The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-23
THE GRAND CLOSING SCENE.
The American horses in England
Mate Improving.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.

THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.
ESPECIAL DxrArcH TO THE HERALD By CABLE.
LONDON, April y, 1875
The bringing out OF Tennyson's Queen Mary" on
the stage Of the Lyceum on Tuesday last is the
great event OF the London dramatic season. 1t has
produced the same sort OF stir in London circles
Dumas play Of the "Etrangere" In the French capt.
tai and it has created vast interest in literary and
dramatic circles. The poet has many friends and
admirers who know and love his poetry that the
event. as In the success OF some intimate personal
friend.
Especially was this the case in the world Of let
tiers. All the journalists ali the great literary
lights Of the capital, from swinburne to Rossetu.
and from George Eliot to wilkie Collins took lively
interest in the preparations for the forthcoming
play, and discussed its prospects OF with
much interest rs though they had each been per
sonally concerned.
TENNYs0N's NEW VENTURE.
Tennyson's ordinary style is SO different from that
required In dramatic writing, and his want OF stage
experience was so evident in the play ITSELF as 1t
originally appeared, that many pronounced the at
tempt foolish one, and predicted failure. Others
thought they saw in it evidence Of the highest dra
, matte power, and with equal assurance ioretold
success
1t was well known that Tennyson was making
very considerable changes it, in order to adapt it
dramatic authors, watching the rehearsals, and
continually altering and cutting down wherever he
saw It necessary.
Mrs. Tennyson, too, took an active part in the
preparations, and George Eliot and many other
literary people assisted with their advice.
THE RRHRARsAIs.
Tennyson himself was as delighted az though he
were young author unknown TO the world bringing
ont his drst work; ana II this one succeeds he win
probably favor US with more plays. 1t would be
strange and most agreeable surprise u he were sud-
denly TO develop great dramatic talent in this age
20 barren OF true dramatic literature.
THE SCENIC PREPARATIONS.
Mrs. Bateman, it was well known, had determined
scenery and decoration, and was going TO bring 1t
out In o style OF magnincence ana splendor even
surprising that OF "Hamletn "Macbethn and
sOtheo.n The costumes are exact copies OF old
costumes now existing in Pomfret Castle, Hampton
Court Palace. Windsor Castle. STAFFORD House, and
The National South Kcnsington Gallery, and are
also taken from pictures and portraits found TN the
same places. The scenery representing exactly old
London before the reold streets, old rooms OF tho
period and the old Guildha-is taken from old pic
lures actually in existence.
All Of this gave double interest to the per-
formance, and as brilliant an audience as ever as
eembled In London theatre copyrighted to see tho
Poet aureates nrst venture on the stage
A BRILLIANT AUDIENCE
The Lyceum Theatre was full long before the rise
of the curtain and all the had been taken long
in advance. The world OF science, Of politics, OF
art, well as the world OF fashion and OF letters
were represented. Among those present were
Robert Browning. the poet; George Eliot ORA
~ A.,
Frederick Leighton, A. r. A, the painters; Lady
Hamilton Gordon, Mr. Furnival, director OF the
Shakespeare Society; Arthur Halam Tcnnyson, son
Of the Laureate; MI. Russell Sturgis, OF Barring
Brothers; Tom Taylor, the art critic and playwright;
Miss Braddon, the novelst--in short most OF the
prominent nnerdtssrs OF London. together with
representatives Of the English, French, German,
Italian, Russian and American press.
A GLANCE AROUND THE HOUSE.
The whole theatre had that sort Of look a. though
each individual had deep personal interest In the
performance that the ordinary paygoer would bs
likely 70 exhibit. There pleased look OF ex-
pecsation on every face and pleasant hum Of con-
vcrsation before the rise OF the curtain Nearly
nized and bowed 70 each other across tho theatre
THE PLAY BEGINS.
Tho curtain aowly rises and discloses an apart
ment In the pasacc There are curious old carved
pascllings on the walls which are rich with Gothic
trsccry. 1t up with medallons. each Of which con-
tains portrait Tho room " Of an Irregular shape.
broscn At the corners and doorways. with pictur-
esquely arranged cabinets full Of old china. The
furniture Is Of carved oak. velvet and gold. and on
one aide Is an obi fireplace standing out from the
wall 90 high that one might easily stand under II
such as may Jet be seen in many ancient mansions
In England.
Le Sicur de Noalcs. the French Ambassador,
u discovered. and opens with the lines from the
third scnno Of THE ORIGINAL NAV