ACTORS AND THE PUBLIC
This and the eleven following papers from The Examiner of 1828 have been included in the text mainly on account of the strong internal evidence they bear of Hazlitt’s authorship. One of the papers is signed ‘W. H.,’ the rest are unsigned. During the period covered by these essays other Theatrical Examiners appeared, signed ‘X’ or ‘Q.’ So far as the editors are aware, it has not been hitherto known that Hazlitt resumed regular theatrical criticism so late as 1828, but they feel that no reasonable doubt can exist with regard to his authorship of these twelve essays.
[349]. Bate Dudley. Sir Henry Bate Dudley (1745–1824), the notorious clergyman and journalist discussed by Johnson and Boswell (Life, ed. G. B. Hill, IV. 296). He was for a time editor of The Morning Post. ‘Fall into misfortune.’ Cf. post, note to p. 533. ‘To tatters,’ etc. Hamlet, Act III. Sc. 2. [350]. Who has praised Sir Walter, etc. The failure of Constable and of Ballantyne and Co., involving Scott’s financial ruin, had occurred in 1826. A vulgar crim. con. In January 1825, a verdict of £800 was given against Kean in an action, Cox v. Kean, for criminal conversation. In consequence of this he was for a time ‘hooted from the stage.’ ‘The spells,’ etc. Cf. Othello, Act I. Sc. 3. If an actor is indeed six feet high, etc. Hazlitt probably refers to Conway. See vol. VIII. p. 200, and post, p. 361. [351]. ‘The fiery soul,’ etc. Dryden Absalom and Achitophel, 156–8. ‘The envy,’ etc. Richard II., Act II. Sc. 1. Madame Catalani. Angelica Catalani had retired from the stage in 1827. It was some time since we had seen Mr. Kean’s Shylock, etc. This paragraph makes Hazlitt’s authorship of this Theatrical Examiner quite certain. Cf. vol. VIII. p. 179.