New-York tribune., 1867-03-25
THE DRAMA.
TIE WINTER GARDEN.

than private calamity. The extent of that calamity
will not be at realized Sorrow that is recent
is for that very reason, indefinite But as days 20
by the void that has been left in the dramatic world
will become moro and more CONSPICUOUS, and memory
will more and more define and color and lnger upon
and grieve this sudden and sharp bereavement.
1t is chance that has destroyed not alone
the richest scenic treasures collected in this
country but place that garnered up bright recol-
lections of memorable past, and farest promises
and highest hopes of the future of the drama.
We cannot, therefore, dismiss the burning OF the
Winter Garden acOmmOnpace incident in that long
chapter of haps and mishaps which comprises the
news of the day. To tell as we do at length the
story of the confagaton is but partially to fulfill the
duty of the moment That duty also prescribes
reflection upon the associations that made the place
so gracious and upon the promise that slumbers in
its ashes. record that extends but little
than twelve years is not of course impressive the
score of antiquity But the record of this theater.
brief though it be, is brilliant. Here sounded the
heavenly voice of Jenny Lind. Here gliGed the
weird, the terrible the ineffably beauteous form OF
Rachel. Here the quaint visage and the mellow
tones Of Burton gaddened all hearts TO laughter or
saddened them to tears. Here Agnes Robertson
played in the prime of her touching and winning
sweetness. Poor old Blake acted here. next to Bur-
ton the most humorous Of his generation, and,
in pathos the prince of them ALL Here the genius CT
Jefferson cast its spell over many heart Here
Broueham has his best triumphs, in the full
lebrty of his sparkling talent. Miss Bateman began
here that dramatic career which was one continuous
and unclouded triumph. The piquant and dazzling
Cubas danced here and taught US the poetry OF
sunny Spain On this stage the rare gifts and the
finished culture of Clarke gained the wholehearted
recognition Of critical and popular applause Here
too the public heart was captured by the
extraordinary magnetism of Matilda Heron.
in her ever memorable personation Of Camille. From
this stage after series of the most intellectual and
powerful performances ever seen in America, was
uttered the farewell word Of Charlotte Cushman
Here, finally-for the list must somewhere cease
Edwin Booth accomplished what no man had ever
accomplished before the successful representation,
for a hundred nights, of the great tragedy OF
+" Hamlet" Such are some of the achievements
now traditions-that have given TO the Winter
Garden tho lasting luster of intellectual renOwn Ii
Is but natural that such theater should have been
affectionatey priced, and that its loss should be
deeply deplored The friends of the drama those
who have wished it WELL and watched it, and
laboTed for its support. and claimed for it
high place among the educated influences
of the age have found and have been proud and
happy TO find, that the management of the Winter
Garden has been conducted in large liberal honor
are but yet recent when refer TO the magnificent
production here of the plays of Hamlet" and
| RicheIeu" and The Merchant Of Venice" These
enterprises were not alone the exponents of wise
| and grand ambition they were also the guarantees
of still more splendid efforts in the future. 1t is
pleasant to say. and to say it on behalf OF all
yotares Of the drama and 10 say it TO Mr. Booth and
Mr. Stuart in their time Of distress, that they
| have wrought greatly in great work, that
they have set a splendid example OF rever-
ence for and devotion to, the drama, and that
| no misfortune can ever cloud their triumph. The
fact that high and broad and honest devotion to q
! noble art has animated and controlled their past
career s the promise that sleeps in the ashes Of the
! Winter Garden Human activity inspired can
never be defeated. new theater must arise out OF
the ruins of the old one The losses that have been
suffered must all be repaired The successes OF tho
past must be repeated and augmented 10 the future.
This community we feel assured will not alone SYM
nathze with the distress that has been entaied by
this oonagration hut viii see 10 it that the winter
Garden is in more than its former favor
aud prosperity Mr. Stuart, il may he presumed, VIII
lose no time in libsratng from its ashen prison the
irnmemorial phenix His is a mind that thrves best
| in misfortune. They say of Sheridan that. wher
Drury Lane was burned years and years ago IN tho
City Of London. the brilliant dramatist being then
its lessee and manager, he went TO little tavern.
close BY where he could watch the burning, and
there with glass and bottle before him. remarked
that man might surely be permitted to take glass
OF wine in PEACE by his own freside. The Celtic
temperament even though it cross the Atlantic.
suffers no sea-change and DIR. Stuart
is Just the man to smile thus at grief like the
shine of April cleaning through her tears May
those iss of grief soon be burned aud purged away
by the sun of new prosperity To the manager and
TO all the players who have so deeply suffered by this
mischance we tender our heartes sympathy, remind
ing them in the words OF q very old poet that
Lave I'LL tomorrow viii have passed away"
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr Wheatley Announces that on Wednesday next
he.w give Matinee at Niblos Garden for the benefit
70 him in his time OF trouble The Black Crook viii
be presented We have 70 note that the ?oo
given on Wednesday evening.
Ar Lent has made aTTangements 10 give an extra r
Matinee today at the NeW1ork circus TOR the Dsnens
especial attention thereto merely adding that the pro-
gramme Of entertainment promised Is particularly at
tTactiye. -
his theater the first OF which takes place to-
night The beneficiary Is Miss Henriques, who VIII ap
pear as Peg Wotington in " Masks and Faces This
young actress is about to be married and retire om the
stage and her present benefit is probably the last that sha
will receive at the hands OF the NewNOrk public
We trust, therefore, that the theatei will be crowded
How charming the actress need not Her grace
and sweetness have long been known and admired. The
next beneficiary is Mr.. Frederick Robinson who WIN
appear as SIR GILES Ore'Teaeh In New Way to Pay Old
Debts" Mr. Robinson has won distinguished position
ncomedy and much curiosity must naturally be felt 10 see
him in tragic characer-espeealy one so difficult aud
we TX repetitions will DC given OF Henry r" and
"The Wife's Secret.
Mr. w o. Bowers, lessee and manager Of Woods