DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0082
64
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY.
I wrote it. This child is a wonderful being; his endow-
ments are great beyond conception, and I pronounce him
at present, or at least that he will soon be, one of the first
actors on the British stage.’ ”
With respect to the subsequent theatrical engagements
of Master Betty, it will be sufficient to state, that he has
played at Birmingham, at Sheffield, and at Liverpool,
with as much profit and reputation to himself, as advan-
tage to the managers.
On Saturday the first of December, he made his first
appearance at Covent Garden, and on the 10th of this
same month at Drury Lane. He has been introduced to
the King, the Prince of W’ales, and the first nobility, who
have all expressed uncommon admiration of his extraor-
dinary talents.
His reception at the age of only thirteen on the Lon-
don boards, has fully equalled the most sanguine expec-
tations of success. The applauses of the audience have
been such as were scarcely ever bestowed on any performer;
and every evening of his appearance all the avenues to
the theatres have been filled several hours before the
doors were opened. The consequence of this uncommon
solicitude to behold the wonderful boy was, that for a con-
siderable time the bold and impatient only were able to
obtain a sight of him.
With respect to his theatrical merits, the following
is the opinion given of them, by one of our best dramatic
critics on his performance.—His natural powers, his
voice, which is deep and mellow, and his feelings, which
are rapid and acute, are extraordinarily great. It is
likewise not less of a miracle, that he possesses a cor-
rect and powerful judgment, and above all an exquisite
taste; for we truly affirm that, on the scale of taste, he
committed not a single error.
The terms of Young Betty’s engagement at Covent
Garden
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM HENRY WEST BETTY.
I wrote it. This child is a wonderful being; his endow-
ments are great beyond conception, and I pronounce him
at present, or at least that he will soon be, one of the first
actors on the British stage.’ ”
With respect to the subsequent theatrical engagements
of Master Betty, it will be sufficient to state, that he has
played at Birmingham, at Sheffield, and at Liverpool,
with as much profit and reputation to himself, as advan-
tage to the managers.
On Saturday the first of December, he made his first
appearance at Covent Garden, and on the 10th of this
same month at Drury Lane. He has been introduced to
the King, the Prince of W’ales, and the first nobility, who
have all expressed uncommon admiration of his extraor-
dinary talents.
His reception at the age of only thirteen on the Lon-
don boards, has fully equalled the most sanguine expec-
tations of success. The applauses of the audience have
been such as were scarcely ever bestowed on any performer;
and every evening of his appearance all the avenues to
the theatres have been filled several hours before the
doors were opened. The consequence of this uncommon
solicitude to behold the wonderful boy was, that for a con-
siderable time the bold and impatient only were able to
obtain a sight of him.
With respect to his theatrical merits, the following
is the opinion given of them, by one of our best dramatic
critics on his performance.—His natural powers, his
voice, which is deep and mellow, and his feelings, which
are rapid and acute, are extraordinarily great. It is
likewise not less of a miracle, that he possesses a cor-
rect and powerful judgment, and above all an exquisite
taste; for we truly affirm that, on the scale of taste, he
committed not a single error.
The terms of Young Betty’s engagement at Covent
Garden