The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-01


this city, in the single department OF natural his
tory, and the truths which he reveals in his lee
lures, are only parts of the general movement OF
the great mind of Europe and America, which is
now transpiring with reference to the religion,
manners and customs of the age. In Germany,
France and England, the philosophy founded
upon the principle of induction developed by
Bacon, is making wonderful and astonishing
strides in new and wonderful revelations, she'd
ding fresh light on every thing connected with
human knowledge and human affairs. Geology,
natural history, astronomy, ancient literature,
the existing systems of religion, are all of
them more or less affected by the present
philosophical movement of the age. This
movement has made rapid progress in Eu-
rope, under various forms; it is now making sim
guar developments in New England, and has at
length found its way to this city, attracting the
attention of most of the religious and intelligent
classes of the day. An astonishing mark of the
progress of these new ideas in the old world, is
the extraordinary "Life OF Jesus Christ" pub
lished by Strauss, which has been printed in
three or four different languages, and circulated
extensively among all the educated classes. That
new and singular work, "The Vestiges of Crea-
tlon," which is said to be the production of one
of the young professors of some of the colleges
Of the metropolis, is another. 1t has passed
through many editions, and reached circula-
ton OF some fifty thousand copies in Eng
land alone. This fact we were made ac-
quainted with by the bookseller who pub
lished the work in London. The multitude
Of societies and institutions which have assisted
to develope the wonders of geology, and other
sciences, and to connect them with the history
of the earth, and with the progress of the present
race, has been wonderful within the last few
years All the different sscts of Christianity, in
this country and Europe, appear to encourage
this new and wonderful movement in the phi
losophy of the day-a philosophy which looks
back to millions of years as the age of this pla-
net, and which looks forward to similar millions
of years through which it has to pass.
It is true that in Europe, and probably in this
country, the different Christian sects which ad-
here to the creed Of the middle ages and to the
interpretations of the olden times, look with
dread upon the progress of this philosophy, be-
cause it tends to strip religion of its mysteries,
and invest all nature with new and wonderful
more remarkable than those which
have been believed. There can be no doubt but
that the tendency of these sciences in Europe
and this country, as exhibited in such lectures
as those in the College in Crosby street, is to
unsette the minds of those who believe in
Christianity, such as it has been believed in
within the last few centuries. 1t is profound
and wonderful religious revolution of most
remarkable character, which is going on; and it
is a part of this movement developed by
Professor Agassiz, in the wonderful and
striking lectures which he is delivering in this
city. But, although it may be its tendency to
unsette the mind in relation to the present exist
ing opinions in religion, yet it amply provides
new theories Of creed, more wonderful than the
past, and new modes of creation, more miracu-
lous than the imagination has conceived. The
end of these things, and the effect Of these lee
lures upon the public mind, upon christianity,
and the various sects of religion, cannot be seen,
unless dimly in the distance, by few rejecting
spirits Of the day.
The next lecture on this new philosophy, as
applied to religion, and the other ideas of the
age, will be given tomorrow evening, by Pro-
fessor Agassiz.
THEATRIcALs IN NEW YoRK.-The corn specu-
lations are over, the cotton market is flat; but
there is one trade fourishing here, and seems to
flourish, in spite of all pressures and all revul-
sions. Theatricals flourish with verdure Of
green, whatever the profits may be- There are
seven theatres now open in this city, and we
have besides, concerts of every description al
most every evening. Probably an aggregate
amount of ten thousand persons, male and fe.
male, attend the public places of amusement
here every night, bringing into the pockets OF
the managers an aggregate amount of five thou.
sand dollars for the same time, equal to thirty
thousand per week, or one million and half Of
dollars per annum. This is not much inferior to
the estimated aggregate receipts of the Paris and
London theatres.
In point of population, there is more paid in
New York for amusements of this kind, than in
either Of the two great capitals we have named.
What sort of talent do we receive, and what
sort of management marks the different theatres
At this moment there is an Italian opera COM
pany at the old Park theatre. generally called
sold Drury, (Which has brought forth variety OF
opinions on the part of the press, and vague cri-
ticisms in the conversation of the day. The
opera troupe at this establishment is remarkably
good, and can compare In some of its materials
with the best in Europe. 1t Is true, Grisi, a
Lind, Blanche, or Maria di Gambia, isolated
are costly productions, which are rarely pro.
duced in the world of art. Madame Bishop
however, compares very we'll with Grisi, though
of course inferior in power and brilliancy, yet,
in taste and cultivation, almost equal. Reeves,
we believe, has sung in some concerts with Jen.
ny Lind, and is young man of great natural
powers and with brilliant prospects, ifhe studies
in good school. AS a whole, the opera at the
Park theatre is far above mediocrity, and de-
serves much higher share of patronage than il
seems to receive from the educated classes of our
city. There is one deficiency, however, at the
Park, and that is the want of ballet. In Europe
the opera is always accompanied with the ballet
Both united pay the management better than they
do divided There is ballet company at the
Broadway theatre, ofvery good materials, though
not of the same rank as those which may he &c N