Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-02-10


since the publication Of his play, which
was never performed.
Between the years 1895 and 1900, a
hair dresser. named Murdock, published
two or three dramatic pieces: among the
number is one entitled the "Triumphs of
Love or the Happy Reconciliation" ="
which was accepted by the managers of
the Philadelphia Theatre, performed, and
permitted to pass peacebly into oblivion
by an indulgenl audience. The writer,
no doubt, understood the mystery of
shaving as we'll as Allan Ramsay, bu,
not the art of poetry.
In he year ,S0l, Charles Jared Inger-
soil, Esq. then in his nineteenth year.
published tragedy in five acts, entitled
Edwy and Elgiva," founded upon in
cidents in the history of England. This
production was highly promising, con-
sidering the youth of the writer and
was performed with fatterng success up
on the Philadelphia boards. Mrs. Mer-
ry, to whom the piece is dedicated, sus-
tained the character Of EIgiva. Mr. In
cersol has since been in Congress, and
is at present one of the most distinguish
guished members of the Philadelphia bar,
and las held for some years past the Of
flee of attop,ey general for this diSui let,
under the United States government.
Mr.. Ingersoll is also the author of In
chiquin's Letters" and other publica-
tons.
There are several dramas of conside-
rabe merit before the public, from ,he
pen of James N. Barker, Esq an alder
man Of the city of Philadelphia. Mr..
Barker was, during the late war with
Great Britain, major in The artillery
service, and served on the frontiers. Az
ter peace was declared, he returned to his
native city, received commission As "A
magistrate, and established himself. He
served for one year as mayor of the city
and is now about forty years of age. OF
small stature, and spare habit of body.
His visage remarkably sharp high and
capacious forehead, small pointed nose,
and large robust chin, which indicates
Grmness and decision of character oysl-
tiles which he possesses in an eminent de-
gree. His eyes are small, but at times
full OF animation and meaning. As ea,v
as in 1907, he produced comedy the
Philadelphia theatre, entitled "Iears
and Smiles - and melo drama, ioun-
ded on the story Of Pocahontas, wh'cb
he called The Indian Princes. or L.
Belle Salvage" These were favoura-
bIv received bv the audience. The po
pularity of Sir Walter SCOTS Marmiou,
led the manager of the PhIade pbia the
atre to believe, that il dramatised il conId
not fail of being successful and he ac-
cordingIy desired Mr.. Barker to under
take the project. The play VAS speedi-
ly finished, introduced upon the stage,
and had an astonishing ruI. Those
concerned, apprehending ps judice ex-
istng in the public mind, aga .Ht native
productions, thought it polite 10 an
nounce " Marin =" ~ - II the pen OF
Thomas Morton, and as having been re-
ceived "with unbounded applause iii
London BY this stratagem the piece
obtained an impartial trial and thous-
ands avlshed applause, who otherwise
would not have endured the strains of an
American muse, lest their critical acumen
might be called in question. In 1917.
Mr.. Barker published remarkably neal
and sprightly comedy, entitled " How TO
try Lover :" and in 1923, he prOduc
ed tragedy, entitled" Superstition, or
the Fanatic Father" the scene of which
is laid in New England, and one of the
principal characters is Golf the regecide
This piece possesses considerable share
of merit, but ~ns no, successful upon the
stage. Mr.. Barker has written some
smaller pieces for the stage, several tales
and miscellaneous poems.
Charles Breck wrote two comedies,
entitled The Fox Chase" and The
Trust :" the first of which was performed
aud both were published in le0S. They
are not very creditable 10 the talents of
the writer, who recently died, UNDER
stand. while on his travels in Europe.
The name of Joseph Hutton is upon
the title page of several plays performed
upon the Phladel phia stage among 9TH
o,s g M, Scbnol fnr ProdjuoIs a CO.