National Republican., 1873-04-25
DOUGHERTY'S LECTURE.
DsGBNERACY OF THE MODERN STAGE.

Tspies-Our Common Desiiny-Hems-
The Pubiio Theatre The stage Of
Grrece aud Rene Dramatic Auther-
ship-The Rank Of Actors-The Rival
Styles Of Actina-Tho AEc-Itslisn
Oper. and Opera BosGs-Thc Con-
structisn sf Theatres-rersssuei efthe
Prefe.siss,
g.I.incoin hall was nlled last night by most
respectable and cultivated audience, assembled
to hear the closing lecture In the Star Course by
the Hon. Daniel Dougherty, Of Philadelphia,
whose great reputation As a wit, scholar and
orator was not only maintained but materially
advanced. lie received the applause Of the
CHIEF Justice Of the United states, the General
OF the Armies, the Secretary Of the Treasury,
Senator ConklIng, and many other distinguished
men. In the synopsis below the principal points
made BY Mr.. Dougherty are clearly stated. lie
said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN The true aim OF the
lecturer Ia TO instruct The scholar can select
outlines Of knowledge acquired through years Of
research. The advanced thinker, In lecture
hall, may show the folly Of popular prejudice,
weakness and encourage nigh resolves OF praoti-
cal patriotism. These should be the noble aspl-
rations Of him who seeks to be leader Of
thought Tho largest Numbers do not assemble
TO learn the mysteries Of science, nor TO hear
discussed the grand truths Of history or phIioso-
ply, but to while away an hour In harmless
amusement. The ace in which we live Ia too
wEDDKD TO ITS IDOLS,
too proud Of its OpluIons " patronlze the lee
turet who In stern terms attacks the follles Of
The fsvorite topics arc those whose very titles
tell Of pleasantly. frankly own there are sub
leeis deep and broad would like TO discuss be-
Tore such an audience as now honOrs me with lts
presence, hut am admonished by those who
should be needed TO seek less lofty themes.
These are some Of the reasons that induced me
to choose
a subject suggestive OF enjoyment, yet admits
o. pTaeHesl application, and Z treated by an
Our common destiny, through our nrst parents
fall, Is In trouble TO toll from the cradle to the
creed that ali our days shall be passed in gloom.
shut out from Paradise, there Is still implanted
IN our nature the faculty Of enjoyment and every
where around, even the lowiiest, are objects to
administer TO It's gratincatlon. The mesnest OF
the senses Is rich In blessings. Tue food that
sustalns life Is delicious to the taste. What per-
ears are charmed with natures melodies, and
earth, sky and ocean are before rs filled with
pictures painted by Gods own hand.
Far, far beyond these are the delights OF the
mind, the raptures OF the heart. Enjoyment Is
the keenest Of passions. Care Is our doom-re-
taxation our soaee. Hours Of enjoyment are
iondly anticipated they are the hours that hal
low friendship and give ecstacy to love-these
the links that still bind US 70 the angels, gimpses
Of the Eden we have lost. The most precious
Of enjoyments are those passed within the home
alike to all.
Even in remote ages amusemeuts were pro-
vided In which all the people Joined. We read
Of the olympic games and classic times and the
fets days Of modern Europe. It Is the part Of
ssasaelous Craftsmanship TO provide recreations
The amusement most popular and permanent
among all ettered peoples is the theatre. "At all
other assemblies, says Dr. johnson, ''he that
comes to TeCplVe delight q n n
II, but In the theatre nothing Is necessary to the
ampsement Of two hours but to sit down and be
willing 70 be pleased" When Isay theatre, l do
TIE ITALIAN orERA,
which TO lovers Of scientific music, especially
sSe. ssSse TnI sniI TIIeT,A1d me lIngaSge may be
boune, nor to the vile mixture of mirth and
murder yclept the melo-drama, nor the sensa-
popular excitement nor the regular TnSldnoc
that gratlnes the eye for a time with gAudy
colors, and then with the lacivious movements
o. the ballet. All these might well be banished
treat OF the stage that rose with the dawn Of
civilization, and has nourshed In ages famous
Tor the highest culture; that has inspired the
pens OF immortal poets, given scope for the
genius OF the most gifted actors, educated the
masses 70 correct pronunciation, purified their
tastes and elevated their sentiments, instructed
them In the history of forgotten empires, filled
them with the glory OF great deeds by recalling
from the grave aud re-enactlnR before their
o
wears ago; that has reused the dropping spirits
OF detected nations and reklnded tho expiring
nres OF patriotism; that has thrilled the hearts
OF untold milons with touches OF nature that
make the whole world kin; that with generous
mlIth and wit that hits the follles Of the times;
mat " properly conducted would reform abuses,
suppress Vice, promote virtue; that was In the
early ages OF Christian Europe, and could be
made again the handmald OF religion itself.
tProlonged applAuse1
Amer the briefest reference to the Greek and
Roman drama, Mr.. Dougherty continued.
u Will be my simple province to
yNDtcATE TIiE STAGE,
vet denounce Its degradation; uphold the dignity
OF the profession, yet own the faillngs Of some
Of Its most brilliant ornaments; to ailude 10 the
Llyal schools OF acting In the higher range Of the
drama, and TO a few OF It's eminent dellneAtors,
That the stage as now conducted Is imperfect;
that Its tendency In the main Is TO corrupt; thai
on and around II are gathered evils which the
moralst must mourn and the Christian con-
demn Is emphatically true. It's legitimate aim Is
To wake the soul by tender stro kes OF art,
To raise the genius and to amend tue heart,
To make mankind In conscious virtue bold
1--we Der each scene and be what they behold.
For this the tragic muse nrst trod the stage,
Commanding tears TO now through every age
Tyrants no more their savage nature Rent
And foes to virtue wondered how they weptr
In the reign OF Charles II. not even a tragedy
could be produced unless there were at least ave
songs In each act. To be an actor was TO he
little less than vagabond. In our colonial DAYS
statutes were passed against stage plays. The
ntst continental Congress recommended to the
States the passage OF laws against theatrical en-
tertainments, and added that any person hold
ing any ONCE under the United States who
should promote or attend such plays should be
deemed unworthy to hold such ONCE
MI Dougherty reproduced very interesting
"reminiscences OF the avoidance OF the law In
repeal.
Actors are always before the public, and they
are made topics OF general conversation, yet /
confidently declare they are as Industrious hon
orable and law-abiding as any one Of what are
styled the learned professions. hasten to say
! DO not class the clergy as profession-it Is
hlgheri hoher-lt Is vocation, q calling from
God.
WHAT THE ACTOR MUST BE-
line pains-taklng actor must be man OF edu-
cauon, OF scholarly accomplishments, q master
q pronunciation, Of genteman-like bearing, In
ausIlons ,s 70 learn ms part, weighing each word
rth incest care, thoughtfully pondering over
tne teNt, ntting each action TO natures law,
ialthfnl TO his engagements, and prompt TO all
me ehaciions OF his profession, and as such he
Acting is the highest Of the Initiative arts,
lhe Aelor RANKS above the painter or the sculp-
TOR The painter, after weary months transfeis
ms vision OF beauty TO the canvas. The sculp-
tor, by SLOW degrees, shapes the Icy marble into
forms that look like life; bat the actor. nred win
genius genius and nlled with hts part, makes the heart
resemblance, but reality ITSELF
Ellis is the spell DER hearts
That only acting lends,
The youngest OF the sister arts
Where all the beauty blends,
Tor poetry can IN express
Full many tone OF thought sublime
And painting mute and motionless
steals but glace at time.
But ny the mighty actor brought
Illusions, perfect triumphs, come,
Verse ceases to be airy thought
Ana sculpture TO be dumb.n
WHAT THE CALLING DENLSps
lhere Is no profession that demands Of its
members such constant study, 30 many self
sacrifices as the actors. No matter how afdnous
ms dulles tonight he must be up In his part for
te-morTow. He Is an exile from social circles.
hhleebled with disease, tortured with pain, his
duty must be discharged
Here Mr.. DOuRherty told the wonderful story
OF Grimaldi and his sickness1
Inc opposition OF the clergy to the theatre Is
nmted 70 us abuses. We're the stage as ID
should be II would be countenance1 bY the hest
Ihe noblost OF authors have spoken its praise
anu stfiYen for Its elevation. Milton, Dryden,
Walter Scott Washington Irving and Charles
Dickens were It's advocates. Long NAV Lord
Lytton live to adom with his pToteAn nen the
varied pages OF our English literature,
~. Charles BOromeO countenanced dramatic
performances The late Cardinal Wiseman wrote
several plays, and one Of his last efforts was a
ccture on Shakespeare. One OF the earliest com
eIles was written by DR.. Stlll. Bishop Bale was
the author OF "King John;" Archbishop Ban
croft had private theAtricals lnq.Ambeth palace {;
bishop WarbuTton annotated Shakespeare. Some
oi the bost modern plays, such as douglas, "