Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-02-21
Frsns the Neue York Mirror.

-. .u..l 90 -. -
Frsns the Nep Yors Mirror.
CLAIR, OR THE MAID OF MILAN.
We have seldom known dramatic
writer to breathe more poetry in his
plsys tn an does John Howart Payne.
Ills compositions are totally devoid of
the bombastic rant that distinguishes
many others but there is a nature
i'm them that goes to the heart.
On Wednesday evening, Nov. 18th,
the managers of our theatre present.
ed us with a new opera, Clari, or
the Maid of Milan. by MIR. Payne.
On the same evening. Mr.. Pearman
made his fourth appearance IN Anne
RIGA. A crowded aud fashionable
audience early filled the house; and
we were glad to see not single ono OF
those Leghorn fats that, in the the
atre at least, do indeed look fat e.
nough. The story of the play is not
40 new as the manner in which it is
related. tits deeply interesting; a.
bounding in beautiful language; and
with not an expression Of sentiment
that could " mantle the cheek of vir-
tue with a blush" The plot is in
Seniously managed, and the interest
prolonged to the end. The duke Vi
yaldi has allured the beautiful maid
Of Milan from her native village {;
and, under pretence of marriage,
prevents her returning to her hum
bio cottage. He overwhelms her
with presents. Her apartments are
furnished 10 magnificent style ; and
no expense is spared to make her
forget her home. But it is in vain
she broods over her rising suspi-
cions. her memory clings to The
DAYS Of former happiness; and no.
thing but the fond hope of being soon
united to the man she loves, could
tempt her to linger amidst splendor,
that
Shines in mockery round broken heart
She wanders desolare through the
yaudy rooms, and pours forth her
me;anc holy in one OF those sweet VII
LACE airs, that in better times she
was wont 10 MARBLE in the full gaiety
of her young bosom:
mid pleasures and palaces though we may
roam,
Re It ever so humble-thers's no place like
home;
A charm from the sky seems to hallow US
there,
Which. seek through the world, is ne'er met
with elsewhere:
Home, sweet home;
There's ne place like home &c.
The music is the most beautiful
and tender we have ever heard; and
the unhappy girl delights in its sad
ness, The duke, to amuse her, has
permitted a company of strolling
players to perform in her presence.
"A theatre is formed, and the rising
curtain reveals a cottage scene. with
roses blooming around, and placid
river winding its way among the dis
taut mountains. A pretty village
girl appears, watering the flowers,
and gaily singing,
mid pleasures and palaces though we may
roam, -,
BE it ever so humble-there's no place like
home
The scens-the happy girl-and
the same beautiful song that seemed
to hang around her path, awakens
tender recoilections in the bosom of
Clari, and she leans forward in
breathless silence. The old couple
soon come from the house. The Ia
ther blesses his aifectionate daugh
ter, ere he goes to his morning work;
and the mother, at tue door, CON-
mences the labors of tho wheel. A
nobleman has been watching the
humble family during this happy
scene aud when he thinks the old
man is far enough of for his purpo-
ses, he comes down-declares his
wish to see the cottager-induces the
wife to 60 after him-and in her ab-
sence prevails upon the fond girl to
Nv with him.-rhe old parents re
turp in time to behold their daughter
fastening from their love. The mo-