The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-05


some portion Of its maritime greatness,
while il will reverse what the world saw
fifteen years ago, will be as much less often
sive as the recovery of ones own always is to
the seizure of that which belongs to another.
For if we are to benefit in any way by Eng
lands trouble it must be, and we believe
will be. honestly and honorably. If Russia
can equip in any part of her dominions OF
purchase elsewhere cruisers competent to
hold their own against British cruisers and
efficient to sweep the seas of British COM
merce we shall contemplate that fact with
lively sympathy for Russia, and without
tears for England, who gave herself no IN
necessary distress for our feelings when she
did her utmost to deprive us Of the COM
merce that she is now, perhaps, to lose. But
this result must be achieved by a nation
legitimately at war with her, and not
through my assistance rendered by our
shipyards through abuse Of our neutral
ity. f'4
A Test or Popular Dramatic Taste.
We have never fallen into the belief of
a high and pure order, however ably pre-
sented on the stage, would fail of popular
support The occasional success of out
rageously sensational, farcical or immoral
pieces has led some short sighted common
tators on the public taste into the express
sion Of very Respondent opinions. If these
Jeremiahs OF the theatrical art require
complete refutation of their gloomy fore
bodings we advise them to visit Wallack's
Theatre and witness the delight and appre-
citation with which crowded and Gull
tured audiences nightly greet the pro-
duction of Diplomacy" Here is play
utterly removed from the sensational, NOR
ally pure and of high literary excellence,
which enchains attention by wholly legiti-
mate methods and the display of emotions
which are deep but not repulsive. But
when it is also noted with what thorough
excellence the play is presented, how the
individuality of the highly trained artists is
what richness the piece is mounted and
what close attention is paid to the smallest
detail, the secret Of it's triumphant success
will be understood. It is, in a word fino
play finely acted which New York demands,
and that is something which may be always
witnessed at Wallack's. The present play
OF that theatre deserves special atten-
ton because it succeeds series of
REVEALS Of standard English comedies,
some of the best in our literature. Although
Diplomacy" is taken from the French it
appears stripped Of those deleterious quail
ties which have made SO many otherwise
fine French plays Objectionable. The
power and beauty Of the original drama are
preserved. and in the process of giving it a
vernacular dress it has been made O still
more perfect piece Of dramatic art-some-
thing very rare in adaptations. On this
point we may add that since our criticism
on the play in Tuesdays HERALD Mr.. Wall
lack has adopted our suggestion of cutting
portions Of the first and second acts, which
bore somewhat too much on English politi-
cal questions. and now it is acted without a
possibility of alteration for the better.
To Mr.. Wallack himself one word of addi-
tional commentator is due for his devo-
ton to art in taking the comparatively un-
important part Of Henry Beauclerc, in order
to do which he had to decline several lucra-
tive offers to ''star." II, however, he is
simply sort Of spinal column to his best
friends during the early part of the play, in
the last act he takes the burden on his
shoulders and plays with all his grace and
comedy power to the fall of the curtain.
Diplomacy" on the whole, is better acted
than in London, and we advise none Of our
readers to miss seeing it, even if it keeps,
as it now threatens, the actors from their
summer holidays. twill run without stop
ping to take breath to the end Of the regular
season.