New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-28
THE DRAMA.
TIE HEIR AT LAW AT wALLACK's.

TIE HEIR AT LAW AT wALLACKs.
The quaint and pungent comedy of Tho
Heir ut Lawvquant because full OF eccentric character,
and punsent because spiced with humorous lines aud
fine strokes OF sare-was played Last night at WaacRs
Theaer for the rst time this season. 1t is one OF the
plays of the past shat slowly fading away from the
sage-for want OF players endowed with the peculiar
talents as well the knowledge Of stage legend and
precedent requisite for their proper representation
Outside wallacks Teater seldom sees them per-
formed with anything IKE adequate ability. Here, how
ever sympathy with the past has not been entirely dead
by the buster and Ain Of the staggering present
Such players Gilbert Brougham, Fisher stoddart,
Mr., sefton and Mrs Messenger keep alive the traditions
OF Long Ago. and infse the spirit Of The past into
the dramas that belong to H. That spirit Intellectual
and ender-and the fact that so Ia not nvadated
by the equally clear fact that some of the plays or she
past are and bad. Every age has had ts For
What we praise when We admire the old come
dies is the current OF truth that runs through-hunaa
nature truly interpreted, truth in artistic form con
scientiousiy respected, and sound ideas expressed IN
sound English. "The Heir at Law"-far too well known
to need word Of descrptonis good type Of these
old plays 1t lacks in briancy 1t is not comparsbe
with the work OF Sheridan any particular. But 1t s
quaint and amusing, and 1t breathes forth kind spirit
The spectator OF its performance OF waacks Theater
last night could not have failed to recognize the kindly
influence of the story that IL unfods the pictur-
esque aspect Of the manners that portrays Here was
leaf from the book Of history-and it seemed to have
really been torn out OF the volume. MT Gilbert acteo
Duberley to absolute perfection The dstnotness and
symmetry OF the portrayal delightful. An imag
native spectator could have framed the whole story OF
the life OF old Docds from seeing any simple scene Ia
which Mr. Gilberts preservation Of him appeared. There
lapse from tho clearly defined identity; and
there exactly the tone Of mind and qusl-
ityi Of temperament that English trades
would possess Corresponding truthfulness
marked Mrs SeftOn's delineatlon Of Lady Duberiey.
Mr. stOdart carried the unusual weight OF the character
of Dr. Pdn0oss with complete ease, and brought out Its
flavor of humor and it's fiber OF worldly mnded craft
with admirable distinctness. Mr.. Wiliamsons ZekieI
Homespun especially fne-being right In the feeling.
bold In color and perfectly distinct in form. Mr.. George
Clarke acted Dick Doeds with admirable spirit and dis
erection. Mrs Barry wast the Coeiy Ho3lepun-and the
kind good heart OF the simple girl interpreted by
her in sincere spirit OF sympathy and with pleasing
grace and Mr. Rockwell invested the simple char
acter Of Henry Morela'd with all needfl dignity In
brief, the comedy exceedingly well played ard
quite a mum audience testified, by honest laughter
and applause their heay relish OF this legacy CT Old
dramatst Tonight Ar. wallack will Offer The School
For Scandal"
MISS GLYN.
The second of Miss Gyms readings invites
attention tonight, at steinway Hsllwhen the dstin
guished sdy will interpret Macbeth" She deserves
large ience for Aereors animated by al Intel
lectusl purpose thabis worthy OF reeognltiou-