John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

11. VI: Attended Church at the Capitol and heard Mr Ryland— His text was from Matthew XIII.45.46—“Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls—who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” The pearl of great price was of course the theme, and the preacher expatiated upon it, in his usual manner— After Church I paid a visit to the Judges of the Supreme Court at their lodgings, but I only saw Chief Justice Marshall, and judge Todd, the others not being at home— I likewise called at the lodgings of Messrs Hopkinson and Webster, without finding them— We had a small party, consisting of C. J. Ingersoll—N. Biddle, J. Sergeant and W. S. Smith to dine with us; and much conversation upon the merits of Kean the English tragedian, who is now performing at Philadelphia— He is the popular favourite of the day in England; but he is of that Class of Actors, described by Hamlet, as tearing a Passion to tatters. His vice is exaggeration, and it is the vice of almost all the Literature of the Age— I have never seen upon the English Stage a male performer of the highest order—none to compare with what I conceive Garrick to have been. None to compare with what I have seen performed by Mrs Siddons, Mrs Jordan, and Miss Farren in female parts. I have seen no more powerful actor than Kean in England, yet in his delineations of character, I cannot divest myself of the impression produced by the likeness of a caricature— He is a mannerist, and there is consequently great opposition of opinion upon his style of acting—those who like it, are enthusiastic in their 515admiration; those who dislike it, are disgusted with the actor— There is no neutrality concerning him, but however questionable his talents may otherwise be, there is no doubt that he has that of drawing crowded houses— Kean arrived from England last November at New-York, where he performed several times, and is now going through an engagement at Philadelphia— We had also some talk upon the business now before Congress— The House of Representatives after rejecting various propositions concerning the admission of Missouri, at last on the motion of Mr Clay, appointed a Committee of thirteen members to consider and report upon the Resolution passed by the Senate, for her admission— This Committee yesterday reported the Resolution from the Senate with an Amendment— Mr Clay also brought forward yesterday a new proposition concerning South-America—a declaration that the House take a deep interest in the success of the Independent Cause, and will support the President whenever he shall think proper to recognize the Independence of any of the South-American Provinces— This Resolution he carried— And it was ingeniously adapted to its only object, which was that of covering his defeat of the preceding day.