The Press., 1888-11-01
"FALL OF ROME."
ssssa BY JENNIE PORTER ARSoLD.l

All summer we had been Intending tC visit that greatest spectacular production of modern times, Kiralfy's historical .drami of "Nero, or The Fall of Rome," but cir cumstances had prevented until the season was nearly ended.
 ixAt Hast, in the midst of the protractec easlerly storm and the predictions of com ing cyclone, we went to New York, deter mlned to take the first fair evening forls visit to Staten Island and, as if in antici. patton of our wishes, the day after oul arrival opened bright and warm, but omi. nous clouds gathered as evening drew nigh.
 '1t will rain before the performance is over, ' my friend said, as we took the boat for an early visit to the Island, but il cleared away sufficiently to show beauti- ful sunset,-soft, heecy clouds, tinted with bright, rose-s soft amber and brilliant gold, reflected brightly ill the watersIof the bay.
 Evening red and morning gray
 Will oct the traveller on his way"
 quoted gayly, pointing to the sunset glow.
 "Look out that 1t doesn't prove evening red will bring down rain upon his head, was retorled good humoredly.
 But the old sign proved tFue, and though looked yainly through the evening for the glimmer of even one: star, yet no drop of rain fell, and the air was as mild and pleasant as June.
 Even as the hordes of barbarians came up to the walls of Ancient Rome, SO the crowds besieged the gates of this modern representation of olden splendor.
 | Doubtless most of the readers of The Press know that the vast amphitheatre of St. Georges is an enclosure of more than 800 feet square, open to the heavens except a roof over the grand stand, which stretches across the side opposite the stage.
 The stage itself IS over 800 feet long, and with seats for 10, 900 spectators there still remains a wide open lawn of full one-half the enclosure.
 rush and crush which always follows later, and we secured good seats in the middle of the front row on the grand stand, some time before the opening of the play.
 Beyond, us, across the wide open lawn, arose the temples and palaces of the Eternal city, while fitting here and there were workmen putting finishing touches to the preparations, or members of the orchestra, dressed in ancient Roman costume, hurry ing to their seats.
 | Suddenly the lights flash up and there appears the representation of an aquatic festival, in celebration of the draining of the Fucine lake, one of the grandest events in the history of ancient Rome. Crowds of eager citizens ponr npon the stage, dressed in the various costumes of that ancient city. Nobles, senators, knights and tribunes swell the numbers. The whole city seems to have given itself up to day lof excitement and pleasure. Splendid barges come sailing by in one, more mag nihcent than, any of the others, whose sides Iseem set with1jewels that flash and sparkle in the light, sits Claudius, the emperor and Aggrippina, his empress, the schemine | mother of Nero. Down through the crowd on ePlendidIy caparisoned horse and iE Igorgeous attire, rides Nero, while inc ohil dren strew flowers before him and the peo ple cheer. ...-.....-. ..,.-.... .-l,.
 At a given signal the naval battle begins Galleys appear, armed with crews of con victs, prisoners of war and slaves, whom il is considered just and right should be com pelled to kill each other for the amusement of the emperor and his people. The bat tie is short and sharp. The few remaining survivors are set at liberty and are warmly welcomed and embraced as they return tC their friends on shore. Among the sur vivors is Salinus, who is ioyfully greeted by his sister Thirza, beautiful christian maiden.
 Slowly the scene shifts and the streets of Rome appear, with splendid palaces stately temples and fine statues. From the left comes grand triumphal proces sion, with Nero, whose scheming mother has made him emperor by numbering hel husband.
 Soldiers, horsemen and footmen, 1T 9litterinR armor, with gleaming spears anC flashing helmets, richly caparisoned horses dragging splendid ehariots, elephants witt superb trappings, huge golden idols or triumphal cara, glsdiators and dancing ] girls in costumes of brilliant colors and fan ciful devices, stately standard bearers car rying aloft the imperial golden eagles march slowly by, procession of over [ thousand persons, and in their midst Nero Iappears mounted high in a magnificent golden chariot, and is greeted with cheers from his own people and the spectators.
 As the long hne passes the grand stand companies of dancing girls, soldiers and gladiatofs break from the ranks and rush gayly for a long avenue formed down the middle of the lawn. Here they mingle in @ series of fantastic dances, one company after another joining until the eye is be- wildered with the graceful, intricate evolu. ltions, the mingling of dazzling colors, the flashing of glittering armor and the waving of brilliant wands and palms. I The procession ends, and again the sccne changes. Nero's palace appears. A mes senger rushes in announcing that large number of christians have been discovered at their worship. They rush upon the stage pursued by the soldiery, and @ scene of wild confusion ensues. The young maid. on, Thirza. dashes wildly to the front, pur. sued by the excited mob. Spalatro, . Roman youth, springs between them, d the risk of his life, and rescues her. For a moment the fury of the mob is checked, then Spalatro is dragged away, and Thirza is about to be slain,. when Nero and hiH guards appear. He interferes to save the girl, and struck with her wondrous beau. ty, offers her his protection, but she turns from him and rushing to Spalatro throws her arms around him, in spite of the sol. diers who hold him. Nero signals his guard, who drive Spalatro back. Seizing one of their spears Spalatro strikes the guard and makes rush toward Nero, Dut is quickly overpowered, loaded with chains and taken away. Thirza kneels to Nero entreating pardon for Spalatro, but in vain she is seized and borne away to Nero.s palace. 4 number of christ a1 men. women and children are dragged in by the soldiers and condemned to death by Nero among them Salinus, the brother of Thirxa.
 Again the scene changes, and the Circus Maximas appeats. At the right is the royal box, in the midst of which, surround. Il a6 hv hia follnwaya annaara Nano in V,nae,