The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-06 00:00:00

DRAMATIS PERSON-V..

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Thichers . Mr. Tenter.
Namll . . Mr. Tnom rgov.
Pam,' . Mr. Alt StSTRONO.
CitahilDie • • 3lr. Wattaex.
'Actin . Mr. 3IEDICER.
Young Novell . Mr. Ptsrter.
Braront • - Mr. MACREADT.
Beaumont . Mr. A itcwen.
t haunt - Mr. Von >Jae.
Liladsm . . Mr. 'Diem st
Artier . Mr. Coven.
Boned - Mr. FEN, TOX.
Natalie? • - Mr. PcuillaTEAD.
Ist Creditor . - Mr. W EIIaTER.
2d Creditor - Mr. Power.
Priest - Mr. How Etc.
Young Notall's Servant . - - Mr. Hoene.
Besumelle . Mrs. WEST.
Bellapert • Mrs.Onolift.
Floriniel - 3lisstimiTitsosr.
Old Marshal Charoloie having opposed the fors of Burgundy,
till the resources furnished by the Slate were exhausted. borrows two
hundred thousand crowns. and appropriates them to the service of
the Starr. The war ended, lie returns to his home. but the Republic
trfuse to redeem his debt, and therefore for this he is thrown into pri-
son by his creditors, where, heart-broken, he dies. Ily his death his
creditors are defeated of their money • for which loss they are entitled
to detain his body in a continued duress, and lay claim to stay it
from all tight of aepalture, till they are paid. It is at the period
of time, when thew soft-hearted men, that know full wisely, then
are only good men who pay what they owe,' are going to the Coon
of Justice to claim their rigid right that the play opens. Charo-
lois, ;he son of the dead Marshal, to...tido:as in vain that in this in-
stance the law may he reversed; thin President, Old Novall. a oar.
Sept and passion.ntled Judge, et:forms the stern decree of the law,
and Chamlois, rather than his father's dust ' should want a place
in that fair monument in which their noble ancestors lie entombed,'
offers himself a prisoner for it. This is accepted, and Charolois
aril his friend Roniont go to the prison gates, the former to purr
chase with his freedman the body of his father, the latter to consign
it to :he tomb. Rut Itoelifort, an old retired President, who had
witsrlsed the conduct of Charolois while in the Court, determines
to d sclir,re the Marshal's debts, and to marry the son to his oily
daughter, licausuelle. For this purpose he interrupts the funeral,
and declaring his purpose, preserves the liberty of Chamblee. The
(mural procession then moves on. The marriage being sup.
pood to be conautomated, the next net introduces to us Young
Novall. son of the President, and who had already gained upon
the heart of the gay aril fair Beatinielle, who married, it
seems, out of pure obedience to her sire. This young
Novall is subsequently seen by Romont, holding ford dalliance
with the youthful bride. Itomont, feeling jealous for the honour
id his friend, interrupts the loving pair, and, like a true rough
soldier, insults them both,—the gallant by his contempt, —the lady
by him counsel. These afterwards laugh and jeer at him, so
that his hot blood prompts him to draii, upon which Charolois
enters, and demands the cause. Left by themselves, Itninont first
trades the question; but Charolois importuning hint to tell the cause,
at length makes hint exclaitn—" I will die first—farewell, condi:tie
happy, and high "leaven keg lour &fr. chaste." These words serve
but to inflame his friend the more, and lie is finally induced to ex-
plain what lie had seen. Charolois laughs at him, and says there
no drain of manhood to suspect on such thin airy circumstance as
this, and the result is. they quarrel and separate. Meantime
Young Notall writes, and obtains the consent of Beautnelle to
leave Dijon together, and an assignation is made in the garden.
The letter falls into Charolois' hatch. he goes to the place
appointed, and there, when lie hears the guilty ones Rains:melt.
Mg, he rushes forward with his drawn sword, and the cumin falls.
The last scene opens to tis a church-yard, at night. Lights are seen
through the stained windows of the eatlicaral. Monks hoard
(-haunting a mass to old Charolois. A monument covered with
black cloth. Charolois discovered kneeling before it. Roronnt
comes to pay his last tribute at his old Ileiteral's grave. inter:din
to leave Dijon with the first light, never again to meet with Charm
lois. Ile hears a moan, and Charolois makes himself known.
Romped is about to leave him, when the former presems to bins
his hand stained with blood. Ranont then swears to stand by him
to the hat, without itquiring the cause. Rochfort enters,
been sent for by Cherolois, who briefly reveals to him that his
daughter is a vile adultress. The old Mali denounces that site
must die. Charolois talus tiff the black cloth from his holler's
grave and discovers the deal body of Reaumille upon it. Melt.
fort dies with grief. Old Naval' enters, arid demands his san.
Charolois declares he has slain hint ; and then. slot to die the
death of a criminal, he stabs himself, and the curtain falls, Rumont
weeping over the lolly of his friend.
Here the reader will see are some good materials for genius
to work on, and flied we add, at this time of day, that all
that could be desired has been effected. It is a proud thing
to feel that the present riAe knows how to appreciate the
deathless works of the poets of olden time, and glad arc we
to find that managers, too, know how to estimate the taste
and discernment of the public. In the dearth of living
dramatic genius we have ever felt that this truth must come
home to them at last. It could not be that, while intellect
with gigantic stride bail ranged over the whole continent
of science and art, the imperishable r: mains of our earlin r
berth 'lmola remain closed from the sight of all save those
who, in the luxury of the closet, enjoyed their rich store of
dramatic tnttis end poetic passer. We congratulate, there-
fern, the public and the malingers too, on this successful
revival. Of the acting we have now scarcely room to
speak, and as the play will be again performed on Friday,
we shall reserve a inure minute criticism till then. Mac-
ready was most powerfully effective in many parts, but to
wane of his readings we shall have to object unless he al-
ters them before the next representation. IVatrick received
and deserved considerable applause. His conception of the
dander was perfect,and his reading ;mistakably correct and
pure. Mr. Terry failed in the latter part of the play, and his
memory was inn. t villainous in several instances. We beg
him to amend this—fur no words that he can supply (and
he did many last night), can compensate ferr those of the
author; and he should omit the words, " Come, come,"
which he is perpetually repeating. The Bet/erne/le of Mrs.
West could be touch better if that lady pleased. More
pia:dulness and buoyancy of temperament should be
thrown into the character. Penley was merely ridiculous,
and so was his part, and tlrerefore he could not help it.
The other characters were very decently stuitained. The
house was crowded to an overflow, and the applause was
incessant throughout.
Mr. Macready, after the plaudits of' several minutes had
su'isided, spoke the following prologue in a much better
la:inner than such lines deserved
WRITTEN WV a. a. DOURNE. esti.
This night the ]lose rpm our modem stage
Prcsenu the poet of an elder age.—
tDa ! had he song in these our chaster days.
And sought from your applause his meets of praise,
Nabing, that should not be, would then have been,
Pure every strain, ontarnishati every seem:
Nor we, us now, had laboured to remove
Thought*, that your nicer taste could never approve;
'Weeds, that cotill give the modest car titivate,
seal a blush hum virgin innocence.
though eraser! the stark, disfiguring stains,
Though purged tie &tort, the precious ore remaina :
li—stilt m left what well ntay hope to please,
The nervous diction, the harmonious east,
The patriot zeal, the passion's tender glow,
And all the power of art without the show.
'The di.mt,md thus eti.hettiled lies in sand,
AVaiting the touch of some in.lustriuus
Till, cleared the duller particles away,
The gent shines forth with undiminished ray.
Nor dimly blazoned in the scroll of fame,
'3I J tricient bards. appeared our poet's name.
Ills worth full well ai!tairing :Milton knew,
And front his cr, stal waters largely drew ;
To that sweet fount vim would not wish to turn,
At sides immortal !tidings filled his urn
Then let not Rowe's Fair Penitent—a tale
Drawn feebly front owe great Origins],
With laboured phase and specious eloquence.
Usurp the place of Nature, Truth, and Sour;
If but the oupy can applause command,
approve the earlier and die master band :
True taste at once art] 31 aninger restore.
" Ar.d rite the Stage one classic Oran ansore•.".
• Byron.