The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-08-13

themselves most ashamed of, and which
has made us contemplate, as tar as il goes,
in the eyes of the ciiizcns Of our sister
states. ---1 1z:z.oaz:z:u>-
THEATRICAL COMMUNICATIONS
Shakespeare, whose commanding genius trssed
the passions to their secret springs, and gave 20
airy fiction, the form and attitude Of life, has ac-
complshed task above all imitation. The actor
who portrsys him in all his simpiicity--who delin
Gates bis beauties, unacconp panied with the gaudy
decorations of art--who sinks only, when humanity
is ogerpowcred by accumulated suhering--and is
oaly elevated, when the grandeur of his subject
lifts him above btmsef--must not merely have stu.
ded--he must have Jeh his author and TO o clas.
steal taste. he must have United an irresistible gen.
'us The copyst oi Shakespeare becomes the CON-
panion of Lis fame--,he mask of fiction appears 70
be the features OF originality with life
These remarks are Introductory 10 Slight notice
OF the recent exhibitions Of Macbeth and Hamlet,
on our stage. Heretofore We have seldom been
gra,i6ed with the lofty Fights Of the dramatic wr-
ter. Our town presented no sIuremenw for gain
no Indictment for ambiton--snce the days Of hodgs
klnson, we have seen one possessed of his bril-
liant and diversified talents Mr.. Duff has present
ed himself before the public % q candidate for no
common fame. He has pcrsonated characters. the
more difficult because they have been pcrsonaed
by men OF uniyalled powers on the English boards,
and more recently by Cock and Cooper in our own
country.
~ In Macbeth, Mr.. Duff cqualied our best hopes,
even as he had surpassed eur expectations in Glen
aison The workings of ambition--the dark and
terrific bow Of hste--tke gloomy forebodngs Of
guilt, Pleascd while thc appalled, the spectator.
Mrs. Powell, as Lady Randolph and Lady Mac
beth supported her wei-esFned fame, and even sur-
passed all that had seen Of that interesting wo.
man, since her first appearances on our boards.
Mrs Dua's appearance and performance in the
Castle Spectre and in the Wesslndsn, was highly
interesting and pleasing.
Hamlet. notwithstanding the unfavorabeness Of
the weather, attracted fashionable and discrim-
mating audience, on Monday last. Never have we
seon Mr. Duff to better adyan,age--never have we
felt more forcby the effects Of natural and just
representation Of those affecting incidents with
which the tragedy abounds. Hamlet rivettcd at.
tentiou in the scene where the crime Of murder
is represented before his mother end uncle-sn in.
describabIe stiffness reigned through the house.
which ~ss succeeded by burst of applause, when
he Numbered murder in the ears Of the guilty pair
hing Lear is announced for this evening ii IS
unquestionably one Of the best plays which has
ever been exhibited on any stage. The interest
which is excited for the suferings Of king snd
iather-poor, old and nfrm---is enhanced, when
moody nadness takes full possession Of his soul,
and gives deeper shade to the gloomy picture Of
his suHerisgs.
Whc shall defer netice Of other performers IN.
iii the nrxt week. They all have distinguishing
traits of excellence, which have been ackhowlcdg-
cd by she public, and shall not be overlooked in
in our remarks. And with pleasure we state the
fact, that in private life, they possessed OF all
those moral and virtuous qualities, Which has
made, and still makes theirs an honorable profes.
sion. t.,.-.1I go
We hope that the Theatre. which has always been
the resort of the liberal and the learned, from the
days Of enlightened Athens, until the present time,
will not cease to show virtue her own image, vice
her own deformity--and We doubt not but Mr. Pow
ell, who has so long presided over our dramatic
walks, and whose exertions have long afforded
us amusement and instruction, will be amply re-.
munerated. w.
. NEw.YoRK, Ave. eve understand
that public dinner is Intended TO DO given
on Monday next by the merchants and other
ci,izeos, of this city, to His ExeciIcney,
JOHN. QUINCEY ADAMS, late minister
at the Court Sf 1T. James.
The British frigatc Inconstsn;, Com. Sir
James Lucas Yso, arrived at the Quarantine
Ground on Wed0esdsy evening, IN IS days
from Kingston, Jamaica, via Havana, z days
from the latter place, having on board
Two Million, svo hundred and f/fy.fve thou.
sand doAars--l0s, 900 Of which are for the
u. s. Bank. $4,000 for individuals, end the
residue for England. The Revenue Gutter
Active, Capt, cshoone, was despatched yes.
terdsy 10 tho ffigsie, to receive the specie
for this city. Sir James will sail fsr Eng
land this morsiog, u the weather permits.
ANOTHER SHIP OF THE LINE.
Commodoses Rodgers and Decatur, two
ofthe Navy Board Of Commissioners, srsiYed
10 few-York on Monday evening and xisiicd
the Navy Yard 90 Tuesdsy We understand
contract has been made with Mr. Henry
Eekiord, Tor building Sevnty -four quo ship
at our Navy Yard, sod that Preparations are
now making 10 LAY the keel. .s