Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-16
PROVIDENCE.

marks;-and if they suppose, that the para
graph we published in late paper, relative to
the Common Street Theatre, and Mr.. William
Pelby, the nominated manager Of that rising
establishment, was intended to do any VII
olence to the feelings Of the one, or the pros
poets OF the other, they labour under sad
mistake, and very strangely appreciate our mo-
tives.
AS to the Common Street Theatre, we have
not taken any particular interest in its affairs {;
nor are we aware, that its erection or demoli-
ton, would at all affect us; and certainly, if
our wishes were to be gratifed, we should be
glad to see it speedily completed, and oper-
ating with infinite success. The good people
of Boston, may have one theatre, or forty the
atres, just as it suits them, and we assure them,
through their agents, the editors of tho Boston
American Traveller, that we should not take
any exceptions, if they thought proper to erect
ten thousand The intimation of the Travel
Ter, that our remarks were based upon dspo-
sition to retard the progress of the New Thea
tN, 10 "cuhSu iOiJ uhu VIC diC ou PiiSCu thut
the gentlemen should have made it. We take
it all, however, in good part, and assure our
friends, that we are not disposed to be querel-
Gus, or to wranglc about straws. So much for
the Theatre itself; and having got clear of its
walls, we shall ask the Traveller, to indulge
us for moment, whilst we offer few re-
marks relative to Mr.. William Peby
1t certainly was far from us, to utter any OBJ
sarvations to wound the feelings, or pride of
this gentleman, and we would be among the
last to do any thing that would initiate against
his interest. AS matter of information, we
stated to our readers, that the building pro-
gressed but slowly, and that many of the
stockholders were opposed to the selection Of
Mr. Pelby as manager; and this we stated on
the authority of gentlemen Of great respecta-
bility;--not on the authority of some disap-
pointed player, as the Traveller supposes;-
We believed it to be true; we now entertain the
same belief, and we are far from making any
recantaton ;--and in this place do we repeat,
that the theatre progresses but slowly, and that
many Of the stockholders are personally op-
posed to the management's going into the
hands Of the gentleman, who has been select
ed. These are plain matters Of fact, and it is
not necessary for the Traveller to deny them.
But if in laying them before the public, we
have wounded the sensitive feelings Of Mr..
Pelby, and grieved his still more sensitive
friends, the editors Of the American Traveller,
we are exceedingly sorry, and will do all in
our power, to administer the balm of consoa-
ton to their laccrated bosoms. Mr.. Pclby, for
himself, should know, that, as public man,
his movements are at the mercy Of the public;
and experience ought to have taught him be-
fore this, that an actors fortunes and fates, are
fair subjects for the press to canvass; 1T and he
who expects to get through the world, whilst
holding public sta ton, without being spoken
Of and being noticed by the press, must in
deed, be a downright +" noodle"
To Mr.. William Pelby, we would not offer
the least disrespect; and we certainly have not
the least objection to his receiving all the hon
ors Of the drama-thc applause and respect Of
society--we wish him very great success
AS an actor, we do not like him nor do we
approve Of the means which he has resortedto,
to gain popularity, and to force himself upon
the public, "whether they will or not.''
As an actor, Mr.. Pelby is, to our mind, many
degrees below the ordinary members of the
H. H. H.
That he is clever in melo-dramatic pieces, and
is happy in such characters as Florian, in
the Founding Of the Forest, we do not deny I;
but no should not attempt the Hamlets, the
Othellos, the Tells, and the Richards for in
doing so, he invariably fails, and loses what
little reputation he has acquired as secondary
actor.
Mr.. Pelby has taken wrong method TO make
himself great actor and as he undertakes to
force himself upon the world, as man Of pre-
eminent abilities and attainmcnts, he certainly
is on tho road that never fails TO lead /" to
downfall" The nominal rank he has already
attained, has not been acquired by the consent
Of the public; and we venture to say, that nme-
tentbs Of the people, who have seen him as
suming the higher ranks Of the drama, are of
opinion, that he assumes too much, and look
upon him as an inferior performer.
We have no right to object to his being the
Manager Of the Common-street Theatre and
il the proprictors Of that establishment have
selected him. we are satisfied, and assure him
he has our best wishes for his success. Ifhe has
not AZ MANY admirers as he couId vv;ab ,be