In a small 8vo. volume before me, entitled _The History of the Stage: in
which is included the Theatrical Characters of the most celebrated Actors
who have adorned the Theatre, &c.; with the Theatrical Life of Mr. Colly
Cibber_ (Lond. 1742), I notice a very remarkable similarity of thought and
expression between its author and the late Thomas Campbell. The dramatic
author writes thus:
"But with whatever strength of nature we see the poet show at once the
philosopher and the hero, yet the image of the actor's excellence will
still be imperfect to you, unless language could put colours into words
to paint the voice with.
"The most that a Vandyke can arrive at is to make his portraits of
great persons seem to think; a Shakspeare goes farther yet, and tells
you what his picture thought; a Betterton steps beyond them both, and
calls them from the grave to breathe and be themselves again, in
feature, speech, and motion. When the skilful actor shows you all these
powers at once united, and gratifies at once your eye, your ear, your
understanding,--to conceive the pleasure arising from such harmony you
must have been present at it; 'tis not to be told you."
Now compare this passage with the following lines from Mr. Campbell's
"Valedictory Stanzas to J. P. Kemble, Esq.," composed for a public meeting
held June, 1817:
"His was the spell o'er hearts
Which only acting lends,
The youngest of the Sister Arts,
Where all their beauty blends:
For ill can Poetry express
Full many a tone of thought sublime;
And Painting, mute and motionless,
Steals but a glance of time.
But by the mighty actor brought,
Illusion's perfect triumphs come,--
Verse ceases to be airy thought,
And Sculpture to be dumb."