... THE METAPHYSICS OF THE DRAMA. The title at the head of this letter may seem strange to some and may even offend others, but I at least can think of no plainer words in which to express the idea I would present. We none of us can rightly understand a subject till we know the why for of it. To explain the reason of the existence of drama many very erroneous conceptions are constantly Doing ...

... FORTUNE'S FOOL. Sir,-- Having read a notioo of the produc tion of a monologue called Fortune's Fool at the Haymarket Theatre, we wish to draw attention to the fact that tho title belongs to us. As our drama Fortune's Fool having been most euccosstul in the provinces, and having been twice played in Loudon, will shortly be again preseuted in town, it is most necessary that tho public should ...

... THE ASSOCIATION A PROPOSAL. SlR,-- I have been waiting tor an abler pen than mine to express the gratification the non-members of the Actors' Association, who were present at the meeting at the Lyceam on Friday fortnight, felt on hearing the report of the good work done by it. Our religion teaches us that something beyond good works are expected from us, and that is faith/ and I am sure ...

... THE LATE DOUGLAS TRACY. Sib. In July last you kindly in serted a notice of the death of, and an appeal for subscriptions for the purpose of raising a stone to the memory of, the above. In tendering our best thanks to yoursolf for the kind notice, and to the few friends who responded to the ap peal, I desire to inform you, and the theatrical profession generally, that, not withstanding the ...

... AUTHORS' FEES TO AMATEURS. SIR,--I have read T. H.'s letter with considerable interest. May I bo allowed to suggest that it amateur clubs would consider the advisa bility of producing plays by young, un known, or comparatively unknown, authors, they might financially benefit themselves, and they would undoubtedly be a great encouragement to many a strug- ling young author. It is much more ...

... THE ART OF ADVERTISING. SIR,--Your correspondent, Mr. Davis, in his letter on the above subject, remarks, In fit-up towns the agent always gives out his briefs himself, whereas in theatres they have different systems of distributing them in the shape of books, monthly passes, &c., which an agent has no control over. Now this statement which we all know to be correct, suggests the double ...

... THE CHILI WIDOW. SIR,--A very disgraceful and scandalous slander has, we are informed, been circulated by certain members of the Playgoers' Club, and has found its way into print in this week's issue of the St. James's Budget, to the effect that we submitted our manuscript of The Chili Widow to Mr. Clement Scott prior to the production of the play with a reading fee of ten pounds. A more ...

... Sir,-- May I, through the columns of your valuable paper, comment on a remark mado by Mr. Arthur Davis. Ho says that if managers, instead of picking up novices at 30s., were to get a decent man at a good alary it would be much better. Now this is all very well, but allow me to inform Mr.Davis plenty of good agents are working for 35s. and 30s., and if Mr. Davis will put an advertisement in The ...

... LIABILITY OF LESSEES. SIR,--The posting of notices by local managers, disclaiming responsibility as to dressing-rooms, mentioned by Mr. Renaud Lockwood in your last issue, though increasing the temptation to theft, does not, as a matter of fact, divert the lessee of his liability. He provides theatre, stage, and dressing- rooms for the travelling company, and just as he is liable for any ...

... COVENT GARDEN FUND. Str, Thanks are duo to Mr. O. Han- clinge for his letter, published in your lasl issue, respecting the Covent Garden Fund. The question requires thorough recon sideration altogether, and, if need be, a fresh committee appointed. The thing is easily enough dona Select tho societies (and there are not oo manv) that come under the denomination of theatrical and dramatic, and ...

... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. THE TOURING QUESTION. SIR,--Killing the goose which lays tha golden egg has always beon an enterprise in which mankind has shown remarkable ingenuity. When one looks round at the vast amalgamations of theatres, run by syndicates of business men, one cannot but be forcibly reminded of the truth of tlys assertion. From what other causes have these amalgamations sprung ...

... SIR,--Your laudable efforts to form a Touring Managers' Association will, I hope, be crowned with success, a, though I write in no spirit of antagonism to resident managers of theatres, from whom, as a whole, I meet with fair and in many instances generous treatment, yet there aro many theatres which are carried on in a manner which only requires a few words from your powerful and ...