The New York herald., 1874-09-07
The Dissertation OF the Stage.

OuhkGSpCdI6 VI DuCOu, we dIc uOC buIc
which, tells us in Hamlet that guilty crea-
lures, sitting at play, have been so moved
by the very cunning of the scene that they
have risen and proclaimed their malefactions.
For fear of such an event we advise MIR.
Beecher, Mr.. Tilton, Mr.. Moulton and the
Brooklyn crowd generally to keep away from
the Bowery Theatre. Tonight, unless the
police interfere, all Of the heroes of the Ply
mouth church revival are to be represented in
Brooklyn society drama, written by Mr.
Frederick Stinson. Messrs. Bronson, Camp
bell, DAILY and all other native dramatists
who conceived the idea of grouping these
people upon the STAGE and thus becomes the
author Of the first American play. It
would be a refreshing sight to see the
actors in the real drama as spectators of this
simlitude, though, of course, they could not
60 to the theatre together. Mr.. Beecher, who
is now in box, would naturally take another;
Mrs. Tilton would certainly go as near to
heaven as the galleries allow; Mr.. Moulton
would get behind the scenes, and Mr.. 1ilton
by many persons would be expected to take
place in the pit But as the plot OF "Passions s
Perils'' closely follows the testimony in the
Brooklyn affair, though with interesting varia-
tions, the performance would be at times en-
barrassing to the prototypes of the characters.
Statements and explanations would fre-
quently interrupt the play. How could Mr.
Beecher remain quiet when his double on the
stage kisses Mrs Tilton or how could Mr..
Tilton either? What would Mrs Tilton do
if she saw Theodore embracing Tennie Claflinp
If there is any truth in Hamlet's theory we
think the Bowery audience would be great
deal more interesting than even the Bowery
actors.
What the literary merit of this play may be
we do not know, but the managers admit that
it depends for success upon the fact that the
characters are the real persons in the life
drama under assumed names. Mr. Beecher
is the Rev. Joel James Bayham, the saint, and
Mr. Tilton Frederick Thornton, the sinner.
Moulton, Mrs. Tilton and the Wood
hulls are plainly indicated. But it is
claimed that as the play represents
all these people as innocent with the
exception Of Victoria and Tennie, it cannot
be offensive or immoral. We are afraid this
claim cannot be admitted A play that pro-
poses to put disgusting reality before the
public in the disguise of art cannot but offend
good taste. The public has been told that the
Rev. Mr.. Beecher kissed Mrs. Tilton, and its
morality cannot be improved by the spectacle
of an actor made up like Mr. Beecher repeat
ing the performance. We should look with
much more complacency upon representa-
ton of Mr. Tlton dandling Susan B. Anthony
on his knee, for in that there is nothing which
tends to the overthrow of virtue 1t would be
a pastoral picture of the innocence of the
Golden Age But as the stage is said
to be the great teacher of mankind,
we think it would be much better employed
than in embodying in form and motion the
scandals of this shameful story. "Passion's s
Perils' in Boston was withdrawn by order of
the authorities; but here we trust that public
opinion apd the sober second thought of the
management will accomplish similar result.
The Bowery has always been the home of
virtue, and should not be permitted to fall to
the level of the Broadway theatres, where
French morality sits enthroned. When we 90
to the Bowery we expect to see o noble sailor
rescue lovely maid from dozen or 80 of
pirates, and it would be pity to have such
instructive pieces replaced by the modern
horrors of Brooklyn society drama. The
prejudice against all theatres is certainly
strong enough without making them more
odlous by an unnecessary-imitation of the
Church.
Yet much as we must disapprove of, the
Beecher scandal as a subject for dramatic per-
formance, there is greater reason to condemn
the opera bouts as at present conducted at
the Lyceum Theatre. Passions Perils" is
coarseness unconcealed, but "La Timbale
dArgent" is obscenity disguised in the most
attractive garb. Brilliant music and fine act
ing are employed to exalt a subject which
is simply infamous. For the very reasons
that the open vulgarity of Fielding or Smol-
lett or even Rabelais himself, is less dis
gusting TO the fastidious mind than the
lasciviousness of Swinburne or Byron, is
such an opera as 'La Timbale d'Argent"
more hideous than the common cancan or
indecent songs of the music hall. 1t is like
Massinger's wonderful description of prosti-
tute-a splendid sin, dazzling pestilence, an
outcast clothed in gittering diamonds and
costly raiment. There was time when the
opera boufe professed to give harmless
amusement to those who like the light and
lively melodies of the Offenbach school, but
now its aims are very different It was never
a modest Entertainment. but its indecorum