following the close of the American civil conflict by Boucicault’s “Belle Lemar” (which was first acted at Booth’s Theatre August 10, 1874), and, more recently, by Howard’s “Shenandoah” and Gillette’s “Held by the Enemy,”--being much superior to both the latter dramas. The scene of that play is in and near an old Colonial homestead, called “The Lilacs,” inhabited by the _Calvert_ family, at Boonsboro, Maryland, in the Spring of 1863. It is comprised in four acts and six scenes, requiring five sets of scenery for their display. Its action passes within about thirty-six hours and implicates about thirty persons, of whom five are important,--namely _General Hugh Kendrick_, _Colonel Alan Kendrick_, his son, _Colonel Fulton Thorpe_, _Lloyd Calvert_, and _Maryland Calvert_. _Maryland_ and _Alan Kendrick_ are lovers and have been betrothed, but she is passionately devoted to the Southern cause, while he ardently supports that of the North,--holding rank as a colonel in the Federal Army,--and their political difference has divided them, though without lessening their love. In the First Act _Alan_, who has been captured by the Rebels and imprisoned at Dansville, is exchanged and, in passing through Boonsboro on the way to the Union lines, he meets both his sweetheart, _Maryland_, and _Colonel Thorpe_. _Thorpe_, a Northern spy and a double traitor, whom _Alan_ has publicly flogged for blackguardly conduct and then caused to be drummed out of his regiment, holds rank as a colonel in the Rebel Army. In revenge for the humiliation to which he has been subjected _Thorpe_ expedites the transport of _Alan_ and other exchanged Federal prisoners, so that they shall be conveyed immediately to Charlesville,--his purpose being thus to cause their death along with that of the entire garrison at that place, which _General Kendrick_, in command of an overwhelming Confederate army, purposes to surprise by night and utterly to destroy. _Lloyd Calvert_, unknown to his family, is a Northern spy. He has learned of _General Kendrick’s_ plan and seeks to warn the Federal forces at Charlesville. Unable to do so, he informs _Maryland_ of the projected assault and she, to save her lover, communicates knowledge of the impending danger to him, thus causing the failure of the surprise attack.