The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-04-26

avalanche Of beautiful and fragrant fowerx
Tie hEstpiecs. Place aux DANES, or The La
dies Speak at Last was delightful little ex-
travsganza in one act, representing series Of
supposed confidential conversations between .
number Of celebrated ladies who fourished in
Mefrie England" aud "parts adjacent some
where about the time Of one VIII Shakespeare
str6Iling player and penny -a-liner, whose I'M
war; ntable liberties with the names and doings
Of these worthy DANES furnishes one of the
chief subjects of the dialogue The scene opens
with powerful soliloquy by Portia, the rich and
celebrated Venetian itria represented by Miss
Lefty Gamblel whose heart-rending complaints
OF her spcndthrift lord, inerspersed with much
legal lore and some most astonishing Latin, en-
gagged the ardent sympathies of all who listened
to her eloquence; the devoted Ophelia- lreure-
sentea charmingiy by Miss Kate Gsmble), con-
Vuised the audience by her inimitable limitations
OF and quotations from her beloved Hamlet the
loving and faithful Juliet (daintily personated by
MISS Lefty Shepherd, recounted the many ex-
cenencies and PROJECTIONS OF her princely Romeo,
while the stately and digni6ed Lady Macbeth,
miss Octavia Chaires), fairly held her hearers
spell bound by the eloquent recital of the wrongs
suffered by herself and her companions from the
slanderous pen OF wicked Will Shakespeare,
whose plays and writings are described to them
by her. illustrated by numerous recitals from the
enc be has dared to call by her noble name, the
language he has put into her mouth in the play
being detained by her in style and manner
which would have done credit to many So
called star
The concerted piece" with which the play
ends, and in which all these indignant fair ones
speak at once, in an effort to compose formal
protest against their ll-treatment by the pre-
sumptuous playwright, was capitally done, and
to the gerry life.
The Dowager' was very clever farce in
three acts, skilliully performed throughout
Lady Bloomcr, Miss Shepard, of Virginia), and
Margaret Beauchamp, Miss Florida Walker are
represented as inhabing an elegant country
house in the West of England, Time, A. D. 1880.
where they are visited by their respectective
lovers, Edgar, (Mr. John Shine, who is in love
with the young and brilliant Lady Bleomer, but
is too diffident 10 bring his love-making to a TO
Gus in spite OF the evident encouragement; he
receives, and Sir Frederick Chassemore, Judge
J. ID. Westcott, Jr.), whose precipiancy in the
tender art only Injuries his cause with the fair
and tlmid Margaret, who really loves him, but
would fain be more gently wsoed. In the midst
of their difficulties appears visitor from an al
joining estate, Lord Alfred Lindsay, lDr g.
Troup MAXWELL wealty. jovial young gentle
man OF fashion, wilhout care in the world, and
who generously bestows his advice, heightened in
value by personal experience, upon his two I'M
fortunate comrades. At this juncure, news is
received of the contemplated visit to Lady
Bloomer, of her aunt, the Dowager Countess Of
Tressilian, Miss Jennie Gambe), whom she has
has never seen, and who is also personally I'M
known 10 the others Lady Bloomer and Mar
garet, while bewailing The ill-timed visit of the
Dowager whom they suppose 10 be . old, ugly
and totmal, are informed that il is only scheme
OF Sir Frederick 5 in which he intends 10 intro
duce to them ACTRESS from London TO person
ate the expected Dowager They appeal 10
Lord Lindsay, advising him OF their suspicious,
and it is agreed with him that he who Processes
to know q" all the actresses in London, shall
meet the pretended Dowager alone on her arri-
val, and by detecting her true character, drive
her to q speedy departure. When the Dowager
appears young and exquisitely beautiful, Lord
Alfred, after sundry attempts to penetrate her
supposed disguise by treating her familiarity falls
desperately in love with her, aud discovers to
her the true situation of affairs, still, however,
supposing her to be, in reality, Sir Frederick
actress" The young ladies, whose uncompli-
mentary expressions concerning their expected
visitor have somehow come to the Dowager's
ears, make their appearance simultaneously with
Sir FREDERICK and E Igar, AMI there is scene
The indignant Dowager sharply reproves each
one in turn for their unhandsome conduct, to-
ward her, and sends Sir Frederick to order her
carriage for immediate departure, which he, who
has suddenly fallen victim to her charms, fails
to do. Edgar is also despatched on similar
errand, but meeting the Dowager in another
apartment where she is awaiting her conveyance
he also falls madly in love with her but is want
ing in courage to declare his passion, and return
ing to seek counsel of Lord Alfred, finds Sir
Frederick similarly engaged. Lord Alfred gives
them both some more ot his Invaluable advice,
and then seeks the presence of the DOwager and
persuades her TO return to the draw ing-rooms,
where his earnest and impetuous ceurtship is
interrupted by the almost Simultaneous appear
ance of the others The Dowager adroitly re-
unlteS Lady Boomer anu Margaret and their
respective lovers, and, alter many repulses, una
bic to resist his importantly and her own heart
at last favors Lord Alfred's suit Result: gem
eral felicity.
1t goes without saying that the several cos
tunes were rich, tasteful and appropriate and il
is far too little 10 say that the several parts were
well sustained, and the entertainment one which
will long be remembered with the keenest pleas
ure by all who witnessed or participated in IT,
A Quantity OF interesting local matter is
unavoidhbly crowded out