New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
uRDOU'S HISTORICAL PLAY.
cTYyE SCENES IN PAMELA, MAR
CHANDE DE FRIVOLITES."
- pyJANE AGAIN PLAYS THE wAsHERwoMAN
The ESCAPE or LOUIS XNl1-'NoU-
vEAU JEU.'

Paris. Feb. 12-"Pamela. Marchande de Fri
,,nses produced last night at the Vaudeville
kea.re Is another of those anccdotal historical
.uedes which Vctorien Sardou eXcels in con-
Apetiug since he became somewhat Of an
.-h4ological recluse, living amid his books
= Nsrlv rather than mixing with the social
stivuy Of the capital In Pamela, as in
,,.rv,illeuses." "Thernidor' and Mime.
srs-Gtnc." Sardou places upon the stage vivid
,.tur,.s Of Partisan life Immediately succeeding
- Revolution with the same fascinating grace
vNt which Walter Scott. in "Peveril OF the
N~s for instance. portrayed English society
.Ac- the restoration Of Cl2rles H. In fact, Sar-
Ian in the afternoon period Of mis- career. is
.,ro,Dc the French counterpart Of the author
81 the Waverley Novels and the dramatic ro-
sn,icisTn tempered with historical eruclton of
rrp hermit Of Marly-lc-Roi offers striking
-alle with the superb imagery and antigua
An accuracy OF the Lord Of Anbotsford. Sar-
D., instead Of becoming exhausted by his pro-
nc crop of more than fifty Formidable plays
.ntinues to give renewed proofs or that skill
ard dexterity in the workmanship or dramatic
x.,,at1ons which make the author OF Patrle'
sFsttes de Mouches' and "RabaGas' the most
aasterful manipulation OF stage effect or our
&.
pamela" is the story Of the escape OF the
xung Louis XVII from the Temple prison OF
he accuracy of which Sardou is convinced by
asuueutary evidence shown him by the rate
puc d'Aurale According to Sardou. the chlld
Who died in the gloomy cellar Of the Temple IN
nme. 1876 was not louis Capet but one Wh"
kad been cleverly substituted for the person OF
e,st youns prince Upon this turns the whole
acton Of the play. throughout the course OF
which Pamela the attractive modiste. STANDS
RI as the lifa and soul Of the conspiracy into
which she has entered. not for political reasons
hi ron her intense pity for a hapless child
Harras. although st the height OF his power
44ls that the ThermidOr Republic has entered
unn its decline. and the weatherWise reVolu-
Omar pilot is trimming his sails for the future
Ku1as IS aware that there is royallst plot
r. rescue Louis XVII but instead Of thwarting
4 he allows il to proceed, and even discreety
usoeiates himself with it. II shall have car
dage In waiting at the gate Of the Temple 10
CITY OH the Dauphin as soon as the Royalsts
sfsct his escape" says Barras; the republic
Ars have the Prince in my possession, and
Nye Louis XVII, Should matters take a dif-
Areu; course and the COmte de provence
rove the better card. then | can produce the
srttScate OF the death Of Louis XVII. which
vii be- drawn up tonight. and then. NiVe Louis
XVIII In any event stand to win the trick
THE PRINCE ASKS FOR HIS MOTHER.
Barras accompanied by Nine. Taen-with
WON the whole Of Europe fell in love after her
srond marriage with the banker RAcamier-
" Josfphine Beauharnais afte-vard Empress,
nd by the fascinating Pamela Rejane), visits
teuas XVII IN the Temple. The young King,
admirably inlpersonated by Mile. Lucyenne. Is
roryht from his cell. Here ensues scene OF
nquisite pathos and sympathy, constituting the
nss effective situation of the play. The chlid
hail erlacated form and pale. haggard race
displaying woe beyond expression, excltes
PAMELA compassion. and when the Dauphn,
rM unaware Of the execution Of the King and
ne Queen asks with touching tenderness, II
A cannot be allowed to see his mother. Pamela
Esolves 10 throw herself heart and soul into
Be conspiracy to effect his escape.
The next scene reveals General Charette ana
e Vendtan Royalists, who have hired shed
aj0nins the walls of the Temple. where. dls-
rrsed as carpenters, they are really at "ork
egg1ng on; an underground passage leading TO
O interior courtyard Of the Temple, by means
which they are TO rescue their young hlng.
he substitution Of a weakly, dying chiiu 10
epace Louis XVII has already been accom-
rkhed. and nothing now remains but TO SNUG
Or the royal infant from the prison In basket
Z soled linen and hand him over to the Royal
BIS awaiting at the entrance OF the sup'er-
Hnean passage, whence he is TO be conveyed
boat down the Seine 10 Nernonnet ana
hence TO La Vendee. This must be effected
%; very night June 5 for the child substitute
q In place Of the real prince is so Ill that ne