The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-31 00:00:00

Drury Lane Theatre.

" The Fool's Revenge," which achieved a well
deserved success when brought out at Sadler's-wells
during the later days of Mr. Phelps's management,
was produced at this theatre last evening. It will
be remembered that the scene is laid in Faenza, in
the 15th century, and that the conduct of the plot,
which is cunningly devised, is chiefly in the hands
of the principal personage, a misshapen notary, a
man of keen wit and ready resource, who, in con-
sequence of his wife having been stolen from him
by a profligate noble, assumes the semblance of folly
and puts " an antic disposition on," that he may
the more effectually carry out the object to which
he henceforth dedicates his life—revenge. He misses
his purpose, however, for in his wild eagerness for
vengeance he manages to hunt into the toils, not
his enemy's wife—whom he has vowed to destroy—
but his own daughter, the idol of his heart, who is
with difficulty rescued from utter destruction. In
this abortive result of all his crafty machinations
the moral of - the play that revenge is the attribute
of Heaven, and should not be usurped by man, is
strikingly pointed. The part of Bertuccio was
written expressly for Mr. Phelps, who has posses-
sion of it in a more absolute sense than commonly
falls to the lot of actors ; for not only may he be
said to have " created" it in the histrionic accepta-
tion of the word, but we believe we are correct in
stating that he is the only. performer who has ever
played it. Bold, vigorous, and original in concep-
tion, and highly finished in execution, it is un-
doubtedly one of his best performances. He acts it
with equal spirit and judgment, and never suffers
the interest of the story to decline. He is effectively
supported by Mrs. Herman Vezin as the daughter
Fiordelisa, the part next in importance to Bertuccio.
The reproduction of the play was a complete suc-
cess.

" Comus" is to be produced on Easter Monday
in a style of unequalled splendour.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean.

(From the Jamaica Gleaner of March. 10.)

The mail for England, by which our present issue will
go, will convey the intelligence that Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Kean are in this island, and it will doubtless create some
sensation among their legion of friends and admirers, who
think Jamaica synonymous with yellow-fever, poverty,
and want of appreciation. But the bane and the antidote
must go together. It must be truly reported that these far-
famed artistes have met a warm and hearty reception here ;
that their extraordinary talent has not been " wasted on
the desert air," and that they have travelled about in our
tropical climate, drinking in the natural beauties so lavishly
bestowed on our Isle of Springs, and are none the worse
in health or pocket or exuberance of spirits.
Our people certainly feel that the great Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Kean have done an honour to the island by their
visit, and they came out nobly at the two entertainments
given at the Court House—flocking with intense avidity,
paying half-a-guinea a ticket (a price higher than ever be-
fore realised for any amusement here) ; enthusiastic in
their applause, and speaking in a delirium of delight to
evince their gratification, at the great literary treat afforded
them.

His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Eyre, Colonel
Dixon, V. C., Commanding the Forces, Adjut.-Gen. Nel-
son, his Honour the Custos, several members of the Legi-
slative and Privy Councils, members of Assembly, clergy-
men, and our leading citizens graced the City Hall on these
occasions, and have recognised the dramatic excellence for
which these greatest of living artistes are famed in every
quarter of the globe in which their tongue is understood.

But the crowning point of all has been the effect pro-
duced by the grace and consideration shown by Mr. and
Mrs. Kean, in yielding to the requisition of the hundreds,
who, not able to afford the high price of 10s. 6d. for them-
selves and family, but yet, having a cultivated taste and
literary fire still glowing in their breasts, solicited, through
the medium of the press, and by application to Mr. De-
Cordova, the business agent of Mr. Kean for this Island, a
farewell entertainment at the theatre, at prices within their
range.
This great event came off last evening ; the theatre was
filled to overflowing ; the excitement was intense ; and the
entertainment must be chronicled as an immense success in
every particular.
It would be impertinence on our part to attempt to criti-
cise the readings and recitations given on the occasions
mentioned, and it would be equally a work of supereroga-
tion for us to attempt to add to the innumerable laurels
bestowed upon these distinguished individuals by the proud
standard of the London and general British Press. It is
enough for us to say, for our own credit, that the people of
Jamaica have not been insensible to the perfect and finished
elocution of Mr. Charles Kean, to the dramatic power
which he possesses of completely riveting the attention
and inspiring the soul with all the passions he interprets,
or to the sweet voice, the expressive countenance, the
charming simplicity, and effective elocution of Mrs. Charles
Kean.

But while we refrain from criticism, particularly on the
Shakspereian parts of the entertainments, we may be al-
lowed to offer a few remarks on the effect produced by
some of the recitations.

" The Execution of Montrose," by Professor Aytoun,
created the most profound impression upon the audience.

It w not the mere production of a magnificent poem with
a rhetorical effect, but it was the blazing eloquence of one
who, having beheld scenes which made the Cameronian
blood to curdle, was recounting to his grandchildren,
"How the great Marquis died."

Nothing could have been more stirring, nothing more
powerfully eloquent, than the address of the old chieftain
to the youthful "Evan Cameron."
" I charge thee, boy, if e'er thou meet
With one of Assynt's name—
Be it upon the mountain's side,
Or yet within the glen,
Stand he in martial gear alone
Or, backed by armed men—
Face him as thou would face the man
Who wronged thy Sire's renown •,
Remember of what blood thou art,
And strike the caitiff down !"
This was listened too with a breathless emotion, and
may be said to have been delivered with true '• Saxon
Eloquence." It was reality itself ! and at its close, as the
"caitiff" was supposed to have fallen beneath the Camero-
nian blade, there was an evident relief, as the long drawn
sigh of satisfaction was gradually converted into a loud and
prolonged applause.
Lord Macaulay's "Horatius Cocles"—an effective, brave
and inspiring legend, was a strange contrast with the High-
land Tragedy of "Montrose," but its production was no
less powerful upon the audience, who listened to the hero-
ism of the " undaunted three" who kept the bridge against
a "fearful odds," with a breathless excitement.
Mrs. Kean's rendering of Wordsworth's "We are
Seven" was as chaste as it was affecting, and no less re-
markable was the reading of Longfellow's "Rain in Sum-
mer," and "A Psalm of Life." There was a grandness in
her expression which helped to the intuitive understanding
of these beautiful poems.
Aytoun's " Edinburgh after Flodden" was sublimely
grand; it was delivered by Mr. Kean with the enthusiasm
of one taking an active part in the bewilderment of the
astonished city on the "news of battle." Nothing was so
striking, perhaps, as the variety of characi:er which was
most naturally assumed throughout the piece.
" The Old Man's Story" did not fail to produce an effect.
It is a touching poem, and in the hands of Mr. Kean every
line was made to tell.
In a day or two these great artistes will be leaving us.
May the blessing of Heaven follow them wherever they
go ! They have given us a season of enjoyment which
can never be forgotten.
BuWt bitihttewrhinoradeewdeifsotrheevseorrrcoowuldthdawt
flows,
When " 'Tis hard to be parted from those
When perhaps we are saying for ever—farewell."

TEA, COFFEE, AND QUININE CULTIVATION IN
INDIA.—Tea plants are now thriving in Assam, in India,
over a tract of 35,000 square miles, capable of producing
900,000,0001b5. of tea a-year. In Mysore there are now
upwards of 4.000 native coffee planters, and in the Neil-
away hills 150 cinchona., or quinine producing plants, are
growing.