The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-18
MARY STUART,
BY SCHILLER.

Dertty, who lost her happiness through so many
errors, and who was led, after nineteen years i'm.
prisonment to the scaifod, calls forth much our
pity as that of 'Gdipus,' 'Orestes, Niobe.' But
the very beauty of this story, favorable to genius
would crush mediocritY."
The scene is at Fotherngay Castle, where "Mary
Stuart" confined. The nineteen years of her CAP.
tivity already and the tribunal appointed
by "EFzabeth"R point of ,cdng the fate
OF the unfortuna cen OF Scotland. The char.
actor OF MARY, a mirably supported, and never
ceases to interest during the whole piece Weak
passionate, vain of her person, and repentant of
her life, we at once love and censure her. Her
Temolse and her errors excite compassi on; we per-
ceive, throughout, the power of the beauty for
which she was so famous. man who conceiyes the
design of saving her. dares to avow that he deyotes
hiu self for her only from the enthusiasm which
he charms have inspired elizabeth" is Jealous
q oese chains, and even Leicester" the favorite
OF s"Elizabeth," has become enamored of "Mary,'
and has secretly promised her his support.
Her amost supernatural beauty appears to be the
cause and excuse of that haDitual intoxlcatiou of
the heart which Is the ata ity of her existence The
character of Elizabeth" excites attention in very
different manner, female yrant is a now subject
for painting The littleness of women In general
their vanity, their desire of pleasing, in short all
the qualities that belong peculiarly to them, tend
TO despotism in Elizabeth" and that dissimula.
instruments of her absolute power. Doubtless, all
tyrants are dissembers. Men must be deceived that
they may be ensaved. To this end it may be ne.
cessary that fasehood come to them under the pol
lshed semblanoe of truth. But what distinguishes
the character OF "Eizabeth" is the desire
OF pleasing united to the utmost despotism of will
and all that is most refined in the self.love of a
woman manifested by the most violent acts OF
sovereign authority. elizabeth" was a woman of
great genius the lustre of her reign eyinces Yet
in q tragedy which represents The death of MARY"
Elizabeth" can appear only as the rival who causes
her prisoner to be assassinated and the crime which
she commits is too atrocous not to eface all the
good we might be disposed to say of her political
genius.
Leicester" entreats elizabeth" to see "Mary."
He proposes to her to stop in the middle of hunt.
ing party, in the garden of Fotheringay Castle and
TO permit "MaIy" to walk there. elizabeth" con.
sents, and the third act opens with the affecting oy
of "Mary" on again breath ,ng the free air. "Mary"
is informed of "Eizabeih's" approach. She had
wished for this interview but as the moment draws
near chilly shudder runs through her frame:-
"MarY. 1 myself, Talbot, have yearned for it!
Long years have prepared for this-in both heart
and mind have sought for, and carefully resolved
the words that seemed most likely to affect and
touch her But now my labor is all obterated and
tion of my unmerited wrongs! An ungovernable
fury devours my heart and Infames me against ner!
thoughts
nought remains to counsel me but the in erna Fures
waving their snaky locksv'
Leicester" accompanies elizabeth" Thus all
the passions of "Mary are at once excited She COM
mands herself for time; but the arrogant Eliza.
beth" provokes her by her disdainful bearing and
the two rival Queens end by alike abandoning them
selves to their natural hatred. elizabeth" re-
proaches "Mary" with her faults; MARY" recalls
to her mind the suspicious of "HenrY WHIP against
mother n a rds harra
II have nought TO conceal, or to deny my faults
my plide has ever dlsdnined the base artifices of
vile IntrlRuers. The worst ever did is known, and
1 may boast myself far better than my reputation.
But woe to thee, thou malignant hypocrit3, if ever
fhOu conceaiest thine own shameless amoursi
Thou, the daughter of Anne Boleyn hast not IN
herited virtue! The chaste tlrtues thar brought
thine adulterous mother to the block are 6nown
10 alp
The entire scene is singuariy fine on this account
that their mutual rage makes the two Queens trans.
gress the bounds Of their natural dignity. They are
no longer any other than two women rivals in re.
spect of beauty; they are no longer the one sove
reign and the other prisoner; and even though the
possesses the power OF sending the other to the
scafold MARY" the BEAUTIFUL, enjoys yet the plea
of humbling the all power ul Elizabeth IN the
eyes of Leicester" in the eyes Of lover dear to
both
The em'ssaries of the RomIsh party favor the de
sipn OF assassnating elizabeth" on her return to
London. Shrewsbury" the most virtuous of the
Queens" friends disarms the assassin who at
tempted to stab her, and the people cry out aloud
Tor the blood OF "MarY, 1t is an admin alb lie scene
In which the Chancellor, "Burleigh presses "EIiza-
beth" 10 sign the doath-wanant of Mar, ;" while
"Shrewsbury," who had just saved the life OF his
sovereign throws himself at her feet imploring her
to pardon her enemy The answer of elizabeth"
to his discourse is speech of remarkable address
man in q similar situation would probably have
employed falsehood to palllate injustice but ELIZA
BETH does more; she wishes to exc to interest and
giving vent to her revenge, she would eyen if possi
Die, inspire regard whilst perpetratRg the most
barbarous action. She has the spirit OF sanguiparv
coquetry, II we may be allowed the expression and
the character OF the woman finds its complement in
that OF the tyrant:-
"Ei. o Talbot! this very day hast thou dis
armed an assassin who sought my life! Why dldst
thOu strike aside the blown Should England hope
and perchance more bl lIlant ruler, will wIInSJy
renoUnce my throne, and re urn 70 the silent halls
" UonSG o SieI LIZ soli.uHGe Wnee' unknown to ALL my
stern Justice hath yet required al my hands rs now
demanded Of me, ana yet am powerc to per.
Gee, EteI nal heaven! to hear such words and
to remain silent, would be treason 10 NV honor
Ial veal, depend upon the execution of this
the State! " '"'0
"Eh. Leave me to myself In human conn.
sels no longer mud either comfort or guidance
Retire now, but do thou, Cecil remain at hand!
The death'warrant OF MARY" is signed by "Eiza.
beth and left alone with her private secretary the
woman's timidltY, mingling itself with the perse.
Ver'ns consistency of dcspotism, makes her desire
this inferior persona4e to take upon himself the
responsibility of the deed whcn she is comps>tting
he requires positive order for sendtng the war