Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-26

Mr.. HAcxETT.-We copy from the Boston
Courier, Of Monday, the following Letter, writ
ten by Mr.. J. II. Buckingham, the son Of the
Editor of the Boston Courier, an intelligent
young gentleman, now on his travels through
Europe. 1t affords more correct account Of
Mr.. Hackett's appearance on the London
boards, than we have heretofore seen, and the
perusal Of it, will richly repay the theatrical
reader, for the trouble he may be at, in look
ing it over.
That Mr.. Hackett, should not succeed, in
telling his stories of Uncle Ben and the Dutch
man, is not at all singular, as they are void of
originality, and are made up Of stale incidents
recorded hundreds Of years ago in the Alma
nacs. Some of them are interesting, but taken
as whole, they are insipid. His limitations Of
Kean, are inimitable; and as an actor, in some
parts he is decidedly successful, though he is
rather an imitator or mimic, than an original
performer. But the principal opposition mani
tested towards him by John Bull, probably
originated in the act Of his being an American.
for Mr. Bull, has an idea, that nothing like
talent, was ever produced on this side of the
water. If Hackett should not succeed in Eu-
rope, let him return to America, and his old
friends will give him cordial greeting.
Sir,-Last night, our countryman, Hackett,
made his first appearance before London au-
dience; and suppose you will have a hundred
different accounts of it, each giving different
a.. al 1
failure, according to the judgement Of the wri-
tiers. But thinking your readers might wish to
know from an unbiased and unprcjudced per-
son, the whole truth, will cndeavour TO tell
them, as nearly as possible, what occurred
AT an early hour in the eve ming, ! went to
the pit door of Covent Garden Theatre, and
waited some time in the crowd, to the great
danger of pockets and garments, if not Of life.
A London crowd is one of those things which
is like nothing else in the world. In France,
every one stands in order and takes his turn;
in America, there is q little pushing and crowd
ing, but there are few no women in the bus
mess; but in London, there is power and force
in few persons, (composed as the pit compa-
ny generally is, one half of women) enough to
frighten the largest mob that ever congrcgated
in America, out of countenancc. When the
doors are opened, the largest and strongest, or
the smallest, is sure TO get in first. Being a
small man, l easily worked my way through
the narrow entrance about the second or third
person, and obtained a seat near the stage,
where could see the a ctors TO advantage, and,
also, have a good view ofthe rest ofthe house.
The evening" performance commenced with II
good comedy, called The UJfe's StratQgem,
and was performed so we'll as to keep a large
audience in perfect hnno,r throughout. l
think Mr.. Fawcett, the manager, (who has
been good friend to Mr. Hackett,) was very
judicious in his selection Of performance to
precede the debut of stranger. Farren's rich
humour, with Madame Vestrs' gaicty and pop
ularty, must think, paved the way, in u
great measure, for good reception, by get
ting the audience into an agreeable state, and
in good humour with themselves. The half
price filled up every spare corner and seat in
the house, and | began to feel a fear that
failure would be the consequence. When the
curtain rose for Syloester Daggertoood, every
body was still, and the audience appeared to
be waiting for sudden burst of either applause
or it's contrary. When Mr.. IIackett appeared
as the mad Dunstable actor, in suit of Con-
necticut, Sunday-go-to-rneeting clothes, the
whole house checrcd him very handsomely
He began his story of Uncle Ben, and the
New Workers, which was listened to very pa
tiently for some mnuots, with occasional ap-
plause at some of the Jokes, but il was evident
the audience did not understand them, and it
was more to encourage the de6ufant than from
pleasure, that they listened. He proceeded,
and told the story of an English man-of-war's
boat taking possession of fisherman and at
terwards releasing hini, which lis friends listen
ed to with anxiety lest he should make mis-
take and disploasc, but he turned it into
compliment to the English commodore The
house nov began to grow impatient, and h.
next story was hardly began, when few per-
sons al tho back Of the pit, or in tie front
dress boxes, began TO hiss; this brought
round Of applause and cheering, and for some
minucts | feared that among the two parties
of go on and go of, the offs wonli prevail
Tho house was generous, however, and some
one crying out that short stories rere best,
they, in expectation ofhs following the advice
thus given, allowed him 10 proceed. lie be-
gan again, but it was the same story, and the
off, off party became too clamorous for HIN. !
and he made his exit. Then the whole audi
ence, even many that heard cry of, began TO
cheer and applaud, and the applause did not
cease till he appeared in the new charact of
the Dutchman, | do not know what his OBJ |
iect was in Introducing this character. but af. !
ter a minute or two, it appeared that it was
dish OF the same as tho last, III new dress |
and Dutch accent, and second time Mr. |
lfackci was obliged 10 qtut the boards. The |
applause this time was not so general as at his |
first exit but it was pretty considerably noisy, !
and in the true spirit of Yankee perscver-
ance, our friend iiackett made Lis third at
tempt
Al his third appearance, he was, as he should !
have been in the first instance, in the dress Of !
Daggarwood. Meadows, who was all the time !
on the stage as Fustian, very judcously felt |
the pulse of the public, after the second exit,
by rcmarkinr, -" this is an erceeding ciccer
Eekiow, / should ike 20 try him in something !
more" and Daggerwood began his imiia ION
of Kean's Rchard undcr very flvorahln avs