New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-18


ToRIs METHOD.
=. IN. Editor The Tribune
SIR: OF Giacommettis two dramas, EiizaDe.n
and Marie Antoinette, the former is undouoteoiy '
better work OF art notwithstanding that IL ''h'
greater liberties with facts aud makes Lofa p'oea
dandy. The material Hives Gacommetn greater opp y
tunty for light and shade, admits OF graduai s 40
eliminating with a death scene, In which 'no THO
lights because Eiz lbeth demands no sympathy. -
head enjoys without laceration OF tne noS- .no,s
Antoine to- on the contrary, appeals dreo'' " III
sensbilities. Far from enjoying ner ni' .uo.aoa
audience suffer with her and leave the 'ne"se
with horror Much truer to history 'nan Ss
wonderfully faithful Transcripts nos on' ,aSan
but OF the times portions OF the dialogue 'oi'e on
no from, life artistic shading and gradua increase
~ ,,,eres become impossible The drama OF marie Au
to,nette 4. n monochrome because IL cannot uuy uo
ANYTHING else II excitement eDDs ana hows' as uu
the revolution ITSELF at last leaving Marie Antonelte
alone I'm her misery, surely Giacommetu cannot 10
blamed The story OF this unfortunate queen Is un-
raar tragedy and saddest OF tears Correct In essen
tai points Gacommetd allows himself certain license
which might have been avoided. 10 Introduce La
fayette at court in the uniform OF the United STATES as
late as yss, while he is in command OF the Royal
Dragons IL an unworthy mnistration TO popular ap-
plause Nor is the somewhat boastng language
of tho Marquis in keeping with his charac'
ter; and 10 make him enamOred OF Marie Antonette In
accordance with faint tradition to which little Gre
dence IS given, takes away from his dignity. Equally
unnecessary was 1t make Louis and not his Queen
the advocate OF Mrabeau, when 1t well known that
Marie Antonete the first to appreciate Miraoeaus
intellect and to sympathize with his consolidation plans
Her interview with him. therefore. loses interest for
her noble sautation to former enemy finds no place
IN the drama. with foe Of ordinary capacity, said
the Queen, with everyday enemy, should now be
guilty OF very foolish, very iDjudicous step; out
with Mirabeau. -" After this speech We under
stand Mrabeaus enthusiasm for the daughter OF Maria
Theresa, and why her hand was kissed as
the orator departed from the garden OF st.
Cloud, exclaiming, "Madane the monarchy is sayed?
Marie Autonette did not hesitate to express to Madame
Campan her delight with Mirabeau yet in the drama
her disgust is illconcealed, Notwithstanding which
irabeau is also supposed entertain passion for the
Queen. 1t is well that this scene no longer holds the
stage.
Marie Antoinettes protestations OF friendship for
America from beginning of revolution are not
history Later. however, she did crown Franklin with
flowers and finally wrote of Lafayette. copying the lines
from old play
why talk Of youth;
When all the Iips experience Of the old
1T.'' with 1 SII before nv eve,
place his bright example, for love
His lofts and his prudent thought;
Gifted like him. warrior has
False. too is the supposition that Marie Antoinete
originated flight varennes, which is made to sue
ceed the signing of the Constitution, when the COnstitu-
non not signed until after the flight Other depart
from fact such q dramatst Is entitled TO
make; example, introducing Malesherbes into the
Kings the night previous TO his execution that he
may bear messages the royal family bringing Robes
pierre and Marie Antoinete face to face and separating
Queen from her the morning OF the Kings DEATH
instead of allowing months TO pass by These changes
are jusfabe, and when 1t is known that Gacommetti
wrote the short space OF three months, his
fidelity TO history becomes the moro remarkable
Opening with n prologue representing the Court OF
1885, after the "unutterable business of the diam ond
necklace" Lafayette and brave old Maesherbes are
Observation-Disclosures, who pleaded Tor King Louis
when there were TO do him reverence whose life
paid for his loyalty Theirs is a sensible conversation
on the condition Of France and royalty, inter
rupted by General Controller Caonne, Nonpareil
Calonne," "truy of incredible facl-
iy-facie action. facile elocutiOD, facie thought"
who had "the genius for persuadlng," says Carlyle
"beyond all things for borrowings" who was adored by
women. who 1aered instead OF instructing the Queen
"If what your Majesty ask Is but difficult 1t is done; if
1t impossible. it shall be dOnew Thus encouraged,
Her Majesty goes onward to ruin Caonne fears to rouse
the Ouess. and therefore humOrs her, But here come
Mime Elizabeth, that angelic whose virtues did
not save her from the embrace OF Dame Guillotine
the Princess Lamballe, GOA worthy OF worship,
thou hng-descended, God-jescended, poor sister
womanw victim OF dabolic outrage for having
been born Bourbon and worse. for having loved the
Oueen Baron de Beaumarchas, The Giant Smuggler,'
Matchmaker tnancier musician. author publisher who
wrote Marriage OF Figaro" and INDUCED In matr
monomana; faithful Duke de BrIssac, who was assas
sinated Versailles in 1872, and whose head adorned
the gate OF the Chateau Lords and ladies follow in
goody number. and last namet, though first, there
comes Ristori, the Queen! 1t is Marie Antonette as
she SIPS for the last time from Pleasures cup. The
Queen natural hayward, expansive careless OF ell
quette sarcastic; yet after ormenting Lafayette, she
gives her hand TO him with enchanting smile and a
moment later proves her goodness OF heart by taking
two young officers under her protection Monseigpeur
the Count Of Provence, tho Bourbon Cain en-
tiers 10 throw down the apple Of dis.
cord ThOughtess Marie Antoinette! know not
whether her despair is greatest at being told that the
King must popularize the monarchy, or that suspen-
sion of her private theatricals is contemplated But
the King is announced! Unfortunate Louis XVI, who
was once called Desired" is the unhappiest
OF human solecsms" who loved France better than his
life; "ihe best King in the world to accomplish an
honest revolution" the in the world follow
where sans-culOttism led! Even now he wavers.
Marie Antonette is stronger than he" the only
the Court" said Mirabeau; and by his objec-
lions TO the representation Of Beaumarchais's "Mar-
riage OF Figaro" are overcome The impulsive Queen
sheds tears when bitterly repelling the report Of
oalumnies brought to her by the King Do what she
may, Paris will condemn her. she despises her magn-
ers and gangs her ain gait" weeping, however, when
Louis calls her poor Marie Antonette =" and thanking
him with loving, womany glance. The King retlres,
promising to appear at the Trianon before tho play
is over and the Queen, left moment TO herself
come with grief the recollection Of the diamond neck
lace. But quick there is time for reflection; the
Kings comedians surround her, and she promises
perb toilets and sumpuous supper even at the risk
having called orgy by the morrow. 1t is her
last defiance, daringly said: "I advised Marie An
toinette! With a wOman's vehemence. not with
eregn's foreseght-so natural, yet so unwise." ITO
the Tranon !" she cries, and rusbcs TO her doom.
Three years OF royal vacillatioD and ssns-culotte
frenzy pass ere the curtain rises upon the dawn Of