The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-09

yet all of his FIRST ventures such lsmentable
failures that the London critics declared u an mpos
For THIS his authorship OF the "Lady Of
Lyons" was kept profound secret until alter IT'S
Ieemng with praises OF the anony nous author. Now
Bulwcr's first plays contained Just MS good writing as
either OF ms later successes but he lacked
anu knowledge Of stage effects HIS after success
was, doubt, largely due to the actor manager, W.
G. Macready who taught Buiwer the technique OF the
dramatic art and encouraged him to persevere until
ne a proud triumph over the critics who had so
mercilessy attacked his maiden efforts. Bulwers
career excellent illustration OF the struggle OF the
American drama Tor a recognized existence and APP
AMERICA NOT BARREN FIELD.
The idea Is often advanced that America 10 barren
OF subjects Tor the draatiss This rtdiculously
absurd As the War OF the Roses was fruitful
for tho draatiss OF England SO does the Revo-
luton OF '76 TEEN with plots Of the most absorbing
interest, while the colonial life OF the New Eng
and Southern States offer a rich and al
most virgin field for tho writer IN scarcn
been made in this direction George Miles, OF Bat.-
more In his play OF 'De Soto struck vein IN which
there is rich material for able pens 'De soto'' was
well written and contained several beautiful and i'm
prcsstvc tabeanx. II nearly all the arts and SOL
people successfully competing with the
brightest civilization OF Europe there Is no apparens
why should lag bernd in the ability 10 pro.
duce good acting plays. Let our writer's nave lar
and when plays arc offered Tor managerial inspeoson
let them be judged by their merits, aud the best pro-
duced without regard TO birthplace Of INC autnor
This Is the present. Tor SO long as foreign
play obtanabie the work OF native author will DO
heid IN aPey auce and brought forward only as
dernier resort and then, not because the manage
aent at ali sansune OF success but because there
is nothing else to be had.
An ILLUSTRATION
notable instance OF this Kind occurred AZ
the old Broadway Theatre, wnen Il. A. Marshall was
tho lessee. comedy by u gentleman of Baltimore
had been pigeon hoied tor two or three years, when
Mr. Rufus Blake stage director, hauled the man
uscript from IT'S musty hiding place, and, shaking oil
the dusty ACCOMMODATIONS, handed 10 friend for pc
rusnl ana opinion as 10 It's acting capacity. Tho
report was favorable, and the American comedy OF
Extremes" was produced, achieving an nsiantane
Gus success saving the season. For several years
"Extremes' was strong card throughout the corn
try ana deservedly So 70. II was apiy written ne
viduaty, and the plot sufficiently Interesting u hold
audience There have been many incadents Of this
kind and is but natural that our audiences should
take more interest in local Or nationals subjects than
IN action Of plays depicting state oi socety Of
entertain no sympathy. This is true OF all nations
When English playwrghts 60 TO France Tor subjects
invariably localize their adaptations. ssn77
ADAPTATIONS.
And in the matter OF adaptations, where It is de-
srable 70 have them done, ho much better that the
should be performed ut home, giving II The al.
vantage OF local coloring IL viii nave much
greater chance OF prolonged life than II Angiclsed
abroad, by reason OF the adaptsr knowing the wants
aud tastes OF American theatre-goers. In proof Of
TINS statement 1t would BIO easy TO cite many cx-
amples 10 show now much more effective on our
stage arc tho adaptations OF resident plsyrghts AS
protective turT has enabled our msnufactarSts 10
successfully compete with those OF Europe, why may
not copyright Of Congress, strictly enforced do
as much Tor the dramatic authors OF American As
far as the public concerned people 10 tho tho
atre Tor evenings II that obJect Ia
attained they neither care, nor as Tar ~ nine senths
OF spectators DO they know who Is
the author oil the play they nave Witnessed Jnst "a
one enjoys good dinner without asking Who cooked
it. Now IL tho dranatists OF Europe have deemed II
to their interests 10 form societies. for
their protection, why should not the dramatic
writers OF America, however humble their morris, or
small their present claims TO being considerco dis
tinpushcd dr2matt3ts. establish 'SAmofCan
Dramatic Authors SocietyY'' IL can do, no harm,
ana may work an infnty OF good.