From four new plays which I have seen during the past ten days T have come away with exactly the same impression—it is the excellence of the acting which has saved the piece. Tu one ease the author ras Barrie and in another Esmond, both skilled play-writes; a third was' M Humphry Ward, who attempted the dramatisation "of a.' somewhat unsatisfactory novel—Eleanor—with a less satisfactory fourth piece, Monsieur two men, new T believe' to dramatic. work, and, usually the case, it began well; ad only hour's play been needed it would have ended excellently, but the last two acts were terribly dull and spun out which, especially ina very droughty theatre, is a sore trial to the fest, as one can but at and think of to-morrow's probable cold.
"My Lady Virtae," by Mr. H. V. Esmond, is chiotly welcome, in that it provides both Mr. Arthur Bourchier and Miss Violet Vanbragh with excellent acting chances, of which they are not slow to avail themselves. They are husband and wife. He is villain of the horsy, hetting, kind, but, with it all, gentleman, and a loveable one too, as is proved by his wife. Her he has threat. ened to expose and divorce, unless he is
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.