New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-24
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
CONCERNING COLLEGE THEATRICALS.

I 4 PROTEST AGAINST TENDENCY OF THE TIMES
70 the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Greek plays, Latin comedies historic hnsllsn
dramas presented by university students, are part Vi
tie traditional privileges and pleasures OF college, Hlc'
Juiicously and carefully taken IN lahd' no" ana
then. In the college year. they need De no iohs vi
mschievons interruption to study or checK on COZ
lecc undergraduates manly dcVclopmct III lh'eAe' '
moral and physical vigor
Dut with all Difference 10 tho perceptions OF the
president Of columbia College. and to his associates
logic. should be surprised II they Tor any one es)
ran climber ont satisfactory and healthy relation be-
tween such old fashioned and legitimate college theat
rIcal,T and the e article that Columbia College
undergraduate, and pcstgraduaieS once more were
50 busy about and brought before rs once more
this year. \ vapid mn Ical burlcsque like this
Euc Eyed susan" borrowed direct from London
theatre weeks and weeks .n the heart OF the cohHSc
year. given up TO afternoon, nightly, even sunday re-
hearsals. under professional drill ana stage manage
mcnt thereto bconcing-a large element not strictly
Of the college talent inroucedthc decentralization, In
instance after instance of all ideas Of the purpose ior
which college life is rven-cvery available hour sacri
feed the excitement Of preparing. or the faglc' OF
reaction. this last fairly until il Is time for the ncXt
burlesquc to be stmdcd-a whole week just before eX
amInntlons given TO Just as public set Of perform
anccs In a theatre IS poSsiblc-the general
public invited to app'au: and TO pay for an entertain
this IS what Columbia College thcatricals now mean!
In the present Instance there is less made OF the fmsy
excuse OF Charities, private other rs motive FOR the
weeks successive performances. But that excuse Is
ever at hand. and II passes current, faut de mcux'
silly relatives friends and fashionable folk and others
not slliv go: and Hike tho amusement. In another
past instance too. the piece selected, the comcdeta
"Confuson.8 given By Columbia and sO-calcd Columbia
actors eqnlvocnl, not to say vulgar, that
IL had been already sharply criticised when running ut
a local theatre.
1t Is not necessary speak OF the physical strain
ON the students. They must either shirk work or
suffer much, Internationally and physically, In the
effort study Just enough 10 get along during their
connection with the foolish show, distracted from duty
and dependent on trots". And. beyond all the fore
going objection TO college thcatrcas' Columbia
ard other colleges represent them, underneath all hcsc
clements Of a premature and hard worked amateur
actors fc the musical burcque pieces That Columbia
affects the sort that call for the disgraeefui
circmnncy Of young in pcticoats and corSets
and ribbons and their tuition IN female vcrismiltrdo
TO the closest degree Does any father love to see his
SON. nj eighteen twenty, dancing skirt Dances IN
n silk gown rouccd md simpeling Hike an androgyne
Is not such a part, In public or private contemplate
for any manly young man. Does II not remind one
Of the sights and places In foreign cities that call FOR
special police surveillance? Better hundred times
college athletics ovcrOnc than To cultivate this sort
Of rcGnedy vicious diversion. II there be any inherent
circmnacy In boy, character. nothing so admirably
develops II his vanity and cDnccit a. TINS SORT or
| thing when I'm ptivat" llfc old or young take
| To- The stage. take to wearing women's clothes ana
relish appraring as pretty I'm them they can. W,
know what Of moral dcccncracy j. In fine prospect
our American colleges Onght not 80 be forcing houses
| for H.
Columbia Is not than many other universities
| I'm hi, matter. True. mOrrs the pity. Bul I'm New,
York the mischief /. drcpcncd by metropolitan sur
| ruundngs. lt represents moral leakage, an IN
cllcctuaI dissipation that reflects small honor on the
| kind Of cOcgc-man enjoying such thcatricalS Inc
limo f. ripe for columbia College. for any other one OF
N. colleges nuhorilatlvcly 10 show that II recognizes
a dangerous enemy I'm what was originally pstlIne =
| an enemy 10 true manne,s and 10 intellectual ana
ethical vicOr-ar enemy not far removed In Kind from
| the sort that attacked Rome Greece and England ana
| France I'm some Of the most unattmctvc cppchs OK
| history.
Tie miss ~ n college * 10 make men and scholars
Can the thcairicals by Columbia undergraduates ana
post graduates be proved any part OF the process /
| think not. 'hElltoN'
New York, June 4. 1890.