New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-18
MR. GRANT WHITE AND THE BURLEsQUE OF
THE PERIOD.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: THE TRIBUNE of this morning, III us
leading columns, passes somewhat the limit VI cr'uoS
upon what have written TO comment upon my personal
preferences and my motive In wiring ItsreaueIsa 'o
that have brought my pen once more 10 the rescuo Vi
ipsulted beauty wish that tins were rue for IL Is so
much the fashion Of the journalist Of the period 70 III
sult all living creatures less beauty than the Deast
that would gladly take my stand to fight for either
But II would seem that in this case the writer nus'
apprehend vengeance which IS foreshado"eu III his
fears; for in the article in question there IS no
ment OF any insult defense OF any beauty Only us
eussion OF the present condition OF uramau0 "''0 "
shown In the play OF the period
That hardly make a secret Of the pleasure win WHICH
anticipate the coming carnival Of leg" THE TRIBUNE
directly asserts, and 1t implies that like "immodes'
vugary, and nasty stories, when Illustrated by lavish
display of the female person"
Now what my personal tastes are is matter OF the
smallest moment to the public, but The TRIBUNE has
made 1t proper for say that my inclination TO be
spectator of the carnival Of leg" be gathered from
the facts that could bring myself to sit out but one act
OF "The Black Crook and endured but part OF one act
OF "The White Fawn that the sight OF one performance
by Mdlle Tost6e kept from seeing another and
that the beauty of Irma and Descausas il known 10 me
only through an accidental sight OF their photographs
And not only So but quite able to withstand the
temptation OF those very stimulating comments which,
through last Autumn and Winter appeared In the prln
cipa journals of this city upon the charms and the grace
OF Miss Lydia Thompson and her company charms
known TO me only through those articles until short
time before the departure OF Miss Thompson and her
troupe from the city, when chance made me spectator
OF the performances Of ladies who at that time, had been
for many weeks much viied before they had been
landed the reason Of which notable change who can
doubt 1t hidden away among things undiscovered and
undiscoverable.
As to liking immOdesty and vugarity, am, hope as
little what Charles Reade calls pTuren prude AS most
men, but 1t the immOdesy well as the stupidity oil
the buresque performances at the French Ihcaier that
repealed me- but add not the costume OF any OF
the actors or actresses That woman should appear on
the stage with legs short trunks and SILK tights or even
with arms entirely naked seems 10 me matter OF no
importance way the other, on the score OF pro-
priety II her limbs handsome; but that woman
should sing lie Mari Sage" with tho significance OF ae
cent glance and gesture that Mile. Tostee gave 10 IT,
seems 10 me Indecent and not whit the less ~ should
she be clothed In sackcoth from her to hT ankles
In the performances OF Miss Lydia Thompson and hei
company he only buresque acting OF which have ever
said an approving word violation OF deeency
either OF the kind that have mentioned. or Of any
other Call their buTesques dull aud frivolous II you
will but never heard Indecent word alluson, OF
saw an Indecent action In any performance Of theirs
although have seen not little that was foolish am
Sir your obenient servant, RICHARD GRANT Whirk-
Nes. TOra, Oct. 10, 1869.