The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-25
IN. A..s..,..ss.. Dram.ss.rx.

Recent American events seem b posDss y
powerful an interest for Tho Italian psypight
q Italian history had for English writcs Of ths
Elirabethan era. Last summer the theatre ai
Perugia presented the tragedy Of "Sickles
rAmericano," and now correspondent Of the
World writes from Naples a. f6lloss; %.
1--WE were all tempted 70 tho small theater
ola Fenice" by the promise held out by o gi-
gantic play-bill announcing the tragedy Of
"Abamo Lincoln Giovanni Booth" consist
ing Of prologue and three-sct drams-the
first entitled "Thc heroism Of q Slave" and
the three acts being 6rst, "Thc Ambassador and
the Victim;" second, "The Triumph and the
Conspiracy" third, ASSASSINATION In the The
atcr.h The widest absuriity Is to plot and
situations was combined with the most touching
language and ailu,inble acting on tho part Of
the chief performers. TWAS perfect struggle,
at least rs far as our party was concerned,
whether tears of laughter should have the up
Der hand. The final scene fairly vsnquished all
remaining sense Of the ludicrous, and recalled
only too painfully tho agitation and dismay Of
that fearful night. ... r..s... 'ai
cannot resist the temptation Of giving you
the heads Of the performance, though aware
that in 30 doing l may o0ly suggest the absurd
tiles and fail In conveying one iota Of tho pa
thos. The introduction gives US Lincoln as Q
young man engaged on some abolition mission
In slave State, In danger Of his life and con-
cealed by faithful slave, George Peter. Dur
Ing o temporary absence Of the latter, jefferson
Davis (who figures rs the villain Of tho play)
comes In and atfally extracts from Noemi,
Georges wife. the fact Of Lincoln's concealment
beneath their roof. lie goes to give instant
information. George returns; discovers
the betrayal Of Lincoln by his wife, and COM
pels her silence, when, on the appearance Of the
police, he declares himself the man they seek,
and he Is led out and shot. Lincoln witnesses
II from the window and receives into his arms
the inanimate body Of Noemi. fainting beside o
cradle supposed to contain IN infant daugh-
ter.
The first act of the drama, dating some six
teen years later, shows US the President await
ing the result Of the seigo Of Charleston. To
him enters General Sherman. They discuss the
events Of the day, and join In praise Of their
brave officer Wellington, who Is expected to take
Richemont. Suddenly, Nocmi rushes In, torn
and disheveled, with her hand In sling, claim
Ing Lncoln's aid for herself and the daughter
she, having escaped from the lash Of the tor
mentors, had to leave In the hands Of Jefferson
Davis. She has scarcely got through with her
narrowing tale when deputation from Richie
mont Is announced, and walks In, headed by
the Southern President himself Noemi takes
flight before they enter, and then ensues o scene
which for utter improbability 10 unequalled.
The sentiments and blunt honesty Of Lincoln
are made to stand out forcibly against tho dark
arts Of this deputation and its leader. War ID
the knife Is tho result Of this conference and the
curtain falls as the President concludes an elo-
quent anti-slavery declaration. ....
II rises to show US the fair daughter Of Noe
mi In the private apartments Of Jefferson Davis
He persecutes her with his devotion and hi
menaces she brandishes dagger her mothe,
left with her. He contrives to obtain posses
sion Of this, and at the crisis Booth makes hi
appearance by secret entrance, and interiors
In the girls behalf, merely, as no says, from
caprice. She Is dismissed to an adjoining apart
ment, and two conspiratoB are admitted, be
tween whom and j. Davis aud Booth, the assas-
sination Of Lincoln, Seward and johnson, u
fxed for the same evening. They then quit thu
place, locking the doors behind them. Tn,
slave-girl comes from tho inner chamber, hav.
ing overheard tho plot and resolved to war;
Lincoln. Finding all other means cut of, she
leaps from high window and tho act closes.
The last sceno represents the lobby theatre
Jefferson Davis and the two oonspirators enter.
Booth Is said to be yascilating, his trustworthi-
ness Is doubtful. He enters and expresses hor-
TOR and compunction at what he has undertake
en-; his accomplices taunt him back to the
point Of fulfilling his purpose. They leave him
and the slave girl enters. and throwing herself
at Booths feet, almost succeeds In inducing
him to give up his intention. But on the strik-
ing Of the hour assigned, Booth rushes out ia
fulfil his VOW, the girls cries for help are stiAed
by Davis, and the report Of q pistol Is heard
Booth rushes back with the cry Of "Sic SEM
per-" &C., and disappears with the other con-
spintors. Lincoln Is brought In to die Nocml
and her daughter knccl at his feet and receive
his last sign. The dying President Is support
e31v General Sherman a.d Others, while DO
hiS every one, Mrs. Lin. In. now appears fol
thcdrst time. She Is not represented ~ taking
any active or special interest In the tragic scene
Her name Is on the play bill 10 that We knew ]
to DO her, but she was evidently Of most re
firing disposition. ..