128 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 
that we perceive are the ideas of God sustained and presented in accordance with 
fixed and permanent laws by the eternal spirit for the contemplation of created 
-spirits, imaginary ideas coming and going according as we will. All men are 
actors in that "grand, divine, eternal drama," simultaneously created and per- 
formed. 
" Spiritus inius alif, totamque infusa perartus 
Mens agitat molem.^' 
How God-like then, is the genius of the actor who by force of potent will, 
•and by the fortunate possession of a sensitive and ardent soul, can, not merely 
assume the part of some character in history, or some ideal fictitious person ; 
but, for the time, become another being, even to his own behef almost, and pre- 
sent a portrayal of the living character.* 
But are we not contemplating an ideal only realized or approached in the 
case of a minority of those who style themselves members of the dramatic pro- 
fession ? How many actors are there, in the present state of affairs, who are 
utterly oblivious of the honor and interests of their profession ; how few who 
reaUze the truth (expressed above in the words of Charlotte Cushman) that 
■ — "by the mighty actor brought. 
Illusion's perfect triumphs come, — 
Verse ceases to be airy thought, 
And sculpture to be dumb," 
and appreciate the glory of their calling. 
Granting all this to be true, we come at once to the conclusion that a com- 
plete change is needed for the interests of the profession and every worthy mem- 
ber of it. It is often stated that it is discreditable to our managers that so many 
excellent and experienced actors should be without means of support, while the 
veriest "sticks" are provided for because of their cheapness or notoriety, and 
also that the profession is misunderstood because of popular prejudices, and will, 
when those prejudices are overcome, be esteemed in its rightful place. These 
€vils can only be overcome, not by idly lamenting them, but by taking active 
measures to remedy them. The dramatic profession should be protected in its 
high standing and integrity as the other professions are. Every actor who claims 
to be a member of this profession should be recognized therein, in the grade he 
aspires to hold, by some recognized standard authority made up of the brightest 
and most talented ornaments of our stage ; such recognition to be obtained only 
by passing rigid examinations in such requirements as are necessary for the grade 
desired, and by satisfactory evidence of good character. 
Were this the case, we should no longer witness such displays of ignorance 
and awkwardness as we now frequently meet with, on the part of even well paid 
actors, hardly fitted to occupy a position as a grocer's errand-boy, much less as 
one of a profession necessarily requiring intelligence and savoir vivre, and when 
tlie profession is slurred in consequence of dishonorable dealing or misconduct 
■on the part of any so-called actors it could say with self-respect: "They are not 
