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MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



The Drama Vindicated, with Copious Notes, by JOHN DENMAN, 

 Esq., S. C. L. of St. John's College, Cambridge. W. H. Smith, 

 Cambridge; W. Strange, Paternoster Row, London. 18mo., 

 pp. 120. 



A GREAT part of this little volume is devoted to a sketch of the rise and uses 

 of the drama in different countries, even amongst the " solitary savage 

 islanders" of the southern ocean; and in the notes are numerous extracts 

 from Latin and Greek authors to elucidate the writer's observations, which, 

 if not altogether original, are, in many respects, just. In his account of the 

 English stage he has drawn largely on black-lettered lore, and particularised 

 the different kinds of scenic representations in use among our ancestors, as 

 far back as the reign of Henry II. ; noticing the principal authors, managers, 

 and performers of later years ; and commenting on the changes which at 

 various periods have taken place in theatrical establishments. 



Mr. Denman contends that the stage is only secondary to the church in 

 the propagation of sound morality and virtuous ideas. Let him speak for 

 himself : 



" I have no doubt but that dramatic compositions, and particularly that 

 most elevated of human productions, tragedy, are amply calculated to effect 

 this 'devoutly wished-for end,' since the public exhibition of these have been 

 singularly recommended as highly conducive to the cause of virtue by both 

 the most learned and truly pious authorities of modern as well as ancient 

 times * * * *. The utility of the stage, then, we perceive, is two-fold. 

 Precept is illustrated by example. It will avail its bitterest calumniators little 

 or nothing to preach that its ends are not answered : this is a direct falsity 

 they are answered in the main * * *. The drama, moreover, is amply capable 

 of being turned to very powerful account as a political engine," &c. 



The author then animadverts strongly on the late management of the two 

 winter theatres, and observes of them that " though their names are winter, 

 their process is summery" (a species of wit which smells strongly of the green- 

 room) ; and referring to the Literary Gazette (bless the oracle !) for further 

 information on the wintry subject. Turning now to the introduction on 

 English boards of French plays and Italian operas, and to the badness of the 

 actors employed in English dramas, Mr. D. calls them "barn-like," and 

 offers the authority of the Times newspaper and his old friend of the " Lite- 

 rary" in confirmation of the justness of the epithet. 



Whether their acting be " barn -like" or not, the assertion, we can vouch 

 for it, is rather Barnes-like ; and in this, we conceive, our " literary friend " 

 will agree with us, and chuckle besides at the brightness of our joke, so much 

 in the manner of the bright calembour above quoted. 



But as to the French plays and Italian operas, we cannot, by any means, 

 agree with the author of the " Vindication," and his allies ; for, from our 

 very hearts, we like French plays when well selected, and Italian operas 

 when well performed ; the first showing us human nature in another guise, 

 and the second assisting to mature a taste for good music in this country, 

 which, for many years, has been much wanted. The only objection we have 

 to either is the extravagant salaries paid to foreign artistes, and the conse- 

 quent expense of attending their performances, which the late winter-managers 

 had wisely obviated by giving access to the public at the ordinary prices of 

 admission. 



M.M. No. 10. 3D 



