The National Register. — London, England, 1815-07-16 00:00:00

1 1t71,Y 1(3. of his characters : notwithstanding this, there are many f arts, besides those we have mentioned, that appear to us enually deserving of praise. We cannot speak too highly of his Abel Drugger ; in this character he unquestionably displays the most genuine comic powers, and fixes his claim to a wonderful versatility of ge nius. Those who are particularly anxious not to transgress the rules of Lord Chesterfield, must avoid Mr. Kean's ex cellent performance of the credulous retailer of tobacco, which woulet force a' laugh from gravity itself, and keep those, whose visible faculties are more easily excited, con stantly in a roar. The remarks we have made on another occasion, upon Mr. Kean's Leon. will in a great measure apply to Abel Drugger ; the stupid simplicity that is only assumed by the former, very nearly resembles the real character of the lat• ter Ilis delineation of the Tobacconist was throughout emi nently successful. During his interviews with the knave Subtle, his gait and countenance were admirably expressive of the veneration he felt, for a being, he is supposed to look upon, as something more than mortal. The timidity with which he ventures to request any particular favor from the doctor, the admiration and astonishment he regards hint with, when afraid that what he wishes for shall he grant ed,—and the entire credence he gives to the prophecies of the crafty impostor, combined with the awkward respect, he is so anxious to evince for a person of such consequence. were depicted in the most comic and natural manner. In two or three parts he really convulsed the audience with laughter, particularly where Subtle (who has previously made himself acquainted with the birth, parentage, and cdto cation, of poor Abel) tells him that he was born oat a Wed nesday ; at this, which is to hint a miraculous and convincing proof of the diviner's skill, he appears absolutely petrified with astonishment, his bat falls horn his head, and he'gazes at him with silent • admiration when he has a little re• covered from the effects of his surprise, he raises his hands, and exclaims, • " And so I wa4," in a truly laughable manner; his countenance at the snipe moment expressing that kind of awe, it is natural he should feel in the presence of one, whom he considers as so greatly his superior. Upon the whole, Mr. Kean's Abel Drug ger is in our opinion as striking a display of comic ta lent as we have ever witnessed. His conception of , the character is just, and his execution replete with an ap pearance of nature that never fails to command the at tention, and ensure the amusement of an audience. — Messrs. Gattie and Oxberry sustained their respective parts Nvith their usual talent. Mr. Wallack in - the character of Face, which is not by any means a favorable one for the dis play of an actors' ability, was excellent and deservedly me. ceived a great share of applause. In whatever character we see this gentleman, we are pleased with his exertions, and his talents are properly estimated by .the public, as he is evidently a great favorite. It was the last night of Mr. Kean's appearance this season, and when the play was con cluded, he was cheered from all pits of 'the house with loud and continued applause. On Thursday last this theatre closed for the season, with an ad. dress spoken by r. Raymond, in which, after feelingly alluding to the lamented loss of Mr. Whitbread, he annointred the locution of the new Committee to raise the price of admission to the Pit, Six pence. I'hi; prodneett a mixture of disapprobation and aPPlttltsv,, amid a gentleman called Evans, took upon the ()trice of plenipotentiary for the public, and 11'0111 the limit of one of the boxec, thveiglied against the proposed anginentation. .11is speech, however, was attended tsitli little olteer• amid II"' "31'4111'1"Y of the evening was not lui:g With relnyt to the me.:::tte i tttti t , 491 it la ill at least cave the advantage of raising the tetpeet.iOility of t. e pit ; which, after having been for ages the seat of lastc, judgment.. and criticism has for tome years been less select in lio-001111)411. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. CORONER'S .INQUST. MR. WHITBREAD. The untimely death of this eminent person has excited so much in terest and anxiety, that we should be wanting- our duty ro the pub lic, if we did nat publish all the particulars which have transpired. The following account seems correct, and is complete:y , atisfactory as to the cause of the tragic event, which has afflicted all classes of reople. On Thursday sennight, information was received by Wm. Henry Gell, Esq. Coroner for the County of M:el :le.ex, that Mr. Whit bread had put an end to his own existence, ;Jed a Jury was instantly. summoned to sit on the body ifi the altering. At ciglss o'clock the Inquest had assembled at the house of the deceased, in Dover-street, Piccadilly. The first witness examined was J. Wilshire, Esq. frern who:e de position it appeared that he was a anc,st particulir friend to the cc ceased. He resided in Hertf ' rdshire. A few weeks sirce he re ceived an application from the family and friends of Mr. Whirl-read, come to town, for the purpose of soothing their of feelings. and, if possible, by fellowship, to rouse and restore the deceased Irons the lethargy and dull mclanchols that was then operating upon him. ' On his arrival in town, he found his friend in a low desponding state, and notwithstanding every exertion, he couid but occasiorialty suc ceed in shaking offthe melancholy, which seemed to have sized fast hold of him, or cause him to retract or give up the irregular notions and incoherent expressions he had continually adopted. He en treated Mr. Whitbread also to retire from those purr uirs and that intenae application which apparently disturbed his imaginarian to a deg•ee bordering on despair. Mr. W. listened on all occasi its to his advice, and in many instances promised to adhere to it. He com plained, however, bitterly, that he felt rte had become completely unlit. for business—that his public life was extinct—that Jae was tie rided—in short, that he had become "an outcast of society." An evening or two before the fatal transaction, his friend and he dined together. Mr. W. was in excellert health, and corducted him e:f its that clear and energetic way by whicit he has alwkys bean distia guished. After diluter, however, his mind at once forsook h In, and he commenced en argument of a most idle and ridiculous nature. On this he expatiated, with as much warmth as though it was a great • ('national question. Hi; frend on this occasion endca , oured to restore his reason, and pointed out to him the absurdity as we I as t he .inpr , - t abi i•y of his statements. Mr. W. however, eersiattd in h:s tied declarations ; and, among other dillies, stated that charges a serious nature- were exhibited against him, as well by ti e pubic voice, as by communications : this was also resisted as ere ne us by his frier d. Mr. W: however, with much vra mth, rind rtook to. prove it by his secre'ary, who, he said, could pre& ce documents to the fact.' The secretary being in the house, was instantly caned, ai.ct confronted with him, when the v. hole of what he, Mr. W. La I state t, turn.d out to he a ,nacre fabrication of the brain. The refs on of the deceased seernel ree or d for a short time, and !.e towed in si lent submission of his err or.' The evidence of Mr. Wilshire went to prove a variety of othar ha cidents, relative to the deceased for several months, all of wit ch went to establish a settled derangement of the mind of his lamt n•ed t tient!. Mr. Holland, a magistrate, resitting at Epsom, corrob rated the account of Mr. Wilshire, as tar as it related to the general conduct of the der'eased ter several months. Ile was also his parecutat :.cquaine anee and friend. Some waeks shoe he had noticed an extraordinary stupor and dulness abaut him, and imagining that it ;trove from in here study application, he entreated him to spend a few days in the country, at his (Mr. Holland's) seat. A fter much difEctilry he suect e led, and Mr. W. ace impavid him to F. m. (In the dav of their arrival, Mr. W. was in apparent good health aed spirits, talked rationally, aad retir.d to rest cetertutly. On his apee.ran'e, how ever, the following meriting. being asked by Mr. H. bow he 01!, and how he slept ? Mr. W. replied he was very ill hide d, ai:fi had not enjoyed half an hour's rest duelig the night." He tin-n add, d, "he forego the kind invitation of his friend, and go to ins\ n ; a vast deal of public business temaii ed to he done, an I It ugh lie wits inca pable r,f pertorining it, he would struggle at it, .ind do tl.e best he could " • Mr. Holland further related, that he had accompanied Mr. W. to a meeting of the proprietors of Drury-lane Theatre, wi.ere he was ca!led to the ch a ir. The bus:Tess %N a ; for the purpose • I t Irct irg a mamb rnt the Committee, the room of the Hun. Casten.. sh Brad shaw, ss ho had r...si e ntat On tit ocea,ion, however, N.r W. scarcely opened his lips, and sat in the chair in a sen (less state, looking with INCAIt IrCiaiiChOry upon all .around him. On the!r re tiring from the me,.tilig, Mr W. oh-ervel to his mend, " V , u te.‘e now an opportunity of teeing my incara , ity for publ e busintss; cis;` t or ten years ago, I could pretend to do buones+s, but nosy I a •••t •i i ne e re t ateece, and I at:: ores' tar my et vices," Ir. aaditl.l4