The New York herald., 1877-11-04
SOME MORE CRITICISMS.

In THE SHRDs CENTRAL PARK
dcfy tho whole round OF veterinary surgeons In the
United States and Dion Boucicault define the word
sdonkey." A. BRAY
''Oue not necessarily Aristophanes because one
discern what Is good or bad in q French play. Tho
pom is the natural tool Of the dramast and not tho
SCISSORS else any tailor could call himself Shake.
speare"
"Mr Bouclcault seems to know very well what the
word comedy MEANS at least he believes he knows
but not sure OF It. To submit TO his decision
would be the acknowledgment OF hts superiority in
the matter and that is just what the critics cannot
admit Notwithstanding all his genius, they do not be-
lieve him qualified to hold alone court Of Oyer and
Termner on the subject in litigation, and SO In the
present trouble they decline the combat
COMEDY is line drawn between tragedy and farce.
To define this We will first take the drama.
'Drama Is a composition In which action narra-
tive rs not related, but represented.
''Iragedy dramatic composition representing the
passions, woes ana misiortuncs OF lie in
ner AS 10 excite grief pity or horror.
''Comedy Of Greek origin signifying Jovia F.sti-
VAL and Is n dramatic representation OF the light
faults, passions, actions and follies OF manKiud
"Farce is from tho Latin Farcio'- to stuff; a short
dramatic entertainment, In which udIc.ou qualities
are greatly exaggerated for tho purpose OF exciting
mirth Thus We have the three grades OF the drama,
which, correct WIZ not require The colossal mind OF
Q Boucicaut to dehne.0
sThe COMEDY OF the stage and the library must be
regarded as teacher OF the highest order Dyspep-
sa must bc relegated TO comedy, but dyspepsia was
not known to the ancients Their symposia more
simple than our dramatic feeding"
sYou ask what Is comedy. IL is what tho French
man descrl bed a dinner without checse-a pretty
woman with out eye"
"a true aud beautiful representation OF the most
cherished Of all existing PASSIONS"
'Ffrsf-A comedy Is n play In which the pleasing
phases of social relations represented without
aggeraton IN u manner possible In nature
,Second-A comedy Is u drama wherein q true picture
OF natures humor, gaycty aud caprice is given.
Third-Io pass 9 limits OF the natural social
standard would make Of comedy buresque.
F0rru-The comedian must needs be an artist ;
whereas he who exaggerates his part and carries II
beyond the limits prescribed by nature and society
o mere sign pain.er
Ii the writer OF play wishes II to be called a cas
steal one he must observe the following theatrical
rules. which from mmemorial time have been
strictly enforced by the most eminent writers, VIZ,
the unity OF time, OF action and oil place. He must
depict his ch aracters under vivid ana natural de-
tained throughout the whole play which viii
three or i've acts In prose or in verses al Gbitum.
All the personages must be known at tho FIRST act
interest OF the piece kept on Increasing from the
scenes up TO the denouement In a word, the writer
must exhibit a profound knowledge OF the human
heart. Those the rules which have been car.
nestiy recommsad aided by Boeau and Laharpe the two
greatest critics In the literary world, and they havo
call the inimaDle. since he IS for the high comedy
what Shakespeare Is Tor the tragedy
comedy is Ia mise sctne of action or n plot
by which one criticises the weak points Of human
nature. II IS also gentle rmaDd gwen the poo
pc at large, or to certain class OF people IN regard
to manners ways oil living to be rectined passions TO
exlirpated, nay, even laws to be improved In spite
o that long dissertation seems possible to us TO
convey the meaning Of the word comedy with moro
inconisrne Tor, II that explanation hold good for
Moeres high comedy, IT. s equally true for The differ.
ent forms which the comedy may adopt, for the yau-
deve and Opera Boune.