The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-30 00:00:00

By T. CROSS.

A Historical Play, in Five Acts.

Pell and Wood. London

This is a singular production, considering the
daily occupation of the author, and the educa-
tion which one in his rank of life may be sup-
posed to have received. We understand he has
been the driver of a stage coach between London
and Cambridge for many years, and during his
leisure moments, influenced no doubt by classic
inspirations derived from the latter place, has
contrived to write a very respectable historical
drama. The language is correct and ex-
pressive, and reminds us of some of the
descriptions of country scenes in " Thom-
son's Seasons." If the work itself were
equal to the dedication, it might with safety be
pronounced the finest production of the present
day. Dedications in general are formal, flatter-
ing-, and pompous effusions, put forth to obtain
some favour or some distinction, from the hi4.,her
classes; but this forms a noble exception. It is
addressed not to a sovereign or a lord, or a pa-
tron, but to one of his own family and rank, and
expresses in beautiful and affectionate language
the purest and the best feelings of the human
heart. It is addressed to a sister, and runs thus :

" To one who
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
Has kept the noiseless tenonr of her way.
To one who, in affluence and adversity,, has felt, and
cherished, and practised those virtues that exalt the
mind and betoken the true Christian : to her, whose
pilgrimage ha.; been marked with sympathising- sorrows,
soothing the cares, and smoothing the path through this
vale of tears ; watching with meek and humble piety
the departure of congenial spirits ; to her, the earliest.
object of his alivction and esteem ; to Maria, this small
but sincere tribute is oft red by HER BROTHER.
Cambridge, Aug. 18, 1842.

.The see-ie is laid principally in Shrewsbury and
partly in Wales, and exhibits events which oc-
curred eight hundred years ago, comprising the
history of one of the most powerful of the Anglo-
Saxon nobles who survived thebattle of Hastings.
The hero of the piece inherited vast possessions
on the banks of the Severn, and being of a bold
and patriotic spirit, and ardently attached to the
memory of the unfortunate Harold, he rose in
open rebellion against the new dynasty,
carried on the contest for years. but in
the latter end of the reign of the Conqueror
was subdued by Ralph de Mortimer, and
dispossessed of all his estates. The play, we
understand, is to be performed at the Cambridge
Theatre next week, and, from the subscription
list, we see it is patronised by some of the lead-
ing men of the University—among others, by
Dr. Lee, the Regius Professor of Hebrew, and
by Dr. Peacock, Dean of Norwich, late Fellow
of Trinity College. The following extract will
give a favourable specimen of the production.
The scene is pictured from life, and probably the:
description was suggested by the delightful
change which every traveller on the top of a
coach feels at the rising of the sun, and which
our four-in-hand poet hadll witnessed times out of
number

How lovely 'tis to hail the morning's prime,
To witness Nature casting off the robe
Of darkness that involved the world around ;
To scent sweet smelling odours from her lap ;
To feel the fresh'nir,g gale ; to mark the steps
With which she gradually unfolds the day.
The chirping tenants of the thorny brake,
Uncertain yet of light, unnestling slow,
At still short intervals their notes prepare.
The cock, at one shrill sound, proclaims that he
Has felt the influence of returning day.
The listless herd, now rising from the mead
Witt► outstretch'd limbs shake off the pearly dew,
And bellow forth glad welcome to the morn.
The distant tinkling of the leading ram,
Purveyor to the flock, bleat following bleat
In infinite succession, cheer the light.
And now the world which, some few minutes back,
Seem'd lost in solitude, once more revives
From deathlike silence, starting into life.