New-York tribune., 1877-05-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS
TWO COMEDIES


1t is quite time to look for the beginnings, at least,
Of native dramatic literature 1t could scarcely
have been expected at a much earlier period, be-
cause nothing could come of that strict adherence
to conventional models which stamps most OF the
attempts already made 10y American writer's MT
George H. Boxer is the only one of our authors VINO
has done high and earnest work in this field Ills
tragedy of Calaynos" was a remarkable success IN
London where il was given for 100 successive
nights, but in this country it was only played 1or
fortnight IN Philadelphia. Both this play ana ms
Francesca da Rimni" were too good as dramatic
poems to be appreciated by our audiences OF ~
wears ago--or perhapSfven now. He was in advance
of his time OF the earlier American dramas,
"Brutus" "SpartacusD and "Metamora" keep
their places on the stage partly through traditional
prestige aud partly from the few strong II rather
coarse dramatic effects which they contain 1hey
are never read, and no phrases from them have De-
ome current even in the mouths Of inveterato
theater-goers Moreover it is only recently that the
theater itself has sufficiently capquered Fufitahc
preudices TO be accepted as necessary foim ol cur
turc no less than of recreation. Ii is still almost
wholly dependent on the latter element for its sup
port, and has shared in the general demorahza'lon
which has followed the.war; but IT viii neNIaOIy
share also in the coming revival of higher intel
lectual aims.
II is curious that Of all the attempts at American
Vomedy which have been put upon the stage Ior
thirty years past-some of them remarkably sue
cessful i'm business point OF yiew-not one haS
been the work of known author until MeSsFs
Twain and Warmers "Gilded Age y was dTamatlzed
We do not include in this estimate Mr.. Boxers
"Widow's Marriage which, we believe, has never
been acted Perhaps the very fact that man
with a certain amount Of cleverness, and fmihar
with snch scenic effects and dramatic situations as
are certain TO impress an average public, Is so easily
able to succeed as a playwright, has hitherto held
back authors of real ability from venturng upon
this field Ii is rather humliating to earnest effort
TO be brilliantly surpassed, in popular estimation, by
hippant med ocrity. Hence our literature possesses
poems in dramatic form rather than acting plays.
When we are assured by competent Judge NJ the
report Of Mr.. Dion BOucicaultS verdict be correcu
that such a crude first attempt as Miss Dlekns0hs
"Anne Boleyn" is entirely successful, the inference
is that conscientious symmetrical, profound an"
imaginative drama would be a failure upon our
boards.
We have therefore heartily welcomed Mr.. How
ells's first essay in the line of refined cOmedy-his
"ParlOr-C rD-as an instance of courage rs well as
capacity. 1t belongs TO a department of dramatic
literature which has already established its egit-
imacy IN France but is almost a stranger to the
English stage except through badly-adapted trans
lations In fact, it requires subtety IN the con-
ceptiou of character capacity to give the hhest
shades of expression in tone and movement which
very few of actors and actresses are able to ren
der In those French pieces the characters are real
gentlemen and ladies the plot is usually slight and
without violent situations. The entire charm lies
In the refined presentation and contrast of feelings
OF interests not profound to disturb but sutii-
ciently pronounced to awaken an easy and agree
able sympathy. The "ParoT-CaI' is an admirable
acclimatizatOn of this school. One cares nothing
for the two personages IN 1t, but one IS thoroughly
diverted by their pretty mutual hypocrsies II
would certainly bc successful on the stage provided
the ripbt man and woman could be found to repre-
sent n.
In cont of the Question:" Mr.. Howcls seems to
he gradually feeling his way toward larger work.
We have five characters instead of two, and SIX
scenes instead of one. There is something more OF
plot bat il is still very slight the loves % Miss
Bellinglam, Of a blue-booded family, and Mr..
Blake a steamboat engineer, constitute the theme,
the true interest whereof since every one knows at
the beginning what the end must bel lies in the
speech and action Of the different pe!sonageS Nj.
Howells is always more successful with ms women
than with his mcn-and especially with the half
womanized girl whom we meet with slight VaTa-
tions of temperament and character III most Of his
stories He delights 10 represent her uncertain
emotions. her "sli;tish" ways, her mixture OF ten
derness. pctulancc fIanlncss, and feminine du-
plcity His style the perfection of lghtSomc grace
and vivacity is admirably adapted for such repre-
sentatiou We feel the transient charm of moods
which may suggest some deeper base Of character
but have vet scarcely touched 1.-THE surface-play,
not the moving reality, Of human passion. BY CON
trast Mr. Rowellss men lack substance, foBwe
REQUIRE i'm men. something more than SUI ordinate
service Mr. Blake in "Out of the Question: has
more pronounced virility, but he is still rather
conventional hero.
The cb;ee f.ult Of the comedy-from the literary,
not the theatrical point of view-is the absence OF
any hut the most superficial conflict of feelings and
pr,nciples We have the representatives OF gentllty
Mrs. Beilnghau, weak foolish, aud hyPocritica :;
her son. maa enough TO fight for The Union, but not
euough to refuse TO be a snob at his mothers com
n,and and her sister, Mrs Murray, selfish and vnl
car IN every fiber Of her nature. Should not Blakcs
unaided manliacss preyai, against these But no {:
he must get back The daughters watch from a
tlicving tramp and have his wrist broken, must
turn out also to be the savior of the brothers ie in
order that gratitudc-nOt the simple force of char
acter--shall conquer the arStOcradc preudiccs OF
the family This solution of the dramatic problem
is old enough % bc a little threadbarc. We cannot
escape the belief that Miss Bellinghan herself
would give him mp without nagic1l sorrow, but Tor
this auxiliary OF family gratitude In spite OF her
charming, giTlish Uslcs Of feeling, she is
too SLIGHT and shallow a nature to be
capable Of much resistance or sacrifice. Mr.
Howells has so thoroughly mastered the
technique of rcfued comedy that he now needs
only TO study the deeper aud more permanent forces
in tie natures Of men and women TO produce really
important work of the kind. There must be root
20 the most delicate aud fragrant plant, and even
the lightest and aireSt literary performance must
hint of some basis i'm the reality of life.