New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-09-30
New Theatre in New-York.

The Broadway Theatre just opened in our
City is praised by our theatre going ootemr oraries
az unryaled in the elegance and richness of it's
furniture. the good taste OF its decorations and in
the general excellence Of its proy sons for the ease
and comfort OF its vislters We presume these
praises are deserved. On the other hand, we do
not learn from any q.arter that the quality of its
performers and performances is betterthan the pub
lie had already been accustomed to- but rather the
reverse. It strikes US as noteworthy that. while
very great improvement hes been made in almost
every other department of human efor., and while
In all that is material and external improvement
has been made in this, it is very generally con
coded by play goers that the Drama of our day is
far beneath the standard OF the age of Siddons, Of
Garrick. Of Racine or Of Shakespeare and it surely
is far less potential element OF social instruction
and enjoyment than it has been. Why sol
To our mind it is clear that the Drama has fallen
behind the times. Once, the noblest ideas. the
most daring hopes, of those whose thought OF TO-
day is the inspiration Of the millions TO morrow,
81 "'.Arance on the Stsr~ Gr.ve men went
and listened expecting TO be nerved for some deed
Of heroic daring and were not disappointed The
Theatre was in its way school 10 which States
men Orators Poets, Teachers, resorted and came
away satisfied 1t is quite otherwise now In an
age earnestly striving to vanqnish the ruinous se
auctions of Intoxicating Beverages, the Theatre
rarely speaks OF Temperance to libel and
csricature its yotarcs and keeps two or three groe
shops within lie walls Saying nothing OF those
which spring mp o., around it hike mushrooms after
shower ders,ns out the seductive, deadly poi
son to til" o.an,s Of giddy needless youth, whom it
hon XOf
.,.. Of I.;centiousness are at length beginning
to attract general attention and mems minds are
ocsninc 20 seek earnestly the means oil resisting
.aa hearing back the desola'ing Hood the Theatre
nr,,yrrs 10 Lewdness the convenience OF an ex-
ehsnse-a fair-a market where the most desra-
asa and shameless Of lost women resort IN quest Of
me Young men vod OF understanding on whom
..;, soma portion Of the retrihution OF their own
;rrsr.,able debasement The Theatre is the ready
md constant resort Of simple youth from the coun-
trv in quest OF lewd women aud there are doubt
Less first formed thousands Of intimscies annually
whereof the fruits are deprivation, shame disease
and early death We hear with sorrow rather thar
surprise that abridged facilities for this horrible
traffic are provided and afforded in the new Broad
way Theatre. portion Of the Third Tier We
understand, is set apart for abandoned females
and though for quiet and decencys sake, the IN
termineiinys and indecenoies which often occur a
Theatres are here forbidden Il Is not the less tru'
that the attendance Of this class IL obviously in
vised In order to draw after IL another and more nu
meroas. Ought such things 70 be sheltered by .
lence on the part Of the Press
Whether the Drsns-4we speak Of il genera
~, and gladly ccrcedns that inspy plays are EN-
nently morall-be not tafrAsscaAy prejudicisl !
the welfare of mankind, is question We hsy
somewhat considered, without arriving at pos
tive conclusion. Certainly 1t would seem that a
art calculated to contribute So materially to Il
intellectual expansion and enjoyment OF mankir
~ the actors ought not to DO necessarily demora
ixng. Yet when we consider what in view Of Il
imperfect knowledge possessed by many persoI
Of important laws Of their own being. must be Il
natural influence youth OF the exhibitions Of Il
Theatre in prematarely dev clipping passons-whe
we consider how Tat and insipid seems day d
voted to laborions druagery for palty dollar ait
night spent with Kings and mobiles in coanc
bower and tented held-when we reaec, what b,
oftenest been the influence OF the Drama on n
moral character OF its own especial vo,sries-v
arc compelled TO doubt whether q truly Nor
Stage has ever existed or ever will But we rau
think farther OF this.