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Buffalo Bill.

Hon. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) with a strong company, commenced a three nights' engagement at the theatre last evening to a pretty fair audience, which made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in numbers, and frequent rounds of applause greeted the hero whenever he appeared in his several characters.

The play is a melodrama written and dramatized expressly for Mr. Cody by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. It possesses considerable merit and abounds with numerous comical and pathetic scences. The field of action is laid on the plains of the far West, with the exception of the second act. which lies in Chicago and introduces the heroine, Rose Melton, whom Buffalo Bill had met and saved from death some time previous, but in doing so had lost his heart and fallen in love with the fair Rose, the feeling being reciprocal on her part.

Complications arise through the action of the outlaw Ralf Royston, who is ever seeking to take the life of the brave and noble scout on whose death his safety and fortunes depend, but a happy culmination is reached in the final act in the overthrow of the outlaw and the triumphant vindication of honesty and justice, with the union of the two loving hearts. The scenery used in the production of the play was made exclusively for use in its presentation. That used as the background in the first act is so arranged as at its close to vividly and strikingly represent a prairie on fire, with a herd of maddened buffaloes rushing wildly before it direct upon the Indian camp at which the scout is held a prisoer, bound hand and foot. In the last act the representation of the stage coach stopped by a gang of robber outlaws is very lifelike, and adds much to the effect of the scene. It can be truly said that since his last appearance in this city "Buffalo Bill" has greatly improved in his character of an actor, and where he is called upon to act a thrilling scene of border life his interpretation of the part is so real and true as to call forth a marked acknowledgment of his talent. His feats with the rifle are truly wonderful, but must be seen to be appreciated, as it is impossible to draw a pen picture of the situations under which he sends a ball true to its aim.

Miss Nellie Jones' acting of Rose Melton is well performed,and the Wild Nellie of Miss Lydia Denier could hardly be improved. Being the wife of Royston, wronged and deserted by him, her strong love turned to hate, and living the same wild life as her male companions, she carries the sympathies of the audiene with her until his tragic death from her own hands. Mr. J. J. Loudon as Ralph Royston is somewat deficient in force, and his exeution of the character is rather labored. Mr. Alf. Beverly as Jude Chincapin Shyster and Mr. L. R. Wilard as Moses Molock, the scheming Jew, create considerable amusement, and they are continually getting out of one scrape only to fall into another. The negro Buttermilk, by Mr. Harry Irving, together with his obstiate little donkey, also comes in for his share of applause. Anoher feature of the play is the introduction into the first act of a group of genuine Indian chiefs, and their war-dance and other antics seemed to be highly appropriaed, especin the gallery. In view of the immense success of the programme last evening, "Knight of the Plains" will be repeated throughout the week.

Buffalo Bill.

The Hartford Courant has this to say of the appearace there of Buffalo Bill in his new play, "The Knight of the Plains," which he is to present at the Opera House to-night:

Col. Prentiss Ingraham's new play, written for Buffalo Bill, was submitted at he Opera House last evening to public criticism for the second time. It is essetially a drama of the plains, yet far above the average in plot, in situations and in dialogue. These merits were brought out by a company of more than the excellence ordinarily found in performances of this particular character. Last evening 'The Knight of the Plains' was presented with special scenery, good costuming, and a spice of reality was added by the inroduction in the opening act of a troupe of Nez Peree and Pawnee Indians and their interpreters. The galleries were crowded, as might have been anticipated; but for that matter so were the dress and parquette circles, and indivative that Buffalo Bill and his combined novelties in his new drama has fascinaion for adults as well as the youthful portion of the community."

Buffalo Bill.
Hon. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) with a strong company, commenced a three nights' engagement at the theatre last evening to a pretty fair audience, which made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in numbers, and frequent rounds of applause greeted the hero whenever he appeared in his several characters.
The play is a melodrama written and dramatized expressly for Mr. Cody by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. It possesses considerable merit and abounds with numerous comical and pathetic scences. The field of action is laid on the plains of the far West, with the exceeption of the second act. which lies in Chicago and introduces the heroine, Rose Melton, whom Buffalo Bill had met and saved from death some time previous, but in doing so had lost his heart and fallen in love with the fair Rose, the feeling being reciprocal on her part.
Complications arise through the action of the outlaw Ralf Royston, who is ever seeking to take the life of the brave and boble scout on whose death his safety and fortunes depend, but a happy culmination is reached in the final act in the overthrow of the outlaw and the triumphant vindication of honesty and justice, with the union of the two loving hearts. The scenery used in the production of the play was made exclusively for use in its presentation. That used as the background in the first act is so arranged as at its close to vividly and strikingly represent a prairie on fire, with a herb of fore