The Devil and Brandy.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 247, 20 October 1886, Page 3

The Devil and Brandy.

Count Loo Tolstji, the Russian novelist, has given a now turn to his imagination. He has produced a farce in six acts with the title, "Tho First Brandy Distiller." Tho work is completed, and if the eanction of the censor can be attained— and it is not expected that there will be any difficulty— the novol production will before long find its way to the stage. The work is neither of a political nor a roligious character. It is based upon the Russian legends relating to the invention of brandy by the devil. Devils, indeed, are the only characters (.f the piece. The plot is as follows : —Mankind is led astray by those satanic emissaries, and supremacy over their victims is beßtowed upon the chief of demons. The chief divides his dovils according to position and sex. Some are commissioned to corrupt noble people; others business people ; others, again, are charged with the corruption of women and girls, of lawvere, and so on. AH the devils discharge their tasks to the full satisfaction of their sovereign, saving one, who should have led the peasantry astray. This one is punished until, in despair, ho promises to do his duty well. After receiving a supplementary cudgelling, he goes among the peasants and takes service as a simple servant. He works so dtligently for his master that the latter becomes incalculably rich, his corn accumulating to such an extent that it cannot all be used. Here the demon servant advises his master to make spirit of bis corn. The experiment is made, and the farmer is delighted with the result. He calls wife, children, and neighbours together, and the general verdict on the liquor 13 that it tastes excellent. The company indulges to such a degree that sinking, dancing, shrieking, then abuse, violence, and impropriety, become the order of the day. Matters having reached this point, tho supreme devil makes.his appearance. He rejoices at the ingenuity of his subject, and awards him praise. Here is the denouement. The play certainly has a moral, which probably needs pointing in Russia as much as anywhere.