The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-20
DRAMATIC CRITICS.
How Some of Them Black-MaiI the Artists
Who Need Their Good VIII,

How Some of Them BIack-AIaiI the Artists
Who Need Their Good VIII.
New York Letter.
I blush to say that some of the best known
of these gentlemen connected with the press
of this city have an exceedingly mercenarv
side, and do not scruple or hesitate to strike
either managers or artists for money, board,
Clothes jewelry, or other valuables. l know
an impressario who was compelled to open
and keep a large summer cottage at Long
Branch, where six or eight of these gentle
men went with their wives and stayed for
many weeks. l know two dramatic critics
who were discharged from the Herald; one
who was discharged from the World, and one
who was very summarily put out of an even
ing paper for unscrupulously matchmaking
noted singers. Every prima donna who ever
sang a season in New York has had to
pay money to some dramatic critic
Tor his favor. l know a critic whose
wife said to a noted prima donna who
will sing here this winter Gomez You are
going to Europe this week. Bring me cam
els hair shawl when you return in the fall.
Don't fall" And the cantatrice bought it
and laid it about the fair shoulders know
another who wears a watch got by the same
complacent assurance What world this is!
Charles Reade's soldier shouted as he
marched through Europe, "The devil is
dead" But now recollect that he laughed
when he made the announcement The pub
sold their opinions-eXcept when they have
unhappiy fallen into the clutches of railroad
or telegraph magnates. But they are not al
ways wholly impartial, A celebrated singer
told ME this week two stories of the elder Benz
nett. When Parepa first came to this coun-
try she called at the Bennett mansion and
presented letter of introduction which she
brought from Europe. Mrs. Bennett, who
was dreSsy and rather magnificent society
lady, received her in the parlor, and, after
welcoming her, bore her to the library,
where her distinguished husband was at his
desk.
Father" said Mrs. Bennett "father here
is Nine. Parepa, come to ask the protection
of our paper"
Mr.. Bennett expressed his pleasure at see
ing her, but Parepa bridled perceptibly and
exclaimed earnestly:
NO no! Pardon me! You surely mis-
take. do not come to ask the protection of
the Herald, but only to present personal
letter of introduction from your friends"
Copstraint and embarrassment followed.
Mrs Bennett was angry. The call was short,
and the Herald never gave word of cordial
praise to Parepa till both her host and host
ess were dead Another: When Madame
Gazzaniga, the finest singer of her time, was
in this city, she called on Mrs. Bennett one
day and waited for her half an hour in the
drawing-room, and then left. On letting her
out, the servant Asked
"Who shall tell her caled?'
Tell her." said the prirna DONNA "that she
will find my card on the piano."
And there, sure enough, it was found,
"GaZzaniga" scrawed in the dust that had
blown in that summer morning on the pol
ished piano lid. Instead of being offended,
Mrs. Bennett was al once pleased by the inn
pudence and liYeliness of her caller and
thenceforward the two were good friends,
and the Herald could never say enough for
her.