New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-16

ro., ,,,, of,v ,rarsdics unborn within MIN -
f,irb.cned into silence, and gladly hides himseii
IN IN. modest most OF chrk In o shoestofo'
,i,t,e article In a newspaper fulsomey praises IN
irtoIe,.b,e play or m insuferable actor, ana ths
,opr,acc is governed for all time by this dictum.
imnos,ure Is encouraged, and the pubic f"pos
pours into the lap of the unworthy. Examples
,poh "A these OF the miraculous power OF the
Newspaper are common occurrences, as eVefyoouS
know.
IL would be difficult to conceive OF prliliaht
writer and trained observer, such as MI. boucl-
cault undoubtedly is, seriously setting ior'h a
tanale OF cobweb sophistries like that indicated,
and gravely arguing in its favor as ios,cai
proposition, IL II were not that we have evidence
that this was actually done. No better seecuon
for the refuts ton Of such fhlacies eouiu ha'e
been made. Mr. Winter has been all his ACTIVE
life writer about the stage, and dis s'ore VI
theatrical erudition Is boundlcss hltnoush
by no means an optimtst, and far from w
ing in harmony with all the present tenaehe'es Oh
the theatre, he is Of too judicial Temperament
not 70 recognize how large q balance there Is In
its favor During his long career az a cri'o IN
which h. has won undisputed eminence, he has de-
voted HI. power, not only to the exposure Of the
chsrlatnnisn and imposture which Mr. Bouc,-
c.ult insists have been under the especial proec-
tion % the newsInper but also, and IN greater
mcosure AZ A more congpnial duty, to the prompt
and decisive recognition OF merit function WHICH,
according to Mr. Bouccault, the press fails 10 per
form. II would be easy 10 point TO NUMBER OF
brilliant regulations upon which Mr.. Wlh'ef hrst
mt an authoritative seal In the columns OF lhe
Tribune lie has not, however, confined himselt
to the theatre lie holds high rank among
American poets, and the v1sitor 70 ths SHRINE W
Shakespeare now buys more OF the "rit'hgs oi
William Winter than Of those OF washington ir'-
ing Mr. Winter seems to he master OF every stVe
His prose can take an eicduence approaching TINT
OF poetry His diction is musicol in rare degree
His gravest passnges nre often enlivcned by uhsh
Of humor His blade always shines. Lastly, we
know OF few contemporary writer's VINO appro"oh
him in felicity Of quotation. Whether II he pfoVcro
or ie>t verse or prose. it fits like jewel IN i's
setting. Even those who are not espec,ahS lhf'-
estcd in the strCc will read this most entertaining
production with delight q striking example OF
controvp rsial skill Az for Mr.. Boucicauit, his
plvht reminds us Of the story OF the swordsmsn
who had such marvellous cunnin. thst even the
victim did not know that anything had happened
IN him until he sneezed, whcnnpon his head folIed
oF We doubt whether MIR. Boucicanlt, after
hearing Mr. Winter, would have dared TO tn'te
pinch Of SNUFF
II ought 10 be a good and sufficient answer
10 Mr.. Boucicaults charges TO show that the stage
s steadily growing in the consideration OF the
community. and in the rewards enjoyed by lh
votarics In demonstrating this Nr WINTER
dwells M length upon Mr.. Bouoicaulfs own career
There never fnirrr argumentnm al no
nincm" for The reasons we have already mil
mated Il canno, be the fault OF the press that
Mr. Boucicaulf hns lacked appreciation and en-
couraprmpnt il il can he shown that, so fhr
from lacking either, he has heen accorded ho'h
n An extraordinary degree. II is stated, and we
believe on his own authority that he hns enrns, not
less thnn g. 600 900 in his lifetime by his writing
and his acting Can my one seriously believe.
asks Mr. Winter. " that q press which, while not
ALWAYS unanimous In its praise, has celebrated
every one Of his achievements md recognized
every particie OF his merit-not only pouring forth
It's own incense with lavish prodtgnlNy, but
freely opening i's columns TO his own cpistohrv
fluctuations OF himself which would oil volume
is, In fact. the foe OF Gcrius and the despoirr
OF ART? Turning from Mr. Bouoicaults own
history AS nm example Of the great rewards. both
pecuniary and other. which lnNished upon
the dramntSt and actor In this age, Mr. Winter
traces the history OF the American stage during
the past century or more aud follows its develop.
mcnt NJ social force along with the growth of
the country. until now there are In the United
STATES ? 1 Canada more than 5000 theatres THIS
| portion OF the ornton is compact summary Of
The history Of the stage in this country To prove
that the stage never more hourlshins might
he supposed 10 demonstrate sufficiently the utter
| absurlty Of Mr. Houcicsults position. that the
stage had been brought low by the press But
| Mr. Winter Is not contrnt"d IN stop here. llo
| goes 10 argue first That the press couh not
degrade and iniurr Nh" stage II IL tried, and that
| furthermore II has not tried In discussing This
| subject Mr.. Winter covers the whole field Of The
| relations Of the pres and thu stage As inri.
dental 10 his purpose, he presents Il bnef and
rapid survey Of the development OF the modern
| newspaper Much OF what he has 10 say upon
! This subject might be applied TO every critical
| department OF journalism, and s ~ instructive
| as IL Is entertaining
The book Is admirably printed, and the edition
| is limited TO $50 copies.