The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-31

The Charity Movement ind the Thea
tres.
The results of the recent charity movement
In New York are of character so gratifying
that they should not be permitted to pass out
of recollection without word OF comment
These events are attractive phases in our cold,
stern, practical life. They break its mo-
notony and show that we are not consumed
by the mere passion of money-getting; that
we have some concerns with the romantic and
pathetic sides oflife. It would be hard life,
indeed, if we were simply hurrying, rush
ing mob, caring little upon whom we
trampled or for those who fall by the way
These evidences of kindly feeling and friend
ship are beautiful, and when we look back
upon what has been done since the winter
began, when we study our several charitable
movements in their various forms, we may feel
that New York in the magnifcence of her
charity has exceeded far the highest anticipa-
tons of her people; for we now see that
but for some such general effort in
behalf of the poor we should have had
AlC1ou1SlCoo SuluiuAOlcS. NcW lOIh WHO ILL Gov
ened with visitation as severe as that which
came upon Paris, and we all know what the
journalists Of Paris did under the leadership
of Nine. MacMahon, the wife of the Presi-
dent Of the Republic Of France. The form
which charity assumed in France was not I'M
like the forms it assumed here. What was
dreaded in France was absolute want arising
from poverty, and this want could only be
met by general system of relief, the OPEN
ing OF soup kitchens, the distribution of
bread and soup and meat, and the sale of
wholesome cooked food for nominal sum-
We do not know how successful these institu-
tions have been, but we anticipate that they
must have been perfect, as we have heard
nothing recently of any general suffering
among the poor of Paris.
While the journalists of Paris and the ladies
Of the governing household united to meet
q general want in a spirit of harmonious CO.
operation that might well be initiated in New
York, the movement with us took q broader
shape. We do not refer particularly to the
system of soup kitchens, those managed by
porate and private management, or to the
sustained and unusual efforts of the many
charitable associations in New York and else
where. All were admirable and timely in
their way, and served to break the dark spell
Of the dreadful winter months. But we par
ticularly refer to the united efforts of the
actors and managers of New York. The
magnitude Of their exertions has probably
been overlooked by our readers. 1t assumed
several shapes. First came the combination
performance of Messrs. Daily and Wallack,
gentlemen who manage two of the most adj
mirably conducted theatres in the world, worthy
to be ranked with Old Drury and the
Theatre Francois. In this Nine. Lucca
took graceful and prominent part. Then
we had the operate performance, and after
ward the combined entertainment under the
management of the theatres that did not
assist in the first Here we had Niblo's,
Booths and the various other theatres uniting
in movement the result of which was O
great pecuniary success We do not know
the exact amount thus raised from the various
theatres, but we have no doubt that in the
aggregate it will prove to be the largest sum
ever raised by the theatres in New York for
purposes of humanity.
While speaking of the players we have still
further to note the singular fact that New
York has now q larger number of theatres,
especially in proportion to the population.
than any other city in the world Most of
the great cities, like London, Paris and
Vienna, have one or two theatres which, sup
ported by the government, give exceptionally
good plays. But we have no subsidies in
New York, and instead of one we have four or
five first class theatres, with an opera and con-
certs We have special German and special
French theatres, also first class. Instead of
the frivoliies and burlesque, in the way of
music and acting, which form the burden of
so many of the minor theatres abroad, and, in
fact, of the majority Of the theatres in Lon
don and Paris, we have the best styles
of the legitimate drama. The London Times
reports eighteen theatres and places of amuse-
ment under its editorial column. The
HERALD, representing city not one-haf the
size of London, reports the same number,
with Mr.. Stuart coming on the scene to make
nineteen, and not counting the Grand Opera
House and Mr.. Fox's new theatre. We look
down the Times list and there are only three
which play legitimate, proper comedy and
drama" School," 1.-THE Rivals and the
"Belle's Stratagem" while in the HERALD
list there are five or six theatres performing
the highest kind of dramas. So that New York
will not yield to any other metropolis the
palm of being city OF intelligent and refined
amusements.
Nor can we let this pass without brief
word on another subject The players call
ing has had ups and downs in the public