Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-22

EDMUND KEAN. A late number Of the
New Monthly Magazine, contains an account
Of Mr. Kean's appearance in new tragedy by
Grattan, entitled " Ben Nazir the Saraccn,"
which we shall in few moments proceed to
copy; because Of its interest, and the reasons
it assigns, for the failure Of that we'll written
and effective production. II appears from the
article, that Mr.. Kean placed a high estimate
on the production; and that, although ho look
ed upon the part assigned him, as one well
calculated to prolccc desirable effect, he
failed, by reason Of bodily ;niira.itlos, to do II
justice, and mado complete future.
HIS part, VAS one CT wild energy, in which
savage passion las 20 Justify It's eAcesses by its
own INTENSITY alone, and 70 be relieved BY oc-
casiOnal traits of tenderness. which should oHC
all their power Ut melting and subduing 10
their contrast with the darker elements with
which they were surrounded Every thing,
therefore, depended on Mr.. Kcan's pitching
| the character, in the first instance, in a high
key, as he did Baiaze' or Sir Giles Ovcrrea ch,
| and usaiDing it to the end by the force of
passion u task 10 which he is no. now phys
| caly equal He not only did no. do this he
! did nothing. From fist TO last his eye ne er
Frightened his vo!ce vas never raised above
its loves loye' Of Sroan nor did lac attempt
one striking attitude or one piece of pantomnn-
&c action. Mr.. Waliack, in a JIIdicious ana
delicate add!fss. which he delivered at the
clos, Of the play, for the purpose of obtaining
| a new tr,d', acknowledged, on behalf of Mr..
Koan, that he had not done justice to the au-
| (, IL bo T.
Mr. Kean did rot dei!yet a single speech cor
| rec'.y, ant sometimes fell INTO udcrous buI-
| dtrs. IS perfectly ,rrc but this was not the
| worst iail,re for it cignicd little what Mr..
I x AL SAID ~ ne vas rarely audible beyond
'nc Test three beaches of tire pit. 1t was not
! 80 raira tac !o,ier as .he spirit that was want-
! lp!. In the i.s' scene, lie is informed that the
| lady who had oecn promised to him in mar
| riage, and on whom he dna.ed with Sara cenic
| tcrvour is distinction ms rival ,and an absolute
! pa ro"ysm Of rage is set down in the text--yet
/ NJ. Kean talked as coOllv as if nothing had
/ krppcncd and when, in the next scene, the
| 1udga,c we're informed that he was left "wea-
! " with ~ ,osa orrlgc," and " like painting
, tigcr," they bcgal o doubt their ears. In the
! i.,t a, .tnen h, has h enemy in his power,
! Den Nll,r suoderly told a. al his soldiers
! have tesor..a ',. bs paus.s dLa asks, if the
| !.r, .!ar hia. 3 ..,. 100 '--and hearing that
| he leTtrs, :'.t 70 ., pie :" '"hiCh he pre-
aefy.s rrd c. .r., Wa. s.l ,ton so
s,roari olar.,t, n. Kca. r,.ti r,.si his
voice oI ~" 90 ;nra"lc. =, cI,ci oi ,.,s
! lliDratlblc epO''y 'a3 no. Only 10 neU,Ializc
the principal part, but to render the pot,
| which was entirely animated by the fury Of
Ben NaziI, wholly uninteiGgibic, and 10 make
the fears, suficrlngs, and gallantry Of all the
other persons, ridiculous. We, hoa ever, free
| " acqui' Mr.. Kean of any intention :" to play
booty" He had, we know, expressed high
opinion of the part, and was sangu,ne as 10 the
| impression he should make ia it he had pre-
pared for it one of the most costly and tasteful
dresses ever seen on the stage and the play
had been postponed once ut his desire, in or.
der that he might be able to perform with the
more recession. But we take the melancholy
truth to be, that Mr.. Kcan, amidst the high
cxcitcmcnts Of his fcverish career, its almost
unequaled triumphs and unmcrited rcverses,
| has lost nearly all voluntary power. He ~ ~
| able TO play, with considerable effect some Of
| his old parts, where an immediate impulse on
| Iy IS required but in the present state of his
health ard spirits, he cannot om5ody a new
| character"
| We apprchcnd that Kcan's sun of glory has
past its zenith, r il has not set forever; and
that he who once filed no small space in the
public oye, is destined TO 60 down to the grave
unhonourcd and unwept. There is in tho rap
id rise, and no less rapid fall ofthis great man,
fruitful field for contemplation; and in glanc-
ing at his history, We behold man, who was
destined by the fates for Immortality, by his
own imprudcnccs and vicious lndulgcnces, at
an early age, dmnng the lustre that once sur
rounded his name, and prefcuing the contemp,
of the world TO its honours.
The great talents Of Edmund Kean, always
deserved and received our admiration; and yet
though &c npplaudcd his genius, VIC dctostcd