The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-09
from the London Examiner.1

Mrs. MowATT's PLAY OF ARMAND."-On
Thursday night new play by Mrs. Mowatt, the
American actress, was produced at this theatre,
with complete and triumphant success. 1t is emit
tied Armand, or the Peer and the Peasant" and
thecontras intimaied in the second title is wrought
out very effectively by and characters dis
playing the best side of rural life and the pronigate
manners of the Court of Louis XIV. These uncon-
genial elements skfuly blended by a plot
which makes Blanche, the village Nav Queen, the
acknowledged daughter of the Duke de Richeeu,
and the peasant Armand her successful lover, not
withstanding the dsparities of birth and the diff
cultles lnterposed by the monarch himself.
Tie incidents by which this is accomplished have
less OF novelty in themselves than in their combina
ton; and they adapted to the authors purpose
with great facility. We have to overlook some few
anachronisms both social and moral for the rapid
advancement of Armand in high rank in the army,
and the tone of thought and sentiment ascribed
both to him and Blanche, properly belong to a past
revolutionary period in French history. Still, their
luxaposltlon with the corruptions of the monarchy
Is so happily rendered subservent to the poetical
unity of the drama as to silence criticism.
The result is a play OF lively, intense and contin-
uous interest, which Is more easily characterized
than described. profound philosophy Of human
nature, the terrific war of stormiest passion and
magnificent bursts of poetry, may not be there.
Indeed, where are they, save in the few greatest
masters of dramatic magic. But we have, instead,
living and suggestive outlines of character, scenes
OF pathos, whose power is testified by the emotions
of the audience, and pervading simplicity, truth
and loneliness both ofthought and language, which
act as a cham, and are full of fascination. This
1t is which leaves the most distinct and abiding
impressions. Over the whole, though dangerous
themes have sometimes to be dealt with there is
ali air of purity, refinement and tenderness. The
most religious parent might take his child to such
play. And yet the common craving for theatrical
excitement HHas he risk Of being unqualified.
Mrs. Mowatt is too little known to London plav-
goers for it to be generally understood how COM
pletely she would be identified with her own hero
ine In the simplicity, sweetness, earnestness, the
meek endurance, the moral energy, the devoted
love, there seems no acting, but the spontaneous
expression of individual character. There is fresh
ness, beauty and reality, which the most elaborate
art can not rival We-hope that the charm of this
PRESERVATION, together with the fact of success
both actress and authoress, may lead to better
opportunities than have yet occurred for Mrs. Now
ats winning just appreciation of her merits from
metropolitan audiences
Mr. Davenport rendered able support to the piece
Armand the Artisan He maintained frank,
manly bearing, without degenerating into inso-
ence; and, to our perceptions without that trans
atlantic exaggeration which haunts the Imagination
of of our critics, who might find the reality
nearer home.