"A man's not a black-beetle, to find it a lark
To go crawling about chilly rooms in the dark;
And if you must rise in the gloom and the cold,
The fact only proves that you're foolish or old!
"No more, then, need man feel constrained in the least
To turn out like an insect, a bird, or a beast;
For Medical Science has spoken, and said
That the sluggard is right, and there's no place like bed!"
[Curls up, and snores with a clear conscience.
THE DRAMATIC COMMON SENSER-SHIP.
Last week the name of Mr. Redford as newly-appointed Licenser of Plays was announced. This is just to the late Licenser's assistant and deputy. But if the office is to be continued, why should it not be thrown open to competitive examination? A paper of such questions as the following would secure a learned Theban for the office:—
1. Who was the Licenser of Plays in the time of Shakspeare?
2. Translate passages (given) from (α) French dramatists, (β) Italian, (γ) German, (δ) Spanish, (ε) Norwegian, (ζ) Russian, (ἑ) Japanese.
3. Translate passages (given) from the works of English dramatists into the above-mentioned languages.
4. Give your opinion on the following "situations" and "plots," and say whether you consider it in the interests of public morality that they should be licensed for performance or not.
5. State your reasons for such opinions.