New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-05

promote thought and discussion OF the analysis Of mat.
rmonia nfecity and the subject, 10 general. Of tho
relation Of the sexes; and since "Man and Wife" con.
Germs itself with these matters II that this
drama also should incur There distinction,
however, betwlxt plays that treat Of matrimonial nfe
licy for the purpose OF developing original character
and noble emotion and teaching a good lesson which
ought to be taught and those treat OF IL merely for
the gross and selfish purpose Of mnsterng to taste
Tor what Is indicate and saacios Plays OF the lat
ter class - such as Camille "Frou-Frou,"
Article A." and Madeein Morel" arc
full OF perncious influence. guarded by loathsoms
speciousness They exude a noxious malaria which
pretends to be wholesome air. and they done
anything but harm. Both the stage and the public
would be much better OFF all such pieces utterly
banished and the drama should never again concern
itself with what may be called diagnosis OF licentous-
Nothing could be more insidious and perlIous
than q clever dramatic exposition OF that theme.
comedy like Led Astray," for example-now pros
pering very much at the Union Square
Theater-is full OF latent power for mis-
chief In that piece the heroine
married woman who passes her time In brooding
sentimental novel, and longing for lover, who Will I'M
derstand her better than her husband does aud with
whom-possiby-she may commit adultery. suehs
woman is only TO be described by word and that
word not freely used except in the Old Testament and
with particular reference Ito the City OF Babylon Such
that they exist sufficient numbers to constitute class
recurring theatrical monon; and II not, the celebra
ton Of them is morally useless. Besides there other
and better ways OF giving warnings against vice than
the method Of filing the mind with possibly aluring snd
certainly impure details OF the process and prog
rsss OF viciousness For the rest-to give
an undeveloped wanton prominence In play
IA dignity a parsonage who s not only trivial ana
base, but essentially unnteresting and undramac and
nothing comes Of it Ibut the diffusion Of prurience.
" Man and Wife" starts from different point OF de-
parture and proceeds different result No ever
thinks Of Anne Sylvester other than yiruous woman.
struggling against misfortune and injustice, aud seeking
redress for grevous wrong; and 1t is no reproach ~
her that her temperament passionate and her charsc
ter Unbalanced. Virtue il made Of saw-iust and
water and very far from contendng for auster-
ty dyspepsia and barrenness, whether in literature or
life.
INCIDENTS.
"The Bellies of the Kitchen will be pre-
by yokes Family, might at Nibo's Garden,
and Mr. NJ W. Lefingwen will appear as Romeo JdDter
Jenkins Gabriel Grub" will be offered m recon-
structed form, at the olympic Theater.-Mr. Edward
Coleman wishes to state, upon his behalf, that tho
advertisement that he would appear, last Saturday
evening" at the Lyceum Theater, az Daddy HIrddcrc,
was entirely unauthorized.-Mr owen Marlowe has
taken Hooley's Opera House. BROOKLYN, and Win
open IL this evening, with comedy and burlesque-
His company includes Mr. G. III. Grlnths' MI
Charles Warwick, Mrs. Hind, Miss Lulu Prior, Miss
Maeder, Miss Forester, Mrs. Marlowe, Mr.. Moses
Fiske Miss Marion Fske, aud others. -" Money" ana
Central Park" TO be revived at WallackS
Theaer-Robinson Hall will be occupied, this week, by
troupe of little performers called Piceanninies, IA
burlesque opera. They come from London-Mr Chan
frau will act at Booths Theaer, all the week-Mr. f. L.
Davenport has ended his engagement at Booths inca
ter-"A Man OF Honor" will be acted at Wailaok's
Theater, until further nOtice-Mr. Fox's Humpv
Dumpty is prodigiously popular at the Grand Opera
House.-"Tne Pilgrim" remains at Balm Hal, ana
Graves the society Of other pilgrims TO the shrine OF
piety and art-Mss Blanche Sewyn will give limitations
Of the young man OF the period. tins week. At Tony
Pastors Opera House.-Salvin Is IN chicago