The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-11

The Grand carnival bali in aid OF The ORA
matte Fund is 10 come of at tho Academy of
Music tomorrow evening. We have always
favored and encouraged the project Of making
provision for those who in The heyday of their
capacity made the stage, whether lyric or dra-
matte, a source Of infinite enjoyment to the
public. We believe that the public owe some
thing of gratitude, and more substantial things
thangratitude. 10 the actors aad actresses whose
above price, and yet receive small remuners-
ton. We have done mora to further such
scheme than the late Managers Association.
which rather connived at making the interests
of the artistes subservient 10 that Of the mana
gers, and generally wound up the years fnan-
cial results with q big dinner. The funds Of
the association are at the present time very
low, and. therefore. In the distribution Of that
charity and usefulness 10 the needy for which
il is mainly intended. the purposes OF the asso.
citation are necessarily in great measure frus-
trnted. II il The duty Of the public 10 pay
back to their old fayorite actors a portion Of
the deb. due ihem for svalas received" during
many hours OF pleasure nightly in The various
theatres, and we would be ungra'eful five did
not recognize and liquids'e the debt
There ia, perhaps, no community whore
a friendly familiarity, almost. indeed, .
kind Of family association, exists 80 strongly
between the audiences and the actors a. in
America. This fact was noticed by Mr. Oxcn-
ford, Of the London Times, in his notes on the
American stage. No such feeling exists in
England. There the actor belongs 10 the
theatre, aud moyss-except in few excsp-
tionaI cascs-only in The circle Of his own set,
and tho members Of his profession, and among
the critics Of the oyster house fraternity and
the higher class. Here the actor and actress
OF known repute are received into society.
They arc kaown aud welcomed as part Of the
community when they make their appearance
! on the stage. A well known face 10 hailed
with genial recognition, especially il it has
| been for any time absent We had an evil
| dcnce Of this in the warm reception accorded
10 Mrs. Vernon, at wallack's, on Monday night.
| For five minutes the welcoming aoclsmations
Of the audience kept this estimable lady en-
ployed in making obeisance, although abe ap-
peared in y comparatively subordinate part;
but they recognized an old favorits and took
this method Of showing how glad they were to
see her once more on the stage where she bad
been so often appreciated. This Is but one out
| OF thousand instances OF the same feeling.
And thus II Is with the New York public --as
Mr.. Oxenford acutely observed, in gathering
his experiences here-the actors and the audi
ence are, Is il were, OF one family. The foot
lights really make no dividing line between
them. Although we are critical public and
at times unsparng in the exercise Of
our criticism, We always recognize real
| taleit and are never slow 70 reward
It. But the whole duty which the public
| owes to tho actor Is not comprised in
the measure Of applause bestowed upon him.
We must remember him, too, when his powers
have failed him; when age, or sickness, or
poverty IL wrapping him around like pail.
And this is tho opportunity which now offers
In the Dramatic Fund ball tomorrow night, and
II should not be lost Dickens, who Is himself
natural as well as an amateur actor, and has
| done much for the dramatic profession in his
own land through similar channel, will lend
tho influence OF his benignant spirit 70 this 90
caslon by his presence. At least 30 u is said
But while we say this much for the actors
and actresses, we would remind the managers
that they owe . duty 70 the public which oan
only be fulfilled by giving US good, genuine
plays Of sterling merit. instead Of rehashed stun
and blus-light sensations. Tho taste Of the
people is educated 70 higher point than this
and though hey may endure this kind Of
dramatic entertainment for time the mana
gers will nnd Il 70 their interest 10 remodel
| THAR Dreaent svstam.