The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-29

on TINS American NOicius by MIR. Car6erfer, whole
ackno wedged talents and Judgement give him fupe-
ror claims as critic, aiures thar the expectations
which have been formed of Mater Ba,rets perform
anee, will not be disappointed
FROM THE CHARLESTON COURIER.
THEsPIs--It was reafonable TO expect that the
novelty OF boy of twelve years of age playing Dou-
gIaI, would have attracted full houie the Theatre
IL did 10. Expectation iharpened by varty of
circumstances. Thofe who thought ioberly on the
iubjeet, went prepared to fee child probably act well
for a child; fome more ianguine, endeavored TO per-
luade themielves that nce prodigy luch this had
appeared in England, in infant layer, that here
there might be prodigy ALTO. Why not in Ameri-
ca !-They would fay without reheaing, that ac-
ordng the doctrine of chances there was lefs proba-
biity OF another appearing in the world 70 immedi-
atey on the heels of that in Europe plating
young Barrett fairly, eritciim mutt Recr between
thole two-hs aion attitude, utterapce and concep-
ton OF the author, were far, very far beyond any
thing that experience and obiervation could allow
periSn ofiober reelection to expea from 70 green
youth but the performance did not produce thoie
necromantc, thrilling eTeas which are recounted of
the Britiih infant Roicius and which the whole ho-
dy OF critics and learned men in England have pub
hcy avowed to iurPais all hitherto known of man up
tn" itage. To judge of MATER Barrett fairly we mutt
think et him with as little reference to maher Beffv
as to MT GarTiek---we muil take him upon the BATS
OF his own merits, and Ultimate him, as If no fuch
wonderful accounts had reached US of another boy-
On theie grounds there any who will hefitate to
fay, that he pleaed, nay, aioniihed theml For our
parts we declare, that though went to the thea
ire with conviction, resolved from feeling him re-
hearie, that he would give much fatisfaaion, he
much more than anfNvered our expectations, His
conception OF the part, whether his own or ACQUIRED
eem perfectly correct and oon as the fra flrug-
ns..h
respondent to his conception. He fell Mort only
where his organic Powersr efufed to go along with,
and iutain him. Yet it may be faid that his failures
there (trivia enough indeed by marking the child
the more. rendered the performance the more inte-
reiting. augurs we'll of his future acting, that he
improved as he advanced in the character, and that
he performed thoie parts belt to which the poet has
gwen mott animation. Throughout the whole, he
was very happy in atitudea rare thing in child
and it mutt be thought rare and extraordinary
when 1t is conldered that the attitude for heroic ira
Gedy is OF that kind which lean enters into the ordna
ry movements of youth. This may in fome nleaGure
be accounted for by his early initiation in the art Of
Fencing, which, more than any thing, communicates
TO action and attitude, the dgnifed air. and free ex-
Panive outline ofmannels and heroiln AS learn
ing to dance 1--WE do not caprees) gives cafe in
moving, fencing communicates dignity in attitude and
action, We cannot drop this part of the ubiea with
out remarkng, that the gracefulnefs OF mater Bar
'f IS the more extraordinary of the length
OF his limbs.His arms like thofe of moi bows are
very long, Compared with the height and the da
meter OF his body, the circle delcribed by his hand
when extended IS much greater than, according to
the ordinary proportions of men, the arms of ACTORS
are even leen to defcribe---and aukwardnel, or nm
touth deviation from the line of beauty in action
would be proportiOnIbly obvious ard prominent
We were therefore greatly lurprifed when tracing
ms action with critical eye from the beginning to
the end, we could dreem poftive uneouthnefs,
pralle to which few can aipire. From the very ne
celes OF the cafe, and the very limited opportunities
which his chldi(h days have afforded his aaion had
not f.tt variety which can only rtfult from having
tet variety OF Pailions aud kabitually yelled up
the mechaIm Of the frame to their varied in1pui-
ies.
In the fcene with CleuaIvon, it but fair to own
II, we were iurprfed. With 70 much propriety and
ipirit did he upon the daring Iube villain that
when we compared the perCon Of the boy and his
youthful voice, wi the bold, lofty words cutting
taunts, and the relolue air Of the fpeaker, and R
more with the perlon of his fuppoied adverfary
Hodgknion IN CisaIiJe8 the houre lecmed to UNDER
go one common feeling of psaGng aHonifhment
10 good hearts what ieuiations can be more plea
ling than thole which experienced from witneG.
ing the fra unfolding Of human powers in any de-
partment oil lie. The fra developement of mind in
children, IS certainly one Of the mot DELIGHTFUL oh
OF all Others form the greatel blelhngs of man here
below, being at once mott loohng to the heart, nol
lauaabe, and mott alting. Perhaps there is no feel
ing common to human creatures, in which the chain
that links mankind togetheri more vihble than this
5eJf leems to have loa its fway in its prelenee.-
When pure untainted YOUTH in all its oveneis, APP
pears before u.s. candidates for their fellow creatures
applaue, and in arels innocence fays, or Ceems to
lay /" do love--do approve I" the nrain which
communicates the flame Of philanthropy to the FOUL
takes FIRE, irreGGibly burns aud fpreads from heart
to heart, til the whole multitude feel the flame, and
every individual becomes the parent. Here furely
criticiim itlelf, dfarmed, gives up its judgement
Pricner to the heart and Poapones to the day of ma
tured manhood, all confederation Of faults--On the
Prelent occalon, the boys performance was handed
to the bofom by many favorable circume ancesA "a.
ther and fond mother, playing the fictitious father
and mother, and iheddng upon the feigned fcene Of
woe, the real dew which pours from the eyes
of doa,ing love, upon the cheek Of a p,ty was too
intereitng picture to be reGaed--fwept the heart
before i, aad left the cool deeiOns o. the Judgment
far bthind,