„THEATRICAL CRITICISM.”

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2193, 7 March 1881, Page 3

„THEATRICAL CRITICISM.”

To the Editor of the Globe. Sib, —In answer to “Playgoer,” I would soy that when bo drops his “ dummy ” I’ll talk to him. I do not like concealed weapons. That much, however, I can tell him, viz,, we have in Germany an excellent old proverb : “ Anf einen groben Elotz gehoert ein grobes Beil; ” which means in English, “ A rugged stump requires a blunt hatchet.” Meantime, I am much obliged to the editor for giving so mnoh space to “ Playgoer ” for republishing part of an essay written by a Shakespearian scholar in the Dunedin “ Times.” While he was at it, he might as well have printed the entire column, and not only part of the notice. 1 am the last man who objects to criticism ; but it must come from a scholar who knows what he is writing about—not from one whose opinion is preconcerted, and who thinks the merit of criticism consists in running down what he does not understand. Yours, &0., D. E. BANDMANN, White Hart Hotel, March slb, 1881. l_We print Herr Bandmana’s letter as a magnificent specimen of ultra egotism. His statement that he is tho last man who objects to criticism is hardly borne out by fact, inasmuch as it is well known, that, because they did not bespatter him with fulsome praise, ha quarrelled with the critics both in Invercargill and Dunedin. The reference to the Dnnedin Shakespearian scholar is somewhat unfortunate, because, as we are informed, “A Shakespearian Scholar ” was weakly suspended from his critical office by the editor of a Dnnedin paper, at the instigation of Herr Sandmann, for daring to say that the latter could not play Shakespeare, Probably this is Herr Bandmann’s peculiar method _of paying a tribute of praise to Shakespearian scholarship.—Ed. Globs.]