The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-01-02

Of his guests. Mr.. CHARLES YoUNd was the
first OF them of whom he saw much; as
early as 1903 | find him writing OF that
gentleman TO the MARCHfONEss OF Abercorn
as vdludote addition to the society of Ed
inburgh.
Another graceful aud intelligent per-
former In whom he took special interest,
and of whom he saw great deal In his
private circle was Miss SMITH, afterwards
Mrs. BARTLEY. But at the period of which
am Aow treating, his principal theatrical
Intimacy was with john PHILIP KEMBIE
and his sister Mrs. SIDDoNs both OF whom
he appears TO have met often at Lord Aber-
| corn's villa"
We find him in 1859 actually ''purchas-
ing a share In y Theater and becoming
one of the trustees for the general body of
proprletors," and from that time during a
| long series Of years he took lively con-
cern in the proceedings of the Edinburgh
Company.
| Scott was also the intimate friend OF
Miss Joanna Baillic, the writer Of tragedies;
he took the greatest interest in her plays :
was consulted about all the minutia of cos
tune; attended every rehearsal and sup
piled the prologue.
| Such being his experience what were
his opinions. In the article "Drama" in
the supplement to the Encyclopedia Brit
tanica, written by him, lie uses the follow
ing language: H.. ......
| "The Supreme Being who claimed the sew
enth day as his own, allowed the other six
days OF the week for purposes merely hui
man. When the necessity for daily labor is
removed and the call of social duty fulfill
ed, that of moderate and timely amuse-
ment claims its place, rs u want inherent
in our nature. To relieve this want, and
hll up the mental vacancy, gamesare devils
ed, books are written, music is composed
spectaeles and plays are invented and ex-
hihited. And If these last have moral
and virtuous tendency; If the sentiments
expressed tend to rouse our love of what
Is noble and our contempt of what is mean
, IL they unite hundreds In sympathetic
admiration Ofvirtue adherence of vice, OF
derlsion of folly-it will remain TO be
} shown how far the spectator is more Grim
inally engaged than if he had passed tn,
T evening in the idle gossip of society, In the
fcverish pursuits of ambition; or in the
unSatcd and Unsuitable struggle after gair
the grave employments Of the present
life hut equally uncolInected with our cxis-
. tence hereafter" .
-Four of the names used by DIR. THOMAS
represent the pulpit; two of the other
were critics.
Mrs. HANNAH MORE, one of his witnesse,
; and plous old lady, was herself at on,
time a copious writer of dramas and favor
ed the Theater extensively, until in he
. ''maturer years." her playsno being prop
erly appreciated, she came TO the consolinl
l conclusion that IL was impossible to elevat,
and improve the drama!
Another name produced IL that of tn,
} great actor MACRRADY; upon the strength
, Of newspaper paragraph. | must be per
mitted to doubt the authority of any sucl
I testimony. A sermon upon morality mus
-fbe hard pushed for facts when IL fall
back for illustration npon irresponsible,
Z hoating statements. in the daily press. Bu
let me Use the name OF an actress who ha
J shed luster upon America-a talented
beautiful and virtuous lady, still living
Mrs ANNA CORA MowATr (now Mrs
HTCHIE); and let me use her words |,
defense of profession which she adorne,
for many years, but has long since aban
doned. In her book viii bye found the fol
lowing:
81 have been for eight years an actress. Ii
the exercise of my vocation, have yisite,
: many TheateH throughout this land an,
In Great Britain. This fact, perhaps, give
mo some right to speak upon the stage a
an Institution upon its uses and abuses; fo
speak lin all humility be 1t said) from
D actual knowledge and personal experience
, My testimony has, at least, the value O
. being disinterested; for l was not bred {,
the stage; ! entered upon 1t from til,
bosom of private lite; none who are Iinket
TO me by affinity of blood ever belonged /.
, my profession; | am about to leave IL of m,
|, own choice; and l bid ii farewell in th,
midst of a career which, II 1t has reached
its meridian, has not as yet taken the frs
4 downward Inclination. l can have N,
object in defending the drama, apart from
the impulse to utter what | believe to b,
+. truth and an innate love aud reverence fol
dramatic art" Ihs. .Nt lo
3. She then devotes some pages to an olab-
orate defense Of her art, when she asks thi
= question;
'Gf then the stage be an institution
acknowledged by the protection OF govern
2 ments as much as any which passion 10
, literature, or art, or science among men ha
established, Is there not more Wisdom Ii
helping to elevate and guide Its operation
institution itselff"
And she finally makes this pertinen
, remark.
, "If the lingering abuses la our Theater,
are to be reformed 1t can only be done by
the mediation of good men, 6not 80 abso.
Lutte in goodness rs 10 forget what humai
frailty is" who discarding the illibera
, spirit which denOunees without investigat.
, ing will first examine the reasons OF exist.