The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-11-22

serve to demonstrate, as far as it goes
though, in his opinion nothing is wanted
to render his impersonations perfect.
He will also enter into a labored defence
of some peculiar reading of line in
Shakespeare, and advance abundant rea-
sons why his Interpretation should be
adopted, in spite of all the commenta-
tors. For example:
CHANG out your banner On the outer wall
The cry is stH!'
The most marked peculiarity of the
Eminent American Tragedian, is his
contempt for all other actors in the same
liue. He can, and will, show you clear
ly, that there is not tragedian in exis-
tence, beside himself, who is worthy the
least regard or sufferance, and with
sneer, he will repeat the names of his
rivals, in the profession, and enumerate
their faults at the samo time, bitterly
denouncing the faulty of the public,
who consent to receive their mounte
bank exhibitions as artistic personatious.
His egotistic conceit is amusing enough,
and the most fulsome Aattery delights
him, while the slightest expression of dis
agreement with his views, offend.
In person, the Eminent American
Tragedian is STACEY, if we may use the
expression; no one could mistake him
for anything but an actor. He acts in
the Street, as we'll as on the boards, and
in fact, his whole life is made up of imi-
tations and afectations. He speaks with
hoarse, guttual voice, frequently clear
ing his throat, and ever-aud-anou staring
into the sky, muttering, tapping bis fore
head with his finger, scowling, and re-
peating in soliloq-y some line or sentence
of Shakesi care, supposed to be well
adapted to the circumstances surround
ing him, or applicable to his condition.
That condition, he would have the world
believe, is one of isolation, of u sword
destroying its scabbard, of an intellect
too great to be appreciated, and, there
fore solitary among other in:ellects, and
preying upon itself.
His dress is generally eccentric, unit
ing several styles of classic costume.
AS it is difficult to adapt the modern
trouser, boot and waistcoat, to anything
like the Venetian, Roman or .Grecian
fashions, and as a real toga, tunic, or
helmet, would attract attention in the
street at the present time, and cause
more or less remark from naughty boys,
heis obliged to expend his elacsic taste
upon his coats, neckeloths, eloaks and
dressing gowns = which latter, being
chiefly worn under cover of sanctity of
his,private apartments, are safely enough
designed after the model of any antique
custume he may particularly fancy. His
shirt collar is always turned over a flow
ing cravat, his coat is sometimes fvelvet
with braid and frogs down the front, and
his cloak, which he. wears far into the
summer on account of that chronic ca
tarrh from which he suffers,-is thrown
about him in yoluminous folds, as like
as possible to the toga of Cesar,
1t is only on the morning Of his I" Be-
-neft" that the Eminent one appears at
all like other people. He then frequents
public places, drops in upon his friends,
and even casual acquaintances, at their
rooms, solicits introductions, tells anus
ing stories, foTgets the hoarse- voice and
the loud % Hemp and fences with his
cane at small dogs At this time he real
ly is quite amusing, for his long acquain-
tance with a very peculiar and most in
teresting phase of society has given him
fund of anecdote and narrative, which
is always novel, and always welcome, to
people not conversant with the same side
of life. He works hard this morning,
for his applause, and deserves to receive
all the benefit likely to accrue from his
exertions
Occasionally, the Eminent American
Tragediau accepts "stock " engage
meut-that is, he is permanently at.
tached to particular theatre. In this
case it generally happens that he is 't So
licited to accept Complimentary Bene-
fit (which he was never known to re-
fuse-and it has been limited that he
generally originates the scheme, him.
self. This, however, is doubtless a SLAM
der.
In fine, the Eminent American Ira
gedian is man who perpetually moves
in fictitious atmosphere, who surrounds
himself with such complication of af-
fection and unreality as to deceive him.
self more than the world, who never in
tends to do any wrong, and whose first
foibles are only amusing. For it seems
inseparable from the character of this
distinguished individual that he shall
be always playing a part, and as the
stilted manner and language of theatri-
cal tragedy is entirely foreign and un-
adapted to the every day walk and con-
versation of men, the professor of it is
looked upon as singular and very dron
person, whose pretensions are never in
the least deceptive. And so it is that
we class him among Popular Shams, for
though everybody sees through and un-
-derstands him, still we go on good hu-
moredly taking him for granted, at his
own valuation, as expressed in display
lines at every street corner, and conced-
ing to him his self accorded denomina-
ton of " The Eminent American Trage-
dian."