The age-herald., 1900-05-13
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inimitable Sarah Bernhardt; for its setting 1t has a royal palace of Austria, and the time is the year 1882. For hero the play has Francois Charles Joseph Bonaparte, son of Napoleon l., Duke of Reichstadt, and grandson of the Austrian emperor. In the words of who has witnessed the play, There is neither love nor comedy in any one of the six acts. It is an epic, an historic monologue, whose dramatic force is in the memories it inspires, whose action is that of an imprisoned hero a captive eaglet; the melancholy combat and failure of a frail son of genius, who dies at last a hostage for all the sons whose blood has stained Napoleons battlefelds. It is predicted that the success of the play will be greater than "Cyrano' in France; but out of France it will not be as great, for it is said that Cyrano was a lover, a humorist, a poet, and consequently universal; while l. LAaiglou is essentially French. While this is true, still the unbounded and universal sympathy for all things Napoleonic in America must be taken into account; and there is a peculiar fascination in the sad and tragic history of the little king of Rome-in L'Aiglou.
 In this new play 1t is said that Sarah was never more graceful, younger, more in splred less woman or more an artist than In the presentation of this interesting char acter.
 No one can read Mr. Chambers latest work, The Conspirators," Y" without render ing a hearty tribute to the young author for his most excellent work It proves be- yond question MT. Chambers to be not only a gifted writer but a talented and versatile man. Throughout his work, too, there is constant evidence of that absorbing love of nature which makes of the naturalist an enthusiast, and his appreciation of sun shine and shadows, of leafy woodlands and its manifold inhabitants, lends a charm to his work that is refreshing and altogether enchanting. MT. Chambers lays the scenes of his romantic story in the little Duchy of Luxemburg, and in his fancful treat ment we are here reminded of a similarity to the best work found in 'The Prisoner of Zenda." With this difference that MT. Chambers has not depended upon the misty lands of the imagination for his little king dom, but with the boldness of well-stored mind he takes the little Duchy of Luxem- bourg, introduces Queen Wilhelmina of Holland into his charming narrative, and amuses himself by sateriZing the govern ment of the German principalities. While many of the delightful characteristics of MT. Chambers work were present in his recent work, "The Cambric Mack,' yet in 'The Conspirators," the author deals with characters and in sphere of society which will not only prove more acceptable to his readers, but gives more scope to the ability of the author. The character work in "The Conspirators' is most excellent, the sustained action of the story eXcep- tiona1ly good, with incidents varied and dramatic, denouement satisfactory to even the most critical.
 The spirited and vivacious quality of the literary style makes the book delightful; the romantic setting has been admirably chosen, the canvas well prepared, and the brush skillfully used. More of the per sonalty of the author is discernabe in "The Gonspirators'' than in any of his previous work, and it is a picture of q royal good fellow, full of epigram and wit, hot carries away after the book is respectfully closed.