New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-24

"DRED" AT THE NATIONAL THEATER--Mr Purdy
has been the irt To produce an acting version of MIS-
Stoves new novel and Monday evening was wit
messed the irs representation of bred, or the Dismal
Swami" A. this book is one which cannot be dram
atized BY simply expungng the narrative portion and
retaining the dialogue the ts-k of constructing an
effective play was rather difficult than in the
case of Uncle Toms Cabin 1t has been accom-
plished in very creditable manner by Mr.. c.
w. TAYLOR who has selected the salient points
of the story with excellent judgment, and has
developed and grouped his characters and incidents in
such manner TO form good acting play. In
order to do this however he has taken the liberty to
upset the chronological sequence OF events, as detailed
in the boob and to transpose many OF then IN various
unexpected ways--tO rewrite great portion OF tile
dialogue and put in some sentiments not found else
where-to introduce q comic character which would
he az new 10 Mrs. Stowe AZ it unlocked
for to the auditors-and finally, to invent new
catastrophe. and substitute joyful marriage for
an untmey death With these trihing differences
the play gives very fair idea OF the plan and progress
Of the novel The dramatis has interpolated an III
quistive Paul Pryish lawyer, of an appearance SO
| seedy and a disposition medding that he would
never be tolerated hour in any gentlemans house,
| bu who nevertheless makes great deal OF fun, and
/; welcome Offset to the more serious raseallly of
some of tbe other characters. He has, also by some
Kind Of mysterious license prolonged the life of Miss
MIN Gordon and married her happily to the mission
ary Mr CLAYTON instead Of permitting her to die OF
| tbs unromanic disease, the cholera, per Mrs.
Stowe But the persons of the story about whom the
interest clusters are all retained, and their various
Municipalities are strongly developed bred himself,
in the play as in the book is meaningless excresence
| "A purposeless lunatc-thrust forward at intervals
among other persons Of the drains to Interrupt ana
derapge the action Of the piece, and whose only occu-
patton seems to be, hurting secondhand denunciauons
at more respectable people. He was personated, how
ever with all the viscr and effectiveness possible by
| Mr. j. Reed, who gave the necessary howls with
o,eat ousto TO the intense satisfaction Of the crowded
| audience
The star of the play is Little Cordelia Howard, who
is the careless good-or-nothing Tomtt. We must con-
| fess to a disappointment though Of agreeable
ture in her rendition Of this part. When, with the
| pleasant memory of her personation of little Eva in
our mind we saw her announced to black her face,
den the ragged breeches and attempt to depict the
characteristics of the devimaycare little slave rascal
We looked, not for an excellent bit of miniature acting,
but rather for practical demonstration Of the extent
TO which beautiful child may be deformed by burned
cork and horsehair wig The surprise was the more
welcome from the fact that very different result had
been anticipated. She il truly admirable, and de-
serves the applause of which she receives great
| share
| Nina Gordon, whose demise is so unceremonOusly
postponed by Mr.. Taylor, is played by Mrs. Howard
who has hardly the requisite amount Of grace, vivaciy
and winsomepess to give q very charming idea OF that
! lgh-hearted maiden and Mr.. Howard, who person.
| tho nd CLAYTON.
hin. A !ackaGaisical, mk-and-water, Sinking dandy
in white kid gloves Mr.. j. II. Allen, as Harry the
educated quadroon slave very spirited and effective
and Mr.. Taylor gives very acceptable rendition of
the faithful slave, Old Tiff who in the making up of
the play is kept too much in the background. Mr..
Aiken as Tom Gordon, walks about with his hands in
his pockets speaking in very gruff voice--eydently
under the impression that he ia making sensation.
On the whole, bred" as drama, with Mr.. Tay-
Iors additions and variations is very amusing, and
| will please the public. The fun element is predom-
nan and there is of the pathos which pervades
Uncle. Toms Cabin and which, effectively shad-
| owed forth BY Little Cordelia Howard "a Eva, made
the unprecedented popularity of that play. Mr. Tay-
Tor has fine perception Of strong points, and has
made good play though he would hardly be cOnsid-
cred reliable historian should he take great ber-
ties with fact he has in this instance with fiction.
BASE BALL MArcH.-A base ball match was played
do IS tba( nptip. nj