The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-05
Burton's Thsatre-"A Struggle for Cold"

First attempts always entitled TO large Of
that mercy which tenpers justice Such clemency, how
ever should be exercised with due regard TO the public
claim for justice In reference TO the domestic drama
under the above title which played "for the first
time anywhere" at Burton's last night, perceive this
divided duty The play itself Is remarkable production,
may be by the following brief r6ume Of the plot
Mr. John Herbert, merchant (Mr. N. Smith), has an
only daughter, Marian Mrs. Davenpor), and an only
son, Herbert (Mr Fishery. Being blessed with those
children his only ain in lewhich Is, believe quite
accordance with conventional ruesis make them mi.
SCRABBLE Accordingly nndI Maid Mrisn in love with
Mr. Richard wilder Orr. L. bavenport), which passion
Is by the old gentleman until the close Of the
rst act But before the PROMOTERS bell rings and the
orchestra have assumed working attitude, the elder
Wider has contrised 10 get rid OF all his money and blow
bis brains out a which pleasing junction Of affairs Mr.
Wilder, Jr arrives home from college and is informed
by gentleman named Banks-who does figure In the
bll--;bai his parent is horribly mAngled."
After such outrageous conduct the part Of wilder
senior Mr. Herbert cannot OF course think OF bestowing
ms daughters band on Wilder, Jr stormy interview be-
sists on marrying wilder Jr Pdter fdmilids declares
in the iof,ies, forms which the English tongue is
en- with shilOs she does anything ' Of a sse
sort. Compromise is effected, and Maid Marian
declares tina. she is no, asked BY ra,sr Jami,as
tests, that she will consent TO waer, Jr, more
Wilder, Jr, appears, and insuted by Walter Herbert
who has drunken hat on, and Afterwards requcs,cd.by
Maid Marian TO proceed Immediately search OF a large
fortune which, when found, he to make notes Of, aud
return herewith TO Der aud the necessary pater amia
Here commences the struggle for gold" We find In the
second act that Mr. Wider Jr, has accumulated some
money, which. however he loses 10 the sceue by
the failure Of unaccountabe stock Intelligence OF
which communicated 10 him in the presence OF his best
TREND, Richard Wade (Mr. Bsrret), yard and half
Of hlegrspbic paper Being ruined on the spot, and
having previously informed his beet friend that Maid Ma
rsn hss proved false the best friend instantly produces
large pocketbook (bcsi friends always have hcm) and
lends the unhappy man thousand dollars which
relieve hs mind. Tho moment however that the best
friend vanisbos unhappy friend resolves 20 steal
heart and devote bis time TO gambling The curtain falls
on hi. trying new way &C "oopperins the King AM
winning on the "scei tray"
In tho third &C, wilder, Jr, appears with four aces
and beard. That rs TO say, he has turned gambler
wen much money at pokor apcri po,hing on BARRIERS
aud ruins Walter Herbert who has stolen nouey game
With. ~hlewe would be saying Jack Robinson. HE beard
docs Dot become Mr. Davenport After having had four
aces In his hand Al poker party and the pile Mr.
Wilder iudIcousy retres, but folo~ed by the despe-
endesvors 70 draw an Intellectual pistol 10 knocked sense
lees by Intellectual blow, and marvellous 70 relate, IL
conveyed With care This side up 10 bis own house by
the bearded Wilder and compassionate policeman.
Here Of course, everything Is made straight The rob
bed person turns out 10 be friend Of the family (WAde)
who would rather be robbed than not Maid Marian is
true ~ The needle 10 the pole. The repenisnt Walter ar
ranges bis hair and promises never W do so again. and
Wilder dvesu himself Of his beard which must have
been uncomfortable under any circumstances and be
holds Of the brightest possible futures looming in the
distance "May they be happy" the concluding benevc-
lent remark Of rat,famIios.
Such The story ofths remarkable struggle struggle
and snschronisns In the piece TOO numerous 10 be
mentioned. The construction inartistic, the language
verbose and almost always dull, and the whole affair
exceedingly absurd a. 10 be very amusing The scnu
mept OF that order which Ia found in cheap novels and
hebcornanal The characters have special
force individuality but quite well scted Mr. and
Mrs Davenport artistic characters quite
below their powers, and Mr. Fisher played with much
spirit The underpot we'll worked up by Mrs W II.
Smith and Mr. j. Seymour, who partially succeeded in
giving touch Of nature 10 characters that we're entirely
conventional
At the end Mr. and Mrs. Davenport we're called out,
and Mr. Moore, the stage manager announced the piece
for repetition, giving the name OF Mr. Henry Morford a
ths city, AZ the author Mr. Morord being demanded he
appeared IN the boxes and made speech acknowledging
the compliment paid 10 him by the audience and said that
would incite him 10 still further efforts.
Mr. Morford must study 10 make his dialogue
ce and must be careful not 70 forget that there s but
step from the sublime 10 the ridiculous. His play Is
dull affair without even the excuse OF good moral 10
redeem the turgdity OF Us dialogue, the poverty OF m
Incidents, or the sbsurdy Of ts plot He has attempted
TO follow in the old path, introduced the worn out sua-
tons and 10 u.s. has succeeded in that
fhe hDa verdict however, must be pronounced by the
public. The house not full and the audience nos par
tculsrly enthusiastic.