I made my _debut_ professionally in the capital upon the 12th of
February. The theatre here was a most miserable-looking place, the worst
I met with in the country, ill-situated and difficult of access; but it
was filled nightly by a very delightful audience; and nothing could be
more pleasant than to witness the perfect _abandon_ with which the
gravest of the senate laughed over the diplomacy of the "Irish
Ambassador." They found allusions and adopted sayings applicable to a
crisis when party feelings were carried to extremity. The elaborate
display of eloquence with which Sir Patrick seeks to _bother_ the
Spanish envoy was quoted as the very model of a speech for a
non-committal orator, and recommended for the study of several gentlemen
who were considered as aiming at this convenient position, very much to
their amusement.
The pieces were ill mounted, and the company unworthy the capital, with
the exception of two very pretty and very clever native actresses,
Mesdames Willis and Chapman. The latter I had the satisfaction of
seeing soon after transferred to New York, in which city she became a
monstrous favourite, both in tragedy and comedy: a very great triumph
for Mrs. Chapman--for she succeeded Miss F. Kemble in some of her best
parts, and an excellent comic actress, a Mrs. Sharpe--acting on the same
night Julia in "The Hunchback," and the Queen of Hearts in "High, Low,
Jack, and Game," with a cleverness which rarely accompanies such
versatility.
I have much pleasure in offering this just tribute to a very amiable
person, who has, since my departure from the States, quitted the stage,
on which, had she been fortunately situated, she would have had very few
superiors.
I wonder there are not many more native actresses, since, I am sure,
there is a great deal of latent talent in society here both for opera
and the drama: the girls, too, are generally well educated; are pretty,
have much expression, a naturally easy carriage, and great imitative
powers. The latter talent is singularly common amongst them; and I have
met, not one, but many young women, who would imitate the peculiarities
of any actress or actor just then before the public with an accuracy
and humour quite remarkable.
I acted here seven nights on this occasion, and visited the city again
in May, when I passed three or four weeks most agreeably. I had the
pleasure, too, during this last visit, of seeing the plans for a theatre
worthy the audience, and which, I trust, has by this time been happily
erected, as the greatest part of the fund needed was readily subscribed
for; and the attempt can hardly fail amongst a people so decidedly
theatrical, and who are, besides, really in absolute want of public
amusements for the number of stray men turned loose here during the
session, many of whom are without other home than the bar-room of an
inn, or better means of keeping off _ennui_ than gin-sling or the
gaming-table.
I shall now throw together in this place the result of my "Impressions"
as received during my separate visits.
The scenery in the neighbourhood is naturally as beautiful and varied as
woods, rocks, and rivers, in all their most charming features, can
combinedly render it. One of the finest of many noble prospects is, in
my mind, that from the heights just over George Town. From this point
the vast amphitheatre of city, valley, and river may be embraced at a
glance, or followed out in detail, as time or inclination prompts.
Following the windings of the majestic Potomac below the bridge,--which,
viewed from this elevation, looks like a couple of cables drawn across
its channel,--the town of Alexandria is clearly seen: away, on the other
side, Fort Washington may be made out; and, opposite to this, the
ever-hallowed, Mount Vernon is visible; a glimpse in itself worthy a
pilgrimage to every lover of that rare combination--virtue and true
patriotism!
Turning from this direction, and setting your face towards the Capitol,
you perceive extended in dotted lines, the thinly-furnished streets of
the city: viewed from here, the meagre supply of buildings in proportion
to its extent is made obvious; each separate house may be traced out;
and, in their irregular and detached appearance, all design becomes
confounded. It seemed to me as though some frolicsome fairy architect,
whilst taking a flight with a sieveful of pretty houses, had suddenly
betaken her to riddling them over this attractive site as she circled
over the valley in her airy car.
One of my most favourite rides was to a secluded spot in this
neighbourhood, of which I shall attempt some description, since I would,
in the very fulness of my heart's charity, induce all succeeding
wayfarers to visit it.