A PETITE DRAMA,

Er One Act,

Br W. OXBERRY, Comedian, M. D. A. S.

As performed at

THE QUEEN'S THEATRE.

To which are added

ORIGINAL REMARKS-SKETCHES-MEMOIRS - COSTUME CHARACTERS - EXITS ENTRANCES

AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS.

EMBELLISHED WITH AN ENGRAVING, From a drawing taken in the Theatre during representation.

LONDON.

JAMES PATTIE, 4, BRYDGES STREET,

COVENT GARDEN.

The Editor of this Work prints no Plays but those which he has seen acted. The Stage Directions are from personal observations during the performance.

R. means (Right.) L. (Left.) C. (Centre.) R. C. (Right of Centre.) L. C. (Left of Centre.) D. F. (Door in the Flat or Scene running across the back of the Stage) C. D. F. (Cenrte Door in Flat.) R. D. F. (Right Door in Flat.) L. D. F. (Left Door in Flat.) R. D. (Right Door.) L. D. (Left Door.) S. E. (Second Entrance.) U. E. (Up-. per Entrance..) C. D (Cntre Door.)

REMARKS.

The Conscript.

This petite Comeay, which was represented with great success at the Queen's Theatre, is from the pen of Mr. William Henry Oxberry, who so cleverly continued Oxenford's Farce of "My Fellow Clerk ;" and it is no mean compliment to this gentleman's abilities, to say that the Conscript," does not detract from that favourable opinion which we have already expressed of his merits. The "Conscript" is sketchy, and though of French origin, is quaintly written much after the fashion of early dramatists.

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By the way it has been a subject of well-grounded complaint for many years, that the beauties of our early dramatists are not duly appreciated by our countrymen of the present day. At the Revolution, plays and players fell into disregard, together with all that was noble and poetical in the national feelings. The Restoration brought with it a new taste; and, although the " pure wells" of our drama were disregarded, and the public taste was fed from other sources, English comedy was then raised to its most brilliant pitch. Succeeding years have given birth to dramatists who have been too much busied in prosecuting their own labours, to apply themselves to restore the defaced statues of the patriarchs of our dramatic poesy, to the riches they ought to occupy in our national temple of Taste. The present age seems, with a few exceptions, to be as barren of dramatic talent, as it is ungrateful in its encouragement of the small number of authors who write for the stage.

We question whether the Dramatic fry of the present day, earn salt to their porridge, especially if their colours are conferred to theatres under the jurisdiction of the Magistrates, and with this feeling we warned Oxberry to stick to his profession as an Actor, if he wishes to make money. We have laboured in the vineyard of Dramatic literature, and

although tolerably successful; are no further advanced on the score of remuneration, than when we first set out. Besides Oxberry is a young and rising, and talented Actor. When Time shall expand his genius, and he shall depend solely on his own powers, if his star be not as luminous as the moon-beams that play on the bosom of the mighty deep, he may shine a minor satellite in the present fashionable rage for new readings and guttural absurdities. As a Comedian we prefer him to Keely; there is more humour in his acting, and considerable less of mannerism. His acting

at the Olympic Theatre under Madame Vestris, confirmed us in our opinion of his excellence-so much so, that we are anxious for his next character; not that we fear he may compel us to recal or qualify our eulogy, but that the stepping-stones to fame, in Comedy as well as every thing else, are to be so chosen, that in proportion with the art and judgment they are successively taken, will be the ease and shortness of the ascent to the mountain top. Our desire, our prayer to him would be, that he pass smoothly through the series of legitimate pieces so exactly suited to his powers, before he presents himself in those adaptations from the foreign schools which, by the multitude, are too hastily and most unjustly accepted as the last test and brightest ordeal, the ne plus ultra of Comic achievement. We thus express ourselves, not that we under-value Oxberry's writings; but that we are most sensible he will take a firmer and far more lasting hold of public regard by the course we venture to point out, than by any other whatever.

PHILO-Dramaticus.

THE CONSCRIPT.

SCENE I

Swiss Village-Mountains in the distance-Stable, L. V. E. Cottage, R. 2 E.-Bridge at back.

A DRUMMER enters-beats the call.-CHARLES, CORPORAL, and VILLAGERS enter from different sides.

Cor. By orders from head-quarters, the young men of the village are informed of the arrival of the recruiting officer to form a company of brave men-by his command, 1 publish this notice after which, the recruits are to render themselves at the Town Hall, to be examined and receive their routes to their regiments.

[Exit, followed by all, except Charles. Cha. What an unhappy destiny is mine, compelled to leave all that is dear to me in the world, perhaps for everwell, I am not the only one Fortune has not smiled onpoor Marie !-it will cause her much unhappiness:

Enter MARIE, r.

Marie. My dear Charles !—and must you leave us? Cha. There is no alternative-I do not regret that I must follow the profession of a soldier—it is an honourable calling - but in leaving this place, so dear to me, I leave my heart behind me, and what is a soldier without a heart? Marie. Mine will break, I'm sure-you will not forget me, Charles?

Cha. Oh, never!

Marie. You will write to me?

Cha. At every opportunity; but should you not hear from me as often as you wish, do not deem it neglect in mehow would it be possible for a soldier to write to his mis