The New York herald., 1874-10-25
THERE'S MILLIONS I'm IT.

| To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
The great success OF Mr.. Raymond at Mr.. Stu
arts Park Theatre affords another gratifying evi.
dence OF the growing popularity OF the purely
| American stage. 1t is true that Mr.. Raymond has
shown himself genuine artist. and created 4
character which Will live upon the stage; but the
spirit which Mark Twain has thrown into the play.
and which breatnes through every line has also
done much.
Though this country is young the progress
is so rapid in our era that the Augustan
political age OF Washington ana the early
traditions and episodes OF the Republic
come down to us almost in the shape OF mytho-
logical associations, and the lapse OF time gener-
ally required for the popular dramatzatIon OF ma
tional characteristics and events seems to vanish
in the giant strides aud the velocity OF American
progress. Yet but few attempts have been made
80 tar to show forth American incidents with the
picturesque accessories which the stage alone can
furnish, although the dne arts have seized upon
the brilliant Of them. as, for instance,
Franklin crowned with flowers at the Court
OF Marie Antoinette No theme could be possibly
more tempting to the dramatist; the beautiful and
unfortunate French Queen, ana the homely, but
celebrated, American forming striking contrasts.
while the brilliant life OF the French Court abounds
with fascinating dramatic material.
Jefferson, as Envoy in Paris in the midst OF the
reign OF terror; Hamilton slain by Burr, and other
startling episodes in early history are full OF
theatrical elements. what could be possibly more
so than the assassination OF President Lincoln by
actor in theatre the anniversary or the
crucihxion OF Christ
But the last event Is perhaps too fresh be ripe
for dramatzation, and Ior many reasons 1t may
be unwise and premature, as in "Belle Lamar" to
make the incidents Of the civil war the theme Of
theatrical representation. But this does not apply
TO events OF our earlier history. Hardly any
enort has yet been made in that direction, al
though those made In the pathetic and humorous
line have been eminently successful, as the Rip
Van Winkle OF Mr.. Jefferson. and now the Colonel
Mulberry Sellers OF Mr.. Raymond.
Mr. stuart has shown at all times a great desire
10 promote American genus and the purely Amer
ican stage. While manager OF the Winter Garden
he brought out the "Octoroon," dealing with one
OF the most intesesting problems or the conflict OF
races on this Continent, and which won immense
popularity. He evinced his regard for American
authorship by bringing out the "Leonorer OF Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe, and has never spared any sacri-
fee 10 promote and encourages native talent and
truly national theatre. In naturalizing Colonel
Mulberry Sellers among the household gods of the
American stage, Mr.. stuart has taken
another step in his lifelong ambition To
deliver this country from Its foreign theatrical
importauons. His success Is attested by tue mill
ions who resort 10 the Park Theatre to bear
numerical testimony to Colonel sellers repeated
asseveratlon, There are millions la IT," such
pers0natlons, as long as they do not degenerate
INTO lioels and carcatures OF living characters,
exceedingly acceptable a. portraying general and
collective types without being offensive to the
particular individuals or classes Of society IRON
which they spring Mr.. Raymond has created
such type ia Colonel Mulberry Sellers,
wnich oids Iar TO become immoT-
tai as sam Weller or Mcawber. He Is
as perfect and inlmItable sellers Mr. geffer-
son IL In RIP Van Nlnke. He reaches the climax
OF aoorlginate grandeur IN the dinner party.
poor lrishman IN the last throes Of starvation
would scorn 70 least upon anything Of lesser arg
nifty than potatoes and wafer, and would rather
die on the spot than degrade his stomach to the
level Of turnips. Not 50 Sellers. He disdans
potatoes being the traditional starvation iood
of the Old country, and shows the originality OF
the new hemisphere by Installing the turnip on
the pauper throne OF the potato The vicssitudes
OF potentates MI the most thrilling pages OF
history, and hdJtfus OF the poorhouses
and OF the dwellings OF the lowly
can witness the downfall OF the potato from It's
tme-honUred throne without an agony OF sorrow.
RAYMOND has accomplished this great historic
turnp with one mighty bound OF his nstrionc
genius. Not the most imaginative oil these escu-
lent roots could have anticipated such sudden
degree OF exaltatlon, not even In tie Doluest ta-
perings OF It's most ambitious nbres. Even Barney
Williams VIII nave TO take TO turnips now. HIS
next great hit ~ in revealing his scheme OF replen-
ishing hts fortune Nv inyenting remedy ior the
negotiating loan OF ten cents pending
the realization ol his great project. sellers
creates throughout the play ceaseless dHtfer OF
merrlment, wnliN presenting faithful tyne ol
ehSr'fter pecuDisTly American, aad prese