The New York herald., 1866-09-25

that will be all; no hand can save him from
| his fate.
| Grand Classic Revival or the Drama and the
Games Of the Ancient Greeks.
It is rather q singular coincidence that upon
the same morning last week we were called
upon to record the revival Of the ancient Greek
drama Of "Medea" In this city by Madame Ris-
tori and the revival Of one OF the ancient
Greek gladiatorial games near St Louis by Mr..
McCool. The Greeks were the most intelligent
and intellectual people Of ancient times, and
devoted equal attention to the cultivation Of
the mind and the physique. While some of
their poets, like Euripides, devoted themselves
to the drama, their greatest poet, the immortal
Homer, sang not only the wars Of the gods
and demi-gods, but also the praises Of the
noble art of selfdefence. If the Greeks crowned
their writers and philosophers, they also be
slowed the Same honors upon the winners Of
the isticuff fights at the Olympian and Isthmian
games The Romans initiated their example,
| and Virgil described the prize-fghters quite a.
eloquently as Homer. BY making personal
bravery virtue not less excellent than intel
lectual ability, they succeeded in conquering
the world.
| In modern times the gladiators have fallen
into discredit because they have not insisted
upon that public recognition Of the claims to
which they are justly entitled. Italy, once the
scene of numerous splendid combats, has en-
tirely forgotten the manly art Of hitting from
the shoulder, and has restricted herself to the
intellectual and aesthetic departments, giving
us fine poetry, pictures and statuary, and
finally the Queen of Tragedy, in the person Of
Ristori. France has adopted nearly the same
J role. In Germany ancient philosophy has been
cherished to the neglect of physical prowess,
and it required the genius of Bismarck to
bring out the fighting qualities of the people.
In England the prize rins ..ooaa-ished during
many glorious years and at last eliminated in
the m Amorable Mr.. Gulley, who was elected a
member OF Parliament This tribute to the
gladiatorial profession produced remarkable
results for time, and numerous hard fighters
were developed; but as no other pugilist was
sent to Parliament, the effect Of Mr. Gulley's
elevation gradually died away, and now the
prize ring in England is only myth. Fair
play is disrcgarded, as in the case of Hcenan,
and boxers stand opposite each other for
hours without striking blow, as in The case OF
Mace and Goss
This country, which is the modern Greece
and Rome, IS disposed to favor all kinds of de-
v,lopm mt, whether of the mind or the body.
The dam, and the Olvmrian games were re-
ce we'd here with equal favor when first i'm
p ir'cd but Of late both have deteriorated
NEST ssdlv. The theatrical managers have
he n Il rnum'z,i into mere showmen, and
Since Mr.. John Morrissey's Withdrawal from the
ng that institution has become demOraized.
Bu. this is the age of wonderful classical re-
walls, and at the very time that Madame
r ori comes 10 restore the dramatic art to its
annrcnr lte rank Mr.. McCool SHES bis castor
Ia lie ring NJ 81. LOUIS, and begins to elevate
tn C!ids .orial art by knocking his opponent
out uf tim. In lis way Mr.. McCools success
vs. not less decided than Madame Ristori's.
He l's won the championship of America,
W ich was relaqnishe by Mr.. Morrissey, and
he has proven tnat he can excel the fighters Of
rnciea! Greece at their own game. Without
having his haads enc,sed in iron gauntlets, as
t'"irs wa-e, he produces equally striking re-
su''e, and in tie strategy and tactics of the art
he 8 obviously their ssperior; for they knew
no hing OF the guard, the parry, the upper cut
AMI tic neat shoulder hitting in which he is an
adept. Mad ,mc Ris.ori is far greater than
any Of those actors of ancient Greece whose
arr sic illustrates, AMI Mr.. McCool Is equally
advanced in his peculiarly Grecian science.
We believe, however, that the Champion Of
America has committed an error in commencing
bis classic revival so far from New York.
The Qncen OF Tragedy came directly to this
metropolis. knowing that If she could satirfy
our critical and highly cultivated audiences,
ali the rest of the country would be at her
feet. Mr.. McCool should have adopted SINH
!sr policy, IA NJ. Morrissey did in his fighting
davs. We far that the West is not yet suffi-
cicn,ly civilized to look upon his performance
with Mr.. Davis in the proper classical light.
I The Greeks were the most refined and
! luxurious nation in the world-not at all
lik, the Western people among whom Mr..
McCool has made his DEBUT Doubtless in
course of time they will come up to his classl-
cal standard but at present they are far be-
hind the East and especially New York, in
their appreciation Of the literature, the drama
/ and tho games of the ancients, and are more
likely to present Mr.. McCool with a policeman
than with a crown. Here, in this metropolis,
we respect and reward every sort OF artistic
superiority. and, like the Greeks, applaud
equally the heroes Of the Stage and the ring.
Let Mr.. McCool come here, and he will find
| himself man Of note We will make him a
sachem in Tammany Hall, . delegate to our
State conventions, leader Of the democracy
and member Of Congress. His eminence in