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Show And, in 1852, it wasdS-" of recreation and amusement ipU hat Winter the AssoclaSoTEa formances on its boards to il H satisfaction of the people failed, especially of later years its walls whenever IU UooCtfi opened. We still remember thl S Hons of pleasure which we exDI?BH at witnessing the performance ! S elegant little hall. Every to unrestrained enjoyment, for I at home. The audience were aW ' good humor, and very readily oveK ed any defects in the scenery a?,1 polntmenta or shortcomings ia a, formers they were "our folks." As population Increased, therV' Hall was found to be too maU to? commodate the public. Theerecti the present Theatre was decided 1? This magnificent building wll0 to the publio early in 1803. if J doubts ever existed as to the proprlett of building such an edifice and f0,8ui uses, they must, In view of subsequw occurrences, have long since vanUhel The good that it has accomplished cu not now be questioned. Like even great movement thatjias been undertaken under-taken by the Latter-day Saints, under tho direction of the President of tie church, it was the right thing at the right time. There is a class of people in the world who have a holy horror of the very name of theatre. Such persons imagine that impiety and vice are inseparable froa dramatic representations. But in this country, with a theatre conducted u oura has been in this city, there is do room for entertaining such feelings. The moral purity of the drama has been maintained, and nothing has been permitted, per-mitted, knowingly, to appear on the stage that would cause ablush to mantle the cheek of the most sensitive and virtuous. vir-tuous. In order that these results might be attained, and that the drama might be the means of elevating and instruct ing the audience who would be likely to frequent the theatre, President Younj, for some years kept the entire control of everything connected therewith in hii own hands. lie was determined that the Influence of theatrical representations representa-tions here should be healthy; and, therefore, watched them with jealcra care. Now, his scrutiny is still exercised, exer-cised, but he can intrust the care to other hands, who carry out the design for which the building was erectei It would be unwise to underrate thl power for good or for evil, which the drama is capable of exercising. I" every age, and among every people who have been Its patrons, the results accom AMUSEMKNT3. In the first settlement of this valley, the people were thrown upon their own, resources for means of amusement. If they had any fun, they had to create it. Performers could not be imported, neither nei-ther did they come with the same facility faci-lity as at present. But the necessity for some means of innocent amusement was soon felt. The unremitting toil, which wa3 necessary In the beginning, was too heavy a strain on the physical energies of the people to be continued for any length of time without relaxation. relax-ation. Dancing, therefore, became very popular. Old and young alike enjoyed the social intercourse which gatherings of this character afforded. Balls were not patronized so much for the sake of dancing as for the opportunities they presented of meeting with friends and enjoying their society. Years have elapsed since then; but our balls still maintain these. characteristics. They are social gatherings, where friends meet and Indulge in friendly intercourse and conversation, and brighten up old acquaintanceship. But this amusement did not supply all the wants of the people.. Recreation of a mental character was needed. The recognition of this want gave rise to the "Deseret Dramatic Association" a society which was organized under the auspices of President Brigham Young. He erected the Social Hall,' plished by it have been very great. H early ages, especially amoDg the Grecians, Gre-cians, the drama was intimately associated associ-ated with religion. The influence of such representations upon them aJ almost unbounded. Evtn the news received re-ceived by the Athenians, while engagw in witnessing a play, of the total defeat of their army before Syracuse, could noi j check their enthusiasm or cause them to t withdraw their attention from tbeper- , formance. Among the Romans tw drama became terribly degraded, ere" ally in the latter days of the emj t It is an agency that must be contro ? Too strict a surveillance can not maintained over it. It is capable or complisbing much good; but, , directed, its power for evil is great. It is the earnest wish of WW right-feeling person that the sam which has heretofore been , exerc over our amusements may st U o tinned. EveiythlDgthatirouMtaWMr to excite impure Noughts or tar W corrupt, should be '"'gUt It is better to err on the side or too fastidious, than to permit double entendre to find P managers auJ performers have a 2t minion signed tbem-the ir o,, Sanities of doing good are not 1 mi -i nut tbey must be sustained in their Sorutytepublic. Ifa vitiated pub-S pub-S taste should demand a certain clan Representations, It would be difficult, if not impossible, for managers or nerformers to control it. Manager must te sustained in their exertions to inculcate correct morals,, and in the ewe of our own theatre we feel assured ' tbey will not be found wanting. ' |