Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-15


THE IIYpocRIrE. This celebrated play
one OF the best in the English language, was
performed at our Theatre, OH "Wednesday cvc-
ming last, and as might have been expected
called in n very respectable, intelligent, and
fashionable audience. Tie production is
very singular onc-it is natural 10 The very LIE
ard although it lashos in no moderate degree,
certain description Of personagcs--it is by
no means calculated to disparagc tho rimcyal
church, but OH the contrary, tends to hold it
up to tho admiration of the multitude.
The play of the Hypocritc, has witnessed
an cvcn,ful career; its history is novel and full
o. interest. and as our readers may be willing
10 have sketch Of it, we will lay one before
,hcm.
OF tho author, Isaac EIcxERsTAyF, it is
only necessary TO say, that he was man Of
almost unrivallcd gcnius--was the author Of
nineteen comedies, some Of which arc in the
full enjoyment Of popularity at the present
day. He was native Of Ireland, and was
private Secretary to Lord CHESTERFIELD
when that nobcnan was Lord Lieutenant Of
Ireland. His gcius secured to him TIE ap-
plausc Of the British Metropolis, and the socc-
ty Of the wits and poets Of the times, but being
gniliy of crimes at which humanity shudderJ
and deconcy turns from III disgust lie be-
came an exile iio,n his native realm, and died
neglected and despiscd among strangers. It
is unknown where he ended his daya, but in
some foreign sink of dcbnuchery. and wrotch-
edrtss it is supposed he fell a victim TO the
diseases incident to dissipation, and furnished
4 striking monument of tho absurdity Of that
maxim, which teaches that an authors Lfc
may be best known in his works. OF his
writings, CAuRICK has said---"Thcy are uni
formly ma rhcd with much purity and simple
ity, and had he Tired as bc wrote, this bool,
were pcrfcct---therc would not then have been
one page which VIC could wish TO blot
For upwards Of sixty years, the Hypocritc
was denied place among the stock plays Of
tho drama indeed it was not allowed to be
performed on any occasion, and the manager
that might have had tho tcmclity TO bring it
forward, would have suffered mariyrdom at
the hands Of the bgots, zoalots and fanatics
At length, however, thc Uypocrite was roviy-
cd by Elliston, and brought out at Drury
Lase, and. rs in these days Of libcrality and
coed will among men, tho world is more en-
gh,cned, it had successful run, and since
that period, has, without hesitation, been pre-.
scntct. at all OF tho British and American The.
atrcs.
Barnes, we think first got il MP in tl,is cour
try, on his benefit night at tho Park Theatre
where it had an almost uncxampicd run, anc
for a number OF nights, called in crowded an.
dencc. The design Of the play is excellent
and cannot fail TO have n good effect where
ever it is presented. Its object, is to hold W
hypocrisy and duplieity 10 the world, in all the
! hdcousnoss Of their dcformity, and guard tho
world, against the macbinations Of race o
mon, who, too often arc successful in dupne
tho crodulous and innocent, and in introducing
misery and destruction, when they pretend &c
be labouring for tho salvation Of souls. The
itypocrltc, was founded OIL fact, aud The Sii
John Lambert, Lady Elizabeth Lambert, and
pcc,o, Cer,y,ll, wcsc al icqi chor'"tcrs