The New York herald., 1875-12-09
TABLEAUx THAT ARE NOT CLASSIC

PATERFAMILIAs ON THE THEATRE coMIQUE
To rHE EDIToR on rHs HKRALp:-
Seeing in the papers repeatedly flaming advertise.
ments describing the performances and exhibit
bitions al the "Theatre Comiquep as (" clas-
sic tableaux OF living pictures" and infer
ring therefrom that the Theatre Comiaue was a
place that might visit safely without any shock 10 my
sense Of morality went there few nights ago with
high expectations OF pleasure and refined satisfaction
Fortunately went without my wife and daughters
For the benefit OF all others who may be msed by de-
ceptive advertisements think It my duty to address
you this communication favorite cant phrase Of the
present day is "The mission OF the stage" Its advo
claim that the stage has higher duties than
merely aiording amusement 70 ts patrons; that its
teachings are intended 10 refine and exa 20 soften
mems manners, nor suffer them TO be brutal
The Theatre Comique 10 Broadway, is very promi-
nent exception 70 the higher teachings Of theatrical
performances Indeed, considering the surprising
ture OF the ''attractionsn offered the bill perhapa
the name had better De changed 70 the Theatre La-
brque a. Indicating more clearly the character or the
programme The real attractions this temple OF IN.
propriety consist ID sercs Of tabeaux which remind
the spectator OF the performances OF the "odo art
ists, y which very properly suppressed by the
police some years ago These exhibitions are called ~
= dreadful misnOmer 'classicai kableaux and renrc
sent arst ''The Birth or Venus which leads one Ia
tho NEUROLOGICAL belief thai tho goddess Of love rose
from the sea With violent development o. eDsbonpoin
perhaps with a view secure her buoyancy among ths
tossing In the second tabieau tho tam
Thar but 0verweignted Venus appears As Cleopatra
Tore gHsaF-tne 'C0ld DOodeu t1ssar' lennykon calls
him, and be is quite justified In remaining "Phryne
Before the Tribuna" - representation OF Geromes 3
picture In which the venerable members Of the Arc
opagus painted vlely than the old scenery Of
tue Academy or Music, The last tableau the "Shower
OF Gold" Ia simply horror, ndescribahe IN decent
language, and taken from Of the Of the
fables Of mythology
These 80 called tableaux have neither beauty nor
grace TO refine excuse them The very daring char
Of the costumes or rather the absence OF it B
startling but they have artistic merit; every
thing sacrificed 70 the central nudies who clad
simply IN transparent tights ana their pudeur. The
performances between thess precious exhibitions
simply aggregation of awful drive intended 70 spin
out the bill TO its required length. II this ia a
variety" exhibition \ is one Of the most noxious
varieties that pander 70 the lower passions OF human
nature The misfortune IL that nnocent people. seek.
ing pleasure, and themselves witnessing horrors that
degrade without anus and from which young people
turn With blush Of shame II Mr. COmstock. In his
pursuit q the wretehes who advertise obscenities,
would turn hts attention 20 these colored pictures ALSO
ne would DO great service 20 tho community.
An eminent actor told Dr. Chaplin that they both
preached lessons Of morality 70 the world that the
stage was larger pulpit than tie eonventcla This
stage o. the Theatre LHhrique Is devs pulpit and
should be broken ~ without delay
.'n RATTREAALJJAS,