Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-10-01
From the NeaD York National ddUocate
AFRICAN ADJUSTMENTS.

AFRICAN ADJUSTMENTS.
We noticed, some time ago, the open
ing of tea garden and evening seren-
AIDES for the amusement OF our black gen
try. Itappears that some OF the neigh
bors, not relishing the jocund nightly ia
rabands of these sable fashionables, &C
tually complained to the police, and the
avenues Of the African grove were closed
by authority; and thus were N any OF our
ebony friends excluded from particlpa
ton in those recreations to which they are
entitled, ~ virtue of the great charter
that declares ''all men are equal" These
initiative inmates of the kitchen and pam
tries, no. re!ishing the strong arm of the
law thus rudeiy exercised, were determi-
ned to have some kind OF amusement;
and after several knightly caucusses, they
resolved to get up play, and the upper
apartments of the neg lected African grove
were pitched upon for the purpose. Rich-
ard the Tnire, after mature deliberation,
was agreed upon, and a little dapper VOL
ly headed waiter at the City Hotel per-
sonated the royal Plantagenet. AS may
be supposed, some difficulties occurred in
the cast of characters and suitable cos
tune. King Richard had some robes
made up from discarded merino curtains
of the ball rooms, and from a paucity of
actors, some doublets occurred, as thus
king Henry and the duchess Dowager
were represented by one and the same
person, while lady Ann and Catesby were
sustained by another. The room was
decorated with some taste, and chairs
were placed BY the wings for two clari-
ol.ets.
If any proof are wanting Of the native
genius and vigour of thought OF our col
CURED fellow citizens. surely their concep-
ton of Shakespeare will be sufficient, and
how delighted would the bard of Avon
have been to see his Richard performed
by u fellow as black as the ace Of spades.
However let US view the performance ac-
cordng 10 the best and most equitable
rules OF criticism.
The person Of Richard was on the
whole not amiss; yet it was perceived that
the actor had naLe tie king hump back
ed, instead OF crooked backed, having
literally a hump behind his neck little
less than a Cancels Shaping the legs of
an unequal size,' was also difficult, but
was overcome BY placing false calves be-
fore, and wearing a high-heeled shoe
The entrance ofRichard was greeted with
loud applause and shaking of handker-
chiefs by the black ladies in the front
seats, and many whispers went around of
chow we'll he looks"
Richard, nothing daunted, made two or
three of his best sideboard bows, then
drawing himself up with native dignity,
thrustlng his fingers through his wool
and placing his arms kimbo, he be-
gan:
Now is de winter of our discomfort
made glorus summer by de son of New
York"
Considerable applause ensued, altho'
1t was evident that the actor had not fol-
lowed strictly the text of the author
proceeding TRANQUILITY in the soliloquy, he
made pause, and continued thus:
"lnstesd of mounting barbarv stecds
To fright dc souls OF fearful adversa.ies,
He caper nimblv in the lady chamber
To de laocivous playings of de flute"
Lady Ann was sustained with great
spirit by young sable lady, chamber
maid to a family near Park Place, her
idiom was about the same as Richards,
but she had not as correct conception of
the part, as she always danced on the
stage, instead Of the pensive march of the
afflicted queen.
The counting scene was inimitably fine,
particularly when Richard confesses his
passion.
ssAh take de pity in dy eye
And see um here. Kneels
Ann. Would dey were brass cand,esticks,
To strike de dead
This lady Ann accompanied with VII
client action, such as seizing the king by
his WOOL shak king him furiUusly and :