Year: 1870

LONDON, May 2, 1870.


During the past week we have had two sensations
In London, both Of which are quite novelties in their
way. On Saturday night number Of literary men, and
not few ladies and gentlemen belonging to the high
est walks OF fashion, assembled at the Alfred Theatre
in the New Road to witness the first representation
Of new drama by Mr. A. Beckett, editor Of the
Tonaahaos, entitled "Fallen Among Thieves"
The story is one that has appeared for
the last twelve months in monthly maya
zines and being the nrst novel this gentle
man ever wrote, as well as the first play he has ever
put on the stage, considerable curiosity was evinced
to find out how he would acqut himself. Not that
he was alone In his laDors. Mr.. Pagrave Simpson,
the well known dramatist, had assisted him in doing
what is called "the stage work. and, indeed, the
drama was to appear in their joint names, and as
such was advertised Tor Saturday. April 30 but
although man proposes he does not always
dispose. 1t would seem that the proprietor
OF the theatre was a little in debt and that his
creditors had got TO the END Of their patience. In
any case they put in an execution into the theatre
the very morning that "Falen Among Thevesn
ought to have appeared, so that not only was all the
"property' Of the Alfred in the hands of the bum
balgs but the company OF actors was dispersed,
the members OF 1t fed in utter dismay and the re-
presentation OF the new piece was Of course stopped,
very much to the annoyance OF the author, who
had made every arrangement for its appearing
that evening Even the same afternoon "FalIen
Among Thieves" was SAID to be about to appear that
night, and thus whole flock of gentlemen, more or
less connected with the press or with the drama,
proceeded to the Alfred, but only to find the house
dark the doors locked and most villan0us looking
old man in possession of the establishment. The
scene was most amusing one. Some two score Of
cabs had arrived about the self-same time at the
theatre and the occupant OF each vehicle was aghast





equally ignorant with himself as to the why and
the wherefore of matters not being right But
In possession was, II know nothing about it; am
put here, and here / must stay" OF course Mr..
some other theatre but the delay of its appearance
VIII he decided loss to him. II the creditors had
only waited little longer they would have had, at
any rate, chance Of their money! but as 1t is, they
have rendered the proprietor helpless TO pay them.


''LoTHAIR.n


The other sensation we have had Is the appearance
OF Mr. Dlsraei's new book, "Lothair" BY the time
these lines appear III print no doubt the work will
be in the hands Of many persons in America. Like
everything Mr. Disraeli ever wrote, "Lothair''
work is even more % 50 than ' Others that that
have appeared from the same pen. To US, who hear
and see what is going on in the London world, the
characters with which Mr.. Disraeli has filled ms
novel are the most transparent representatives, of men
and women who are living among US. Thus Lothalr
himself Is intended for the Marquis OF Bate
a very wealthy young nobleman-the richest man
in England people say, and with rent roll
Of a5000OO year, who not very long ago joined the
Church OF Rome. In the same way the Duchess is
intended for the Duchess Of Abercorn, whose daug-
ter the Marquis really did want to marry, but who
would not marry hln because he had Joined the
Church Of Rome Cardinal Grandson is almost
life portrait OF Archbishop Manning the chief Of the
Catholic Church in England. and ''the Bishop
Of the Diocesen is Or. wilberforce the late
chester) all over. whether It IS pleasant
for people to have all their little pecuiartes raked
up "a ana set o in novel which W be read by tens
the book will be read with the utmost avidity there
can be no doubt 1t is so pleasant for people to see
the faings Of their friends SHOWN up to the public;
but that the operation is one which gives satisfaction
to those who have to undergo 1t IS another matter.


That "Lothar" is a clever, well written aud anus.
ing work there cannot be q shadow of doubt and
that 1t Will bear very favorable comparison with
any Of Mr.. Disraelis other books, Is no less true;
has has been written with motive and that
this motive Is a desire on the part of the
Of his party to the Roman Catholic Church and all
that belongs TO it In England. Mr.. Dsrae long
been suspected by many OF the ultra Protestants OF
literary weakness for the Catholic Church. just as
In former Yeas he was accused Of retaining his liking
for the faith Of his race-the Jewish people. 1t is
TO prove this to be false that Dsraei has
written "Lothair." But, clever though 1t be, you
Americans must not believe that this book is fair
picture OF English ife not even among the class 1t Is
intended chiefly to picture. The chief FAULT OF
the book IS the high and mighty tone 1t
found in it from one end TO the other. From
the title page to the termination OF the work we have
10 i've exclusively Win dukes, ducheSSeS, marQuSeS,
maichonesses. earls, countesses and the like. /
don't think that we can get as far down the social
scale as vlscounts, but am quite sure that Daronets
are left out altogether. ft is certainly tale OF
fashionable life but 1t makes fashionable life to be
lar TOO exclusively composed OF uted people.
Therefore 1t is, as said before, not true picture
of what 1t represents. AS to the object 1t
has In view; the tory party in England have for
some time held that they have but chance of ever
returning to power That chance Il to make out that
the dignitaries Of the Catholic Church have never
ceased from plotting TO gain temporal as
well as spiritual power In England. In word,