The New York herald., 1868-12-05


agent and to clear his own skirts of the stain
OF these notorious frauds he must take de-
cisive step at once towards the exposure and
punishment Of the guilty.
Mrs. Scott-Siddors and the Bohemian
Theatrical Ring.
When Mrs. Scott-Siddons first appeared in
New York as reader the Bohemian critics
chimed in with the unanimous praises which
the public bestowed upon her gifts and accom-
plishments as well as upon her beauty. But
no sooner had she been induced by the uni
versal recognition of the histrionic genius re-
vealed by her in her Shakspearian readings to
appear on the stage OF the New York theatre
than the tone of these critics suddenly and un-
accountably changed. Now, it is true that one
may read well and yet fail to act well. But
even the Bohemian critics who now most We
hemently attack Mrs. Scott-Siddons for her
youth-as If that were not fault which is every
day mending-and for an alleged ignorance Of
certain stage tricks which it usually requires
more than three short years to learn-even
these critics are constrained to qualify the rail-
ing accusations which they bring against her.
They assert that, as Juliet, "she has little pas
sion and less power" and that her Lady Teazle
"cannot for an instant be tolerated beside the
superior representations of that character to
which the local stage has been accustomed"
But in the same breath they disclaim "a wish
or intent to disparage her signal merits"
They have to acknowledge cher signal
merits" wretchedly supported as she has
been this week by almost all the members of
the company excepting Mr.. Davidge, good
Shakespeare scholar and an experienced
actor. Thus they agree that on Mon
day evening "over the representation of
AS You Like It the beauty and sweetness
of Mrs. Scott-Siddons cast softening light
and redeeming charm" They admit that on
Wednesday evening" Notwithstanding her un-
lucky surroundings, she held 'her audience in
an attentive mood from first to last" and her
Juliet ''crude" as they stigmatize it, was
earnest, intelligent and sweet" They are
well nigh surprised into enthusiasm in describ-
ing the scene with the nurse after her return
from Romeo: ''Girlish petulance, graceful
impetuosity and delicious assumption of a
simple, tender, coaxing mood made this
charming scene." They condescend to promise
Hattering future for Mrs. -Sddons-
'that she will progress there is no room to
doubt" After all their sneers at her youth
and inexperience they cahnot help adding:
''She is an unusually gifted woman, and al
though her professional career extends over o
period of only three years she has already
outstripped many competitors in The race for
fame Just 80. And it is the advent Of this
unusually gifted woman" which has occa-
stoned so remarkable commotion in the
Bohemian theatrical ring. Whether her advent
does or does not herald grand dramatic
regeneration, it certainly has agitated the
nerves of all who are directly or indirectly
interested in not having anybody or anyth ing
disturb the placid course of events at the only
two theatres in town where the legitimate
drama can find refuge. Managers and critics
alike seem to be at aloss what to say or what
to do under the circumstances.
But they all forget that Fanny Kemble her.
self, when she first came to the United States,
was young and comparatively inexperienced,
as her fascinating cousin, who SO vividly re-
minds us of her appearance at that time, is at
present Yet Fanny Kembie speedily justified
Talfourd's glowing euiogy Of her first appear
ancs at the Covent Garden theatre in London.
iation by which she absorbed public attention
until her marriage.
II is not rash to predic. similar good fortune
for Mrs. Scott-Siddons if some Intelligent, en-
terprising manager shall afford her the requi-
site favorablo opportunities for developing,
perfectiag and displaying the genius which she
undenaby possesses Should this prediction
be fulfilled she would moi be The drst great
European artist whose talent has received its
development, It's recognition and It's rich re-
wards 10 America The time has already
come when sne endorsement of an artist by tho
American public Is ono Of she surca. passports
TO success in Europe.
AT ali events The lively discussion which the
first appearance Of Mrs. Scott-Slddons on the
American stage has excited viii attract the
attention Of our cultivated Glasses to the vastly
Superior claims of high tragedy and high
comedy over Ine ButerlnE dusol ehVNsi 1ue
"Black Crook" nudities aud The violent shock
OF the spectacular and sensational drama.
We must remind managers who may wish
by aiding in tue revival Of Che Legitimate
drama to supply The demand for it which
actually exists aud which Che appearance of
Mrs scott-siadons as an actresa has Increased,
that although Ii many pieces. particular y IN
ceria.n plays Of Shakespeare. the interest is
mainly concentrated on ono or two principal
characters. Il ia by no means enough 70 have
these characters sustained by the most brilliant
"stars." Those who perform The leadiag rJles
should be properly supported by thoroughly
trained stock company, One profitable lesson