The New York herald., 1879-12-30

anchors and were injured somewhat Incoming
steamers report that fearful storms are raging
outside SO that 1t is evident the prediction of
the HERALD Weather Bureau as to the contin-
uance of tho bad weather is well founded.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.
DEVICE OF MEssRs. GILPERr AND SULLIVAN TO
PRESERVE THE COPYRIGHT OF THEIR NEW
PIAY-1rs PERFORMANCE IN SMALL DEVON
SHIRE TOWN.
BY CABLE TO THE HERALD.
LONDON, Dec. 20, 1879.
The Daily Ne,cs has the following remarks on
Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan's new operetta
''The Pirates Of Penzance":-
"The little town Of Paignton, on the south
coast of Devon, will be known to summer visi-
tors for it's bathing facilities and its beautiful
surrounding scenery; but even in the height Of
summer holidays much less drcary place than
in the days of midwinter. 1t is not, we
cality for dramatic enterprise. Nevertheless
Paignton possesses theatre, though not very
large one as will be inferred, for the proprie-
tors endowed it with the modest name Of the
Royal Biou. There tomorrow evening the
long expected, new and ori ginal comic opera by
Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan, which it is hoped
10, Co.. ,<,<s 81
M. S. Pinafore,' will be represented for the first
time in any country. We may observe that the
buff-colored posters which here and there made
their appearance in timid way on the walls
of the town, announce that the new piece,
which bears the title of The Pirates Of Pen
zance or, Love and Duty is to be represented
for one day only, on Monday, the 29th Of De-
ccmber. at two P. M. precisely. But the truth
is this is just about the moment when Mr.. Sui
mia, so that a little longer delay has been found
absolutely necessary. The half dozen persons,
if SO many, who expected to attend have, how
ever, presumptively heard of this unavoidable
postponemcnt, for news in Paignton having but
small distance to travel, travels fast. The
prices of admission, it may here be remarked,
are not less modest than the name inscribed over
the portals of the theatre-Sofa stalls, three shil
lings; second seats two shillings and one shil
ling gallery, sixpence. OF course under these
circumstances the rehearsals of Messrs. Gilbert
and Sullivan's work by the little company who
are coming over from Torquay for the occasion
cannot be of the careful kind which piece of
some importance might seem to demand, but
the representation has for its sole object COM
pliance with the letter of the law, which re-
musical work shall be produced for the first
time in this country under penalty Of forfeiture
of the rights of author or composer. The
Pirates of Penzance' is in two acts. each com
prised in one set scene. The first represents q
vast cavern, with view of the sea. The second
represents ruined chapel, intensely picturesque
as seen by the light rd the moon. The story
may DO regarded us . satire or burlesque upon
the conventional romance Of buccaneering ana
tho sentimentalities Of pirates career ON tho
stage and in narratives of fiction. Its hero is
Frederick, young corsair, beloved by bcaut-
full Mabel, daughter of . major general, whose
functions arc necessarily inimical to the ordi-
nary pursuits of gallant and adventurous
s,,itor for the hand Of o young lady. A sergeant
of police is also among the moro prominent per-
sonagcs, as are James and Samuel, two pirates,
and Ruth Frcderick's nurse.
"That the production Of The Pirates of PEN
zance' ut the Royal Buou Theatre of Paignton
for one night only will attain the objects in
view there can be doubt, though the selec-
ton of this remote and curionsy unlikely local
ity for the first performance will doubtless be
cassed among those satirical strokes by which
Mr.. Gilbert delights to reduce the vexatious
und unnecessary formalities of the law to alb
surdity."