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Fechter's in Fourteenth Street were the homes of good comedy and high…
class tragedy。
Along about 1870 the more aristocratically…minded New Yorkers took
to dining at six or six…thirty o'clock； since then each decade has seen the
dinner recede further into the night； until it is a common occurrence now
to sit down to that repast at eight or even nine o'clock。 Not only has the
hour changed； but the meal itself has undergone a radical transformation；
in keeping with the general increase of luxurious living； becoming a
serious although hurried function。 In consequence； to go to the theatre and
be present at the rising of the curtain means； for the majority possessing
sufficient means to go often to the play and culture enough to be
discriminating； the disarrangement of the entire machinery of a household
as well as the habits of its inmates。
In addition to this； dozens of sumptuous establishments have sprung
up where the pleasure of eating is supplemented by allurements to the eye
and ear。 Fine orchestras play nightly； the air is laden with the perfume of
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flowers； a scenic perspective of palm garden and marble corridor flatters
the senses。 The temptation； to a man wearied by a day of business or sport；
to abandon the idea of going to a theatre； and linger instead over his cigar
amid these attractive surroundings； is almost irresistible。
If； however； tempted by some success； he hurries his guests away from
their meal； they are in no condition to appreciate a serious performance。
The pressure has been too high all day for the overworked man and his
ENERVEE wife to desire any but the lightest tomfoolery in an
entertainment。 People engaged in the lethargic process of digestion are not
good critics of either elevated poetry or delicate interpretation； and in
consequence crave amusement rather than a mental stimulant。
Managers were quick to perceive that their productions were no longer
taken seriously； and that it was a waste of time and money to offer high…
class entertainments to audiences whom any nonsense would attract。
When a play like THE SWELL MISS FITZWELL will pack a New York
house for months； and then float a company on the high tide of success
across the continent； it would be folly to produce anything better。 New
York influences the taste of the country； it is in New York really that the
standard has been lowered。
In answer to these remarks； the question will doubtless be raised； 〃Are
not the influences which it is asserted are killing the drama in America at
work in England or on the Continent； where people also dine late and
well？〃
Yes； and no！ People abroad dine as well； undoubtedly； as elaborately？
Certainly not！ With the exception of the English （and even among them
dinner…giving has never become so universal as with us）； no other people
entertain for the pleasure of hospitality。 On the Continent； a dinner…party is
always an 〃axe…grinding〃 function。 A family who asked people to dine
without having a distinct end in view for such an outlay would be looked
upon by their friends and relatives as little short of lunatics。 Diplomatists
are allowed certain sums by their governments for entertaining； and are
formally dined in return by their guests。 A great French lady who is asked
to dine out twice a week considers herself fortunate； a New York woman
of equal position hardly dines at home from December 1 to April 15；
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unless she is receiving friends at her own table。
Parisian ladies rarely go to restaurants。 In London there are not more
than three or four places where ladies can be taken to dine； while in this
city there are hundreds； our people have caught the habit of dining away
from home； a custom singularly in keeping with the American
temperament； for； although it costs more； it is less trouble！
The reason why foreigners do not entertain at dinner is because they
have found other and more satisfactory ways of spending their money。
This leaves people abroad with a number of evenings on their hands；
unoccupied hours that are generally passed at the theatre。 Only the other
day a diplomatist said to me； 〃I am surprised to see how small a place the
theatre occupies in your thoughts and conversation。 With us it is the pivot
around which life revolves。〃
From one cause or another； not only the wealthy； but the thoughtful
and cultivated among us； go less each year to the theatre。 The abstinence
of this class is the most significant； for well…read； refined； fastidious
citizens are the pride of a community； and their influence for good is far…
reaching。 Of this elite New York has more than its share； but you will not
meet them at the play； unless Duse or Jefferson； Bernhardt or Coquelin is
performing。 The best only tempts such minds。 It was by the
encouragement of this class that Booth was enabled to give HAMLET one
hundred consecutive evenings； and Fechter was induced to linger here and
build a theatre。
In comparison with the verdicts of such people； the opinions of
fashionable sets are of little importance。 The latter long ago gave up going
to the play in New York； except during two short seasons； one in the
autumn； 〃before things get going；〃 and again in the spring； after the season
is over； before they flit abroad or to the country。 During these periods
〃smart〃 people generally attend in bands called 〃theatre parties；〃 an
infliction unknown outside of this country； an arrangement above all
others calculated to bring the stage into contempt； as such parties seldom
arrive before the middle of the second act； take ten minutes to get seated；
and then chat gayly among themselves for the rest of the evening。
The theatre； having ceased to form an integral part of our social life；
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has come to be the pastime of people with nothing better to do； … the
floating population of our hotels； the shop…girl and her young man
enjoying an evening out。 The plays