DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0015
ROBERT COATES, ESQ.
3
whom we soon after frequently met, volunteering a recita-
tion, or discussing loudly and long on the arts in a picture-
gallery.
There is one great and good quality in Mr. Coates; which
is, that every attempt that has been made to induce him to
gamble, be has treated with contempt: he says, “ I have
enough, and I mean to spend it myself.” An excellent
example for many of our young nobles, who might in that
case feel, in preserving their estates from a set of sharpers,
as much pleasure as Mr. Coates does in being laughed at; for
however eccentric he is in his manner, he takes care not to
injure his fortune. There is no man on record that has caused
so much mirth on the stage, as well as off, since he has in-
dulged the public with his skill. And it is impossible any
one can condemn him for the parts he has undertaken, when
it is recollected he entered on the task, In the first place, to
“ please the ladiesand in the next place, he has at times
performed to overflowing houses, for the benefit of poor
individuals. His first attempt was on February 9th, 1810,
at Bath, in the character of Romeo, where he met with
much success, and gave universal satisfaction. He after-
wards performed at Cheltenham ; but the critics no more
pleased him than he did them; and we next find him at
Richmond theatre, under the management of Mr. Beverley,
at whose request he performed Romeo and Lothario, to
such houses that seldom collect together, unless for the
purpose of witnessing the performance of some high thea-
trical character. His performance seems here to begin to
unfold itself in its true colours, and from this time we may
reckon his theatrical celebrity. We shall follow him in his
theatrical career, and give an account of his performance,
in regular succession, as reported in the papers of the day;
and if it shall appear that the plaudits he met with, were
to ridicule, instead of encouraging his pursuits, his endea-
vours being honest, he surely deserved a better fate; for
b 2
3
whom we soon after frequently met, volunteering a recita-
tion, or discussing loudly and long on the arts in a picture-
gallery.
There is one great and good quality in Mr. Coates; which
is, that every attempt that has been made to induce him to
gamble, be has treated with contempt: he says, “ I have
enough, and I mean to spend it myself.” An excellent
example for many of our young nobles, who might in that
case feel, in preserving their estates from a set of sharpers,
as much pleasure as Mr. Coates does in being laughed at; for
however eccentric he is in his manner, he takes care not to
injure his fortune. There is no man on record that has caused
so much mirth on the stage, as well as off, since he has in-
dulged the public with his skill. And it is impossible any
one can condemn him for the parts he has undertaken, when
it is recollected he entered on the task, In the first place, to
“ please the ladiesand in the next place, he has at times
performed to overflowing houses, for the benefit of poor
individuals. His first attempt was on February 9th, 1810,
at Bath, in the character of Romeo, where he met with
much success, and gave universal satisfaction. He after-
wards performed at Cheltenham ; but the critics no more
pleased him than he did them; and we next find him at
Richmond theatre, under the management of Mr. Beverley,
at whose request he performed Romeo and Lothario, to
such houses that seldom collect together, unless for the
purpose of witnessing the performance of some high thea-
trical character. His performance seems here to begin to
unfold itself in its true colours, and from this time we may
reckon his theatrical celebrity. We shall follow him in his
theatrical career, and give an account of his performance,
in regular succession, as reported in the papers of the day;
and if it shall appear that the plaudits he met with, were
to ridicule, instead of encouraging his pursuits, his endea-
vours being honest, he surely deserved a better fate; for
b 2