New-York tribune., 1870-09-29
THEATRICAL FLOWERS.

The custom of throwing bouquets to persons
on the stage is a very pretty custom, providing
it be not carried too far-and 80 made ridicu-
lous and offensive We can understand, ana
sometimes we can sympathize with, the enthu-
siasm of the spectator, who, overcome Win
delight at some fine manifestation OF genus
or some exquisite touch OF art, casts mower
at the feet of the player. 1t Is grace1u
mark of appreciation. 1t lis natural token
of pleasure, naturally bestowed. And lf-as
sometimes has happened-the ardent enthusi-
asst casts fan, jewel or gold instead OF
flower, the same result is seen. Spontaneous
admiration utters itself in a spontaneous man
ner. But when, at what is supposed to be a
telling point in the course of dramatic per-
fOrmance, the spruce and dapper theatrical
usher-his hair curled within an inch OF his
life, and his blue ribbon on the left breast
comes marching down the aisle, smirking un-
der the burden of q basket of flowers as big
as himself to which note from the donor is
ostentatiously fastened, and which the leader
of the orchestra has to receive and
place upon the stage, the effect is
very different. Every one who sees this silly
spectacle knows that it has been elaborately
prepared beforehand, with view to make an
impression. And the impression so made is a
very bad one. There may be applause from
the clacque but all sensible people look on
with apathy or with disgust. There is no
spontaneity about such a gift as this. The
admiration which it is supposed to imply is
plainly seen to be cut and dried. Perhaps, we
reflect, this offering has been arranged and
provided for by the particular actor or actress
to whom it is presented. Perhaps the manager
of the theater has got it up, and will deduct
its price from the weekly salary of the ad-
mired object of this floral applause Perhaps
some iniudicOus relative or spOoney sweetheart
determined to be pleased at all hazards, has
"come down handsome at the neighboring
fower-shop. These mounds of flowers cost
good deal of money, particularly in the cold
season; and it takes a great deal of prelim-
mary fussing and fixing to get them into trim.
And, after all, as we have said they do no
good. Individually, we call to mind
quite number of public performers,
who are chiefly memorable as inspiring
| a wish-rooted no doubt, in the savage
part of mans nature-to throw strings OF
onions, punches of beets the ample and nm
brageOus cabbage, or the emphatic brick. But
| tastes differ Mention is somewhere made of
| theatrical contract in which the manager
| stipulated that all bouquets received on the
stage by the player were "tO be returned to
" the box office, for use on the following night"
| Thoughts of that truly economical device some
how CiH intrude themselves whenever we see
the rosy tribute of folly describing its curve in
| air. or the much afflicted musical director try
| ing to look dignifed as he lifts the flower
basket over the fOotlights. During the last
| two OF three seasons, the blonde burlesque dis
temper having been very virulent, an exceed
ingly abundant crop of theatrical flowers has
vexed the public vision. "Sweets to the
Sweet has been the cry-and the act-alike of
| spoOney youth and blear-eyed profigacy. Some
of the blondes, we dare say, have stood in
need of sweetening only it should have been
administered in the shape of soap and water,
and sensible admonition in favor of decehcy
of dress and conduct; and that admonition
might have come with a certain force and
grace from the police authorities But there
was no virtue in the bouquets. Perhaps none
was intended. This season the floral crop has
already begun to bloom, in the heat of the
| footlights. Protest against it, therefore, may
chance to prove both timely and useful. If the
benghted and ptiable creatures who cultivate
| this pernicious custom can be made to see that
they both offend the public taste and injure
the artists whom they undertake to serve, per
| haps they will be induced to desst