New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-26
LAURA KEENE s 7RgATER.

pleasant comedy in two acts, entitled, GA Bird
" y the hand is worth two in the Bush" per
formed last night for the fret time. We ignorant
Of the birth place Of this agreeable drama and have
not the slightest hint to its former history and
adventures in carly life we cannot tel what disloca-
tons il has endured or what transformations II has
uuc ergOne before assumed it. present fOrm-whether
il is translated from the French, adapted from the
Spanish remodced from the English, stolen from the
Italian Transferred from the Icelsndc. or borrowed
without credit from the Choctaw or Tuscarora, we
are unable at this present, TO say nor are we posi-
lively assured that il matter OF vital interest to
the world at large. Suffice it to say, that it is very
good play, dc,pite the greet length and talkness Of
the first act that the plot is interesting although the
leading incident is not remarkable for originality end
that there some opportunities for nice little bits Of
acting and that altogether il is smooth satisfactory
agreeable performance. The plot which not 20 bad
is this There is rich uncle, not the traditional rich
uncle Of the stage, just come home from the Indies
with a big bag of money and gold-headed cane,
but an Od-fsshioned sort Of uncle who has &C.
cumulated his cash in farmer way in the West Rid.
ing Of Yorkshire. He has two nephews against
of whom he has set his face, and made his WILL on
account of a marriage which did not suit him, and
fully intends to bestow all his worldly wealth upon the
other nephew. 1t so happens that this decision il not
in accordance with the prophecies of the case, but
that the discarded young has the greatest affec-
ton for his uncle while the favored youth does not
care button for him. or indeed for any one except
fashionable wife Of his. This peculiar state OF facts
becomes known to one Major Stormount, a friend of
RodeIck Praiseworthy this deluded old uncle, and he
sets about convincing him of his error of judgment
and setting the young men in their true positions be-
fore him. TO this end he persuades Roderick to an
nOunce to them that he is dead send for them to
to the funeral, and Disgusting himself stewart
observe their department and gauge his future conduct
accordingly. To this notable plan the old man con-
sents and the stratagem succeeds-the two nephews
come TO the house, and the elder one, who had hth
erto been the darling Of his uncle, is shown to be heart
less unfeelDg, and utterly SELFISH while the other
turns out to be model Of prOpnety and good behavior
The uncle with the cash TO his senses and be-
slows the funds in the right direction. Beside
these several leading characters, there number
of other personages introduced to work out the story
one of whom lawyer whose name is set down
Capas Sbarke, is played finely by Dir. T. b. John
stoD who eIcels in this peculiar style Of eccentric
comedy. Mr.. Burnett who personates mine
uncle makes of the part all that it is possible to
make and Mr.. Wbeateigh as the scamp nephew
gives him a fcppish individuality entirely distinct
from the usual stage exqusites. Mr.. Lingham, the
other young man, has a very common sentimental
part, which gives him little opportunity to dsting
uish himself Miss Laura Keene who acted the
overdressed lady of fashion, was applauded, and
Miss Kate Reynolds who persOnated the virtuous
down-trodden one was sweet aud interesting to de-
gree.
The play is successful, and seemed to please the
audience nightly, although are constrained to
stubborny adhere to first impression; and cannot
yet repent US Of our delicate insinuaton herenbefore
expressed, that the first act is too long, and the
scenes slightly Ito be very mild wire-drawn. The
name of the author was not announced. We venture
also to suggest that he has shown great poverty of
invention as to his names. Trustworthy, Prodiga
Sharke, Button. Champagne, Legs and Whipcord,
are not set down in the directory.
BURToN's THEATER.-Mr. John Miltoa, Heng-
Ter who has attained no inconsderabe celebrity
as a performer on the "Cord Extension" the
bills have it,, which delicate phrase is, we pre-
sumo, the fashionable slang for eight rope" and
who is well known Of all who have been frequent
ers o. Nbos Theater for the past year, appeared last
night at this house as "Hamlet." As the gentleman
professional actor, he will escape sharp
criticism which might perhaps be called for were he
more pretentious. His success, however, was not so
unequivocaly great as to tempt him to immediately
forsake the tight rope for the tragic stage, or to lay
aside the balance pole for the purpose Of assuming the