The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-10
PIaywrights, Managers, and Critics.

The letter which Mr.. CHARLES GAYLER
writes us in reply 10 our remarks on Ameri-
can dramatic authorship Is good reading
We respect Mr.. GAYLER because he Is so
amiable and keeps his temper so admira-
bly,. He has learned one of the most valu-
able lessons life eau offer. What he says Is
both sensible and to the point.
Our dependence upon foreign literary
production and criticism has always been
great, and we do not see that IL very much
decreases. II Is not surprising that theat-
rical manager hesitates or refuses TO take
his own judgment Of an Enacted American
play, when he can get that of the audiences
of London and Paris on one he can trans
fer to his stage with the prestige OF its for
egn success. The latter IL a much safer
commercial investment. But this does not
alter the fact that our current American
plays are not OF such merit M to entitle
them 10 be regarded with pride by the
patriot and with satisfaction by the critic.
Whatever the discouragements, the great
man always tramples them under foot
The dramatic gift is "a rare one, and it does
not seem TO have been profusely bestowed
upon our American writers. Sill, W. do
not despair OF our great American play,
and we respect the efforts in its direction
which men like Mr.. GAYLER have made
under circumstances OF foreign compe-
tition not conducive to success. We hope
Mr.. GAyLER may one day write It. and
even IL he does not, that he will at least
hive to assist at its triumphant success.
Our literary vassalage is not more credi-
table than IL is real. The absence OF an in
Ion. Al .t..I.a
Lack of thorough literary trimming is our
ever-present enemy. The men who as
sumo to write our dramas, like many OF
those who venture To write our novels. do
not approach the task with that familiarity
with the requirements OF the subject and
discipline of literary experience ana gym
nastics which distinguish the successful
dramatists OF London and Paris. Their
work shows a prentice hand.
We apologize TO Mr. GAYLER for con-
Meeting his name with that of TOPPER
HOLLAND, II he regards the association
with displeasure. but we cannot pardon
his declared ignorance OF TuPPER HoL-
LANDS position in our American litern-
ture. TUPPER HOLLAND is an American
poet, essaylst, novelist and literary warn
ing. lie is an exemplary person, and his
works may safely be trusted not to raise
the blush 10 the cheek OF innocence, even
II they do not stir the heart OF the man
whose literary tastes have been pampered
by the more appetzng productions OF
other authors, native and foreign.
We may probably expect that our Cen
tennlal will produce some native plays Of
a historical character. We hear of several
already on the stocks. There Is plenty Of
that sort Of material for dramatic use.
Occasional literary productions are apt,
however TO be failures. Yet possibly
under the impulse of the fresh burning fires
OF patriotism the historical American play
may be carried TO success. But for u long
time yet 1t is safe 10 expect that the for
! eign plays VIII be more successful CONNER
cially and in satisfying the public. than the
native. Sull, the critics must deal fairly
with the American author, and forget the
dramas in their own desks, il they have
| any there. Our experience OF dramatic
critics is that they are amlabe and estima-
bic gentlemen, and we have entire conf
dence that they will treat American plays,
If with severe, yet with exact justice. 1t
| is n pleasure also to he introduced to a ma
| tive dranatlst so urbane IA Mr.. CHARLES
GAYLER. Between critics so sunve and
appreciativeand playwright so genial, we
are glad to think there can he no unpleas-
ant controversy. That is the condition
into which we like 10 get things, and there
to leave them, ms We now do.