Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-11-29
MISCE LII A N Y.
From the N. Y. Commercial Adv. Of the 10th.
MISS FANNY KEMBLE.


oftbe genuine stamp--breathing inspira-
tion in every line-appears in the New
York Mirror Of the present week. We
experience great pleasure in transferring
it to our columns, not only on account OF
its own intrinsic excellence, but because
il affords us an opportunity of introducing
the accomplished and gifted author to
our readers, and also Of speaking OF the
father-a scholar and gentleman, no
less esteemed for his virtues in private
life, than for his professional excellence.
Theatrical criticisms, and articles gi-
wing encourag ement to the Play Houses
of this city, have been in the main TO-
reign to the character Of this paper, al
though, formerly, more frequently than
of late, short communications and noic-
es were occasionally admitted on partic-
ular occasions, and by special desire -
But the stage in this county, as well as
abroad, has sunk SO far beneath what il
ought to be, and what il once was-de-
parting so widely from what it prolessed
to be, a school of. morals where lessons
were taught by holding the Mirror up to
Nature, and exhibiting vice in its own
that it became justly unpopular, as well
among mere moraGsts, as protesting
Christians.
The sterling old English drama, COM
prising much that was historical, shad
owed forth in the noblest strains Of glori-
ous poetry, and teaching lessons of wis
dom and morals in language and man.
ncr, more impressive than they could be
impaired in any other form, has been ban.
ished from the stage, and its place usurp-
ed by all that is licentious, vulgar and
profane. Instead of the noble strains Of
Shakespeare, and Massinger, Otway and
Young, we have had Kick -shaws, and
German ExtravagaDzas, & flying Dutch
men, and Elephants, and Rope Dancers,
&C.; and our theatres have been so man
aged that instead of being in any sense
the sch ools of morals, they have proved
the elcmo ntary schools of drunkenness
and dcbauchery. Had different char
acter been maintained for thcm-had ac-
tors of real excellence and unqucstioncd
purity of character, been selected with
scrupulous care-had all performances
rife with vulgar obscenity, and gross i'm
morality, been carefully excludcd-and
no females been admitted unless they
came in company with and under the
protection Of gentlemen, we should have
very chcerlully devoted space for criti-
cisms upon the representations of dramat-
ic literature, as well as upon the litera-
turc itself. i
Be all these things, however, as they
may, we have desired an opportunity for
welcoming Mr. Kemble ard his daughter
TO our shores. They are the brother and
the niece Of John Philip Kemble, and
Mrs. Siddons, who, like Garrick, and
Talma, and Shakespeare, are numbered
on the scroll Of immortal genius. But
besides that, we reverence the name they
bear. Mr. Kemble is himself gentle
man of high qualities in his professional
character, and of still higher in the walks
Of private life. His daug htcr, however,
is no ordinary woman. Her reputation
is not Fictitious, nor is the universal ad-
miration she excites to be ascribed mere
ly to the fame of her family, the fascina-
ton Of her manner, or the practised du-
perie of the stage. Let her poetry speak
for itself. The tragedy from her pen,
which has been reviewed and highly
and Justly extolled in the British stan
dard periodicals, is performance which
would have done credit to any living wri-
ter. 1t is powerful and highly finish
ed drama--flled with rich thoughts,
bright conceptions, just and pure senti-
ments, and glowing with beautiful pceti-
eel imagery.
The ErIe piece which we subjoin, from
the Mirror Of this week, would, if Miss
Kemble had never written any thing
else, prove that she has the soul Of po-
ct, and understands the melody of vers-
She has looked upon our glo-
rious autumn woods, and felt their true
inspiration. The transition to those of
Old England is beautifully managed,
both in the change Of the measure, and
in the vivid coloring of the expression
1t is the production Of no common mind
but Of great and gentle spirit to
which the world pays homage-because
it is incontestabIy due.
We feel honored by the preference
shown us, in being enabled to present the
readers Of the New-York Mirror with
the following exquisite original produce
ton, from the pen Of that distinguished
young lady, who has exhibited not less
genius in her own poetry than in her
manner of rendering that Of others.-
The subject is American, and the lines
are the firstlings of her muse in. this
green, forest land. ."- Eds. ". Y. Mr.
ror.
AUTUMN.
Hriffen after a ride bu the SchuXLkiW, IN Oc-