The times., 1899-12-31

COmmendatiOn where he would ignore the
laudation of writer compelled to laud all
things. THE reputation OF dishonesty rem
ders honesty Intellectual .
This being true, it may be remarked here
that genuine criticism is as beneficial to
actor and producer as to entertainment
| lover-did either but realize that fact.
| No public is blind. The discerning man
| or woman who has wasted time and its ma
| terial equivalent in following the advice
of some periodical is unlikely to have much
| faith in that periodical afterward. When
next a really meritorious attraction is
| booked and commended the memory of the
! individual who peruses such commendation
! will take him or her back to other oc
! casions on which he or she has been so
! guided. The case practically is that of
/ the shepherd who called Wolff" The de-
/ serving company atones for the deficiencies
/ of the undeserFing How does yentureT
/ benefit by eXpending large sums on cast
and play and equipment when his rival,
who has devoted little attention or finan-
cial backing to any of the three, can OBJ
tain the same ferveQt extolatiOn from the
press? How does the performer gain by
long study and preparation when his or
her inferior must be treated as peerE
The claim for criticism without distinction
or principle is as absurd as it Is shameful
/ and arrogant
Reviewers themselves are not AMI can
! not be expected to be iufallible. The best
possible substitute for infallibility is in
| corruptibility. As has been said frequently
/ in these columns. it is only reasonable to
/ suppose that all other things being even,
the person fitted by intelligence, expert
/ ence, taste. and scholarliness for the posi-
tion Of critic is more likely to Judge we'll
! than is he or she who merely drops into
( theatre casually for the enjoyment Of
a moment. This constitutes a truth to the
complete recognition of which Clement
Scott's tardy employment on the Herald
testihes. There are reviewers who write
inconsiderately-of course There are ply
sicians who diagnose recklessly. The pub
lie has not forgone medical advice because
of the aforementioned fact and has but
trifingly more cause to condemn dramatic
! editors. The incompetent scribe is less
! tolerable than the dishonest one; his very
( incompetence constitutes dishonesty. But
/ the penman who has proved his right to
| confidence. often at great personal Sacri-
! fee, merits that confidence wholly. He is
worse than criminal who can be made to
betray it upon any possible consideration.
The very opportunities and powers in
the art and science of criticism render the
more regrettable the welding of it's letters
in this country. The literature of the day
has had no more valuable contributions
and the stage no more adamantine sup
port than has come from the pencil of the
venerable William Winter. Newspaper
dom and theatredom can work together
for the benefit OF both-for the general
good of the public The writer who IS
! most captious and hardest to please can
do most toward compelling advancement
to his standards Il is TO be hoped that
the notes of warning sounded from the
Mirror the 'Munsey,' the "Nickell, ~
and dozen other periodicals will have its
effect On the day that a golden club
skaters the sword in the hand Of the
journalistic reviewer. the drama win be
left defenceIess to the mercy OF the mer-
cenaFy who holds that club.
It would be very difficult by the by, to
say just when and where this club will be
stayed Certainly, the weapon will not
rest still while there are ar
tistic and beautiful things which
it can shatter From Boston and
New York come loud protests at the desc
Grafton of theatres in both places. The
proprietor Of one OF Gotham's best known
amusement resorts. it appears, has recently
taken down the curtain that adorned that
house and has substituted a canvas bear
ing countless advertisements Ills rival Of
the Hub has had a fence, represented on
his drop covered with like announcements.
The fact that the aforesaid drop shows a
portion of the Champs Elysees in Paris has
not disconnected this yandal to the slightest
degree. In each of the two Thespian tenn
pies now gentlemen and ladies' who have
paid well to be pleased must sit confront
ing the glaring Information that .Bouncer' 5
Backing Is Best" or that Mrs. Simpkins'
Soothing Syrup Stays Pain" The impu-
dence Of the thing almost is laughable.
Save in it's stag houses, where that sort
Of business Is permissible, Washington has
been happily free from this form of mer-
cenariness. Recently, however it has suf-
fered from some visiting attractions. "A
Female Drummer, for example. since the
date OF its premiere. always has been used
to extol the merits of a brand Of cigar
cites. a certain sewing machine and a ia
miliar shoe When Eckert and Berg were
at the Grand attention was called to the
manner in which they gave prominence 10
the name of piano with which doubtless
they had been presented by the manufac-
turers Even Ward and Eokes were not
above bringing TO notice the worth of a
much -placarded bun or biscuit. Fortu-
uately these cases are few and far between
Invariably they have been branded and
condemned by the local press. The pa
irons of place Of entertainment afford a
manager his legitimate source OF revenue
and he has no right to sacrifice them for
The sake Of added income.
The continuance Of Charles Blaney S
method of rendering his ventures profitable
might ultimately bring opera or tragedy To
the point reached by that famous choir
which i'm Lew Dockstaier's story. one day
found itself obliged TO chant
Hear the saints and angels sing
Pcckhams pills just the thing
Mercy sweet. and mercy mild
Three i.r a man and TWO tor child.
James Paxton Voorhees,. a son of the late
t Senator Voorhees,, has returned from a lee
{ ture tour in Virginia and is making ready
to again take up his fight for Congressional
recognition Of the theatre. Mr. Voorhees,
2 himself does not expect to succeed as he
might wish but he does look forward ia
such a move on the part OF the legislative
body as viii serve as a foundation foJ
% future efforts. In this attempt last year he
had the earnest cooperation Of Mir. Berry
= of Kentucky. together with the assistance
t Of the Dramatic Mirror and other pub
( licafious the owners Of which have rea
interest in the good of the stage There
p. are a number OF strong objections thai
b may be urged against Mr. Voorhees, ideas
e but their total effect can be nothing bu
a beneficial The laborer himself undoubted
e ly is actuated purely by his love Of the
e theatre and by his desire that the art o