The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-28
TnkArnIcAL IsrLuEscrs.-The charaeler b

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society, and of its different classes, in this great
metropolis, may be seen in some of IFS peculiar
points of view, displayed every evening Of our
several theatres.
We have about ten or twelve theatres and 9TH
er places of public amusement open every night
and attended by every class of society, rom The
millionaire TO the beggar. Devoted to the upper
regions of our social system, we have three thea
tres-the Park, the Broadway, and the Astor.
Here shall find all the different Glasses oil the
| fashionable, the wealthy, the affected, the edn-
Gated, the hashy the speculative, all those who
| can raise a moustache, wear white Kids, or
| smoke segar.
| But the smaller range of theatres, upon ditie-
rent system, bring to view one Of the original
features of our people. There is the mighty, the
multiudnous Bowery, with its tremendous pit,
its everlasting galleries, where the boxes cost
twenty-five cents, and the pit one shilling This
theatre is crowded night after night with the
males and females of all that region of our city
composing the Bowery and dependencies, which
is world of itself, full of humour and
red cheeks, industry and fine busts, sagacity and
humping legs, economy and wealth. The Bowe-
~ is wonderful place to make money and mirth.
Their men and their boys are streDg, ssalworih
fellows, big and Titles the women are fresh, rosy,
hearty, pretty, independent, correct. Then look
into the Olympic, which is mere box of the
atre, where, from the passage way leading
to the boxes you might reach your arm
to the foot-lights and light segar.-
This Theatre is frequented by the youthful
litteratcurs of New York. The pit, the price of
entrance to which is one shilling, is filled night
~. III Q,,
boys and feeders, every one of them knowing
more concerning the value of literature than
some of the wise philosophers Of the Institute
or the University. Here females are scarcely
ever seen, even in the boxes; and on those nights
when four or five ladies grace the stage-box, it
is looked upon as a wonder, and medal is
struck in honor Of it. Between the actors and
the audience, there is perfect familiarity. When
the manager says some good thing, he often
turns round and looks down to the literary
audience below, and with profound bow, en-
quires, "Have your appreciation in return =
He is answered by shout which shakes the
roof of the house half up to heaven. The next
theatre is the Chatham This is filled night
after night with the 'long-shore-men and Jack
ars, with whom their sweethearts, wives, and
cousins, and all their train, attend. The wit in
this house is at once peculiar to itself, and
smacks of the ocean.
Other public places of amusement have their
peculiar characteristics. The museum is filled
by country people; the exhibitions by people of
no particular denomination. In Short there is
no place in this country where human nature
displays itself with SO much variety as at the
theatres in New York where, probably, from five
to ten thousand dollars are spent per night by
people engaged in enjoying themselves.
The FINE ARTs.-The beautiful statue of the
Greek Slave is still on exhibition at the Society
Library. We presume it will remain here some
weeks, at least, probably, till after the holidays.
Thousands and thousands have this beaut-
full production of art, but there are many thou
sands yet TO see 1t. Recent intelligence from
Italy informs us that Mr.. Powers has his
hands full with the slave trade. Several of the
nobility of England are quarreling between
| themselves about his statues We learn that the
Marquis of Londonderry, in addition to several
others of his rank, have given orders for copies
of the Greek Slave ofPowers, and probably for
some other Of his statues.
The Greek Slave is undoubtedly one of the
most beautiful productions of the age. Some
silly criticisms have appeared in some of the
papers its characteristics; but all of high
order of mind give it the palm over all recent
productions, unless, indeed, as some say that
Powers has exceeded himself in greater w-rk
Of art--the famous Fisher-boy. In our estima-
ton we rank the Fisher-boy as even superior to
the Greek Slave. We saw it in his studio in
Florence, and more remarkable, interesting and
startling production never struck the magma
ton, The Greek Slave is peculiar to Itself
beautifully mechanically characteristic of its
dition-a heavenly abstraction Of sorrow and de-
spondency, which almost fills the heart with
grief, and the eye with tears, is apparent. But
the Fisher-boy! What an ecstatic and delight
full effect il has the mind, the moment you cast
your eyes on it, with shell to his ear, listening
to the sounds of the eternal ocean, and watching
tho various motions Of its thousand waves
We shall not forget our visit to Powers studio
at Florence. His name and reputation are so
we'll known that every stranger and traveller In
Italy visits it, and he is teased with persons call
ing on him all day long. Yet when he hears from
New York, his eye brightens up and he is all gen.
tleness and delight. The position and genius of
Powers are calculated to raise the American name
in Europe, as high in that branch of art, az Tay-
Tor and Scott have done in another. He ought
TO be cherished and encouraged by his country
in every possible way. Are we semi-barbarians
or not
MoRE OCEAN STEAMERs.--Two splendid
steamers, of similar mould and capacity to the
Northener, have been contracted for, to run on
the coast Of Peru, the starting point from Pana-
ma, or rather Callao, to extend as far as the
mouth of the Oregon River, touching at the
various places between these two points. They
are to carry the United States and Oregon mail,
in connection with Mr.. Laws steamers, which
are to ply on the Atlantic side, having Chagres
as the terminu. OF depot. Two Of the latter are
now in course Of construction. They are to be
large, and Of elegant build and finish. The