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


the tragedy Phyrnieus composed II Adj
mantus presided" w.
AEscHYLus was the father Of tragedy; a
player himself who invented even minute
additions to the wardrobe; was held in
high esteem and held command at some
of the battles In which he fought.
SoPuocLEs was also AL actor and carried
OF prizes. When the illustrious CIMoN re-
turned from his warlikc expedition, he
presided with his Generals Mt tho contest
between SoPHoCLEs and AHsCnYLUs and
awarded the prize. SoPHOCLEs was re-
wardcd for one of his successful tragedies
with the rank of General, and accompa-
MED PERIcLEs in that capacity In the Sa-
mian war.
EUmrIDEs, player and writer, was held
in the highest esteem in his day, and was n
distinguished officer.
NEoproLRMus WAS an actor M well as
poet; vet was sent Ambassador on an inn
portant mission.
The same IL true of ARisToDEMUs, who
received from the public, at the solicita-
ton of DEMosTuENEs, n golden crown for
the faithful administration Of public af-
fairs. ...
SArYRUs, the player, was an acquaintance
of the great DEMosTHENEs, and gave him
valuable hints in his oratorical studies.
RosCms and lF,soPus, Roman actors, were
the contemporaries of CICERO; his tutors,
friends and constant associates.
TERENCE, the actor, numbered LELUs
the "wse," and SCIPIo AFRIoANus among
his warmest friends.
The ilustrious BRUTUs journeyed from
Rome to Naples to see an excellent com
lpany of comedians; and was so pleased
that he gave them letters to CICERO, who
received them with honor. ..i
Let me add here, in conclusion, that II
1.-THE construction of the Attic Theater, seat
lwere expressly reserved for the Priests
Generals, archons the whole Senate and thu
lofllcers ofthe Government, which seats they
regularly filed. So much for Psganism.
. DIR. THOMAS next point Is that legis
lation has been frequently directed agains
the stage. To some extent this is true, and o
very little consequence as an argument 10
1.-THE Doctors position. That abuses hav
grown up in the theatrical profession, whicl
at times have needed Legislative action, M
lone will pretend to deny. But this legis
llation-except in the glorious old days o
New England blue laws-has general,
been directed against the abuses, and no
the drama itself Indeed, at this presen
time, there is probably no law agains
theatrical representations, In any civilize'
country In the world, and none would b.
tolerated. Why then should the Churcl
attempt to set up law of its own!
There has been little legislation, com
paratively against the stage. 1t ha
, received high Endorsement I'm the follow
, ling extract from the preamble Of the &C
of Parliament establishing the presen
Theater Royal in Dublin;
"Whereas, the establishing well regIl
lated theater In the City of Dublin bein,
the residence of the chiet governor or gov
ernors of Ireland, will be productive u
+ advantage and tend 10 iD,prOUe the morals u
the people &c.'
4 And il legislation has been occasional.
directed against it, it has also had violen
measures adopted for its support. VIII
that has read HUME can forget the famou
, thousand PACED quarto Of foolish lawye
; named PRYNNE who wrote so violentl
! against plays and interludes in the time q
: CHARLES the First. With his volumnon
= TRADE DIR. THOMAS sermon bears no NOR
comparsOn than, according to his idea, on
| insignificant Opera House does to the mag
1 II of
Z PRYNNE was fined E5,000, imprisoned 70
life, and was inhumsnly deprived of hi
ears.
But legislation either way amounts t
but little. Nor should we denounce Tn
Theater because It has had its degenerat
:, days or its unworthy members. All pur
suits and professions have had their days Q
darkness and their black sheep. ShOul
; some industrious lniidel gather together al
I the ''sins of impurity" laid to the charge Q
- the clerical profession, within the past fOu
, years, and unfortunately too truly, tn
! record would seem as unansweTable ns tn
l doctors; and the argument against hi
, divine calling almost rs conclusive.
But let us proceed to n more impOrtan
point-the third division of his eyidenc'
4 ''that the precepts and practice of the Chris
] tan Church, ancient and modern, witnes
= against the stage"
To most of DIR. Thomas readers this
= the strong point of his argument.
/, | have looked through his sermon, /
!, vain, for a single quotation from the Cos
! pels, the Acts, or the writings of the ApOs
= ties, even Indirectly rejecting upon tn