STAGE MORALS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3276, 27 March 1885, Page 3

STAGE MORALS.

Mr J. L. Toole, who on. a tour of the provincial towns • of • Scotland, was entertained recently at a banquet; by the Brechin Dramatic Club, and m response to the toast of his health, said : " I have recently seen copious extraots m many newspapers from an artiole •written by an old friend of mine, Mr F. C. Burnand. It has pained and surprised me much, because I know the opinions ■ expreßsed m that artiole are moßfcj,

unjust and mosfc untrue. It surely is not for Mr Burnand to settle the social status of the actor. The actor is content with his social status, and I believe that the status is equal to that of the soldier, the painter, the doctor, the literary man, or any other profession. I have had the long experience of thirtyone years m the theatrical profession, and I emphatically deny the statement made by Mr Burnand about the bad language alleged tb be used by actors, and that the ladies' ideas of propriety are shocked. This 'is not a correct view of the state of affairs behind the scenes. I have been m J all sorts of theatres, and have invariably ~ found great gentleness nnd great kindness to prevail among the ladies and gentlemen of my profession. Mr Burnand has had comparatively very little experience,' and that little has been confined to the production and direction at rehearsals of his own pieces. He was a manager of a London theatre for a short time, and it proved a failure ; and I should say that this has influenced his opinions, and that the outcome of this is his very offensive article. I am confident that m no profession m the world is more true and pure charity shown than among actorß and actresses. If a literary isan, or a painter, or a doctor is stricken down with illness or poverty, and wants, help, the actors and actresses are always ready to give their time, talents, and money towards lending the needed assistance, while hospitals and charitable institutions throughout the country are greatly aided by members of the stage, who most cheerfully give their entertainments m aid of all that is good and humane ; and the clergy of all denominations will be ready to admit that they too are greatly indebted to the members of the dramatic profession for assistance m the promotion of charitable and other objects. Mauy of our statesmen, lawyers, doctors, and members of the literary profession have chosen their wives from the stage. Even Mr Burnand himself has been most fortunate m that respect, and I have the good fortune to be acquainted with his wife — a most charming and estimable lady — who was an actress. Knowing all this, I say it is surprising, it is astounding, that my old friend should have written such an article as Mr Burnand has done."