The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-19

CURED, to US, when, glancing over the invi-
Ting pages Of Harper for June, we came upon
the hfst paper OF delightful series-our
anticipation IL delightful, at least-''Ihe Old
Engilsh Dramatists," by James Russell
Iowell, and, further on, upon Mr.. Charles
dudley Warmers notice Of Professor Irenps
lie OF William Gilmore simms Ia the Editors
STUDY. Mr.. Lowell hardly belonged 10 Tue
school OF the evoiutionists In criticism. lie
was always more interested In nterature lnan
IN the history Of literature, and we suspect
that he habitualiy attributed more 70 the seed
than TO the soil. But here, in the paper 10
which We have referred, we find him dealing
win theory OF origin. 1T Is generaiiy as
sumed," he says, shat the modern drama I'D
France, Spain, Italy and England was an
evolution out OF the mysteries ana moranties
and interludes which had edined and amused
preceding generations OF simpler tasve anu
ruder intelligence. 'Tis the old story oil
Ihespis and his cart. Taken with due limi-
tations, and substituting the word stage Tor
drama, this theory OF origin Is satisfactory
enough. The interlude may nave
kept alive the traditions of stage, and may
have made ready certain NUMBER OF persons
TO assume higher and grayer parts "hen Tue
opportunity should come; but the reVliai Oh
learning and rise of critics capable OF sup
plying a more cultivated and exactlng audi
ence must have had stronger and more
direct influence on the growth OF the drama,
as we understand the word, than any or all
other influences combined. Certainly THIS
seems to me true Of the English drama az
least
Mr. Warner also believes in genius, aud we
might even speak Of him as reactlonary, IL
we Fentured 10 compare him with MS prede-
cessor In the Editors Study; but him, 100, we
find charging upon a theory Of origin. zine
Do Of oil
Marion and his men," says Mr.. Warner,
shave still certain vitality which is not in
herent in the poetry of the author, but the
name Of Simms is now chiefly useful as an
illustration Of literary and social period
gone by. Had Simms been born now,
in an impulsiye, generous society, when
has dropped feudalism and slavery, ana
which sees as an inspiration Of progress what
John Van Buren, used TO call the northern
Light. there is every reason 70 believe that
be would hold 'front.' rank among American
noyests. There never was such demon,
stratiOn in the history OF the effect OF social
emancipation upon literature as has been
furnished by the brilliant Southern writers
since the war of secession"
We have quoted 30 much to illustrate the
tendency TO which we alluded at the outset
but We add a passing comment upon Mr.
Warmers theory. We call 1t his theory, bul
he holds il in common with nearly all Northern
critics. Why is it that literature has pros
pered more at the North since the war o.
secession than at any time before that strug
glel We do not mean 10 say that any living
man Of letters at the North is quite the peer
of Emerson, of Hawthorne, or OF Lowell, pu'
it will be- admitted That the general appreola'
ton of literature aud the average Literary
capacity at the North have greatly advanced
in the last twenty-five years.-New Orleans
Picayune.