Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-08-15
T Fl E CITY,

THEAfRIcAL-Attracted by the title Of the new play
the Bohemisns of PArs" We strOled into the Temple
Of Thesps, a night or two ago, to witness its fss
representation Entering the Theatre about quarter
after eight We we're constrained to listen to two Ger
wal FRI the Orchestra the melodies or themes
of which twanged footed over and over to that
excess that their satatory strains still ringing in
our ears After tbs came the grand overture to Lu-
crtzia, Borgia The mournfu music Of Donizs!ti, SO
enchanting when played silfuly and in tune sounded
on this occasion like the conyusive walls Of dczln
cats whose lesser ntsstnes had bsn torn out to make
strings for the remorseless violnF The members of this
Orchestra must think, with Pope, call dscord her-
moty not understood but for ourselves, we'd 'rather
hear br z,n canstick turnd, or dry wheel grae on
its sIletFes."
Then, the audience generously afforded twenty
minutes opportunity to admire and crticise the mag
ni6cent DR. p- curtain We had chance to study
the old mastsrs do presume to pass opinion
upon the merits Of this curtan but. assuredly VIC may
be allowed suggest that the colossal sz, and bread
of the figures were not copied from Michael Angelo,
nor the Startling and vivid Cooriug from Leonard). Tae
naked child in the central foreground with bis exceed
ing pretcrna!ura Tlumpness about the seat of honor
spcuous position in order that any Of the venerable
elders (who evidently all echoolmasers) may spank
him when thereto inclined.
When The clock Tas on the stroke Of nine, the eul
tain rolled slowly up and the play began. TIE scene
Is laid in Paris among tie Bohemes thisses Of that
gay capital.
From the costumes, the language and manners OF the
actors, should say the representation would have
been life like if intended for the Eve Points of NV
York, or the sailor bells Of Liverpool but whoever
dreamed Of Partisan ragamuffa using, dd nGaseGni
On habusl term such as Orry queer" "goly good,
&c.?
TLere was one expression used by woman, too,
who played male part which, how wretched soeVer
the play and vulgar it's language, cannot but lock
upo as grauitous Interpolation, absolutely atrocous
10 it improperly. The audience showed their gror-
ance or their Disgust by maintaining an unbroken
sepce II must go-thisis my h0r for an assassination
said the Bohemian "What an assassination p cried
the Others gathering round. "No, only an assgnaon."
We do not know by whom this play was translated-
may be by the admirable" resident Manager him.
self Did the player follow the text literaim when he
said Gwen be rich, which you and me will share the
dowry"G or the other, (Mr. Ddier) who "oad went to
India" OF the third who advised his fellow cuthroats
Ito rob like be did"Y
The PrOmrter ought to curb his ambition, and
speak lower. Although, under existing m'tances
he Is the most important parsonage in the theatre,
or rather on the atage-for without him Their"
worli be a dead lcck in the very FIRST eceno-
still he is not public func in the general acceDtstiOn
nor should his voice be heard al times al over the
houso equang the terrific maniac ou.bursts Of the &C.
eomplshsd Ogden himself.
These who, by the pretenous arstocratic aposrophe
after the D. would tell the world that they were named
after Lord Byrons CaDdoa deeheHe. and the husband
OF Lady Bessngtons daughter, should learn that the
Ocuat Alfred wrote his nam, thus: DOr:Gy, and did
not gaIliciae cOgnomer OF Hibernau origin without
doing iE artiOIicaliy