dropped, in order to shorten the piece, and a few others have been transposed-the objects sought being incessant movement and the circumscription of each act within a single scenic picture. This comedy is not only the best work of one of the most brilliant writers that ever lived, but it is one of the best dramatic pieces ever written, and the revival of it from time to time will, doubtless, continue to occur upon the stage as long as the stage endures. This certainly should be hoped, for "The School for Scandal " teaches charity and reticence; and these are among the greatest virtues that adorn character and sanctify life.

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*The School for Scandal was revived by Mr. Daly at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, on Saturday December 2, 1876, Mr. Charles F. Coghlan appearing as Charles Surface;-the cast upon this occasion was made otherwise interesting by John Brougham appearing as Sir Oliver Surface, Charles Fisher as Sir Peter, James Lewis as Backbite, Hardenberg as Crabtree, William Castle (the popular tenor of English opera) as Sir Harry Bumper; William Davidge as Moses; D. H. Harkins as Joseph Surface, George Parkes as Careless; Miss Fanny Davenport was the Lady Teazle, Mrs. Gilbert the Mrs. Candour, Mary Wells the Lady Sneerwell, Georgie Drew the Maria ;-and previous to the comedy the original Epilogue written by David Garrick was spoken by Miss Jeffreys Lewis.

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-LADY SNEERWELL'S House.

LADY SNEERWELL enters with SNAKE, R. U. E.

Lady S. The paragraphs, Mr. Snake, were all inserted? Snake. They were, madam; and as I copied them myself in a feigned hand, there can be no suspicion whence they came. Lady S. Did you circulate the report of Lady Brittle's intrigue with Captain Boastall ? [Sits on sofa, R.

Snake. That's in as fine a train as your ladyship could wish. In the common course of things, I think it must reach Mrs. Clackitt's ears within four-and-twenty hours; and then the business is as good as done, for you know Mrs. Clackitt has a very pretty talent, and a great deal of industry. [Sits.] But then she wants that delicacy of tint and mellowness of sneer which distinguishes your ladyship's scandal.

[A servant enters with chocolate, which he serves to both, and stands in the background until they return their cups.]

Lady S. Ah! You are partial, Snake.

Snake. Not in the least-everybody allows that Lady Sneerwell can do more with a word or a look than many can with the most labored detail, even when they happen to have a little truth on their side to support it.

Lady S. Yes, my dear Snake; and I am no hypocrite to

deny the satisfaction I reap from the success of my efforts. Wounded myself in the early part of my life by the envenomed tongue of slander, I confess I have since known no pleasure equal to the reducing others to the level of my own reputation.

Snake. Nothing can be more natural. But, Lady Sneerwell, there is one affair in which you have lately employed me, wherein, I confess, I am at a loss to guess your motives. Lady S. I conceive you mean with respect to my neighbor, Sir Peter Teazle, and his family?

Snake. I do. Here are two young men, to whom Sir Peter has acted as a kind of guardian since their father's death; the eldest possessing the most amiable character, and universally well spoken of the youngest, the most dissipated and extravagant young fellow in the kingdom, without friends or character; the former an avowed admirer of your ladyship's, and apparently your favorite; the latter attached to Maria, Sir Peter's ward, and confessedly beloved by her. Now, on the face of these circumstances, it is utterly unaccountable to me why you, the widow of a city knight, with a good jointure, should not close with the passion of a man of such character and expectations as Mr. Surface; and more so, why you should be so uncommonly earnest to destroy the mutual attachment subsisting between his brother Charles and Maria.

Lady S. [Laying her cup on table.] Then at once to unravel this mystery, I must inform you that love has no share whatever in the intercourse between Joseph Surface and me. Snake. No? [Handing his cup to SERVANT, who exits. Lady S. His real attachment is to Maria, or her fortune; but finding in his brother a favored rival, he has been obliged to mask his pretensions, and profit by my assistance.

Snake. Yet I am still more puzzled why you should interest yourself in his success.

Lady S. [Rises and goes c.] Heavens! how dull you are. Cannot you surmise the weakness which I hitherto, through shame, have concealed even from you? Must I confess that Charles, that libertine, that extravagant, that bankrupt in fortune and reputation, that he it is for whom I'm thus anxious

and malicious, and to gain whom I would sacrifice everything? [Sits L. Snake. [Rises.] Now, indeed, your conduct seems consistent; but how came you and Joseph so confidential?

[Stands by LADY SNEERWELL.

Lady S. For our mutual interest. I have found him out a long time since. I know him to be artful, selfish, and malicious -in short, a sentimental knave; while with Sir Peter, and indeed with all his acquaintance, he passes for a youthful miracle of prudence, good sense, and benevolence.

Snake. [Sits.] Yes: yet Sir Peter vows he has not his equal in England and above all he praises him as a man of sentiment.

Lady S. True-and with the assistance of his sentiment and hypocrisy he has brought him entirely into his interest with regard to Maria; while poor Charles has no friend in the house, though, I fear, he has a powerful one in Maria's heart, against whom we must direct our schemes.

Enter SERVANT, from L.

Serv. Mr. Surface.

Lady S. [Crosses R.] Show him up. [Exit SERVANT, L.] He generally calls about this time. [Going R.] I don't wonder at people giving him to me for a lover.

Enter JOSEPH SURFACE, C.

Joseph S. [c.] My dear Lady Sneerwell, how do you do to-day? Mr. Snake, your most obedient.

Lady S. [R.] Snake has just been rallying me on our mutual attachment; but I have informed him of our real views. You know how useful he has been to us, and, believe me, the confidence is not ill-placed. [Sits R.

Joseph S. Madam, it is impossible for me to suspect a man of Mr. Snake's sensibility and discernment.

Lady S. Well, well, no compliments now; but tell me when you saw your mistress, Maria, or, what is more material to me, your brother.