New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-09
" SECOND LOVE-" AT LAURA KEENES
THEATER.

Il
Last evening, for the first time in New-York, was
p,syed at Laura KeeDes Theater three act drama
emitted Second Love- The author d Mr. Pslsrave
Simpson Of LoEdon, in which city this play was rst
performed.
Ii We were required to specify to exactly what de-
| partner. Of the drama Second Love belongs. we
should for lack of appropriate, ready -made head
classify il as moist ncelo-drsms Ii is fun Of stacy
sertmentaty very much Diluted by continuous floods
Of tear which shed in copious profusion by the
entire strength Of the company" Tbs first act is
sbowery and there quite little deuge in the second
il clear, off somewhat in the last, and the curtain
comes down Just as the audience begin to look for bet
ter weather. The heroine cries occasionally and the
hero is quite perambustiug hydrant with the water
always turned on; the pretty waiting-msid weeps
tuu uuously ard SYSTEMATICALLY, with great display
of white hand kerchef and the comic servant sheds
dirty tear of dimensions much above the average
every time he makes damp exit. II might be termed
"tearful tragedy, but moist mele-dram is quite
as expressive and more mercifu.
The plot is slight and il is with difficulty that
the auditor can rescue from the overwhelming flood.
When, however, it is fairly drawn to dry land and
properly dried for inspection its main features present
the following appearance:
Elipor Mowbrsy, blind girl, loves Colonel Danger
field who seeks to marry her sor the purpose OF
obtaining posse sson of fortune which has been left
her by relative, of which piece Of good luck she is
yet ignorant. Dangerfed therefore assumes tie dis
guise of painter, and seels to win her by the dis
interested.affection plan. He succeeds, and Elpor
premises to marry him, thereby disappointing cruelya
Mr.. Ralph Tbornhl, who loves her. but has never told
| his love. Dangerfej, previous to his promise to
Elnor has been lover of Mildred Vernon, a cousin Of
Eliuors Being thrown ogain in her company, be re-
news his Of affection and carries on his double
game before the very face of the blind Elnor, who is
unable TO perceive the fact. At last, however, her
jealousy becomes aroused and che resolves to learn the
Truth. physician restores her sight, but she then
fens blindness unit she becomes perfectly convinced
| of the unworhness Of her would-be husband and
awskens to the claims Of Ralph, whom she finally
n arlies This result is accelerated by the instrument
tally of sbrewd servant, who is adm Hby person.
ated by Mr. wheailegh. There seveM incidents
in which the servant has a large share, and there is
| great deal of complicated maneuverng which seems
20 pertex every body. Although this event disposes
enthusiastically two of the characters there Others
whose share Of poetic justice out minus. Mil
bred wi has been betrayed and deserted, doesn't get
any husband, and is seen reclining on the carpet in
puddle Of tears. Col. Dangerded, who is the villsn
Of the piece 10 not punished at ALL and doesn't even
have his nose pulled but is last observed getting
fence in the background with the evident intention
of retiring into the country until the little affair has
| blown over.
Seriously, there is something in the piece; there is
the outline of plot which good and which in better
hands would have made better play. But it is most
bur er giy put together and the story is snohered
in meaningless dialogue that the interest Is lost all
the life is killed out and in the absence of anything to
| eniven and tighten the melancholy heaviness Of the
weeping characters, the first two acts are a dreary
drag The third act is eudurable-it lie half an
hour shorter There are, however, occasional oppor-
tunties for the actors to throw little spirit and vigor
into the performance, which hits were applauded by
the krd-hesrted audience; bat. as whole, 1t is mo-
| uotonous, unintereetiug and wearisome.
| Mis- Keene, Miss Manners and Mr. Wheatleigh
were acceptable and gave correct AMI careful inter-
pretaions OF what the aut evidently intended the
characters to be- and it fault of theirs that the
,lay Yves not brilliant success. MIR. George Jordan
as Ralph Thornhill, the countrygenteman cousin was
| upni.tskaby bad. Instead of a wel-meanng, true
hesred, self-sacnicDg, bashulspo gentleman, he
made the modest Ralph sniveling smpeton, who
| lever addressed the lady Of his love without whlm-
r.r or whine The other characters were well enough
The piece is well mounted and the last scene is truly
| beautiful.
Mr.. Wikins's comedy of Young New-York was
| rene ated for the thirteenth time.
/