just as this was, it produced the desired effect; for when his
benefit was announced, very few seats were taken in the boxes. And here
we have to record a feature in that gentleman's character which marks
his honest pride and magnanimity in deep impression. The manager was
bound by his contract to make up to a certain stated amount, the
proceeds of Mr. C.'s benefit. To such an advantage Mr. C. disdained to
have recourse. At the same time his pride shrunk from the thoughts of
playing to empty boxes at his benefit. He resolved to have a full house,
and hit upon an expedient which showed that, young as he was, he knew
something of the human heart, and that, though a stranger, he had made a
very shrewd estimate of the public taste, for which he had the skill to
cater more appropriately and successfully than he could by merely
dishing up a play of Shakspeare's in his own rough cookery. Fortunately
for his purpose there had lately arrived in Philadelphia an actor of
great weight and merit, a native of India, of whose immense and popular
talents he resolved to avail himself; this was an elephant, which for
the trifling _douceur_ of sixty dollars, that is, near twice as much as
the best actor in the city now gets for one week's labour, he prevailed
upon to _press the boards_ of the theatre for that one time only, and be
the chief performer and great attraction of the night. This was what a
seaman would call hitting the public between wind and water: Mr. Cooper
therefore poured in a whole broadside of printed notices, which were put
into every hand, and a huge playbill, which glared at the corner of
every street in letters of elephantine size, informing the public that
the distinguished performer already mentioned, had kindly consented to
act a principal part in the entertainment of the evening. No sooner was
this announced than the whole city was in one hubbub of curiosity--one
twitter of delight; and Mr. Cooper had so many _friends_ who were all at
once intent upon giving him their dollar at his benefit, that the house
was crammed, and there was as great an overflow from every part of it as
if the renowned master Betty himself were to have occupied the place of
the elephant.

Very different was Mr. Cooper's reception at New-York, whither he went
when the theatre of Philadelphia closed for the season. On his very
first appearance he established himself in the public opinion as a first
rate actor. The New-York stage might about t