GROWTH UNDER STORMY SKIES. 193 



life. But they were mistaken. In spite of the State De- 

 partments of the Local Government Board, the Board of 

 Trade, and the Board of Agriculture, not a member of that 

 essentially urban Government appeared to know how the 

 rural poor lived. Indeed the statesmen seem to be no better 

 informed than Pitt, who in 1800 introduced a Bill to 

 ameliorate the conditions of the rural poor, but soon 

 dropped it because he was " inexperienced himself in 

 country affairs, and in the condition of the poor, and would 

 not press the Measure on the attention of the House." And 

 that was over one hundred years ago ! 



We were assured that the new play would, in scenic 

 effects, excel any picture ever presented of rural England. 

 But when is it going to begin ? " was asked, as people im- 

 patiently stamped their feet. "You wait," came the answer. 

 " It will be quite worth your while, for Harlequin is getting 

 new tights made, scintillating with spangles, and a new wand 

 a perfect weapon that will tickle the bare backs of the occu- 

 pants of the stalls, and effectually bring down the gods." 



Whilst clamouring for the new play to begin the people were 

 told that a popular spectacular play called The Tragedy oj the 

 Near East, would have to be put on first ; and then when it 

 was found that this drama began to draw very poor houses 

 the directors and large shareholders of the State Repertory 

 Theatre decided that the Trailing of the Red Herring should 

 form an attractive feature of the New Pantomime display, 

 with the introduction of a new act called the Education Act. 

 (This, it was rumoured, was presented to give a chance to 

 the heavy tragedian who had taken the lead in military 

 dramas. It was said that he had objected to all Government 

 pantomime being especially written for Harlequin.) 



But the people said they were tired of education plays. 

 These plays always sent them to their homes with a fierce 

 hunger for food. 



" Let's have Harlequin ! " they shouted. " He is the 

 man for us." So to appease the people the Government let 

 Harlequin appear again for one night only and though 

 Columbine had now turned her back on him, he performed at 

 the National Liberal Club on Friday, January 31. The 



VOL. n. o 



