And foes to virtue wondered how they wept.’”
What a descent from the above level to the ridicule, insult, and misrepresentation in notices like the succeeding:
“Forrest reminded us of the Butcher of Chandos, and his rendition of the fifth act was reminiscent of the wild madness, the ungovernable bellowings and fierce snortings of a short-horned bull chased by a score of terriers. He raved, and rumbled, and snorted, and paused, gathering wind for a fresh start, as if the ghost of Shakspeare were whispering in his ear,
‘Now crack thy lungs, and split thy brazen pipe;
Blow, actor, till thy sphered bias cheek
Outswell the colic of puffed Aquilon;
Come, stretch thy chest, and let thy eyes spout blood;
Thou blow’st for Hector.’
We are fearful that the more he studies and improves his part the worse it will be.”
“Last night we went with great expectations to the Academy of Music to see Forrest. We were never so astonished as to witness there the most successful practical imposition ever played on the public. Manager Leake has got Old Brown the hatter there, with his white head blacked, playing leading parts under the assumed name of Edwin Forrest.”