, 1879-06-15
"PINAFORE" PBUDGS.

"PINAFDRE" PRUDEs.
4 large and veil organized troupe-tt
soloists being chiefly members Of our churc
choirs-has been giving Su111vAs's breez
and clean little opera, 'sPinafore," ct Have1
lys Theatre during the past week. It ha
met with a remarkable degree Of success
both musically and dramatically, and it ha
given hearty, innocent enjoyment to larg
crowds of people, who have been able to e
to the theatre without having their sense O
propriety and decency offended. As rule
the audiences have comprised the best peo
pie of tho city, and large numbers who rare
" visit the theatre. Those who have beo1
have felt better for tho going, and, as almost
always happens, there are many who wan.
to go when it is too late. The singers have
| probably not been aware that they were
/ doing anything wrong, and the audiences
have never had suspicion Of the
sort, but have enjoyed the pleasantly,
absurdity, and satire Of the piece with keen
relish and abundant gusto. It may be infer
| red that the singers will take their customary
places before the organ to-day and sing with
just as much devotion as they ever did, and
certainly with all their usual excellence; and
those among the audiences who are church.
goers will perform their deyotions undis
turbed by the worldly memories of SPIN
afore."
But it always happens that there is class
of people who are bound no one else shall
be happy because they cannot be happy
themselves, and who look upon any enter
tainment that is calculated to make one
cheerful and forgetful of care aud trouble as
sinful It is not remarkable that some of
the representatives Of this class have already
commenced their assaults upon "Piuafore.
chiefly because it has been sung by choir
singers. One of them says that it il in-
proper for them to sing in theatre where q
dramatic entertainment is announced for
Sunday evening! If choir-singers were
protesting Christians, and were employed in
churches on that account,-if they occupied
the same relation to the Church that Brother
sASxET does to Brother MOODY, OF the Pom
titcal Choir to the Papacy, might be
room for comment upon the inconsistency
Of the singers. But choir-singers are not
employed because they are Christians: if
this were condition Of employment, we
should have very poor choirs. They ara
employed because they can sing, and can
lead congregation; and, if they don't sinr /
well, they are usually discharged So fur as
sunday services are concerned, they occupy
The same relation to the congregation that
he organ, cornet, trombone, or whatever
'1se is used for assistance does. A SINGER
las just as much right to object to singing
n church on Sunday that allows dramatic
readings, and secular con-
erts within its sacred walls on weekday
'ishts-and nearly all of them do-as
hurch people have to object 70 their sing
ng IN theatre on weekday nights which
ives entertainments on Sunday nights.
But along comes another prude, and he
b]ects to church-singers taking part in an
pera that contains profanity In view of
he circumstances and surroundings of
Pinafore," this charge is simply astound- :
'g, and we propose to vindicato Capt. Cor
'ran. Swearing the world over has been :
onsidered from timo im1nemorial as a priv Z
ege and prerogative Of the sailor. It is q E
nrt OF his stock in trade, and the best snil- q
IS are usually the hardest swearers. We
intend, however, that Capt. Corco7q7, was :
exception to the rule. Looking up his
cord we find that he was s'a right good
aptain y; that his crew were "quite con- Fl
Mt with him; that he "naver, never q
led bad language OF abuse, whatever the y
He declares himself that. =
Though 'Bother it, I may OCCASION r,
y say, 7 never use big, big D." a
hen confronted by his crew, however. he 8,
irms that he t'hard1y ever" uses it. CT
1ereupon his crew gives "Three cheers
ono cheer more for the well-brsd Captnin
the Pinafore." In oil our acquaintance
til the Captain there is but one instance h,
lere he uses the "big, big D." He has CT
It learned from that phenomenon Of 1io1;. er
IS, the triangular Dict Deadye, that his !"
lighter, the pride Of his heart and tho e1
'earl of minstrolsy," is about to run agav "a "a
Ii one Of his foremast hands. He sum- ~
NE the criminal before him, and, trying to
'ress his anger, he says:
In uttering reprobation nc
To my British tar nj
I try to speak with moderation. 81. ri
Bnt son have gone too far, ra
I'm very sorry to disparass :.
4 humble fotemast lad. Il
But to seek your Captains child ii u.ariage- arr
Why, damme, It's too bad :: "
Ind it Was Under the circumstances, Cart. IN,