Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-08

derstaLd the distinctions / tried to draw.
| am not pessimist. l regard the present
| popularity of certain class of brilliant
but unhealthy plays, as simply transi-
| ton period in the evolution of higher
standard of dramatic taste, and l am
optomistic enough to believe that the re-
action that is sure to come, sooner or
later. will do much to permanently ele-
yate the American stage.
l advanced some of these views at Or
| last circle meeting. Mrs. Blinkerbee
said that, in her Judgment the popularity
of a certain class of comedys that made
vice Jest, and ridiculed the marriage
relation grew largely out of the conditions
| of our American life. We are too prone
to sacrifice health. and leisure, and peace
of mind upon the altar of business sue
cess. We are engaged as nation in
mad scramble for wealth. We do not
have repose or recreation in the sense
that foreign peoples have them. We bank
upon our nervous energy until it will no
longer honor our drafts. The American
people suffer more from nervous diseases
than those of any other nation. They
rush through life under full steam. Such
| a condition of affairs engenders excuses.
There is a natural craving, growing out
of this busy turmoil of activity, for n
recreation that will be at once brief, and
restfu. Such recreation must afford
something light enough to relieve us of
mental effort and bright enough to laugh
us into forgetfulness of other cares. We
are race of worriers, and while men
who worry, are generally the ones who
compel success bygdiscounting adversely,
they are liable to lose most of life's sun
shine 1t therefore comes about quite
naturally enough that the American
people are willing to pay almost anything
for laughter. Laughter is a balm for
oyerwrought nerves and carries with it
the Lethean quality of forgetfulness. 1t
is the best specific for the excuses of our
American business activity. 1t is not
surprising therefore that our humorous
writers are the best paid and that the
PLAYS that amuse us. and make us laugh
ourselves into forgetfulness of the respon
sibilities of life, achieve immediate popu
larity and financial success. The Ameri-
can people are willing to pay handsomely
for laughter, but they have tears enough
without paying for them. They want
amusement not instruction. Hence it
has come about that the lecture platform,
and the tragedies, supposed to cmbody
tie highest forms of dramatic art have
largely lost their old time popularity with
the American masses. We do thinking
enough in our everyday pursuits, and
when we seek recreation we insist upon
having it in a light and amusing form.
We are not nearly as wicked as the people
in plays, but we are willing to overlook
their faults, If they afford us laughter
and forgetfulness
This was the longest expression of
opinion had ever known Mrs Blinker
bee to give and confess l couldn't help
being impressed with the accuracy of her
analysis.
, "There appears to be good deal of
sense in what you say Betsey," remarked
! Mrs Peppersqueezer, but do not see rs
, you offer any remedy for existing evils.
You are content with telling US why they
exist Granted that the American people,
! as q result of their nervously energetic
, mode of life must have their recreation in
the form of amusement, is it not possible
for pIaywrights and theatre managers to
furnish it in forms that will be healthful.
, Is the suggestion of evil essential to
laughter? Is it necessary to mock the
virtues and ridicule the decencies of life
in order to furnish light recreation for
the masses? I certainly think not. If
the present condition of affairs has Its
demoralizing aspects is it not our duty to
: do whatever lies in our power to stimu-
late healthier tone, and inspire higher
taste, at least in our own community
She believed that all could do their share
in shaping public sentiment, and this was
certainly a field of work that might we'll
enlist the active interest Of every one who
had the welfare of society at heart
Della Simpsilly interrupted to say that
this discussion was getting altogether two
deep for her, but she did think that most
grown up people were competent TO decide
what kind of show they wanted to
attend The public was pretty apt to get
the kind of entertainment it was willing
to pay for For her part she did dearly
love u negro minstrel show, and she
wasn't ashamed TO own it, She always
forgot about everything in the world
when she attended one, and just laughed
and laughed till tie tears rolled down her
! checks.
Tabathy Tibbals remarked that there
were always a few good souls in every
| community who would make good
guardians for the rest of its wicked peo
Pile; but her sarcasm passed unnoticed.