THE DRAMA.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 28, 15 February 1844, Page 2

THE DRAMA.

liii'-RE is no profession which has ever boen attacked with so much virulence as the Driiuui, and it is a matter of surprise that rt ha* not, long since, sunk beneath the combined inteiest wiih which it has been compelled to combat. It is singular

t» look back, and survey the multiplicity of struggles which have occurred between the contending parties, that ponderous and all-powerful champion. PryNNE (whom some of our readers must have read of), attempted to knock down the Stage with one mighty blow, " said his say," had his ears cut off, died, and was for--Milieu. Passing along, we find snolhet youth called Jeremy Collier, taking up the weapons oi his predecessor, and crying with a (qucJ voice, and brandishing his shuil, and laisinji his spear on high^ bin, h>, siid behold | as the man of might .(I id "ai against m* a-lveisarv, that firs (iwdrd broke in twain, and Ins lance shivered mi.) atoms ; and he died, and was laid in tin- tomb of his ancestors.\noini: at the present day, we find a multitude of these " mi-ditv << hq UIIOJOII sense," fighfillg beneath the lianiirs of such tiieii as the Reverend \i,i/el Jstaeji but tie- | iis-Mi tor such llfcintjS are p.ist, the woild i> liecorne 100 l (I to listen to srffnsSenU so coiinaiy to reason. The I'eveond Angel j.uiics p tested boiue stir t-i ,i short period h\ the outiaiieous con.iuct he thouuht to puisne; but the D.ama still pursues the even i. nor ot its way unmoved by ihs iuch decla me s. Yet althoe.h this many leaded monster, may biiriy be sael to be vsuque there are a. few people m the world who still retain tie bi pr judicsi. X - advocates of the Drama we would ask Upon uhat ground is the Drama t-> be considet ed as au immoral amusement ? The question i« unans , that it( in a lust and candid manner. Why is a leN • ied b\ two nr mote per-ous, m*re iral ih.oi when delivered byonefl () t, wh\ is example more immoral than ./ 1 tain i. - i \ uo offeMMngbSllWore the public, but paiiicula oira,sin r e >houa aai either Will not or co , a moial stealing upon them in their amusements, is their only chance of instruction ; and in spice of all objections that laua'ics may rais. , from whatever source, is a boon to the multitude. On SteoiSJf la-l, oin Ihf atre was opened and we were very happv to find by the unanimous applause that the p.fiormance gave geneta! satisfaction. We congratulate the sudieniee on their foibeatam•-■ and good humour, notwithstanding, their patience was seveiely test- d by ttie delay ■ bi< ii M . i:. o > ing to the im ssense la->our in lilting up, <kc. which had to be ii d ah Mon) ay m i-)re the I commence. Mr. Laki i thui oppo as&mitig the Leaks a emeu of Auckland, that while he I ot the D no obscenity sh.tll be all" expression tolerated, that would offend delicate or fastidi 'l'd. a I - »y to exert ile ins< ivcs fot ,e audience. Ihe_. h a ||| ,| 0 all in tit. i id we little ! to their virtm » verj 1.