And firm I trust, when that again is bright, Then shall its beams, chasing this paltry band, SIR, IN ASSES VERSUS HORSES. [From the General Evening Post, Aug. 1.] TO THE EDITOR, &c. N some remarks I sent you, a few months ago, on the subject of introducing quadruped performers on the stage, I endeavoured to prove that the blame of this absurdity, be it more or less, ought to be shared equally, or nearly so, between the Managers who offer, and the Public who accept. I did not think it quite fair to provoke the indignation of any part of the Public to violent measures, in a case where a much greater part of that same Public seemed inclined to extend their patronage. While I allowed the difference between man and horse, I did not conceive we had any right to abuse the Managers, because there were persons who declared themselves as much amused with the one as the other. At that time, however, I had no objection to such opposition as might be vented in ridicule; against which, I am persuaded, neither theatrical nor any other absurdities can long maintain their ground; and I am pleased to see ridicule employed in the case of horses, whether they usurp the place of actors, or are more harmlessly employed in drawing a fool in a barouche. Caricature prints, newspaper squibs, epigrams, and essays, prose or verse, have all been useful in their way; and I now remark, with satisfaction, that the powers of ridicule have found an useful useful ally in the Theatre itself. A kind of farcical parodies have been introduced, and horses, and German plays (which latter were always more absurd and more pernicious), are now in the right road to expulsion, by being fairly laughed off the stage, without any aid from the violence of riotous conspiracies. Yet, it has been remarked, with some degree of indignation, and as a reproach to the taste of the times, that the same Public which admired and encouraged horse-actors and German plays, amiable adultresses, benevolent highwaymen, and sentimental shoplifters, now flock, with equal pleasure, to see all these extravagancies burlesqued. Be it so-All we can infer from this is what might have, long ago, been concluded from similar premises, namely, that the Public is a very strange and unaccountable being, led by caprice, and in its pursuits various, unstable, and inconstant; untractable if opposed, but if permitted quietly to come to its senses, ready to retract its errors; and, as we now see, not reluctant to join very good-naturedly in the laugh against itself. Such, I think, is the Public; but let me not be mistaken-Jallude only, in this character, to that Public (we have more Publics than one in this country) which is in pursuit of amusement; and when we consider how little the lovers of amusement regard the means a comedy, a tragedy, a farce, an ass-race, a pig-race, &c.it will not, perhaps, appear very inconsistent that they should laugh to-day at what made them cry yesterday. All this apparent difference of feeling is prescribed by Fashion; and whether that despot (the Buonaparte of public places) shall enact floods of tears, or bursts of laughter, she is sure to be obeyed by a Public, which, although we can neither count it, nor measure it, will always be found large enough to fill our Theatres. I am, Sir, yours, FULTON FULTON TO THE KING OF ROME. [From the Morning Post, Aug. 1.] GREAT King, two years ago I wrote To Lord Marbois a civil note, Which he ne'er answer'd, like a bear; VOL. XV. } } useful ally in the Theatre itself. A kind of farcical parodies have been introduced, and horses, and German plays (which latter were always more absurd and more pernicious), are now in the right road to expulsion, by being fairly laughed off the stage, without any aid from the violence of riotous conspiracies, Yet, it has been remarked, with some degree of indignation, and as a reproach to the taste of the times, that the same Public which admired and encouraged horse-actors and German plays, amiable adultresses, benevolent highwaymen, and sentimental shoplifters, now flock, with equal pleasure, to see all these extravagancies burlesqued. Be it so-All we can infer from this is what might have, long ago, been concluded from similar premises, namely, that the Public is a very strange and unaccountable being, led by caprice, and in its pursuits various, unstable, and inconstant; untractable if opposed, but if permitted quietly to come to its senses, ready to retract its errors; and, as we now see, not reluctant to join very good-naturedly in the laugh against itself. Such, I think, is the Public; but let me not be mistaken- allude only, in this character, to that Public (we have more Publics than one in this country) which is in pursuit of amusement; and when we consider how little the lovers of amusement regard the means-a comedy, a tragedy, a farce, an ass-race, a pig-race, &c.it will not, perhaps, appear very inconsistent that they should laugh to-day at what made them cry yesterday. All this apparent difference of feeling is prescribed by Fashion; and whether that despot (the Buonaparte of public places) shall enact floods of tears, or bursts of laughter, she is sure to be obeyed by a Public, which, although we can neither count it, nor measure it, will always be found large enough to fill our Theatres. I am, Sir, yours, FULTON FULTON TO THE KING OF ROME. [From the Morning Post, Aug. 1.] GREAT King, two years ago I wrote Which he ne'er answer'd, like a bear; VOL. XV. } |