The Sun. — 1844-10-08 (London, England)

SUR  TRE.  A new three act military drama, entitled The Eve of Battle ; or, A Woman's Nerve, was produced here last evening with complete success. The piece is evidently an adaptation from the French, and the interest turns upon the fate of two, Antoine (Mr. E. F. Saville), and Eugene (Mrs. Henry Vining), both of whom have been drawn as conscripts. Antoine is impetuous, honest, and open-hearted; Eugene, imbecile, weak-minded, but kindly-natured. Their father, on his death-bed, has commended Eugene to Antoine's care, and Antoine obeys his father's dying injunctions. Antoine loves Therese (Mrs.R.Honner), and is beloved in return. Therese pities Eugene's forlorn condition, and thus raises Antoine's jealousy. The conscripts are placed on guard at a fortress, in which is confined an important prisoner, the General of the enemy. Therese has appointed to meet Eugene there; to prevent the meeting, Antoine induces Eugene to desert his post, and then, horrified at what he has done, seeks to bring him back, leaving the post unguarded. Therese comes, assumes Eugene's cloak, cap, and musket, and shoots the prisoner, who is endeavouring to escape. An alarm is given, and Therese, in answer to the hurried inquiries of those who rush in at the report of the musket, says it is Eugene who has done the deed. In the next act we find Eugene promoted and honoured for his courage, but the imbecile lad, unable to comprehend what has occurred, at once states that he had deserted his post and fallen asleep. He is arrested, tried, and condemned to be shot. The agony of Antoine may be imagined; he, through his ill-founded jealousy, is, in fact, the murderer of his brother. Midnight arrives—the procession, preparatory to the military execution of Eugene, is formed, the poor boy is kneeling on his coffin, when Antoine rushes before him and shields him with his body. At that instant a mine is sprung, which blows up a portion of the fortress, and the troops rush in with Therese at their head. She has discovered a plan of the captive General's to betray the fortress to the enemy—bathed it so that the enemies' troops are destroyed by their own mine, saved the fortress, and, as her reward, receives the life of Eugene and the hand of Antoine. The whole weight of the piece fell upon Mrs. Honner, Mrs. H. Vining, and Saville, and they sustained it nobly, Saville announcing it for repetition amidst the loud applause of a crowded house. There is a comic underplot, in which Neville, as an Irish sergeant, Miss Terrey as a village coquette, and Lewis as a conscript determined to be a hero, kept the house in a roar. Vale was announced for this last part, but was unable to appear in consequence of severe indisposition. Lewis, however, was a most efficient deputy.  In the afternoon their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alice were taken a carriage drive, and the Princess Royal was taken out walking in the Slopes and grounds adjoining the Castle.  Sir Henry Wheatley arrived at the Castle to-day on a visit to the Queen. Sir Robert Peel and the Earl Delawarr remain at the Castle. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Charlotte Dundas, the Countess Wratislaw, and Sir George Couper, will join the royal dinner party at the Castle this evening. The Hon. Mrs. Anson is going on well. His Majesty the King of the French is expected to arrive early to-morrow (Tuesday) morning at Portsmouth. His Royal Highness Prince Albert will leave the Castle by an early train to receive his Majesty.  His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived in town yesterday mo •• • Ite tv. His Royal Highness returned to in the evening. The Commissioners for the eduction of the National Debt had a meeting yesterday at the Treasury. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy-Governor, were present. Mr. Higham, Secretary and ComptrollerGeneral, attended.  Mr. J. Strettell Brickwood, Public Work Loan Office, South Sea House had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. A deputation from the West Cornwall Railway, consisting of Air. E. Turner, M.P., Mr. F. Ricketts, Chairman ; Mr. Louis Vigurs; Captain W. S. Moorsom, Engineer ; Mr. J. M'Donnell, Secretary ; and Mr. Francis Edwards, Solicitor, had an interview with the Earl of Dalhousie yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade.