124 THR ISRAELITES IN EGYPT. but if it was not one, the lady, then alive (and now, for aught I know,) never thought proper to denounce the shameful abuse of her name. Whichever conclusion was the more correct one, it is, beyond question, only a common act of justice to the reputation, personal and literary, of one of the greatest poets to which the world has ever given birth, to submit such a series of interesting documents, to the general scrutiny of his countrymen, that they may at all events have an opportunity of judging for themselves. CHAPTER IX. Jeptha's Vow-a rash one-How to make a splendid fortune-The Lord Chamberlain in a dilemma-Three Kings-one real one, and two dummies-Mr. Braham and Mr. Macready-Mr. Liston and His Majesty "ego et rex meus"-The Page and the Peer-A good performer a bad judge-Captain Fitzclarence and his mother-How in reality, to cast a play of Shakspeare, and to lay out a stage-Differrence between profit and expenditure-House of Lords-Marquis of Clanricarde-Duke of Devonshire-Duke of Wellington-Lord John Russell-Another defeat-Saints and sinners-Lord Stanley's notions of compensation very correct. THE impression which, during the management of Monsieur Laporte at Covent Garden theatre, the dramatic representation of the Israelites in Egypt had made upon the town, now led to the preparation of another sacred subject-Jephtha's Vow, on precisely the same scale. The musical part of the task, entrusted to that clever cobbler, Mr. Rophino Lacy,* who had arranged its predecessor, was prepared altogether with great attention; and its announcement continued before the public, until the day preceding its proposed performance, when it was suddenly withdrawn. It is a very extraordinary circumstance, that a repetition of the Israelites in Egypt, which had been * I do not seek by this expression to under-rate Mr. Lacy's talents, which are considerable :-but from having, in defiance of good taste and justice, made a villanous hash of the choice morceaux in some of Rossini's operas, instead of giving any one complete, he thinks himself on a par with that renowned composer; thereby verifying the remark, that a speedy fortune might be made, by purchasing such people, at what you think of them, and by selling them, at what they think of themselves. THE ISRAELITES IN EGYPT. 125 so highly popular the preceding season, was this year interdicted; and yet the very same power which issued that interdiction, gave a license for the representation of Jephtha's Vow. Mr. Lacy and others strenuously advised me to announce, that the license for the former Oratorio having been revoked, it would be presented without action; but that a license for the latter one having been granted, it would be presented with action. In times like these, there can be little doubt that an announcement of such glaring incongruity would have drawn on the disposing powers a considerable portion of very deserved ridicule; but in exposing them to its test, the manager would be exposing himself to their resentment. I can perfectly understand, that the Lord Chamberlain of the day had a very difficult game to play-for, by refusing a license for the present, he would exhibit the impropriety of having granted one for the past; and by granting a license at all, he would be committing an offence against the religious feelings of a great portion of the community. The error, in my humble judgment, was, blowing hot and cold with the same breath he should either have peremptorily prohibited, or unhesitatingly granted both.* There can be no question but the personation of sacred characters, however favourably received by the mob, gave a great shock to the feelings of all serious people; and I very much regret that I ever entertained the idea. The error, if it was one, was however so far redeemed, that when, as late as the eleventh hour, it was pointed out to me by persons high in authority how displeasing even the announcement had been, I did not hesitate one moment in conceding the * It may be as well to state, for the benefit of the rising generation of managers, that the question pro futuro was disposed of, by the receipt of this official communication: "Lord Chamberlain's Office, 66 "Sir, "I have to acquaint you that after this year no Oratorios can be permitted in Lent of the nature of those now performing at Covent Garden theatre. It is therefore to be understood that the licenses granted for Oratorios to be represented in character and with scenery and decorations must cease to be available at the close of the present season. "I am, Sir, 66 "Your obedient servant, "To the Manager of the theatre Royal "Covent Garden." "BELFAST, "Vice-Chamberlain." point, at all risk of the liabilities I had incurred by preparatory arrangements. It is not necessary, and even if it were I should not consider myself at liberty, to mention by name the parties with whom I held conference on the subject. I felt it an equal pleasure and duty to meet their wishes, and consult their feelings; and I never have, and never mean to enlarge upon the subject. The disappointment to the public did not appear to me to be very serious, and that to the performers shared the fate of things, which being "without remedy should be without regard." Although expressly engaged for the principal character in this Oratorio, Braham readily consented either to forego such engagement, or to extend it to other performances, humorously writing word, that "he was willing to fight for me to the last drop of THE CURTAIN." It was not altogether clear that the contention which had thus arisen, wherein the Church and the Stage were at cross purposes, might have been unpalatable to the Court; for, with all the spirit of liberality which regulated its opinions and its movements, the utmost respect and veneration was always maintained for the religious observations of the country. It was not, therefore, thoroughly without apprehension that I received, some time afterwards, intimation of a visit from one of our highest officers of state: and on his Lordship's arrival, I am not prepared to swear that my face was not as white-as the boxbook whenever Farren acts. My fears, however, were very soon dispelled, for the intelligence, of which this nobleman was the bearer, speedily convinced me that, by the line of conduct adopted in respect to Jephtha's Vow, I had not at all events incurred the Royal displeasure. Their Majesties were graciously pleased to signify, through their Chamberlain, that Drury Lane theatre would be honoured with a state visit on the 24th April, and Covent Garden theatre with one on the 1st of May. 66 His Have I not, reader, already told you that "there is no tyrant like a player-king?" I will now prove it to you. The actual monarch of the British Empire condescendingly commanded the supposed monarch of the British drama to command Majesty's servants," to play the School for Scandal and Simpson and Co. at the one house, and The Duenna, My Neighbour's Wife, and Turning the Tables, at the other. With the view of representing the best modern comedy of which the stage is in possession, in the best possible manner, all the leading performers of the two theatres were cast in it, and, with one exception, they all played in it-that exception was-Mr. Macready, whom no argument nor request could prevail upon to appear in Joseph Surface, although he had so often performed the character before. A journal of the morning following the Royal visit, thus alludes to this subject: "We cannot avoid mentioning a point which was the general subject of conversation last evening, viz: that Braham volunteered his gratuitous services, and that Macready declined to play Joseph Surface in the School for Scandal before his Sovereign. That is what we call 'sovereign contempt.' But the onus falls on the mimic, and not on the Monarch. What sad nonsense this is. With all the respect we can possibly have for the art and artist, it is a fact requiring no comment, that as they depend on the breath of the King, his very breath should summon them into action. We do not absolutely think a tragedian should be required to dance on the tight-rope, or a singer to warble with a worsted stocking in his mouth; but beyond those peculiarities, we think they are bound to do any thing in their power to contribute to the amusement of the King, by whom they live, and move, and have their being." Beyond these observations little need, or indeed can be said. In the other instance, the entertainments were announced precisely in the order commanded by His Majesty, by a letter from the Vice-Chamberlain now in my possession; and without directions from the Court, I dared not alter the arranged routine of the performances. With a thorough contempt, it would seem, for either the authority of the real monarch, or the duty of the assumed one, this letter was addressed to me: "DEAR SIR, "Monday, April 28, 1834. "I perceive by the advertisements that Turning the Tables is to be performed as the last piece on Thursday next; this I trust will not be persisted in, otherwise I must decline the honour of appearing before His Majesty so late in the evening. "Your's, &c., "To "A. Bunn, Esq., &c. &c. &c." "J. LISTON." Now pray who is the KING, in all this business? Mr. Liston had 201. for playing in Turning the Tables, commanded by His Majesty to be the last entertainment of the evening; and Mr. Liston says "if his Majesty (for His letter implies as much,) * On the occasion of this visit, Mr. Liston and myself were conversing in the anti-room of the Royal box, with a nobleman attached to the persists in it, I decline the honour of appearing before him so late in the evening." It is not "too late in the evening" for the King of England to sit in his private box, but it is "too late for one of His Majesty's servants" to appear on the stage to amuse him! Surely this is carrying out the Wolseyan doctrine of "Ego et rex meus," a little too far. I say nothing about the unhappy wretch of a manager, and his 201.-they are not worth bestowing a thought upon: but it is a question whether such monstrous consequence as this should be assumed, in opposition to the pleasure of a crowned head. It is almost needless to observe, that, on stating as delicately as possible the subject to the Lord Chamberlain, the nonsensical alteration was made; but it is as well to let the reader into the secret of the whole business. The letter may convey the idea of its writer not being strong enough in health to be out so late at night or that he was engaged at home, or elsewhere; but the actual meaning of it is, "Don't you think that I'm coming on the stage at half-past eleven o'clock at night, when His Majesty, who has been so heartily laughing at the two preceding pieces, will not have a titter left for me." Talk for a thousand years, and the latent meaning will be found to be this, and nothing else. As a proof how erroneous the opinions of a performer too frequently are, this fact may be mentioned; that at this time I perpetrated, in conjunction with my friend Kenney, a farce called A Good-looking Fellow, in the performance of which I was anxious to have the services of this before-named delightful comedian. After slightly alluding to my share of the authorship, and highly eulogizing that of my collaborateur, I mentioned the opinion of two other practical judges as to its points, in hopes of persuading him to play the leading character. His answer will speak for itself: "DEAR SIR, Brompton, April 7, 1834. "I have read the piece very attentively, and regret that I cannot concur with Messrs. Harris, Reynolds, Kenney, and yourself, as to its merits. My opinion is that it would be ine Household, when one of the pages, passing by and not seeing his lord. ship, slapped the comedian on the back, ejaculating, "D'ye think you'll make him laugh to-night? He was devilish stupid at dinner!" I cannot now determine which created the greatest roar, the face of Mr. Liston, or that of the laquey on perceiving the noble lord, before whom he had so committed himself respecting his illustrious master. If the reader never saw the face of a dignified performer, when reminded that he was nothing more than a performer, he has a treat to come. |