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222 The dialogue is most carefully written, but it is not dramatic. Having studied the play, I have found it full of literary beauties, but it is wholly lacking in well-balanced story and effective action. A series of leading articles, even though they are written in blank verse, do not constitute a play. I think the play suffers materially from being written in blank verse. Very few people on the stage can speak blank verse effectively. I speak it effectively, but I don't know anyone else who does. As a play Lead is as heavy as Manfred.

Cross-examined.—I regard your play as highly creditable to you in a literary sense, but it is wholly undramatic. It is undoubtedly a thoughtful composition. In point of fact, it is too thoughtful. It is a fact that the stage-manager suppressed several small characters. It is true that two minor parts were fused with mine to make it worthy of my reputation. I did not charge extra for rolling the three parts into one, I did it entirely in the author's interest. I do not remember your objecting to the mutilation of your play. It is not a circumstance that would be likely to dwell on my mind. I have never been hissed in my life. The parts I have played have frequently been hissed. No one has ever hissed me.

The learned Judge.—I am quite sure of that, Miss Fitzgibbon.

—I am a low comedian. (Laughter.) I played the part of Joseph Wool in Lead. (Laughter.) It is not a good part. (Laughter.) The humour is too