The Sun.
London, England, 1834-12-11 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER PLAYS.

The Eunuchus of Terence was repeated at the Westminster
School last evening, and with a degree of success which does
great credit both to the masters and scholars. Previous to
the commencement of the play Master Vernon came forward.
and delivered a prologue, remarkable not only for its ei:egan t
latinity, but for the good taste and judgment '1
-is-played in
describing an event which has not been reg.,-
etted more by the
inhabitants of Westminster than by titie whole community—
the destruction of the two Hoi:ses of Parliament. Since the
performance of last year, be said, a grievous calamity (neva
calamitas) had befallen the country. In the neighbourhood of
the place where they pursued their studies a fire had reduced
to ashes those two Houses, so celebrated for the Acts which
they had passed, for the eloquence displayed by the Members,
and for the renown which they had acquired in every part of
the civilized world by their debates and decisions. Whilst
the destruction of two places so much revered by the country
caused universal regret, it was a matter of great consolation
that that Hall, so long dedicated to justice, and rendered
sacred by the important trials of which it had been the scene,
was preserved entire. And if there could be a greater con-
solation, it was the reflection that another edifice, rendered
sacred by religious rites--by the Coronation of so many
Sovereigns, and by the ashes of many Kings, and the most
illustrious of Britain's sons, had been saved from the ravages
of the devouring fire. They felt also grateful that their seat
of learning had been spared, and that the institution, which
had been protected and fostered by one of the greatest of
Queens and Sovereigns, was still cherished and supported by
our gracious Sovereign, who had even, in the midst of the
domestic calamity which had befallen him, expressed his
anxious wish for its prosperity, and his desire to render it that
protection which it so well deserved. The prologue was very
well delivered, and had, as might have been expected, a
unanimous encore.

The play then commenced, and was acted throughout with
much spirit. It is only fair to say, that on no former occasion
have we seen more justice done to any .of Terence's plays.
Master Lennard (Pythias), perhaps, deserves the most praise
for the ease with which he represented that character, and the
spirit, vivacity, and unconstrained humour with which he
sustained it throughout.. Master Stedman _also represented
the servant, Parmeno, with good effect ; and Master Vernon,
as the parasite Gnatho, was still better. His acting, though
occasionally a little overstrained, was judicious • his pronoun-
ciation distinct and correct. He was particularly happy in the
following passage, which, not only for the knowledge of hu-
man nature which is displays, but for the way in which it was
delivered, met with loud and continued applause :
" Dum luec loquirnur, interea loci ad macellum übi advenimus,
Concurruni lmti nil obviam cupedinarii omnes,
Cetarii, lanii, coqui, fartores, piscatores, aucupes,
Quibus, et re salva et perdita profueram et prosum sape
Salutant : ad ccenam vocant : adventum gratulantur.
Ele übi miser, famelicus, videt me esse tanto honore,
Et tam facile victum quterere ; ibi homo ccepit me obsecrare,
Ut sibi liceret discere id de me, sectari jussi,
Si potest est ; tanquam philosophorum habent disciplinte es ipsis
Vocabula, parasiti itidem ut Gnathonici vocentur."
An epilogue, in the shape of a farce, followed, in which
Gnatho boasted of the wealth which he had acquired by his
trade, was robbed of bis money by the cooks and scullions who
had formerly courted him ; and finally, to preserve his cha-
racter of consistency, joined and courted those people, low as
they were, when he found it for his interest. The epilogue
was the least successful part of the performance ; but, even
such as it was the audience would have it repeated.