The New York herald., 1870-10-29

War has closed the theatres of Paris. The
London stage is darkcned by the almost total
eclipse Of its ancient glories. But New York,
which contains q larger and more eager
theatre-going population than any European
city, may now boast OF an extraordinary
variety Of dramatic and musical attractions.
The HERALD daily advertises no less than
twenty-five theatres and concert halls. Nils
son, Seebach, Janausehek, Jefferson and Lea
Silly, to mention no other conspicuous names,
have rendered the opening of the present sea-
son exceptionally brilliant. Praiseworthy
attempts have been made to extend the recog-
nized influence Of the histrionic art In kindlng
the Imagination, widening the sympathies and
exaltng the conceptions by she living magic
of the eye, the tone and the action" Mana
gers and actors should learn, however, that
the public appetite grows by what it feeds
upon. The daintier and the more abun-
dant the supply the more delicate
and exacting the taste becomes. The
public oan no longer be satisfied with the old
''star' system, which has wrought infinite
harm both in England and in America. The
demand is increasing for thoroughly organized
and permanent stock companies, that shall
adequately support the most distinguished per-
formers. Completeness and splendor in
scenery, costume and all stage appointments
are now required. Above all, the defective
training which most actors and actresses be-
tray in voice, attitude, movement, expression
and gesture, their blind adherence to conven-
tional tricks, their neglect Of the simplest and
most obvious requirements Of stage business,
their ignorance of the principles, laws and
rules on which good acting depends-in fine,
their lack Of scientific basis of ars-a basis
which most of our sculptors and painters also
lack-are awakening disappointment and
disgust.
No remedy for such deplorabe defects can
be eiTectual except school Of art or, rather,
Of arts, inasmuch as all the arts have affai-
ties which subject them to similar conditions.
To such school actors, preachers, lecturers,
political orators, sculptors and painters might
all resort for the patient study Of scientific
methods like, for instance, those perfected by
Desarte, the teacher Of the famous Rachel.
English statesmen and European celebrities in
every branch Of art, have been numbered
among the pupils of this greatest modern
master OF the science Of expressing and
deliaeating human thought and emotion. One
of the most jealous OF Delsartc's disciples,
cultivated and wealthy young American, who
was to have made his first appearance at the
Theatre Francais this winter, but whose plans
were interrupted by the war, has just
returned from Paris to Now York. Delsarte
predicted for this favorite pupil most sue
cessful career should he become a profess
sional actor. If his own enthusiasm should be
shared by intelligent capitalists we might hope
soon to see established in this city school Of
histrionic art over which Delsarte himself
might be invited to preside. Such school
would afford rare opportunities to develop the
latent genius which, as private theatricals
have already demonstrated, really exists among
the young ladies and gentlemen Of New York,
as well as to encourage and aid the ambition
of aspirants for professional excellence and
distinction. New York would have thus made
great advance towards becoming what it is
manfestly destined to be-a true art centre
Of the world.
REMOVAL OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL Con-
yENT1oN.-The convention lately held in Gin