Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-12
rHR cITY.

TIE INV THEETAK-The drama In all countries has
been always regarded az sOures Of refinement when
conducted in manner conformabe to It's true nten.
It's degeneraey has been the result. OF departure from
the sublims principles which dictated its orgip.--
ssakspssre, Sheridan, OOWper aud the host Of other
usrious dramatic writers surely did not intend their
great .ucons to be sources Of Generalization, for
then they would belle the edyng spirit of social and
moral advancement which perVaies their incompatible
sasions It is the psrverSOn of theee and not their
observance that has led the prejudice which see
betimes displayed with reference to the great dramatic
art. The writings of ShakspeTe are the sublimest
conceptions Of uninspired man. The lavish Of 90 much
talen: for purposes Of evil would be inconsistent with
the aims Of such exalted gsnus and sublime eoncep-
tons.
It the custom nevertheless dscry the best aud
most successful efforts to perps.uate and vtaze coz
csptions Ike these whols Immortality is dependent upon
no mere artificial colOring.
They bear the intrinsic stamp of excellence,
apart from any efforts of art device OF genius
They might indeed be regarded as inspired aud pre-
ducdous originating under auspices sublime cannot
be deemed inconsistent with snythng that is pure 10
morsls Or ennoblng in the social sphere.
We make these remarks as preliminary to some OBJ
ssrva.Ons which propose to offer with reerence to
the New Theatre established in this city aud under
the management of r. D. Ogden.
The public are familiar with the dsadvantAgeous cir
cunstsnces uader Eh CHI thai magnificent structure
gotten ur. Begun at period the mos: insusPiciOus
or the oOnsum nation OF any enterprise requiring
terial and mechanical skin, tbs work was pushed
through with a. energy which might well serve as an
assuranee Of success in lis future conduct The result
so far has well reals ID this indication for y 'stAc~
II asseItioa iha. p;0:c enterprise furnishes no paral
lei for the progress which the manager Mr. Ogden, has
N de in dramatic representations, despite Disadvantages
and embarTassments well calculated 70 dshearten less
energetic spirit Tae average talent displayed by the
. ock company connected With the Thsatre is IN,
d01btedy above the standard led in peace times by
stock actors in that establishment rather the old
Theatre. This is accomplishing much il We con-
slider the adverse circumstances 10 bs encountered
l. il good assurance OF pse-eninsnt success in the
future in the organization OF dramatic corps for the
establishment; for We take /. that expense win be
spared to bring il up 10 the highest Standard Of dra
matte excellence yet attained by any theatre North
South proper index of the disposition in this regard
a. afforded by the efforts Of the manager to bring from
Europe company of superior actors. The enttp'ise,
though failure from stress Of adverse circumstances
cost the propretress, learn, the spun Of $4,000.
The individual that could mako 50 large venture to
administer to pubic enjoyment will hesitate little to
incur any outlay however e1ravagal when the object
is certain of accomplishment
The neW Theatre will BE- a source Of pride to our
ezsal when the time arrives to sscurs the talent ne
cess2sy to render il so.