The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16

Mr.. A. A. FAvargor Gtves the nrst OF his series of
French readings tonight ct the Union League
Rooms The selection Of subjects Ia such as will no
doubt attract
Mrs Lulu Terrence, Of the California Theatre
company, ana wife OF John Terrence shot herself
through the heart on wednesday night. Domestic
trouble was the cause OF her suicide
Miss Laura Alexander, an actress who made her
nrst appearance in New York some three weeks
since at wallacks in the role of Mile. Colas in the
"Man OF Honor" died OF heart disease on the 18th
inst. In this city. She was not successful in her
endeav0r to enact the heroine OF the play, and,
although young handsome and promising her
failure prayed upon her and aggravated the fatal
malady. She was In her thirty first year and was
born In North Carolina. She had been upon the
provincial stage for some four or nve years when
she accepted the New York engagement.
Harsh criticism on the occasion OF q benefit
would be considered rather uncalled for and 1t is
not necessary. therefore, to say anything partcu-
larry unkind OF dull little piece OF light comedy
BY Mr.. Wybert Reeve, called ~ Love Your which
served as leuer du s1deau at Niblo's yesterday
afternoon, ON the occasion of Mr.. Zimmerman's
benefit. The rest Of the performance was in no
wise heavy consisting as 1t did Of ellis Last Legsn
with Mr. Eddy as O'Callaghan, and variety per-
Torrance OF more than average sprightliness. The
spectators present manifested delight, and the
beneficiary was highly pleased with the large au-
dience.
An alarming explosion ofthe gas from the calcium
lights took place on Christmas Eve in the Liver
pool (Engiand) Amphttheatre, while the audience
were assembled witnessing the pantomime. The
whole dramatic company rushed upon the stage,
and several Of the agile corps De b0Iet eapt into
the pit for escape from the unknown terrors be.
hind There was. OF course. q general stampede
OF the audience, which Mr.. Leslie the manager, at
last succeeded In arrestng. The explosion set fire
to some scenic paraphernala lying against the
wall The men seized water buckets fortunately
lying at hand, and, bravely dashing at the IRE,
extinguished 1t. The pantomime was resumed
and completed. r.r
Mr.. J. B. Booth has received the following letter
concerning the new piece. ia Femme de Feu,".
produced at Booths Theatre:-
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, Jan. IA, 1874
Mr.. BOOTH, Manager, &c. -
DEAR SIR can't understand the raid that some
Feu." can't see in what respect il Is OF more
questionable morality" than are those so much
admired plays which belong to the same French
family, but which some Of the Journals that 0e-
nOunce you have warmly appauded and yet ap-
plaud The HERALD mas the merit Of consistency
In this attack, because that sheet has mainly con-
demned all OF this sort OF thing as q poor substl-
tate for the highest art. But such has not been
the course o. the ,s press IN general
sEast Lynne" Opponents and LADY Audleyn MUIR
ders and bgamies tOerable If the screen scene
in 1.-THE School for Scandal" is polished and spicy II
the husband In 'Led Astray" can with critical ap-
probation. bring bawd into his wile's Doud0r; If
Mrs. Halter can win tears, sympathy and applause
because she Is 0Ontrlte though debaucned
woman, why shall not the story or "La Femme de
| Feur DO told Diane Barnard Is not an unchaste
| woman. She p0isOns an old husband for The guilty
| love which she bears to young man whom she
| afterwards marres aud that 10 the upshOt OF her
crime she Is punished for 1t by the contempt and
GOODNESS of her young husband, by lie Of misery
| and by horrid death.
| II Ihad read the papers alluded to before saw
| the play attended 1t ON Monday night l should
| have expected, perhaps, to see an almost nude
| woman bathing In ph0SphOrescent sea; to have
| behed wretcn living With two paramOurs, viz,
| her lover during her old husbands lifetime and
| her old husbands steward alter his death, In
stead Of which saw neither. but, on the contrary,
| woman $50 far as all but her heart la cOncerned)
true 10 ner marriage VOWS, guilty Of no act OF mar
Otry, but the victim OF an absorbing love, which
inspired homicide that she did not really premed
itaJe.
send you this, my dear sir, as a deserved word
| Of sympathy from one whO while he loves Shake
| speare, Ia, nevertheless, not wholly at war with
the p0rtraiture OF such passions as his mighty per
painted, though such may be attempted by weaker
| hands. LA Femme ae Ecu" is not 80 bad as LADY
Macbeth. The one assassina:es really her CUES
| and her king and converts her husband from
loyal soldier and host into y traitor, murderer an(
tyrant, To CRAFTY pitilcss a,n.'.;,.- ~A: ..h1
| shOrtens an old mans days. Out sue peadS trul!
| resistesa iovo. Aud both Wretches meet the same
| Yours, truly. L. II.