Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-02
MONDAY. MAY 9, 1851.

Most of our readers have heard of PauldIng'
prize Comedy, which has been SO long in prepa-
ration. And as native production of distn-
gushed author, we have thought they would wish
TO see an account of it's debut and success, which
we copy from the New York Courier.
pAULnING'S COMEDY-LION OF THE
WEST.
This production Of our distinguished towns
man was brought out at the Park Theatre, before
an extremely crowded house, on Monday even
inc last. The city is at present full OF Western
merchapts-"s strangers from Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Ohio and the contiguous states. They
crowded to the theatre on the night in question,
and received with great applause the successful
hits of the author aud the actor Curiosity was
considerably excited; and from all that we heard
and saw, 1t was fully and cmphahcally gratlhed
Col. Wild6re, the principal character OF the
piece, was performed by Mr. Hackett The au-
thor has made this character an extremely racy
representation of western blood, perfect non
parcii-half steamboat. half alligator, SC. 1t
possesses many original traits, which never be-
fore have appeared on the stage. The materi-
ais are ample, and very successfully managed
throughout. OCCASIONALLY, there were few al
lusons and expressions that might be thought to
border little on the taste OF the East, but the
body and soul of Col. Wild6re was Kentuckian
ardent, generous, daring, witty, blunt and
original.
The amusing extravaganza and strange fea-
lures Of character which have grown up IN the
Western States, are perhaps unique in the world
itself There is nothing in the English varie-
ties of national character which have the least re-
sembancc to the Western Dashcr." To Mr..
Paulding is the American stage indebted for a
perfect original, requiring yet some notifications
10 complete it, but possessing the genuine spirit
Of the West IN It's richest extravagances OF Incl
dent and dictiOn. Mr. Hackett performed the
part with great spirit; but he seems not to have
caught, So well, the tone, air and manner OF the
* western man. as he has done those OF the
~eastern hood'-the true blue Yankee. His
utterance is little too rapid, his gestlculation
little too quick and versatile. These can easily
be remctlied. The specimen of the West is as
slow and precise in his bic hest flights as the Bond
street dandy-he ls rs measured IN his cadences
as the Broadway merpeiiieuT-as calm and dig
nified in his demeansr as hero, which he feels
himself to be- i, IS the odd contrast between
dignity aud camness of demeanor, and the high
flights of western fancy that marks the western
original. Ii was, on the whole, a very spirited
representation. Richings IN Count Grillon was
excellent Placlde, it was supposed, would have
taken this character. but RiChings succeeded so
well as TO make us entirely forget the resignation
Of the other. Mrs. Sharpe, in Cecilia. looked
remarkably well, and went through her part
with great spirit and precision. She is rapidly
winning her way into public favor
of the play itself We have already spoken
nor can we speak too highly of it. Possessing
all the peculiar point, wit, sarcasm, and brilhan
ey of Paulding. it shows him in quite pleasing
liyht--that of a successful delineator of native
manners, and indigenous character. There
are materials enoushin this WIDE country TO con-
struct Il school Of comedy peculiarly our own.--
Why not collect them? Mr.. Paulding has set
an example worthy of being followed up As
the piece was received with long and repeated
cheering, and will probably be repeated soon, we
give the followin ing sketch Of the plot, which will
be found correct and usefui.
Cecilia Bramble, only daughter OF Governor
Bramble, Senator, is young lady deeply smit.
ten with admiration of distinguished foreigners,
and ardenty DESTROYS of visiting Paris.-Being
an heiress, the Count de Crillon, noted swind-
Ter and impostor, at that time at Washington,
takes advantage of this fobe, pays his addresses
to her, and being contemptuously rejected by
her father, at length mveigles her into an elope-
ment which is frustrated, however, by the acct
dental running away of the horses, and the inter-
terence of Roebuck, an ardent and sincere admi-
rer ofthe young lady. The young gentleman
+ brings her home in swoon, and keeps her Sc
cret
Cecilia, after severe struggle between her du-
" to her father, newly awakened doubts of the
Count, who had behaved in the most cowardly
manner when her life was endangered by the run
ming away Of the horses; her lurking preference
for Roebuck, and her vehement desire to visit
Paris-is wrought upon to consent to second
elopement the succeeding night. During the
progress Of these events, Colonel Nimrod Wild
lire, a cousin of Cecilia, arrives, and being ap-
prised by Governor Bramble of the addresses Of
the Connt. whom he believes to be an impostOr,
to Cecilia, as well as the Young ladys preference,
offers his services to detect and expose the adven
turer; if he be enc. or establish his character 1t
he be not, By making him either fight or run away,
which the Colonel considers an infallible crteIi-
on of gentleman.
In pursuance Of this plan. the Colonel seeks
the Count and profers him battle-at the same
time complimenting him with divers odd names.
The Count affects not to understand him, but be-
ing hard pressed makes precipitate retreat