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this very part of Pierre, who has form'd the true rule by which to proportion the due strength of voice to every part of that noble character, so as not to let us perceive a want of force any where, and yet to keep a reserve to support himself in the most violent scenes, with a power and energy, that the rest of the great performers of the time must allow us to say, no body ever did, or perhaps ever will, come up to. |

How exquisite is the management of this player, in giving a strength that scarce any body befides himself ever gave to any thing, to that scene where he braves the rest of the conspirators, and in the midst of all their threatnings against Jaffeir asks them,

Who talks of killing?

blood

Who's he'll shed the

That's dear to me? is't you? or you? or you, fir?
What not one speak? how you stand gaping all!
On your grave oracle, your wooden god there.

And continues,

One fuch word more, by heavens I'll to the senate,
And hang you all like dogs in clusters.
Why peep your coward swords half out their shells?
Why do you not all brandish them like mine?
You fear to die, yet you dare talk of killing.

We remember Walker's ftraining till he was quite hoarse at this scene, and incapacitating himself for any thing of consequence that was to follow, and we have seen something not unlike it in some later players of very great merit; but how are we furpriz'd to find in Mr. Quin, that all the

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fire he throws into this part of his character, is but of a fubordinate kind, when we see him under greater provocations, and before a greater assembly, rifing upon us to a much nobler height; and telling the trembling senate of Venice, with a majesty, that it is easy to admire, impoffible to imitate,

You my lords and fathers

(As you are pleas'd to call your selves) of Venice, If you fit here to guide the course of justice, Why thefe disgraceful chains upon the limbs That have so often labour'd in your service ? Are these the wreaths of triumph you bestow On those, who bring you conquest home and

honours?

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Are these the trophies I've deserv'd for fighting
Your battles with confederated powers?
When winds and feas confpir'd to overthrow you,
And brought the fleets of Spain to your own

harbours:

When your great Duke shrunk trembling in your

palace,

And faw your wife, the Adriatick plow'd
Like a leud whore, by bolder prows than yours.
Step'd not I forth, and taught your loose Venetians
The task of honour, and the way to greatness;
Rais'd you from your capitulating fears
To ftipulate the terms of fu'd for peace?
And this my recompence! If I'm a traitor,
Produce my charge-

Shew me the wretch that's base enough,
And brave enough, to tell me I'm a traitor.

After admiring the fuperior force and dignity with which this inimitable player has rais'd the vehemence of this part of his character so highly beyond

beyond every thing we had before admir'd; how are we at length, on the appearance of Faffeir, and his suing to him for a reconciliation, aftonish'd to find that even this also was but a force of a fubordinate kind, and to fee that he has yet reserved an infinitely greater store of it, for that keenest of all resentments which is due to a violated friendship. Even the vehemence of that execration with which he leaves the fenate,

Curs'd be your senate! curs'd your conftitution, The curse of growing factions and divifions Still vex your councils, shake your publick fafety, And make the robes of government you wear Hateful to you, as these base chains to me.

Is nothing when compar'd to that with which he tells the friend who had betray'd him,

Hast thou not wrong'd me? dar'st thou call thyself That once lov'd valu'd friend of mine,

And swear thou haft not wrong'd me? Whence

these chains,

Whence this vile death that I may meet this

moment,

Whence this dishonour, but from thee, thou

base one!

--And wou'dst thou have me live on terms like thine,

Base as thou'rt false?

Leave me-Nay then thus, thus I throw thee

from me;

And curses great as is thy falsehood catch thee.

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Whoever has heard these and the rest of the keen and disdainful reproaches which Pierre juftly throws on his friend, utter'd from the mouth of Mr. Quin, will agree with us, that the whole compass of the English stage affords nothing greater; and yet these in this judicious performer, are but the sequel of a whole part, and that a long one, kept up throughout with due dignity and spirit.

CHAP. IV.

Whether it wou'd be to the Advantage of all Players to be of a distinguished Figure?

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HERE are a great many people that frequent the playhouses, who are less apt to be affected with those objects which are form'd to entertain the understanding, than with those deftin'd to act principally on the senses. These gentlemen are oftener drawn to the theatres by the names of the actresses, than by those of the characters which they are there to perform; and as they are capable of judging of no perfections but those of figure and person, they are always disposed to take an amiable face for a very great talent in a performer; and wou'd have even a Mistress Amlet or a Lady Bountiful, have a regular set of features, a snowy neck, or an elegant perfon.

Tell these people that there is a new actress to appear upon the stage such a night, the first queftion they ask is, Is she handsome? And 'tis ten to one, but they forget to enquire at all whether The has any merit in the profeffion.

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The women pretend indeed that the figure of

a performer of the other fex, is the article they least of all regard in him as an actor; but the player who has not fome personal charms about him, will always find it extremely difficult to get their good opinion. The criticisms that one hears among this part of an audience, always rưn more upon the imperfections or blemishes in the face or figure of the actor, than on those of his performance; and almost on every occasion of this kind, we shall find that the elegant or difagreeable mien of the player is what has moft taken up their attention.

Whoever therefore wou'd propose to himself to acquire fame on the stage, in the eye of the polite world, and to become the favourite of a numerous party, must remember that a graceful figure ard an engaging aspect are almost absolutely neceffary to it. We have had very few instances in England, in which an actor has been able to make his way to applaufe in the higher characters without personal charms; and in France it is an allow'd truth, that no man ever did or ever will be a favourite in this capacity without them,

'Tis only the herd of an audience however that fall into this fort of abfurdity in their opinions; the better judges despise such prejudices. They agree, that there are indeed forme charac ters, in which we find, by the conduct of the scene, that the actor is out of nature if he have not something amiable about him. They do not deny that even in most other parts a good perfon in the actor, is far from being indifferent; but they affert with great truth and justice, that our nicety in requiring a good face and well proportion'd.

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