Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-17
qEEE THEATER.

Last night closed the run Of The Int
terry ef life at the New Memphis thea
Ter, Ia spite OF tho gi0omy, stormy
weather, q very fair house greeted lie last
performance, showing that it js still g
winning card for the management, and.
were tue weather more suspicious, would
still draw crowded houses. The success
Of this dramatic ola pOGrida is ONE
thing wonderful, even in these sens2-
tiouai times.
l. has been said by sn eminent eTiUc,
Ha4lett, we believe, that taste depends
~ fixed principles and is rs0ucibls to s
certain standard. Elegantly as this ar
gument has been urged, we are far from
eei1g converts to il. That which 8D-
pears beautiful to one Is lot so to an
ether, nor is there ore general exciting
I esus Of pleasureable sensations. Habit
aud that powerful organ, the association
OF idees, determine Ia must cases the
tendency as well IS quantity Of our feel.
ioga, that which being seen for the FIRST
time gives pain, will never AFTER ards
occur as an sbject OF beauty. We NAV,
Indeed, admire the rich col0rs Of 8 snake,
thuugh asnake has siung US; but this
arises from u long predetermined habit
OF considering brilliant eolors IS besuti-
ful when properly blended. II
considering taste with reference to
the drama, the difficulties reGOubie On
ali sides for instance, that will appear
farcical exsggeration to some, which to
others is the highest flight Of inspired
genius; and that, again, will ssem pue-
rility to one sort OF mind, which, 10 an
other, looks beautiful simplicity. How
would al audience tina. can reeeive with
delight the Lottery Of life, be pleased
With Mseready Ia Werner OF the IT,
puted great Booth as Hamlet. We fear
the moody cOmplsiGiDgs Of the former
es ~theabuged Seigendorf, or the phiio-
sophical reasonipgs Of the latter As the
melancholy Dane, would drive from the
thealer the audience who attend in large
numbers to witness Br0ughaIn's last, and
applaud "Cspt. Jinks" and its otheF
gems till near midnight, then return 70
their homes delighted. Where, then, is
the n lninaitsbie standard by which
we are TO measure our opinions? Isit
nature? Ii not, what is it ? And If 81
be, how are We to employ it? All DO not
see nature and her various works Eith
the same eyes; our modes Of perception
are Rs different SIS our bodies to one
sight the tulip is mOst agreeable; to an
other, the rose q prefers the calm Of
evening another, the glow Of day aad
most allow that q long continued LEVELS
dsiormity. Yet the plane is as muchthe |
work Of nature IS the mouatsin, and con
seqnentiy, if nature bs the measure OF
appeal, both are beautiful slike. Ia re-
gard to the dfams and It's v0taries, 2 q.
ture should be the standard, both for ar
lists and critics. II we msssure by such
rule those who have discarded nature
and study to please the eye By such false
snd srtificial means as shall stock the
treasury. and reward them Tor Tins ex-
pended, instead Of achieving tle reward
Of lofty ambition or inspired genius, we
should do an Injustice. There is wide
distinction between tie true article End
the general run OF what they call actors
Of the presaatday. Tnegenius OF the elder
ksane, OF Mscready, OF Kembis, Of Fer
rest, Of Jefferson, viii live on the pages
that record the greatness Of G0d's cTes-
lures 81 long 81 the deeds Of the hacedo-
bian Philip of Persian Darisn, Or the fret
B01spSFts, or u own Washington shalt
be read Ia Ger schools. Both England
and America TEEN with people who atsui
their brief hour on the stage, and pass
unknown and uDhearG OF. Why
is this? Because they waste their tsieaI
Or misspp'y their gifts? No! l. is be
csuse the stage has suceumbsd 10 . de
prayed tastsi The eye must bs pleased
the mind ignored. Wiz and sentiment
has given place TO Transformation scenss
and ''poses c~}QsS5QIie . % Now We do
not wish TO be cisssed with those who
sre continually crying i for the legiti-
mate drama! No, Mr.. Manager, follow
the dictates Of your own jadgment-eon-
suit your own interest. You are the hes.
able 10 j1dge what VIII best secure you
rom loss. If the public viii stay away
from the higher clsss of literature sud
flock to see the Hhite Rum and Lottery
Of Life, give the dear, & Cd people their
way. Let them have q surleit OF the
sensational. Look to your own interest.
1t YES our intention 10 speak of the
theatrical company nov at our thsateT,
but having extended cur remarks Eauoh
than intended, we must refrain
upon this occasion. Hereafter, we shall
take occasion 70 lock at this combination,
both as a mass aud individually. We
little talent Ia looked for n a stock
company Of one Ct your n~ow-s-days star
However, sone professions
are made for the present force drGnlat-
,qus, and We shall modesEly give our
upon their merits.