Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-09
MR.. o w

II j, with feelings Of deep regret, and mol
ancholy, that we announce the death of WILL
LIAM CONWAY, Esq. formerly Of the London
! Theatres, aHd more recently of the American
Stage.
II is now about five years since Mr.. Con-
WAY made his first appearance in this coun-
Try, with all the SUCCESS he could have antici-
paied; and in n little period, was deservedly
ranaed first among those, who have added 10
ITO dignity and reputation Of the American
drama. On Lis arrival here, Mr.. Cooper, the
great ~fa'orite Of the American pIay-go!ng peo-
pls. was carrying every thing before him, and
having no competitor, mas looked upon as an
unr!1al,ed actor, and such indeed he was,
before the imbccilty Of his age, and the ia
tigues Of his profession, had deprived him ofa
portion Of those physical and intellectual pow
ers, which once gave such etiec 10 his Illus
%tratlons. and dclineations, Of the writings of the
wonderful bard of Avon.
Mr.. CONWAY had performed but once or
twice to an American audience, before the
hero Of the American stage, found that he had
m him a rival Of no mean distinction, but as
he was magnanirDous enough TO admit the tai
ents and powers Of his competitor, the rival
dramlusts performed .ogether for some time,
each one assuming tiernately the part the 9th.
or had enacted. An arrangement like this,
was alike honorable 20 both, and equally
conducive 10 their mutual interests. After
having performed SOME months in New York,
and gained the good will Of the populace Mr..
Conway visited Boston, Philadelphia. Balti-
more, the city OF Washington, and Charleston,
South Carolina. and in the summer Of 1928,
fulfilled an engagement Of twelve nights at our
Theatre; and whilst lie captivated all hearts,
by his splendid performances, he gained the
-oaJ ..Il ~ Ill .no t.l Al. .I--.,- -c
m%inglIng in his society. Whilst here he per-
form I'd the parts Of Hamlet, Mark .Antony,
OtheIIo. The Stranger, Beverly, Ja6xr, Jo-
seph Surface, besides several others Of the
more arduous characters Of the drama, in
which he displayed a strength Of talent, rare
ly manifested by the blowers Of the stage.
JaAier, Beverly and the Stranger. were his
favorite characters, and seemed we'll c~alculat-
ed TO give scope 10 the feelings Of bis heart.
and to give utterance to that grief which prey
cd upon his happiness, and in the end, consigD-
cd him TO an untime'y grave.
His engagement completed in this town, he
retired to Newport, a favorite place Of his,
where he spent the summer, in comparative
solitude-in reading,an deep meditation, and
his whole deme nor, too well told, that the
cankcr worm Of grief proved upon the finer f.
bres Of his hear. AZ he approa, h Of winter,
he again visited New-York, and ia the course
Of the season., performed ~ Philadelphia, and
the southern cities, and a, ne commencement
Of the summer again visited Newport, where
\ with the exception Of few nights perform.
ance at our Theatre, he renamed in Sc clusi0n,
and apparently yielding himself mp to the in
~lucnces OF sadness The next SOL son, he visit
ed New-Orleans, where he was received with
toe most entbusia' tic testimonials of approba-
ton H. nop,opt closed in that c,ty H.
visited the Western States, performing at the
Theatres Of Louisville Kentucky, and Cincin-
natl, Ohio His western engagements il they
were no. SO productive Of the goods Of this
world were productive of the BIC miuns Of
western pubic, and the alta chment Of q peo-
pie, who are distinguished for their hospitality.
discrimination, and fondness for the drama. In
the winter Of 1925, he returned to New. York
but as the italian Opera was then the all
absorbing topic Of the city, the legitimate dra-
ma was neglected, and Mr. Conway, frequent
ly played to thin houses, and was q loser by
his engagement. He soon after visited Bos.
ton, where lie performed a few nights to crowd.
cd houses; from that city he repaired to New.
York, and at the latter end Of the year 1929,
took an everlasting .ar:wcm e ,De stage, its
honors, and vexations, its delights and its mis-.
cries. In the summer Of 1927, he once more
: visited Newport, and in a secluded place, ad.
jacept 10 the ocean, he shut himself out from
the world, and confined himself to books, and
as il is said was deeply engaged in the study
Of Theology, preparatory to his taking holy
orders. As to what were his intentions, we
are not confident, nor can we say for a GER
tainty, that he intended to enter the pulpit but
il was said, that he had determined to become
a herald Of the cross; and we were informed
some months since, that his friends in Boston,
were about TO erect a church for his occupa.
ton.
Some three or four weeks Of the last sum.
mer, he resided in this town, aud took lodg
ipgs al the franklin House. where most Of his
time was spent in his room, and he rarely sp-
peared 10 the streets During this period. hi
whole conduct was marked by a degree Of
sinpularity, which could not but be observed
by his friends, and caused them some uneasi.
ness. Those with whom he had been onco "a
miliar, he treated with politeness, but Il wal
that forced politeness, which gives one to un.
derstand, that his acquaintance chooses the 81
lence Of the closet 10 the society Of the world
He rarely spoke 10 any one, further than tc
exchange the courtesies Of the day. and seem
cd anxious to avoid the world and its CONVEX
sation. He spoke not Of his intentions, as Il
his future course Of life, though he frequently
avowed his determination to quit the stage for
ever.
Lea sing Providence. he again visited New
port, where he continued some time, and thsr
repaired to Now-York, ia which city we,lasi
saw him, moody and melancholy, apparently
care-worn and distressed.
About twenty days since. Mr.. Conway took
passage for Savannah, on board Of the ship