Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-08

Or "FIRsr APPEARANCEs."-Ay young
gentleman a native of Boston, made his first
appearance on any stage, on Thursday evening
and without intending to do any violence to
his feelings, VIC must candidly advise him to
retire, and never attempt profession, in which
it is but too evident he can never shine. He
possesses none Of the requisites Of an actor;
! and being thus destitute of the essentials and
materials. it were better for him to pursue some
vocation, for which nature may have prepared
him. The part selected by himself, for first
display Of his powers, was Crack, in the Turn
| pike Gate ;--and more decided aud indsputa-
! bic failure, was never witnessed. Though by
no means embarrassed, bu: on the other band
confident almost to impudence, he did not sue
coed in giving solitary point to tho charac-
ter-and to say the best of it, il was but a
wretched attempt at imitation, a miserable
burlesque, on the acting Of John Barnes and
dice, and with hope, that what We now. say,
will induce the young gentleman to abandon,
| forever, and ever, a profession, in which it is
absolutely impossible he should ever shine
Mana gers Of Theatres, in thus Introducing
young men to the stage, and assigning TO them
the higher and more difficult parts of the Dra-
ma, pursue a wrctched policy, ono which is
ridiculous in its design, and balcful in its opera
tions, and the sooner il is abandoned, the bet
to, il will be for the stage. The profession of
an actor, like every profession, never can be
acquired without study and Practice, and you
might az we'll put boy to the more difficult
and afduous parts Of sculpture, before he ha,
: learned TO use tho chisel as to suffer young
| man to perform tho Richards and Ma cbeths oi
the Drama, before no has learned TO walk the
stage. Beside all this, it has a tendency to
dampcn tho ardor Of an asprant for histrionio
fame, for if he Is allowed to take first part
a at his entrance on the profession, in few
e nights he is put down 10 a lower estate; ant
}. he who to night struts in the inky mantle o
: Hamlet, tomorrow finds himself, occupyin,
e the livery Of Dick the hostlcr.
I'll Mortified with his fall, and chagrincd wit
q disappointment, he soon becomes reckless Q
his future progress, and sinks into self-solieite
10 nothinguess.
ID Since the establishment Of the modern Drs
20 ma, We And but one instance Of an individu;
20 who opened in one Of the first parts Of the hi
Q, trionic profession, successfully sustainn
ID il through life. The individual TO whom "
at alludc, rs tho late Joseph George Holman,
~ gentleman who opened in Hamlet, and throue
Of life susta ned the same range Of business ar
ig character. TIe was a rare exception, but
g. went to the stage under every advantage.
hno person and splendid talents, he add,
an accomplished academical education, ~
tho habits and manners Of gentleman; al
IT. unlike too many Of those who tread the stag
ng he had been used to genteel society. Cook
IL the Kepblcs, Kean, aad all the master spr
fr. Of the stage, commenced the profession at I
es, lower round Of the ladder, and progressing
M their industry and attention, in the end, ,acquir
N, n fame. which will exist, as long as the Drai
- is supported by the world. Every one W
lp- wishes to engage in the profession. should
#, made to commence il, as the carpenter d
hAfrsde,