The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-24


nieht sxs Richmond Greyss and sMontkomery
Cnar6 y rave { ball fothe atvashington Greysr Of
philsd61phis, 4 the United States Hotel which WIS.,
really pleasant and agreeable affair. Mr. No1r
ms. the proprietor, with his characteristics liberal
ity, extended the use Of his house 70 these compe
atey decorated and lighted up forthe occasion, oil
who participated in the gay scene, seemed more
than delighted The nguesiss OF the evening. We
were gratied tosee felt that thay had fallen 1nsS
&c cd hands, among brother soldiers. and seemcu y.
perfectly at home while each Grey and uuaau
appeared determined 70 leave nothing undone thar
could possibly add to the pleasure and enjoyment
of their ruests The ladies' too, with that kindness
which is 90 characteristic of Richmonds fair daugn
ters seemed to vie with each other In their enor.s
to make the occasion deiienuui one, ana os ,o,
mirabIy did they succeed Then, too, the Colonel
and his staff were Ia their happiest mood and al
attention TO their visitors while the music was even
more enchanting than usual. Having spent tue
evening in dancing, eating and spirualizng 10 Tue
hearts content OF all, the company disPefseu a. -
early hour this morning, to sleep, and dream OF
what had past and to refresh exhausted nature, IN
order to prepare for the events OF to-day
"THE CABIN AND PARLoR."-It is with
new plays az with new books: the author throws
himself upon the mercy OF the pubic, VINO con
production; vet in one respect the play-wrter has
the adyantaee-he can disguise a commonplace
idea in the gaudy show OF the stage, ana some
times give it an effect that makes 1t take wonder
fully well. Again, the sentiment OF play IS oiten
it's salvation and let the argument be ever SO
bad and the plot f there be any ten times worse,
few patriotic dashes and star -spangled addresses,
will bring down the house in perfect tornado OF
applause To criticise the play or the players, on
any occasion is to us an irksome task ; and under
ordinary circumstances we leave it to 'a discern
inc public" to toss "the bubble reputation Gas
wageish friend hath IT. about among themselves.
new local play, however. produced TOR the hrst
time at our Theatre, and which claims to be an on,
set to the Uncle Tomitudes of the North, and
which (again) is shaving un,"-claims some
passing notice ''The Cabin and Parlor" has
great many points to recommend 1t to the public
favor; it is in the main correct portraiture-cer-
tainly much more SO than "Uncle Tom. Whatev-
er may be said of its argument, as spoken by vat
north reflects upon the author OF the book, and not
upon the dramatist. The argument is true, so far
as it goes; built certainly might have been made
much stronger. The social pleasures existing at
the South, among the slaves contrast very happl-
" with the misery which every one knows abounds
at the North. Indeed we would go on and point
out several other very good passages in the play,
but have not the space at this time.
There is good deal of fun in it, which is helped
along amazingly by siple and Ryan, Siple's ver-
sion of "The other side of Jordan" is very good
Boniface made hit the hoary old darkey, Uncle
Peter and Griths, doctor ofthe old school, was
perfect The Southern boy, Horace Courtenay,
was capital delineation, by Miss Lewis; indeed,
all the ladies of the company played very well,
particularly Mrs. Ward. who made her part appear
much better than the author could have expected
when he conceived it. The scenery of the piece,
painted by GRAIN oft great attractions. The
snow scenes are truthful to nature. Much credit
is due to the management for the way in which the
play put upon the stage.
We have said all we can in favor of 1.-THE Cabin
and Parlor," IF shorn of some of its absurdities,
reduced to half its length and brought out with the
same cast it would in our opinion be decidedly inn
proved pay wnn uses ap "u ,,st anu nut he
below shakspeare's in merit in order to give it
enduring fame