The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-15

IT. as Shakespeare believed, the end and
object Of the stage is to hold the mirror up to
nature, the fraternity under whose control our
city theatres flourish have done much and are
doing more to pervert this instrument Of moral
culture from It's original and laudable purpose
and to transform IL into vehicle for the graft
6cation Of . morbid pruriency. We have
already expressed our opinion on the
drama of the "Black Crook" and have won
dered at the generality Of sentiment that
could keep such piece in undisputed posses
sion Of Niblo's stage for sixteen months but
as we have no desire TO harp forever on one
string, we will leave the matter to the effect Of
time and returning reason. We cannot blame
our theatrical managers for yielding 70 tho
force Of drgin.ent,tm I'D crumena,a which they
doubtless feel as strongly as the rest Of our
busy community but we do complain, and
complain with reason, Of those managers who,
while they escape the contagion of that spec
tacular disease which is now raging in the
theatrical world fail to see that something
more is needed to preserve the purity Of the
drama than merely resisting the temptations OF
ballet and blue fire. We have theatres in
America that challenge comparison with any
in the world, and at one (wallack's) company
that with the exception Of that of Drury
Lane, in London, has no superior in any
theatre where the English language is used
and II appears somewhat incomprehensible
that the attractions Of the "Black Crook" and
"The DEVILS Auction" are rivalled only with
rocco comedies and trashy, sensational
dramas We do not mean by this to dispsrage
those standard works Of art whose intrinsic
merit has placed them in the foremost ranks
Of stage literature for nigh . century, and ele-
cism but % caviare is . delicacy OF which
even q Russian may sicken, SO . series OF
comedies treating Of the customs. inclinstions
and foibles Of the last century are apt, when
unrelieved by talent of a later date, to disagree
with the taste Of an American audience in
1867.
II is somewhat strange that our stage Iitera-
ture should be almost exclusively the work Of
English writers, and that in America, American
authors should be conspicuous only from their
absence. We have an indifferent adaptation
Of Beecher's Norwood Il Is true, together
with one or two pieces treating OF New York
life in its shady aspect, and we would point 10
even these as the commencement OF new era
in the dramatic world, did we imagine that
they would be followed by others representing
American scenes and people Of different
order but we have every reason TO believe
that the principal attractions OF the present
winter will be found to be English pieces and
English adaptations Our managers seem in
capable Of moving from the groove in which
they started, and appear so persistently TO
seek their inspirations from across tho
Atlantic that one gentleman has made il
his business to take down, In shorthand,
the various pieces, 40 they are performed In
London, for the express benefit Of New York
managers. To this channel we are indebted
for several pieces that have been brought out
in New York and though some Of our imprs-
sdrii would properly decline 70 profit BY such
. questionable proceeding. II il consistent
neither with our pride nor our ability, tina. the
need or the fact Of such . practice should
exist English dramatists OF the present day
are very worthy, energetic and hard working
body Of gentlemsn-some Of whom have
carried to great perfection the art Of picking
The brains Of their French neighbors--and We
are quite ready 70 acknowledge our indebted
ness 70 them for their many works, bat u the