Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-10

fork, Is COPIED from the New-f ork rarthe-
non. A perusa1 Of the article will probably bo
! interesting to the lovers Of the Drama:
"This capacious and elegant edifice, that
has in the brief period Of few "little MONTHS"
been raised, us if by magic, 10 ITS present form
| and elevation, surpasses in magnitude and see
| mic grandeur. any other theatre in this country:
The extent in length Of the stage, from the
| balustrade ofthc orchestra to the architraves
| of the rear vcstibule, is 100 feet, and the :
| breadth rs. Within the ample range Of such
spacious arena, gorgeous spectacles, and
magnificent exhibitions Of py rotechnic and hy-
draulic mechanism, can be presented with u
degree of oriental splcndour and scenic sub
Unity, that will combine all that is imposing
| and unique in the arts, with all that is graphic
and picturesque in theatrical elect. The
! principal front, in Laurens-street, though not
| adorned with a plarcd portico, yet presents a
chastc specimen of elegant simplicity, that IS
| not devoid Of architectural beauty. The first
/ story is composed of chselled granite, front
| the termination Of which four Ionic piasters
raise their tastefully voIuted capitals TO the en-
! tablature forming the bnse Of the roofs ped-
ment. The entrance into the theatre is through
, five spacious vestibues, the approach to whIch
| is by q flight Of granite steps. The doors ar>
! Waived and elegantly finished, and so Judic-
iously constructed, that on being opened they
recede into lateral apertures in the WALL
This, we believe, is q new and certainly att
! Ingenious contrivance, which in the event at
fire, would facilitate the easy emission OF the
audience.
Three of the centre front windows have fan;
cifuly wrought iron balconies, painted in vivid
green, which form a pleasing feature in tho
! complexion of the structure, ana give an an
| of grandeur and lightness to its exterior ap--
| pearance. Ofthe lantern ofthe dome we shnll
| say nothing, because it is entirely wanting ~
| proportion and elevation. It looks like Lhli-
| putian tower standing on the temple Of Miner
| va. But the grace and grandeur that cmbel-
| lish the interior, compensate tor outward de-
| focts.
Look up at the vaul,ed dome above your
| head with all IFS enrchments and pectoral cf:
feet; contemplate that azure concnvc, that
seems to rest upon bright and cloudless hor.-
| zon, presenting diversified variety Of devices
| in brilliant mosaic. The span of this dome ex-
tends over the pit and boxes, and its fine stur-
co work, and the painting and decorations Of
its ceiling, arc at once exquisite and pictu-
| rcsque. The lobbes arc spacious and conven-
' lent, airy and well lighted The curved front
, of the boxes presents the concave of n semi
! circle, in the sweeping scope Of which they
| are judiciously grouped, and rising in harmo-
! NOUS uniformity, to the elevation ofthrce tiers,
! supported by Ionic columns, with bronzcd
shafts, and richly gilt caps. The padded seats
rise in succession above each other, like those
of an amphiihcatre, so that the spectators il,
the rear of the box can comma nd as extensive
apcrspectivc view of the. stage and prosccnium
| as if they were situated in the front Tho
! hand of classic taste, as well as the images of
| creative mind, visible in the rich symbo-
lie embellishments that glow in such brilliancy
of colourng Oh the pannels of the boxes:
| They are adorned with an enrichment of fan
cifuy carved and gilt wood work, laid upon n
ground of bright green, which CLEANS through
the filagrec chasms of the carving, like polish
| ed emerald cnchascd in Furnished gold. Tho,
| bas-rcefs represent a union of Grecian and
| Roman devices emblcmatical of tie classic at
tributes of the drama. The whole exhibits nrt
IDEAL picture of beauty and elegance that cam.
not fail Of attracting admiration, or Of produc-
4, ing gorgeous grandeur Of effect.
| The extent and capacity Of the Lafayettc,
| Theatre, afford ample accommodation for ant
/ auditory of 5000 persons. The artists and me :
chanics who have displayed such eminent skill,
| and exquisite workmanship, in Ornamcntine
and finishing this beautiful temple Of the b,,s
, kmed muses. well entitled 10 the encourage =
mcnt and patronage Of all lovers of the fnc
! arts.
, When we take into consideration the taste:
liboraity and enterprsing spirit of Mr. SANr-
! FORD, we have no doubt but that the Lafav-.
cite Theatre will be the focus where the bright
est luminarics, and the histrionic hemisphere;
will concentrate their rays, and Display their
cllnlgent splendour
We hope that Mr.. sondford's success may
| be equal TO our wishes. p.
Mr.. Sanford, the proprietor Of the Lafaycttd
Theatre, is probably one Of tic largest holdcrs
Of theatrical property the world affords. Tho
| 7 r, -, 4 -. @.
il is said, cost rising One Hundred Thousand
Dollars. Independently of this splendid Thea
trc, Mr. Sanford is the sole proprietor Of the
Mount PITT Circus, an establishment which,
together with the stud, probably cost fly
thousand dollars Mr.. Sanford was educated
a lawyer, but some six years ago, married tho
celebrated Mrs. Holman, tho "young widow"
! of the late Joseph George Holman; when, he
turned his attention to tic Drama, and immc-
diatcly became interested in theatrical estab-
l:shmcn,s Beside the Lafayette Theatre, he
has erected within the last SIX months, about
thirty brick houses in Canal and Laurcns
streets, New-York, and has probably done
more 10 improve that particular section Of the
city, than any other individual. man Of so
much perseverance, zeal, enterprise, and in
dustry, should be rewarded; and We trust, that
Mr.. Sanford will meet with every 81 ess.
Mrs. Sanford since she has been aflianced
TO her present husband has rarely appeared on
the stage, but when she has favored an aud,~
cnco with her presence, she has been re. cived.
with testimonials of the most enthusiastic ep-