Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-11-12
THE DRAMA.

such host OF theatrical ana musical
amusements that if there were nothing
in nature to signify its coming the
cards of &c Managers" would be sutii
cieut. In examining the list thus far
we find but little improvement on past
seasons, and though we way loudly de-
plore the errors of the drama, it might
be we'll perhaps to inquire if they are
not due to decay in public taste, rather
than to vicious desire on the part of
/ those managers to secure the corruption
of public morals Popularity and not
benefit is the great thing to be sought
for. If q play possesses features that
make it attractive, tho inquiry Is not
raised "What will be it's effects 2 Ii
it makes the purse grow plethoric it is
no matter if the mind lives in poverty
and the hearts purity becomes tarn-
ished. So long as crowded houses
greet the rising of the curtain, and
eager eyes drink satisfaction in behold
ing marvellous wealth of tinsel and
and daub, so long will there be offered
an increasing premium to CRIME III
costumes that begin too late and end
too soon" The play wright and the
manager are human. They seek business
and adopt that which offers the great
est inducements. In this they but fol-
low inclinations which guide a majority
of men, and we cannot see that they are
particularly deserving of censure. The
hope which prompts them to place upon
the stage drama OF propriety is that
of patronage, and they are not deceived
The public go and then endeavor to
shield themselves from criticism by
raising the cry of immortality. Bnt
''people who live in glass houses houses
should not throw stones" If public
support were to be withdrawn NJ
stronger intimation would be needed to
convince those who cater to the theat-
rical taste of our large cities, that the
lascivious drama had ceased to be accep-
table If blame is to be attached any
whore it should properly. rest on such
as lend their aid to keep it alive. There
is no good reason why the amusement
loving part of our community should
allow themselves to be educated up to
standards Of moral endurance which at
first seemed so different to reach and
it is reflection npon popular conduct,
rather than managerial excellence, to
discover signs of such astonishing lon
gevity in the scantily clothed ballet.
But while contemplating this degen
eracy it is gratifying to know that some
efforts are being made to rescue the
legitimate drama from the unworthy
hands that seek to disgrace it. At Wal
lacks we still find the old English com
edies drawing crowds of intelligent PEG
pie, and soon we shall welcome Booth
to the boards of his new theatre.
Whatever diversity of opinion may ex-
isl regarding Forests taste in adapting
| himself to characters which seem hardly
consistent with lis physique, we must
at least credit him with desire to
maintain the aseendaucy of Shakespeare
over the Observation-Disclosures who conceived
the "Black Crook :" and while ones
sensitive nerves become somewhat agita-
ted at his Richelieu, they thrill with
enthusiasm Mt his clear and Jack
Cade. "
Aside from these aniusements which
the drama furnishes there are innumer-
able entertainments Of musical nature
in the concert room and at the opera,
and il cne's dollars ara limited the diff
Guilty in selection is by no means tri
fling one This sitting process in all
that guides ones taste in matters his
trionie and lyric, must be reformed by
each personally If We don't admire
the ballet aud think it demoralizing,
let us stay away from it altogether, and
not yield it our support in violation of
the nice distinctions between good and
evil which our consciences impose, and
then within the frescoed walls of u
church edifice and under the "dim re-
ligicus light" of its stained glass, pray
to be forgiven rs miserable sinners"
--- o. -
When Gen. Lee really found that
Grant had reached Appomattox, and
that Sheridan was in his front, he qui-