New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-04-14
LAURA KEENE' ) THEATER.

French. by Charles GaylOr, esq, was last night
presented at this house for the first time. Although
Mr. Gaylor with most refreshing fairness and hon
esy acknowledges his Indebtedness to another auth'r
for the framework Of this excellent play, are dis
posed TO give him credit for good deal of originality
not in the invention Of the plot at least in the sharp
ness and pernency of the dialogue, the arrangement
Of the scenes and general good Management by which
the various points are made most telling aud efec-
tive. The is laid in and near Berlin, and the
leading incident is the romantic courtship and marriage
Of the young Charles Frederick Of Prussia, afterward
Frederick the Great with the still younger Elizabeth
Of Austria, Princess of Brunswick Among the other
historical personages involved in the story Frede
rick William L. King Of Prussia, and his wife Sophia
of England, daughter Of George |.
The scene opens at the mill of Sans SOuci, where
the Princes Elizabeth-whO, under the guardianship
of her uncle, Count Saxendorf was on her way to
Berlin to perfect the marriages. temporary guest
their carrage having broken down in the vicinity Ii
is rural siyal at the mill acconnt of the christ
ening Of the mier's child, and in the absence of the
expected gOdmother the Princess, whose rank Is IN
known volunteers her services. Young Frederick.
who as sergeant in the King guard, Is learning the
profession Of arms makes his appearance and oiciaes
as godfather by the side of the Princess whom he takes
for a country lady and with whom, in the course of
the day. he falls desperately in love. When The fcsiv-
tiles are n their hight King Frederick William enters
and announces to his the projected alliance with
the Austrian House. The Prince, whose heart Is
wholly occupied with the unknown beauty OF the
mill Internationally refuses to marry as his father
desires, whcrcupOn the King suspecting the. state
of the case and assuming Elizabeth to be an
adventures, commands her to immediately quit
the neigh bCrhood. She announces that she shall at
once set ont for Paris whittier the Prince resolves to
follow her accompanied by his friend Count Gustave
who is Lieutenant in the Kings Guards. Gustave,
beto,e he leaves Prussia desires to bid farewell to
Louise lady whom he loves, and vino is the wife OF
General Sturner of Frcdercks army. The Prince
consents and they scale the wall surrounding the
Gcnernlr mansion, where Gustaye meets Louise. bat
is discovered in her company by the servants of the
General who are about to seize and kill him, when
the Prince as the only means of preserving for tho
present his friends life procaims him deferer ana
causes him to he arrested and carried back to Berlin
where he is lodged in prison TO awaR hs trlai ny
Cont martial The Prince is obliged to give up ms
Journey to Paris and return also to the city for the
purpose of securing the freedom of Gustaye. Mean
time the Princess Elizabeth instead of proceedlngt TO
Paris has made herself known and has been received
at the Pr,lssan Court where the young Prince Fed
crck meets her the next day. His JOY at finding that
his divinity Of the hill ard the Austrian Princess
whom lis father desires him to marry, are the same
person. il unbOuuded and he announces himself ready
for tbe ceremony and all would here end happily, were
il not that the Count Gustave is still III prison with
strong probability of being contaminated and shot,
,he inteighnce of his desetion having come to the
knowledge of the King who refuses to listen TO any
intcrcesson for his pardon. When the Prince hnds
that his father is nfexible this point he declares
| himself deserter also, and Is Immediately arrested
End sent to prison with Gustave. expecting to share
the same fate with him. Meantime an epaulette be-
longing to the Prince and which was torn on III the
grounds of Gen. Sturner has been picked up ana rec
ocnized by the General who forthwith concludes that
Prince Frederick is the Illicit lover OF his wife. In
thi. frame Of mind he comes to Berlin to preside over
the court martial which is to try the two young men
for desertion Gustave Is found guilty by the court,
but in the case of the Prince there three for ac-
outal and three for conviction, thereby giving the
casting vote to Gen. Sturuer He, believing that the
intention of the Prince was not to desert but to make
a secret visit TO Louise, the Generals wife, finds HIM
not guilty of desetion and the Prince is thereby saved
But Gustave is still in prison; he escapes however,
disguised a. Prince Frederick but out of danger
he is seized with remOrse at the thought OF having LETT
his Prince in peril, and accordingly returns to place
led out upon the parade ground be shot and only
saves himself at the critical moment by disclosing his
true character. An explanation follows the pardon of
the King is obtained for both prisoners, the conduct
Of Louise is cleared up. and proves that the love
| that has existed between her and Gustaye has been
perfectly innocent the General is convinced of the
purity of Ls wife Elizabeth and Prince Frederick are
| married and all ends happily.
The plot most ingenously constructed, the con-
slant succession and complication Of incidents keeping
| the audience ever interested and attentive The
dialogue is lively and well written. and the various
| characters Of the underplot have some pleasant
| scenes, which to alleviate any tendency to
sonbemess which there might possibly be without
| them. We do not remember that this historical IN
| cdent has ever been made the subject of drama be-
fore but it is certainly most successful IN this 10.
| stance.
| Miss Keene the young Prince played very nicely
and much applauded Mr.. Burnett who per-
sona,ed the bluff King Frederick William WAS ex-
celleutly made up and admirably dressed. lie acted
| with great discretion and correctness, and gave
striking portrait of the characteristics of that rough
| old disciplnarian. Miss Manners Miss Clifton and
| MIS- Jefferson had small parts. Of which they all
| made the best. The other characters were all &C.
ocptabe, and the piece wants ony little juilcious
| cane bestowed upon it to make it move pat and
| SHARPLY which result will be effected by few
careiulIehearsals 10 make it capital acting play.
| The new scenes by Hawthorne and Almy were very
fine, ard the costumes are all superb aud appropriate
In attention TO the dresses and mountngs of her plays
Miss Keene eynces excellent taste and perfect dis
I regard Of the cost, and the two new pieces which