The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-24
Saratoga ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 8.

from legitimate comedy names as exalted as tnoee
OF which the higher drama has been bereft, the
loss has been proportionally greater In point oil
number. In our own time we have seen an unusual
number of ornaments of the comic drama removed
| by death or by retirement. Charles kemble, Ma
thews, Munden, Dowton, Fawcett, Blanchard,
Emery, Elliston, Richard Jones, Liston, Johnsto ne
| Qrish), Power, and large number OF minora side
ra. Among the ladies, Mrs. Charles Kemble,
| Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. Dawson, Miss Chester, Miss
Foot Gladly Harrington), and in high comedy,
Fanny kemble. And who have we got 10 fill the
melancholy void thus createda Echo repeats
WHO! And yet this generation, who have again
and again enjoyed the finished performances OF
such artists, is reproached with being insensible to
the claims Of the legitimate drama!
Descending from the more classic drama, let us
glance at that class of over-wrought and cxagge-
rated production, melo-drama Although immea-
s,urably below the regular drama, this species Of
performance has been popular even with high or
,iers of mind. The works Of Lord Byron partake
ut the melo-dramatic in poetry, and those of Vic
tor Hugo are eminently so in prose fiction. To
enjoy the meo-drama, when good of its kind, is,
therefore, no dsparagement to the taste Of the
most polished public. The materials for good per-
Torrance in this department are extant. James
Wallack, Senior, is the greatest melo-dramatc
performer among living actors Elliston and Henry
tombstone were conspicuous in past years Among
the ladies', we have one, the memory of whose
performances must ever continue,
green in souls
that one, without having lost her physical or intel
lectual energies, without being excluded by the
loss of personal beauty, (for she never had any to
lose), without having declined in favor (for she
still enjoys the highest popularity, without being
pushed from her throne by superior genius Qor she
has not left her like behnd), without any conceiv-
able reason, the queen OF the melo-drama-Mlss
Kelly-the Miss Kely-the ugly Miss Kelly, as she
has been ungallantly called, has disappeared from
public life. Why did not Mr.. Simpson supplicate
assistance from this talented woman? We can
conceive no reason why she should decline an in
vitation to crafty the public in this country with
performances which have commanded the admira-
ton Of the most refined, the most enlightened, and
the most severely rigid critics Of our day
In France, tragedy died with Talma.k hit has been
terminated by Rachel During the suspension of
itsvitality meo-drama supplied its place, and while
the Theatre Franeas showed unoccupied benches
and an empty treasury, the Porte ST. Martin opened
nightly to OVERLOOKING houses. The Parisans were
not insensible to the claims of legitimate TRACE
dy, but after being familiar with Talmas represen-
tatons they could not enjoy the measureless nferi-
ority which followed him, and took refuge In the
ideal horrors OF the Porte st. Martin. On the adj
vent of Rachel, the tide rolled back; the Porte ST.
Martin was closed, and the sale of the National
drama filled nightly at double and triple prices The
musicians surrendered their seats, and forestalIers
were actually known to pre-engage the whole
house, to relet the seats at exorbitant prices Yet
the French are also charged with the decline Of the
legitimate drama!
But to return to Miss Kely-seeing that Mr..
Simpson has been unluckily able to attract no stars
Of the first magnitude from the Eastern skies, why
in the name Of common sense did he not at least
engage Miss Kelly, and bring out at the Park some
of those thrilling pieces, (such for instance as
'the Sergeant's Wife, in which that artistic is
SO prc-eminently excellent Miss Kelly, since her
retirement is engaged chiefly in teaching the rising
artists oil the stage, task for which she is highly
qualified. She has erected in the rear of her house
in Dean street, Soho, a gymnasium, in which per-
formances are occasionally given by her pupils,
aided by their gifted mistress, which are witnessed
by some OF the most distinguished persons In the
metropolis. But surely this country could offer
sufficient inducement to attract her for season
from such labors s3 NN
We intended to have given some notice Of the
importations Of dramatic talent, reported to be
consigned to Messrs. Simpson IL Co. On looking
at the bill Of lading, however, we are compelled to
acknowledge the most profound ignorance of all
and every Of the items therein advised
AN EUROPEAN TRAVELLER.
PHILOSOPHER GREELEY IN STATE OF EXCITE
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