The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-25

L1cTcM By DIR. FRANCIS BEFORE THE NEW YORK
HIsroRxCAL SOCIETY.
lecture on the shove named subjects was delivered
last evening before shs New Yk historical Society the
pew building OF institution Tho lecture was for the
benefit Of the contingent ue and judging from the large
attendance of the profitable which has yet
been given Among the rudiencc Charles Makcay the
popular English poet and journalist and several prominent
members Of the society. Although was announced that
the church and the opera would form part the subject
yet the lecture mainly devoted a history of tho
drama in New York. The extended ACQUAINTANCE which
Dr. Francis had through his profession with members
the hstonc profession and the remarkable tenacy Of
memory full Of interesting Incidents rendered this part Of
the lecture peculiarly interesting
After sketch Of the history Of the church in New York
he proceeded 70 speak Of the drama as follows
The transition, said he Is not altogether violent leav
ing one species Of instruction for anothern dsnissng
the system or school education and taking
long reckoned source OF usefe knowledge and by many
still deemed capable Of becoming enlightened monitor
But with the drama, as with many other subjects that
properly belong discourse accommodated 10 this oc-
cason am subjected to painful brevity for what ade
quae notions can be impaired within the few moments a.
Ing the past fifty years2 II has happened that for forty
years Of my life have been, with slight ntermissons,
the medical adviser and physician OF Of the leading
heroes Of the sock and buskn from the arrival Of tho
great George Frederick Cooke 1870 departure
the classical Macready In 1912; and apprehensive
that of all the individuals commemorate Ia Dunaps
biography Of Cooke am perhaps the sole survivor. I
cannot that have ever been stage struck drama
ticay mad III my admiration Of the bstriDrc profession
yet gratned with the displays OF intellectual
power, have experienced the raptures inspired BY
MUS, in vocation which, while Il holds the mirror up
TO nature, is the acknowledged school Of oratory,
and has received in all ages among he refined,
the countenanoe and support Of many Of rho loftest
minds and most sympathyzng hearts. Moreover, think
not too much TO say that my professional intercourse
with actors has enabled To obtain Wow of dramatic
character and dramatic life which could scsc.y be ex
pccted fall within the scope of the behoder OF
scenic representation who perhaps had passed be-
hind the foot lights been familiar with that condition OF
physical and mental toll which the ceremonies per-
formances due TO "personaon impose on the feelings
of the successful artist take granted that no intel
gent man will hold doubt the fact that the life OF the
player is OF trial OF great demands the ply
cal powers, of incessant mental anxiety and of precr
rewards. Yet have known many members OF that
calling filled with the largest beneyoence, and enriched
with the which dignity human nature The actors
life especially subjected 10 the caprices OF fortune the
platform on which he stands is ever uncertain as a
general truth he encounters adversely with than
ordinary forutude. have known many instances Of this
nature the mimic world has its stern realities less
than the actual and the wardrobe protects its
denzen than do the common habilmens Of the ordinary
citizen "The life Of ali actor says modern essayist of
the school OF English undehed, sis trial Of hu
manity His temptations many; his fortitude too,
often nefectua his precarious II he be reso.
Lutte by the society of his associates and
genuine artist besides worthy only The praise the
moast but also deserving the admiration of the critic The
prejudice against the profession, like prevailing
JUDGES founded on general truth; but ii frequently
absurd and baseless" ii the stage has fallen from its
heart TO elevate the moral sentiment by heroic action and
sublime example, let not its sad decline rest solely with
the repre entaves of SHAKESPEARE aud onsoni let
thing be ascribed to the revolutions OF taste and 10 the
mutabity OF popular opinion but more than all let
suffer within ourselves the chagrin self couiemna-
ton, Ike the dyspeptc patient, who IN searching for
the of his own horrors, finds them to have
originated from the perncious alment ia which his
disturbed propensities had led him most unwittingiy
10 indulge. THE love Of the drama says the
poet Campbell, :" is a public instinct that requires
to be regulated but is too deep for eradication.
gNghh farf Tho Gfonn 1gan nn hg IN Lat
necessarily school OF morals for by bad management
it may be made the reverse and think, on the whole
that the drama rather follows than leads public Inoras
The drama legitmately the school of human life has
vast accommodaons but its origin is in the human hoar
IN It's nature II Is me concentration ana tue exposition or
the passions and the dongs Of man. Let !. cherish
fidelity TO its great trust; let Il so conduct Itself
as not to fall below the intelligence Of its ar
bitrators, forgetting that the schoolmastcr
s abroad. The remedy is within grasp, ana its
restoration is net altogether thing of fancy.
The scholar however fastdous cannot wholly disregard
theme which found favor among the ucubra,ons ~ tho
mighty Warburton he who would penetrate into the ethics
Of human life need not suffer apprehension OF evil from
studies which asorbed many OF the precious hours Of the
great morast johnson, can the Christian Philosopher
be afraid to the subject with the example before
him Of Young the successful author Of the RevenRe and
the poet OF the Night Thoughts work whose
excellence has made II manual o Closest study to mil
lions of human souls wherever revealed truth has been
recognized am not 50 confident as To presume that
what may utter can have any influence on New York
stage. IL has been dscred by tho best Of men, and Il
has been countenanced by the wisest II was formerly
supported by religious partaiies, aud every body IS
that II ts origin % religion, and that tho
first actors priests missionaries An li!terate
multitude thus enlightened and the clergy With
inherent Sagacy represented the wonders OF belief
and the actions Of the gods 10 appropriate TEMPLES.
For long while II schoo o struction, AMI
manners and behavior, and on tn, account the stage
taught history TO the masses than all the school
masters, from the time when the hrst pedagcgue
installed, and Lord Chcsterfelds dicia have proved
cipher compared ~ the operations which scenic
influence has wrought in modifying the Intercourse OF
ecpscs the exhibon Of the stage and he whose mind i
stored with much knowledge will abandon theatrcas
having lost their former interest tn him. certainly IS
foe 10 hypocrisy, and that alone, with the real phtan
thropist, l. small recommendation. II proves
drous relief to the ahorous and the intellect,
and happy succedaneum Tor diversions less beneficial
good morals and good health. Grant that tue sphere of
the stage s indeed local and IT, displays fGyacions yet
leaves a lasting impression the human heart Il rich
literature bears the impress OF genius, and cannot be
overlooked by the accomplished scholar. But mist
break IN here let those who would raise an ndscrrDi
oucry against the stage read the cain and df,pas
sioDae address Of Dr. Below, lately delivered In the
Academy of Music, before the Dramatic Fund Asso-
cation The history OF the first ntroducfn Of the
in the American colonies is full OF peTplexty. Dunlap,
Leading dramatic historian, in his work on the
American Theatre, performance o. acknowledged
merit, has blended his facts with maIy that
In vain 10 derive from his pages true know
ledge 81 the subject. lie was doubtless led uto most
oi his difficulties by great reliance the story
given by Burk, in his History Of Virginia. have
endeavored 30 make the clearer and have sought
out curious facts in Parkers News Roy. The intro
ducton Of the drama In the American colonies In
this city, on Monday evening, the 18th Of February,
$780, convenient for the purpose in one of the
buildings which had belonged 20 the estate u Rip Van
lam "a renowned knickerbocker) IN Nassau street The
play the historical tragedy Of Orchard the Third
written originally by Shakspere and altered by Ucley
Cbber uneer the management Of Lewis HaliaIn, whnse
family consisted o( his wife, lewis ami younge~
son, Adam, with niece, Miss Haliam lis elder son,
Lewis but twelve years OF age. Dunlap says that
he made his nrst appearance IN September, 1872 n
Williamsburg in Virginia. The younger, Adam. appeared
in October 1853 IN this city the character OF TOM
Thumb. He had daughter, who became Mrs. Hstto'ss
in England. II may be that this company.
DER manager Hallam, appeared next IN Williams.
burg; but the 18th Of April. i15i, they
opened In Philadelphia with the Pair Penten,"
We have not before the cast Of tho play (Rcnard
the Third') enacted 10 this city possesses many
dromdt rrson0, that have htic doubt that era
U the company had 10 take double parts. Rgby, we
may saiey infer enacted Richard Third. There
accommodation Of boxes, only pf and gallery. There
farce after Richard Third" The permission for
the performance gwen by ,bc British Governor,
Clinton. Lewis Hallam, at the age q twenty nne ap
peared In lord ogleby" the year after the comedy
writ 1867 This he fnr vCaru