The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-19
The First Night or the New Play, at the
Broadway Theatre.

The new play of the "Betrothal," from the pen Of
George II Boxer, Esq which was produced In Phna-
dephis with such equivocal success performed
at the Broadway Theatre last evening" for the fret
time. Mr. Rokcr Is . young man, but - q dramatic
writer he has proved himself skilled In clsssc language
and In the beauties Of Enslish npodton He has a.
ready written other works Of ability amongs wsh
are " Anne BoleyD" and the beautiful and exciting
play Of" Calaynos" the triumphant Of which
witnessed In London where 1t play ed pwsrD Of
forty nights consecutively The Betrothal' Likewise
shows the pen master hand Itrsquired ordinsrV
tslsn and small knowledge ofstage matters pre-
pare this piece for honorable and successful rivry
with the productions Of . Bulwer, Knowles, and
many other modern dramatsts. Mr.. Boxer Possesses.
what he has written shows love Of exalted ssAa
ment, which he conveys In most appropriate lam
guags and. with classic tasts The strength Of the
English language, and thorough acquaintance with
its beauties have enabled him to produce drama
plete with imagery and inspiring thought He hes
thrown esrnesness into the Dialogue and brings out
all his characters true to nature The play also pos
many sharp and cutting ssrcasms and since its
representation in Philadelphia, some slight exubs-
have been Topped of by the author and It hss
been thus rendered . charming production rhs
plot is easily told 1t 10 exciting and interesting.
though, perhaps not novel presenting any stage
incident which has not before been the subject Of ORA
matte ingenuity. The Is laid la Italy, In the A.
tesnth century but is so applicable to other cimss
and modern ages that cannot fancy ourselves 80
far removed from the country which is inteaded to
represent. Tiburh, (Mr Fredsricks) the head Of .
noble house, OF ancient lineage becomes tudsbtsd 70
Msrsio, (Mr. Couldock) wealthy aged miser mer-
chantj and otherwise brsken In FORTUNE, he unable
to sustain the accustomed splendor OF his rank The
Msrchioness mrs HtdD his wife, anxious to retrieve
their fallen state, pursuades her daughter, Costsass
On me Ponrsi) to plight her troth TO Marsio, Whose
power to save her iatntr by his wealth her the
only attraction he possesses But no sooner has she
given him her ''betroths than chance brings forth
Interview b.tween her and the youthful Count JurAno
(Mr Conway more suitable object Of her lovs ana
position and his profes sic Of she rvpsns
the act which precipitAted her into an ezgagsmsat
fulfil it. and thus determines upon sacrificing hsr
own happiness, In order to build up the broken for
tunes OF her father, who hates the merchant and
Kept in ignorance Of the passive sesacrince OF his
child In the meal tne, Msrsic hears OF Costanss's
new formed affection Tor Juranio and fred BY jsa-
Lousy he medtstes revenge Accordingly, he Invites
his rival and his friend Salvatore (ur. Ritchngs 20
banquet with the intention Of poisoning tasm- bat,
Through the agency Of Puti Mr Dsvidgel servant to
Marso, the tables are turned and the merchant him
cell imbibss opiate, which, by Salvatore coati-
vance is substituted Tor the drsught the nser nst
prepared for his intended victims. The compoaaa,
however does not plove fatal but the rev-Angs OF the
vsiny Of Mario bring sbsut happy Issue Costsn,s
espousss the young Count Jrranio and ths fortaass
OF Der father retrieved by his wealth. rhsrs -
under plot, in which FilpPa tnrs Abb,tt) aids css-
taDzs to avoid the unmeet match with msrsio, and
makes love, admirably, hvrself, to salvatore Mr..
ferrng earnesnsss to rant and giving full eiess 70
the classic beauties which the author has strung
togsther like pearls upon golden cord lie gave the
character OF srsio that prominent tsrest waish ais
and well studied pc pton always impartsto tbs
cast OF characters which his talents ente him por
tray lie was des-rvedly appls udcd. Madame Pc
kitsi performed her part with grace of action
and clear delivery, givisg the Tine passage, .
power and occasional FIRE which gained
her the marked appreciation Of the whole mouse.
Mr.. Richings was also admirable. rendering the Wit
OF his part piquant and telling, aud acting With
the ease Of nnt he'd artist Mr., conway, Mira Held,
Mrs Abbott Mr. frederioks and AFT Daviigr did equal
jutco to their partsot the merits OF their PERFORM
rnees we shall speak upon another occasion, as the
present notice has ALREADY extended 20 considerable
length. But, In justice TO the management, must
say that the play has been brought out Ia a styls
worthy Of the metropolitan theatre Of any In the
world The dresses, particularly In the last scene.
truly beautiful and ct aste The garden
excellent but the banquet surpassed hing
have leo ed for time in BE- auty bri snoJ o.
effect The play OF the Betrotnal" will hold high
position I'm the drama in any country whereit is pro-
ducSd, and adds another laurel to American dramatic
lame At the conclusion of the perform the prin-
opsl characters called before the curtain to
osiye the we'll deserved applause Of the delighted
disnce and after repeated rspetitiOns OF the Of
BOXER, the author afro came forward, ana modesty
bowed his acknowledgement. The house remark
ably well attended but not 90 full tho occasion de-
mar ded, the merits Of the piece deserved. The
"Betrothal" will be repeated every night this week
Americans, go see what your countrynen do,
andeompsre them with foreign authors.