Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-13


the night Of the representation of the above
were with the previous character of the un.
fortunate individual who was the subject OF
the authors pen, we had made up an expec.
tation OF something peculiarly deep, inter.
esting, and moral. Nor were our expecta-
tons falslficd; for, from the very commences
ment OF ITS performance, our feelings were
completely rivetted by a thrilling and almost
ovcrpowcring excitement, the consequence
OF the mastery combinations of dramatic
effect. and strong delincations of human cha
ractcr which this powerful effort presented.
We were much pleased with the manner
in which the author transferred the scene OF
action from the actual spot OF It's occurrence
To another land, in which the manners of the
country, feelings of the people, and even the
common formalities OF law, contain in them
much Of genuine romance. The piece opens
with the appearance of Faunileroy, is ii rich
banker ot Rouen in France, who had previ-
ously committed large frauds in his financial
concerns, and was aborng under all the
agonizing torment, which would OF coufsc
be felt by a superior spirit that has fallen
from It's high estate into crime and viilainy
Upon this the whole interest of the piece IS
consequently based, and from it a succession
OF the most interesting scenes are produced
that it has ever been our lot to witness. In
the introduction Of one character MIR. Stone
hazardcd great deal of responsibility we
speak of Madame De Valon, the mistress Of
Fauntleroy, and principal female character
of the drama. The introduction of such
character would, i'm the hands of anv but
master of the art, be too revolving TO com
mon feelings of propriety to allow of sue
DIT h,,, nj
power of discrimination, this character pre-
sents nought but delicately drawn picture,
and placed as it is i'll contrast with that OF
Madame Fauntleroy, it forms powerful re-
lief to the whole scene.
The character of Fauntleroy is one so per
fcctly true to nature, that no one can wit
ness its representation without being con.
vinced of the superior power of the hand
which sketches it. Our feeble abilities are
unable to give IT Justice, as we could not
pretend to enter into a full development OF
it without unraveiling the plot which in JUS
tice to the author we shall not attempt.--
Madame Fauntlcroy is a fine delineation OF
female loneliness, tender, affectIonatc, obc.
dent, and forglving; throughout the whole
melancholy scene, the soother and aSSuager
of her unfortunate husbands misery, when
at the close of his dark career she finds that
all her affections have been tramplcd down,
and those rights of nature, law, and feeling,
due to her alone, made subservent to UNI
holy passion, and unlicensed love for another;
vet there is no complaint, no rcproach, but
forgiveness to her criminal spouse, and tear
over her murdered rival, who had fallen by
the hands of her lover Fauntlerov, are alike
freely extended and poured forth. The cha
racter Of Fauntlcroy was finely sustained by
the author himself, who possesses the very
rare quality of being able 30 give life and
vigor by performance to the creations Of ms
own fancy. The two contending characters
of Madame Dc Vallon and Madame Faun-
tlerov, were admirably sustained by Miss
Fairfield and Mrs Flynn; indeed, we believe
that one desire alone rested III the hosoms
oG the whole corps Of performers; which was,
10 Give this fine specimen Oh t'ic author :
taste full, finished, and effectual represen
tation. We arc i'll hopes that MIR. Stone
will perform the piece once more, ana then
for a benefit. We will warrant him bum.
per. We shall conclude our remarks by eX-
pressing admiration OF the manner IN winch
this gentleman, at so early an age, has been
enabled amidst the duties Of al arduous-
and the cares Of an ever volatile profession
10 afford so much time and study. and ac-
;.s he has chosen for his efforts. lie has, i
We mistake not, written several other piece.
of similar kind which, if report DC true
are superior TO the one above mentioned
One of these we have seen and read witt
Increased pleasure. The latter is of high
or order in the dramatic style than Fannie
ROY, which belongs to that class dcnomInated
Melo Drama, and is somewhat similar IN ef
feet to the Chambers Fate but intntcl!
superior in plot, language, and nature.
We would, in conclusion, take the liberty
Of advising MIR. Stone to adhere TO the pro
fession Of writer alone, but that we are
so well convinced that in doing so we should
urge him to his injury. For writer whose
reputation rs not stamped by the impress o
Reviewer, by the circumstance OF living
abroad, or by tho possession Of fortune, has
a dull prospect before him in this country
tai 10 ia T. ltfr