Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-09
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

TO introduce succession of novelties to the
public. Some of the pieces which he has
brought forward were not very remarkable for
ability but still, so far as the head Of an es-
tablshment is concerned, we are content to
take the will for tho deed. On Saturday even
ing, new opert, entitled Enghshmen in IN
dia, was performed. The plot contains more
of diversity and of interest than we are
accustomed to find in the operas of modern
days. In the latter productions sense has, for
the most part, been wholly subservient to
sound but, in the opera of which we are now
speaking, there are many scenes which would
act well, without the adjunct of music, and it
may not be improper here to add, that Mr.
Bishop, by whom the opera has been compos-
ed, has not, by his efforts on this occasion, ad-
ded one leaf to his laurels. This plot runs
thus AT very early period Of life OsUaid
(NIr Cooper,) the junior branch Of respect
able family, is shipped of to India as cadet.
On his arrival in that empire-(an empire
which we hold, they say, by the strength of
opinion, that is, the opinion of our strength)-
he finds two of the native princes engaged in
war with each other One OF the conflicting
parties is the ally of the British Government |;
and British courage is, of course, arrayed in
the support of the ally Of Britain. Our young
adventurer, Os11aid, joins the army as an en-
sign, and soon has an opportunity for the dis
play of his humanity, as well as OF his valour.
The capital of the Rajah, to whom the Eng
lish force is opposed; is stormed and the ma
tive troops wreak the most horrible vengeance
on their enemies. While the battle is yet rag
ing, Mira (Mr. Wallack,) one Of the defeat
ed Rajah's relations, suddenly appears before
OsUaid, bearing a female in his arms, whom
he intrusts, as one Of the last of the Royal
line, 70 the care Of the young officer. MIRA,
being assured that he has succeeded in awak-
enng the compassion Of Os,oald, disappears |;
and during the subsequent vicssitudes of a life
devoted to military pursuits, OSWALD still con-
tnues to protect the orphan. Oswald is, at
length, called to England, death having re-
moved several obstacles between him and his
family estate. Hc leaves Gulnare miss Ste
phens,) his Indian maid, under the protection
of Sir Matthew Scraggs (Mr. Dowton,)
gentleman who prides himself upon his dung
hill origin, and dcspises the high family notion
of his lady, who, ultimately proves to be as
nearly allied to the dung-hill as himself-Af-
ter an absence of four years, Os,odld returns,
and finds the child of his adoption, whom he
had left mere growing girl of Id, changed
into lovely woman Of ls. Ho is very much
surprised at the change in the young lady's
appearance bat had there not been such a
change, there would, unquestionably, have
been far creator cause of surprise. Ospald
incontincntly falls in love with Gulndre, who
had, strange to say, for so youthful creature,
become deeply in cnamoured of him. The
English gentleman (now some one or two and
thirty years of age) questions his adopted child
as to the state of her heart, but in a way so
very silly, that her answers induce him to be-
lieve that she is in love with his friend, Cap
tain Tanered, (Mr. Braham,) who has been
for some time residing under the same roof
with her, and who had ngratiatcd himself in
to her good graces by constantly describing
the warlike achievements of Ostoald. Like
Desdemona she appeared to be fond of the
man who could "tcll the story of him
whom she loved, and this second hand admir-
alton of Oscald, was, by 7apcred, consider
ed to be manifestation Of affection for him.
SELF Ospdid, more anxious for the happiness
of his adopted child than for his own, bestows
her hand on Captain Tdncrcd; but Gulnare,
whose love and pride arc shocked by this pro-
cecding, elopes under the protection of .Mirza,
who (the fortunes of his family having been i'll
some degree restorod) had before solicited
Gulnare to leave her European protc ctors.
The fugitrcs are, however, pursued and over
taken; the mistake, with respect to Iancred,
is cleared up, and OsUaid receives, with the
sanction of .hirxa, the hand of her whom he
had preserved from destruction. Such IS the
serious business Of the opera The comic, and
il is really comic, embraces the loves OF Tom
Tape (Mr. Harley and Mass Sally Scrdggs
Miss KellyO two expectations from tho region
of Cockaignc, where they had annoyed all
their friends and relatives by an inveterate love
of private theatricals, which insanity, by the
way, we believe, has introduced more persons
to the manager Of Newgatc, than ordinary
madness has placed within the purlieus OF Bed
lam To these is added Count GloTieur,
very fat Frenchman lin the person of MIR.
Gattie) who aspiros to the hand Of Miss Sally;
and who, in the course, of his amour, loses his
coat, his snuff box, and, of course, his temper
Tho materials of this piece are, for the most
part, il not wholly, old but they are SIX ilfully
put together. Some Of tho serious scenes
possess no inconsidcrable degree OF IN
terest ; and those Of comic nature, though
for the most part turning on folly which Car
rick, in his farce Of The apprentice, has rid
iculed humorously, are highly amusing. : The
opera was strongly cast, and every individual
engaged in il appeared anxious for its success.
Mr. Brahan, who had, fortunately, little to
say---and, unfortunately, not much TO sing,
the music allotted TO him, il may be here OBJ
served, was not remarkable either for melody
or harmony did all that could bo done for
mere walking gentleman. That he had g mu-
sic in his sous was quite evident !; but II was
equally evident that the composer had not af-
forded him any adequate mode Of oftransmtting
il TO the audience. Miss Stephens, as Guf-
marc, pleased us much Her dcmeanor was
tender, bashful, retiring. To her tho best
strains were allotted and she performed
them with that natural simplicity and grace
which appeals 10 the heart more than oil the
elab boratons of scientific display. Mr.. Dow