|
|
||
|
OLIVER GOLDSMITH'S LIFE AND TIMES. [BOOK m.
1759. sense of ibis first unlucky meeting. As Goldsmith himself
JEiTii. removed from the second edition of the Polite Learning much of the remark that had given Garrick most offence, and in the ordinary copies it is now no longer found, it may the more freely be admitted that the grounds of offence were not altogether imaginary. Indeed, "besides what I have quoted, there were incidental expressions yet more likely to breed resentment in a sensitive, quick nature. " I am not " at present writing for a party," said Goldsmith, " but " above theatrical connexions in every sense of the expres- " sion. I have no particular spleen against the fellow who " sweeps the stage with the besom, or the hero who brushes " it with his train. It were a matter of indifference to me, " whether our heroines are in keeping, or our candle- " snuffers burn their fingers, did not such make a great part " of public care and polite conversation. Our actors assume " all that state off the stage which they do on it; and, to " use an expression borrowed from, the green-room, every " one is up in his part. I am sorry to say it, they seem to " forget their real characters."* With sorrow is it also to be said, that here the writer was manifestly wrong. Mr. Ealph's "implements" and "harlequins" were not less tasteful and considerate than this jeering tone.
There is no intellectual art so peculiarly circumstanced as
that of the actor. If, in the hurried glare which surrounds him, each vanity and foible that he has comes forth in strong relief, it is hard to grudge him the better incidents to
* The same feeling and spirit are perceptible in Letter Ixxxv of the Citizen of
the World. " How will your surprise, my Eum, increase when told that though '' the law holds them as vagabonds, many of them earn more than a thousand ." year ! You are amazed ! There is cause for amazement. A vagabond with a "thousand a year is indeed a curiosity in nature; a wonder far surpassing the "flying-fish, petrified crab, or travelling lobster." |
||
|
|
||