The Washington union., 1858-02-18
LOCAL N T. w s.

crowded audiences and has decidedly successful rs
most of readers probably are aware, an ah"p'auoh
from the Dame Gme,ias, by Alexandra Dumas the
younger prepared by Miss Heron while in Paris, about
three yeafs since The plot is very French very I'M
probable aud very ingenious successful study OF that
romantic yet voluptous phase of society which is among
the scnatons Of Paris and which has OF late obtained
a certain ooold in northern cities This cie Idr,s-
has been captaly put upon the stage by Mr. Etyng
to whose untg energy aud thorough acquaintance with
tlis " business Of the boards play goers much
indebted
The part of Cuae is tae which needs artist of high
genius to interpret it, to make it cndurabe The SIM
pie dclineaton of the character of woman Who makes
no prcensons to virtue and exuls the victims who
mniset 20 The pleasures OF her of crime, would
be almost disgusting. But in witnessing Miss Heron,
YOU take Paris view Of this abandoned life, and ro
manticay look beyond IL into tic purity of her own
heart where the ideal Of female excellence IL mbodied
Let her be drinking roting intriguing, on boastingy
chroncns her degradation the brightness Of her hef-
puray like a diamond set in decay, arrests the attcn-
ton OF her audience. 1t is an impossibity, yet she
achieves it, and the purity of her conception of the
parts casts veil over the fidelity with which she renders
1t.
We are not prepared to denounce the painful manfcs
taon of the disease which accompanies the crng yet
loving C step ystcp to her grave. 1t secures SYM
pathy- it awakcns pity. Gradually we behold her en-
folded in the anacondake grasp of the insidous disease,
and consumption 30 portrayed before The
hollow cough the shortness of breath the glazed eye
the hopes of recoverythe contest with the
grim hing of terors rendered with fidelity that ex-
cites sympathy 1t commands admiration Yet it is
sad picture, faithful thotish II may be.
In each successive scene Miss Heron reveals the same
evidence Of cultwaton, of study from the original
type and of the intensest expression of the varied
pf whO
that her own sex cast fortthe self sacrificing devo
ton of woman heart ovcthe desrc to combat death
and sin to live for repentance the ournfu close OF
romantic exislcnce-all rendered with great ORA
matte genius. Her commanding figure, flexible voice.
expressive features and energetic action can but remind
those who have Rstor of that tragic Of Eu
rope Faith performer represent one of her sex as
gentle, piable loving woman, or monster i'm human
mienand yet with the perfection of hsrionic art make
bearing and manner and gesture, even walk, follow
the changing expression of the voice Each stands at
the head of her profession continent.
The other performers, of course, occupy secondary
sitions but Miss Heron il well supported Mr. Howe's
4rmund DUAL although not characterized by that relne
mcnt sentiment which could alone win Camilles love-
was dramatically good, and won for him weearned
plaudits Dawsons portraure of Gaston R'er is marked
by the consummate ability which has obtained for him
the fattering suffrages of our metropolitan audience
Mrs Grattan very good Madame Prudence and the
little souJrett (whose have oIgotten very
clever
Tonight Miss Heron will appear--and for the only
time during her present her famous part
of ''Metca.''
CRIMINAL CouRr-Ihe trial of Benjamin Ogle for the
murder of John Webb-a little unoHendng boy who was
shot dead in moment of rage has attracted large
number of spectators many of them coming from George
town. where the crime committed There was pro-
longcd difficulty in empanelling jury, but OBJ
tanned yesterday after which the Indictment read
and Mr. Maury acting District attorney opened tho
in speech which displayed great ability, legal research
and oratcrcal talent In concluding he alluded to the
evil days upon which the community had fallen and
stated the absolute necessity for using the strong
of the law to stay the reckless commission of crime.
and thus restore confidence among people outraged
to an almost calculated to provoke social dsor
ganzation
Mr. Ratcfe followed for the defence, admitting that
the act diabocal that but devil ncarnate
could commit it, unless aboring under mental abca-
ton, which the plea he should endcavor to es-
tablish. He then commenced the examination Of wit
nesses by whom he sought to prove that the prisoner has
inherited insanity, and not of sound mind when the
crime committed
COL wopcorr, the refractory witness committed by or
der Of the House of Representatives, occupies the officers
next the entrance Of the Jail until cell above
stairs shall be fitted up for hm.. He is visited by
bcB of Congress and other friends AMI it is to be hoped
that those who thus have opporunityof examining the
deplorable condition Of the ail which has been .'con
demned BY the grand jury more than once, will advo-
cate the erection Of new building.
MORTALITY number Of deaths In this city during
the month of January, far reported, ninety
Of these six eighty years of age, and
twenty nine five years and under There f-
teen fatal of consumption four of smallpox, and
one of gunshot wound.
WRH'NG-INK.We have received specimen OF fine
writing ink, manufactured by Th~ideus Davids of New
York. and sold by Mcssrs Banchard& Mohun, at the
of Pennsylvania and llth street. Farnhams
old stand 1t is represented to be superior article and
from the brief trial have given it, disposed to
endorse its claim.
The Posr OrYIcE Of the House of Representatives has
been removed to the tod up for it by the officers
pas Of the furniture which has been ordered for the
Clerks Offices has been received and is plain substan
tial, and useful.
Tn. RxApxR QUESTION. N.-Jhc lengthy argument in the
~ Mccormick Manney, in which the patent rights
Of these ceobs1tcd rcapng machines involved was
concludsd Yesterday in the Supreme Court by Hon
Daniel y. Dickinson, Of New York
TkAn The steamer William Jenkins, which arrived