New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-02
TheateTp, etc.

DtLutI N'A4SNASbNV ANA NiiANAtS NV
Outstanding of writer or reader. Such opportunities
are rare enough 10 warrant their welcome, When
ever they do arrive, with exutation beyond Tue
vjual bounds of journalistic primness. MOI 10 70
compelled to qualify with offs" and ou'S ia
overwhelming disproportion, or to lesp binoy ove'
details in order TO avoid stumbng.blocks for perpeta
l faut-fnding, s a luxury which the dramatic crino
% seldom enjoys that he fnds himself quite at loss
70 meet il with due decorum. His pentup powers
of praise are apt 10 be let loose with suddenness
that carries ihem beyond all restraint. EmsnePa-
ton from those useful but welworn phrases Of par
tisi compliment or considerable dsprsise 0vercomes
HIM like a Summers cloud, and his special wonder is
e1ite 700 vast TO be concealed.
Il ia ALWAYS considered an excellent joke upon the
dramatic writer, that his critical opinions are 30
frequently limited to the mere record OF successes
secured BY, or plsudits vouchsafed 10, particular
player Z" Mr.. Dash represented such and such
r9rt with his usual care and effect, elcillng the
wsrmest concentrations Of the house MRS. or
hiss Blank was received with enthusiastic applause,
and her performance added 10 the appreciation In
which she is already held by the patrons OF the
establishment Of which she is so prond an orna'
nent" All this is taken az Indicative of Indifference
10 the general interests Of this that theater and e
psciay alicts the parties most nearly conCerned,w
esteem themselves ill used in proportion to the mega
tive nature Of the record The fact h that oil such easy
dealing with theatrical names should be accepted as
evidence Of the pure goodnature and merclfnl con-
alteration on the part Of Journalists. Details and
notifications are avoided only because il once
taken up, tie balance wonld weigh 60 heavily on
he side of disapprovsl, that tie critics column
would become an unbroken recital OF artistic
70 break bat;erAy upon a wheel is not an agreea.
lie task; and the more merciful expedent OF faint
praise is often necessarily resorted TO- as the only
komprouise consistent with decent regard for truth
and common sense.
II the community Of managers and actors and
dramatic authors really believe, as they sometimes
profess TO, tina. the scrutinies of the newspaper
writer's are wholly directed to their bemishes they
lie under an absurd and most selfish dslu1op. The
fscs s exactly the reverse Every serious effort 10
eiyen TO the detection Of such merits be duly
acknowledged and applauded. If, in this pursuit
of histroDic virtue under difficulties, fragrant defects
Intrude themselves, there is actually nothing TO be
done but 10 hint as much. How teaderly this is
generally done, neither managers actors nor
young dutnNIo dlo Sef0OA0 VI eHuSAe.~HN'-b' AA~'
tbey are unconscious Of their faults lie evident from
the mere fact of their committing them The natural
taste Of no person runs toward bunders, suppose
But that they are still more unconscious Of the
lenency with which their faults ere remarked upon,
everybody, themselves excepted, is perfectly we'll
aware. On the other hand, they are quite as often
Incapable of recognizing the zeal with which any
positive proof Of liberal taste aud judgment ia CON-
msnded. All winds, to them, are nLwinds, that
blow them no good.
The alacrity with which the public journals invite
attention TO Whatever is really worthy in theatri
cal affairs has been abundantly exemplifed during
.he last few weeks. The fine acting of Dir. Coul
dock and Mr. Davidge in "The Chimney Corner"
was received with the heartiest delight, while the
sggressive!y bad performance Of another person in
Inc same piece really too cbaritably overlooked.
The advent Of Mr. Bandmann, the young German
.otor. was welcomed with demonstrations Of good
will as hearty and unanimous they were deserved
II we come 10 subordinate details Of representation
nobody forgets how promptly the little indica-
Eons Of superior taste and judgment shown
In the sceneries and appointments of " The CHM
ney Corner" were complmented and the
superb scenic effects Of Leah" at NibIos
Garden were amply acknowledged There isnothing
% comfortable as 10 find such legitimate opponuni-
hes as these. When it comes to performance like
that Of "Secrets Worth Knowing" at Wallacks
Theater, the provocatOn 10 lavish praise 10 simply
lrfesis.ible. Such presentations as those Of Mr.
Young, Mr. Fisher, Mr.. Holland, and Mr.. Mark
Buth in this play are too unfrequent here 10 pass
without thorough and respectful attention We
have already spoken Of their particular merits but
we omitted auding 10 the rather conspicuous in-
elegance with which the play was put upon tie
stage. There is, 10 Be sure, great diff
eu,ty in producing good effects in pieces tho
scenes Of which are several tImeI Changed
during each act; bat there 10 no question
but tina, much greater completeness and sem
tlGnce Of reality might easily be afforded than
those of last ThurGday night Ia Sceneriss and ap-
poinimenls are found the most serious deaeiepcier
Of all ouT theaters. Walaeks has quite fame for
Improbable drawing-EoOms and wildly imaginative
hOudoirs. Even in plsys where no scene-shiting is
required in the presence Of the audience, we find
apartments from the blank walls of which ladies and
gentlemen emerge with all the and freedom Of
witches in burIeSque the ceilings Of which cape and
yswninto indefinite space instead OF being neatly en-
elosed, aud the mOveables Of which, sometimes riob
Lnd tasteful In themselves, hardly ever in har
nony with, or appropriate TO, the scene sup
posed TO DO depicted. Excepting at the Winner
Gerden, in the instance Of the room in "The
Chimney Corner" We have seen no properly
arranged ceiling in any New-York Tbeater. The
scenery IL Niblo's is uDquesionaby the best ext4nt
AID in the drama of "Lesh ia equal to any re-
suireoent. The impiea.iOn which an sadiepce re-
sslyes from such thoroughly appropriate and syupa-
tLeuc decoration Of any drama, can never be over
iuaied L.. tho nnan Of, unich ,uc srcal IL ad1a