Year: 1878




1t would be tedious to partcularzo the incidents ol
the story which is displayed in the action and talk OF tins
comedy. The recital of plot IS not an estimate Vi 4"
play and the perusal of directories has never beeh
thought fascinating pursuit. The story reyolVes
around that peculiar desire, by which so many
human creatures mysteriousy animated
10 seem alunng in the eyes OF others-to possess
influences, and tos present, extol and indicate.
before alien observance, the ideals which they enter
tain of themselves 1t is, in other words, story OF
love, vanity and power. II twists into q skcin tho
threads Of two inrigues, of which is amatory and
the other political There is nothing fresh in
the line of observation thus trayersed Cupids
little dart sticks out of almost all the COM
plications that are reced In the history OF
the world. That bandy philosophic monarch. whose
favorite conundrum was, Who she !" showed that
lie had, at all times tOeraby clear appreciation OF the
state Of human affairs. Many and many play has
grown out OF that method OF observation In
diplomacy" we have two women who love the
man, and we see them opposed In interest
through his having preferred the one before
the other-n the feversh mysterious and silky circles
Of diplomatic life in Europe The originality Is In the
intricate web OF the intrigue magnificent situation
is provided in the second act arising out OF the dscos
ure TO tho husband-by one OF his frends-of facts
which seem incrminate the wife whom hc has just
led from the altar Another and stronger situation super
venes upon this, in which the husband ntmates = his
wife the terrible odium that has clouded her image in
his passion tossed and well nigh distracted act


The form OF this comedy moro worthy OF admiration
than its substancea state OF facts by means unusual
with the dramatic productions Of this eminenty crti
cal period The excess and superfiuI OF rich minds.
which, In tho Shakesperean epoch, was wont TO
overflow aud irrgat0 fOrmless but tccming fields
Of theatrical fabric, has long since suffered
a stern repression. Authors bestow snch
strenuous care upon the manner IN which they de-
sire to say anything that they often end by leaving
themselves with next to nothing TO say II Is pc
Rod OF rule and line seemingly, in these matters, and
every wild flower of fancy Is Instantly cut down by the
shining hoe Of critical judgment. The French
comedy, however. certainty eliminates in fine
form. and this particular specimen Is an ex
celent example OF it, The art OF 1t consists
in seeing and In showing how cOnductas 1t Is forced
by the impulses the accidents OF character accordingly


as character is wrought upon by the experiences. Sc
Iocted yet TYPICAL OF fe-leads TO sharp contrasts OF
condition and purpose and makes situations raught with
in crest passion and pahos. The bancy OF the art Is
its light touch Its continuity OF design, and its instant
cessation when the points reached and accomplished
There is however a little tediousness in tho premi-
naries and the beginnings OF the acts and there Is
appeal for sympathy with handsome feminine wicked
ness and grief which stands very brittle founda-
ton Much ia said about women being tramped Oh and
made miserable; but observation OF fact leads most
thinkers TO conclude that woman in this epoch. has
everything pretty much her own way, and Ia
commonly responsible not alonc for her own
rnisery-i she suffers anybut for the misery OF many
men whom she leads TO ruin. 1t would be good thing
II somebody would write play that might make hu-
beings realize that there is nothing In nature to
show she leads ruin And general remark upon the
whole theme Of passion and suffering may be said that
human creatures would be far calmer and patient
II they could hut realize that has right TO happi-
ness oarththat nature does not promise It and sell
dom gives it-and that endurance o. fate and less
personal pothor would bo the part OF wisdom. Man
made for tue world, and not the world for


The representation last night, prolonged till mid
night aud the proceedings or the actors together with
thoughts suggested by the subject OF their work. scein
rapid retrospect worthy Of more cOnsidcrate reec
ton aud particular statement than DC accorded
them Tho earliest occasion. though ought
improved for saying that diplomacy" Is com
pact frmy-kntted piece that IL not srikngly novel
IN substance, it Is most artfuy framed In to
surprise and crafty that it possesses the
delicate exaggcratOn OF character and OF probability in
incident together with the occasional equyoke and the
light trenchan style, which appertain TO comedy and
which define and gauge IT. that Its moments of gentl
ment create illusion. and thus show themselves TO be
genune that has tho elOquence Of passion and that
it Is suggestive OF topics really worthy OF
thought and comment III this latter particular IL is
priceless boon The New-YOrk stage this season has
dumped such n variety and volume OF theatrical rubbish
upon the minds Of those whose tedious duty 1t ia to
reflect upon the proceedings OF managers, that de-
post Of and right feeling startles by its unex
pectedness as much 1t refreshes by Its worth.
The public applause, last night spirited and abund
ant, and Mr.. Wallack, Mr. Montague SIR. Robinson, Mr.
Shannon, Miss Granger and Miss Coghlan merited
equivocal admiration. The curtain lifted thrice
after scts first and second. and there special
calls after acts second and third The in
deed very great.


PARK THEATRE.


NIo n n II i a