The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-20
An American Play I'm London.
MARYLEBONE THEATRE.

This theatre opened on Monday, under the aus
pices of MIR. Watts, with very promising list of
artistes, amongst whom some of the favor
ties of last season, and one two recruits from
the PROVINCES who bid fair to prove desirable ac
cessions to the company The business of the sea
son commenced with tragedy in five acts, never
acted before in this country, entitled 'Velasco"
The play is powerful illustration of the old adage
''the course of true love never did run smooth
and of that remarkable sense of honor, peculiarly
Spanish which sacrifices every other consideration
10 that of vengeance. Ii Is a classical drama, the
story of which is to be found in of the French
plays of the old school The author of the present
production has handled the original basis with
great ingenuity, and by multiplying the incidents
and introducing another prominent character, has
elaborated drama repets icih general interest
II Is remarkable for Of the best situations the
tragic stage can command. The scene Is laid at
Burgos, the capital of old CASTLE in the eleventh
century. Velasco, young Castilian noble, has
been banished the Court for petty offence and
the action of the piece commences with his return
to Burgos after having achieved for himself an
traordinary reputation by the numerous victories
he had gained in contests with the Moors. On de-
claring himself, he received fattering welcome
from the king, who bids hun name his reward for
the chivalrous courage which had spread his fame
all CASTLE. The only laurel, however, covet-
ed by Velasco is the hand of lsidora, noble young
lady Of the Court. The demand is sanctioned by
the king and Isdors, left 10 decide herself with
out hesitation accepts the knight her betrothed
From this moment the troubles of the lovers COM
I
kinsman, fernando, who designs to make her his
wife, and himself successor 10 her ancestral estates
He is stung at seeing Velasco her accepted sutton
and meditates speedy vengeance. Nor are the
means far distant. Taking advantage of an old
fcud that existed between Gonzales, father of
Isidora and De Lema, father Of Nelasco, he con
uiyes ~ stir up a quarrel between them, in which
the latter il insulted and struck. Veasco, after
severe struggle between his passion for lsidora and
the sense Of the wrong inflicted his parent, who
from age il feeble 10 resent an injury, kills Con
zales in a duel. There il now a painful scene be-
tween him and lsidora She regards him only a.
her fathers assassin, and determines to reject him
She is now in imminent peril of falling into the
hands Of fernando, whose ruffianly nature she dis
covers, but il rescued by Nelasco. The terror Of
her situation, and the timely devotion Of her now
dcspised lover, create reaction in her heart She
/ il distracted between overwhelming admiration
Of his brave and noble character and the sickening
/ thought Of wedding the man by whose hand her
| father had met his death, and whom, moreover, by
that fathers latest njuncton, she IL bound 20 pur
sue to death The balance in this terrible conflict
however, inclines 10 love, and she consents the
/ celebration Of her nuptals. The ceremony Is on
the point of being performed in the presence Of the
! king and Court, when Julio, brother 10 lsidora,
having failed 10 poison him, strikes Velasco down
with BIZ pOnard, whilst sidOra, sezng the poisoned
cup, drains IL 10 the drcgs, and falls feless the
corpse Of her lover. The last scene very per
/ fecty acted, and, together with the concluding
tableauH, produced powerful effect. The part Of
4 Nelasco was played with dashing energy by Mr..
/ Davenport, nor did that Of Isdora lose any thing
Of it, exciting interest In the judiciOus hands O
! Miss Fanny Yining. Julio was well done by Mr.
| whoatleigh.-L London Despatoh, Sept 25h.