The sun., 1899-04-30

that even the critics turned Tin their chairs-I
am quoting from memory. but won't be sure
that 'squirmed is not the exact word used
and wondered how such things had been passed
by the censor.
PERHAPS what objected to most was tho
class OF people to whom this play appeals. 1t
Is to my own class in lite and the men and
women in that class are particularly especially
lust at this moment. in great need of restrain
ing. not exciting and corrupting, influences.
felt that must. as II member Of the national
Church. cry out against a great evil felt
that must take a stand. not as a man opposed
to the stage. which am not. but to insure
chance for our people to see clean plays
report Of the Bishops speech was shown
to MIR. Pnero. but he would not talk to any
thing like the same extent. In his mildest ana
gcntlest tones he remarked Let me Sec
who was it who said thisI All. yes! a Bishop
the Bishop OF Wakefield. Well. you know. this
doesn't interest me very much | think 1t is
very foolish to say that-dont your' But the
religious conscience is entirely with the Bishop
The Methodist Times says:
We especially wish to emphasize the incl
dental reference which Dr. Eden made to the
play written by one Of the leading playwrIRhts
OF the day and produced last Saturday at
critic f% would I read the the ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS Of tRnt play
which appeared in Mondays newspapers with
out feeling that tho whole thing was utterly
saturated with the Nilcst immortality since
the dark days Of tho post Restoration drama
the English stage has never. sunk to such II
ment there are at least two plays drawing
crowded audiences every night which arc u
qnd ysn to ne I@EH @ rn
can scarcely produce anything more disgust
ing.
The Llcenser of Plays. too. is denounced for
having " "flagrantly neglected his duties and
members OF Parliament are urged to " bring the
matter before the House OF Commons" Sew
eral of the critics sduirm at the scene where
duchess. the duchess's bed. cigarettes. cham
payne. silk garters. partial disrobing and Lord
Quex are all accessories. But, human wise,
the whole agitation is a harvest for the play
house box Office Mr.. Pinero will not be drawn.
To him self his plays are neither moral nor im-
moral; they are non n-moral-presentng per-
sons. their characters and their actions. but
judging. never.
Lord Russell OF killowen. in spite OF the
sneers Of solicitors and "the city," Is pressing
on his bills to check the abuses Of the Com
panies Acts and the giving OF secret trade
commissions He Introduces his bill making
the giving or receiving OF secret commissions
In trade bargains misdemeanor. punishable
with two years imprisonment into the House
OF Lords next week. 1t was discussed by the
London Chamber OF Commerce this week and
generally approved. The recent developments
In the life OF the country. of which it is part.
were criticised Interestingly. Lord Russell.
who was at the meeting. said the London
Chamber had right to be proud Of the
stand 1t had taken on secret commissions.
There was no reason in the world why
men should not stipulate for any manner OF
compensation or commission they might
choose. provided. always, that it was open and
above board. Therefore. let no one for mo-
ment think that the provisions of his bill were
OF so drastic kind that they could possibly act
with undue severity or harshness upon any
outspoken honest men. The bill would prob
ably receive first and second reading in the
house OF Lords. 1t would then probably be
referred to a committee OF that House and
doubtless be considerably improved there.
But In order to carry the bill through both
houses into law. they wanted strong pressure
of public opinion in favor OF its passing. His
interest In the question dated far back in his
professional career. and lie had known evils
branching into crime from the system OF Sc
cret commissions. But the thing that was
SO disgusting in this country was to find
men belonging to the learned profess
sions taking these secret commissions.
solcitors-though not In u gross form-and
medical men. Was 1t not intolerable to be told
that medical practitioner-he was not attack
ing these professional men as a whole. these
cases were the exceptions-would write u pre-
scription and have a secret arrangement that
the druggist should give him % per cent. Oh
the amount Of the drugs? Was it not disgust
ing to be told. as q fact. that If doctor recon-
mended q particular undertaken he got a slice
Of the undertaker's business? Any one who
l.
would know that these were facts. They were
exceptions he hoped rare exceptionally
where this moral corruption existed it blunted
the sense OF honor and Of honesty. Not only
was it morally detrimental to those who took
part in it-demorallzing to individuals and. in
part. to the community-but 1t was unjust and
unfair to men who maintained high standard
OF probity and Of honor.
II Lord Russell gets his bill passed into law
there will still be enormous difficulty in operat-
ing it. for. obviously. where the giving and re-
ceiving are both made crimes. the motives for
secrecy are strengthened tenfold. and the like
lhood Of detection diminished as much.
Wealthy collectors are already enthusiastic
over the treasures that will be put up at auc-
tion hore this summer. when some OF the rarcst
curios In Europe will change hands. In this
country tneFe ls most interest In the cOllectlOn
known as the Marlborough gems. which are to
be offered for sale next June in London by
Christie. Manson Il Woods They were collect
ed by the third Duke Of Marlborough. and old
frequenters OF the famous salesrooms still viy-
idly recall their first sale and tho intense
interest 1t excited. to say nothing OF the
evaporation among many collectors when the
whole 730 lots fell to single bid. The re-
serve price for the collection en- bloc was fixed
on the valuation Of Sgnor Castellani. the emf
nent expert, at f35.000. At cnce $4,000
guineas was offered on behalf Of Mr.. Bromi-
low Of Battlesden Park. Bediordshire. and the
whole was knocked down to him. Mr.. Bromi-
lows recent death is to be followed by his big
purchase reappearing on the market. At the
first sale in 1875 the crowd of sightseers and
connoisseurs from all parts OF the world was
enormous 1t will be interesting to see
whether the record price OF those days is ex-
cseded this summer.
The history OF the formation OF the collec-
tion IL one of the romances OF art About one
half OF the collection as it now exists was
formed by George. third Duke g of Marlborough,
during the latter part Of the last century by