New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-27
BOSTON.
LITERARY NOTES.

sRIANCA CAPPRILo, A TRAGEDY" by MRS. r.. C.
KINNEY-"BAiIADs FOR LITTLE FOLK" BY
ALICE AND PHdBE CARY-CHARLEs C. LELAND's
"ENGIIsH GIPsIEs7 AND EGYPTIAN SKETCH
BOOK" CURIOUS Gypsy TRAITS - EGYPTIAN
DANCING GRIs-SARACENIC ART.
f,RoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNKl
BosroN, Nov. 20.-The publication of an
actual tragedy, in five acts is something OF novelty in
these DAYS; but Hurd Houghtcn are about TO try
the experiment Blanca Cappello' is its title
and its author is Mrs. Elizabeth c. Kinney,
the mother Of T.. C. stedman, the poet.
Mrs Kinney wrote this tragedy in Florence and she
consulted authorities for the facts Of her drama the
best Italian aud French authors concerning that epoch
IN particular Tcozzs &" Ncmorie al Blanca Cappeito."
The story is too sad and strange not TO be true The
character OF Blanca herself perfect masterpiece OF
Inconsistency; such poet would hardly dare evolve
nom his fancy. unaided by facts lest all the world
should cry out upon its unnaturalneSs.
In the first act Of the tragedy Blanca, beautiful
Venetian grl OF noble family has Just married Petro.
the OF humble citizen of Florence. She is dread
ue aud with reason, the OF her father and her
uncle; for her family grevously incensed at her
misallance. she and Pietro her husband, 60 TO the
Prince Regent Francesca, who afterward to be Grand
Duke Of Florence 10 beseech his protection. Immedi
aely Francesca falls in love with Blanca. He promises
her his assistance aft she has left his presence he
declares 10 his confidential minister Serguioi, the
Wild passion with which she has inspired him. and en-
assures him that he fail to win her, and then
Fapcesco paints beauty his brother the Cardinal
.barm By charm. In such glowing words only lover
.anuse Her hair is the golden fleece sher eyes are
hrer aud deeper than the heavens; her skin white
se,s leaf; and so he goes rhapsodizng about her.
Nor has she, on her part, failed TO meet ms
ardent glance and note the royal igrace Of
MS uien Here is the first Inconsistency
of her cbaracteran inconsistency terribly consistent
however. with her subsequent unscrupulousness She
had only Just married Pietro for love-a love strong
enough TO lure her the palace Of her fathers to the
bare, humble home OF her husband. Who would think
that such love could faor that, having given up Tor
n her AMBITION ambition could afterward steal away
her soul But soon the love OF the Prince Francesca
began to seem to her better thing than
the devotion OF Pietro. grown commonplace,
perhaps In the freedom and familiarity of matrmony.
II may be because the necessities Of the drama hurry
the action IL TO the Prince very slight
effort to win her. little ihterlude he marries the
Achduchess Jeanne of Austria for his estate must not
lack legitimate heir; but at the beginning Of the third
act we find Blanca home in stately palace Of which
The Prince Francesca has the freedom; aud PietrO-
husband whom the worst OF women would
have a night 10 desplse - is quite salts
ned to have purchased ease and luxury
and social consideration at such a cost. With Blanca,
there seems be something for motive than the
qualification OF her pride and ambition. she had never
been woOed before francesca wOOed her. so loved
he loved her. Indeed. the deep. strong. unsihne
love Of this guilty pair the sole thing that pleads
their cause. They were weak, and mad, and wicked
but. at least they loved. The wild flame, kinded In
Fraucescos by his first sight of Banea burned his
whole life through; and sheher after-crmes made her
creature for angels weep over, and 10 shudder
ai-but throug 1t all she loved Francesca.
In the fourth Pietro, Biancas husband is killed in
quarrel aud the Arcbduchess Jeanne entreas OF her
husband Bancas Punishment He struggles against her
urgency for a long time He says:
Could the heart bansh as the word can do,
her translucent might leave thee its sole queen;
rfays with Tao uurenouncing heart y
At fast however, Jeanne wrings from him promise
and Blanca Is sent away Her absence proves TO be but
brief Francesca finds Life blank without her, and
sends for her. the convent where she bad taken
refuge; and her return, more mad with love than
ever he nsalls her in his own palace There she mas
pnortupites OF which, like italian OF her race and
time she makes the most She pOisons the Arehauehess
Jeanne and now Francesca is, at last free
In the fifth act, Francesca has married Bianca has
fep heir TO the Grand dukedom, and his former mis-
s and present wife the regal bonOrs of his cor
onation. Bancas father and all her family come rom
Venice TO do her homage She crowned with love as
with royely and she thinks her joy would be complete
but for the Cardinal the brother OF Francesca what Is
q little poison mere iessi The Cardinal will only 80
o Heaven the sooner for subtle powder she drops IN
his wine He detects presence OF the poison how
ever by means touehsone in his ring and accuses
Ranos To prove his own faith In his wife Francesca
eses the cup and drinks II, while Blanca PUSHES wildly
in enchanting that the wine is poisoned But 1t Is TOO
late She throws herself INTO Franeesco's arms, and
cries: ,,
o God! did i'll, who loved thee SOL
FRANCISCO. -
Twas Fate who did t-accuse not thYselfi o, ~,
But what il this I feel-can it be death!
No. lis death it is my heart-strings te arm
Life ties may all be severed throne ana sIato
REM from me-. vet give no such mortal pang
As this-this violent parting OF our loves!
BLANCA.
Alas! alas and he has loved me thusl
FRANCISCO.
kiss me, Blanca.
LIES shattered chords. as heavens electro shock
Through the torn fbers of tree uprooted!
Kiss me again, II mOcks me with new me,
Dead thing as now 1 am! But must we parti
BLANCA
Woe stays with me-thou goestto meet thy JOY.
FRANCISCO.
Is there existence then, where thou art notf
No no fol me there Is 10 life to come
Thou art ny nfe--I leave my heaven ia tnee 80
Bsnc aces from him and pottrs out some or He rthe
tHoIdin0up he cup.
.Our loves shall not part--see, Francesca, seei
drlnk where thou hast drunk-I die with thee.
rrr,d,o 70 reach her. but ralingin he attempt
Drink moi; ny love shall never Nu THEY'VE GIVE
Oh God she drinks now heart and soul hug close;
We shan not be asunder torD-fear not!
She drains me eup and 10 her husband, supporting
HIS head on her bosom.
Tie done now sleep thy last sleep OIL this breast
Which hath long plowed love- thy I9hHest dreains'
o Heaven! / ask mercy for myself
have TO others been inmetc1ful-
But let this true, sweet spirit pass aneleo
From every contact foul with mine, bl0od-staned:
Mercy, fOrgi yeness, peace, KIND heaven, iOr nun
FRANCISCO
Grant me no mercy, Heaven, which she shares not:
Else pardon to my spirit were not peace;
Nor mercy aught, cave most unmercifu.
Hany stain OF sin be found on her.
Ifxuf H. nm ul-l