Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-29

--N THE New York Tribune of
Sunday, August S. William
Winter wrote thus. under the
aA heading Of Dramatic Critic
E0eH&0L ism, Its Function and Prac-
In every theatrical season the cry OF dis
satisfied or enraged theatrical managers
rings through the Ian on the subject of
unjust" ''~unsympathetic,' hostile criti-
cism. Among those persons the notion is
prevalent. and it is becoming more so, that
the province OF a critic is to approve
and praise all that goes on In the theaters;
for 1t Is often intimated that anything else
is not only unjust, but dishonest and mali
cious. A new theatrical season is opening
and therefore a few words relative to
the province Of dramatic criticism will be
appropriate here.
The duty OF advocating a fine drama Is
manifest, but the task of advocating a fine
drama is difficult. In this, as in some
other matters. the welfare Of the many
must be protected, against their will. by
the determined opposition and strenuous
labor of the few. Impure drama, as expert
ence has clearly shown, finds favor with
the desultory multitude. 1t ought not
to do SO. but It does, and the influence OF
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reason exists, therefore, why a conscien-
tious writer should defend the good and
denounce the evil. His recompense will
be the hostility of many individual ene-
miles and likewise a liberal measure of pub
lie o~bloquyi but, in the long run, he. will
exert a good influence. he win improve
public taste and he will benefit society.
Advancement in the right direction is
glnNu hut a. IL continuous The nh1iul tfap
resting upon such a writer, accordingly.
is clear. He must write for the informa-
ton and benefit Of readers. The task of
the critic exaets specific qualifications and
steadfast allegiance to high and stern prin-
ciples. Intellectual and moral. II is a part Of
his duty to know the literature OF the
drama; 10 discriminate betwlxt defamation
and acting, betwiXt appearance and inn
personatlon; to see the mental, moral, and
spiritual aspects of the stage, and likewise
70 see the popular, the expedlent, and the
mercenary aspects of It; to make due al
lowance for all obstacles that confront
well-intended endeavor; to hold the scale
true, TO reach the Intelligence of a great
public OF miscellaneous readers; to respect,
as far as possible, the feelings and am
billions Of actors; 10 praise with discretion
and yet with force, -displaying somewhet
more than the fervor Of an animate clam.
to censure without undue severity; to d.
nounee explicitly and as often as neces-
sary, the influences. often operant by mis-
use OF the stage, that would vitiate taste
and morals, to think quickly and speak
quickly, yet make no error; to check, up.
pose, and discomfit on all occasions, the
dwelling spirit OF sordid "commerclalism, 4"
which is forever striving TO degrade every
high ideal and mobile II I'm the ruck OF
medlocrity; 10 give not alone knowledge,
study, and technical SKIN, in the exercise
OF literary art To- th- good OF the theater,
but. also, the bes, power Of the mind and
the deepest feel.sgs of the heart TO the
celebration and establishment Of the labor
Of others. Tha is the duty which many
writer's In the American press are striving
TO perform. often against bitter opposition
writers. among the older journalists, such
as J. Ranken Towse, Henry Wstterson'
George II, Goodale, Brander Matthews
Peter Robertson. Franklyn Fyles, Charles
NJ. Bragg. II. 7. Parker and Robinson
Locke. and, amCng younger workers IN
the good cause, James O'Donneil Bennett
Burns Mantle, Charles Darnton, William
A. sage, Louis V. De Foe, George Henry
Payne, Norman Hapgood and r. Mawson.
Some actors, no doubt. are, sometimes,
unappreciated, or even neglected. The
spirit OF the age is tumultuous. ''rhe
affair cries haste, and speed must an
. swer it." Some OF the abundant newspaper
commentary which figures as dramatic
criticism doubtless provides cause enough
for discomfort on the part Of actors-and
OF readers. Mention has been made OF an
American ironmonger who was taken into
Stratford church to see the tomb OF
Shakespeare, and whose friend reproached
him for tapping on the rail with his Jack
knife. whereupon he said he was bound
TO find cut whether. In a neighborhood
I having very little iron, the fences were
made solid or hollow. and on being re-
proved for lack Of reverence, he further