The Sun. — 1846-03-21 (London, England)

FRENCH PLAYS. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. La Grisette et L'Heritiere, a drama, in two nets, was performed for the first time in this country last evening. The scene opens in a mgaasin des modes, where we find Clothilde (Madame Doche), Seraphine (Mademoiselle Anna Grave), and a number of other grisettes, employed in the production of millinery. Clothilde is a girl of sentiment and virtue, she is the pet of her companions, and the beloved of Arthur Duresnel (M. Rhozevil), the son of a rich manufacturer, whose suit, however, she rejects, until she ascertains that " his suit is honourable, his purpose marriage," and even then, although she promises to love him ever, she endeavours to dissuade him from an alliance, inasmuch as she is not only of obscure parentage, but, as she believes, a natural child, for she had never known a father and her mother bad died of a broken heart, The father of Arthur has heard of his penchant for Clothilde, and employs Athanase Pemaret, his nephew (M. Plunket), a hypocritical, vulgar dandy, a Frenet, snob, in fact, to endeavour to break off the match, promising him a handsome reward if ho succeeds. Athanase makes love to Seraphine. and thus obtains admission to the magazine, and by means of 'forged letters, and various other equally honourable contrivances, manages to make Clothilde believe that Arthur has deserteeher. In the meantime a certain M. Marcos (M. Dorgebret), the confidential steward of M. Ribera, a rich Spanish merchant, arrives, and seeks an interview with Clothilde. He discloses to her the fact that her father is this rich merchant-that he has sought her out as his only child, having lost a child by his last marriage, that she is his legitimate child by his first marriage, and that he intends to make her his heir. Having received the letter purporting to come from Arthur, but forged by Athanase, breaking off the connexion, sho Cadiz; beutalnt a grisettealarmis g hivearsi just . goes aoffctewr shewith Marcos ars e °s i thrown herself into the river, and every a leftto the h one concludes that Clothilde has committed suicide on account of her love for Arthur. The second act introduces to the residence of the father of Arthur in Paris. M. Le Baron (we are particular about the Baron, inasmuch as the worthy gentleman himself lays particular stress upon the dissyllable)— M. Le Baron Duresnel (admiratt jlz.• acted by Dumery) -.,‘ ee: ~,,,,,; ardtetFaheicu et qui, .4144, •reste-Cci t'griere-nietri Two years have elapsed since the first act, and Athanase is high in the confidence of M. Le Baron, who, having made him a handsome present for breaking off the match between Arthur and the grisette, promises him 100,000 francs if he can induce ArI thur to marry Inez de Ribera, the rich Spanish heiress, whose hand Las been promised to him, and and who is coming to Paris under the guardianship of M. Marcos. Athanase promises to do so, but the promise is not so easily performed. Arthur, having heard of the suicide of Clothilde for love of him, is attacked by a brain fever, from which he only recovers to remain in a state of incurable melancholy ; he has Towed eternal fidelity to the memory of Clothilde, and will not hear of another marriage. His father, enraged, declares that if he will not marry Inez, Athanase shall, and that to Athanase he will leave his whole fortune. The tactics of Athanase are now changed, and he urges upon Arthur the great virtue of fidelity to the memory of his departed love. Arthur, however, consents to see Inez, and on being introduced he is struck by the likeness to Clothilde. Still be cannot believe that it is Clothilde. He has an interview alone with her, and is rapidly falling in love with her when the interview is interrupted by Athanase, who desires to speak with Arthur alone, and who suggests that Clothilde may still be living, inasmuch as her body has never been found, and that, probably, Marcos had abducted her for the purpose of bringing about the match with Inez. Arthur determines to be faithful to Clothilde, but Athanase, seeking to make assurance doubly sure, suggests that Inez has another lover, and produces a gage d'amour which he had found in her possession. It is a gage d'amour which errthur had given to Clothilde. The mystery is revealed, Clothilde, the grisette, and lnez L'Heridere are the same ; and the lovers are made happy, while Athanase is obliged to content himself with his 100,000 francs, and the hand of Seraphine, to whom he had promised marriage two years before, to secure her services in sowing discord between Clothilde and Arthur. The acting of Madame Doche, both as La Grisette and L'Heritiin•e was most artistical—simple yet polished—pathetic, yet net forced, but beautifully natural throughout • her Clothilde was a perfect triumph. She was admirably supported by Rhozevil, as Arthur, and by Dorgebret, who, as Marcos, had but little to do, but did that little excellently well. Plunket as Athanase, was an exquisite snob (we use the term exquisite advisedl3), and Dumery and L Baron was the very beau ideal of a parvenu. It was preceded by Une Femme de Quarante Ans, and succeeded by Etre Aime, vu Afoul*, in both of which Mademoiselle Martelleur was excellent. tier Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert honoured the theatre by their presence, and the performances were by express desire. The royal party arrived towards the conclusion of the first piece. Both her Majesty and Prince Albert paid the utmost attention to La Grisette ct L'Heritiere, and seemed to enter fully into the interest of the plot. They seemed particularly amused with the boasting of the Baron, that he was often invited to the balls eke: le Ministre, and evidently did full justice to the transcendent talents of Madame Docile. At the conclusion of the play, the applause from the royal box was long-continued ; and among these who, on the appearance of Madame Doche, in obedience to an unanimous call, offered her the homage of their hearty epplause, not the least conspicuous was his Royal Highness Mince Albert. The house was in every part crowded to excess.