The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-09 00:00:00

HAYJIA.RKET THE2TBE,

On Saturday evening, a new threeact comedy, from
the pen of T. Taylor, Esq., entitld "An Unequal
Match," was produced here, and met with the most de-
cided and deserved success. The soene represents a
mountainous landscape, the foregeoind of which was
occupied by the inn and smithy of aYorkshire village.
Hester (Miss Amy Sedgwick), daugiter of Grasebrook
(t(r. Rogers), the village blacksmith has two admirers.
One is Dr. Boerhaave Botcherly Buckstone) the
IE iculapius of the spot, who, finding that his passion is
not returned, soon subsides into tbm faithful friend and
counseller ; the other is Harry Arnclife (Mr. W. Farren),
a romantic young gentleman of small means and high
family, for whom, though she is no; blind to the differ-
ence of their social conditions, Hester conceives a deep
affection. Arnoliffe's intentions arestriotly honourable,
his civility in carry Hester'. milk pull amid the derision
of certain fashionable friends being followed by a formal
offer of marriage, which is joyfully accepted. The lovers
are rapturously contemplating a sort of "
cottage" existence, to which pigs, cows, and poultry
will give an ineffable charm, when news arrives that Arn-
eh& s uncle, a wealthy baronet, is deceased, leaving
him a rich inheritance. The faslionable friends now
begin to fancy that Arncliffe will tack out of his mar-
riage with the blacksmith's daughter, and Hester
herself is not without misgivinto. Bat the faith-
ful lover, in spite of the beneficence of fortune,
which has made him "Sir Hary," sticks to his pur-
pose, and in the pre:ence of his steering acquaintance
renews his offer, boldly asking the hand of Hester from
her father the blacksmith.

After a lapse of 18 months we ate removed to
Arncliffe Manor-house, and new we find that the
romantic passion, which seemed so delightful in the first
act, is not without its inconvenient results. Sir Harry
Arneliffe, who, now the flush of romance is over, begins
quietly to contrast the behaviour of his uncultivated
spouse with tbat of the accomplished Mrs. Topham
Montresor (Mrs. Buckingham Whte), much to the dis-
advantage of the former, who, he iusgeste, should take
the latter for her model. The arrival of Heater's father
on a visit to his child doss not greatly improve the
position. Everybody knows that the worthy Graze-
brook is a blacksmith, and the daugster'a joyfulreception
of her humble father in the must of her genteel
acquaintance gives one pang moreto the fastidious Sir
Harry, who takes occasion to lec;ure his wife on the
duty of repressing natural emotions and conforming to
the exigencies of an artificial society, still holding up
Mrs. Montressor as a standard of perfection. She
recollects that her husband prior to his marriage was a
suitor for the hand of this very lady, but was rejected
on account of his poverty, and has reason to believe
that Mrs. Montrassor, who is rot over scrupulous in
her love of conquest, is taking advantage of her sojourn
in Arncliffe Manor-house to recover a heart that
she has once let slip. Feelings lead to words,
and altercation ensues betweer. Hester and Mrs.
Montressor, in the course of whidi the latter is ordered
to quit the premises. To effect tie removal, however,
the aid of Dr. Botcherly, who is now in the house as
Mrs, Montressor's own medical adviser, is found neces-
sary. This eminent physician, true to the interests of
Hester, advises her fashionable rival to visit Ems for the
benefit of her health. Mrs. Montresor departs on the
strength of this advice, and now Hester fancies that the
only cause of unhappiness is removed. Pour deluded
soul! Her husband, who has a pulmonary complaint that,
without proper care, may terminate in consumption, has
received a letter from his physician (not Botcherly) to the
effect that the waters of Ems can alone save his life. That
Hester may not be alarmed by the discovery that he is
threatened with one of the most terrihle of maladies he
states his sudden obligation to visit Etna alone without
assigning a cause, and then abruptly guts his home.
With the misery of Hester, in consequence of the natu-
ral, though incorrect, suspicion that her husband is gone
to join Mrs. Montressor, the second act comes to a con-
clusion.

A twelvemonth's interval is supposed to elapse before
the curtain is raised for the third act. The scene of
action is now a German watering-place. Its same is
Seidlitz-Stinkingen, and it owes its origin to the scientific
acumen of oar old friend Dr. Botcherly, who, having
ascertained that the nastiest waters are invariably
considered the most efficacious, has been fortunate
enough to discover a spring surpassing all others in
offensive qualities, and has thereupon written a book,
which so pleases the Duke that he appoints him chief
inspector of the ducal baths. In this new • Elysium Sir
Harry Arnoliffe has taken up his temporary abode, hay-
ing changed since we saw him last from the most fastidi-
ous of gentlemen into a hing-beardesl, cap-wearing, pipe-
smoking lounger of the Rhine. With Mr. Montresor,
whom. he has met at Ems, he is on friendly terms ; bat
that aspiring lady now seeks to capture German grand
dukes rather than English baronets, while, on the other
hand, Sir Harry is so completely heart-whole that he
maliciously hopes to see Mrs. Montresor eclipsed at the
ducal Court by an,Eoglish lady of fa,hion, who is ex-
pected every moment, and who is mentioned in all the
papers as " die schone Eoglanderin." When the beauty
arrives she proves to be no other than Hester, no s+ ap-
parently transformed into a heartless lady of high
society, without a single natural feeling. Frankenstein
was not more horrified at the man-monster of his crea-
tion than is Sir Harry at the living result of his own
counsels. lie longs to see the Hester of forgoer days
restored to his arms, and of course she is restored. Her
heartless conduct was merely assumed to work a refor-
mation ; and her husband, taught at last that a good
heart is better than good manners, may now be happy
for as long a life as his phthisizky constitution will allow
him.

The Hester Grazabrook of Miss Amy Sedgwick was
an exquisite creation. In the first act her performance
was distinguished by all the geniality and honest love of
the innocent country lass ; and as the plot proceeded,
and the village maid became Lady Arncliffe, the manner
in which she receives the visit of her father in the pre-
sence of the fashi,nable society with which she is sur-
rounded, was exquisitely natural. Change of circam-
stances had not wrought a corresponding alteration in
her disposition—she is still the same loving, dutiful girl.
Then as the accomplished lady of fashion her acting was
perfect. Farren, as Sir Harry, was excellent a■ usual.
and Compton's Thenkinsop, the sterchy valet, was one of
those daguerreotypes for which he is so remarkable.
Buckstene's Botcherby, the village doctor, was a perfect
study. The manner in which the play has been put
upon the stage reflects the highest credit on the manage-
ment. The scenery, dresses, and appointments are
magnlficent. At the termination of each act Miss
Sedgwick and Mr.Buckstone were summoned before the
curtain, and, amidst the most enthunastio applause, the
piece was announced for repetition every evening until
t urther notice.

OPERA BUFFA.-ST. JAMES'S TB.EATRE.

To-morrow night this fashionable and elegant theatre
will inaugurate a short season of Italian comic opera,
introducing a decided novelty in this c,untry, in the
person of the veritable Neapolitan Yulcinella in his
mask. The artists are also new to us, and the reper-
toire for the most part unknown to the English musical
public. Report speaks highly of the opera to be per-
formed on the opening night, and of the powers of the
singers. The theatre has been entirely renovated for
these performances. The following are the names of the
principal artists who will appear on the opening night
Signora Fumagalli, soprano ; Sig. Dordoni, tenor ; Sig.
Columbo, baritone ; Sig. Castta, bass ; Sig. Gobi,
buffo ; and Sig. Carrione, buffo (Napelitano, in mas•
chera). Subsequently, other artists will appear, among
whom we may mention: Signori Tancioni, Dottini,
soprani ; and Signora Tamburini, contralto ; Sig. Gior-
getti, tenor ; Signors De Giorgi and Ferrario, baritones;
and Sig. Ciampi, buffo.