New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20
MR.. BoUcICAULr on ORIGINALITY

Boucicault and HOrace--twO names well cal
culated to lend distinction to each other-are
happily brought together by the former g. cd
writer the latter not being on hand either to
cooperate or demonstrate, in recent letter to
the London newspapers. A question having
arisen as to the originality of Mr.. Robertson's
new drama, "School,n Mr.. BOucicault comes
forward to prove in the first place that II 10 en-
tirely and in every respect original, ana IN tho
second that neither it nor any other Legitimate
drama ought to be original. The advantage OF
Mr. BOucicaul's championship in this matters
questionable, inasmuch as Mr.. RobertsOn's plays
have way of taking care of themselves at
the Prince of Waes's Theater, while the only
effort of the great sensational dramatst, at the
same house, fell sick and died in its infancy.
in spite of the most artful nursing. But that
is q small affair. Mr.. Boucicaults remarkable
declaration that "the rules of Legitimate
~ drama forbid originality absolutely and upon
"high authority possesses greater interest.
That this is his own opinion, he con-
siders sufficient to establish the point con-
clusiyely but, to cinch it, he brings
Horace upon the stand, and makes lin
testify TO the same effect. "Iorace warns tho
"inal plots, and bids him beware of trying to
introduce original characters. lie urges the
"poet to take old subjects and well-wom heroes,
"and not to wander from beaten track in
"search of novelty.n This is a capital example
of Mr.. Boucicault's well-known skill in adapta-
ton. Horace does say something not Wholly
unlike this, and n dextcrous turn or two, with
iudicious cut is all that is needed to all
inst il to the purpose of the argument. Ills
is what the poet really suggests. lie hrst tells
the Pisos that III choosing new ana unknown
subject they must also take care 10 invent
new characters, and TO make them consistent
throughout; and then he warns them OF inc
difficulties of invention, and hints that tho
easier method is to select q plot or fable IRON
Homer ;-which is somewhat different from DIS
tinctly forbidding original plots and original
characters If Mr.. BOuccault could take the
trouble to 60 on toward the end of the Ars
Poetca, he would find Horace's views more
precisely set down. He expressly praises no
man writer's for scorning the aid of the Greek
authors, and making effective use of home sub
jects, either in pOrtraying the manners OF high
society Comedy, or in faithful representation
of humble life domestic drama). If people
they should prudently choose those which have
not the boomerang quality of returning and
rending unskilIful throwers. For our own part,
we attach little weight TO the Horatian max
inns. If they were all strictly followed out, We
should have dramas in five acts only, we
should be deprived of all scenes of animation
and intensity. we should never be allowed
more than three persons upon the stage at
once, and we should be pestered with ,le
Chorus. Bnt Sr. Boucicault Affects to thnS
differently, and, this being the case Sonf
friend should call his attention 10 'no
following lines, which may be found IN an
epistle to Macenas. In the light oil tlo
prodigious success of "After Dark they nave
charming significance:
o imitatores. seryum pecus! ut mihl srpc
Bilem, sDpe jOcum yestri moyere tuhuI'"s'
or as it may be freely translated, ~ siavish
"herd of imitators, how often has your rubbish
"stirred my vcxation and aroused my laugh
"ter ~