Washington sentinel., 1853-11-10
From the N. Y. Evening Mirror, Nov. s.

Bourcicault's New Play.--The extended
transatlantic reputation OF Mr.. Dion Bourccault,
who ranks, perhaps, second 10 no other living
playwright, and the general and well deserved
popularity Of such of his comedies as have become
familiar 10 the public, rendered il matter OF
course that the bare announcement Of an original
play (never before performed, in its three-act
adaptation. on any stage) from his pen, was 10 be
produced at Wallacks theatre last night, would
fill that elegant resort TO its utmost capacity al an
early hour. From the character of London As
surance,"" Old Heads and Young Hearts, and
other Of Mr.. Bourcicauts productions, the public
had ample cause TO expect much and II the meas
nre Of applause bestowed last night were any test,
such of the public as were fortunate enough 10
witness Love aud Money" We're not disap-
pointed.
The scene is laid in London, and the plot is
ther ingenious though most too transparent leav-
ing little exercise for the Imagination. In its gen.
eral scope il bears a striking resemblance TO Bnl-
wer's play Of" Money" though it is by no means
plagiarism, nor can il fairly be called an imita-
tion. Many of the characters are familiar friends,
and we easily recognise old stage acquantances.
Miss Helen Plantagenet, the heroine of the
piece, is the daughter Of fashionable and impov-
erished father, who is man9uvrlng 10 secure for
her an eligible match in the person OF Lord Ripley,
fop without brains, but with title, and plenty
of money.
groom, with whom she eloped, is in love with He
ien who reciprocates his affection. Job Sykes, the
groom, under the alias of X. Y, is known only as
a usurer, one Of those benevolent individuals who
lend money on such pleasing terms" and his
golden key gains him admission everywhere, max
ing him sort ofsecond Mons. Rodolphe, happening
in nj every scene just in the very nick of time 10
heighten the dramatic effect, and TO hefriend young
Acton, who turns out TO be his son. He ruins Ac-
ION by lending him money TO squander on his pro-
fligate companions, that he may the better teach
him good lesson
The young gentleman offers himself TO Helen,
who hesitates between love for him and duty 10
her father. This portion of the plot is too much
like the latter scenes Of the Lady of Lyons " TO
entitle it to the stamp OF originality. Hon. Claude
Pantagenet, the managing papa (whom we should
take for the twin-brother of " Sir George Vesey,
counsels his daughter 10 refuse bankrupt suitor,
which she does, though she loves him deeply.
Lord Fipley elopes with Rose Lawless, boarding
school Miss, and Helen is thus left altogether in
the lurch. A lapse OF two three years is sup
posed between the second and third acts.
!. The last scene changes TO Boulogne, where
Helen is residing with her father, whose fortune
has become reduced TO paltry sum, and 10 which
point Sykes brings his son, improved by misfor-
tune as she is purified by allliction. OF course,
they love each other more than ever, and, of
course, th2y united and afford happy denoWe-
ment to the piece The subordinate plot is very
good. The Hon. Claude p is 50 embarrassed
with debt that, as dsrnisr resort, he marries Mrs
Fox French, fashionable governess, who also
seeks an alliance with him for the same reasons.
On the very day of their marriage he is arrested
for debt, and they find that they are mutually taken
in and done for" But being very sensible peo-
pie, they retire TO France, where they live very
comfortably and happily.
The MacDunnum, of Dunnum, is very clev-
ery drawn character Of a capitalists sort of
compound between snob and a Gnancicr who
rises TO fortune by fancy stocks, which ruin him
about as speedily as they made him. He meets,
at Boulogne, with an old andlady who loved and
was rejected by him in his affluent days she has
become rich by the great rise in some patent
paving stock which he gave her for rent. They
are happily united at last, and all the subsidiary
characters are properly disposed Of
We have given hut ineagre outline or The
plot preferring that the reader should see the play
Tor himself There is much variety Of incident
and many effective scenes. The dialogue is