New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-10
MISS KATE RRIGNOLDU.

MISS KATE REIGNOLDU.
This sterling and accomplished actress
made her first appearance at the Academy
of Music on Tuesday evening last. The
weather, the day and night previous, had
been very bad and uncomfortable to travel
from home, and its influences were still felt
on Tuesday night. for though it was clear it
was cold enough to cause many to prefer
remaining at home than to facing the bleak
wind that was still fercely blowing.
Notwithstanding these disadvantageous
circumstances, Miss Reignold's first appear
ance at the Academy was greeted by large
and fashionable audience, and from the
manner in which those present applauded
the acting of Miss Reynolds, we must GER
tainly think they felt fully compensated for
having left warm and comfortable firesides
to go forth in search of amusements.
The play upon this occasion, was the new
drama, in three acts, entitled the '.Serpent
on the Hearth" in which Miss Reynolds
personates the character of Marguerite.
a most difficult and interesting one when
correctly rendered. The play is full of In.
terest, though not without fault in some
respects; yet its moral tendencies are good,
and it's excellence more than overcomes
whatever of defect it may be thought to
possess. 1t is domestic drama of most
thrilling nature, wherein the green
monster jealousy is the Serpent
on the Hearth" !" that breaks up for the time
being the happiness Of pleasant home, and
1~.xv hnn if,11 ri nd inrp
wife from its portals and the presence Of an
enrsged yet loving husband, whom circum-
stances have cruelty conspired to convince
that his wife is false to her coDjugal vows,
and to the innocent babe she has borne
him.
Marguerite, a beautiful, intelligent, yet
artless and bewitching French girl, marries
Borak Maule, a rich Englishman, engaged
in large iron foundry business as princi-
pal. They are living at their handsome
residence in one of the shires of England,
In the neighborhood of the foundry. Near
them, lives Sir Simeon Sykes, whose wife.
Lady Sykes, was the former school
OF Marguerite. Lady Sykes, before her mar
| riage, had conceived q liking for one Cap
tain IreUOr, of the English army, and even
ventured to continue to receive his visits
and caresses after her marriage with SIR
Simeon. Matters went on this way without
anything occurring to excite the suspicious
of the really injured husband, until finally
! Captain IreUOr is ordered to India with
| his regiment. Before leaving he writes
letter to Lady Sykes, the object Of his love,
and by previous understanding, directs it
| to Marguerite, to prevent inculpating Lady
Sykes, providing it should fall into
| other than her own hands. This letter
was left at a particular place, known only
| place was in the immediate neighborhood of
| Bdrak Maule's residence. It was where
| the Captain had been in the habit of placing
letters intended for Lady Sykes.
Lady Sykes, becoming impatient in conse-
| ouence OF the nOn.appearance of her lover,
| as usual, goes to the secret spot for letter,
and, in doing so, meets with Marguerite, to
| whom she makes herself known by remind
| ing her of their acquaintance at school. She
| then informs Marguerite of the secret love
| that binds her to Captain 7rev0r, and of
| all that has transpired between them; tells
| her of the letter she expects, to whom it Is
directed, and where it is likely to be found;
| and, after making these disclosures in q con-
ddential way, appeals TO Marguerite as
| friend, not to betray her.
| This conversation is overheard by Claude
| Ruby, gentleman artist and an acquaint-
ance of both ladies'. Lady Sykes after
making confdant of Marguerite, proceeds
| to get the letter from the place where it is
concealed. when her husband appears and
| gue,.ite aside and implores her to get the
letter and send it to her that she may know
what is the fate of the Captain. This Mar
guerite is in the act of doing when her hus-
band discovers her, and demands to know
what she is doing, and why it
her bosom He demands the letter, and
upon being refused. takes it forcibly from
her and reads it. Marguerite then tells him
| the letter is not for her. He tells her she is
false, and shows her that ii is addressed to
her, and then reads it and forbids her ever
again entering his house. His suspicious
+! had previously been aroused b3 drunken
workman whom he had discharged, and this
workman-Mtwk Measty-had sworn to be
! Ievenged.
Marq,erite,> still maintaining the conf.
denCe reposed in her by Lddg Sykes, u
driven from her home and child by the
husband she loved most dearly; and,
driven to madness, pluDges into river
that peacefully glides by the hene she il
compelled to leave. Years pass aVay and
Mdrgae7'ite is supposed to be dead. Her
daughter had Grown from q baby to Dc
sweet little girl of seven or eight summers
when che was stolen from her tather by ths
drunken workman, who had sworn to be
reyenged. He had become strolling show
man and used this tender child-a fathers
fondest hope--in the Performance of danger
ous and daring feats. The father has
searched in vain for his child, when at las
he was led to the presence Of Dr.. MisGtanGy
praticing physician and magistrate, to
| assistance to recover his child.
} Strange to say, he found Dr.. Mitdn0y Il
attendance upon his wife, whom he sur
posed dead, at the house of Farmer Higgins
; She came to the neighb7rhoOd no one kne'
, how, sadly deranged in mind, SO much
that it was impossible 10 obtain from her an
: information in regard to herself or friends
3 The humane feelings of Dr.. Maldrs0
D caused her to be cared for, and his kin
t treatment gradually restored her to her res
son and friends--to her husband and cniio
/. Miss Reynolds portrays this most am
d cult character in a mastery manne
J, throughout all its phaZes Of ife-frst. tn
J. ehaste and affectionate wife and mother
q tnen the devoted friend, trusted with
secret involving the honor OF another; the
an outcast from home and friends ratht
than betray the confidence reposed IN hel
she attempts suicide, but is rescued by Il
to mysterious hand of Providence, ant
though thought by friends to be dead, turf
~ I'D q wandering lunatlo, and ia sais CO.
ys di,ion excites the sympathies OF strange
y who succeeds in restoring her reason 81
,s bringing about a reconciliation betWee
lie herself aud husband.
IN The play is Observation-Disclosures so
o. and the characters are we'll sustained m 8
20 performance at the Academy of Musi
Certainly Manager Bidwell deserves gu
u stantial encouragement for efforts to pies
IL and instruct our people. Miss Reignol
IL must be seen to be properly appreciated.
The Conviction Of WlckNne.
., We COPY the following from the Vicksbp