The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-07
Theatrical.

Mrs. F. W. Lander formerly Miss Jean Davenport,
made her rentree at this theatre last evening. The
house crowded every part with brilliant and
fashionable audience Senator and Mrs. sprague, the
Hon. Charles NJ. and Mrs. Walker and their bridal party
came on from Washington and occupied prominent seats
Editors divnes critics, judges authors, actors artists
millionares bellies singers, leading politicians and all
various grades Of the best metropolitan society
appropriately represented When the curtain and
Mrs Lander upon the stage, she received with
prolonged and enthusiastic applause Having orded
her this magnificent welcome, 70 which her rank ~
actress and lady alike entitled her. the audience be-
not less cordial but critical and the play pro-
ceeded.
Nesaliancc is play which has been performed in
New York several times BEFORE under various titles, and
which originally translated from the French b.
lieve by Miss Davenport herself The plot Is not very
intricate The viscount DOrIey marries tho beautiful
daughter Of poor painter His rich wicked and noble
brother and sister try prevent the MATCH and that fail
ing they try separate the parties For this purpose
they prepare duplicate dresses for ball and
with he Marquis dc Brcvannos thinking him her hus-
band. or course the vscoun Is informed that she has
eloped Of course he pursucs; OF course ne nds his
Sues the Marquis wounded and Leone is sent Ia the
prison Of the Magdalencs Two humble but faithful
friends bring her husband to see herr she conyinccs him
OF her innocence and they leave the prison together
Undismaycd by this signal and, as u would sem,
relatives Of the viscount demand fresh pack Of cards
and begin to play new game This timc tn assa tn,
Wis cunt accuse him o. ons o, sn', anu o,ng IN
great deal Of trouble distress and confusion II It b.
a very difficult thing to prove man insane, IL Is an
equally difficult thing 10 prove man in his right senses
who OF us has not his little weaknesses Tho weakn rs
OF the vscount Dorley loving his wife too well and
crying too much about her This Is brought home to
him. much his discr, sundry acts Of lib raty
also alleged against him. III he had not loved his wife
and had been very mean these facts would HAYS b.,
Ia CTR Of
right In the end and Leope and her husband are
happy ever aftrr.
Of the the sympathes Of the audience with
virtue Mrs. Lander and Mr. 9. Pope Indeed there was
temptation for them 70 be otherwise The villains In
this play very vilanous and the viruous people
perfectly spotcss and decidedly the best actors Mr.
op a The unhappy husband ms par My
Mary Wells az the wicked sister acted like Partisan
Lady Macbeth and dressed superby Mr. Blaisdeii as
the wicked brother, very mild, and weak and
naughty Mr. j. Hagnn, the hcartcss but unss ccess-
full seduccr showed vice IN such hdccus men that 70
ton DOES not apply for Mr. Hagan rel Iq,ishcd
his viciousncss for n moment MT Burnett and Mr.
Becks capital in poor but honest characters
Our readers have perhaps asked themselves Why we
have long delayed to speak OF Mrs Landcs acting
The = very on We NOV wers u s, be re
mander this article, and have left the best for
the last. In the opening act-wheh, let us suggest,
ought 10 be cut down by haf-Mrs Lander scarcely
herself In the second act her voice found the range OF
tho theatre she recovered her confidence and the audi
ence was genuine enthusiasm Aficr that every
point told In the prison Mrs. Lander was espc
cially admirable Her atng Is quiet, intense aud sym
patriotic. She does not shr X nor scream nor bea, INC
air as Is the fashion with star actresses nova days
Neither does affect the statuesquc and depend upon
her PISS for her effects In everything she true TO ma
turc and uses her art conceal art most carefully.
Mrs Lander is a small, beautifully formed lady with
sweet expressive face, and voice rs clear as silver
bell Her motions very graceful, and she has mono
OF that stage walk or stride which es great nuisance
the stage To see her act y q DO con
WINGED that there Il still hope for the stage She
carries us back TO those old del ghtul days when u
auIrcd brains brass 70 be star We do not admit
the play In which she performed last evening" and al
though IL has always been popular and always will b.,
probably really canuot understand what there IL In
10 interest an American audenc for none OF tho scenes
could by any possibility have occurred In this country
And vet Mrs Lander makes the play intensely Interest
Inp She presented us last evening with 10 moving
picture Of suffering but Innocent woman that Of times
The whole audience In tearsand this Is artist
| highest, greatest triumph.