The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-12

An american DrhTna IN LONDON.
new drama entitled Edendale, by Mr.. G.
S. Cheltnam, on an American subject, was
produced recently at the opening of the New
Charing Cross Theatre in London. It is thus
described by the Atten@um:-
This is a small and unpretentious piece,
possessing, however, some solid merit. It's
aim-that of giving in few tableaux an idea
of the difficulties and domestic disruptions
caused by the late Rebellion in America is
thoroughly accomplished. Mr.. Cheltnam has
laid the opening scene Of his drama in Vir-
ginia, during the times Immediately antece-
dent TO the outbreak of the Rebellion. He
has thoroughly caught the spirit by which at
the outset of the campaign the Southerners
we're inspired, and has shown the dislike,
bordering upon contempt, for the Yankee
which at first prevailed in Virginian society
Very cleverly, too, he has depicted
the family dissensons leading to strangest
and most unnatural antagonism which
distinguished this struggle more than almo t
any other domestic and internecine war. He
has done this moreover, in artistic fashion,
and by the employment of means so small as
to seem disproportionate to the task. One
scene is sufficient for the whole action of his
drama. 1t represents the house and gardens
in Virginia of Mr.. Vandeleur, afterwards Col
Vandeleur, of the Confederate army. Esmond
Fairholt, young United States officer of Vir-
ginia extraction, whose father had freed his
slaves and removed to Washington, is on
visit at the house, and is betrothed to the
COlonels daughter Ada. News arrives that
the Southern States have revolted, and
Esmond prepares to join the army to which
he is summoned. Then all the Southern
hatred flares out For attempting to discharge
an act of simplest duty, from which there
is no escape, Esmond finds himself regarded
with mistrust and hatred by those whose guest
he is and whose relative he expected to be.
He leaves sadly the pleasant scenes among
which his happ'est days have been spent.
When he returns, 1t is at the head of a hostile
force. The tide Of war has swept over the
Virginian estate, destroying and effacing its
beauty, and he finds none but Mrs. and Miss
Vandeleur, with few negroes, in the house
His duty is to search for concealed provisions.
This task, necessarily unpleasant, he endea-
vors to discharge humanely; but he meets
with constant misconception and contempt
In the end he is taken prisoner, and
feels bitter heartburning in believing that
the woman he worshipped has been q
second Dalilah to betray him. short
third act is placed in Washington. when
the war is over. 1t takes up the threads of
| the story, and shows how the widow of Colo
| mel Vandeleur is reconciled to General Fair
holt, when, through his agency, her only son
| is restored to her arms and her estates are
unconditionally returned. The woong.
rudely interrupted, of Esmond and Ada is re-
| newed; and peace bids fair to cover with
| grass and flowers the scars and injuries of
war. Though simple in plot and weak in ter
mination, HdeadGJe is a pleasant and moving
play. It's dialogue has point, erring, indeed,
at times in being little over-epigrammatic;
and the construction of the two earlier acts
| is good. Some comic scenes, in which ne
| groes are the principal performers, are little
| exaggerated.