American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-29
For the American Republican,
THEATRICAL "REMINISCENCES.

There is no sway more absolute, no arlstoc-
racy more naughty and unbending, than that
which is experienced in the Green Room OF
the Theatre. The Emperor of Russia, auto
crat as he is, and absolute master Of the lives
and property of his subjects, has scarcely more
power, and exacts little less obedience from his
serfs, than does the "Star of the goodlie COM
panic" of modern theatres from those around
him. One of this description is VIM. Charles
Macready: say is, and at the period Intended
to be referred to, such certainly caS the case;
since, however, the gentleman has become a
wiser, and of course better man. la the year
1927, on the occasion of Mr.. Macready's first
visit to this country, he appeared on the holil-
day-st boards, and on one evening was an
nounced for Macbeth. Composing one OF the
company was a gentleman named l1osack,
nephew of the well known Dr. Hosack, OF ~
York, who was perfect novice in the proies-
SION and who, on the present eventful evening,
Macbeth being what is termed, technicaily, a
very fill play, was allotted the part OF "a sol
der, ;" an individual who in the NTH act, enters
70 announce to the baited Thane of CLAIMS
and Cawdor, the.arrival before the walls OF
Dunsinane, of large numbers of the opposing
host. Macreadv, it is well Known, is nervous
ly and fevershly sensitive or the subject OF
IL ,
! to his mastery and artistical delineatlons, as
perfect as possible: and exceedingly particular,
too, in having the movements Of the dramGttS
persoa9, Commonly called stage business, scru-
puously correct: so much indeed, is he the
creature of system, that any deviation from
settled, established rule, whether by unavolda-
BILE accident, or otherwise, takes him, as sea-
men say, "all aback." Hosack, trembling
novice, was dreadfully frightened at the idea OF
acting with Macready; but at rehearsal, he got
! through toleraby well, albeit his exertlons for
| the evening only comprised the delivery OF
some seven or eight lines. The evening came;
a large assemblage greeted the first actor of the
age; never before had so complete and perfect
transcript of the glorious lines Of Shakespeare
been presented to an American audience; plau-
dts of the most hattering description, because
bestowed by those who could understand the
author, and therefore appreciate the artist
were showered ON him; the actor himself was
in high glee-that is, in as great degree Of
satisfaction as he deigns to exhibt-when or
comes our newly-fedged conscript, frightened
out of his propriety, and looking unutterable
things. Macready, on the left hand of the
stage, had Just finished the speech, where he
is npbraidng his false friends, and bidding them
to '!mingle with the English Epicures," Sc
when turning in apparently fierce anger, nc
rushes up to the soldier OH the right Of the
stage
..The devil damn thee black, thou cream ac'd LOOM
Where got'st thou that goose look!"
This was too much for the audience, and ia
TOO much for Hosaek, who had previously
been Illuminating as to the fact whether he stoo'
on his head, or otherwise; he looked like tn
, man who drew Priam's curtain at the dead Q