The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-26
SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICA.
GROWTH OF THE INTELLECTUAL DRAMA
cLER GYMEN AND ACroEs-LITERATURE AND
IN THE xPxT cENTTrpy


To THE EDITOR THE HERALp:--
Foreigners have not only watched with intense in-
the OF literature In this country. but
also tho enterprise and progress of theatres Half
n century ago a paper published IN Paris wherein
II was observed that the people OF tho United States
would summon over tho sea, at an immense expense,
celebrated English actors to perform the plays OF
shak espearc, where, in the New York theatres they
excited even enthusiasm and applause than in
those of London. - "And thus tins comedian
OF The age OF Elizabeth " the article continues this
author esteemed so uncducated who had himself
collected revised his works, rapidly composed
they were, for obscure and rude theatres win DO
the chief and model OF school OF poetry which snail
speak language dinuscd over tho most fourshng
half Of n new world" Hackctts 'Notes and Com
mcnts Upon tho Plays and Actors OF Shakespeare
were pronounced in England to be among the most in
solcctual that the stage can givo nation
In connection with review Of tho theatre in the
United States the visit George Frederick Cooke to
shores IL, perhaps, the most noteworthy. Ho
made his FIRST appearance actor IN Brentford,
England, In 1776 His arrvai Ia New York in 1910,
under contract with an American manager is said
TO havc caused a greater sensation than had
been produced by that OF any other indivdual
not associated with our political welfare
II was not believed by Englishmen In Now York
that there was sufficient enterprise In American
theatrical circles his presence; they 'swore
roundly that II could not bc An account rcprcs nts
tina. It appeared as impossible to many that tho great
London actor should BIO removed TO America as that
St Pauls Cathedral should DO transported tho
Atlantic But he had already arrived Ton November
ICY and taken rooms the Tontne Coffee House. Five
DAYS later he played Richard ILL., before tho greatest
house ever known in America" Tho audience he res
garded of unusual intelligence, Tor II most APP
plaudcd, ho SAID, what he knew to DO his own best
points For seventeen nights the receipts
wcro s21,57s. For twenty nights In Phila.
dclpha, s22, G62 Tho seating capacities, IL may BIO
presumed limited tho proceeds, Tor on The evenings
OF his performances in the former city the press Of
people IN tho vicinity of tho theatre violent and
dangerous" At the latter city IT rs stated that such
was tho eagerncss to procure tickets that "stnrdy
backguards were paid by gentlemen from SO 10 $40 Tor
securing single seat and persons were seen sitting
at theatre eating their dinner, who had taken
their posts Sunday morning with determination
OF remaining there all through Sunday and Sunday
night TO be ready tor the opening on Monday. Cooke
was constitutional drunknrd; his drinking was
disease but no possessed uDrivaed talents and
great Kindness OF heart. In the words OF another
he eccentric in his conduct and eminent
in bis profession. In this country, IN England
while he won the admiration OF fashionable, learned
and critical audiences he was the jolly companion OF
barroom patrons. 1t seems to have been painful FOR
one behold him In the degradation OF his habits
but supremely cnnobiing 10 witness him amld the
gorics and triumphs of his genius "liis heart was
open every good impression aud strong In
It's impulse to every good action" The standpoint
taken by professed Christians as class, against the
theatre he regarded OF the most deporabc
of civilization 1t Is said that the two gentlemen with
whom be mos, delighted in Boston were the
portrait painter. Stuart, ana Rev. Mr. Gardiner he
sionishcd some friends ono sunday morning by say
ing, ~ am going TO hear Parson Gardiner preach
He's tho only clergyman that has done mo the honor
to come play. aud I'll do him the honor to
60 and hear him preach. Sam, give mo some hot
u" sor wherever he
tho United States he observed, with astonishment, tue
peoples 1ne appreciation Of the great poets plays In
letter 10 London friend be said :"rheniricals here
conducted in very respectable manner, and the
companies superior to what had expected. l may
add much more so.
The following conversation, imbucd with interest at
this time IRON the fact OF Centennial celebration
passed between Cooke and an American:-
CooKh-I observe that you Americans always say
sour great poet" ''Our immortal ana unrivalled
dramatlst' but you the countrymcn of
Shakespeare What part has an American IN tho Bard
oil Avon9
OF the present day can claim III INN. As
descendant from Brtons claim the share In the
heroes, poets and philosophers OF former days rs aDy
Bron of this day can.
CooKE-So so-very pretty No, no, that won't do.
You are race OF yestcrdny-mcrc upstairs. You |
abandoned Great Britain aud gave up your share In
her fame.
AMEaIcAN-By no means. The younger brother who |
leaves his parental roof though he does not inherit his
tathers estate is heir to hig ather's tame
the elder. have full participation in old English
glory as you. Shakespeare and Milton; Locke Bacon
and Newton; tho Harries, the Edwards and the MARI
boroughs, are as near to mo as to YOU And tho glory
which Enelishman feels at tho sound Of those
and the recollection of the glory OF Old England
is mino as fully as his "
CooKE-So SO, so-and where do you draw the line +?
AMERicAN-why the year 1916 must be the chrono
logical mark OF separation, believe have nc claim
COOKE yoa w e
deal more before you are able TO pay anything in re-
turn.
FOREIGN ACTORS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The last time that Mr. Cooke ever played was on
July 81, 1872, in Providence, r. He never returned
England but died aged hfty scven AZ the Mechanic
Hall, IN New York, the 10Th OF september, 1872,
led in ST. Paul's churchy ard In that city
scriptions which it hears happily illustrate Christian
spirit which pre-cminentIy adorns the dramatic pro.
tession They arc as ioows:-
to the memory
GEORGE FREDDERIcK COOKE,
EDMuSis knAs,
Theatre Royai,, Drury Lane,
Three kingd9ms claim his birth;
Both hcmspheres pronounce his worth.
Repaired
cHAn, ,i,s KrAs
Repaired
Il. A. sGrHERN.
Theatre Royal
Is74
Cookies mastcrly representations IN tho plays Of
Orchard ILL., - Tho Merchant Of Venice 'OtbcllO,"
Macbeth, "Hcnry W., licking Lear, liking John'
aud others grandiy impressed the American public
with the moral worth OF the drama, and from his
to the present 1t hus welcomed shakcspcarian actors
from abroad with marked distinction The ambition
OF foreign actors now is to appear before and
with American audiences. Ii has finally become pro-
verbal on the other side OF tho Atlantic that Their
here to land OF strangers but peculiarly
to one Of friends. The transatlantic professional
tours of eminent actors also productive OF
friendly feelings OF important international
character. Thomas A. Cooper, OF New York, who
imported Cooke, won celebrity IN the character Of
Hamlet, and after George Frederick and until the ar
rival OF tho elder Wallack in 1918, he was u reign
ing theatrical star and the only in the Western
Hemisphere Wallack came direct from Drury Lane, at
the age OF twenty-five. His Hamlet was liked hero
more than in England, and undoubtedly II was the
American estimate that stole tho brilliant Wailacks
from the British stage
ERRORS OF THE CHURCH.