The native American., 1838-01-13
SCENES AT THE THEATRE-NoT CRITICAL.

1
hined before at the grand play of Hamlet The Thea
ire crowded from the gentlemans parquet to the
coud-capped gallery Along the front boxes how much
beauty flashed we cannot tell We count the stars
cool and tranquil night, but who count bright
eyes and flashing cheeks in such galaxy there
and then congregated! From the front seats to the part-
tion-from end to the other of the semicircIe
gazed and acknowledged that own dear countywo-
could not be surpassed for beauty and animation, 60
where you will 10 find their superiors II was and
gallant sight for poor unblessed citizen of Washington
nequent are our plays attended by the beauty of the
place and its visiters Herr Cline or Jim Crow have
drawn houses nearly equal to the one this night but
then they were beautifully for on this occasion they
came beamng with intelligence to witness that chei'd
euvre Of the Stage--HamIe the Dane.
Well, the curtain rolled up-the scenes shifted
the music played-and general quiet and attention reign
ed throughout the House, Vandenhof walked the board
the weeping lover-the chvalrous friend the desperate
faerer--the fearful man-and poured his eloquent ca
dences into every ear. The Ghost ghastly and grim,
from the tomb up, and gided through the woods,
passed the balements with noseless STEP his steal
helmet glittering in the moon. Orphea with her mai
den fear trembed before the gaze; and the guilty twain
who the CROWN shuddered in all the agony Of an
assumed remorse: Every thing going off well-the
audience delghtedand rounds of applause greeted
the successful points made by the performers-when
suddenly. like murmur in ship at sea- like the wall
of sinking crew. there low but universal yhis
per Of alarm- grew into shout from that denssand
beautiful crowd-and then heard separate and ind
yidual shrieks Amid the din and the confusion, top
most every voice, there the single and awful
cry Of fire!
What scene! We turned our eyes towards the body
of the Theatre-we looked at the fleeing hundreds-at
the upper boxesand shrunk away within ourseI least
wretch might tumble upon head from the remb-
ling and waving concourse above. The boxes were
cracking beneath the hurryng Of feet And we, scared
half to DEATH eapt the barrier of the orchestra and stood
in that wild and undigesed tragedy, upon the boards.
The first appearance any stage" by young gen.
tleman of Washington. We made no bow, but stood
aghast with several friends, ignorant Of way among
the labyrinth Of scenery Sc of the Stage We the
curtain move(t at the end of the third act and
10! pale death came forth Mr.. Manager Ward, not
with fire bucket in his hand, but clothed in the horrible
habments of the grave-as he was the Ghost Of Ham
let's Father. His eyes beamed with fire. and he called
aloud pot in the language of the play but in the Ian
gnage Of an alarmed Manager: "Ho! ho what's the
natter? The ghosts gbberng in the streets of Rome"
Actors upon ac.ors-the ncesuous Queen-the usurper
Of the crown-sweet Laertes-tender Orphelia, with
other nondescripts in their night caps and night -,
all gathered in qnakng group at the opposite end Of the
Stage and cried in terrific concert, What's the mat
teri" pretty question to ask, when Theatre was on
fire! The dongs Of alarm going when Hamlet,
unbonneed and unhosed, rushed upon the Stage and in
calm and dgnied manner, assured the audience that
there cause for alarm.
As the Washington Stage can support but two Stars
at once. prudentalIy and modesty made descent
and took to the Critical Pit, leaving Mr. Vandenhof
disputed and unenvious sway of the Rostrum. He re-
called the Musicians who at the first breath of DANGER
had fown instruments under arms, to place of shelter
and with presence of mind and tact truly singular
ordered them 10 strike up Washingtons March. That
brought back the .amserican audience to the National
Theatre. And oh! what joyous clapping of hands and
ratting of ensued Again must introduce
self. There was Vandenhof, dressed GA la Hamlet.
with cool and ordinary brow strutting up and down by
the footghs running his chance for the balance of the
play. We called to him--Sotto voce-" Go in for mer-
cys sake, you are breaking the charm" And SO he did
break the spell The people had behind the fcti-
tions garbhad heard the voice of Mr.. Vandenho gem
tlemen; and the artificial tones of Mr. Vandenho Ham
let grated harshly and unnatural on the sense How
ever the tumult subsidized 1.-THE good people took their
seasthe ladies looked pale, but interesting
every thing went on 'as merry marriagebal"
1t only necessary say that the alarm Of fire arose
from segar that thrown into bundle of shavings
in stove. little smoke ensued and terrible uproar
On Tuesday last in the House Of Representatives the
following proceedings took place with reference to the
Native interests of the country is the first legislative
step taken upon the subject and those who took part
it. Messrs PATTON and LINCOLN, deserve the thanks
all ruehearted Natives throughout the country We do
not exactly agree with Governor Lincoln in of the
points of his Resolutions but will abide his remarks
which will doubtless throw great light the subject
Mr.. Parton, Of Virginia, presented the memorial Of