The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-07

later days Sir Joshua Reynolds and Lawrence.
Charles L did much for art; Cromwell did
little. In our own times the service which
governments can render to art is shown by
the new opera house at Paris, splendid con-
ception of the Empire and principally exc
cuted under its direction. In giving to Paris
this marvellous temple of the arts Napoleon
I'LL partially atoned for the present
of Sedan and Metz. There is no
question but that monarchical gov
ernment, when it has the inclination,
can render to music, painting or the drama
services that to republican government are
forbidden. But whether art gains as much
from the patronage of aristocracy as it would
ultimately from the support of the people is
an important question for it's future. The ex-
pertinent is being tried in this century and in
this country especially. Artists have ceased to
depend for success upon the favor of courts,
and the writer of poem or a play no longer
dedicates his work. in terms of fulsome praise,
to nobleman. Music and painting and lit
erature appeal directly to the people, and the
support of the public will ultimately be the
Oooio Va tACAX tAuO uOVCAOPAuCuts 4kO AASAACoV
art is that which has the deepest root, and
there is infinitely more promise for the future
of American art in the appreciation and
intelligence of the people than there
could possibly be in the patronage of splen-
did court or q fashionable aristocracy. We
do not believe that dollhouse culture is the
best for genius The French Empire, corrupt
itself, corrupted the French drama. The
faults of our stage are those of our society,
and its merits will increase as the average in
telligence of society is raised.
Our New York theatres give us good pro-
portion of bad acting and bad plays, but
when we take the whole season in this city it
must be conceded to be rich in interest. Such
theatre as Wallack's maintains the standard
of good acting, and the success of play like
the s'Shaughraun" shows that the public APP
preciates literature which is manly and pure.
The English opera is doing special work
for music in America by making it to large
extent independent of italian companies,
which visit this country only to depart with
the fortunes they so easily accumulate. We do
not disparage the great service that the visits of
such artists as Nilsson, Lucca, Di Murska,
Vieuxtemps Thalberg, Rubinstein, render to
American music, any more than we question
the value the recent tour Of Salvini was TO
the drama; but we insist upon the superior
importance of encouraging on opera of our
own. Miss Kellogg has shown the ability to
conduct English opera with energy and sue
cess, and the production of 1.-THE Talisman"
this week, for the first time in this country,
will be another example of enterprise.
Booths Theatre, originally devoted to the
best drama, will tomorrow night see the re-
vival of Shakespeare's sHenry w." which
Messrs. Jarrett & Palmer have had for long
while in preparation, and which they will
surround with unusual magnifcence of
scenery and costume. Great care has been
taken to make a strong cast, and we may
fairly expect to see this noble play placed
with unprecedented completeness on the
metropolitan stage. These are but few Of
the attractions of our drama Our theatres
are not subsidized they owe nothing to the
government. They rest upon the broad basis
of popular approval alone, and we are sure
that in the end this independence will be to
the permanent advantage of the dramatic art.