New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-05
THE DRAMA.
THE FOURTH AT THE THEATERS.

THE DRAMA.
THE FOURTH AT THE THEATERS.
1t used to be customary to prOlOng the dra-
matte season till Fourth OF july and on that day to
explode various decorating melodramas OF patriotic
character this year the was closed early and
attempts at Summer season have faed anu ior soine
time this city has been substantially destitute OF thea
rica entertainments. The present Fourth OF July mas
us without even domestic drama-and Rosina Meadows
sleeps as soundly MO Pitcher The only remnant OF
old days the BOwery Theater, where tradition
ia still vital and potent There the resonant and rever
beraye Mr. Siudley forward In plays that are ap
posite TO this great OCCASION The Man of Destiny ana
"Blanche of Brandy wine," "Our COuntrys Flag" and
"The Mystery"
One OF these pieces, Blanche OF Brandy"he
founded on Mr. George Lppards once popular novel;
s theatrical curiosity II goes the OF Mr. j. 5.
Burnett was. in fact written by Mr. Jefferson VINO
brought out the first time, In April 1898, RI Laura
Keene's Theater now the Olympic, where IL met WIN
abundant success. Mr.. Jefferson, Mr. Burnett Mr T.
Wheatlegh Mr.. C. Peters. Mr.. ii. +. Daily, Mr. Frank
Bangs Mr. Levick, Miss Sara Stevens and Others were
In the cast Local play gOers had not then seem Tor
long time genuine rafting military spectacle play,
and Mr. Jeersons sagacity in providing one was well re-
paid Mr. Boucicau then at Waaeks old theater caught
up the idea and produced Jessie Brown which excel
lent play but for the success OF Blanche OF Brandywe
might have been written. In the next year came
Mr. Walacks Veteran still in the martial and snowy
ven-and this met with ample prosperity. TIE au-
thor however point out in his preface that
the piece had been begun two years before was acted
All these dramas. and others like theIn are appropriate
tothe m0ment but Blanche possesses an unqucstion-
able superloriyand s therefore, much to be preferred
by the patrotn the matter Of stars and STRIPES Inc
Bowery revival It, should say cannot fail to afford
amusement A better choice of Fourth OF July drama
could not be made-unless Mr.. George f. Browne were
induced the society Of his TObys and once more
array himself in the regmentals of Old Put Then In
deed the day would be complete.
In the early time Of the American theater there
WIS play on the subject of Bunker Hill, which, being
Of the real Fourth OF July breed, ought to have had
sort OF posthumOus hearing this season 1t earned
81 900 its author in Boston, in 1877 and It was after
ward published and played in NcwYork and this is the
authors account OF it:
Thc hill is raised gradually by boards extended from
the stage to bench Three should walk abreast on
IT, and side where the English march up should, FOR
the most part, be turned toward the wings: on one
hill there for eighteen or twenty men,
and they were concealed by board painted
nnnrd %as ana hreo net and half high The English
marched In two divisions from one extremity OF the
When they come TO the foot OF the hill Americans
rehe English re-six or seven OF your men should DO
taught ia-the trc should be frequent for some min
utes English retire to the front Of the stagesecond
line OF English advance from the wing near the hill
on the stage should be open TO let the smoak. All
the English make the attack and mount the hill After
meet them Here is room for eflect If the scutie
be nicely managed sometimes the fnslsn lns p"S
rolling down the hill. square piece about nlne feet
house painted fire. with flame aud smoak issuing from
IT, should he raised two feet distance from the HORIZON
out tor transparencies-in word 1t should have the
appearance OF town on fire. When the curtain
rises in the fifth the appearance OF the whole is good
Chariesown on fire. the breastwor OF wood, the Amer
leans appearing the works and the uzzes OF Their
guns the English and American music, attack OF
the hil the falling OF the English troops Warrens half
descending the hill and anmatng the Ameroans, the
coniusion all together produce an effect scarce
credible. small cannon should be fired during the
battle, which continued with us for II or 10 minutes"
from Boston, who preends to crticise without
knowing how to spell has been industrious in depre-
eating the value OF my piece adds this yeraeious a-
tied Joan OF Arc or the Maid OF Orleans ready for
representation"
This kind of thing prospered internationally it will be
remarked. in the palmy days of the John Street
Thcater and the good old Park from which, OF course
We have sadly deerorated. II is colsong to reflect
though that In the Bowey they still know enough
to open the windows ito let out the smOak" Comfort
along, likewise, from Woods Museum; for there
also the ancient still prevails Of celebrating the
historic deeds Of ancestors. Mr.. Barnum used to do
gallant service in this direction once but lattery Mr.
Barnum has turned his sapent eye the manners Of
Rome and the customs Of Bridgeport and has left Gen.
WashiDton TO Mr. George Wood, who is equally
fond of him and from whose STAGE We rejoice to say,
stored past to receive Illustration both copous and
appro rate The particular section chosen is that
prised in Coopers novel OF The Spy" clever writer
and earnest actor, Mr.. Charles W. Barry, has made
play the basis of this book and Mr.. Wood will bring
the Museum the 26th OF July, with Mr. Barry
Washington, and Mr. Domnick Murray as Harvey
Birch and this, by The way, will DC the first OF long
series Of dramatic bones that may be expected to blaze
in commemoration of the Centennial VI American indie
pendence.
Aside from the patriotic squirt at the Bowery, however
we observe no attempt to sgnaze upon stage the
anniversary that Is elsewhere celebrated to-day After
noon as well evening performances will indeed be
given at the Olympic Theater and at Robinson Hall, and
Barness Tropical Garden will stand open such love
the loneliness OF nature when secured and interpreted by
artistic arrangement without which Is often
bore But nothing essentially characteristic OF the Spirit
OF 70 is promised ut either Of these places. Doubtless
however liberal show Of American independence may
- observed Ut them all John Hart, Add Ryman,