The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Hazlitt, William
General
The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)
Hazlitt, William
English essays -- 19th century
conclusion, where he describes the tortures he is about to undergo, and
expresses his contempt for them. Certainly, the predominant feeling here
is that of stern, collected, impenetrable fortitude, and the expression
given to it should not be that of a pantomimic exaggeration of the
physical horrors to which he professes to rise superior. The mind in
such a situation recoils upon itself, summons up its own powers and
resources, and should seem to await the blow of fate with the stillness
of death. The scene in which he discloses himself to Alonzo, and insults
over his misery, was terrific: the attitude in which he tramples on the
body of his prostrate victim, was not the less dreadful from its being
perfectly beautiful. Among the finest instances of natural expression,
were the manner in which he interrupts himself in his relation to
Alonzo, ‘I knew you could not bear it,’ and his reflection when he sees
that Alonzo is dead—‘And so is my revenge.’ The play should end here:
the soliloquy afterwards is a mere drawling piece of common-place
morality. We ought to add, that Mr. Rae acted the part of Alonzo with
great force and feeling.
Mr. Kean’s Abel Drugger was an exquisite piece of ludicrous _naiveté_.
The first word he utters, ‘_Sure_,’ drew bursts of laughter and
applause. The mixture of simplicity and cunning in the character could
not be given with a more whimsical effect. First, there was the wonder
of the poor Tobacconist, when he is told by the Conjurer that his name
is Abel, and that he was born on a Wednesday; then the conflict between
his apprehensions and his cupidity, as he becomes more convinced that
Subtle is a person who has dealings with the devil; and lastly, his
contrivances to get all the information he can, without paying for it.
His distress is at the height, when the two-guinea pocket-piece is found
upon him: ‘He had received it from his grandmother, and would fain save
it for his grand-children.’ The battle between him and Face (Oxberry)
was irresistible; and he went off after he had got well through it,
strutting, and fluttering his cloak about, much in the same manner that
a game cock flaps his wings after a victory. We wish he would do it
again!
MR. BANNISTER’S FAREWELL
_The Examiner._
_June 4, 1815._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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