The New York herald., 1874-11-15

geou.uatareo Snauhgraun, and the motive oi the
action 10 supplied by his attachment TO Robert
Flolhott VINO in youth made OF the poor boy u
companion and friend. This character at once
recalls Danny Mann, with his strong love OF 'rhe
young masterh ln the Shaughraun tue author
aims at presenting a higher type OF the same
class. ana Tor this purpose has associated the
pohtical 10 the social element IN binding
the two men together. Mingled with the respect
OF the DEPENDANT for his superior Is the attach
ment oil the follower for his Chief In TINS MI
Boucicauit mas ventured TO strike chord ne
merely touched In his "Arrah na Pogue.n Taxing
ior ms cue political events that are sui fresh IN
the public mind, he has woven facts and nctions
so closely together tnat those familiar with the
contemporary history OF Ireland VIII detect many
pertinent illusions TO the occurrences oI the day.
With his usual skin, however, Mr. Boncicault has
though the pot OF the play was suggested
by me adventures aud tragic end ol the
AVOIDS de alinp dlrec,iy with the oolltcal
by making the incidents OF MS play hinge on mo-
uves purely personal to the group OF persons d.
reetly aect ed by the action OF the play. The poll
tica illusions are therefore no more tnan The spice
and avor OF the good things set down before us. In
the drama. which takes place n Sligo, police
agent. Harvey Dun, has entrapped and be-
trayed yonng IRISH gentleman, Rob-
capes 'IG rom Australia to America. ca and rom
thence returns IN disguise TO revert his home.
where his sister Clare and MS oetrothed, MISS
O'Neale. live IN penury; Tor the estates OF Pioiort
have been conveyed to Corney kinchela, friend
OF the iamily, TO avoid connscatlon. Kincnea re-
solves to appropriate them. and schemes TO that
end. lie associates himself with Harvey Dun, and
these two plan TO arrest the young fugitive. The
boy as he escapes rom his prison, ana poetic
justice Is accomplished by the general remission
OF the sentence on al toe irish political prts-
When the curtain goes up Robert Fiolhott
ana his attached follower have returned to their
native land. In the mean ~hlie, Tor the purposes
OF this drama. MT. Bouclcault has issued general
amnesty In the name ol the British government.
But Fiolhott, having escaped, ls excluded rom
the act OF ciemency. He has scarcely landed wnen
his presence Is discovered oy Harvey Dun the In.
iermer. who nasrens to notify his accompics,
n n
his character OF magistrate, orders the military
TO arrest Floiliott. VINO Is known TO have
occurs ' at the end ol the drst act, ,
and is made the occasion OF a splendid
dramatic situation. The oticer in command OF
the troops has IN the opening scene met the con.
vict's slster-Miss Dyas-and Is deeply smisten
by her beauty When he learns that the
he seeks excuse TO avoid making the
arrest. Convinced from the alarm OF the ladies
tnat the man he mas been sent to arrest Is in the
house, he Offers to withdraw his men II the
aged priest-.r Glbert-wi give ms word
as a clergyman rnst RooerI Ffolliott Is
giles between his love ior the boy and his
nuty to his conscience-tnere Is q moment OF ter
riDle suspense Tor the betrotned wife and sister,
VINO, like true women, are willing to sacrifice
everything Tor sake oi the object or their love.
Ing rom his hiding place and surrendering, IN
order that the priest shall be saved the
rD staining ses ns Conscience WIN lie. me erect
OF this situation Is remarkably powerful and
the sDectator cannot refrain from the deepest
sympathy with the poor priest whose duties rs
minister o God and host are placed In irrecon-
cilaole antagonism. AS the curtain went down
ON the scene tae people gave enthusiastic express
sion to their satisfaction. Mr.. Boucicault was
called before the curtain, AN honor bestowed
Ike wise on the principal members OF the cast
The seconu act is devoted to the rescue OF young
Floiott from nus prison and the machina-
sons ai Knsnea Hrng about his as
Deus eI mdchind OF The Old tragedies
sheds his young master with quiet heroism,
seems perfectly unconscious tnat ne Is DONG any
thing out OF tae way. Ia this act the scenic effects
especially in tins, tnat they are truly artistic and
depend on this quality Ior their success.
O ns ssaps gate 20 rsyoss
the stage 50 as TO show first the interior OF The
Gate Tower and afterwards the exterior. the
actors never quitting the stage 50 that all the
strong reaiistic effect before the eyes OF
1ns uasnse 10 ne hrd ass an or rss
soemnity by the knowledge possessed by the
dience that the corpse Is only snamming. 1t was
ol the imposition practised oy Conn on
Death OF the spy. VINO, to escape the ven-
geance OF the mob, jumps over a precipice
der OF Fiolliott, wniie the ladies' rewarded for
their Trials and trbuia.lons with prospective
orange wreaths. the ''Snaugnraun" promises to
achieved by Mr. Bsuclcault In this play
the action is remarkably rapid and well
sustained There is always some business going
on 10 interest the audience, that attention
never nags. The interest IS well distributed
among the characters. and the dialogue Is crisp
and sparkling. There is out one long speech.
and IT is made by the shaugnraun
mne Sn relating ons Of ns s Oes aea
description Mr.. Boucicault has given US. In no
other OF his plays has the author said SO
sad to be welded In the dialogue, so
closely are they interviewer, and one scarcely
fore the smile IS called out by some bright sally
At the end OF the performance the author was sum.
moned before the curtain to receive the congrat.
cally acknowledged.
Miss Kate Fields Debut IT Booths
Theatre.
One OF the most important events OF the dra.
matte season took place last evening at Booths, in
the appearance OF the distinguished aurhoress Miss
Kate Field, as Peg Wo1dngton, IN MASKS and
Facesn THIS Is he debut Of Miss Field on the stage
and her selection OF this profession the frultion OF
long cherished desire to identity herself with the
dramatic calling and DO her part toward elevat-
ing the stage. Her celebrity as an authoress
attracted large and brilliant audience. Nearly
all the literary ana artistic circles In
the city were represented. Among the
audience we noticed E.. Z. stedmsn, the
poet banker; Launt Thompson. the sculptor;
George Ripley the eminent critic; Mr.. John swim.
ton, a candidate for Mayor; Wniteaw Reid, OF the
Tribune; Z. A. Webb, well known as 'John Paul -
Hugh J. Hastings, Charles A. Dana, Surrogate
Hutchlngs, Colonel John Hay, Clarence Cook,
Colonel william r. Shaner, l. J. jennings George
Jones' William winter, Chester A. Arthur, Oswald
Ottendorser, Major J. n. Bundy, James Lewis, the
actor; ex- Judge Dowling and other well known
citizens. Miss Pield received an ovation when she
she could proceed. There was the least
perceptible nutter OF nervousness as sne
began which In time wore away, and she
continued through her part with great applause.
A hrst performance can hardly be called true
criterion OF the true merit Of an actress, but MISS
Field showed great sprtghtliness, taste and true
comedy power. Her conception OF Peg was based
upon the real character OF the famous actress,
ana was an earnest eBort TO present her genius
and versatility. In the last act Miss Field was
repeatedly applauded and overwhelmed With
MOVERS and at the close 81 the per ormance she
came before the curtain and was rewarded with
q KQund O Eield mn