ustice have said, "So thanks to all at once"--but his utterance was
gone "_vox faucibus haesit_"--a hiss presently broke out in the pit, the
clamor soon became general, and the curtain went down, amid a universal
condemnation."

No part of biography is so interesting, or affecting as that which
brings before us the struggles of unassisted vigour and genius with the
obstructions which accident, or the ignorance or malice of vulgar souls
throw in their way, and their ultimate triumph over adversity. Few men
have enjoyed that triumph more than Mr. Cooper, for few have in their
outset met with a more mortifying repulse, or more discouraging
difficulties. There are not many whose resolution could have outlived
such a cruel discomfiture as that at Edinburgh: but on him it seemed to
have the happy effect of steeling his natural fortitude, and sending his
spirit forward in its career with increased impetuosity.

Disappointed and chagrined, but not humiliated, he returned back to
London, more determinately than ever resolved to persevere till he had
mastered fortune and established a footing on the stage--exhibiting a
degree of confidence which generally inheres in genius, and which his
ultimate success well justified. Far from being depressed or obscured by
his Edinburgh adventure, his talents had so much unfolded themselves and
been so visibly improved, that his friends Godwin and Holcroft felt
convinced he had not mistaken or overrated his powers; but, on the
contrary, possessed qualifications, which, if diligently and judiciously
cultivated, would raise him to a rank with the most eminent actors then
living. The great bar to his advancement was that diffidence which
occasioned his discomfiture in Edinburgh: but his friends knew enough of
the human heart and powers to be assured that that very diffidence is so
universally the concomitant of sterling merit, that where it
superabounds wise men give credit for much excellence, and bestow their
partiality with a liberal hand; while the want of it is generally
suspected of denoting a great deficiency in merit: and they were right;
for the young person who wants modesty wants every thing. Fraught with
these considerations, those discerning men and steady friends thought
that they would best consult their _protege's_ interest by putting him
into training in some obscure company, and took measures to introduce
him into a routine of acting in the country theatres, from which
novitiat