The Sun. — 1868-04-28 (London, England)

OLYMPIC THEATRE.  On Saturday a capital dramatic version of Mr. Edmund Yates's novel " Black Sheep " was produced with great success at this theatre. The plot of the drama differs somewhat from the novel, but we believe the alterations have been suggested by the author, therefore nothing can be regretted on that head. The novel, by its publication in All the Year Round, must have become so generally familiar that we are only called upon to give an outline of the drama. In the first act we find Stewart Routh (Mr. Charles Mathews), having been more than usually unfortunate at play, is in desperate want of a sum of money. His only hope lies in his intimate friend George Dallas (Mr. Ashley), over whom Harriet Routh, in the interest of her husband, exercises a potent influence. But the mother of George Dallas has taken unto herself a second husband, who looks with no kindly eye on the excesses of hisson-in-law. Under these circumstances the call of an Americanised Englishman, who has lately arrived from the States, and whom Routh has picked up as a sort of boon companion, is dangerously suggestive ; for Philip Deane (Mr. G. Vincent), as he is called, carries about with him a pocket book well-stocked with bank-notes. The promptings of an evil mind are readily obeyed. Philip Deane is waylaid and murdered by Routh, and Harriet has all the misery of suspecting what her husband is about w bile he is absent for the commission of crime, and of alighting on proofs of his guilt as he has returned. Retaining her presence of mind, she contrives a chain of evidence that will bring suspicion upon George Dallas, who calls shortly afterwards with a diamond bracelet privately given to him by his mother, and whom she persuades to leave the country, and that he may sell the jewels in Amsterdam. The second act takes place, at the ICursaal, Homburg, where Mrs.. Routh endeavours t 9, tear Stewart away from the fascinations of Mrs. Ireton P. Bembridge (Mrs. St. Henry), chiefly because Homburg is dangerous, and Dallas has been arrested there on suspicion. To the instinct of Routh's preservation every other feeling is subordinate ; and in the third act, which takes place in Mayfair, and in which the danger of Routh is increased, Harriet would almost persuade Mrs. Bembridge to elope with him, to convey him to a place of safety. Jem Swain, who has by chance overheard the facts relating to the crime, and who, in spite of his almost servile devotion to Harriet, cannot allow the innocent Dallas to be executed for the crime of another, tells the whole to Tatlow, and thus brings the drama to a conclusion, Routh escaping disgrace by suicide? and Harriet falling lifeless as the announcement is made. The principal part, Harriet Routh, was sustained by Mrs. Charles Mathews, and altogether a more meritorious performance we have never witnessed. It was a complete illustration of the character drawn by the author, and the applause she received was well and richly deserved. Mr. Charles Mathews as Stewart Routh gave us another of those natural representations which have rendered him so great an actor; and Mr. J. Clarke, as Jim Swain, was deserving the highest commendation. Mr. Addison as Mr. Carruthers; Mr. Ashley, George Dallas; Mr. 11. Wigan, Tatlow ; and Mrs. St. Henry, Mrs. Brembridge, all acted exceedingly well; and, with the addition of some beautiful scenery the result was a most triumphant success.  The newspapers are teeming with references to economy in tea by co-operation. Horninan and Co. have for 30 years co operated through Agents to supply tea on more qdrantayeous terms than by the ordinary channel; their tea reaches the consumer in the same pure state as it leaves the rower, as it is socund La packcte.