The native American., 1838-03-31
NATIONAL THEATRE-AN EXQUISITE PLAY.

NATIONAL THEATRE-AN EXQUISITE PLAY
We do not make any extraordinary pretensions in dra
maque criticism; for really it has not been study
though we sincerely love the drama Ever since ou
boyhood, have had Palpitating heart ascend
ed the steps of the Theatre; and in former days. when
the shirt collar was turned the roundabout to gull
the Tcke-seer into halfpnce card we cannot forget
how wildly we rushed into the front boxes therefrQpa
to be elected by the inroad of ladies.
The ondness for the Stage is the only excuse we can
give for boring kind readers (and kinder constitu-
ency no Editor ever had), with our theatrical notices
To us, must not be attached the pomp and parade of
their display but to the taste and professional pride of
our friend the compostor Thus much we have deemed
wise to say in order that retaating criticism may be
disarmed its point.
On Monday night last, Finn took Benefit to
crowded and brilliant house, and the Bill Of Fare em
braced " The Removal of the Deposites one of Finns
own droe and witty things, and "Monseur Jacques
written, believe, by Theodore Hook. We pass
his excellent quiet and happy personfcation of Paul
Pop in the first piece, and come TO Jacques
The plot of the play thus Jacques is old
French gentleman /" all of the old regme.' devoted to
music and its composition He left an orphan boy
with his pockets full of hope, and his heart full of meo
dy. To Italy the young enthusiast wends his way. A
Duke Of of the Southern cities invites him to teach
his daughter Monsieur Jacques prosecues his task but
falls in love with his pupil One night after he had won
her heart, rap heard at his door. 1t is she,
who begs him to fly with her. for her father in
tends to force her to union she detests They are
married, and embark for England. The sails are full.
and the voyagers happy. When, suddenly, vessel
despatched by the enraged Duke overtakes them, and
Jacques separated from his Bride He is carried back
and tried for seducon-condelnned to chains and the
galleys. note is given to him written by his wife,
bidding him fly, and promising follow in his footsteps.
He escapes the prison. but madness seizes him. and for
three years he Iangnshes in Hospital. His is
restored, and he travels to England takes lodging with
crusty and wicked man. and with his Piano supports
himself A lady arrives Gt is twenty years since
the separation from his wife and demands audience
She is young and (should be beautiful; why did not Miss
Moner play the character begs him to teach her music
She reads Miss Monier could have sung) the story Of
his fate 1t terrible trial 1t is his daughter who thus
breaks to him the fact that Mariana, his wife, dead
and she is heiress to the Ducal wealth.
This is the principal outline of the plot-n which, Of
course is interviewer lighter and accessory threads, to
sustain the interest.
How shall describe the effect Of that poor old heart
broken creatures eloquence upon uss How describe the
unutterable pathos of his affected woe! The wild
membrance vivid in all the graphic charm Of madness,
Of those other scenes when he pressed the beloved be-
ing to his youthful heart! When he tells Vivid the me-
anchoy history nothing that had been uttered bv
any actor within recollection could approach it in
the least The dress of the old Frenchman his poverty
his hunger, and his heart endng anguish al the loss Of
his wife "She will come again." his haggard
lip. His looking from the window on the for that
love filled SAIL the empty plate taken from the Cupboard
on which should have been the old mans morning meal
the painful but resigned shrug Of the shoulders; the
where the landlord demands his opera and his pia
and threatens to turn him houseless and hopeless in
the street, the beautiful breakfast scene, and the crump
ling the letter he had received in the galley dungeon,
to his heart.
1T is impossible to do justice to Mr.. Finn's acting
to his nature ratherbut the tears that oozed from our
eyes, despite the clenched teeth and the blowing
bore tribute of admiration to his influence every
fibre of our nature; and we alone in the tear
uI mood for older and sterner snued through the
performance, and pulled their over their eyes,
and there in tears than ladies'!
Miss Moner has been upon boards for short
time, but she is not appreciated by the multitude With
u.s. she is decided vorte her beautiful and innocent
face expressive than any that smiled on us
behind the front lights, is admirably adapted to the dis
play Of the emotions.
Her voice is fine and full of melody, and her manners
graceful her figure is beautiful Mr. Ward should put
her into all prominent parts and if she would consent to
lit engage her stock She and Mrs. Hughes
f the later would not sing her words) would do
ders for the Washington Stage.
We have not one word for the correspondent of the
New York esprit Of the Times by the way Of the
most brilliant and interesting of the weeklies that
he knows much about the legitimate Drama,
motives, bear does about playing The last link is
broken, on Kent bugle. 1t is all nonsense and
shine, his flying into the tragcs about arrows and
"dats which he charges with speeding at Mr. Othel-
10 Hercules Forrest.
TO CORRESPONDENTS
"Homo'' has been received We acquainted
with the facts stated in his communication and probably
may have to them hereafter. We obtained our nfor-
nation long ago from the pet' referred to in Homo's