Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 Excerpt:... " Hcavon shield me from my friends." Censure is dealt out unsparingly by some few gentlemen who are inimical to the old house--censure without inquiry, and criticism without the exercise of au ordinary judgment--while n the other hand, the friends of the theatre mote out a languid praise as lame, as limping and timid as a consciousness of servility can render it; and thus they do more injury to the establishment than censure could possibly accomplish. As censors, we shall best discharge our duty to the cause of the legitimate drama, and sustain the best interests of the Park theatre, by discharging that duty which we owe to our subscribers and the public. It has been our principal and our practice--even-handed justice--impartiality in the expression of our opinions--to approve with conscience and condemn with moderation. We have never raised our pen to chill the rising genius of the day, or nipped the bud of promise with too severe reproof. We have sustained the management of our theatres whenever we could justify it to ourselves, and even strained a point to the prejudice of our judgment. Rut we feel ourselves, under existing circumstances, called upon to institute a t close and rigid examination intotho policy of the maunjrct of this house, than if in the full tide of its prosperity. Success in any effort of the stage is at all times the manager's justification in the modo or manner by which that stage maybe conducted; and although in the exercise of our critical opinion we may condemn the means--still, if public patronage decide against us, we have no right of censure in the management. It is a trite adage, proved of all time in theatrical matters, that "those who live to please, must please to live." But when we feel the current of...