New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-06-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

r OAKrs SMITH. l-no p - N----o
In lectin ,be history of Jacob Leisler as the sub
lot Of tr,oe, the author has shown Just apprecia-
t;r If ire sn. dramatic capabilities. Our toSnsmsn'
Mr. Cornelius Mathews has already gathered ~oF.h!
b.,,s.. IN the sane field as VII De remembered by
lse who witnessed the representation Of hs Play en-
ti,,ad ".Jscpb Lesler," in the year ISIS. ms II Is
understood was performed successfully in this CITY,
phlsS.lrbis St Louis. and Cincinnati. The present
rtbor Who we are informed dates her labors on tins
ro9ucron ar time ar least far back as the appear
srep Of the Life Of Leser in SParsss American Biog-
rsrhv by Mr. Charles Holman, has made an original use
If the materials At her disposal and avaed herself ot
their pcetica elements with the true instinct Of genius
The fortunes Of Jacob Leser form peculiar and
romantic episode in American colonial history The
YEAR l6 in which the plot of the tragedy commences,
vas period Of general excitement throughout the
lopies In New-York. especially, the public mind
greatly agtated Party spirit high The adaereuts
of the old dynasty and Of the were in violent EN-
fct At this crisis, the people of New York rose in
rebellion against the officials of King James, took the
authority If government into their own hands and
ected jacob Leer by accamaOuto stand az the head
OF affairs Meantime, the parzans Of the fallen dynasty
were not idle. Unwilling TO acknowledge the new as
tendency without struggle, they attempted 70 retain
the public Offices though compelled by fear to announce
their adhesion TO the House of Orange. NewlOrk was
thus divided into great parties whose mutual ant
mostly and bitter jealOues disturbed the public tran
guilty. and sent their disastrous influence within
the retirement Of private life The attention OF
Kipg William was pre0ccupied with the war in the
Netherlands SO tina be- gave tle heed 20 the condition
of his American provinces A. length, Lelsler was mo-
t6.d Of the appointment of Colonel Slaughter an En-
slsh stranger as Governor Of NewYork. This person
Was commissioned in January 1859 but years from
that time he had nor made bis appearance 10 che Pro
vince Lesler after a long interval. informed Of
the appointment by Richard Ingodsby, who arrived IN
advance If Slaughter and demanded If The ACHING Gov
eruor the surrender OF his authority In reply Leser
demsudtda sight of the commission and of the order
on y hch Inqodsby hsd acted. He produced the com
mission bur failed 10 show any order. Jon this Leis
Ter made proclamation the ony that Slaughter had
been appointed Governorof the Province and that he
should surrender his authority tn him when be arrived
Ipeodsby backed up by Leislers opponents persisted
in tls demand for the immediate abdcaon of the Gov
ernueut He and hrs friends firm ia their refusal
A. last on the 18th Of March 1891, Slaughter arrived
"a nan icentious in his character, NEEDY aud aysrc
GUS and ready ed the desperate couosas If che
parry. INTO whose hands be fell Toe scenes which
followed" says the oiogrspher II Lesler, crowd upon
each other like those in the last act Of orinsH drum
They bear with them TOO, terrible and touching an
interest attaches 80 any living trag,dy, that Illus
trates cur political history In the tragedy before u
il is these scenes which the author has wrought with
the most consummate effect and Invested with crcum
stances Of IDEAL pahos deepening the dark and cody
coIOrs of the reality
On landing in New York, Slaughter proclaimed hs
commission in front of the City Hail. and sent Ingodsby
TO demand the keys of tbe fort Leser delayed com
piauce until he could take measures identify The
person Of the Governor On che same diy. he was
arrested, wih several OF bis frleud-, and special
court organized to try them for rebellion. On being
aragned he exhibited his characteristic firmness and
decision, in denying the authority Of tue court But
the mockery of Justice preceded aud be and his SON.
in.law Melbourne we're condemned to death rs rebels
and traitors His enemies were eager for the speedy
consumation of their Judicial sacrifice But the pusil-
luminous Slouehter feared give the order for his
execution II was only by Intoxicating him with wine,
that they made him sign The deathwarrant The exc
cuti0n took place On the same day during cold
storm of sleet and rain The spot on which tbs
tragedy completed was at the lower end Of wAa.
Park where the spray Of the fountain has suc
cetdcd the b0Od.stGln Of the martyrs"
The materials thus furnished by authentic history af
ford ample scope to the Imagination aud in the present
tragedy the plot is alike marked by holiness Of CON
cepton and the inventive skill with which il is sustain
ed Its pivotal character the wife of Lesler who we
soon discover is burdened with terrible secret under
the weight Of which her reason at last staggers her
love Of Lesler alone surviving the disastrous wreck
Tie following passage from the second scene prepares
us for the revelation of some dark mystery
Enter LElsLER and ELIZABETH
LesLr. Sweet wife, thou hast been weeping; tell me
why.
EH- Twspt from depth Of my exceeding bliss
Like De.demonas noble lord, felt
MY soul hath her content so absolute
Tat not smother comfort ike 20 this
Succeeds IN unknown fate
Lsiscr. And yet house il old and dull, meseem3
To one fresh snd buoy ant thy self
And thy old spouse Is cold and business pressed.
Eh-. Nay-shenw wa home dull 20 loving wife
thou dot lure me 10 the tale So often Id,
Which Love De- ghs 10 tell with folded wing
And eye- ,. f-cfirg Ply che oSn.
Ltltr sly child thou art IN truth very syren.
Thy voice j, iI,t betw laugh and tear
- low y-t ci-ar heard by thu sOll not sense
How hr,f thou si,chei thus somstmes fesr thee
Eit- Nay, b. thine own great ELF or shall fear.
Love is I'D god Dot made for dight
But 81 exuliait, ard from earth izrlc'
not We gned by seuse nor yet by thought abstract
Leisier Thou prettest wisdom Bn Betse good Be;se
M. Nay. there i. tiat 0l0 frOwn Of thine L.isler
| cannot tax and that upont hy orcw.
"a Judge plying and yet stern he loobsl /lstle
Am not al thy friend, thy vie thy sayel
/Th- iq.trery s0hlgJ
Li,er Thouar; all butthe last, COCO B-tss Now ia
1lou dost Offer weep-arf troubled ia thy sleep;
Thine eyes are ike ~elis Of unf.tnomed light
And thought and love, N the which gtz--zsze,
1T rnC cefth beyond sealed from my reach
love thee hot A. boy youth aud thou
Thou sI' mature m w'msnhood. Now mark;
Inc iull ps.sl' nate f0ndne-s OF our youth
L. q. r- yfff a MN tr f..rr