THE WOULD-BE ACTOR. 307. a constant source of vexations. Instead of the promised assistance in the management, every obstacle was increased, and every error exulted over, by both the contending parties. The frequent applications of would-be authors and actors is a source of trouble to all managers. Sometimes the applications are vexatious, sometimes ludicrous. "Are you the gentleman who takes in playactors?" asked a youth of seventeen or eighteen, slender, awkward, neatly dressed in a short blue jacket, striped waistcoat, pantaloons of nankeen, and half-boots. The reply was, "I have the direction of the theatre." "Do you want any actors?". 66 Any person of extraordinary talents would find employment. Do you know of any one want ing to engage as an actor?" "I want to go on the stage myself." "You! Did you ever attempt to go on the "What plays did you perform in at the Academy ?" 66 Why, we played the Catos, and Tamerlanes, and such." "And what did you play?" "I played Cato and Bajazet—and in The Bold Stroke for a Wife, I played the Colonel. I was the biggest boy, and so I played the biggest parts." Sometimes a young Scotchman would present himself for Douglas, because "Hairy Johnson was successful in London;" or an Irishman, realizing Murphy's Othello in The Apprentice. On the 5th of December, 1796, Wignell, having returned to Philadelphia with his powerful reinforcement, opened his theatre with Romeo and Juliet, Juliet, Mrs. Merry, perhaps the best representative of Juliet that was ever seen or heard. On the 7th, the ballet dancers, Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, were brought out; and, on the Friday following, the 9th, Mr. Cooper made his first appearance in America, playing Macbeth. CHAPTER XIV. Letter from T. Holcroft-New Theatre, Park- Boston Theatres — John B. Williamson-Bunker's Hill, a Tragedy — John Burk — The Hallam Riot - Hodgkinson hissed off the Stage- Hallam breaks into Jail-The Author's visit to Philadelphia, May, 1797 Convention from the Abolition Societies - Doctors Barton, Rush, Griffiths - Bartram the Botanist-Uriah Tracy - Oliver Wolcot-Joseph Bringhurst - Wm. Cobbett "The Ancient Day" Natural History Man of Fortitude - Boston and Charleston Theatres - Names of Performers known at this time in the United States (1797)- Wignell and Reinagle, and the Philadelphia Company in Greenwich Street, New-York. THE writer, having sent some manuscripts to Mr. Holcroft, with whom he had exchanged letters before, received the following from him; which, as it gives the opinions of a veteran dramatist on the play of The Archers, or William Tell recently acted, and on other subjects connected with this work, we will insert. TO MR. DUNLAP. Dear Sir, I received your last letters dated May and October; as I had done others some months ago, in which you wished me to read your manuscripts. Your friend, Mr. Brewer, offered to put these manuscripts into my hands; this I declined, and I will state my motives. The reading of manuscripts I have found to be attended with danger. I once read two acts of a manuscript play, and was afterwards accused of having purloined one of the characters. The accusation had some semblance of truth; latent ideas floated in my mind, and there were two or three traits in the character drawn by me similar to the one I had read; though I was very unconscious of this when I wrote the character. A still more potent reason is the improbability of good that is to result from reading manuscripts. To read carefully, examine conscientiously, and detail with perspicuity the errors which the judgment of a critic might think deserving of amendment, is a laborious task: it devours time and fatigues the mind, and but seldom to any good purpose. Books of criticism abound, and may be consulted by an author who is anxious to improve. I grant that the critical remarks of a friend may be of great service. If a man have attained that elegance of diction, depth of penetration, and strength of feeling which constitute genius, to criticise his works before they are presented to the public may be a useful and a dignified task. Men acquire these high qualities gradually, when compelled by that restless desire which is incessant in its endeavours after excellence; and for these gradations the books already written are, in my opinion, sufficient. Your friend gave me William Tell to read: it proves you have made some progress; but it likewise proves, as far as I am a judge, that much remains for you to accomplish. Common thoughts, common characters, and common sensations, have little attraction: we must soar beyond them, or be contented to walk the earth and join the crowd. Far be it from me to discourage those efforts of mind in which I delight: but far be it from me to deceive. If you would attain the high gifts after which you so virtuously aspire, your perseverance must be energetic and unremitting. I consider America as unfavourable to genius: not from any qualities of air, earth, or water: but because the efforts of mind are neither so great, so numerous, or so urgent, as in England or France. You wish for an independence. That man is independent whose mind is prepared to meet all fortunes, and be happy under the worst ; who is conscious that industry in any country will supply the very few real wants of his species; and who, while he can enjoy the delicacies of taste as exquisitely as a glutton, can transfer that luxury by the activity of his mind and body to the simplest viands. Every other man is a slave, though he were more wealthy than Midas. I send you my narrative, but am surprised that there should be any di culty in procuring it at New-York. To a bookseller, the conveyance of such things is familiar and easy; to an individual it has the inconvenience of calling his attention to trifles, and disturbing his ordinary progress. I am not certain that the man of literature is not benefitted by these little jolts that awaken him, or rather endeavour to awaken: but I know from experience he is very unwilling to notice them, they therefore easily slip his memory. This is the reason that I did not send it before as you desired. HOLCROFT'S LETTER. 311 With respect to the stage, it is a question which cannot be effectuually discussed in a letter: but I have no doubt whatever of its high moral tendency. Neither, in my opinion, was Rousseau right relative to Geneva: for that which is in itself essentially good, will, as I suppose, be good at all times and in all places. London, Newman Street, T. HOLCROFT. Here was no flattery to the young author, but much excellent advice. He probably flattered himself that if the stern critic had read the manuscript instead of the printed play, he might have found something more than "common thoughts, common characters, and common sensations;" and yet it would probably have been merely selfflattery. The remark respecting America, as being "unfavourable to genius," was at that time perfectly true but the efforts of mind are now, and must be henceforward, greater, more numerous, and more urgent, than heretofore. The remark only applies to literature and the fine arts. It is applicable to a time past. The men of the present day have advantages which their predecessors had not. At this time, January 1797, the managers were negociating with the proprietors of the new theatre, Park, for that building, and Hodgkinson was anxious to go to England to procure wardrobe and performers. This was discouraged by the American partner, who now knew the man and his motives too well. Hallam was decidedly opposed to the scheme. In February, every engine |