The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-25

respect for virtue whish lies in the hearts Of all
men, its ultimate triumph is certain. An Obsti-
nate resistance on the part of the magnates Of
the church may result in an organization indie.
pendent of Rome. The only safety Of the Pope
seems to be in his accepting the revolution and
adapting the church organization to the new Or
der of external things rather than in endeavoring
to perpetuate system that was adapted to the
state Of society thousand years ago. 1t would
be an interesting subject of inquiry whether the
present conflict between the American and the
lrish bishops of the Roman Catholic church in
this country does not spring from similar causes
But our space is already exhausted.
THEATRES AND Critics." David" said Mrs.
Garrick to the elder Kean, "always wrote his
own criticisms" and from the days of Garrick
down to the present writing, we shall find that
great many artists labor under the absurd idea
that bought notice, prepared for them and
printed in some obscure Sheet is preferable to the
freely expressed opinion of a sound and reliable
critic in journal of admitted influence and ele-
waited standing. So far has this impression pre-
vailed that certain actors have been stupid
enough to employ persons to manage the press,
and these agents have operated with more or less
success in the rural districts. In the metropolis,
however, the business has been confined to the
obscure papers, and has been so far everdone that
it is dying out altogether. It will only require
very short time to convince all parties
that the money expended in preliminary puffs
might better be thrown into the street. We will
cite case in point: An actress of marked
ability-Miss Matilda Heron-is now playing at
Wallack's theatre. She has created great SEN
sation among the metropolitan play-goers Her
advent was preceded by the publication of
stupid biography" written in the vilest English,
and fnlsome puffs purpOrting to emanate from
Southern and Western journals. The public,
which had been humbugged in this manner too
often, looked suspiciously on this flourish pre-
liminary-they suspected imposture-and only
moderate attendance greeted Miss Heron's debut.
She achieved o veritable success The leading
morning journals reviewed her performance, all
arriving at conclusions eminently favorable to
her. She was talked of at every breakfast table
In the metropolis; she was famous; much larger
audience witnessed her second appearance and
her ability was sufficiently great to overcome
the unfavorable impression produced by the |
paid puffs which preceded her debut.
Had Miss Heron simply relied upon the usual
she would have stood in a much |
better position with the public. The leading ]
ournals OF New-York are ever ready to acknow- |
edge talent without regard to personal consi. |
ierations, and they are often carried too far in |
heir anxiety to render the full need of praise
where it is justly due. A new actress, or a new
play, needs no advance notices. Curiosity will |
1raw an audience for the first night Upon the |
merit of the article depends its success after. |
ward. There is nothing so insulting as to at |
tempt to manufacture public opinion in advance
upon matters Of art. You have simply to say,
here is something we have for sale-come and see |
t judge it dispassionately, for upon your YER
lict depends its life or death.
Barnum initiated the advance puff system. And
where is he now? His successors only totter in
lis footsteps-his magnificent impudence they
annot hope to initiate. We are glad to know
hat their occupation is nearly gone, and that
ealthier tone Of criticism begins to prevail
Thecontrast between the Heronian articles and
hose upon the Academy dttmdnte, Mrs. Mcmahon,
amusing-the extreme point Of praise is reach
d on the one hand, and the lowest depth of abuse
J touched upon the other. Mrs Mcmahon, how
yer, faints not The critical lash has now no
'rors for her. She continues her representations,
nd intends shortly to go to England and appeal
} London audience.
The system of advertising adopted by Stra-
osch, cutting OF all the papers of small circulation,
ms drawn down upon him some puffs over the
IT hand, but the dnimus that prompts them being
pparent, they will do him good 80 far as they
AVE any effect at oil. On the whole, we are at
ss to decide which affords the most amusement,
e theatres or the critics. We incline to the
tier; they are always odd and amusing, while .
e theatres are often stupid and dull b
The Niger WoEsnrPPERs AFTER THE Spous
Some of the chiefs of the Seward niger wor- .