The social duties being discharged, the conversation took a general
turn, and several new productions were freely criticised; those
especially which belonged to authors who were either unconnected with,
or unknown to the college. Nor did the profession of stage-playing
escape the cognizance of the assembly; a deputation of the most
judicious members being sent weekly to each theatre, with a view of
making remarks upon the performance of the actors. The censors for the
preceding week were accordingly called upon to give in their report; and
the play which they had reviewed was "the Revenge."

"Mr. Q--," said the second censor, "take him all in all, is certainly
the most complete and unblemished performer that ever appeared on our
stage, notwithstanding the blind adoration which is paid to his rival.
I went two nights ago, with an express design to criticise his action. I
could find no room for censure, but infinite subject for admiration
and applause. In Pierre he is great, in Othello excellent, but in Zanga
beyond all imitation. Over and above the distinctness of pronunciation,
the dignity of attitude, and expression of face, his gestures are so
just and significant, that a man, though utterly bereft of the sense of
hearing, might, by seeing him only, understand the meaning of every word
he speaks! Sure nothing can be more exquisite than his manner of telling
Isabella how Alonzo behaved, when he found the incendiary letter
which he had dropped by the Moor's direction; and when, to crown his
vengeance, he discovers himself to be the contriver of all the mischief
that had happened, he manifests a perfect masterpiece of action, in
pronouncing these four little monosyllables, 'Know, then, 'twas--I.'"

Peregrine having eyed the critic some minutes, "I fancy," said he,
"your praise must be ironical, because, in the very two situations you
mention, I think I have seen that player outherod Herod, or, in other
words, exceed all his other extravagances. The intention of the author
is, that the Moor should communicate to his confidant a piece of
information contained in a few lines, which, doubtless, ought to
be repeated with an air of eagerness and satisfaction, not with the
ridiculous grimace of a monkey, to which, methought, his action bore an
intimate resemblance, in uttering this plain sentence:--

----He took it up:
But scarce was it unfolded to his sight,
When he, as if an arrow pierc'd his eye,
S