The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-07
Am Us EN- ENTS.
The license and the Licentiousncss Of The
ntricnI Advertising.

To exhibit artistic exaggeration IL one of
the purposes Of a theatre II is one Of the chief
aims Of the players. Naturally, all connected
with the establishment NAV be affected by its
atmosphere. They feel more or less an uncon-
scious but irrepressiblc desire to do every thing
Electrically, To produce strong or startling I'M
prcssious. Even the business man, whose atten-
ton Is directed. not TO artistic effects but to pc
cunary results, is Influenced by the style about
him. In addressing the public nv may use terms
that, Qn the stage, are simply bonhast. His adj
vortisements are generally written In this vein.
Wishing to arrest the readers attention, he can,
with difficulty, find words and phrases swelling
enough and assertions sufficiently exaggerated
To satisfy his morbid desire for what he calls a
sensation, or assure him that his purpose will be
achieved. This imitation Of advertisements has
come to he one Of the theatrical licenses. is per-
fcctly well understood 10y every intelligent per-
son, and Is read with all necessary grains of al
lOwancc.
But there Is another way in which some ~ the
less respectable places Of amusement seek to be-
guile lovers Of pleasure which Is simply licen-
tious, and should bc discouraged and repressed
by every lawful means. This Is 10y direct APP
pcals, either through words or pictures, To the
lowest curiosity aud appetites OF the basest
classes. Pictures may, indeed. be seen ON the
hil-hOards of some Of the minor lighthouses
which are not subject To- the particular obiec-
tion mentioned above. and yet which are every
way offensive to good taste and the least
aesthetic fceling-such a. utterly deformed ear
ricaturcs Of ncgrucs and OF her persons who ap-
pear ON the stage at the place advertised. A
caricature is n work Of art or 1t is worse than
nothing. II must I've possible II may be gro
tcsque or ridiculous; 1t should never be hurri-
BILE. \ true sense Of what Is expedient for the
public good would Danish from public view all
these offences, whose only connection with art
J. that they are made by the materials and Inn
PIGMENTS used 10y artists. To protest against
these disgusting exhibitions. however, Is not our
chief intent; IL Is To lit an earnest voice against
those which are plainly and purposcly lewd
Have We not society for the preservation OF
good morals and the prevention 4 crimef IL
not the body polite In effect sch society
And 10y the taCit consent, the UNI ,otestng con-
nivancc of these societies, shall boys and young
men Ice schouled In licentiousness tempted be-
yund their power OF resistance. and then 10y
these same societies sanctimuuiously punished
the intention at the uttcr,fs of these advertise.
mcnis, whether printed OF painted. l. as clear as
words can make IL. The vampire does hot NOR,
coolly calculate 10 live ON the blood of his Vie
tim.
In opposing such liccntiousncss. no bushes,
interest j. 80 vitality engaged ~ that Of the thea
tres worthy Of the name. that are lihclled VIII
fed. and degraded lay the forced s-incation IN
IA general way with these social pests.