Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-04

II appears that EDMUND kEAN, the great ira.
gedian, did at Richmond, England, on the 18Th
"f May, IN the 56th year Of his agP,-a mean.
choIy example Of what is called the fate of GEM
US. From the condition Of q circus tumbler,-a
little deformed posture bOv, he raised himself BY
the force OF talent alone, to the topmost round Of
dramatic fame. Without friends, aad with all
the defects OF his personal appearance, he work.
ell his way progressively until he stood without a
rival, and proved himself worthy the eminence
held before him, by George Frederick Cooke.
ln 1907, Kean was an obscure actor in an OBJ
scure strOliiDg company, wandering in Scotland
and one OF their play bills is extant. whirh
shows that the great tragedan was considered by
his manager very insignificant creature among
his troop, as kean was announced to perform the
blind man in PIZarro, and to sing between play
and farce, the comic song OF ''Four and Tween.
~ Cobers.' After several years Of misery. the
usual portion Of the strolliDg player, he became
a twinklins star in small way, and assumed the
leading characters 10 the little provincial thea.
tres, not without opposition, howeyer. His man.
ner was too strikingy originaI-hIs fiery bursts,
and overwhelming pathOs were too uncommon 10
please those whose taste had been formed upon
the performances Of fifth rate actors Of the hero
ic school--who moved automatically in starch
aud suits. We have seen a criticism Of that pe.
rod in which he was denounced as an ugly black
muzzied little fellow, who was So impolie as to
appear on the stage utterly unconscious Of the
audience! upon whom he often termed his back.
and who strove to atone for his want Of personal
dignity by endeaverIng to excite awe BY bring.
ing forth tones a. il from the charnel bvuse.
A lucky chance al last brought him upon The
London boards, where his success repaid bin Tor
he enHa aofh L.
fortunes favorite; and the contrast was too
much for him. The little boy who was once
kicked out of the theatre for awkwardness BY the
great John KembIe, stoOd on the sane boards, in
The opinion of many, greater than the far famed
kemble. He was caressed and courted by the
'ich and noble-his genius Vas sung BY Byron,
md wealth flowed in upon him in profusion.
His eccentricities, dissipation aud folly arc
scarcely to be wondereda at. Few men can stand
such sudden reverses-and Kean, the creature Of
impulse and Imagination, vas not one of those
8 whose blood and judgment are so well comm.
,led'' a. TO take fortunes bullets and rewards
With equal favor. He ran riot in freaks and Vi. 1
;es OF various kinds; and accordingly We have
zen him at one time treated as "the suns
fright child;" at another h0Oted from theatre to
heatre by an incensed public; driven across the
'eean for refuge, and then scarcely finding safe
y; returning to his native land IN triumph. and
lnally sinking into premature grave, misera.
lie spectacle of the results Of unchecked appe.
ties; pennyless after millions had been lavished
IN him, and dying solely by intemrerance.
PennsylVaaian.
Al emigrant named Briggs, native of Mount
lice, county Kildare. Ireland, was app rehended
Quebec, ON the 24th ultimo, ON charge Of
,urder committed in that county in June, 1882
The individual murdered was named Kiimurry, /