The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-14
The Guild Of Literature and Art.
BuLwER LYTToN's NEW PLAY.

BULWER LYTTONS NEW PLAY.
Compiled from paristy Of London journals
The comedy written by Sir Henry Buwer
Lytton in aid Of the foundation of this noble
institution, has been played at Devonshire House
wi the greatest success. Not the least Incl
dent occurred to shade what late Drury Lane
manager might, in his own Titanic way have called
" the blaze of triumph" that attended "Not 80
Bad as we seem; or, Many Sides to Charac-
ter" From the first moment that the scheme
was made known to her Majesty and Prince
Albert, both the Queen and the Prince manifest
ed the liveliest interest in its success The
cordially bestowed upon the endesvors of the
amateur company by these excellent person.
ages, has been seconded in the most princely
manner by the Duke of Devonshire. With a
munifcence that has made the name Of his
grace proverb for libcrality exercised with the
wisests judgment and the most delicate feeling,
he dedicated his mansios to the cause of litera-
ture and art His house was for many days, it
may be said, ip possession of the amateurs and
the noble hospitality with which he entertained
the distinguished audience of Friday week could
not be exceeded even in Devonshire House.
The play began at hafpast nine-her Ma
jesty, Prince Albert, and the Prince and Prin-
cess Royal of Prussia occupying the Royal
box, a most beautiful structure erected for the
occasion. The seats were filled by the most
illustrious for rank and gerius.-There was the
Duchess of Sutherland, vertable Koh-i-noor;
there was the I" Iron Duke" in his best temper
there was Macaulay, Chevalier Bunsen, Van der
Weyer-themselves authors; in fact, all the
highest representatives of the rank, beauty, and
genius of this wonderful England, and her for
eign ambassadors.
1t is not our intention to enter upon des-
cription Of the play, 80 fully treated by our
morning contemporaries play that has al
ready passed into the hands of all the reading
world. The play is, in the best possible taste,
dedicated to the Duke of Devonshire, in token
Of the earnest gratitude, both of the authors and
performers, for the genial and noble sympathy
which has befriended their exertions in the cause
of their brotherhood" Further, writes Sir Ed
ward, the debt that we can but feebly acknow-
ledge, may those who come after US seek to
repay and may each loftier cultivator of art
and letters, whom the rsttution established
under your auspices may shelter from care and
penury, see on lis cornerstone your princely
name-and perpetuate to distant time the affec-
Tomato homage it commands from ourselves.
1t is this hope that We can alone render worthy
the tribute which, in my own name, as author,
and in the names Of my companions, the perform
ers of the play first represented at Devonshire
House, now offer to your grace, with every
sentiment that can deepen and endcar the re-
spect and admiration" of the author, and we may
on our own part, add, of every man whose heart
responds to the claims, the exalted and emo
bling claims of art and literature.
We append as document what must be a
piece of literary and artistic history-dran,alic
persons: