The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-09-11
A WORD ON BURLESOUES.
"A light word il the DEVILS keenest sword. u

In our day Punch rides his Pegasus with
reckless rein, not only over rough roads, but
over fair flowers. In the excessive and fear
ful fondness for burlesques which SO largely
prevails, We recognize one of the most I'M
fortunate tendencies Of the times. THERE'S
nothing so exalted in sentiment, or 80 no.
bic in feeling; nothing so inspiring in poet
~ or so sublime in philosophy; nothing so
pure in morals or so sacred in religion, rs
TO be secure from this demon of 0esecra-
ton.
We rear our little oul-temple, and build
into its structure every precious gem OF
thought and feeling that We have gathered
bv the way. We frame inches within, to en-
shine our dearest idols, and we erect our
little affairs where holy thoughts may como
with treading feet to offer will-worship.-
But burlesuue enters, and like rude Mono
clast, mutlates our idols, and breaks down
our affairs. He caricatures our highest i'm
presentations and embodiment Of beauty,
goodness and truth, and exults over his sac
rilege with fiendish glee.
We wish to offer our protest against this
unholy excess. There are some things which
ought to be ridiculed, and all such are sure
to receive all they deserve; but there are
some things which ought not to be ridicul-
ed, and in practice no distinction is made.
They have sprung up and multiplied in So
cetv evils rs numerous as weeds, and we
rejoice when ridicule can uproot them, but
it is sad when our most fragrant flowers arc
torn up with them.
We can regard with moderate complacen-
cy the operations of burlesque when circum-
scribed by becoming bounds: but our COM
placency is transformed into disgust and
contempt, when those bounds are totally
disregarded. There is some proprety in
browning with FOOLS cap and bells the SIM
pie circus clown, performing evolutions and
standing on his head for pay, utterly de-
grading the divine signet stamped upon his
brow; for he is not a man, but only has hu
man shape. There is, We say semblance
of propricty here; but it was like the spirit
which put n crown Of thorns upon the Sa-
vior's brow, and clad in hooking purple
robes-the very Son of God! Our thoughts
turn from these sad scenes. almost discour-
aged, for if even lie was treated thus, how
can we expect that which is far less perfect
should escape the burlesque robe.
We are prone to look upon the actors in
this terrible tragedy as the most abandoned
Of minkind; but what other spirit than theirs
ed age, when, favored with the visit of an
gelic forms of thought, and feelings almost
divine, We dare to array them in the attire
Of burlcsquc?
The fault, however, is not alone with
those who originate; they must expect con-
demnaton who encourage. The weaver will
not weave unless the purchaser purchase,
and the wcarer wear. The public who pat
ronize deserve contempt rs we'll as the ac-
tors who perform. 1t shows sad pcrver-
sion of some Of our noblest endowments,
that the negro minstrel and the writer Of
parodies finds crowds Of appreciative admi-
rers, while the cultivated musician and the
true poet starve for their very bread.
We had friend who wrote a parody on
Poe's "Rdren." Nothing could have been
more complete in its correspondence and
analogy to the poem itself, in rhyme and
rythm, in fancy and metre. 1t was scarcely
completed before the author burned it to
ashss-l mean the papcr-unfortunatcy the
verses were not so readily consumed.
Written more indcllbly -traced in. imper-
ishablc characters upon the leaves Of memo
rs, the parody fingered in the authors
Hind, associating with ridicule one Of the
most intense and powerful poems ever pen
ned.
Let, then, burlesquc be ever confined to
its proper sphere. Whenever and where
ever it ovcrsteps its appropriate limits, let
it meet on every side only the rcproachful
finger of scorn and the frown of public con-
tempt. Then the pure, the noble: the ele-
waiting, tho sacred, may be unmolested and
enjoyed in perfect peace. Our cherished
treasures Of thought and feeling may be en-.
shrined in the Westminster of memory, Sc
cure from sacrilgious hands. Our fragrant
flowers shalt still breath soulful perfume, in
the garden of the soul, and the angelic forms
of beauty shall receive the homage of our
hearts, onmingled with regret at encouras
cd Dr0fanntinn