The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-24


TnE HAxsLN DRAMATIC FESTIVAL. AND TIE Ma
IIokAL DrAhA.-We see It announced that IN ex-
ecutive committee now engaged in devising ways
ard inca ms to make the Hamblin Dramatic Festival
successful. Their first stop Is not one that gives
much promise. 1t is such will give the
committee q great deal Of trouble in using volun-
teor talent, rs well calculated 70 interrupt
the re gular business Of III dramatic establishments
of the metropolis Besides, neither tho drama no<
those who are members Of it will receive one jos
of interest or Importance from festival managed.
in the usual way Something better 10 demanded
by the public-something, that while it viii! relieve
MIR. Ham bln's property from the peril it is new i'm.
will have beneficial influence upon the theatrical
profession, and will create little nucleus for
tho growth Of a national drama worthy Of great
republican country. Hitherto, not without some
reason, there has been q marked preponaerance Of
English feeling and management in everything per-
tanning TO the Drama and it is quite time that this
feature should disappear, and that clanssb spirit
should elevate one class at the exonsc Of another.
We would have this festival national one, in the
broalest most comprehensive and best sonss of tho
term, and American, just so far as the recognition
Of an American national drama is requ sita--witt
paase in it tina. will plainly distinctly say, that
who have deep interest in the productions Of
American minds, and in the talent born and nur~
tuied On American soil. This may be done, as it
should be, without any invidious distinctions, while
every member Of the dramatic profession in the
city may have al opportunity in some way-though
not in the place to which his ordinary ambition as
pres to BE- identified with the festival, the first Of
its kind in this country and which, if ssnsibly re-
ncwed once q year, would create fundsog dccsyed
artists, that would prove exceedingly advantageous,
ut the same time that it would cxhib: the part
Of the profession pride in their nsersbiy neglect
ed institution.
MIR. Hamblin, as o manager 70. twenty-five
years. has established character IN biz profession
which gives him position very diGessn. from that
occupied by those spectators in tho drama,
who bend souls, bodies, costumes, elephants, and
all sorts of animal and even vegetable economy to
their systems of management. 1t is quite fl
and proper, therefore, if 4 compliment il To b.
given to him which is worthy of his acceptance,
that the excessive committee should know pre-
csely What they are about, and not narrow their
limits, so as to create hard work for shemselyes
and all concerned in tho business We 10 not .aho
active steps ont OF doors in any business OF this
kind, and probably never shall; bat W quito
awake TO the demands Of such oesasso2, and
thall briefly suggest what We deem to bo plan for
great dramatic festival, such aswe have proposed
Let Castle Garden be secured for two days, AMI
then let the theatres Of the metropolis psrnit each
company TO &C ,upy two three hours D. those two
days in the performance of sterling plays On the
evening Of the first day, aftor two th-oe Of the
theatres have displayed the character Of thoi,
forces, let us have broad, general, soaprehsu-
siye symbol, that such things exist American
dramas and American actors ana actresses. Let
some American play be selected for performance, it
which the talents OF Charlotte Cushmaa, julio
Dean, Mrs. Wallack, Murdoch, Buchanan, Nea6c,
Marshall, and others OF equal ouincnee, without
ally regard TO pride OF place, il possible, may ba
brought into requisition. and who c.unot wsh
be seen in the casts cf tho regular companies. Ga
the second day, let the remaining metropolitan
companies perform, and morning cooecrt ,alee
place; and, in the oyenng, let the whole wind ny
with the grand opera OF Msretzek-.hu. employing
all the musical and dramatic talent Of She city
This is our programme for the feat;Ssl, and We
believe that its announcement woc.li bring thirty
thousand strangers into New York, no. Only to at.
tend the festival bat 80 give hctol, shops, and
places Of business generally, OF those refreshing
seasons which make lie interesting aud The hear,
happy Other Institutions beside the drama
unite in sinsi!ar eccti,e Demonstration ~hcn any
occasion calls for il, and there il reason why the
drama in this country should not have chance "
speak for itself, at least in a century rs for
the details Of the matter. have apprcbansion
Amy ono may perceive that five thousand tickets,
with transferable certificates for each lcrforma ,cs
attached TO them, ran be Issued and sc,l and thu
prise OF tickets for particular performance may b.
msde moderate, to add some thou ,ads of dol
lnrs TO he receipts. The questions arc VIII any
such sensible plan b, adopted Il there ln1simity
and good fellowship sufficient among thc member
of the profession, 10 fact FOR days Ia their usual
natural rivalry, aal even anifno.iiyi WIN the,
come forward in behalf ot themse selves, and tho ad
ment Of the drama, while they, r.. the Sln.s
time, make n handsome tribute 30 cAc who e..
twenty. five years, amid MI the changes Of popular
taste, has kept in an even course y, hbsraty,
industry, and iaithtulnafs IN bis ongagagonts fvs
which be Is entitled 10 til respect Of every oixan
We shall zee
THE WELLS AND NEuG Covrgossausy--Sr w
IorE JocEHAisM.--We have not yet learned
whether or not Mr. WNlis has accepted Ar. Wcbb'e
fair proposition for - Board OF Commissioner e
consist oftwo persoss oi resrcc ability aad IN out
gler, to mako decision on the alleged aroaigacy
and yillary Of these tyo dsputants respectively
and on the character Of the Nsw iorl press: but