... THE BACHELOR GAY. Sljt, There is an advertisement in Tub Stage of to-day respecting a song of this title, and said to be written by Mr. Artbu r Sol- don. I beg to point out that 1 wrote it jovial song called Tue Bachelor Gay some years ago that it was published by the Musio Publishing Company, Great Marlborough Street, W.,in 1883, and it was sung in a play of mine during 1884. The title of ...

... A PETITION AGAINST BOGUS. SIR,--As there seems a slight amottnt of misunderstanding about the petition to the magistrates, I hope you will let me have a little space for explanation. Of course, the magistrates have no legal right to interfere with the working of a theatre if it is carried on satisfactorily, but they surely may in a will do everything in his power to protect their citizens ...

... . Sir, I will feel obliged if you can inform mo through your valuable paper on the following subject. I have submitted two plays to two leading managers in London. One managor has had the play for nine months, and though the MS. has been acknowledged I have got no further reply and tho other lias beeu in the manager's hands for four months, and has not been acknowledged. Do ybu advise me to ...

... SIR,--The close of this century is going to mark the greatest event in dramatic history. At last we are approaching the consummation of the dearest hopes of those who love our work. If a scheme of selecting, training, and registering actors is put into effect, as no doubt it will be, the dramatic profession will rise to its proper status: Com pi ants of the present condition are loud and ...

... 44 ARTHUR'S BAKERY COMPANY. Sir, In your kind notice of my burlesque, The A B C, given at St. George's Iiall on November 22, you insinuate that I took the idea from Miss Marie Lloyd. It was the other way about. That talented and popular lady (or the author) paid mo the compliment, for my burlesque was written long before she made her provincial tour, as you will see by the enclosed programme ...

... . AUTHORS' FEES TO AMATEURS. Sir, T should like Mr. Samuel Frenok to take his list and Messrs. Dicks'. H will then see that in his catalogue the fol lowing plays (price 6d.) are put down in Messrs. Dicks (price Id.) as free:-- Behind the Scenes, Open House, Nell Gwynne, Loan of a Lover. Paul Jones, ...

... . To the Editor of THE STAGE. Sir,-- I write to you on behalf of tli widow of my late scenic artist (C. W. Moore), who died on Sunday, October 27. He was a most ingenious and clever man, esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He leaves a wife and two little children totally unprovided for. Mr. Moore was well known to many readers of your paper, by whom, I have no doubt, if they were ...

... TOURING--AND AFTER. SIR,--Signs are not wanting that the touring system of complete companies, which has held sway in theatrical business for the last fifteen years, is beginning to reveal evidences of collapse. lhis is tho result not, as some have rashly asserted, because of a decrease in tho average takings in provincial theatres but in con sequence of tho increasing burden of ex penditure ...

... . TOPICAL ALLUSIONS. Sir, In last week's Stage you published a paragraph concerning some dialogue which occurs in my new version of lllack- Ky'd Susan. The dialogue was to tho effect that England had declared war against Franco, and the paragraph having gone on to say that this lomark caused a scene of enthusiasm at Bristol, concluded with 44 But topical allusions of this sort are not ...

... . IS IT VERY WELL? SIR,-- The placid, dream-like optimism of John Hare-cum-Benjamin Goldfinch concerning the English drama is the outcome of charming thoughts after sunset, the sweet contemplation of a great actor in the evening; but to the cold morning of youthful reflection, in the full light of hard, flint-like facts of the vanishing nineteenth century, it is all emptiness, ana as lar ...

... . Sin, When the time comes round for the listriDution of the Covont Garden Fund I lope our president, Mr. Boerbohm Tree, ivi.. not fail to speak up for an equal share or tho Dramatic and Musical Sick Fund. It has tho same right to its fair portion as iny other society devoted to the same interests. Wo may be small ns regards lumber of members, but that would permit }f more liberality being ...

... Sin, -Your correspondent R. O. in geniously divides tho actors from tho in competent* by terming them the Joneses and Smiths respectively. Wo hear a lot about the Joneses there nro hundreds of I them walking about ready and eager to work. But still managers will tell you that it is as difficult to engago good artists as ii is difficult for artists to obtain good en gagements. Managers would ...