... . (To the Editor of The Illustrated Bporting and Dramatic News. SIR,-- In a letter on French plays, which appeared last week in your columns, Mr. Samuel takes up a new standpoint by propounding, and. essaying to prove, the startling theory that the recent productions on the Parisian stage are successful in direct ratio to their purity; at the same time carefully ignoring the objections taken ...

... . [To the Editor of TfP? Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.) Deae Rapiee, I am sorry to see that you endorse Mr. Gilbert's sweeping assertion that French dramatists excel hy the use of adultery alone. I coupled Mr. Gilbert with M. de Bornier because (with the exception of Mr. Merivale) Mr. Gilbert has made the only serious attempts to revive the higher poetical drama that have been of ...

... . FEENCH PLAYS. [To the Editor o/Tiie Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.) Deae Bapiee, You can well understand that it is hardly likely that I should enter into paper warfare with Mr. Baumann upon points of difference profoundly uninteresting to the general public, but I must beg leave to mention that I have seen, in French, performances of all the pieces to which I alluded. If any ...

... . Sir, In the current number of your 1 1 valuable and much- admired journal (quotation from regulation newspaper cor respondence column) I find some clever sketches of a knurr and spell match, of which spoit you are candid enough to admit your entire ignorance. As I happen to live in the very centre of the district wherein the splendid pastime alluded to holds chiefest sway, 1 think I may be ...