The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-16

L.ssISsEuReH y. Y-The Herald can be had of Mr.
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dress will he served regularly.
Ms. d LYMAN Middletown, iConn., is Agent for tn,
OF whom may be obtained copies OF the Daily snd
Weekly Herald
SING SING n. Y, Messrs Stanton 4 Co
HresroS, N. ", Mr.. z. Waller.
To CONSEQUENTIAL communications in
tended tor insertion in this paper must be addressed
TO the acting Editor DR.. Houston. No COM
munlcations addressed 10 any other person connect
ed with the office, will meet with attention
The DRAMA-Is 1T REALLY DEAD2-W THINK
NoT.-WHY ?--Some days since we gave our rea-
ders the sermon of the Rev. DR.. Beecher, delivered
IN the fremont Temple, formerly the Theatre in
Boston. We now offer them something on the
other side of the question
The stage is now almost undone. The liberalism
OF The day has given to every corner a theatre, and
has degraded the character of the stage in all BY
scattering the ability which still exists, it has strip
ped the great theatres of the very means of repre-
senting dramatic excellence; while, by adopting
popular contrvances to obtain temporary success,
they have driven away dramatic genius in contempt
or despair Our stage is now condemned to be fed
almost like a telon from the dungeons, or like the
felon to feel stigma in every morsel, which it
puts between its lips 1t must stosp to French fri
vohty or German extravaganza, and be glad TO ex-
list upon either Yet, why should not higher names
come TO Its aid The people will have theatres
Good or evil, noble or degraded, the stage will he
demanded by the people. Is it thing indif-
feren 10 our rulers 10 supply them with this power
full and universal excitement in It's highest degree
OF moral influence or in Its lowest degree Of impure
ny to bring before them, with all the attractions of
The DRAMA the memory OF heroes and sages patriots
and martyrs, the lessons of virtue and the punish
ment.oi vice, or leave them to rake tnr the indu-
gence OF eye and ear in the very kennels OF crime
They order those things better in France"
Unquestlonably, the care OF government there
protects the national TASTE and prevents the theatres
from looking for subsistence TO the history of tine
highway The vices which now haunt the theatres
are no more necessary to its nature, than to the
Senate or the palace. Why should not the laws in
terpose to prevent the sale of poison on the STAGE
as in the streetsl Why should not Inc makers
offer prizes and honor for great tragedies and come
dies, as soon as for voyage 10 the Arctic or
Antarctic? But is dramatic genius dead in
America What, in America where nothing
ELSEWHERE every faculty of the heart and under
standing is In the most perpetual activity-where the
nobest impulses are perpetually pushing forward TO
the nobiest ends-where human nature moves in
all its vlgor, from hour TO hour, without Disguise
where the whole anatomy of the moral frame is
visible. and all its weakness, and all its wonders
are the daily spectacle Of all mankind!
In giving these opinions OF the power of the
stage, need we guard them by saying that we con-
template higher spirit than the drama even Of
Shakespeare has ever dispayed-one which, to the
vigor Of his characters, and the splendor OF his
poetry, should add moral of which his time was
scarcely conscious? Our Gidea would approach
more nearly the objects of the great Greek dramas,
in which the first sympathies OF the people were
appealed 10 by the most powerful recolections OF
historic virtue their national victories the
Persian, the lofty conceptions OF their Olympus, the
gores of their national power, and the prospects of
their mperishable renown. We contemplate no.
ihiag OF the weakness, locality, or license, of
old drama We think only OF a rich and lofty
combination OF characters above the level of our
time, thoughts belonging 10 that elevation, feelings
more generous, vivid and majestic, and exploits
uniting the soaring spirit of old romance with the
sustained strength of modern energy Greece in
her brightest days of intellectual ustre, Rome in
her most heroic DAYS of patriotism, and America in
those days that yet to come, and which shall fill
up her inheritance of glory,
TOTAL Loss THE STEAM SHIP COLUMBIA
CONFIRMED ACCOUNTS TWO DAYS LATER.-The CAP
tain OF the steamer SAKE Gotha, at 81. John, was
on board the Columbia the 7th instant. At that
time she had broken IN two. but her rigging, spars
and sails, with great part of her engines would
be saved.
The report that person was missing from her,
arose from The fact that of her sailors in at
tempting to scull skf from the ship to schooner,
on the I'd instant, lost his way in the fog, and
driven by the wind and tide about the bay, till
some time next day, when he was fortunately de-
scred by the brig Rose bound to Yarmouth and
taken on board
The Columbia, it is understood, cost 100000,
and was insured for 10000. She was commanded
by Capt. Shannon, formerly Ct the Margaret. Her
pilot was Capt. Stairs, OF Halifax-a gentleman of
long experience and high reputation, who has been
employed by the company in that capacity since the
FIRST establishment OF this magnificent and hitherto
surprisingly fortunate line, and previously he COM
msnded one of the British Government packets.
As Capt. Shannon is exonerated from all blame
IN the loss Of this noble steamship, the pilot must
take the responsibility of the act At the moment
the Columbia struck, she was going at the rate of
te" ""otS ~" ho", Yin n log 80 uehse 'ial Tic iehsh
of the vessel was hardly discernable, which fact
alone is sufficient TO blast the reputation Of any
vigator, however great his experience.
Mr.. ALrIsToN's DEATH AND FUNERAL.-A letter
from Cambridge, Massachusetts,, addressed to Mr..
Bryant. has some interesting details respecting the
last moments and the funeral rites of this great
man They will be read with interest -
cit may interest you TO know the manner of Mr..
Allston's death. He just retiring TO rest, hav-
ing passed the evening with some of his female
friends, when he complained that he felt pain in
his breast. One OF the ladies recommended a
mustard plaster and he went down into his study