New-York tribune., 1867-05-30
THE DRAMA.
TREASURE TR0yE.
II. L..


In previous notice of Treasure Trove," we have
given our readers q general idea Of tho character
OF the piece; but the topic Is worthy OF moro
detailed treatment There are two ways OF looA-
ing at Treasure Trove." 1t may be considered
"a a spectacle and II may be considered "a drama
In the former point of it has good deal OF merit
In the latter it has scarcely any merit at all.
The spectacle is composed OF ten scenes.
A doctors room at Blackwells Island is the first
plain interior. grimy decorated with embeiDs OF tho
medical pursuit The second is elaborate picture OF the
grounds OF hotel at Saratoga 1t includes a coonnsde,
grove distant prospect OF the Leland Opera House,
a fountain in play and ely that changes from late
afternoon early evening. Then comes picture OF q
corridor hotel and then the best scene OF ALL that
which depicts the Falls Of the Canaguga In this shown
a composition OF mountain scenery and cataract. A
rustic bridge spans the Rapids above the Fall gnarled
oak hemlOck overhangs the abyss Great rocks are
strcwn around in picturesque confusion. Night and
storm and perilOus adventure contribute 10 the effect
Of this picture. The scene then changes 10 New-YOrk,
and displays first the exterior and then the interior Of the
Stock Exchange in Broad-st. section OF Broadway
follows showing the iron bridge FultoDS,
and likewise several shops and disreputable news
paper establishment Next comes the interior OF
a drawng-rOOm, decorated in somewhat tawdry
taste, and finally two views are given OF Grace
Church It will be perceived that has been
ercised to the setting Of this drama. Messrs Strong
Hayes McGrab. and Head scenic artists deserve much
scene-the Falls Of the Canaguga-was painted by
Mr. Strong IL should be added in way OF further COM
meBdatiOn that the various promptly worked
and wen presented by the persons having charge OF tho
stage No dramast could wish for better treatment at
the hands OF artist, carpenter and stagemanager than
has been received by the dramatst Of Treasure Trove
at the Olympic Theser. 1t is well for him. mut add
that these allies have so faithfully abored But for that
his play would assuIedy be enacted TO empty chairs As
o drama, Treasure TrOve" simply exemplities the
good old Crummles doctrine Of real tubs" 1ts IlOt
Is very thm and Is made almost entirely sub
servient TO the idea Of theatrical effect II contains
but the fantest sketches Of character there being but
four five out Of ITS thirty persons who attract
attention by their individuality. It's construction Is
generally loose and, in two places mnrTed by
positive gaps Its elimaxhat, namely Of the expaDa
uOD-is rather tamely attained And finally, It's dia-
lOue is lacking in almost every merit that dramatic
dialogue ought to possess. The pot-fOr which the
author acknowledges his Indebtedness 10 Tho Canon
gate Legends" work with which uDacQuainted,
though perhaps reference designed TO The Chronicles
Of tie Canongate-Isy be briefly stated. thief
mitted highway robbery, ard buried the money and
jewels thus acquired. Subsequently captured and i'm
prsOned for crime, lie disclosed 10 q doctor at
the Blackwels Island Jail the secret Of his buried
treasure. In attempting 10 escape, this robbeT was
killed. The doctor then went and dug up the buried
money, and Herewith flashed upon the social world
sensation the Steeh Exchange. Incidentally becoming
enamOred Of young lady, he saved her life when she
was in peril OF being carried the Falls Of CaBaguga
and became her sianced lover An opal brcoch-part Of
the treasure trOvewhch she TOOK from him pledge
Of faith was then the means Of bringing him under
pieion Of being a robber. Explanations ensued. lie
turned out TO the heir 20 the buried treasure; opal
brooch proved 10 be ree Of his mother and, all dBcuI
ties being arranged TO the satisfaction Of everybody he
was welded Grace Church The thlnness Of this plot
is sufficiently apparent 80 s its mprobablity. As TO
the manner in which the dramats bas handled his story
that must be seen order TO be properly appreciated
OF hs particularly nOnchalant method We spoke in
first notice Of the play Very little dependence has been
placed On the plot soms peg was necessary
wheTeon 20 hang the "real tube" and this has
been made to the purpose. Between the
first and the final act Of the dfamaoy, TO observe the
authors divisions the Prologue and the second
Of Act Third-there 10 direct dramatic connection. AL
the rect that lies between is waddiDg Scenes like the
first two that are enacted at Saratoga might be ex
tended or curtaed indefinitely They have nothing TO
do with the story and they have value IN themselves
An Engsh tourist dropping In eepious abund
ance and match making mamma, who makes enc funny
speech ge 10 these scenes what little life they possess
Equally irrelevant the Stock Exchange scenes seeing
that the necessity Of the plot demands nothing but the
bare statement OF the heros Of his money striking
example heren given Of the In which the main
bnsiness Of fbe drama has hsan made secondary 70