New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-11-17


Of Justice and in language rather more significant
than civil to mpeach the correctness OF our Judgment
concerning the last new drama. We refer of course
to the play OF UNCLE TOMS CABIN, as produced 1t
Barnun's Museum whose glaring fault is that while
retaining the title and doing business on the fame and
interest of Mrs Stoves great novel it departs in so
essential particulars not only from the plot but from
tie spirit of the original story This fault Justice
boldly attempts to erect into point of excellence,
while with fraDkDess rather Ike he accuses our
criticism of dishonesty because did not especially
aud this and that scenic effect by way of relief to the
dramatic deficiencies it was our duty to expose. Had
We suffered tie prosavery perversons OF Mrs
Stoves true nculcatiCn to be forgotten IN the enjoy
ment of panoramic dioramc steamboat deck and-cabin
tabesux our correspondent us he would have
Teen more agreeably impressed By our observations
but as we did not particularly produce agreeable
impressions in his mind, are not disappointed, how
ever deeply we may regret the actual result
Were there nothing in the remarks of our cores
pendent except an impeachment of our honesty, be-
cause we happen TO differ from him TO the merits of
play OF a naked announcement Of his own exalted
opinion of what we had condemned with careful
sion Of every point in our Indictment might print
not print his letter but certainly should not think it
necessary to make any comments upon it. But he as
TO settle literary question of some consequence
and to settle it in way which must be regarded the
very opposite of that justice in whose behalf he pre-
tends to speak. We are here told in substance that
dramatist is not bound to any sort of fidelity to
thor whose work he adaps for the STAGE and that he
may take all imaginable liberties with his original AMI
yet be entitled to the highest praise Against thi
proposition we enter decided protest.
Nobody viii insist ON absolute and complete fidelity
to an author in such case, because this is something
which circumstances render impossible. If a novel
is to be drsmatzed at all many things in it must
sary be omitted personages must be cut out, scenes
compressed, the action shortened, and the dialogue
must often be entirely written anew. Nor is it for
hidden TO the dramast TO Introduce new scenes and
new personages if they advantageous to the stage
effect and dramatic character of his piece. But this
he does under great responsibility; and if the Orgi
nal he work of genius, the chance is that his
additions will be an impertinent blenish. Thus in
the generally faithful version Of Uncle Toms Cabin
performed at the National Tbeater the playwright has
interpOlated Yankee vagabond called Grumpton
Cute whose presence is disgusting and detrimental to
the effect of the piece Such additions TO story may,
however be venia when they do not to pervert
it's spirit and meaning Then there is no excuse for
them, and criticism merely does its duty in condemn
ing and driving them from the stage. For instance the
entire aim Of Mrs Stoves book is to rouse the heart
to sympathy and indignation by the spectacle OF the
wrongs and inhumantes that naturally an necessarily
grow out of slavery. 1t shows the submest virtues
in the gOomiest fate, and the soul OF hero bearing up
to the last against the ourages of vlanous and exc
cradle system. This is the and substance Of the
book and this gives it that tragic power over the heart
ofhumany and that practical effect on the mind which
make il peerless among the books 0fmodern times,
But Mr. Barnum's dramatist has devoted himself to
getting the drift and purpose Of Mrs Stowe much out
of sight possible. He puts in the mouth of one of
his characters the current cantng apology for slavery
namely, that the white laborers of England are as
badly of if not worse, than slaves; he relieves
tie shocking features of the auction scene by turning
il into farcicsl confusion; and finally, by way of
raj effect" he accOmplshes a triumph OF virtue by
GROWING the generally comfortable career of
Jnclo Tom with long life and earthly felicity
IA though the object Of the work were to
crafty The fpecator by rewardlng virtue according to
the traditional stage fashion and not to exhibit the
odiousno Of Slavery by showing how virtue and good
ne, md heavenly horoism are made the victims Of tho
Llihi'st brutality by IL workings. II tho aywight
desire to encourage the practise Of virtue by making 10
prosperous md happy he has perfect right to do
but ~ such agreeable effort OF his genius ho has no
business whhtoscf 10 nfk Tho namc Of Unclo Toms
Cabin. though II Is very hhcy that tho rcuown OF that
title mhy bring great many spectators. who would not
obe'wi'o come 10 see his play al all We do not know
ilsi brfe Ia any Inv 10 prevent this sort of wrong 10
author bat there ought 10 DO one aud Il ought to DO
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