The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-23


THEATRICAL AND MUsIcAL.-There is no peopl
on the face OF the earth who more readily appreciate
talent OF high order in artists, or esteem and pa
tronze real merit, than the American people New
York stands pre-eminent in her admiration OF ge
MUS, no matter what form il may assume. Our 20
pulafion Is OF very mixed character, to be sure
but there Is a homogeneousness which is not fount
elsewhere on this continent. We are ever on tn,
qu vpe for novelty, but it is always the novel
ty OF merit The popular taste, in matters pertain
ing to music and the drama, has much improved
TOO, of late years, and nothing mediocre can now
loRg hold place in public estimation. There is a
great demand for frst-rate arttstes, but they mus
make the great national pulse vibrate, to maintain
position. II will not do, as in Paris and Vienna
and other cities OF Europe, to be the hon of cote
re- No Clique, be il never so powerful, can elevate
medlocrty into the sunshine of popular favor this
metropolis; and here is significant fact, which is
beginning TO be understood by candidates for fame.
On more than one occasion we have witnessed the
feeble attempt of some faction to ost upon the pub
lic some bantlng Of its creation; but how sig.
nal has ever been the indignant rebuke administer
tered by the free, fearless and thinking masses.
AS a people, we combine the vivacity and love of
energy of the English and Germans; but we also
have peculiar characteristics of our own, and our
amusements are, therefore, more varied than those
OF other nations. We are at once enthusiastic ad-
mirers of the legitimate drama, and the spectacle
and melo-drama. We delight in the destinations of
the ballet and have a lively taste for music and
poetry, and the fine arts. Whatever possesses orr
glnality and beauty We readily appreciate, as much
as though we were to "the manner born"-but it
must be brought to our notice without trckery or
disguise. Genius needs not the Intervention of
cliques to bolster itup.
With these remarks, we pass to the state of amuse
ments around us. Theatricals in this country were
never In more tlourishlng condition than at the
present moment, though we do not anticipate any
great Juror in this city, until the return Of the
Keans, from their Southern tour. Leopold de
Meyer, the most extraordinary artistic who ever
visited America, has lately left this scene Of his
brilliant triumphs, for Philadelphia and Washington,
where will undoubtedly gather fresh laurels, and in
crease his already great reputation as the lion pianist
Of the age.
Madame Augusta has also closed very success
full engagement at the Park theatre, where she
brought out the delicious ballet, entitled "La
Giselle."
The able and judcious man agement OF the Bow
cry, or Metropolitan theatre, another part of the
city, has produced, within the last few weeks, seve-
raj beautiful and effective dramas, which are des-
tined to have great run. This establishment is
now borne upon the full tide of popular favor and
Is nightly crowded by enthusiastic audiences. A
magnificent new drama will be produced for the
first time, this evening, which, we doubt not will
attract brilliant and crowded houses for a long
time. The management deserve much praise for
their lberality and enterprise.
Howe's Circus, at Palmo's, is also thronged
nightly, by our most fashionable and wealthy fam-
lies, and the performances are always conducted
with spirit and in good taste The great attraction
here is the celebrated female equestrian, Madame
Macarte, whose daring performances, and beautiful
delineatlons Of character, have won universal ad-
Her act Of horsemanship is, indeed,
rare exhibition of beauty, grace and skill, and well
deserves cloud praises bestowed by the press and
public generally.
This evening, at the Park theatre, Miss Char
otte Barnes, young lady whose promised excel
ence all pay-goers will remember, makes her debut
as the fair heroine in Shakspeare's subhmest con-
ception. " Romeo and Juliet" Miss Barnes has
just returned from England, where she is highly
spoken of. The part she has selected for her debut
is one In which feminine delicacy and tenderness
and in the delineation OF these diff
cult, but beautiful characters, we should imagine
she would prove most successful. Mr. Van
denhof correct and sterling actor, will also make
his debut as Mercutio.
The removed Mr.. Sands and his talented and
beautiful children, will also make their third ap-
pearance at the conclusion of the tragedy in their
gymnastic exercises. The feats per-
formed by these great artistes have been the theme
Of universal praise, while the loud applause be-
slowed their efforts is the best evidence of their
cleverness. Nothing can surpass the perfect grace
agility and skill exhibited in their daring feais,
while the loneliness of the boys, and simplicity of
their manners, creates the deepest interest in their
favor. or the cheap minor theatres we hear no.
thing said, but believe they are still in existence
The CLERGY AND THE WAR QUEsrloN.-Seve.
raj clergymen, OF different persuasons, both in
New York and Boston, delivered discourses from
their pulpts yesterday, urging the maintenance Of
peace between this country and England. The OBJ
ject OF this movement was the expectation that the
government at Washington would be influenced in
their negotiations with England, about the Oregon
territory, so that the matter would be settled in
some way, without resort being had to ultimate
measures
We consider this most impairment interference
of the clergy, in matters with which they have no
right to connect themselves; and we rather think,
that if the clergy would mind their own affairs, and
let the Oregon and all other political questions re-
main in the hands Of those who were selected by
the people to manage them, they would do the
country more service than they can possibly hope to
achieve in any other way.
This interference of the clergy in questions of
State, must be frowned down, no matter in what
respect it is proffered We do not pay them to act
as pollticians-we elect our agents to transact all
affairs OF State, and pay preachers to attend to their
business When minister leaves the pulpit, and
comes down into the political arena and identifies
himself with political questions, he at once foreits
his clerical character and loses influence among his
flock.