The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-23

or tragedy; they are only to be discov-
cred by the readers most incisive re-
search, 10 do which he must for the nonce
"plucE from the memory" the beautiful
images it has received from perusal Of
this beautiful tragedy. ~.
II is 10 DO hoped that the author will
not rest satisfied with the laurels he has
gained. Such an uncommonly fine effort
10 be the frat to herald him into the field
OF dramatic literature, will demand OF him
4 full defence Of the eminence he has 81.
ready won, and II possible, marked id!
vance beyond his present noble achieve.
ment. That he has not ignobly failed,
where so many very able pens have
done, must be accounted aspecies Of sue.
cess In itself. But that instead Of ignobly
failing, he has succeeded, is something
more than q speeis Of success-it is victo-
~ and demands q large accord Of praise.
As to It's adaptability to the stage 1t
may be said that the tragedy Is one that
would require all OF those agencies, pro-
perties and appointments, that arc re-
ouired BY tho established dramas OF the
past or present. II 1t Is destined in the
future to command these auxiliaries; 1t
has u broad variety and solidity Of plot,
sufficient to please and delight eultiyat-
ed audience. But it Is Of too high an or.
der to please the modern average mass Of
playgoers.. Il would please al audience
educated in the legitimate drama, but
would not likely become popular with
the goods" In the gallery. The latter pre-.
fer "sensationaliSms" over efforts like
the"Sons OF Goodwin" The "heroes" OF the
orange peel, nut shells, cat.calls and the
like, are happiest when things go OF"
lively. Give them al exhibition some
thing liketho following, and they are i'm.
mediaiely transported into the seventh
heaven Of extascy: A play "horribly
stuffed with epithets" Of murder, thefts,
forgery, robbery, midnight assassins,
safes blown open, iailor, prisons, fat old
Judge, country lawyers, runaway match
es, indignant old father, fast sons, pretty
girls, seedy clergymen, old women, grasp.
ing landlord, boot blacks, match girls,
heegars and the like. Such are too
frequently the furniture Of the stage Of
the present day. The shade Of Shakes
peare himself may be said to receive but
very little quarter when the Sensational
''tiend' dons tie buskin. Hoping that
Mr.. Leighton's book will meet with
the large measure OF success that II de-
serves, / draw this article to close by
quoting the following apposite passage
from an old number Of "Blackwood,"
deemipg it to be a very clever outline
oil the contents Of Mr.. Leighton's book.
Had the author OF the following read
Mr.. Leightons work, he could scarcely
have been more happy in description or
portrayal Of It's merits: % f'ie,g'o''ii Z
"well hath he lImnel In stately moving yerse W.
Tho Taught aud noble port Of heroes, add Z ,. ID
Their knIghty deeds. The grace Of high born
Decks and lllumes his living page With light,
Like unto that OF Day . attendant orb! nj
He tells the ancient story Of tho Vlklny's age =
Unveils the nature pure, or bare, Of Ribg,
Or priest, or kaye;-draWs each In form ~ ''.'
Responsive to their rank or grade, and makes
TIE rounded group 4 speaking canvas, whence
Evolves their several natures, like 10 tho great
And lesser Orbs which deck tho atehed bourn "