The Sun. — 1823-11-19 (London, England)

FABLE. ____  The scene, of course, lies in Rome.—" The Play opens with the successful pleading of Caius Gracchus, in behalf of Vettius, who is accused of treason by Opimius. The Senators, fearful of the influence of Gracchus over the passions of the people, and aware of his deiire of avenging the death of his brother Tiberius appoint him to the situation of Qumstor (under Opimius) in a distant province. Gracchus returns at the expiration of his duty, is accused by Opimius of disobedience, is tried, and acquitted, and, in spite of the opposition of the Senators, is elected Tribune. His influence and power are now exerted to advance the interests of the people, in opposition to the encroachments of the Patricians; but these last, through the a,,encY of his colleague Drusus, for a short time injure his popularity. The insults and injuries of the Senators (headed by Opimius, who is now Consul) rouse his passions to the highest pitch, and, incited by the wildest fury of his friends and partisans, he assumes the attitude of defiance. The accidental murder of a lictor, by one of his followers, brings the disturbances to a crisis, and a battle ensues. Caius is worsted, nearly all his friends destroyed ; he rushes to the temple of Diana, where his mother, wife, and child, had previously fled for protection ; and after takinll a solemn farewell, he secretly stabs himself' to the heart. II ith this last circumstance the Tragedy ends."  It will be seen that the catastrophe differs Arom historical truth, as Caius Gracchus did not commit suicide, but was executed by order dale Consul Opi,nius, his body thrown ruto the Tiber, and his wife forbidden to put on mourning. This Play seems to have been taken from a very line Italian Tragedy on the same subject. It was difficult to judge of the poetical merit of the piece, as the mind was chiefly occupied in the progress of the Fable ; but it appeared to us to abound in vigorous sentiments, and to be expressed in dignified language. It is impossible not to recognize COrkiallUS, Volumnia, and in Virginia, Canis Gracchus, Cornelia, and Lucinia, and even in the female visitor, as well as Monenius in Titus. The alternate scenes of popular tumult and domestic anxiety also remind us of the play of our immortal Bard. But on the whole it is very creditable to the talents of the Author, whatever similitudes may appear in the plot and characters, and we must wait for the publication of the piece before we can venture to judge of the style. The Play was altogether very well performed. Mr. MACREADY gave impressive energy to the patriotic passages, and was sufficiently tender in the domestic situations. We never, indeed, saw him appear before to equal advantage. If there were at times some KEANISHE in dropping his voice from the energetic to the familiar, tricks unworthy of an actor who possesses so much merit of his own, yet they were lost in the general spirit of his acting, and he welt deserved the applause that attended him. Mrs. Burp: fully justified the favourable opinion which we have conceived of her talents, and exhibited all the dignity of a Roman Matron in Cornelia. Mrs. W. WEEr also deserves much praise for her expression of conjugal tenderness and anxiety in Lucinta. Opimius may be considered as the second male character in the piece, and it was supported with spirit and judgment by Mr.