The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-28

JOurnalStb IN general ana critics In particular,
than In this land of questionable freedom. Nor
can the want of true criticism be more sorely
felt elsewhere than here In France the arti-
cles of Jules Janin and Philarate Chasles are
distinctive features of the newspapers in which
they appear In Germany the opinions of
Schlegel, Boerne and Mcneil first obtained
prominence In the columns of the daily or
weekly press. In England the writings of
Johnson, Steele and Addison corrected the
then depraved taste of the reading public
Finally, the world over, articles penned with
true critical acumen have arrested and will
arrest, the attention OF all such as have noted
the progress of civilization ana the good results
attendant on the efforts Of the critics.
Without attempting to charge the public with
any lack of appreciation, it is nevertheless
proper to give voice 10 the fact that in no
country on the face Of the inhabited globe are
genuine, appropriated critics fewer In number
and Less remarkable for their ability than in
performances ON the operate or dramatic
boards. the scarcity of valuable literary works,
and the paucity Of oeuwes d'ast so strongly
evidenced in nation which Ia most respects
stands second to none.
Hitherto the managers Of the daily press, far
from endeavoring to supply the want, by their
sacrifices on the altar of puffery have
sought to convince impressari;, ortistes and
the public Of the usclessness Of i'm
partial criticism. They have changed
the reading columns Of newspaper
into an advertising department, and might as
well affix the rates of insertion per line at the
head Of the second page as at the foot OF the
inner folios. The sending Of card to the
ollise Of any of the minor city journals has
been, and is at present, equivalent to the s.upli
cation Of the advertisement, with fatterin1
editorial commentaries in the "critical denn--..'
ment' Of the sheet Knowing We" 4,.. o. :
general rule, the public allows itself 70 he
e"i''a ny Wv SHp ..osed opinions Of men who
uec Regarded as competent, and perfectly con-
ssS"io9s that none of the Bohemian organs with
wblc,s. the good sense of The town is sickened
will give yent to conscientious decision
when such woula place their advertising sti-
ponds 10 jeopardy the manasers and operate
;nrressarii have become perfectly reckless as
to the pieces they may produce, or the artistes
they may import. The lack of veritable crit
les, the substitution of unslsilled or prejudiced
Bohemians for enlightened judges, and the
system on which have been conducted the host
of second rate newspapers up to the present
time have insured impupity to the publisher
uyho xvotrId icauo a oc,,rr{loua hook ao1 m, fho
artist who exhibits worthless painting, while
the public, little respecting the true facts of
the case, awards the palm of merit to those
who least deserve the recognition wrenched
from them by their confidence in INSCRIPTIONS
and psrtial journalists.
Nor is there any class of the community
which has escaped the effects of tho evil The
newspaper, circulating ~ it does in every
home, is made up OF 10 homogeneous mass of
fact and fiction that by the majority of it's
readers its edicts are held well nigh sacred.
The first class notice Of the worthless play
receives the same attention o. the brief
an 20 Of the peEorms9Se Of standard
work, and the subscriber to the journal, little
doubling that the so-called ''criticism" is in
reality an advertisement, not only follows the
advice therein given by the writer, but is
thoroughly imbued with his apparent opinions,
which pervert instead Of correcting his literary
taste.
The rules according 10 which are conducted
all the second rate daiies in this city are
identical. Limited patronage bestowed on the
advertising department, worthless favors forced
upon the administration OF a newspaper, have
given theatrical managers-taking them as
OF publishers and professionals
generally firm hold upon the gratitude Of the
petty Journalists. Depending ON the serviliIy
OF the 'organs OF public opinion" they really
imagine that they can foist upon tho public
such worthless productions and unknown
ar,istes "a their avarice or poverty seduces
them 10 having at their disposal. Unfortunately
for themselves, 1t requires but the efforts Of one
newspaper to enlIghten the patrons of the arts
and point out the folly and unsorupulousness
Of other journalists, while such q course Of
conduct being recognized and appreciated, can
only result in tie future discovery of men Of
ability, who will speedily occupy the positions
Of which they have been hitherto deprived.
Nothing, then, but true criticism will purify
Inc public taste, hold up the legion Of UNI
worthy journalists to universal scorn, bring
Iorth, az substitutes for Them, writer's OF en-
ightcnmeet and unimpeachable imparIiality,
md demonstrate 10 the satisfaction OF all The
Justice Of The charge Of false i..elenees 60 which
are amenable q host of impressarii. actors,
and professional mer-gcneralIy.
TIM WRECK OF THE BROrrEa JONATpAs.-The
fearful loss Of life incurred by the wreck of the