The Irish standard., 1894-05-12

wrongs that have been inflicted on Ire
land yb successive English governments
and I hold that the keeping these
wrongs, the treasured wrongs" of cen
turies, in our hearts is one of the surest
means of preventing US ever being false
to our country or selling our birthright
for mess of pottage. Their repetition,
even in mild way, on the stage would
make the possibility Of forgettin g
them, humanity speaking, out Of the
question.
! But all this is preliminary to what I
have to say. ILhuetced by the ideas
that have given expression to above,
I went on Friday evening last to the
Queens Theatre for the purpose of SEQ
ing the new play by Mr.. Whitbread, en-
titled "Lord Edward, or 98.' felt that
il the author realized the. full sig
sniicance of bis subject, the epoch maxi
ing events that made the period memor.
able, and the profound interest that
these events, even after lapse Of close
on q century. bear for Irishmen all the
world over, there was the possibility
that it might have brought forth a dra-
ma that would to some extent at least
deserve to be characterized as national.
Now, after having seen the play, can
dspassionately assert that Mr.. Whit
bread has succeeded to very great ex.
tent in producing work that may fairly
be regarded as very praiseworthy effort
to give stage illustration to the incidents
in the life of one OF the bravest. if not
the very braveet, of the men who sacri
feed their lives for the freedom Of Ire
land. The play is narred, without
doubt, by more than one defect-more
than violation of unity in dramatic art;
but, taken as whole, it is a true pict-
ure Of the time that it treats of, faith
full reproduction of the tragic deeds Of
the period, the memory of which We
shall never forget as long as We are in
spired by one spark Of national feeling.
For the few hours while the actors are
tsnaaying their parts,sso vivid and so real
to the Incidents that eliminated in Lord
Edwards death appear that ones feel
ings and symphathies are as keenly
aroused as If he WAS actually beholding
the living substance, not the shadow.
Every scene associated with Lord Ed
wards heroism, the camp at Finglas, the
house in Denzille street, whittier be es-
capped from the myrmidons Of SIR, Ma
gan's house in Dirty lane, at the rear OF
Usher's Island, where he had an encoun-
ter with the soldiers, Fishamble street,
down which he escaped from Moore'a
house in Thomas street, and Murphy'a
house in the same street, where he had
made bis last great struggle, all assume
new interest and become hallowed with
glory that no mere reading Of history
could excite or produce. Looking at the
events as they are presented to US, We
become, as it we're, contemporaries of the
time, companions Of Lord Edward
sharers in his troubles and dangers, and
inspired, by his lofty and ardent patriot.
ism, fervent allies of his in his noble Of.
forts to accomplish Irish freedom.
Such is the influence of the drama. II
brings Lord Edward and his times back
to us with extreme distinctness, and fo1
the while we strive with him to free Ire
land, forgetting that the changes Of 6
century stand between us and him. Anc
| it is because this particular play pro
duces such remarkable effect that
am inclined to call it q national work, al
any work deserves to be called which, al
far as it's influence extends, intensifie'
and strengthens national sentiment
That, I believe, was the effect produced
on those who on Friday night tillet
every seat IN the Queens Theatre. Thei
enthusiastic plardits told how the.
felt, as dld also their execrations, which
forgetting the unreality of the actors
they bestowed on the doings and schem
ings by which tho enemies of Lord Ed
ward shared him to his doom. Thes
demonstrations were NJ t altogether con
fined to the folk who filed the CALLER!
and pit, who generally give expression
to their likes and dislikes without th'
least reserve. The elite Of the audience
to use word that will do for went of
better, partook of the enthusiasm, an.
sympathised, perhaps in many cases On
consciously, with the work Of Lord Ed
ward, and for the time were rebels.
can myself testify to seeing few promi
nent government officials who outsld
the theatre would not betray spark o
national sentiment for crown Of glor.
clap their hands in q teritable frenzy o
4 enthusiasm when Lord Edward at th
camp 81 the Finglas called upon his com
|. radee to be ready at moments notic
Ito strike blow for Ireland.
4 This latent nstionalism can be aroua
ed, and these persons made to admit
even to themselves, who may have los
! sight Of the fact, that they have q coun
try Of their own, and that they are no
altogether without q love for her? An
! if such be the effect Of dramatizing
few thrilling episodes In our history, 9