Transcription
that arrangement of “the balance of power” which has never to any material degree been disturbed.
For years after that brilliant conquest the Battle of Waterloo was wont to be celebrated in the noble halls of the rare old warrior who most of all contributed to its success. Year after year his brave companions in arms, ever diminishing in numbers, assembles at his festive board, and, surrounded by the trophies of that day, fought their battles o’er again. But the hero of whom we were so proud has been gathered to his fathers, and the Waterloo Banquet must, alas! be numbered with the things that have been.
Had He been alive, last Saturday would again have witnessed the gathering of veterans within the walls of Apsley House; but, he is gone, and it would be profanity to place in his deserted chair any living man.
It is a good thing to recall to us these great events. They stir up national ardour. They keep alive the flame of patriotism. They fan, perchance, even the embers of a recondite glory. It is with pleasure, therefore, we perceive that on Saturday, the 18th of June, Mr. Cooke revived at the Royal Amphitheatre the deservedly favourite spectacle of The Battle of Waterloo. The play is admirably put upon the stage, with all that fertility of invention and vast amount of display for which this establishment is celebrated. The events of the day are brought vividly to our recollection. On one side there are Napoleon dreaming of his destiny, mingled up with a strange reliance upon his personal exertions, the handsome Murat, the gallant Ney, the guide Jean De Coster, and the brave French Army. On the other the Duke of Wellington, the unfortunate Duke of Brunswick, Blucher, Shaw, the Life Guardsman, Milly Maloney, the Suttler, and the heterodox Army, composed of English, Scotch, Brunswickers, Belgians, Dutch, and Germans. Whilst the scenery comprises the Bridge of Marchienne, the Village of Gemappe, the Farm House of Houghomont, and other points of great interest. The acting throughout was above par. Mr. Simpson as the Duke, Mr. J. Craddock as Shaw, Mr. J. Holloway as Corporal Standfast, Mr. Stonette as Molly Maloney, Mr. Stephens as Napoleon, and Mrs. Anson as Mary Cameron, are entitled to special commendation. Indeed, all these were called before the curtain with the exception of the last, who deserved it the most of any. The play was vociferously applauded, and it will be repeated every evening till further notice.
Some marvellous scenes in the circle ensued, including the unparalleled feat by Miss Emily Cooke, of flying through sixteen balloons backwards. This is a most daring and hazardous accomplishment. Miss Cooke, however, performs it with a nerve and courage which, in one so young, are perfectly astounding.
The whole concluded with the successful sporting hippodrama of The Chase; or, Life on the Turf—a piece which we have so lately noticed with approbation, that it is unnecessary to say more upon it now.
In these days of heat and dirt it is extremely gratifying to be able honestly to compliment Mr. Cooke upon the scrupulous cleanliness and admirable ventilation of his theatre; matters, we regret to say, strangely neglected in other establishments, where more might be expected.
