[343]. Vivian Grey. Disraeli’s first novel, published 1826–7. The dedication was as follows: ‘To the best and greatest of men I dedicate these volumes. He, for whom it is intended, will accept and appreciate the compliment: those, for whom it is not intended, will—do the same.’ [344]. Long’s. A well-known hotel in Bond Street. Almack’s. Assembly Rooms (now known as ‘Willis’s Rooms’), in King Street, St. James’s. Mr. Martin’s bill, etc. Richard Martin’s (1754–1834) efforts on behalf of animals were bitterly opposed on all sides. Mr. Croker, etc. ‘The Dulwich collection ... was quite as distant as Russell Square, though he did not profess to know exactly where Russell Square was.’ March 28, 1825. Hansard, New Series, XII. 1266. [345]. Sir Sedley Clarendels, etc. In Camilla. Meadowses. In The Wanderer. [346]. ‘The Court,’ etc. Cf. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III. Sc. 2. Sayings and Doings. The first series appeared in 1824, the second in 1825 and the third in 1828. [348]. Mr. Vivacity Dull. A character in Vivian Grey, said to represent Horace Twiss.
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.
FRENCH PLAYS
[352]. Monsieur Perlet. Adrien Perlet (1795–1850), a well-known French comedian, who had made his first appearance in 1814. ‘Upturned eyes,’ etc. Cf. Romeo and Juliet, Act II. Sc. 2.
FRENCH PLAYS (continued)
This article in The Examiner begins with a long editorial passage written in a chaffing spirit and praising the former notice of the French Plays.
[356]. ‘That soul of pleasure,’ etc. Cf. Pope, Moral Essays, III. 306. [357]. l. 15. Ariste. This should be Valère. [358]. There is a credulous and unqualified assent, etc. Cf. a passage in vol. VIII. (English Comic Writers), p. 29, where almost the same words are used. ‘To the woods,’ etc. Quoted elsewhere by Hazlitt.