The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-13

vogue amongst a certain class in England, and r
it had not been for the accident of his arraign-
ment at the Old Bailey, for having caused the
death of one of his patients, his Furnishing career
might possibly have been prolonged indefinitely.
These instances, however, are only cited to show
that Humbug is quite as Protean as Dyspepsia in
the shapes which it assumes and in the DISCUSSES it
puts on, and that if Grand Copts and Empires
resort to it for purposes of deception, so also do
showmen like BARNUM malleit an essen tial of their
vocation. The latter glores in it. He has written
or caused to be written book in praise fit. He
exuts over the success of every new artifce. He
has told his readers, and frequently even now
openly acknowledges 10 those whom he is pleased
to style ''his patrons" that JOYCE HETH and the
Mermaid, and the Woolly Horse, and host OF
other "attractions'' with which he has on various
occasions deluded the public were Humbugs, and
that all that he caused TO be said or printed about
them, at the time they were on exhibition, were
stories fabricated for the purpose of keeping up the
deception. "There are vast numbers of credulous
"peope in the world, f" saysP r B. complacentlv.
and is my business to play upon their crcdulity''
eueh IS Inc BARNUM doctrine, and now after some
years OF enforced leisure he is actively engaged in
Illustrating it again. Being once more in posses
sion OF his old Museum in New York he has seized
the occasion of its re-opening for the Fall season to
oeilver characteristic address before the frequent
erS OF That establishment. One portion of this
last speech and confession appears to us deserv-
ing OF some comment. We pass over, therefore
his thanks for 'the liberal patronage &C., his
1iy-c oil
''clock business" which he quilted, he saws,
minus few hundred thousand, " and shall con-
hne ourselves simply to a brief notice of his new
scheme for renovating the Drama. The question
to be solved with respect to public amusements.
says BARNUM, Is "whether they shall be rational,
'eleVatlng and instructive, Or low and demoraliz-
''lngF' Such question, of course, only admits
OF one answer, so without waiting for response
he so!emnly assures his auditors that he "knows
mo reason why the stage cannot be made, as it
'otten is, vehicle for imparting good morals and
''healthy principles; and he forthwith announces
his intention ITO bring back the Drama to its orig
final purpose" which purpose we are informed,
was ITO illustrate Sacred scenes and events'' AS
Biblical history furnishes, in his opinion, some
OF the most sublime and touching subjects for the
Dramatist, he has determined to produce tthrillno
effects and gorgeous scenery from that source,
and, at the same time 'Impart valuable lessons
to every sclass of the community" But be it un-
dersood, the purified Drama, according to BARNUM,
is not to be solely derived from Scriptural history
The history of JOSEPH and his brothers, which
has been selected for Dramatic representation as
the initial piece of the proposed series of religious
plays is to be sandwiched between pieces which
have protane origin; but in all cases, When
ever these alterations take place, it is thougbhuly
inmated that due regard shall be paid to The pro-
motion of good morals. Is not this admirable
fooiing?'' How pleasantly too this zeal for the
public welfare, and this adherence of shams, be-
come one who in the next breath notifies politi-
ticians that he is 'prepared to furnish them with
''their stock in trade