New-York daily tribune., 1858-12-29

4
revolution upsets the protectors of Turkey.
That most delectsble and profitable thing, spice
de ,,sistanes, is eninently found IN Oar American
"Cou.in," at Laura Keenes Theaser, his success
approaching now the one hundredth night, and
promising to reach the two huudredtb ar even
more. Having seen this " wonderful production"
We were led to observe that one point in its con-
struction appears mainly to contribute to its popu-
lanty, and that is representing the Yankee char
acter in an amlabe, and, the whole, liberal g NJ.
Hitherto Jonathan has figured on the boards al
most or quite exclusively as trckster aud sneak;
with the most unpleasant patols in the world-tnst
which comes through the noes. Tha. h" -s"-'a 'e
1900, snsrp, ume. serving and rascaly, appears to
have been conceded; in the way that the Irish
man should be brave, generous and loyal. Both
national deliDeatons on the stage have contributed
to fomeDt prejudice and convey untruth; for we
appIehend in trenchant transaction the Irishmsn
will be found, other things equal quite match for
the Yankee. "Our American Cousin" however,
is vulgar brute in manners, andabout as thorough
carcature as can be conceived. OF national por.
nature the play contains but lite or nothing;
aud the plot is without novelty. But the
burlesque of a faxen-headed Yankee confronting
the English nobility, saving his aristocrstc relative
from ruin, and generously marrying poor con-
nection or knswoman of theirs, makes the piece
prosper In conveying the Impression that the
stsge Yankee does not necessarily cell peddler's
wares, cheating his customers invsrisby, some
good may be doae in changing the adjectives ordi-
nariy used to deneate Yankee character. Indeed
it is astonishing how long and no far stereotyped
ideas Of false character may be maintained con-
cernirg q people through the most obvious and
popular channels of literature; but it is cheering
to find that when writer takes new view and
endeayors to indicate the deeper hunanities, there
is a response from the public TO the innovation.
When Asa TreDchard, ''Our American Colsia,"
sets fire to viii which gives him some two or
three hundred thousand dollars acting thus for
principle, the audience forgets the Yankee in the
American and the American in the man.
But it speaks little for the ingenuity Of our resi-
dent play wrights 10 find that the success OF the sea-
source. 1t was reserved for Mr.. Tom TAYLOR, a
British dramatist, and an officeLolder uoder the
British Government to produce a deli1eation Of
American character, which, next 10 Uncle Toms
CABIN, is the most successful yet rendered on
the American stage. II is true the portrature
is daub, and tie local illusions appear to
have been htched upon the original sketch
after tie play reached this country and was
read in the green-room; there is, like wise. the
staple of patrician and pebean which, with It's in-
ci.ive contrasts, makes up ninety bne hundredths
Of the interest Of the modern European play and
novel; there is, moreover, the fierce entity Of
hereditary rank which gives enormous proportions
to humanity yulgarly viewed aud which Shakes.
peare never forgets in singe scene-but 1otwitl-
standing al this buDeng snd Old material, the play
succeeds. Cannot some Of our clever writer's fnd
counsel in ouch a success Must We have thealers
without drsmsl Must We look abroad for plays
and psy-wfIters in the sane way We do for
fashions aod dressl
These be questions for the critics as well 81 The
meu who aspire TO afford food for criticism. At
present, for reasons We msy not enter into, it
seems impossible for an American, either 10 write
coed novel or good play. There never was an
American who could construct the plot of play
laid in America. All essay. in this way have been
dismal failures. And rs 70 novels, We have no
thorough delineations Of modern character. OF
course, We leave GU. the portratures Of Mr.
Cooper as respects aboriginal, nautical and American
life. We baye DO man who can write novel On So
cety. Not that there are not clever witty, humor.
Gus fellows among us-men who will say and write
as 'brlhant things a. English conversation or liter.-
sure afords; but We have no one who can inyeut
plot Of play or novel depicting actual American
life ard breathe MS brillances into the say and
dcings Of the characters. This fact is suggestive.
1t carries TO our apprehension proiisious mean
irg, bearing upon our literature so far as it, out
workings are dep ndtnt % the genius OF A.nerl-