National Republican., 1874-05-21
AMUSEMENTS
THE NATIONAL.

PuoIlC. 1nc motive OF InlS pihy 10 bHo efAohny
ofthe weather. and partrician classes of old
Rome; the grinding oppression under which
the humber citizens lived; Righteousness,
superstition and cruelty which characterized
the whole people, and the general atmosphere
of hate and revenge that pervaded society. The
Christians are introduced to heigbteR the pic
turc, and young Christian convert is the vic
! tim of the play.
The Gladiator is a slave, whose wife has been
atrociously murdered by the Empress mother,
Faustina. He escapes with his infant daugh-
ter. The child is lost. He returns to Rome
and visits Origen, Christian, who lives in the
Catacombs. To him he tells the history of
his wrongs and announces an intended revolt
| ol slaves. The Empress, with guard of lie
tors, comes to the Catacombs in search of Ne
odamia, beautiful girl beloved by Flavian, to
whom the Empress is herself passionately at
taehed. She aisses Neodamia, but meets the
Gladiator. A recognition takes place. The
lost daughters life is bound up by an oracle
with that Of the young Emperor. The En-
| press, who has the maternal devotion of q I'll
| gress to its cubs, promises reward to the Glad
iator if he can find his child. Meanwhile she
orders him to accompany her to Flavian's pal
ace, where Neoiamia resides. She orders the
Gladiator TO murder the girl, which he refuses
to do.
By Faustma's Vaccinations the marriage of
FlaYian and Neodamia is interrupted. Origen,
the Christian, is arrested at the temple of Juno,
and NeOGamia, in q fit Of enthusiasm, proclaims
her own Christianity. Both are thrown into
prison, and sentenced to death in the arena
The Gladiator, who has been held as a runa-
way slave, is appointed executionor of Neo-
damia. In the arena he recognizes her as his
| lost child He vainly appeals to the peoples
mercy. Faustina, Mortified at her sons dam
| ger, involved in the girls approaching death,
adjourns the games, and determines to rescue
/ NandaYosa md NV to Il off
her son. Neodamia and the Gladiator are on
the point of making their escape under Faus-
| tina's protection, when riot takes place. The
| imperial palace is sacked, the emperor is slain,
and the people, under the guidance Of the
fanatic Priest OF Juno, burst into the
prison cells of the amphitheatre. At this su-
preme moment, to save his daughter from out
rage the Gladiator kills her with his own hand.
Thus the iniquities Of the rulers rccoil on
| themselves; and the martyrdom of Neodamia
| gives occasion for the conversion of her father
and lover, and for the prophetic denunc;ation
of slavery SIS 4 curse upon the nations, to be
wiped out in the fullness of time.
HERMANN.
This great illusionist is to appear at Ford's
on Monday evening next, and an idea of his
capability may be obtained from the following
notice clipped from New York paper:
Hermann, younger brother of the great
prestidigitateur who visited this country Uy
years since, commenced series of entertain
ments at the Academy of Music, last evening,
in the presence of numerous audience. He
possesses very much of the dexterity. of his
brother, and presents series of feats Of leger-
demain that are remarkably puzzling TO the
average spectator. Many of the feats
performed last evening had been seen
at previous seG,aesS, but many, also,
were novel, and, old and new alike, received
the haarky arrNla M the au1iaDpa The
conjurer is remarkably proficient in card
throwing and in sleight of hand tricks, pro-
ducing silver coin, eggs, handkerchiefs and
other articles from the most inconceiyable
places, while his mechanical tricks are per-
formed with much skill and dexterity. He
has mysterious cabinet too, in which he
manacles an assistant to an iron cross, and in
two minutes that parsonage makes his appear
ance in the audience, free and unshackled. II
is evident that Prof. Hermann is to meet with
success. His manner is pleasing, with just a
sufficient sOupc0R of a foreign accent in his
speech to render it entertaining, and his feats
are puzzling enough to aston:sh the closest OBJ
server.
THEATRE COMIQUE.
The Comique is in the full tide of success,
and Manager Rogers is reaping fame and
fortune by the admirable manner in which he
manages his cozy theatre. He has collected
together ore Of the best variety troupes in the
country who provide entertainments of the
most pleasing description. The especial
iavorites this week include the pretty and
talented Miss Minnie Loder, the engaging
singer, Miss Belmont, the graceful and astistic
Mile Kurtz, the comical Garlic, the pleasing
Radcliffe, and the prince of low comedians,
Mr.. Jake Budd. The great sensation play,
"New York as It Was" and the exciting can
can keep the audience In an ecstasy of delight
fpr a mart of the evening Tire nrrSHnt
is the last week Of the latter attraction, and of
the faYorite Mics Minnie Loder.
THE NATIONAL-CHARITY
Manager Sayille having kindly rendered the
use 81 the National theatre for an entertain
District, the Joe jefferson Club will give per-
formance therein on Saturday evening next.
The comedy of ''EverybodGs Friend" and the
farce "To ObIige Benson" will constitute the
bill. Tickets may be obtained at the leading
hotels, at Ellis, and at the National theatre.
Tickets procured from the police and firemen,
and at the Treasury AMI Interior Departments.
are to be used on this occasion. The club is
one of the finest in the country, which, added
to the worthiness of the object for which the
performance is to be given, will doubtless sue
ceed in attracting large audience to the Ma
tional on Saturday evening. i
THE GREAT CONCERT NEXT TUESDAY.
The unusual attraction offered in this grand
concert is sufficient to draw a crowded house.
Yet the object for which it is given dema nds
proper recognition. The need Of school of
music, practical in instruction, thorough in
discipline and moderate in terms, is felt BY
many, and will be generously patronized
when established. Washington is musical
city. 1t has had one Of the best male ehoruses
ever organized in this country. There is a
great deal of talent here, and an enterprise
that seeks to develop 1t should be commended
The concert announced is immensely attractive
and cannot fail to interest our citizens, To
prevent disappointment, seats should be se-
cured early.
lima DI MURSKA.
This famous songstress has been engaged for
the next season for a concert tour by the ire
pressible signor D. de Vivo, the present busi-
ness manager of the salvini troupe. Di
Murska is destined to become the sensation of
= r. 80 sqR!sE ss?:2n sPa .sF e e!
de Vivo there is every reason to believe that
the proposed tour will prove complete sue
cess. The Washington public will be favored
with few opportunities 10 listen to Di Murska's
remarkable voice carly in the fall
EDWIN BOOTH
appears as Hamlet at Forl's Qpefa How,
Baltimore, this evening. Tomorrow !,e plays
Iago, at the Saturday matinee Don Cesar, and
at night Brutus. Reserved seats may be pro-
cured at Ford's, in this city,
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
TRANSACTION OF ROUTINE BUSINESS.
The Board of Fire Commissioners held reg
ular meeting last evening. Present, Messrs.
Williams, TAFT, Collins and Morgan.
The Chief Engineer submitted his report,
showing that since last report Michael Cation,
hostler, of No. Q engine company, had re-
signed, and that Jas. Mahoney had been ap-
pointed In his place.
The temporary foreman of No. 5 engine
company communicated TO the board fayora-
bic statement Of the condition OF the engine
house and the company.
Mr.. Collins moved that Mr.. L. P. Lowe be
confirmed as foreman Of No. engine COM