The New York herald., 1870-02-13
Dowlins, Fecbter and Hamlet.

utility in dramatic circles on such occasions,
have, as may have been seen in an interesting
correspondence in the HERALD, invited Mr.
Fechter to appear In the role Of Hamlet The
name OF the general always glitters IN the ga
zette, but we find no mention Of those unsung
demigods the soldiers. Still, 1t is to us most
refreshing to find the judicial mind unbending
itself in such delightful literary recreation
Lord Bacon is believed to have at least lent
inspiration to some Of Shakspeare's plays.
Lord Stowell, during his long judicial career,
made it q habit to attend every evening some
plao. of amusement. The name of Mr.. Justice
Talfourd, the author Of 'Ion," will always Gil
an emblazoned page in dramatic story, and our
own distinguished Judge DAILY has dug up
many interesting but rather mouldy records Of
the condition of the drama before the Flood.
Our judges, however, as q rule, had, unfortu-
nately, through popular misconception. been
supposed to prefer bars and billiards as an
evening relaxation, and as Judge Dowling's
last appearance on an invitation card was to
solicit that celebrated old saddle rock artist,
Mr.. Neil Bryant, to take benefit, there some
how grew up an erroneous notion that such
light and aesthetic enjoyments as blondes and
breakdowns, banjos and bones were more
suited to his comprehension and his tastes.
By his present brilliant coup he has shattered
this gay delusion. We find that in him the
heavy morning cares Of sentencing small
peculating chambermads are gracefully re-
lieved by evenings passed with the big drama
tic masters. To us and to most lovers Of
Shakespeare in this city It seemed suni-
Client to have sat and listened with
delighted smile for over one hun
dred nights to tho sweet music Of Edwin
Booths Hamlet" and to have caught
the perfume Of Its poetic charm. But the
critical stomach Of Judge Bowling clamored
for more. Alps cried to Alps. Bowling called
to Fcchter. And surprised, as Of course he
was, with the gallant audacity Of the motto Of
Lagardere, Fechter answered, II am here"
Does Mr.. Fechter really think that this trite
threadbare trick of being invoked to play q
part by Judge Bowling and number OF ''in-
fuential citizens" who know as much about
No AiPpUPOs0uuo 40 WOLtuy VI ulb
dignity as an artist? Would he for one
moment in Paris or in London dare to re-
cognize such miserable managerial device
of counterfeit desire7 What would be thought
In either Of those capitals il either Wallack,
Booth or Jefferson were sent over with huge
preliminary bill Of instructions in their varied
beauties from Mrs. Beeoher Stowei A similar
gross mistake almost insult, which In compli-
ment to him az stranger we slighted, was
committed on his coming here. This country
had but just, for the sake Of Mr.. Dickens genius
and the many lovely creations which had
risen from the fountain Of his fancy, forgiven
much gross ingratitude and he had himself
but just publicly proclaimed his penitence and
promised reparation. Yet he had been but .
few months homo when he, at best with most
immodest assumption, sent message to this
country in advance, picking out In preliminary
puff for our ignorant public Mr.. Fechters
pictorial points, and directing their attention
in detail to his various artistic beauties. 1t
of his recent travel here can eradicate that
inherent snobbsm which seems to have built
snug settlement in Dickens personal nature
but surely Fechter should think better things
and take wiser and q wider view.
The truth is, many foreign artists seem yet
scarcely sensible that the infant days of art
over here-when prurient wind bag like
Barnum could, by fictitious drafts on the
noblest feelings ut the heart of young and
generous people, induce them to PROSTATE
themselves before little fair-hared girl with
a throat trick with the same enthusiastic rap
ture as neophyte before Corregios picture Of
the Virgin-are long since past. We have long
since declined to be butchered for a British
holiday. In art, as In all other things, this
country has thrown aside its cradle. Age,
which brings the philosophic mind, has
brought with it more refined taste and
keener perception, and Mr.. Fechter may find
that he will have to linger to learn where
Dickens sent him forth to teach.
There can be no doubt that the drama here
is in far healthier and sounder condition than
In England. There are no great artists there.
Pinchbeck is the prevailing metal--pinchbeck
set in brass. Beauty, the poet tells us, draws
by a single hair; but beauty there is worth
nothing unless she buys her hair by the half
hundred weight. Here, although recently
titular shakspearian scholar, remarkable for
the length and thinness of his mental and
physical composition, announced that the
drama was dead and the age Of burlesque had
succeeded, we find that while Mr.. Barry
Sullivan has in few weeks lost thousands in
London in an effort TO maintain in at least one
theatre the legitimate drama-hcrs we see
''Hamet" at Booths, ''The School for Scan
dal" at Wallacks and Fechter at Niblo's
draw night after night admiring crowds.
There is no school of art there now to compare
with that built up here by the elder Wallack
and maintained by his son with hereditary
taste and spirit. 1t is simply to us what Drurg