New-York tribune., 1872-02-13
made, not TO the ideal but to the whimsical aud this


by every experienced observer The error leads how.
over 10 so much fun only be attained in this
ner that no one can possibly regret It, Such Intentional
errors have been made by the greatest and beat dramatic
writer's Of the past and as sagely remarked by Lord
Byron, 1t is "better to err with Pope than shno
with Pye" While the comedy flight in "The
Veteran" does last, ii Is strong, graceful. direct,
and exhileratng. Tho writing, In the first two
acts for Hghtness and suggestive felicity, ia much
the kind OF writing that has been so justly admired In
the comedies OF Robertson The language is crsp the
colloquy natura tho grace is unconscious II you
do MT cram your good qualities down the throat of
society,"" says, the emphatic Colonel Delmar. "your II
never get any credit for them".. Your game" says
the sportsman the soldier is glory: and my glory
gamo" This suitable and informing correspondence
betwxt dialogue and personality Is close and tIuc and
is consistently preserved Back OF the language stands
the character and the is distinctly through the
other. These two acts alone,introducng and nlumina
ting the chief characters prcaguring by playful usra
tion ali that Is TO follow building in sobriety which
never dull the solid foundation Of the plot moving with
vgor and ending with snap,-amply satisfy the mind
that naturally evidence OF intellectual design,
and excelently prepare it for the odd compound
Of and whmsicality banter and sentiment, drCl
cry, pathetic emotion, herosm broad burlesque, and
martial tunut that will ensue 1t would be tedious
work TO describe how this compound has been put to-
eether-and it would be suporluous everybody knows
seeming medness and that the tumble is deftly made
The fact with reference TO the piece that especially
impressed in last nights rcpresentaon-aside from
its refreshing freedom from prosncsswas its effective
handling entirely simple and slender materials
Colonel DeInar, commanding Scottish regiment that
hgs been ordered TO active duty in Agicrs wishes his
son Leon and his niece Blanche be married: but his
niece blanche and his ward Eugene fancy that they love
one another, and his wish encounters obstacle
Then his ward Eugene adroitly inspires his sOn
Leon with martial aspirations. obnoxious to the
pacrnal mind; while his niece B'dnche forms deien
sve alliance with his guest, Mrs ucaks. Crisis and
explosion presently arrive: the colonel aad Eugene de-
part for Algiers; Ms McSake and Blanche depart for
Inda and Leon, left in the urcb privately follows the
war into Africa There is big stretch Of probability in
the chances and changes that afterward Tcune these
persons in the East but reunited they and the
subsequent action of the drama turns their falling
INTO captivity and being rescued at moment Of deadly
perparty through the friendly conniynce of certain
Oriental women, and partly through the prompt and dash
ing valor Of Leon and the Highland soldiers. The incl
dental humorous complications intensified by Irish
man whom the Arabs have captured-and converted into
Grand Vizer in reward for teaching them the use OF
cannon. This latter eXpedent is founded cn fact.
the end, Blanche and Leon find Out that they love
each other; Eugene recprocates To" passion Of dusy
Eastern maiden; and the Co,,,nel pars OIL with Mrs
McShdke while the Coz &c vizer is restored 10 clylza-
ton and uDlmue". whisky. That is the whole story;
bat out OF Tat Mr.. Waack has wrought series Of
gnlnca and nicelyadusted scenes the most cXlgcnt
spectator of drama could desire TO in Illustration OF
{le subject The characters are clearcu; the style Ia
perspcuous and polished the touches OF tender sent
hent decately laid the Oriental skctchug is pie
uresque the Oriental phraseoOey has been correctly
and discreetly empoyed and the scenic effects always
distinct and handsome and often stirring, have been
made flow from dramatic necestyas should always
be the practice in dramatic composition.
"The Veteran" received sumptuous setting on Mr..
walack's stage last night and, viewed merely as a
spectacle was beautful The great hail IN The Suans
palace wherein the of the Christian prisoners is
Effected was a bewilderng pageant OF starry lights and
gorgeous colors And the piece was superbly acted.
Mr.. Brougham, playing Oton-o0on, reveled in the
comic ahsurdity Of his situations and the glib nonsense
Of his inflated language; and yet he conrivcd to give
tbe mart positive subsbatum of nature and character.
The welknOwn COW case-so significant ana useiui as
type of New York justce-prOved as mrthful as in
former days. and elected the merriest laughter Mr.
Gilbert a. Colonel DeinG filed true and impressive
ideal OF hig-spiIited. manly, intrepid teAderheaTted
old soldier THE bravest the enderest- the loving
are the daring" There are tew actors the STAGE by
the wsy who would not the better for careful and
cumulative study of John Gilberts pure, scholar
like use of the English language. 1t goes
without saying that Mr. WaacA's performance OF
Leon was merry ana manly-a symmetrical
and winning presennent of gay personality serencly
with faint shadow of evanescent sadness 1t ia the
sweetness of Le0ns character that he can lose In ovef
loss must coIne-wihOut making his loss mariyrdorn
Mr. Rockwell presented a stately and handsome Sultan
Of sro and invested the part with all due dignity The
intense daring sad passion of Anliaeh was earnestly
conveyed by Mrs Clara Jennings Miss GermOn sparkled
with buOvant spirits and was archlY mischievOus
and prCttily simple, Blanche dIrry And the
iT0baDlned Of Mr. Fisher presented, in elective
form and color, the austerity and dangerous ferocty
of the son OF the desert. II was Clearly seen that
fine niece had been judicOusly cast We have never
f9yorite drama than last night made OF M. Wal
Ia, Ks veteran" 1t will undoubtedly keep the Stage
for many weeks.
NIBLO'S GARDEN.
The attendance at NiblO's Garden. last night,
was very large Nile Sassi danced with the anaconda,
and the mistake made of causing her to simulate death
from the bite of the serpent. The introduction Of fright
fn and painful elements into merry spectacle Is simply
.tpnid The Goat made successful debut
thoueb the horse that he rode did not
behave well in fact he ran OF twice, and threw the
goat hut otherwise all right Caprcornus showed
himself TO be o good equestrian, and likewise very
andsoe member of his horned and bearded fraternity
The spapish Mnstres and the Fish Dance-exccedlngy
we'll doue-Were much relshed.
MUSIC.
SANTLEY IN OPERA.
II hardly needs to be stated that the audience
which erected Mr. santley's first appearance here in