The Sun.
London, England, 1817-11-01 00:00:00

JAFFIER.

It,-seems to be the general aim of the public
Critics, and indeed it appears to be the opinion
of most people, that.Jalfier is to be chiefly con-
sidered as a character of great weakness, and
whining pusillanimity. The autlior.;bas placed
him in so prominent a point of vie*, and render-
ed him so important an agent in the play, ,that
it
is 'tang to be conceived that be intended that
the Character should he viewed in such a light.
OTwAY was well acquainted with the human
heart, anti most probably intended rather to dis-
play the effect of conjugal tenderness, than to
pourtray natural weakness of character..• Jgffier
is described by Priuli, as having " when be first
mile home from travel," been considered by all
wen as " a youth of expectation," declaring that
be hiisself was " pleased with his growing
virtue." :That he was not r, coward is.evident,
from his having risked his life to save that of
Belvidere, and it does not appear that he was pre-
viOnsly attached -.to her, whatever inay be sup-
posed. The romantic and spirited manner be-
sides in which he relates her danger, anrl the
rescue, bears no marks of pncillanimous. but
rather of an •heroic character. People are too
apt .to judge of Jaffier in comnariStin with Pierre.
The one was qualified for doinkstic"fiappitiess,
and the other-hall all intrepid mind, was fortified,
'by a Military life, and: ambitious of being one of
the Rulers of the Slate. The very circumstance
that such a man as Pierre should have hen at-
, taclred to Jarner, mud a,,xiOus to engage hint as
a confederate in the design to overturn the Go-
vernment, is a proof that he tstcrwed the chl-
vaetee of Jaffier, and thought him capable of Ihe
.firnrness requisite.for, so perilous an undertakiog
Pierre- repeatedly expres-es the most favonrahle
• opinion4)l Jollier, and speaks of him its the highest
terms when be announces to the Conspirators
his intention to introduce a new Colleague to
share the danger. The wonder is rather that
Joifier should admire and esteem such a coarse
licentious cbitritcter as Pierre. When Jaijier,finds

(lie 'vere all made up of wretehes,"
and that ilt
is the.: iut•.! lluil " to sittl 1)iood
ennn!..t.h," and spre,l4l des.elatiou int! horror offer
the St4te; 'nator recoili front an ewe; prize
s.ipported by such despie:ible agents, Ind for so
rtrpose. One of the chief ConspirAtors,
Renault, a luau who trout his, age, awl the ...st inta-
ton of Ii is. confederate-, slight be supposed to be
itieirPatae itf such detestable cotUfuct , attempts the
virtue of Belvidera, consequently'. encreasor

the disgust and horror wilic:h.higier has conceived
Against the Conspirators- and their cause. jaffier
it appeTirs, hoivever; had. caught the flame of sedi-
tion, which he decined pAtriwiAn,from Pierre, and.
•
discloses to •Beiciderit the Object of the Conspira-
tors. Struck with horror at the impending danger,
particularly at the idea of the intended niurier of
her father,. ileldilera represents .to hint the enor-
mity of the enterprise„ and, reflecting upon the
.truth of what:she had said; and surprized in the
,street by the Officer, he resolves to avert the mis-
chief, but not without stipulating for the lives of
the, Conspirators. All. this is natural to a
man who, is actuated by a. sense of justice
and humanity: It slimy be observed that Jaffier
was suffering, under severe poverty, and obliged
to receiie
.pecuniary support from a friend, which.
he might, rather to have expected from the father
wife;
,who bad no, reason to refuse his
daughter to the man of whom he bad thought so
• highly; and who had saved that daughteel life at
the hazard of his own. Under the pressure of
these complicated causes of anxiety is it wonder-
ful that he should listen to the incitements of an
artful friend, and that, reflecting on. the perils of

the entet prize, and the worthless wretches who
were engai.l:e4l in it; he should revert uto.feelings oC
justice and humanity. To return to Pierre.i
There seems to he the same misconception as tt)
his characteris there is respecting that of Joifier.
Pier're has hardly onc respectable quality !aim,
mere courage. tie is 'an avowed libertine and a
sort of militiary ruffian, with the imposing chew
of a lofty spit it; hut who was instigated by re-
venge against one Senator to attempt the destruc-
tion of all, and the ruin of his country. He says,
finding that the old Senator Renault has, been gal.
hinting with his Mistress, ..4quelina, that
•
" A Soldier's mistress, Jajfier, is his Religion;
When that's profan'd, all whir ties arc broken :
"That e'en dissolves alifo;•iner bowls of service."

Such is the morality of Pierre, who utters the
mast offensive language in speaking of women,
which is 'properly omitted on the'Stage, and who
shews even such ddpicable rancour as to call the
lovely and amiable Belridera "a worthless pledge."
Upon the whole, Jalier seems to be a natural elta
racier, full cif affection and sensibility; enraged at
the unjust cruelty of Prittli, to whose daughter be
had fair .pretensions, who :adored his wile; and
suffered under such poverty as prevented him from
placing,her in the state ‘vhich ber,rank and vir.
Ines deserved. lie stung olsobytite conscious-
'less thst his indigence. was the result of his own
prodigality, - home dawn and rendered desperate
by his misfortunes, not acting front the original
Imptllses of Iris nature, and though embarking in
a Conspiracy, vet withdrawing froni it when he
reflected on the worthless g,lng of Refugees NVIIO
were to carry it into effect, and as Soul) as the boo-
rors which it would have produced were presented
'to his imagination. Still, ltowever, his humanity
and Itiend,ltip for Pierre, i,chteett hint to prmide
for the safrtfot the Whole before be revealed their
utmes and unfolded 'belt', designs. It Okt:Stt how-
ever, be admitted that no sufficient plea can be
-offered to excuse his desertion at Belvidera, who
had every claim to his attachment that could arise
front an andahle, noble, kind dignified character,,
and the string-st affection for him.• As to tire
Play itself, with all its poetital chnints, and all
its pathetic tenderness, it is wholly destitute of a,
and,.as it was r.ginally formed, is al con-
tern,itible of*it s passages, as in others it is
beautiful. anti affecting. It would be injustice not
to add to these remarks on the character of...hrer,
that the representation of it by Mr. CIIA;;LEi
.KEMBLE is a proof of Wetrionic " All ap-
purtenencies and Means to boot," of knowledge,
person, and deportment, that perhaps has seldom
been equalled, and probably 'never was excelled.
As to Belvidera, it may almost he said that that
Character received jts death-blow When
SIDDONS made her exic from public life.

*4' We shall be glad to he favoured with the
ohseivatimis•of any of our Correspondents on the.
character of Jaffier, and the general merits of the
Tr:lgedy.