The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-22
A Id u S x III i, n rs.

FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE.-s'Saratoga," text
with scope and verge enough for Shakespeare, has
been compressed into comedy Of five acts by MI.
Bronson Z. Howard, and his production, "braI-
new" was brought out at this house first time last
night The Mayor, the Recorder and others Of the
City Fathers, with their wives ana daughters and
distinguished company OF citizens aud strangers,
regular Fifth avenue crush assisted in the chrlsen
Ing. And what is the play, and how was 1t done,
and how did 1t takel The play Is comedy-a light,
Indeed we may say very light COMEDY anu YET Wnen
1t sparkes with sort OF Saratoga light all the way
through. 1t may be called the companion piece of
tsSuri or, Long Bfanch' but Wile the Congress
water does not afford field to the playwright or
the pain that he has In the surf" Mr. Towards
picture OF his subject Is not inferior to that of Miss
logan. II the gentleman lacks the sour philosophy
and the sharp hits at the follics OF our summer re-
Sorts which inc lady delights in he abounds in fun,
Without troubling himself about the why or the
Wherefore the ,s play Is - not roa an attempt TO
lecture the an house o or ~ 10 rsacn ant se
the mouse, and the house last night pronounced en-
Rhatically very pleasing, very amusing, and indeed
MIR Howard ought TO consider himself highly compli-
mened with the mounting OF his piece; for the wark
In his behalf Is really beautiful The opening scene
of the lake, terrace and mall OF our Central Park,
from the cedar walk, gives us the scene Itself In the
soft balmy atmosphere Of sweet summer day.
Then again. in the third act, the view OF Saratoga
Lake Is 80 ceo and ssa In the sumner ght
inviting water; and with the lake In the back
kround and the gay and happy group OF the picnic,
as here given, in the foreground we have q subject
which only needs TO be faithfully copied the ladies
particularly, IN order to produce the prettest and
most pleasing picture ever painted OF American
Summer pastmes at the Springs. This scene was
Greatly enhanced In It's effect by the following
made, composed and sung by MIR. Arthur Mathls0n,
the music by StOepel:-
Ger sa the lake u at dawn OF if'e day, pay
Swift my boat dies DER the spray,
Pure and fresh the brcezas float
Ocr the waters my boat;
But one greater JOY know
When the light waves, &c.
When the gold shimmerng CLEAN,
Then dear eyes still dssrof seem;
Ger ths murm'rous waves we float;
E hsxs nc &c ' ;sy sse' ss r.
When the gold stars, &c.
This is the GROWING pictorial feature OF the play
Rnd OF course IL was heartily encored. The scene ut
the Congress Spring Is also as charming to an old
playwright therefore, in getting into Dalys hands,
may truly say that MS lines In the midst OF pretty
faces and crowned win the me- fallen
twenty-two characters, each entitled at least to
q brief mention, though brief mention
TO speak. MI. Lewis however, 10 the new role Of q
young gallant and an lawful firt," shows that he
Shca Dutchman, or the old lawyer or the dandy
Sady-killcr "he is there.' Harkins Davidge, Whit
hey, Pc We're. Parkes, Browne ana Matthison. and
Furnished anything beyond play, but the spirit with
Which they all entered II made II excellent
| ooEs and nI Feminine destinations and WIN WIN
hing manners and pretty dresses are mainly
Fanny Davenport, Clara Norris Fanny Morant,
Linda Detz, Mrs. Gilbert, Lizzie Winter Amy Ames,
10 the donors for Saratoga The niece ab0unds
~ run and funny situations, 1t keeps the house In
roar o. good huner and Is full OF pleasing pictures
ana tADleaux. And though 1t may be called light
ana Irotly, IT Is stu the ghtness and the roh OF
Cnampagne OF Q Saratoga picnic. We think 1t WIN
deserves IL "