The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-26

sentiments expressed in Uncle Toms Cabin"
are now being imbibed by the lowest, and posi- |
bly,, the most dangerous class in our population.
So hong as the process Of absorption continues
Seward and his party are content they will
leave their agents to do their work. satisfied that
if they can, through the fundamentally OF the
National Theatre and the Daily Times, convert
a few boys into traitors, their time has not been
lost
Despite the Indignation which such unprn-
cipled conduct cannot fail to arouse in every
honest mind, careful glance at the past his
tory OF the work in question is almost sure to
engender a feeling of contempt and security.
uncle Toms Cabin has had such run as never
book had before. Millions upon millions have
been sold translations upon translations have
appeared-as many as twenty in one language;
editions upon editions have been printed and
disposed Of; and, last of all, dozen dramatic
adaptations have been played in many of.the
European capitals. Here, by the influence OF
governments hostile to republican influence;
there, by the protection and favor Of titled
sristocracy, jealous ofdemocratic institutions;
elsewhere by the intrinsic interest Of the tale.
it has acquired an unbounded and fabulous
popularity. And yet, what has it effected!
Do we find-in any European country-a state
of things, policy. even single measure, that
can be clearly traced to the effect OF Uncle
Tom !'' Or, looking nearer home. do we ma
that the million odd copies which have been
scattered through the United States have added
single particle of strength to the abolition or
free soil parties? Instead Of this, is it not no.
torious that since the establishment OF the But-
falo platform the aboltionist and free soil par
ties were never SO weak as they were during
the last Presidential canvass? 1t is fact fall
ing within almost every ones knowledge,
that had the present administration refused
to appoint free sellers to office, the
party would have died in a few months,
and that its present resurrection is wholly
due to the manifestation of free soil ten
denotes on the part of Marcy and the cabinet.
This does not look as though "Uncle Toni had
proved as powerful an ally for the abolitionsts
as people fancied. In plain truth, we take its
moral effect to have been absolutely mill 1t
disguised few friends Of the Union, and drew
tears from vast number of ladies, but practi-
damaged slavery nor made treason respecta-
BILE. Taking this view of the novel we do not
anticipate that any very extensive mischief
will be done by the play. There will be some
no doubt, but it is questionable whether this
will not be counterbalanced by the good it will
achieve in unmasking the designs of insidious
traitors in our midst.
The italian Opera Project-The Difficulty.
When we see difficulties surround an opera
company, such as the one now performing at
Niblo's-composed of first-class artists, directed
with consummate skill, by our most experienced
and popular leader, Max Maretzek, and occu-
plying location so central that the bulk Of
opera-goers live at its very door-we may well
entertain serious apprehensons that the new
building being erected in Fourteenth street, far
away from the hotels, could hardly, under any
circumstances, and with any aggregation of
talent prove profitable speculation. Not so
much on this account, however as on higher
grounds, we think the scheme deserves at this
copiuncture to be carefully examined
When city like New York attains the i'm
portance and civilization of metropolis, when
il becomes the guide and example to other
cities it would seem that its public amusements
should become a matter of consideration, in
order to direct them in such a channel as will
exert the most salutary influence over the
great masses
Leaving aside the sports of the ring. which
belong only to certain portion of the popula-
ton; the turf. which also interests but few;
we find that all amusements offered to the pub
lie partoke. more or less, of the character of
theatrical entertainments the drama, the bal
let and the opera.
Now, it is a singular fact that the social lead
ers Of this country, neglectfng the drama of
their own language, have chosen principally to
direct their ambition to species of entertain
mcnt utterly foreign to its habits its character
and its tastes-Italian opera. Yet, hitherto,
all operate enterprises have failed; and it is
proved by the table recently given in the HERALD
that the present speculation at Niblo's cannot
be lucrative one although composed OF first
class artists. Yet, in the face Of all this. it is
now contemplated TO raise, at an enormous ex-
pense, q monumental ediflce exclusively for
Italian opera. Without knowing anything of
its plans. prospects, or management, we unhesi-
tatingly say that as speculation, this enter
prise must and will utterly fail fail, not from
want of merit in the artists, or defect in the
management but simply from want of a public.
Nor must it he imagined that New York is an
exception to other capitals on the contrary.
the success Of Italian opera in all the countries
into which it has been transplanted, has only
been achieved in those where an idle luxurious,
and over refined aristocracy make, for want of
The tolls Of life. the study Of the arts and nc
complishments serious occupation.
Italian opera hourishes most in Russia, where
it is exclusively monopolized by the court In
slain and in the Brazils it subsists by the same
causes In Vienna the large subsidies from the
immortal rov nrnmant alapa maintain ~ "a, onn