New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-18
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WALLACK'S 7HEAIER.
THE MAIDEN WIFE.

new tbree-sct comedy by Messrs. y. b. Goodrich
and +. L. Warden, entitled THE Maiden Wife; OF.
Romance after Marriage" was produced last night
before q crowded and animated adultery.
The ecere is laid in France. A yonns gentleman
hsvrg msrred young lady, she, on the wedding day.
overbesrs him tell friend that the alliance on hI
part is ore Of pecunsry interest, and not affections
that be, a Of society, having psestd through its
fashionable experiences, is incapable Of genuine love-
The bride hereupon irsists that they live essentially
apart merely wearing the sembacce Of mNred love,
through decent respect for the opinions OF the world
The pair accordingly 90 live in the chateau in which
the soere passes The bride las an oder sister, and
the courship OF this lady by travelling Count, 10
gether with the folles OF butt, In the shape o. an
elderly irtendant Of the estate who is Likewise snam-
ored of her forms the episode or urderpot, and the
comicality Of the piece The husband writes TO hS
friend letters describing how the curious aiscce pro
ceeds, which the friend IN tuin ncoses TO the young
wife, In the course Of few weeks the pacfcaticns
srd novelties Of country life exercise happy ihfa-
ence on the bridegroom and he apprses the friend Of
his growing affection for his BRIDE and finally OF h~
complete conquest over his heart. At THE point he
discovers his wife reading ard kssipg letter, and be-
c, mes fu,ously jealous. He pursues her, expectrgto
et counter and demolsh lover, and is oyeUoyed TO
rd the truth that be bimselfis the only object OF her
affection.
The first act very well written, and coherent and
complete in all its details The second begins with the
underplot, and for while the main idea and interest
of the piece is completely oyerrauehed, ana the minr
portion becomes the major. The strong connecting
power, the spine Of dramatic construction which
arks first class work. Is here enseebled. Besides the
u1 cerpot fails in genuire comic power. Tho prstte
Of the butt aforesaid about dferent-coored wigs and
bis I'D, pton of vanity to charm his mistIsss-hs
suffering biz nose to be pulled by rival and mob per-
cevng that it was an nsultthere and cosnate mos
dents are net triumpbs in the perilous paths of drs
matte Wit and humor The portion Of the drama which
givee it anne and specially il good and its language
marked by literary finish. In far the work suo
cess.
The prir cpM characters were sustained by Mr. Les
ter and Miss Stevers Mr.. Wacot and Mn Hoey. Mics
Cannon, Mr.. Blake and Mis- Davenport. Miss Stsvens
as the yourg wife, bad the most interesting part 10
perform. This your g lady is new TO Wslscks stage.
She was evidently fisbteeed in facing her aadtou.
and spoke 700 fast through her trepidstiou But sac
possesses natural talents worthy Of cultivation She
has sweet eIpyessiop young, fresh, speaks without
The prevstn! stage iItonsiioDs ard nouthnss, and
in right way to develop into good or superior
actress The other actors trained IN tbsir profession.
Performed with customary skill Indeed, Mr.. Blake.
laugh quite dsproportiopately TO the merits Of the
character.
At the fall Of the curtain the authors called for
Mr. Lester, however ssI cd the audience 10 excuse
their presence and need the piece for repetition