The New York herald., 1878-10-08
The woosrs OF tn. uayoral,y.

That lively and ingenious comedy by
("Barbier de Seville), which keeps its
place in public recollection since its
transformation into the we'll known opera,
seems in the process of another amusing
transformation, not into opera but into
politics, with noted city characters as the
performers. The only difficulty is in find
ing an actor to takes the part of
Figaro. Mr.. John Foley has offered him.
self for that interesting role, but, while
he possesses some of the activity and
intriguing spirit requisite for the part, he
lacks Figaro's ingenious readiness Of re-
source, piquant drolleries and ability to
flank obstacles. With more suitable
Figaro the comedy might be revived with
singular completeness.
In the original play Bartholo, doctor of
Seville, was the guardian of young lady,
the disposal of whose hand he wished to
control, and whom he kept closely con-
fined, lest she should be won by some
suitor who would foil his plans. This
hard and rigorous guardian is Mr..
y,
he confines is the Mayoralty, wishing
either, like Bartholo, to take her him
self or to give her to suitor (Mr. Augustus
Schell) as old as himself This is the state
of the situation when Figaro Foley ap-
pears under the damsel's window with his
guitar, not to win her for himself, but to
lend his ingenious aid to some more suit
/ %Io ohar
of Figaro is failure. Instead of finding
for the beautiful Rosine one attractive
Comte Almaviva, and inventing clever
strategems for bringing them together, the
new Figaro divides attention among
half dozen aspirants, and, what is still
more out of keeping, he asks the jealous
guardian Bartholo Kelly to make the
selection. The Mayoralty represents the
city, which is entitled to some choice both
in the love making and the espousal. II
we had but true Figaro neither Bartholo
nor his ancient friend would have any
chance, and all their jealous pre-
cautions would be circumvented before
they knew it. No progress is made because
Figaro is not equal to his part. He serves
no suitor in particular and makes no
attempt to hoodwink and befool the hard,
jealous Bartholo.
We suppose it is too late to recast the
play and that Rosines only chance Of es-
Gaping an old and odious spouse lies in
her plucky and rebeflious spirit. Nothing
is yet settled as to who the candidate
shall be, Mr.. Kelly waiting to find how
far he will be compelled to yield to public
opinion and to ascertain which of several
candidates that might be elected would be
most subservient to his wishes, or rather
most obedient to his dictation. Mr. Babcock
would make good Mayor, but he is quite
too independent; Mr.. Shepherd Knapp could
easily be elected. but he would probably
insist on being the real head ofthe city gov
eminent; Mr.. Conover, Mr.. Grace or Mr..
Fry would be q popular candidate, and
would, perhaps, be amenable to advice
Besides, the minor Offices are to be distrib-
uted in such manner as to help the ticket,
and as Tammany is not yet quite certain
what course tho city republicans will puf-
sue there will be an interval of few days
and good deal of clandestine intercourse
in the hope of reaching a more perfect
knowledge of the situation. The city has
but one interest in all this scheming, and
that is that the new Mayor shall be citi-
zen of standing, capacity, integrity and
firmness. with sufficient force Of character
to accomplish results