The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-03
4l6l0

1t will be seen from this, that on the night in
question, there were only average houses at all
the theatres. At none of them were there star
engagements, so far as is known. One curious
fact is revealed in.this statement-that is, that
the three old theatres, the Park, the Bowery,
and the Chatham, do much better, and much
sounder business in the aggregate, than any of
the new establishments. On occasions of star
engagements, such as that of the Montplaiscrs,
or Madame Bishop, or any other distinguished
artist OF any kind the receipts of any of the thea
tres will be more than the average set down in
this statement; but star engagements are getting
out of date, and nothing, 1t seems,wil satisfy the
public but some regular company, complete
in all its parts, and not deficient in de-
tails--and thus prevent the whole of the
money from being run away with by one
or two persons. Tile old theatres, meaning, as
before, the Park, the Bowery, and the Chatham,
are conducted by experienced men. Some of
them, it is true, might be improved little; but
still they possess great deal of tact in their
Those theatres have also an es-
tablished reputation-are situated in central
parts of the city, and command the largest
portion of the floating population, even on
ordinary nights; and particularly on extraordi-
nary occasions, they have it all. The new the
aires are more generally conducted by persons
who indulge in speculation, and who are fond OF
making hazardous experiments. They have to
establish name and character, and in order to
make a show they are generally very liberal in
opening their doors to 'dead- heads" and all the
loafers about town. 1t is very difficult in any
part of the city to create established run to a
new theatre, and it requires years to succeed in
that department of business. The least pr ofita-
BILE night in the enumeration we have given, is
that of the Italian opera in Astor Place, and this.
too, with all the advantages of liberal annual
subscription; but the OPERA unless it is well got
up, and conducted with much tact, isa very ha-
zardous experiment, and although it is natural to
hope that the establishment of such refined
amusement will succeed in New York, yet the
wealthy and refined classes may be very talka-
tive and very snowy, but they are not so liberal
as they are in some other countries. A good
Italian opera at the Park would, from the very
prestige of the locality, control patronage more
than even better enc would in an QUITO f-the.
way place up town.
The FRENCH STEAMERS We have translated
from the columns of the French journal of this
city, curious and important memorial, agreed
upon at the recent meeting Of French citi.
zens resident here, in relation to the manage.
ment of the steamers between Havre and New
York, during the last summer. This paper j.
addressed TO the directors of the company in
Paris, and we wished to have given it some
time ago in our columns, having sent our report
er to the meeting in question, with instructions
to obtain all the information that could be col
lected on the occasion. But it appears tina
obstacles were interposed by M. kDagneau, the
agent of the company in this city, very unneces
sary and unhandsome, we think, on his part
which prevented us at that time from giving to
our readers this interesting document.
This paper contains a correct and succinct
view Of the difficulties encountered IN the ma
nagcment of these steamers. There have been
great exaggeration made by the PRESS and in other
quarters, against the French steamers, French
management, and against everything French,
as 1t regards this enterprise. We do not think ii
has been merited The management of the Bril-
fish steamers, when they first started from Lon.
don and Bristol, with one solitary exception, was
extremely bad, and ultimately ended in the COM
plete prostration Of the Bristol and London COM
pany. Indeed, none of the ocean companies
which have been started have succeeded, except
the Liverpool line, originating with the Cunards
These boats and their entire management, orgi-
mated in Scotland; they were directed by Scotch
engineers from Glasgow, calm, quiet attentive
experienced men, who, for years, had been en-
gagged in ocean steam navigation, in all its vari.
Gus departments. They succeeded, because they
had experience. The London and Bristol lines
failed, and now the IIavre line threatens to fail
for want of it. But We hope that French skill
French tact and French ingenuity, will overcome
all the difficulties in their way. Those who are
Interested in British ocean navigation, of course,
eyaggerate their iaults--but we hope the Ameri'
con public will ye! give the Havse llas chance
Ear in,uroyc,nent and prynansnpy,