The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-22

\ WOuuu Scli-lOSty dHu HOl MIL TIC siuuipct'
ing devil! We cannot help, in this place,
remarking. that when Mr.. Dickens COM
menced "Dombey," he stated to several
that, in his new work, it was his intention
to expose the arrogance and pride of every
English merchant, with an eye to the cor
reclion OF those notorious vices. 1t is evil
dent to all, that he either lacked the cour-
sge or the power to achieve so great and
praiseworihy an object. 1t has resulted
IN The miserable failure Of grossly libeling
and caricaturing one person, and thus mar
rowing great public object to private
end. Had the castgator Of the Yorkshire
schoolmasters, the paid magistrates, the inn
poster architects. the dandy milliners. and
the grinding usurers, possessed the nerve to
teach the arrogant merchants of London
that their clerks and dependents were wor.
thy better treatment than they receive at
the hands Of their Egyptian taskmasters,
Mr.. Dickens might have secured fame
which is fast fading away under his new
dispensation of writing; but this narrow
ing Of an originally fine and broadvewed
mind, will always happen when an author
deserts the manly code of his early years.
and transforms himself into the companion
of fashionable handles, literary lords and
heariless milionaires.
1t is unnecessary to follow seriatim the
progress of so well-known writer. His
works are familiar to all, and we shall,
therefore. con6ne ourselves 10 few critical
remarks OH his remaining productions.
Few writers of modern times equal Mr..
Dickens in the fidelity with which he Sc.
lects some family in low life, and paints
thsir portraits; they are complete Dutch
pictures; even the tone of voice, and the
look are given, and the Crummels, the Ken
wigs, and the Squeer's, are daguerreoiyped
for posterity with an unerring accuracy
When, however, he ventures upon the lof
tier and more complex phases of hui an
nature he miserably fails, AID evidences at
once that want Of universally which rem
ders him, perhaps, one Of the most one
sided delinealors of the human family that
ever enjoy ed a popular reputation. His
want of success in this department was
ouce illustrated by sarcastic writer, Us re.
minding him Of the story Of the scavenger.
An old master in that, the dirtiest of sci.
ences, was asked one day his opinion of q
new and popular apprentice he had
Scratching his head, and looking very pro.
found, be uttered in an oracular tone OF
voice. that, Sin s;raightior'ard piece OF
business, such as sweeping a crossing, he
was undeniably great, but when he came to
dainty little bit, loitier kind Of fancy
work, such as tttivating round post, he
showed sad scant of genius" so with
Dickens in low characters, he is wonder
fully true, graphic and amusing but when
he comes TO lirle dainty piece Of portal.
ture, such as a gentleman, or a young lady
Of birth, breeding, or fashion, or indeed Of
any heroic character, he shows deficiency
Of power, both in conception and execu,
lion, which materially dlminishes his chance
with Posterity.
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Mr.. Dickens tells story remarkably
well, and being good mimic, he often i'm.
parts 10 the narrative the reality and vvaci-
Iy Of life; the anecdote Of Macready and
/ Prchard is one Of his most successful ef.
forts We have the more pleasure in rela.
ting this as, il shows under cover of an ap-
parent icy reserve,
"Stll goWs the warmth of genial heat
In stern Macalpine's breast
While we are on this trail" we NAV
as we'll relieve our recollection of another
anecdote, illustrating the peculiarities OF
two men so we'll known as Wordsworth
and the great lrsgedian.
Mr.. Macready on his return from some
engagement in Edinburg, called on Words.
worth, and was persuaded by the old bard
to remain ali night they wandered about
talked of the drama, and parted, mutually
pleased with each other. Shortly afterward
friend who knew Macready intimately.
inquiring OF Wordsworth what he thought
Of his visitor, received from the aged poet
the following account: 81 was much plea.
sed with him indeed. He is quiet, mod
est, unassurning man without the slightest
faint of conceit--in short, gathered from
what he said, about acting, that he is bad
actor, and he Knows ii: between ourselves
be confessed as much to me-" Our friends
amusement may be easily conceived at
this instance of the Poet Laureate's dis.
elimination; it is, however, curious in
stance of Mr.. Macready's 'private theatri-
Gals"
To return, however, to The story in cues
ton, which shows the eminent actor in
very amiable point Of view; the simplicity
Of his guest is truly ludicrous.
A gentleman, Of The name Of Prichard.
having failed as an actor, settled down into
the more useful occupation OF stage mana
ger of Drury Lane Theatre. He had the
peculiarly Of being an extravsgant admirer
of celebrity, but the chief idol of his wor.
ship was Mr.. Macready.. His delight was
intense when he heard that the great TRACE
dian was engaged to play number OF his
favorite characters. 1t seemed to be an
honor to hear him talk. He resolved, there.
fore, to show him every attention.
On MIR. Macready's first visit he was al
most driven to despair by the reserved man
ners OF the actor, who seemed frozen man
with the powers of locomotion. He, not.
withstanding, paid unremitting attention to
the hero Of his worship: looked to the fire
in his dressing room, placed lofty wax ia.
pers there, and by thousand delicate ser.
vices expressed his Difference. After a week s
perseverance he was rewarded by an incl. |
nation of his IDOLS head A few days more
the face rpened into a smile. then came n |