Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-05-17
Wednesday, May 16.

Al
grace to the city, and morlfyine stain upon
our national character, If il has come TO this
that distinguished actor, who may be obnox.
ious to an equally distinguished one in The
same profession, cannot perform without being
Kissed and pclted from the stage,-it is well
that we know 1t. On the same principle NAV
celebrated politician, an eminent clergyman
. or any other public man, who has his rivals
and opponents, be prevented from appearing
In public, in the fuflment of professional en-
gagemen,s, and the discharge of his ordinary
avocatlon. Macready is distinguished Eng
Iish Tragedan, and Forrest, an American, is
his great rival, IN some pieces although both
have mainly acquired their popularity in parts
which have not been attempted by the other,
at least to any extent. Where Macready is
deficient in genius, on the great power to as
sumo certain characters, he is sustained by a
polish of manner and refinement Of address
which Forrest does not possess, but which is
supplied in The latter by more brian, genius
and native power. Thus the two stand ;
neither is in the way Of the other. Both haye
theit enthusiastic admirers and warm friends
on either side ofthe Atlantic, AMI both have
repeatedly performed TO crowded audierces,
the same nights, in the same cities. There
was no necessity for enmity or unpleasant feel
ing between them, because they have both
earned fortunes and won laures by their favor
ite profession. But Forrest has evidently
spared no pains TO excite controversy on the
subject, and to enlist the public feeling he
could not content himself until he has seen the
city of New York disgraced by riot, many
lives sacrificed and much property destroyed
lie has been well received in England, and his
reputation there is greater than tina, Of any
other American Actor but still, he had tho
indecency to attend the theatre and witness
one Of Macreadys performances, in London,
and Mss him, giving as reason therefore that
Macready had introduced something into the
play, which. arts,ical!y speaking. did no, be-
long to it. Even had Macready done this
and had Forrest been an Enslishlnan, it would
have been the grossest ill-manners to have
conducted as he did, more particularly as he
was engaged in the same profession But the
case was still more objectionable when we
consider that Forrest was an American and
that he was guilty Of this ungenllemanly con-
duct in a foreign land where he was receiving
every attention, and towards native of ,ha.
country, and a brother artist. After this,
some very severe criticisms were published in
several English journals on Forests perfor-
mances Forrest contends that Macready was
in some manner instrumental in procuring the
publication Of these articles which the latter
positively denies, and sus,ains himself by the
letters OF some of his csuntrymen, who CAIN
to know about the matter. A few weeks ago
Forres, made savage attack on Ma:rcady, in
the shape OF Card, through the papers :;
Macready replied in a Card, in a more gentle
manly manner, and Forrest rejoined, shortly
aftei Thus the matter rested. The papers
generally commented on the subject, and ex-
pressed opinions against Forrest, in the course
which he pursued Macready, having com
ple,ed his tour through the country, had de-
iermined to return home Immediately ; at the
urgent request of many eminent and highly
respectable gentlemen in New York, he con-
scented to make one more engagement before
leaving. He commenced, and few evenings
since gang of rowdics attempted to prevent
the performance, by Kissing AMI throwing
things upon the stage they did not succeed
in breaking up the play, although their annoy
ances were very great. But the grand de-
monstralion was made Thursday evening, and
resulted in tho terrible desruct on Of life and
property, and the creation of more excitement
than has been witnessed in New York for very
many years, tie full particulars Of which we
have already published.
As to what extent Forrest may be linked
with this last consummation of his folly we
know not, and it probably never can be known;
but it is very reasonable and natural, and ire
sistibly conclusive to orr mind that had he
been so inclined, this Riot would not have oc-
cured because no one was interested in this
matter but himself and this whole disgraceiu
scene has been caused in order to CRAFTY him.
by ehdeavoring to preven, Macready from per-
forming again. Forrest is and always has
been strong Locofoco, and many of his most
enthusiastic supporters are what are termed
"Bowery boys, and they are some of the
mosr rowdy characters of New York. They
are always ready for fight, row, a riot or
any other indecency. They have attempted
to sustain Forrest and manifest their attach
ment to him, by insulting Macready; the re
suit is known.
This is dsgracefu in the extreme, and, as
we said in the commencement, will long re-
main stain upon our national character, more
particularly as it was caused by gang OF
rowdies attempting to insult an eminent for
eigner hut We arc rejoiced that the authori-
ties Of New York have 80 speedily nipped it IN