The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-08 00:00:00

EVENING, OCTOBER

TV ESDAY

MAGAZINES, &c.—(CON TIN UED.)

THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.

The subject of the biographiCal memoir for the
present month is one of our greatest modern cele-
brities—Charles Kean ; nor do we recollect, among
the many admirable sketches ,of illustrious Irishmen
which have adorned the pages of this periodical, any
better written or more interesting than the account
here furnished of his arduous and triumphant career.
The illustrative portrait presents a striking, although
not a flattering, likeness of this eminent tragedian,
for it offers the semblance of -a man older than one in
his fortieth year, such being the age of Mr. Kean,
who was born at Waterford on the 18th of January,
1811. After a period of three years' education at
Eton, whence the unhappy conduct of the elder Kean
towards the beloved mother of Charles compelled him
to withdraw in 1827, he was thrown on his own re-
sources, and, in the necessity of self-support, ar.d to
minister to the wants of that helpless parent whom
his generous heart would never suffer to remain un-
protected, he cast his lot upon the stage, making his
deldtt in Norval, at Drury -lane, on the opening night
of the season, October Ist, 1827. Tne press—that
press now long since deservedly lavish in his praise—
was unanimous in its condemnation of his histrionic
essay; nor for two years did he receive any encou-
ragement from that powerful engine, until some
measure of applause was awarded him for his imper-
sonation of Sir Edward Mortimer, in the Iron Chest.
Resolved to try his fortune in America, he crossed the
Atlantic in 1830, and on that distant stage enacted his
father's leading parts to crowded and admiring audi.7
ences. :shortly after his return to England, in '33,
the fitful fever of Edmund Kean's life was quenched
for ever. The son, still struggling for subsistence, and
unable, from want of superfluous means, to prevent
the seizure and sale of the 'valuable paternal effects,
turned his attention to provincial engagements, and
achieved marked success in Edinburgh and Dublin,
where he repeatedly reaped increasing applause and
large remuneration; many of the principal towns in
the empire likewise acknowledged his rising reputa-
tion. But London was yet to conquer, and at length,
on the Bth of January, 1838, he appeared at Drury-
lane as Hamlet, with a triumphant issue never sur-
passed in theatrical annals. This' character, in our
opinion the most masterly of his Shaksperian deline-
ations—and on them is his reputation mainly, if not ex-
clusively, built—he appeared in for twenty-one nights
during his engagement, and played Richard the
Third seventeen, and Sir Giles Overreach five nights.
From that day to this his professional career has been
one bright and uninterrupted triumph, and his para-
mount position as an artist cheerfully and universally
admitted. " That he has been a fortunate man,"
says the writer of the memoir, "in the general accep-
tation of the term, no one will deny ; and that he
merits his good fortune will be as readily conceded
by all impartial judges. In his early career he had
much to contend against, and his history presents
strong points of encouragement to all who are des•
tined to fight their way through the world, of what.
ever. calling or profession. The towering reputation
of his father, and the name he inherited, were more
frequently impediments than advantages, as inviting
invidious comparisons rather than indulgent recollec-
tions. A natural resemblance in the son was re-
proached as a positive offence ; while the most pal-
pable and servile imitation in a stranger was cordi-
ally hailed as indicative of kindred genius. At the
same time his high, gentlemanlike bearing, his well-
known affection for his mother, and his honourable
character, were powerful auxiliaries, backing his own
genius, and carrying him gallantly over many oppos-
ing obstacles and many prejudiced opinions. The
professional reputation of Charles bean is erected on
a sound foundation. As Junius says, in reference to
the -fame of Lord Chatham—` Recorded honours
shall gather round his monument, and thicken
over him. It is a solid fabric, and
will support the laurels that adorn it.' "
This is well and truthfully said. By his new under-
taking, the management of the Princess's Theatre, he
will, we doubt not, enhance his fame as an ardent
cultivator of the legitimate drama. With the co-
operation of. those genuine comedians, the Keeleys, and
the services of such masters of their art as Harley,
Wigan, and Meadows, assisted by a most efficient
company, it wouldbe indeed strange welt! his efforts
to revive the public taste unattended with success.
At the same time, the lovers of the Terpsichorean de-
partment of the stage are not disregarded by the new
lessee, for the ballet is confided to the superintendence
of Flexmore, that incomparable buffo, whose singular
abilities, both of arrangement and performance, have
placed him in a rank in his peculiar line of the pro-
fession where he has hitherto met with no successful
competitor. We shall dismiss this cursory notice
of so admirable a resume of the incidents of the

life of Charles Kean by quoting a brief but just
tribute paid therein to his amiable, attractive,
and talented partner, the ci•devant Ellen Tree, to
whom, after a long attachment, he was united in
January, 1842 :—"ln characters requiring great phy-
sical power, with the more commanding attributes,
something might be wanting which a few others had
excelled her in ; but in all the softer delineations, in
a just discrimination of the tenderer passions, in ver-
satility, in natural pathos, or elegant vivacity—in a
clear knowledge'of her author's meaning, and in lady-
like deportment—she was, and is, without a superior
on the modern stage." The correspondence, too,
between the two great heroes of the buskin, whicn
took place some years ago, will not fail to be read
with interest at:the present period, when Macready
is about to leave his rival sole master of the field :

TO CHARLES LEAN, ESQ.
"8, Kent-terrace, Regent's-park, London,
July 22, 1837.
" Dear Sir,—The newspapers may, perhaps, have in-
formed you that I have taken Covent-garden Theatre.
I have embarked in this hazardous enterprise, congenial
neither to my habits nor disposition, in the hope of
retrieving, in come measure, the character of our de-
clining art, or, at least, of' giving to its professors the
continuance of one of our national theatres as a place for
its exercise, which moat persona despaired of. The per-
formers have met the sacrifice lam prepared to make
with a spirit highly laudable to their feelings, and I
trust the event will prove not discreditable to their judg-
ment. Every one has consented to a reduction of his or
her claims, and I believe the names of all our principal
artists are entered on my list. Your celebrity has, of
course, reached me. In the most frank and cordial
spirit I invite you to a participation of the struggle I am
about to make. I understand that your expectations
s gladly meet them, let me know your terms,
and if it be possible
and do all in my power
latorewihiligmh;
secureos your assistance, and give complete scope
to the full
not further lunatl°rd your talents.
e to the cause for which I
am n
fimldae"knjilenlegteat your own disposition will so far suggest
this effort than to express my belief and
to you its professional importance as to insure us
against any apprehension of your becoming
anta-
gonist, should you decline (as I sincerely trust_you will
not) enrolling, yourself as a co-operator. an
" I remain, clear Sir, very faithfully yours,
w. C. MACRRADY.
"TO W. C. MA.CREADY. "4.
Cor
.6• k July 27, 1837.
answer
very courteous letter ; and permit me, befocroengratulate
that portio of it which relates to mselt, to e
6, Dear Sir,—l have had the honour to recelive your
you on then assumption of the Covyent-gard n manage-

unuddteerestood public p
predi-
lection rae‘n, ti
assure you, with great sincerity,
.I
position
u the
w drama
he rwhets
I think it a most
ysbouu that
havey fortunate
ou occupy
c placed
upy circumstance
a yourself
posit
at
the'
will
the stage. No one could be more fitYl
sustain, your taste improve, and your influence elevate
distinctly—because, from your
fwe
ch
teiroen
fyouor ourdo
plays, and your own range of
head of this theatre, and
II
classicalw
parts, you will give those plays every possible prefe-
rence; and thus, to use your own words, ' retrieve in
--I
say this without hesitation, and
some measure the character of our declining art.'
Connected as you now are with Covent•garden, con-
trolling its business, and set over its destinies, allow me
to wish you, for your own sake and that of the profes•
sion, a long term of prosperOUS management. For
your offer to me of an engagement, and Your assurances
of 'giving ample scope to the full development of my
talents,' I thank you very touch. . Your invitation, and
the kind and handsome niauner in which you offer it,
and are most flattering to me; hough neither my inch-
-4 t 3 Lo d
nation nor my interests point t n. on just now, still
I set due value upon your encouraging proposal. But
let me tkll you franhly that, were I to go to London,
there have occurred some circumstances between Mr.
Bunn and me, whereby he uriglidt hold me bound (were
it only partially so) to him i ITed"fenhlin a case where a
contract was perhaps but
inIP
t I sill r. Bunn made it a
(mid, of
question of honour with we' course, be
governed by the absolute and arbitrary dictate of such a
monitor. I repeat, howev!r,
the
do not contemplate a
movement towards London for present.
"Another point in your letter.
my demands a few words.
confidence that
You express yourown disposition
will so far suggest to me the professional importance of
your present enterpri,e as to assure you against my
becoming an antagouist elsewhere, should I decline your
offer to co-operate with your elt You may indeed he-
w, neither would I,
liese that I could oppose myself to
the interests of any establishment or any individual. But
surely you could never suppose that my acceptance
of an engagement at any time, with any manager
of the ether great theatre, would involve hostility
to you. The interests of both the national theatres
are alike important to the public. 1 should naturally
advantage in connecting
consider my own myself with
either, consistently with my rank in the drama and its
welfare generally; and were I to assent to your view of
the case, I should Ducessarily shut myself out of a large
sphere of action. I might deprive myself of those pro-
fessional associations I most valued. I should, in tact,
compromise my professional freedom and independence;
and it does not belong to the proud eminence you have
yourself attained to narrow my efforts in working out
my individual tame. I labour hard in my profession,
and in doing thi:‘, if I can in any way, or at any season,
contribute to your success, while honourably zealous for
my own, it will gratify my fc€l:ngs and my heart.
"I remain, dear Sir, truly yours,
" CHARLES KEAN."
~ " TO CIIAELES XEAN, ESQ.
"Theatre Ruial, UotentegardeN. Aug., ii., 037.
4, Dear Sir,-1 beg my observations may not be con-

sidered in the light of a desire to limit you in any way.
I intended to convey to you my intention to concede as
liberal terms as I could suppose either you could de-
mand, or any manager, with the means and purpose of
paying you, could grant. Any expectation founded on
such an intention was not meant to make a part of the
business of my letter. In inviting you to London, I
fulfil a duty that devolves on me with my office, and I
do so in the most frank and liberal spirit.
" I shelf regret your absence, should yon think it tight
to reject my overtures; and, with my cordial thanks for
the kind expressions of your letter,
" I remain, dear Sir, truly yours,
" W. C. MACEEADY."
" Maurice Tiernay, the Soldier of Fortune," dis-
plays the hero in the capacity of an attaché to Hum-
bert's corps dispatched from Rochelle to the ill-fated
invasion of Ireland in '9B. The touching tale of
Grace Kennedy," written with beautiful simplicity
and feeling, progresses in interest; and a new story is
commenced, well written, and promising some excite-
ment through the introduction of supernatural agency,
entitled " The Mystic Vial." The characters in it are
portrayed with considerable effect, especially those of
the shattered old courtier, the Viscount de Charre-
bourg ; his fair daughter Lucille, and " the strange
lady in white," a much less less benignant apparition
than the White Lady of Avenel. Four masterly articles
swell the list of contributions, being reviews of as
many recent publications of celebrity, namely,
" Colonel Chesney's account of the Expedition for the
Survey of the Euphrates and Tigris," a work of great
erudition and merit ; " Bradford's Correspondence of
Charles the Fifth," a valuable companion to Robert-
son's great monument of historical genius ; "Dr
Johnson's Religious Life and Death," an entertaining
book, fraught with a hundred agreeable sto-
ries ane4 the leviathan of literature ; and
" M'Cosh's Method of the Divine Govern•
ment." The last review is especially deserving
of perusal for its pervading acuteness and profundity.
The bard of the Dublin, University, who loves to
sign himself Jonathan Freke Stingsby, sings with his
accustomed sweetness and poetic power, above all, in
two beautiful lays, " The Memories of the Dead,"
and " Friends of Youth." The stanzas entitled
" Hope," by F. F., possess exceeding merit. And
though last, not least, comes a powerful onslaught
on the recent decision arrived at by the majority of
the Roman Catholic Prelates at the Synod of Thurles,
under the presidency of the Most Rev. Paul Cullen,
as affording tokens of a spirit on the part of the
heads of the Papal Church calculated to excite the
gravest apprehensions of the State. We trust, how-
ever, that the remonstrances of the thirteen bishops,
.who formed the minority on that occasion, may not
be without effect at the Court of Rome, where surely
the amiable Archbishop Murray is entitled to as much
weight and consideration as that turbulent Boaner-
ges, John of Tuam. The October number furnishes
on the whole additional proof that the respected and
spirited proprietor knows how to surround himself
with a phalanx of " eminent hands," whose labours
shed honour upon him, themselves, and the literature
of their common country.