The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-23

The Theatres and the Holidays.
Everywhere in Europe.-in the provincial
towns as well as in the capitals of Great Bri-
tain, France, Germany and Italy-special the
atrical novelties are provided for Christmas
and New Years holidays. New pantomimes
and spectacles annually enliven the stage, par
ticularly at Paris and at London. But in New
York even the most enterprising managers
seem to imagine that scarcely any change in
their ordinary programme is requisite at this
season. Perhaps this is because they may now
count with confidence upon large and easily
satisfied audiences extraordinarily reinforced
by children and youth and by visitors from
Brooklyn, Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, Chi
cage and other ''rural" places Moreover,
these managers, by waiting only few weeks,
may be able to reproduce almost all the Lon
don and Paris novelties without any fear Of
injunctions from so-called> native dramatists
and without any drafts whatever upon the
latter, who, like their foreign competitors, are
unprotected by an international copyright law
1t is nnlucky that Christmas comes on the same
day and New Years on the same day both in
Europe and America. If there were differ
ence Of three weeks, instead Of four or five
hours in solar time, we might enjoy reproduce
tons of European holiday entertainments now
instead of next month.
Meanwhile we must make the best Of the
entertainments which are actually offered to
us, and which, it must be admitted, lack
neither variety nor attractiveness. II WON
der, which was successfully revived at Wal
lacks on Monday evening, and other pieces
which figure on the bills there this week, can
he by no means classed among novelties,
they at least will delight all lovers of sterling
old comedies. The lovers of the sensational
will be perfectly satisfied with ''After Dark,
at Niblo's. ''The Emerald Ring" truly de-
scribed as "a genuine Irish drama, by genu-
inc Irish author and acted by genuine Irish
comedian and his accomplished wife, the
original Yankee GIRL" is the rage at
the Broadway. The Bowery rejoices in
''The Fast Women of Modern Times" At
Woods Museum '.lxion" is still at the wheel,
with Miss Lydia Thompson's burlesque troupe.
Burlesque, in fact, rules the roost, not only
at the elegant French theatre on Fourteenth
street and at Pixies spacious Opera House on
Twenty-third street.-the two temples specially
dedicated to oper0 boa6e-but also at
Bryant's (where, in Genevieve de Bryant,
Gabel is almost out-Gabeled), at the New
York theatre, at Kelly & Icons Minstrels,
At all the other minstrels and wherever bur
lesques can be burlesqued. The New York Cir
Gus givas crana como, .. n"'istinas S;Automlme,
entitled ''Blue Beard IA la Turque- Franchise"
The Central Park Winter Garden holds a
Grand Christmas Festival" comprising mu-
steal, pantomimic and gymnastic entertain
ments. Last, but by no means least,
renews at the Olympic. for more than the
three hundredth time, its lease of perpetual
youth.
The Brooklynites will enjoy this week at
their Academy Of Music two visits from Mr..
Grau's opfra dou6c company which last even
ing gave, at the French theatre, for the benefit
of the Hebrew Benevolent Fuel Society, one
act Of ''Barbe Bleue" and portion of Scene
We've de Brabant, with as much success as
last week, at the Academy Of Music, for the
benefit of the French Benevolent Society. Mr.
Batemans opera bouGe company has added
to its repertory the charming ''Chanson de
Fortunio," and at the matinee on Christmas
day the 'Grande Duchesse de GeroIstein'
will be revived in full glory. On that occa-
sion, we understand, the price Of admission
viii be fifty cents to all parts Of the house.
A fancy dress ball at the French theatre
will, on Christmas eve diversity the festivities
of the week. Among these festivities must be
counted numerous other balls, as well as con-
certs and even lectures and readings. The
course of scientific lectures before the Ameri-
can Institute will he uninterrupted, and Pres-
dent Dawson, of Montreal will, this evening.
describe at Steinway Hall the marvels of the
"Primeval Flora" Miss Olive Logan and
Miss Nina Foster will have shared the honors
OF Christmas week as artistic readers, and
Mr.. George vandenhof win begin his readings
entertainment was given last evening at the
Union League Club House for great public
charity--the Cosmopolitan Eye and Ear Hos
pital. The entertainment was conccit Of Dr.
Garrish, and it was handsomely executed,
to the delight Of full and first class ar-
dieuce. Finally, the New York Harmonic
Society promise grand performance of .'The
Messiah" at Steinway Hall, on Christmas
night, and short sermons aud fine music in
churches gayy decorated with green boughs
and blooming flowers will. on Christmas eve
aud on Christmas day, vie with the theatrical
diversions Of The. week in promoting the gene
raj joy.
VINO T. TIE Mrs. referred to in Mr.. !
Van Wycks whiskey fraud report: Mr. Fitch.
In his examination before the investigating
committee said that certain partics, and