The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-22
CHATS ABOUT BOOKS.
"SpOrts that Kill"--."Alice Brand.
FOggy Night. "VictOr La TOurette"
and Some French Stories.
"SPORTS THAT KILL.

enough Tor January this evening"
FRED-As l know TO my sorrow. 1t was so
pleasant and warm this morning that went
down town without my overcoat, which Jolly
sincerely repented before got home again.
The DoCToR-It is very oollsh to do anything OF
that kind, my son. You had better have half
dozen overcoats made TO suit the various temper.
atures Of this curious climate than ever to be
without one-until June, at any rate. What noise
is that hear IN the hall
FRED-Havent you got used to that sound yet,
sirq 1t is the Professor taking on his galoches.
Here nc Is to speak for himself
The DoCToR-Good evening, Professor. Come
right up to the fire; you look cold as an iceberg.
The PRoFEssoR-Then my looks do not belle me.
The wind Is as sharp as razor; do what you VIII
you cannot keep 1t from cutting through to your
marrow bones What luckess author have ms
good friends up for dissection this EVENING"
The DocroR-One who will not find mucn sym.
pathy at this Preside. De Witt Talmage's "Sports
that Kill" (Harper & Brothers) Is the last book we
have been reading.
The PRoFEssoR-I would have more respect for
Mr.. Talmage II though, he believed what he said,
even though knew 1t to be false
The DOCrOR-It is all we'll enough for him to talk
ignorantly Of the things OF the next world for no
one can prove the falsity OF his assertions but it
Is very ridiculous for him talk so ignorantly OF
the stage. subject upon which he can readily IN.
form himself
FREp-Tnat Is not what he wants; II he told the
truth about 1t that would be to weaken his point
at once.
FELiCA-Wiih a run and summersault and a
"Here am again!" De Witt Talmage enters the
ring. was never at his church-crcus should
say-put once, ana nothing would ever take me
there again. 1t only wanted the snap of the whip
and the roar of the Gagged animals to complete
the illusion. People walked around aud talked,
laughed and appeared as they might nave done ut
the Hippodrome.
Miss RACHEL-It amuses me to hear him rail at
the stage when he IS so very theatrical himself
and at best but q low comedian. WHAT could be
more STACEY than this 1.-THE day comes when the
men who have exerted evil influences upon their
fellows will be brought to judgment. Scene-The
Last Day. Stage-The rocking earth. Enter
dukes, lords, kings, beggars clowns; no sword
no tinsel, no crown. For fOOtghts the kindling
flames OF world; for orchestra, the trumpets
that wake the dead; for gallery, the clouds filed
with angel spectators; for applause, the clappng
nOocs OF the sea; for curtain, the heavens rolled
together as scroll; Tor tragedy, the doom of the
destroyed; Tor farce, the effort to serve the world
and GOD at the same time: for the last scene OF
the fifth act, the tramp of nations across the
stage-some to the right, others TO the LETT"
rot COWu, ReNs IL LIZ VIII IulniRe.
The MoTHER-As Boston writer says:-"In
reading these sermons the image OF the stump
speaker Of the variety show is brought constantly
to mind. We expect to hear the dilaplda,ed UNI
brella banged upon the pulpit at nearly every
pause by way OF emphatic punctuaton.n Yet
there are people who enjoy these Trades, as the
size OF his audiences proves.
FREDAWhat the audiences OF the Tabernacle
lack In quality they make up in quantity. can.
not imagine people Of great, or even average
culture listening with pleasure to this preachers
commonplace and frenzy. He is to the pulpit
what strolling variety show is to legitimate
drama
The PRoFEssoR-I have heard ministers OF high
standing In Brooklyn say that II Mr.. Talmage and
his church should be swept from OF the lace OF the
earth 1t wonld not add one member to any OF their
congregations. His admirers are not church-going
people; they would not enjoy anything less vulgar
or less abusive than the Rev. DR.. Talmage.
The DOCTOR-I am utterly surprised that men
capable OF thinking can take down the doses
thrust between their teeth by Mr.. Talmage. His
reasoning IS shallow, ana his attacks upon the
stage are rendered absurd by their sweeping abuse
OF every person and thing connected with the
profession.
The PRoFEssoR-He tells how shocking 1t is to
parents to have their children want to become
tory of the STAGE In those days poets we're little
better thought or than actors. The father of DR..
Watts used TO beat his son for making verses.
FRED-This Is the class OF people of whom Mr.. Tai
mage says our theatre audiences are composed
Husbands who have lost all love Tor home 20 there
horse jockeys go there; thieves 80 there; the lech
erous go there; spendthrilts go there; drunkards
60 there; lost women go there; the off-scourlngs
OF society 60 there by scores and hunureds,r &C.
Suppose they 90, how is MIR. Talmage or any
other person to find it out any more than If he was
sitting next TO these very peope IN the street cars
or at hotel table +? He further says that this
audience greets with applause any passage that
carcatures religion sneers at virtue as prudery
or hints at indecences.
The DoCToR-Ihst just shows how much Mr. Tai.
mage knows or wants to know. | never was in
theatre in my life, from Walack's to the Bowery,
where the highly moral passages were not the
ones applauded. I have seen Bowery audiences
clap and cheer when the drunkard reforms or an
actors lines pay tribute to honor or virtue.
TIE PROFESsoR--l think this Is great waste of
time. De Witt Tamage and his scurrous SER
mons tHeaven save the mark are not worthy or
so much serious consideration I advise you to
throw that volume into the fire; 1t Will do more
good there than anywhere else.
"ALICE BRANDT
MISS nACHEL-UOu'I tIik TO ME aUOut theatres
being bad places. II this book is to be believed
there Is more sin and wickedness in Washington
than IN all the theatres IN the country.
FELiCIA-Wnat is the books
Miss RAcHEL-"Allce Brand" %. Appleton Il
co., 1t processes to be fair picture OF life at the
national capital. at the period Immediately follow.
ing the war. II 1t is then we had better not ac.
cept your fathers invitation 10 60 down there
While Congress is In session.
FELICIA-Does 1T let the light into darkness and
expose the sores and sorrows of corrupt social
systemp
Miss RAcHEL-That IL about the idea. Accord
ing to this author there are more knaves ana
knavish tricks in Washington than the mind can
conceive. There is not natural character in the
book. The women are either idiots or bad, and
the men are about the same.
FELICIA-A good idiot is not such an unlnterest.
ing study, after ALL
Aft1a