The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-23

SrATEs.-The advent of this celebrated ar
tist has given rise to the most contradictory
speculations as to her chances of success in
this country. Some maintain that she will reap
rich harvest here, whilst others-and they
are in the neutrality-suspicious. her failure.
Success and failure are, however, but relative
terms. They must be taken in connection with
the circumstances by which they are attended.
If by success it is meant that the results of Ra-
chefs professional labors here will cover the.
speculations of the magnificent programme put
forth by her brother, we unhesitatingly say
that she will never realize them. The condi-
tons are not to be found here which would adj
nit the possibility of each nights receipts CO.
vering the expenses that are set down in that
announcement The public will no longer pay
the fancy prices for admission to entertain
ments Of this sort, which in former periods Of
artistical excitement they were accustomed to
do. They have been too often duped and hum
bugged by spectators, and exposed to the
sneers of foreigners for their verdancy in such
matters to easily fall again into such traps
They hold in distrust trumpet-bAowers aud the
atrical "events that cast their shadows BEFORE"
They will not believe till they see, and even
then their faith is not easily won So it was
with the Grisi and Mario speculation, and 80 it
will be with every other enterprise that does
not trust entirely to its own merits. Any at
tempt to give fictitious eclat to such under
takings is more likely to react injuriously than
benefcially.
We do not say that in the present instance
there is any attempt to impose upon our Gre
dulty. Madame Rachel's contract with her
brother may be, and very probable is, a bona
fde one We contend, however, supposing such
to be the case, that it is impossible for her to
realize what would be considered pecuniary
success here With such conditions as her con-
tract imposes, her brother can never scrape
together the sums necessary to fulfil them
The audiences to which she can appeal for con-
tinued support are not numerous enough in
our cities to fulfil the extravagant expectations
upon which they are founded. Without that
continued and liberal support the speculation,
as thus constituted, would prove ruinous
failure.
We hope, however, as is contended by many
who profess to be we'll informed on the subject,
that the Felix contract is a device intended to
throw dust in the public eyes and to dazzle
the public by its magnificent proportions. If
such be really the fact, we think there are fair
chances for the great tragedienne. She alone
being the Spectator, she would unquestiona-
bly, make money. Her talents, her world
wide reputation and her extraordinary career,
would all stimulate public curiosity to the
point Of ensurng that result. 1t is true that
she will have the difficulty to encounter Of
speaking to audiences in tongue foreign to
most. But we apprehend that this will not
initiate greatly against her success. What
the libretto does for the Italian Opera transla-
tons will do for the pieces which she plays
But even did not such facilities exist, every
one would 60 to see the greatest actress of her
time Genius like hers, is one of the rarest
gifts Of our century.