The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-19 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Shrfting Scenes in Theatrical Life. By Eliza IV an-
stanley, comedian. Routledge.
The authoress of this tale, who has already ac-
riuired credit and popularity as a comedian, has
been tempted to appear upon another stagee and
face the difficulties of another profession.. ha▪
e
s
wisely selected theatrical life as her subject, si
there is a peculiar attraction to the readers of li▪
ght
literature in the records of a Dramatic career, and
her own acquaintance with the members. of the
theatrical profession enables her to give a vivid and
life-like representation of the dramatis persona;
behind the curtain and in the green-room.
In her
preface she fells us that her story is founded on
facts, although of course they are gathered from
various quarters and did not occur in the same
sequence as the events of the narrative. The
er is
chit:
ratters are also real, although disguised. The
something very pleasing in the favourable vieW
which an actress of experience and standing takes
of her profession, in the high moral tone she has.
preserved throughout, scarcely introducing any
those intrigues and moral defalcations which are
too commonly made the principal staple of anY
tale relating to the stage. She has introduced ma**
excellent characters who would do honour to any
profession, and she has not restricted her illustra-
tions to the managers of first-rate theatres and the
" stars" of the dramatic hemisphere. Her heroine,
a gentle womanly character, is the wife of a strol-
ling player, and thougi their daughters subse-
quently obtain distinction on the London boards,
yet a great part of the tale runs through the
poorer wanderers of the profession, who think it
a high honour to obtain a temporary engage-
ment at a country theatre, and look to London as an
unattainable El Dorado. In this class Mrs. Win-
stanley introduces many eccentric individuals. We
have Mr. and Mrs. Gyngell, the rough and hard
taskmasters ; Joseph Jessamy, otherwise knownM as
Joyful Jessy, the liberal, generous manager; rs.
Godfrey, in her old poke bonnet, always fearful that
et
people were going to impose on her, and begrudg-
ing every sixpence for necessary expenses, y
withal possessing some good qualities. These The
are
the managers in the various country places.
,town ones, if we mistake not, are drawn from life.
The actors are more numerous, but all cleverly
sketched, and possessing individuality. us
Cave, the husband of Emma, the heroine, is a hard.
hearted, selfish, cruel man, who embitters the exist.
once of his devoted wife. Emma herself is all that
Is gentle and admirable in woman, never murmur
ing at incessant toil and tyranny, and only anxious
for the weltare of her children. The story con-
ti.nues the narrative of the struggles of Julius and
Ins family until Zarina and Clotilda attain woman-
hood and appear in London. We leave the reader
to develope the remainder of the story in Mr?'
Winstanley's pleasant pages, assuring him he will
find no lack of exciting romance and animated ad-
v.enture. The tale shows talent, and possesses con-
siderable interest, being altogether very creditable
to a debutante on the literary stage. The following
passage from the preface shows the elevated vie.w'
which the authoress takes of her profession and its
members :
The writer's aim, indeed, has been rather to uphold than
to depreciate the character,' or " say aught in malice" of
ce" ~
profession to which she thinks
it no discredit to belong. 1,12
the delineation of Em the ma—the true heroine of the tale—sne
has endeavoured to show how the vicissitudes,
trials,
life of
privations, and sufferings attendant upon the
strolling player may serve to develope some of the
sense
bolo
qualities that do honour to human nature • that a high
of moral duty, patience under disappointment and the pres-
sure of hopeless difficulties, together with the constant
practice of the good Samaritan's spirit
perfectly
compatibletible with a calling whose busines' may be s
it is " to hold the
mirror up to nature."
We congratulate Mrs. Winstanley on her success
in her new part as authoress, and have no doubt
her friends, the public, to whom she is already well
known, will greet her appearance on this new stags
with encouragement and approval.