The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-06-25
PEG WOFFINGTON.


Within year or two Of the birth Of Edmund
Burke, French woman, Madame Yiolante, had
an exhibition in Dame street, of Paris. Her
attention was attracted 10 a very graceful girl
whom she observed with pitcher on her head
daily carrying water from the Lifey, and whom
she learnt, on inquiry. to be the daughter of a
poor widow who kept small grocer's shop and
took IN washing on Ormond Qnay. Instructed
by this kind patroness, the beautiful child play
"a 10y, - - -z,yo~'s 0nora'' achieved q
signal success, and became the talk Of the town.
This was the first introduction 10 the stage of
the actress, who, as Margaret Wohington, be-
came 50 widely celebrated in England and Ire
land. ons was undoubtedly one of the most
fascinating women of her day. Tall IN her
form, and with the most graceful proportions,
eyes as black as Jet ever sparkling with anima-
ton, and overarched by eyebrows at once soft,
full, and delicate, nose tending 10 the aqul-
line, rich hair banging in profusion round a
inelv-mounted neck, foil of life, full OF humor,
aud full OF intelligence, she was the envy of all
women, and appeared formed oy nature to win
the hearts fail men. Though she occasionally
played Ladg .NacJeth, there was nothing tragic
in her style. II was into comedy that she
threw all her exubprant spirits, her natural
plaviuIness, and her untiring energy; and she
delineated four different setls of comic charac-
ters which had nothing in common. She per-
Sonifed the fine lady of fashion, with grace,
tact, and dignity, which astonlshed those who
knew her humble origin. She proSonited The
vulgarity Of a city dame, with a breadth and
force of humor which drew laughter and tears
from all eyes. She perSonifed an Old woman
with all the garruliy, feebieness, and lrrta0lll-
ty of old age: and, what was then thought eX-
traordinary magnanimity on the stage, that she
might represent senility more effectively, she
did not hesitate to hide her lovely face under a
hidrous mask of paint, patches, and pencIIled
wrinkles. She personi6ed young rake: so as
10 make women fall in love with her, and deter
Garrick from ever acting the part OF StF Harry
Wldair, after she had by her ease and vlvacIty
rendered il peculiarly her own. But she was
not merely an actress; the woman, and not the
artist. predomlnated in her life. While IN the
first element of all, female honor, she was SAID
TO be deficient. and could therefore neither be
truly respected, nor purely loved, SO many ro-
mantle tales were told of her sympathetic be-
neyoIence. and muniicent charity to the des-
ttute who had no other benetactor, and to the
wretched. who had no other consoler, that even
grave people could not but pity her degradation,
and regret that, exposed as she had been TO
contaminating influences from her early YOUTH
with none to direct her unguarded steps, the
shadow of her vices shall follow with equal
pace the seductive lustre which her talents,
beauty and accomplishments, and impulses oil
generosity threw around her, and all who came
into her presence .HacknightS L.te and Times
of Edmund Burke.
PREPARING FOR CONTINGENCIES Is stated
that Louis Napoleon, with wise foreshought'
has been preparing for possible future contIn-
gencles by making investments IN England ana
the United States It is stated also by the Paris
correspondent Of the Manchester Guardian,
that his aunt, the Grand Duchess StephanIe, OF
Baden, has left Paris, seriously alarmed at the
position of things; and that she considers the
State of France sufficiently unsafe to have taken
out of the country the sums OF money she had
invested in it. Louis Napoleon, however, may
not. in the event of another revolution, be as
fortunate as Louis Philippe in getting out oil the
country without injury to his person. AT an
events he should keep on friendly terms with
the United States, as he may again be oollgeu 10
seek our hospitality.