Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-24
INTELlIGENCE.
fOFFT0IAL P4PER or The OITY.)

(OFF7OLAL PAPER or THE CITY,
NATIONAL THEArRs. I'm consequence of the un-
fayorsbl e state OF the weather. on Saturday even
ing. the National Was not so well filed as usual,
although the audience was quite numerous. The
play was the fine old English comedy, the Incon-
slant. BY Farquhar, adapted to the more refined
taste Of the present day by Mr.. Murdoch, by whom
the part OF Young Mirabel was played.
This 10 an admirable comedy, and itsmay well
excite surprise in all who Witnessed Its perform
ance on Saturday night that II is 20 seldom pre-
scented to the public. Our modern play-wnghts
are not deficient in genius or dramatic power, but
II Ia disparagement TO them 70 say that the COM
bned talent Of England and America at the pre-
sent day, could not produce comedy equal to
We excel all previous ages in the development
Of the physical scieusss and In mechanical skill.
So far as mere literary style is concerned, we SUR
pass our ancestors; but In wit, originality, and
dramatic incident, We are far behind them.
Mr. Murdoch's personation of Young Mirabel
was most excellent performance spirited, truth
full, and fascinating to high degree. We have
seldom Witnessed, OF late years, 80 capital per-
Mr.. Ellis, as Old Mirabel was AZ usual, impas-
stoned and amusing. Mr.. Howe, rs the Captain,
played the part of bashful man to the life.
The part Of Oriana is not adapted to Mrs. Jones,
whose forte Is tragedy. 81
We did not see the afterpiece, though we hear
that Murdoch, as Vapid, was admirable, and was
enthusiastically applauded. s-s
The curtain rises at the National about eight
O'clock which b altogether too late at this season
of year. The curtain should rise at seven and
the last act of the concluding piece should be over
by eleven On Saturday, the first piece, consist
ing Of only three acts, was not over until quar-
ter to tenoclock.
An Improvement in the orchestra Ii also desira-
IL dod n
National this season deserves better music than
that which is now vouchsafed to us. The audience
would prefer an overture now and then, or some
favorite composition from the Italian or German
masters, to the queer olios or medeys which are
served up BY the present band. s II .
. "CHRIsrMAs CONES BUT ONCE YEAR.n--Thus
saith the old song, and the old song was right, as
the children know right well
Christmas this year, we are sorry to say, will be
very dull in this city, In consequence of the failure
Of the House to organize. A large amount of
money Is locked up id the Treasury, which under
other circumstances would be thrown into circula-
ton, and infuse activity into all departments Of
business. One of our banking-houses informs us
that the failure of the House to organize makes
difference Of 5000 900 in their deposites alone All
the other banking-houses are doubtless similarly
affected by the same cause.
If therefore, our merchants meet with unusual
delay in the settlement of their Christmas bills"
they will know the reason but in spite Of this
obstacle, there are few dollars in circulation yet,
and the children who are true " Know Nothings,"
in all that relates to Congress- its mission and
omissions, will be very apt to think that their pa
rents have ignored Christmas altogether, unless
they receive their usual Christmas gifts.
Consequently it becomes the duty of the parents
aforesaid to examine the advertising columns of the
Organ, and then to act accordingly. They will find
there the whereabouts of dealers in every variety
of toys, books, confectionery, Are crackers, &c.
The poor also have peculiar claim at this sea-
son upon the rich and prosperous. A load of
wood, a ton Of coal, pair of shoes, warm over
coat, thick blanket, and many other useful arti-
cles may be thus bestowed, and much treasure laid
up in another kingdom thereby.
The markets viii be all open this evening, and
the charitably disposed viii find there an abund-
ance of the good things of life with which to cheer
the hearts Of their poor neighbors. If we were as
rich as some of our readers we should distribute
about one hundred turkeys and one thousand
pounds Of good fat beef among the poor to-mor-
row. A word to the wise is sufficient; so we will
not dwell on this point.
CHRISTMAS FEsTlvAL--7He Drama.-The mana.
ger of the National presents to his patrons a bill
Of rare excellence on Tuesday evening.
The Drama of the Lost Ship" farce o.
aNeighbor's Wife, and the " Brgand Son" make
up the Christmas evening entertainment. ANY
quantity Of mirth and fun will be enjoyed by those
who attend, and, as seats viii be in demand, we
advise all who intend going, to apply at the box
Office tomorrow morning, and secure seats. Mr..
Jefferson and Miss Devlin, Miss Hooe, Jefferson
Burnett Kembe, and all the favorites of the talent
ed company will appear on the occasion.
The WrArHKR.-On Sunday the weather was SO
warm that overcoats we're generally thrown aside
as uncomfortable. The sun shone with unclouded
brilliancy during the day, and the night was rem
dered beautiful by moon that looked as IL it were
shining over Naples or Seville, or some other city
of the South--so warm did 1t appear and SO unlike
Christmas moon In cold climate. 3.
Before morning the wind came round to the
north, and to-day II Is cold and dreary.
CoScxRr ron THE PooR--We are sure that eve
ry one is DESTROYS to do something, however little
much, for the relief Of the destitute. "The poor
have ye always with your is as true now as il was
eighteen hundred years ago when It was uttered !;
and the duty implied in the lesson is imperative
But when pleasure can be made consistent with
duty, nothing is left to be desired. Let every one
make IL a point, therefore, TO be present at the
concert which the generous fremen are to give on
Wednesday evening, the 26th, at Columbia Hail.
Capitol Hill or If unable personally to attend by
other engagements, TO buy ticket or two, atleast
FINGER CHAwrSG."--We learn that this inno-
cent amusement was repeated on Saturday night in
restaurant near the Capitol-the difference being
that the combatant did not, as In the case of the
editor, I" chawn his own finger. Innocent amuse-
ment, this, for editors and bar-tenders
GAxE--We saw. on Saturday fifty pheasants,
FIVE wild turkies and four fat saddles Of veniscn,
just received from the mountains by Jos. Hamlin,
corner of Tenth street and the avenue. Mr.. Ham
lin is evdensy preparing for Christmas.
SUDDEN DEArH.--Mr. Charles Tschiffely, for