New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-09
ABUSE 1kN1s.
Nibio's Gnrdcu.

The Measure with which we welcome Mrs.
Lannr.- r.tarn tho stage wond le greater II she
had selected for tie occa Ion ~ her reappcnraree
piece better suited hag excellent artistic qualities
/ than Tie M6sa,ince.' which Is one Of the worst
succuors OF the class Of plays with which We
have any acquaintance IL Is bad ard weak from the
title TO The tag including both The story IN patry
,Le Incidents are both feeble and unnatral-two
dramatic defects seldom combined. but united IN this
lasiance With sngnisr exaetness-ihe Development of
the plot Is irregular 10 the extent OF forcing culn ma
ton Of interest the close the third act and destroy
ing The value of the remaining scenes and The language
1, pcrrctuaiy crude harsh aud inircitols. We take
IL 10 be unskiul tTansla.oH Of French play which
probably in its original state possessed small merit but
which mas have been 30 distorted by the generally
painful process OF adaptation ~ afford fair idea Of
tho purpose Of tie author. Apart from the in.
efficiency Of the translation. which gives a.
one resu. an English dialogue prCfusely inter.
spcrsed with foreign idions the dangerous practice
Is adopted Of retaining Z. mutiigtc OF literal French
phrases. the inevitable effect Of twhic. is to make
those who utter them ridiculous. A knowledge Of
foreign gcs Is not considered essential to theair
cal oduceton but there Ia why the necessity
Of betraying their ignoraace should be forced upon
actors In the Representation Of this play. two gentle
men, SIR Popo nnd Mr.. Becks. appear equal to the
Gallo emergency. All others concerned make their
prasewo rthy effort, like Mrs. Doubey. but without
sirknely successful consequences. French decorations
of Engsh colloquy REmeanng Alterations at al
times tut when they made 10 issue from incapable
mouths they are deteJtahle. This, however is Incl
dental defect which ooui pass over il the piece cx
bbited any good quality OF sufficient Importance to
countcrbaance H. Wecennot REGAL, q single one. I'm.
easy virtue scars victorious after prolonged
struggle and vice Is eK,irpated by summary and
rather questionable methods; but play
must hSvo something more than tolerable
moral about II. nowadays. TO secure appreciation.
Tho M6saisnce" is title in degree significant
OF tie proces, Of construction which tho authors appear
to have chosen The entire five aots are a combination
Of ino0ngruitics Tho events situations. sentiments
and actions are completely installed. There are per-
haps which appeal 10 the sense OF popular effect
and there Is one at least Of deep and powerful interest
but the unnatural In which these scenes In
troduced and the Of tact which surrounds them
with trivial accessories rob them OF all their value In
an artistic sense. The most portentoGs resrlts
made 70 spring from the most tring causes Compli.
cations which a word Of iuoid explanation would de-
stroy. carried on by persistent and obyi.
ously superhuous mystery TO thei most perilous
consequences. Even In the heronos principal
scene. where the opportunity Is given her
TO sweep away all her troubles and dangers BY
sn gle coherent statement she Is allowed only shelter
herself behind woiu lamcntaious entreaties pledges,
and generally Illogical and historical demonstration
which establish her claim 10 the pity Of observers but do
nothing toward astiyug ler In the estimation Of those
most nearly concerned. II we must have au illcgit
mate scnaationn drains, let II ut least be true 10 its
purpose, and. Like " The Dukes Motto or 1.-THE
Corscan Brothers" be divortlng even though mon
strous and impossible. Bot dramas made up Of what
we may call common place improbabilities arc neither
the one thing tie other. They appeal neither TO
rcoson nor 10 Imagination. They belong TO the uvrHe
miller. and rank only with P1pes
Unfinished things, knows not what 10 call,
Their senerstion's SO cquvocA
And now TO the agreeable subject OF Mrs. Ian.
srs acting. Her retirement Of four years does not ap
20 10 have brought any changes either to her per.
sou,I appearance 10 the artistic refinement and del
icacy which were always conspicuous with her. She
IL precisely what she when We last saw her. Her
personatioE OF the part Of L6one ArnaiJd 10 model II
quiet grace Add dignity. It's effects are al intended to
" thoss 9. ns:Tans's 'roe.iy and gssa.ae feeling