The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01
BY JOSEPH I. c. CLARKE.

"TilE newspapers. Sir. they are
the most vllainous-liccu-
tious abomnabe - Internal
not that | ever read them.
No. ] make it a rule never to look into
Q newspaper"
Thus Sir Fretful Plagiary. one hum
bred and thirty-fiNe years ago. in Sheri-
daus Critic" The unhappy CALLED
Jade OF the drama WINGED then, while
those whose w!thers We're unwrung en-
juycd ii adjust as they do to-day.
The slight disturbance in our critic
circle within the past week reveals the
fact that human nature IS about the
same as in Shcridans hcyday. 1t causes
a smile at first. but as the world is not
standing still and knowledge is ever
widening its circle serious aspect
succeeds the smile.
Marc klaw at the managers dinner
aid not hurl anathema heedlessly at the
dramatic criticism of New York OF to-
day. Victor Herbert when he complained
al the opera company's dinner OF the
c.ty's musical criticism was not making
nero childish cutlery. Each had MS
specific grievance, and each grievance
should be examined in turn.
Mr. Klaw speaks for managers; MI.
Herbert is musical composer Of high
achievement and higher honorable am
b.tion. That there IL no lamenting
Gramatist in the foreground must
merely be an accident. for whenever a
manager is hurt "a dramatist Is more
than likely to be a fellow sufferer we
must recognize at the start that mana
ger. author, composer and actor are
all sens!tivcs. The manager Is acuteiy
sensitive in the pocket nerve, ana TO
varying degree in the pride nerve put
author composer and actor are sensitive
all over-it Is one OF Distinguishing
characteristics OF the much discussed
but little studied artistic temperament.
And what have they TO complain OF
IN his year of grace in the matter OF
criticism? Said Mr.. Klaw. after de-
claring that twenty odd years ago four
men writing criticisms for the papers
could be bought:
81 do not assert tonight that az
present the three or four men, WHOM !
VIII not call by name, are dishonest III
the sense that they will accept money
for services rendered. but do say with
out fear of contradiction that these men
will attend worthy and earnest enorts Oh
dramatic production and VIII go away
from them and write what they 90 not
believe to he true. And TINS IL us
honesty as fragrant as any form OF o's-
honesty.
"It is fair to me that ] should state
that Messrs. Klaw 4 Granger nave no
oompaint to make in this matter, Tor
our pro iuctions this season nave pee"
uniformly successful. But other man
ooomen,s have suffered from this crit
teal dishonesty.
Aud II Is not TO be wondered at, for
the three or four men whom ! might
rnrntion meet in cafes and restaurants
before attending productions and agree
on what they shall write. a glance over
their reviews the following day dis
c.uScs a certain family resemblance
that is Enthusiastically discerned That
T.. all have to say on the subject. en-
c-pt that | am ready at any time TO
furnish further proof that my charges
are true"
70 put this plainly, 1t asserts That
rspup Of men writing criticisms for I'M
p,rrnt daily papers practically decide
H. advance Of seeing the PLAYS what
thcy will write about them. What Mr..
hlaW- if his charge be true-means by
not calling such men dishonest, II Is
hard to understand. There Is only one
to,t Of "A play--seeing 1t and hearing
g. No author can tell in advance how
rs play will strike the public; nor can
any manager predict with certainty us
a. eptahalty If they could-well, crit
- would be a blessed superfiuity. Moth
iAs i ,rucr about play than that 1t IL
written between the lines. You take
u" combination OF story, character'
situation, dialogue. stage setting tha'
has meant success a week ago, ana yo"
have sighted nothing, yet 1t al IaIls
unro-ponsive on eye and ear. WHAT IN
missing? Who can tell in advance OF
Gctnal playing before an audience!