.

On Mr. Emery's quitting York for Covent-garden, in 1798, Mr. Mathews was engaged by Tate Wilkinsou in his situation. From the great popularity of Emery in this company, his successor had much to apprehend, and more to experience; but nothing seems to have abated the ardour of Mathews in the favourite pursuit for which, at so carly an age, he had relinquished all his other prospects; difficulties served only to increase his assiduity, and incite him to greater exertions. The intreaties of his parents, the advice of his friends, and the recommendations of managers, were insufficient to wean him from a profession which, with all its concomitant disadvantages and embarrassments, had still, for him, the most powerful attrac tions. To struggle with impediments in the road to public fame, by whatever path we may travel, requires fortitude and patience; and the Stage demands from its followers the exercise of these virtues in a much greater degree than can be imagined by common observers. But in proportion to the obstructions to be encountered, the measures of triumph and self-gratulation is filled when they overcome.

Mr. Mathews is a living instance of what may be effected by perseverance. It rendered him one of the most popular actors that had ever appeared in the Yorkshire theatres, where he was enjoying a most comfortable and lucrative situation, when a proposal was made to him from London. The pro

prietor of the Haymarket Theatre having determined, in consequence of the encroachments of his brother managers on his season, to form a company entirely independent of the winter-houses, the fame and talents of our hero recommended him to the notice of Mr. Colman, who engaged him on very liberal terms as his principal low comedian; and on the 16th of May, 1803, he appeared in this metropolis in the character of Jabal and Lingo. Of his reception, and his abilities, we have, in former numbers, given a particular account. Besides an extensive range of parts in the stock comedies, he has contributed essentially to the success of several new pieces, which have been brought out since his appearance. His Old Wiggins, Sleep-Walker; Buskin, Killing no Murder; Mingle, Bee Hive; Cypher, Hit or Miss Risk, Triangle, Nehemiah Flam, Sir Fretful Plagiaryhis multiple in the Actor of All Work

has stamped his reputation as an actor of powerful original genius, which our writers for the stage will doubtless, for their own interests, not neglect to cultivate.

In September, 1804, he made his first appearance at Drury-lane Theatre, in the character of Don Manuel, in She Would and She Would Not. His second character was Sir Peter Teazle. Here he remained until the destruction of the theatre by fire, in 1809.

Upon the removal of the company to the Lyceum Theatre, he appeared in the list of the actors, and came into a considerable range of business by the secession of Mr. Bannister. At the end of the second season, however, in consequence of a dispute about the terms of a new engagement with Mr. T. Sheridan, then acting Manager of the concern, he withdrew entirely from the Drury-lane Company, and, after travelling for niue months, returned to town in the summer of 1812, and took up his old quarters at the Haymarket; and in October, made his first appearance at Covent garden, in the character of Buskin, having entered into an engagement with the Proprietors of that Theatre for five years. Discontented with the very few characters that were allotted to him, he determined not to renew his engagement, and in April last requested the Managers to give him up. the remainder of his time by which he was bound in an article, and which was to expire at the end of the season.

He

left the Theatre, and in the summer engaged at the Haymarket. The success of the Actor of All Work is well known. In this he personated the characters of Multiple,Stuffy the Prompter-a French tragedian-Robin Scrawky, an apprentice-M Sillergrip, a Scotch pawnbroker Mrs. M Sillergrip-and a Glass coach It was acted nearly thirty nights, and the house overflowed on every representation. At the end of the season, he made a most successful tour with his Actor of All Work to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, &c.

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On the 2d of April, he was announced to the public in the following novel

manner:

“Mr. Mathews respectfully informs his friends and the public, that he will be At Home at the English Opera House, on Thursday, April 2d," &c. &c.*

We shall give an extract from his opening Address, which will give some insight into his grievances at Coventgarden.

"It has been my greatest ambition to appear before you in the legitimate shape of a regular Comedian. Circumstances, however, which I could neither control, nor account for, have deprived me of the opportunity of so doing, 1 have frequently been urged by my friends to attempt an entertainment by myself, and reminded with what success the celebrated Dibdin bad, during several winters, kept audiences toge ther by his single exertions. Still preferred the exercise of my profession as a member of the National Theatre; and could I have been indulged in the first wish of my heart, that of appearing frequently before you as an actor of legitimate comedy, in that capacity I should in all probability have remained to the end of my days, without ever attempting to exhibit that little knack for distinct mimicry, to which I have since been unfortunately exclusively doomed. In the latter part of my last winter's engagement, it became evident to me, that all hope of attaining my favourite object was at an end. I was never allowed to appear before you excepting in characters solely devoted to the peculiari

As we witnessed this evening (April 2) at the English Opera House; when Mr. Mathews, unsupported by any other actor, and depending solely on his own powers, presented to an overflowing audience a series of entertainments, which excited continual peals of laughter from the beginning to the end. Vide THEATRICAL JOURNAL, page 341.

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ties of mimicry. The public naturally supposed the peculiarities of my cast of characters to be my own taste I therefore hope I shall be excused for taking this my only opportunity, of avowing my firm attachment to that legitimate drama of the country, which I devoutly hope may one day be restored to us. I trust it is clearly understood, that I have spoken not of motives, but of effects. I have not the slightest disposition to attribute my treatment to any illiberal feeling. It was probably accidental, but the facts are undeniable. During the last season, I had the opportunity of appearing only fortysix nights, and not once in a character in a comedy. It is true, that twelve nights out of the forty-six I rode one of the finest horses that the stud of the Theatre could afford-but this, though I was certainly exalted by it, did not satisfy my ambition. During the rest of the season, to use a theatrical term, I was laid upon the shelf-but I was too fond of my profession to lie there quietly. I grew restless and fidgetty; and like a good soldier who feels he has done only half his duty, whenever I peeped from my uneasy quarters, and saw a muster of the dramatic corps, "soul was in arms and eager for the fray," in which I might shew my zeal and devotion in your service. length I suspected my services were not required at all; and therefore, "like a well bred dog who walks quietly down stairs when he sees violent preparations on foot for kicking him into the street," I followed the example of my betters, and resigned, rather than run the risk of staying to be turned out. I retired. It was my own act, and I complain of no one. I only assert my right to make use of whatever little talent may have been bestowed on me to the best advantage to myself: for if I can only be allowed to exhibit those talents in a National Theatre which I once wished to be confined to the amusement of my pri vate friends-if I cannot be allowed my chance like other actors in the usual way if the regular practitioners will drive me to quackery, why I will sell my medicines on my own account, and they shall call me Mountebank if they like-but if such I am, why, like one, I will have a stage to myself. vanity they may call it has led me to make the attempt. It is a bold One-but the encouragement is in your hands. If I can stand single-handed

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against the hosts of superior entertainment around me, it will be a feather in my cap. It is in your power to place the feather there and if it is once plauted, be assured it shall be worn gratefully, as well as triumphantly." As a source of merriment in private company, he is inexhaustible. He pos sesses powers of mimicry with which Foote, were he living, would, perhaps, shrink to enter into competition; for there seems to be no object or charac ter out of the reach of his imitative talent.

He has been twice married. His first wife, Miss E. K. Strong, of Exeter, died in May, 1802. She published a volume of poems and some novels, which have considerable merit. Being, perhaps, a little of the opinion of Johnson, that "if marriage has few joys, celibacy has no pleasures," in 1803 he married Miss Jackson, then belonging to the York Company. By the latter lady he has one son.

TH

A HINT ON EDUCATION. HOUGH a high degree of civilization or refinement is doubtless attended with many advantages, it may too bring evils along with it, which, if not timely counteracted, can hardly fail to prove greatly injurious to the countries most distinguished for improvement in arts and sciences, and all the embellishments of life. It will ever require powerful antidotes to prevent wealth and luxury from generating those vicious principles and habits, which, in ancient times, were always the forerunners of the decline and fall of a nation. The modern nations, indeed, at least of Europe, may have advantages over the ancient in this respect, possessing preservatives and correctives, which, properly applied, might go far to hinder degegneracy of character among a people arriving at such a height as to prove their ruin.

Of the means most to be relied on for preserving the spirit and manners of a people in a sound wholesome state, education must always hold a conspicuous place. By its extension, indeed, a people need hardly now be destroyed for lack of knowledge; the danger some may think, lies rather in its superabundance. But may not the evils which seem presently to arise from the diffusion of knowledge proceed from the people having as yet but a smattering of it. Skimming but the surface, they must swallow all the scum and worst part of

it; an evil possibly unavoidable in the progress of knowledge. If there be, however, a fund of sound sobei sense among the people, the worthlessness of the trash that the witling or insidious writers of the day impose upon them, will in time be discovered, when any superfluity of naughtiness, generated by its intoxicating fumes will, it may be supposed, disappear.

By the improved method of teaching, so much have the means of education been put within the power of all, that possibly in no long time the hopes of our venerable beloved Sovereign, that every child in the kingdom should be able to read the Bible, will be realized. In addition to school education, might not something be done towards rendering the education, or training, which children receive at the home fireside, more effectual for making them the virtuous characters in mature years, that will best promote individual happiness, as well as national prosperity? Character being the result of the ideas and feelings most predominant in the mind, those raised and excited in the young by the close constant intercourse of the family circle, must always have a powerful effect in determining the complexion of their's. Should any thing very faulty be found in the instruction or example of the natural monitors and patterns of children, whose happiness is so much affected by their frowns or smiles, it is to be feared that, in many instances at least, being able to read and repeat the catechism, would fail in accomplishing what must ever be a great object of education-the forming of virtuous principles and habits in the young. If parents then may be looked on as among the principal modellers of the human mind, it is surely a matter of the first importance that they should be properly qualified for their office. If left in a great measure to chance, to pick up the knowledge or acquire the skill it demands, is it any wonder that the world should be encumbered with so many unseemly, useless, or worse than useless, specimens of the handyworks, so to speak, of such mental artists? Were sculptors or architects, as little acquainted, or at as little pains, to make themselves acquainted with the rules or knowledge of their arts, as it may be apprehended many fathers and mothers are with the art of training up a child in the way he should walk, would not their productions be no less imperfect, rude, or contemptible?

Nor may careless profligate parents alone be chargeable with adding to the evils of the world, by the vicious spawn they let loose on it, not a few, perhaps, of the more attentive and better disposed may do the same, notwithstanding their endeavours to the contrary. From ignorance or unskilful. ness they may produce effects on the minds of their children, quite the reverse of what was designed by their instructions and admonitions, while possibly ready to impute to unconquerable depravity of nature, what was only the result of the faulty method they fol. lowed, when attempting to inspire their young ones with sentiments of piety and virtue. Thus such views may be given of God and man, as instead of imbueing their minds with love to the author of their being, and good-will to their brethren of mankind, their affections may be alienated from both. Fear and suspicion may be the feelings chiefly excited towards him whom they are eujoined to love with all their hearts, and meau unworthy thoughts of those they ought to esteem and be well affected to. Self may be exalted instead of humbled. And the sensual appetites rather checked by restraint, than weakened by the influence of pious virtuous sentiments, may only wait to break out with double force, when impediments to their gratification shall be removed. The dealings of parents with their children may but too often verify the saying of the Son of Sirach, There is that laboureth and taketh pains, and is so much the more behind.'

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It will perhaps be thought that little excuse can be found for the ignorance of parents respecting the proper mode of training their children, from the instruction that may be received on this head from both pulpit and press. No doubt much good has resulted from what has been communicated through these channels, and were the duty of parents made a frequent topic of pulpit instruction, perhaps still more would be effected: it surely merits at least as much notice as the duty of children; for should the former be ill understood or neglected, it can hardly be expected that the latter will be properly attended to, or performed. It possibly, how ever, might be deemed inconsistent with the dignity of the pulpit to enter into all the minute details and particulars of the art of teaching the young idea how to shoot, to which it might be proper to call the attention of parents. Here,

if any where, small trifling circumstances may be followed with important effects. Many fathers and mothers may say and do things, in the presence of their children, which they would never say or do, if aware of the pernicious impres sion they make on their tender minds. The instruction delivered from the pulpit, on a subject of this kind, besides being unavoidably, perhaps, too general to produce all the effects that might be desirable, may be apt to be looked on as so much a matter of course as to fail in strongly attracting attention to it. The same remark may possibly be applied to that which books teach-when the book is laid aside, the subject may be ready to drop out of head.

Were the question put, what is the best means for powerfully, if not fre quently exciting attention to a subject. The reply, perhaps might be, look to the effects produced by a mode of instruction, somewhat different from those mentioned. May not the very general diffusion of the knowledge of the arts and sciences within these few years be ascribed, in a considerable measure, to the plan recently adopted of making them the subject of a course of popular lectures, throughout the greater part of the kingdom? In this way, what was before attended to only by a few, being made the subject of frequent con versation and remark, among all classes, discoveries and improvements are now advancing with a rapidity unexampled in past times. Were education, too, particularly that part of it which is the proper province of parents, the art of training up a child in the way he should walk, made the subject of a specific course of lectures in every populous town in the realm, might not great advantages result from it? Would a lecture on chemistry or elocution appear more interesting to fathers and mothers than one on a topic, the knowledge of which beyond that of most others, might tend to advance their welfare and happiness, at least so far as connected with the well doing and well being of those naturally dearest to thei upon earth And might not the diffusion of the knowledge of the proper method of forming and cultivating right principles and habits, in the young, while promoting private and domestic comfort and happiness, help likewise to lay the axe to the root of many of the evils with which society in general is presently afflicted.

March 30, 1818.

A. R.

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