The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-13

more presents Itself the critic alters, and asks to
answer Is to be found than IN the fact
That when bad thing is popular 1t Is
Tic protest against 1t. Mr.. Byron is a bad actor
bad that we do not believe he could obtain a
theatre. And "BeD MccuiioughS is aI bad play SO
Dad that 1t could not possibly be enjoyed by an
audience capable OF approaching fine dramatic
effort. But when we speak OF the badness OF
actor and play we do not wish to be understood
as censurIng either in sense implying moral
vicousness. 1t ls the false emotion and the de-
pressed I'M ellectua Level to wiion We rcrer. in ali
plays like "Ben McGunongh." which please large
masses OF decent people, and in all actors like Mr..
byron, VINO have q certain sturdy strength and
frank physical grace. which make them the god
OF schoolboys, provincial cousins and the ignorant
anu simple minded generally we are anxious to
detect such points OF genuine dramatic worth
shall serve to link them TO an art whose pecu-
liar province it Is to represent human nature .Ben
Mccullough is bad. less because or any directly
immoral element possessed by IL than because the
intellect which constructed it land we confess to
entire ignorance as TO Its authorship not capa
BILE oil initiating the conference OF lie and nature,
and because sentiments and actions, meant to be
from end to end. We prefer treating the theme
thus seriously TO dismissing it with the shrug ana
raised eyebrow, to which the Buffalo Bill drama is
usually treated when 1t up Tor critical NEIL
ton. There IS a large class or people who are
by THIS KIND Of play Tney come In family
adventures OF hero and heroine until the villain
is properly handcuned in the last act,
slow curtain. But 1t ID wen that the true place OF
actor and play should be recognized and pointed
out. Mr.. Byron is a young man with n excellent
set of teeth and bad set OF plays. All OF these
plays are bad In an intellectual sense ana some OF
come Within the sphere Of true dramatic art than
the picture OF pound cake on the door OF Broad
way stage comes within the sphere OF the art OF
painting. We are sorry that young man whom
time and patience might make a usefui stock
actor should be thought by so many people to be
that the people VINO think him 50 are not those
who leave lasting influence upon the age or
mould the opinions OF generation to come.
John BrOugham at Association Hall.
No lecture OF the Mercantile Library course has
been better patronized than was that OF last even
ing. when the venerable Jonn Brougham appeared.
1t was, however. not lecture, but rather recita-
tiOns from his own humorous writings which kept
the faces OF the audience twisted into all manner
OF shapes from the moment he opened his Irish
drOleries illustrative OF Barney O'Carroll's ad-
ventures In fairy land until he closed with
an original hymn commemorative OF "Mike
Mah0n," as he hum0rously styled the President
OF the French Republic leaf from he land log
OF Jack Bunsby, giving the experience OF two
tars in photograph gallery, were brimfull OF
happy hits and clearly rendered; but, perhaps, Mr..
BrOugham appeared to best advantage in the
original extravaganza OF Columbus ell Fill
buSterO," which Dreathed throughout 1t a fund OF
hum0r and happy satire such as the author is
noted for. 1t is needless TO say that all appeared
pleased, and the Immense audience left the hall
with reluctance.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
The Strakosch Italian Opera Company have re-
peated in st. Louis the they won In Cincin-
natl Chicago is their next point dattoQue.
Gloomy reports reach us regarding the Italian
opera season in Havana. The financial difficulties
Of the enterprise said to be almost insurmount-
able.
LA Grande Duchesse" is having very success
full run at the Germania Theatre, the principal
hoiv,n
pany. ..re7..;;' i,.:,-9 r.. ~
: XDe New PARK Theatre, Broadway and Twenty
second street, whose unfinished front bears the
announcement that 1t will be "opened on Christ
mas next" may, iI work is vigorously pushed for
ward, be completed in from SIX to eight weeks
The cast OF the nrst opera OF the Kellogg English
opera season, at the Academy OF Music, on the 2lst
inst, comprises the following artists Lucia, Miss
Kellogg; Edgar, Theodore Habelmann; Ashton,
William Carleton; Raymond, G. G. Hall; Arthur, W.
II. Tilla. =
Mr.. Jerome Hopkins last Christmas Tide Fes-
tival at the Academy of Music was signalzed by
the singing OF choice madrigals by the OrpheOn
Society, which has supplied Tor many years some
OF the metropolitan churches with excellent choir
1late,-ieL.
Mr.. F. s. Chanfrau appeared last evening at the
Park Theatre in Brooklyn, in the part or exit the
Arkansas Traveller" He Is we'll known in the
character, and his rendition is pleasing. The play,
though somewhat overweight, is one OF the most
probable OF the sensational class of dramas.
At Treasurer Zimmerman annual benefit at
Niblos on Thursday afternoon Mr.. Wybert Reeves,
supported by Miss Granger, will appear in one.
act cOmedletta OF his own composition ana enacted
for the first time in America, entitled al Love
YOU" "His Last Legs" will bring Mr.. Eddy to his
feet as O'Calaghan. Davis, the funny ventrilo-
guist: w. B. Cahi, the Foy sisters, Hickey and
Barney, Cora Adrienne and others will help out the
amusement.
In the revival OF "Money'' at Wallack's next
Saturday evening the gambling scene, usually
omitted, will be given. A magnificent "set" for
this is in preparation, and it is relied on by the
management as strong feature Of the play.
When comedy OF an earlier date than the imme.
date present commands gorgeous scenic and
upholstery accessories we may be encouraged to
hope that the meretricious Will cease to be so
much the object Of managerial enterprise.
The complimentary concert to be given to Nine.
NJ Boligny this evening at Liberty Hall, Elizabeth
N. j., by q number OF eminent artists, among
whom are the two Mollenhauers, Edwin and
Henry, and Mr.. Alfred II. Tease, shows the high
regard entertained by musical professors for this
lady and her abilities as an amateur artist This
fair refugee from the SOUTH who is thus struggling
to support herself and family, has 1ne voice and
deserves success.
Hooley's opera House, in Brooklyn, has again
passed from the occupancy OF MINISTRIES to the
stricter opponents ofthe drama. 1t is managed by
joint stock company of actors, several OF whom
are OF first class repute in this city. Messrs.
George II. Grinlths lately Of the Fifth Avenue
Theatre, ana owen NARROW, formerly of Wallack's,
are among them. The company last evening
played "a Morning Call" the farce Of "Forty and
Fifty" and very sharp buresque of Gilberts
fairy morality "The Wicked World" The per-
Torrance was extremely good, every part being
filed commercially. and the company may be con-
sidered good comedy organization.
WEATHER REPORT.
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