The New York herald., 1874-11-21
Brotherly Criticism.

DR.. Porteous has just issued pamphlet on
"Tneatres, DR.. Taimage Answered." After re-
viewing Shakespeare as preacher be proceeds TO
review Dr. Talmage as follows
Dr. Talmage asserts with much pomp OF proof
that there are desperately VICIOUS circumstances
and tendencies surrounding the theare-sucn
tendencies corrupt tae morals conduce TO
CRIME and pander TO the worst passions. Is thus
peculiarly and clarac eristicaiy true OF theatres2
Are there not corrupt, demoraIiZing and seductive
surrouudlngs In all our law courtsY Has the SIM
pse-minded Doctor never been IN the neigabor-
hood OF the city Hall, ana mas he
not seen the cunning, crafty lyers-n-wait,
sneep's clothing the rank and he OF fakes ana
rowdles, and sundry Kinds OF low, lawiess vara-
bondsg The evll surroundings OF our theatres are
nothing compared with those OF the Bar Does
the sllver-tongued prophet OF the "Tabernacie"
not know that injustice, dlaDolcal cheating ana
exquisite rascality are more IN active operation IN
all our law courts than lust. passion and other
vices are in and around the theatrey Has Or.
laImage never heard OF the vicious surroundings
81 political rings and clubs, aud does
he not know tnat worse passions are
stirred and more deadly hate klndled and
uglier frauds perpetrated in them than are
possible IN the theatre? Does the Doctor
not know tnat there have been more clerical scan
aais tnan theatrical onesS Does the censor not
know tnat actors are not monopolsts OF murder
that there have been i've clerical Tor one theatri-
cal murderer Does the churchiy Doctor not
Know that hypocrisy Is almost Impossible IN the
theatres, ana tnat the theatre does not lead to
that popular vice; and does he not know that
tnere is a universal Suspicion among men thatit
Is aarmingly prevalent in all our churcnes-ay,
Llat some cQurCleS IOsJeT ltf DOCS uOb the DoC-
tor know IN his conscience that Tor one theatrical
scandal there are dozen clerical ones. involving
ylng speecn and unchastity oil liey Does the DOC.
seriously mean tnat because an actor Killed .
President tnat therefore ali actors are murderersY
Because an artist in oils set nre to York Minister.
are all pain ters to be called incenaiarlesy
Does the Doctor not know that religious people
when they leave home are not averse To gong to
the theatre oil the foreign towns they may happen
70 visit, and that the clergy, wnen on foreign
ravel or provincial tours, are known to patronlZe
he drama Does DR.. Talmage have scruples at
Thanksgiving Day, and Will he tell US whether
.aDleaux are not theatrical But we forbear-
questions might oe multiplied quite as pertinent
as those already asked, bat 1t Is needless. We
quote here, by way oil rehei, the language OF the
those narrow minded and unjust attacks OF
certain sensational divines VINO nope to
overthrow the theatre by pulpit denunciatlon -
"As well might these enthusiastic gentlemen try
the Brooklyn bridge into the water. Let them try
THIS last eat and tneb ploW on the STAGE Is 1t
seemly in clergyman, whose chief claim and
source OF popularity lie IN his imitation vi the
dramatic force OF the stage, to abuse IT'S practical
uses and Its nonored and honorable actors and
paJronsY Must the public be coerced oy fearful
appeals to attend to DR.. Talma9e's affected and
iMpotent oratory, and be debafred the enjoyment
ol seeing ana hearing legitimate dramatism
and justly acknowledged elocutionary excel
enceY The theatre shall stand q monument
Df art, an Institution OF the peoples heart
and culture long alter the fame OF its enemies
Shall have been forgotten.
We nave heard and read many trades against
theatres, out DR.. Talmage's Is the most saucy au-
daclous and thlnnest OF all, and, altogether, we
EEL it difficult TO characterize In words con-
empt iOr It's spirit and Its ttleness. 1t has never
9een our misfortune TO nave seen so much pre-
fence OF anxiety for the safety oil society from the
candor. The TRADE Is as devoid or common sense
as II is OF PHILOSOPHY.