The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-10
MR.. BOUCICAULT AND THE PRESS.

DECLARES WAR ON IGNORANT AND vENAL
cR1rIcIsMJhE WILL APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC
! AND NOT TO THE PAPERS.
Two years ago there appeared in the Worth Amer
lean Ieeiew paper entitled 1.-The Decline of the
Drama" wherein its low condition was partly at
tributed 'the miscellaneous influence of the news
paper press. This article. copied in many foreign
newspapers, gave offence to some journalists. Mr.
Sarccy, distinguished critic III Paris. published
reply-not to the argument. however. but 10 tho
author. The London press attacked Mr. Boucicau'
with equal animosity. and certain portion vi '"o
New York press fell into line, with the avowed III
tention OF repaying him III kind. IL may DO re-
marked that no attempt was made. III any case 10
reply to the matter; the offended Journalists con-
fined themselves. following the manner OF ME- Sar-
cey. to personal abuse.
Tho following is the part of the article referred
From the North American Review OF September
1877.
In the drama the mischievous influence Of tho
press is still more fatal in its effects 1t has super
seeded and the band OF critics that used to
occupy the front of the pit. guard over the
production of new play or the appearance OF a new
actor This SELL elected troop OF exercised and ex-
perienced folk priding itself i'll its power and its
Office was cheerfuliy recognized by the rest the
public u leader taste. 1t the body guard Of
the drama. Its functions have been or late years
Isurped by the newspaper press and the old critical
band has been dissolved. Unfortunately, the news
paper critic IS, and always has been incapable OF
dscharging these functions. speak from personal
acquaintance with the most distinguished OF these
gentlemen that have misguided London. Paris and
New York during the last thirty years.
The dramatic critic should be thoroughly ac-
quainted with the principles and craft OF dramatic
composition, the art OF acting student III dramatic
literature and experienced spectator OF per-
tormances. II he has not this storage III his mind
he is moro than one OF the audience per-
vertcd by little knowledge. In theatrical perform.
ance there is = perfect fusion OF the author and
actor 1t is nice appreciation only that detect
whether the merit of the author the craft OF the
actor creates the effect or how much applause is
due to the the other Again. it req lures tine
perception to follow u scene and discover through
the misconception or the actor what the author
really meant. Again, actors WILL from mere wanton
ideness, fail to deliver tho words OF their
parts. and substitute their own; dramatic critics
should be able ut once to detect this impertinent
chatter, distinguished by its hippancy from the
careful composition of the AUTHORS work. Yet
have known many instances where eminent news
paper critics have iailed conspicuously i'll their
Judgment OF plays at first performance. attributing
merit 10 the dranatst that properly belonged to the
actor, anu praising the performer for effects that
really belonged to the author; sometimes euloeizing
gross vices. thereby encouraging the actor
his worst faults and striking III it were. his vices
into his constitution.
| 1t has happened to me to address an eminent ar
fist on the morning u first pertor wit h
the complain. that not only had he misrepresented
the character conhded to him. but that he had III.
tered interpoatcd language or his own. to the
detriment OF the play. He answered this reproach
| by directing my attention to the columns Of tho
London Times. where his performance was eulo-
gZcd and the success or the play attributed largely
TO his buhoonery.
Ii there be any offence in the manner Of express
ing these views Mr. Boucicault is heartily sorry
it. 1t lessons thor weight. They sincere con-
vicons held Tor forty years-tho results Of his OBJ
servation his experience and practice. They arc
shared and haze boon shared. by every artist OF emf
| hence he has known; by every literary man he has
| spoken with; by tho leading writers tho press
with whom he has discussed the matter. They rep
! resent the feelings and opinions Of the theat-
cal profession masse. SO far they con-
| cerred who would utter them If they dared to face
the consequences.
Tho following is from Paris, among the latest
news :-"in the new piece now on rehearsal at the
Palas Royal Theatre. well known theatrical
critic is represented attempting to deliver q
lecture in French before London audience.
or, rather, before London collection of
empty seats The actors. to man. entreated
the authors not to bring down upon their
heads the vengeance the great critic But
NM. Siraudin and Toche. the authors OF the play.
proof against the protests and the terror OF
company. The piece will DO played they wrote
it, The great critic alluded to in this notice is NJ.
Sarcey. who does not relish being served up on tho
stage he up. daily. both actors and authors
in his newspaper.
MIR. Boucicault has measured these conseQ uences;
he has asured also. the duty he to his pro-
fosson-to his own position-and accepts the re-
suits.
After the publication of this number of the Review
the author Of the obnoxious article was frankly
warned by more than one writer Of the New
York press that it had arrayed against him
formidable body of journalists in this city. Aud
predicted, these gentlemen have apparently voted
it u common cause 20 pursue his literary with
such well-dscpned hostility that they have ai
ready entitled Mr.. Boucicault to occupy q distin-
guished position among ''the best abused men in
the country.
When q newspaper Of this persuasion commits an
assault upon the character OF private individual
on the reputation OF public man the object OF
its dislike IL helplessy exposed to odium. while
the writer. shielded behind its columns safely
discharge his missiles OF abuse-this il the attitude
of assassination. The journal usually affords the
planant opportunity Of reply in its own columns.
Wise people say ''never answer Newspaper" be-
cause such replies are usually received with con-
temptuous remarks. and . few home made facts are
manufactured oifhand to refute any humble remon-
STRANGE denial
judges and the jury the defendants and whore the
evidence is manufactured in court. lie proposes to
change the venue and appeal to the Supreme
Assize-the public. Not In any aggressive mood or
offensive manner. but simply in assertion OF the in
II obliged to use the footlghts as q bar Of public
justice and the audience rs n court OF equity, lac
will do most unwiilingly for such IL not this prov
incc OF theatre. But he will do rather than uli-
tate the attitude OF AFFECT submission many man
ayers and artists assume tribute to this asserted
influence over public opinion. He will DO 80 to
resist. both citizen and y professional man.
u demand which Is part OF social reign of terror
these journals endeavoring TO establish
in London and In New York. lie Will do in de-
fence OF the public whose mind and conscience ~
not in the keeping OF any such conspiracy OF i'm
posters nor IN the audience puppet OF which any
newspaper holds the strings. lie will do in de-
fence of his younger brothers and sisters in art.
The animosity OF this press gang directed against
one OF them entering bright career might succeed
far as to discourage sensitive nature aud wreck
hopeful Lie. No respects the respectable
Journals more sincerely than he does. But there IL
another section OF the newspaper press he does not
respect that conf rises those journals that adj
NIT neither truth fair play into any discussion;
who have per, ceied the skill OF porversion and
developed the means OF deception that inendacity
be ranked amung the hho arts. With such piece
OF machinery he dc lines to contend. e declines 10
| stop such mouths with sop OF advertisement. on
submit, managers and actors have
done. to more direct tribute; Tor thus has the
thearicN profession IN New York. ia London and In