The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29
EDWIN BOOTH ON THEATRES.

Edwin Booth is the most distinguished modern
representative Of the dramatic profession. The Chris
tan Jnion Of this city having published series Of
ticles by the Rev. Mr.. ScovillcMr. Boechcrs sonin
law-on the theatre, in which he showed it to be evil
and only evil. and that continually and. subsequent
article by p. Il. Barnum, the Snowman, who tried to
excuse the theatre and other amusemen.s because
they supply want of the human nature that paper,
through one Of its editors requested Mr. Booth to
write his experience and observation the same
general topic for its pages. The letter not in
tended for publication. but permission to publish
has been given. This is what Mr.. Booth says:-
DEAR srR-On my arrival here found your favor of
inst. but have been prevented from answering
until to-day
your hattering invitations nor do know how to aid
the worthy cause you advocate. Could do so be
assured it should be freely done.
My knowledge of the modern drama is very
meagre that never permit my wife or daughter to
witness play without previously asccrtaining its
character. This Is the method pursue; can sug-
gest other, unless it might be by means of
dramatic censor" whose taste or judgment might,
however be frequently at fault
II the management of theatres could be denied to
spectators and placed in the hands of actors who
value their reputation and respect their calling the
stage would at least afford healthy recreation, II not
indeed wholesome stimulus to the exercise of noble
sentiments. But while the theatre is permitted to
be q mere shop for gain-opcn to every huckster of
immoral gimcracks-therc is other way to dis
criminatc between the pure and base than through
the experience OF others. Yours truly
- e-p~'' - EDWIN BOOTH.
Commenting on this letter the Christian Union says
it is a most cogcnt testimony to the truth of the
principle laid down by Mr.. Scoville--namely. that
the tendency of popular amusements is to degener-
ate. The most accomplished hnerafeur, the Union
saws. could not have embodied the answer to the
question, Shall go TO the theatre more effectively
his brief epistle. But "what, then, shall do
asks the Cnion. 'forcgo all popular amnsenents be-
cause popular amusements tend to degenerate No!
Use them: Withstand and conquer the dcgcnerating
tendency: redeem them from their own innate de-
pravity; we do not expel I'D, Dickens, Thackeray and
Headc has written "A Terrible Temptation, nor
fuse play croquet because il is modified game Of
billiards the lawn We shall not always reuse to
hear jefferson In rip Van Winklc.' and Booth in
Hamlet. because troupe of charlatans playing
opera houffe around the corner.
THE to the question, Shall go to the the
atrc? Is u twofold one.
First discriminate. There theatres and the
learn to judge for himself. each parent must judge
for his children what are beneficial. what bancful.
The mornlist's ndiscrimnatc attack popular
amuscments drives his pupils to an indiscrmnatc
enjoyment Of them. The teacher calls all bad: the
pupil calls all good: and because he has been
taught how to- separate the tares from the wheat,
grnds them all up into -four together.
1T IL true that discrimination is dhcult: how diff
cult in the case the drama Mr. Booths letter elo
uuently illustrates. That Is a for caution in
exercising discrimination, not for abandoning 1t.
The second principle is that already ably laid
columns. In this discrimination keep the safc
side Of certainty He that donbteth is condemned
IL he eateth. Avoid the dangerous"
The Union closes its homiy with the last sentence
Of Americas greatest actor emphasized by italics
"Whilc the theatre II permitted to be mere shop
for gain--opcn to every huckster OF immoral GIN
cracks-thcrc lis other way to discriminate between
tlc pure ard base than through the experience OF
others
CHURCH AND STATE IN FRANCE
Much has lately been said and written concerning
religious movements in France, and American Prot
cs.ants laying much stress these indications,
as they appear, of not very distant separation Of
Church and state in that country. The endcavor
of Perc Hyacinthc to found q national church in
France under the auspices Of the English Episcopal
hierarchy the prospective establishment OF Protos
tant journal In the South OF Franco and the recent
success of missionary operations, NJ well the
growing holiness of republicans and the dccadence
or supposed dccadcncc of the clerical party
all these indications have seemed to q large
class OF Professionals in this country to he in
vorablc to tho speedy severance of the Church
from state influence control But the Rev. ]. p.
Cook, n French Methodist minister writes to the
Christian droaf of this city, to disabuse the Aneri-
can mind OH this point. He shows some of the diff
cuties that surround the question from the French
standpoint. First, the suppression of the salary
which is now paid by the State to the clergy would
be considered Ubiquitous and unjust measure.
not only by thu Catholic priests. but by the people
in general Before the first French revolution the
Komish church owned considerable property In
France. When this property WIS seized upon by the
government, and tho Church required to rcnounce
IL ALL II was agreed in exchange that the State