The New York herald., 1868-01-28

"Hernani " was the first great gun in the
battle between the champions of the classic
and of the romantic schools in France AT
Paris first representations are always
" events Of more or less Importance, but the
first representation of g Hernani," on the 26th
OF February, $780, was pre-emincnty an event,
US Alexandre Dumas and Thcophile GauIier
and all other theatrical chroniclers have duly
attesed. The heads are now frosted with age
that were then 30 hot, but no survivor has for
gotten the fierce delights Of that memorable
evening 1t proved to be decisive victory Of
The new school over the old. The new school,
protesting agains, The restric cd range and
especially The traditional "unties" of the
French stage, offered something entirely dis
iinct from comedy and tragedy, aiming 10
combine both after the Shakspearian model.
ard thus formed the drone. Of which
" Hermann was She first triumphant example.
D,sregarding the uni,:es and other pecuiiarties
of the classic form II introduced The irregular
in contrast TO the regular an element OF art
II moreover widened the circle OF poeiical
creations and left the confined track Of ancient
history and mythology, drawing at will on the
Middle Ages for heroes and bringing national
history on The stage.
II must be admitted that th. reaction,
healthy a. IL was 10 certain extent against
conventional rigidiiy, has been accompanied
by abuses on The part OF both Victor Hugo
and his Successors. Modern French dramatists
have TOO often, as II has been avcrrcd. con-
49, & ...l ...lx
license FOR everything grotesque and horrible.
Tho prcaoes OF Victor Hugo promise more
than most oil his dramas perform to entitlc him
10 The lofty position of q dramatic reformcr But
" Hermann il unques.ionably work OF inn
mensc power and enduring influence. 1t is
also doubly historical. for il moi only indicated
In 1880 crisis in the intellectual movement
in France, hut IL afforded on its rcprisc in 1867
u signal opportunity for the manifestation Of
political sympathes and antipathies. Not
only all the advanced republicans 10 whom
the name Of the exied Victor Hugo is rally
ing cry, but Frenchmen OF every party opposed
| TO the imperial despotisin restored by Napoleon
Ill, eagerly seized this opportunity Of protest.
ing against it by crowding the Theatre Fran
| Gals night siler night for months and cnthusi-
ostically applauding the reproduction Of "Her-
nani' This remarkable demonstration Of
| republican and anti-impcrial feeling was The
more significant in view OF the congress of
European sovereigns who had more fully than
ever recognized the empire by visiting Paris
last summer during the great Exposition.
The first representation Of '4Icrnan" in
New York, while II cannot appeal TO the same
| motives for excitement which existed in Paris
either in $50 or in 1867, is nevertheless
deeply interesting TO all students of French
| literature. Mr.. Batcmau and his excellent
company have not before yentured 10 bring
oul so important French drams. II will be
produced this evening on occasion OF thc
benefit of Nile. Deborah. who will have, in the
r6lc Of Dona Sol, iinc opportunity Of display
ing the capabilities with which some Of the
hes. French critics have accredited her as y
troged;cnne ofexccptional talent.
The inspiration OF "IIernani'' ia due to
Victor Hugo's study of Spanish history and
| poetry. II is derived from Calderon and the
| old ropaaceroS. The play is full OF the roman
tic spirit OF Spanish life its picture Of manners
| j. accurate and vivid. The whole piece hinges
| on the exalted principle ofCaslilian honor. The
cassicists rcproach II with violations Of both
| dramatic aud grammatical laws: and what
| ever we may think Of their criticisms 10 these
respects, we must conccjc that another charge
which they bring against it--that OF fragrant
| deviations from historical TRUTHS not wholly
unfoundcd. "The character OF Charles ", as
| represented in 'IIornsni,' is opposed 10 all
received impressions and 10 our conceptions
Of the probable" says an unprejudiccd French
critic and il is really difaculs TO conceive
] that this monarch, who has been universally