DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0080
62
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY.
Betty had ever seen. It would be natural to suppose,
that the fancy of a child would receive most delight
from the splendid scenery of the piece; his imagination,
however, was struck with the dignified and impressive
manner of the actress. Her recitation, and the majesty
of her deportment, left behind an impression which could
not be erased from his mind, and on his return home the
character of Elvira, and the attractions of the drama, were
the sole subjects of all his conversation.
He now employed himself in committing to memory
the speeches of Elvira, which he recited in imitation of
Mrs. Siddons; and having excited the attention and ad-
miration of his parents and friends, by these juvenile
and spontaneous efforts, his predilection for a theatrical
life was strengthened to such a degree, that he one day
said to his father with great emphasis, “ I shall die, if
you do not permit me to be a player.”
This disposition continued with increased ardour, and
manifested itself so strongly, that after some time Mr.
Betty introduced his son to Mr. Atkins, the manager of
the theatre at Belfast. Having received some prepara-
tory instructions from Mr. Hough the prompter, he per-
fected himself when scarcely eleven years of age in the
parts of Osman, Rolla, Douglas, and several other first-
rate characters.
On the 16th of August 1803, he was announced for
the part of Osman in the tragedy of Zara, which he
performed with universal admiration and applause. His
next appearance was in the character of Young Norval,
which, together with his next performance of Rolla, es-
tablished his reputation, and he concluded his first en-
gagement with the part of Romeo.
He was then engaged by Mr. Jones of the Dublin
theatre for nine nights. The fame which he had ac-
quired at Belfast preceded him, and he every night per-
formed
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY.
Betty had ever seen. It would be natural to suppose,
that the fancy of a child would receive most delight
from the splendid scenery of the piece; his imagination,
however, was struck with the dignified and impressive
manner of the actress. Her recitation, and the majesty
of her deportment, left behind an impression which could
not be erased from his mind, and on his return home the
character of Elvira, and the attractions of the drama, were
the sole subjects of all his conversation.
He now employed himself in committing to memory
the speeches of Elvira, which he recited in imitation of
Mrs. Siddons; and having excited the attention and ad-
miration of his parents and friends, by these juvenile
and spontaneous efforts, his predilection for a theatrical
life was strengthened to such a degree, that he one day
said to his father with great emphasis, “ I shall die, if
you do not permit me to be a player.”
This disposition continued with increased ardour, and
manifested itself so strongly, that after some time Mr.
Betty introduced his son to Mr. Atkins, the manager of
the theatre at Belfast. Having received some prepara-
tory instructions from Mr. Hough the prompter, he per-
fected himself when scarcely eleven years of age in the
parts of Osman, Rolla, Douglas, and several other first-
rate characters.
On the 16th of August 1803, he was announced for
the part of Osman in the tragedy of Zara, which he
performed with universal admiration and applause. His
next appearance was in the character of Young Norval,
which, together with his next performance of Rolla, es-
tablished his reputation, and he concluded his first en-
gagement with the part of Romeo.
He was then engaged by Mr. Jones of the Dublin
theatre for nine nights. The fame which he had ac-
quired at Belfast preceded him, and he every night per-
formed