SPIRITED CONDUCT OF MR. CHARLES KEAN.
Mr. Charles Kean continuing to be exposed to the nuisance of criticism, has determined, though with much regret, on a still more decided step in vindication of his personal dignity than any he has yet taken. Having already struck off the Free List of the Princess's Theatre all the critics who have insolently ventured to express unfavourable opinions of his acting, Mr. Kean had hoped that the public would have taken this warning that he is not amenable to hostile criticism. In this hope he regrets to find himself disappointed. Many persons still consider him a bad actor, and have not shrunk from audaciously expressing this detestable opinion in and out of the Princess's Theatre. Further forbearance on Mr. Kean's part would clearly be an act of injustice to himself.
He has, therefore (though at cost of much pain to himself), resolved on a measure which he trusts will prevent any repetition of this annoyance. Mr. Kean deeply regrets that Her Majesty, having lately visited the Haymarket Theatre, was observed (no doubt, in an unguarded moment,) to laugh at Mr. Braid's offensive (and most unsuccessful) imitation of Mr. Kean's performance in the Corsican Brothers, which Mr. Buckstone has had the bad taste to sanction in a ridiculous and entirely unsuccessful burlesque or extravaganza, called the Ascent of Mount Parnassus. This having been brought to Mr. Kean's ears (as most acts of the same kind are sure to be), he has, in consequence, struck Her Majesty's name off the Free List of the Princess's Theatre, exclaiming, in the manner of Richard, and in a tone of dignity which so over-powered the prompter and stage-manager that he has not yet recovered the shock—
"Off with her name! so much for Royalty!"