The New York herald., 1871-01-18
THE HOLLAND BENEFIT.

On Thursday next every theatre In this city, musi-
cal or dramatic, will unite in Offering tribute TO
the memory OF George Holland In that form which
would have been, could he speak his wish dearest
TO him-a contribution to the comfort and happiness
OF his home. On Saturday morning aud on Satur-
day evening performances for the same object Will
be given at the Academy OF Music. We 90 not ex-
sggerate when we say that all that Is
gifted and noble and gentle in this country
In the musical and dramatic art will unite in
this good work. And we confess that when
we drst called attention to the insult which has pro-
voked, at least to large extent, this uprising we
had hardly looked for response so proud, and
which confers such honor on the profession.
These performances, In addition to doing great
good to the family or most CHEEKY and good old
man, inaugurate reay-wHich Is still higher pur-
pose-a new era In the public appreciation OF the
stage. Not that the prejudices against the theatr
cal profession as they existed In less enlightened
ages were nowadays of such character as to
require puEllC uemonstrauon To establish their
absurdlty; but while the world indulged in the
uson OF the utter obliteration Of this prejudice 1t
was startled from lts dream by an act to
which We have no desire further to refer
but which, by its display Of il-fated,
medieval biRotry, has made this demonstration an
imperative demand on all tolerant Christians as well
as on all lovers OF the art of Moere and Shak.
manner OF making 1t the members Of the theatrical
profession display charity the gorgeousness of
which offers picturesque contrast to the unchari
tableness 1t Is intended to rebuke 1t has OCCASION
ally happened that various members of the profess
sion nave joined In complimentary charitable per-
formances, but Is absolutely Tor the rst time In
tne annals of the stage, either here, In England or
the Continent that all the theatres OF the metropolis
are engaged at one and the same moment in the
same noble task Of concentrating their performances
to the memory OF departed brother or their craft
q q hYah hufxvn
perfume Of effect
The churches themselves though more directly
ness, are not addicted to simultaneous ebullitlons
In honor OF departed pastors and seldom unite in
by the State. 1t u.s. therefore, not one OF the least
remarkable features OF the proposed Holland com.
memoration m thar while to some degree stimulated
wholesome lesson to the churches, admonishlng
them to initiate the example Of the theatres and
unite on suitable occasions In Offering simul-
tancous tributes to such cergymen as have
shed as much lustre on their sacred calling
monstration likely to be limited to this city Chicago
Boston, San Francisco Baltimore Philadelphia,
line and offering night to this memorial. That.
George Holland was not Garrick or Kean. or q
Lislon or a Burton win only enhance the moral
prestige Of this demonstration by dedcaUing it to
the assertion OF the great principle Of the usefulness
and honorabeness OF the theatrical profession ir
respective OF the peculiar genius of the person who
is the example OF this principle. AT the same time
Mr.. Holland enjoyed as an artist most respectable
~
arisen to confer an additional and exaggerated |
immortality on his name his intrinsic merits |
as an actor would have entitled him to |
an abiding place In the public regard. II his de-
cadence-for he was not seen for some time before
MS death-did not eclipse the gayety of nations, 1t
at least threw shade over the merriment OF the |
town. We have doubt that Thursday Will find |
gathered IN theatres vast crowds OF the most ad-
yanced people on the earth, turning out nsdSSe to
display their love OF Christian toeraton, equally as
OF that great medium OF intellectual Amusement |
the stage-and to mingle emotions Of charity and |
greatest aggregate Of hisrio1c ability ever devoted
to one object on the stage.