New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-08
WINTER GARDEN.
THE CUP AND THE LIP.

Miss Walcots comedy was received with favor
last evening. 1t is an elegant entertainment, ana
serves the most favorable consideration at time
when one incurs 80 much mental debasement at the
theater. Almost any family history should be more
interesting than that Of the Seven Sons" Inns
story is of vulgar family of fortunehunters, who
by quaint last wish of defunc relative are driven
to an election of an heir to that vast sum In which
the playwright always permits the imagination OF
the public to reve The golden question is quite as
pertinent in New-York in Paris, and the satire OF
" The Cup and the Lip" should please us greatly in
| its keen application to each other; for our
acquaintance is barren if il does not include
mourners whose sable cloud has silver IL
mig, and the refinement Of the Republic has not
quite reached that point where manners are directed
exclusively by worth instead of wealth. The story
is told with simplicity and fairness 1t has no thrill
| ing effects, and no embarassments except those
which very vicious taste bias thrown in its way.
Why low song in reference to the present War for
the Union should be introduced into the social amuse-
ments Of French saloon, instead Of Mozarts Mass,
No. IS of WAITS and Select, or the last japanese
Polka, and why the characters in this social drama
now and then throw each other fragments OF the
fre-boy dialect, are mysteries which the orlgi-
nal authors could not solve. We would not
seem to carp, but cabbages are not leglti-
mate fruit of the flower gardens coil, and
in no operation could the somewhat musty proverb
e" let well-enough alone" have more force than In
dramatic adaptation. With a fragrant comedy 30
nearly in our grasp it is sad to feel the roughness of
the farce in the handful. Possibly Miss Wacot
would not do the public gross injustice if she assumed
that they could at least patiently tolerate clever
dialogue natural to the scene. Compromises with
good taste are Objectionable and does not care
| 10 be descended to with even the most fascinating
patronage of sympathetic authorizes. If tie hosts
are against us let us stand by colors and die, if
the gods so decree, in leading the forlorn hope of
legitimacy.
We must observe that the Cup and the Lip"
represents the real drama Of the day, Of which the
French stage is alone the proprietor. Of course, we
want an original American comedy, and one Of these
days brilliant man will find material in American
fe but abiding his advent we must try to see our
selves or at least people have met, in the mirror
the Gallo genius holds so brayely up TO the times.
BY and bye We may have nationality. Then
we shall respect our own virtues and vices
then we shall look around and find
qualities in each other then we shall have drama
independent of allegory and afecaton. Perhaps it
useless TO say in recommendation Of this comedy
that il is handsomely put upon the stage, and well
played since the atmosphere is entirely free from
sulphur, and the scenes never glow with colored
fires, while the fairies wear long dresses, and the
sexes are strictly observed Such, however, is the
melancholy case with real life, and that at least
ought 10 have some interest on the stage. If empty
benches are the answer of the public to an appeal to
their artistic feeling, why insult the management
with the platitude that the ensemble reflects the
highest credit upon its taste and lberality
II the new comedy should soon perish, it will Ger.
tainly deserve Hsttering inscription on Its head
stone. There should be recorded the charming cev'
erness of Mr.. Charles Walcot, sen, his delicious
despair Of getting the money his infinite jest, and
most excellent fancy. Fair mention OF Mr.. Charles
Walcot, jun, should not be wanting. He made hia
first appearance, and It would be defamation not
| to inscrbe q tribute to his pleasant
youthfuness, while very absurd weak
ness in dress might be lightly passed over.
Sleeping together would be father and son, and
also mother, and the memory of all would be green
when less talented families were consgning them
serves 10 AL uuWepl oolNiou. Aio VIC houiuih6 or
those that have no hopel Not so; the Walcots are
full of life in "The Cup and the Lip" There are
veterans in the cast who cannot be expected to ap
pear again when this ia over; but the Walcots may
they long survive their devoted effort! Represent
ing the rest of the male performers by the genera
term, Charles we may say acquitted himself will
credit, although he is little rusty and creaks at
i first. There is a long and illustrious line o
Charleses in this play. Mics Ada Clifton acted mucl
( like lady; even unconsciously unless we were
grossly deceived of her beautiful dresses.
The great applause with which the audience re
ceved an exquisite violin performance Of Mr.. Mol
! lenhauer might warrant him (venturing somewha
upon the license of VIGOROUSLY popular leader il
emitting from his programme impure music like tina
! of the JEFF. Davis Inauguration" The hearties
! contempt of the Rebels is somewhat modified b.
such sounds as this piece eicits from unhappy in
etruments.
"The Cup and the Lip being well-prepare,
and clever comedy, may enjoy a brief run. 1t i
essentially lacking in certain elements fire an
water, for iustance-which invariably oomman
, success.
i np.ru op cpslTop RiScuAM-Tha Hon kinoal