Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-31
IRVING AND Ills IMPRESSIONS,

Henry Irving, the English actor, came
TO this country with two strings to his bow
The dramatic string he played to advan-
tage, and his engagement was a success.
The American public certainly treated him
considerably, and he has for it none but
the kindest recollections The second
string to M. Irying's bow was the making
Of a book about the United States, and the
result is volume entitled Irving's I'm
pressions OF America" It s absurd to
mold that few weeks residence in q few
great cities should he deemed ample to
qualify foreigner to write book about a
people Mr.. Irving can know very little
about Americans. They and their social
and political systems are not TO be ana
lyzed il q month or two, nor IS the man
Of the footlights the rest qualified to the
task. He lives and moves in a peculiar
sphere-oue that does not give him correct
Ideas Of this people. But still the impress
eions made upon the observant mind of
such 4 man may have curious sort Of in
terest Irving brought with him from
England q skilled writer TO make note Of
the Impressions" and subsequently write
them up. As literary production, there
fore, the work is no. Irying's 1. IS bad
way to make book, bat to yalueless book
making there IS no end. However, it serves
lrvings purpose for it VIII sell and add
new lining to the pocket Of the shrewd
Englishman, who is very much a better
manager than an actor An evidence OF
this il found in q single passage in which
he payes his way with the press for his
second coming next year. His writer puts
it thus in speaking Of some expressed
views Of lis master:
" journalism and the stage" he said. have
always been more or less I'm sympathy with each
other. As thcy have progressed this sympathy
may be said TO have grown into an alliance in
the best interests OF civilization. As opponents
OF tho highest thought OF the greatest writers
as educationists OF the most Comprehensive
character. the press and the stage are think
Two OF the most powerful institutions for good
IN our times and represent the greatest rl0sSj-
biities IN the future. II is interesting 10 con
template how closely they are associated these
two institutions, Orlistically and commercially
The advertisements of the theaters represent a
Large revenue to the newspapers; the employ
ment Of writer's and reporters in chronicling
and commenting upon the work Of the theaters
represents, on the other hand an important
outlay for the newspapers The press is telling
the story OF the theaters from day TO day and
while it extends an earnest and honest SYM
patty to dramatic art in its highest aspirations
of excellence, hope the time viii come when
the criticism of the work of the stage viii be
considered one OF the most serious features that
belong to the general and varied compositions
Of 6 newspaper"
There is nothing in this bat 4 bit of
transparent fattery TO tack the modern
stage to the coat-skirts of the press and
class them as two of the most powerful in
stitutions for good, is adroit, but will not
serve its purpose. One of the chief sins of
the modern press is its subserviency to
the modern stage The press, indeed, |
is in largest part responsible for the de
cadence of the drama. 1t criticises, it is
true, but then it critieises all the produc-
lions Of the stage much according to the