The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-09-21
FOR THE ENQUIRER.


You will m0rmur. perhaps, Mr. Editor. at
being again troubled with another Theatri
cal critique. In truth you would have much
reason to do so, were these illusions ever
designed to be intruded in the places of more
important matter. think proper to assure
you therefore, at the very outset. that
shall not be mortified, if my simple remarks
are postponed either TO ministerial COM
rnunication, an imperial decree or a chap
ter on Merjno sheep. Indeed | should hot
perhaps have troubled you at all had not
been confirmed enemy of every species of
Mopopoly, and really deemed it moral du
ty TO admonish justice that her scales are
not held even. Surely. Mr. Editor, as there
are different degrees of merit. there ought
to be different degrees of commeDdatio for
IT he who is barely the best, were allowed
to engr0ss the whole tribute Of praise, dis
couraging, indeed, would be the lot of res
pectable inferiority. D. what avail is it at
this time of day, to blazoa the names of
Piacide, OF Green, and Of Twaitss When
we hear 1t said, that nature herself breathes
in che action of Mrs Placide, that her eve
ny movement confirms us in that species of
enchanting illusion, which makes Us forget
that we are deceived; when we hear il said
that the excellence and universally of Mr.
Green's tai MS have justly procure d hin a
conspicuous seat among The FIRST actors of
our country ; when we hear it said that
bursts OF extravagant applause ever mark
the appearance of Mr.. Twaits, and thar the
comic muse has been delighted to decorate
his brow with the richest wreathe Do we
not know, sir, that we have heard the same
remarks An hundred times before? Will
not these same characters themselves, at
length grow weary of these truths. and
call them adulation Much better were it
instead OF lavishing praise, where praise
can add no fame, to lake aspiring genius by
the hand & help it from obscurity e.5-
1t has evidently been a long time, since tho
Richmond boards were so highly honored as
during the present season. The pieces have
in general, been judiciously selected. the
characters admirably adapted and univer
sally filled with distinguished credit. Mr..
Rutherford has, i understand. been long
known to the people of Richmond, altho' he
had little reason perhaps to boast of the &C
qnaintance. Ii has been his unfortunate dss
Tiny to be made the subject of much tiara
dortcal conduct. AS an actor, his name
stands fair ON The records of merit and it may
not be amiss to admonish the public, that
while every body is ready to applaud his
powers, no one lends them encourage nent
Mr.. Collins inhis line certainly possesses
considerable merit. and Mr.. Young is well
calculated to act conspicuous part 10
genteel comedy But the object of these re
marks, Mr.. Editor, is vet behind the curtain.
1t is true, man who has ever been acCus
toned to esteem modeSty and zvenian syBo-
nymous terms. and who has always been |
more ready to kneel at the shrine of beauty
than before the image of a saint, feels some
dithdence in introducing a lady in the CO..
lumns OF news paper. Yet he gathers
strength from the resolution,that no,observa-
ton of his shall tinge the cheek of modesty
81 MOI COS taI
robe of virtue. Thus self justified. he enters
on the task, confidently believing that the
public will be prepared 20 welcome with
the same appreciation which marks her
entrance on the stage, the introduction Of
Mrs. Poe, From an actress who possesses |
so eminently the faculty Of pleasing, whose |
powers are so general and whose exerti-
ons are so ready, it would DC unjust to with
hold the tribute Of applause. Were tosay
simply that she is a valuable acquisition to
the Theatre, / should dishonor her merit
and do injustice to the feelings of the public
Ii is true she has never yet been called to
the higher characters in, tragedy, and il is
proper that she never should be for she who
is so we'll calculated TO fill the heart with
pleasure, should never be required to shroud il
in gloom. On the first moment of her en-
trance ON the Richmond boards, she was
saluted with the plaudis Of admiration, and
at no one moment since has her reputation
sunk. Fer exits and her entrances" e =
quahy operate their electric effects. for if
we expect to be pleased when Mrs. Poe ap.
pears. when her part is ended. our admirati.
on ever procIaIms that our auticipations
have been more than realised 1t is need |
less to review the various characters in
which her excellence has been displayed
think 1 may be pardoned for asserting, that |
taking her performances from the com
mcncenoht to the cad, no one has acquitted
himself with more distinguished honor. fl
10 be excellent to satisfy the judgment and
delight the heart, then Mrs Poe is excellent.
II it be the perfection of acting to conceal
The actor, Mrs. Poe's name is a brilliant
gem in the Theatrick crown. In word as
no one has received more thar she of the
public applause, no one is better entitled to
the public lseraiity.
Were / to say more, Mr.. Editor, perhaps
should forget the character have assum
ed. In regard to Mrs. Poe, for a reason
which the glass Will tell her, il is difficult
thing TO separate the actress from the SOo
man no wonder then, if il should be also
difficult to separate the critic from the man.
Even were AristarChds hImself to rise from
the dead 20 sill IN judgment On her acting.
he would find it necessary 10 put a strong
cub upon his feelings For if he did not,
insSead of criticising the flayer, he might