Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-26
AMERICAN TRAorpIAr.-o~ nss. door

I AMERICAN TRAoEpIANs.-On Oar next door
contemporary, Of the Manufacturers and Far
mcrs Journal. has published an article, in which
! he undertakes TO defend Mr. Cooper, against
| the London critics, and in the course OF his es-
"a, holds the following singular language:
( "The jealous dis position Of the English to.
wards tins country, has recently been illustrated
/ in the reception of Mr.. Cooper, the american
/ Tragedian, at Drury Lane Theatre Mr..
Cooper had certainly good reputation as an
actor, IN this country, and II does appear some
what strange to US, that an audience who could
for one hundred nights witness the ridiculous
performance of Tom and Jerry, could not for
a single evening, endure with common decency.
the acting Of Mr.. Cooper. Considering tho
manner we have received English actors, tho
allowances made for them, the charity shown
them we had right to expect in courtesy.
that Mr.. Copper would have been well received.
lnsteh of wt 'ch, lie was driven from the stage
the first night Of his appearance, without q
hearing.
Mrs. Duff too, an actress Of great merit, the
pride Of the American stage, was not permit
ted to appear al London, without undergoing 4
probation al Brighton. Her reputation as am
an American actress, should at once Of itself
have given her "A station on the London boardss
but she was put on probation"
We shall not dispute with the gentleman Of
the Journal, relative to Mr. Coopcr's merits as
an actor; but whilst we allow our friend to in
dulge his own opinions, we must protest against
his claiming Mr.. Cooper as an yqmcrican Ira
gedan.' That gentleman is an Englshman by
birth, education and principle. He was born
in England, educated in England, and until
a very recent period, all his prejudices have
leaned towards his beloved England We
like him none tho less. because he loves his
couniry-we should hate him if he did not
More than twenty years of his life was exhaust
ed,when he sought his fortunes on these shores
since he first came among us, he has at diff
ferert intervals, spent considerable time in
England - and how then can he be claimed as
an american Tragedan.' Cooper is an Eng
lishman, and we are not disposed 10 rob old AL
bion Of her favored son.
But the Objectionable part Of the gentle-
mans essay, is that, which indirectly insInu-.
ates, that il would become the Americans, to
resort to the principles of retaliation, and meet
with coldness and contempt, every English
actor who seeks his fortunes on our shores
10 this, we enter our protest;-w consider
the proposition unfair and unjust 1t is not a
fact, that American Tragedans," have been
cavaherly treated in London. On the contra
ry, they have been received with kindness and
attention. Payne found his warmest patrons
ansng London audience, so did Bibby; and
and was not Fslby listened to with great kind
ness and forbesrance! But because an En-
glishman who had hson popular in this coun-
try, failed to meet the appreciation of Lon
don audience, false sympathes are awakened
An Outcry is raised against England, and the
unfortunate asprant, an Englishnan is
claimed as an .An'erican Trage edionn'-
This is something like making an Esquimaux
a Tartar.
The gentleman, talks rs if our favorne Mrs.
DUH, was subjected TO process Of probation
and degradation, before she was allowed to
appear before London audience! If he had
thought moment, he would not have
ventured the intimation, for he would have re-
membered, that from Brighton 10 the Palace,
inent perform at Brighton; its theatre ranks
among the first of the kingdom But Mrs
Duff will succeed any where. where talents are
appre GATED, and worth protected