Most of the MS. in my possession is blurred and undecipherable, full of erasures, random stage-directions and marginal notes, amongst which occasional passages such as the following "emerge" (as Mr. Smillie would say):—
"Secretary. The fellow is standing his ground,
He's as stubborn and stiff as a war-mule.
Minister. A
Means will be found
If we look all around
To arrive at a suitable formula.
Chorus. Yes, you've got to arrive at a formula."
Difficult though my task may be I feel it the duty of friendship to attempt to give the public some faint outline of this fascinating and curious work. Scenarios, dramatis personæ and choruses had evidently caused the author inordinate trouble, for at the top of one sheet I find:—
"ACT I.