From Sir James Benfield’s Secretary, in answer, a week later.

Dear Sir,—­Sir James Benfield desires me to acknowledge your letter, and to inform you that he has been away ill, and unable to attend to any correspondence.

Faithfully yours,

BASIL VYNE-PETHERINGTON,

Secretary.

From Buskin Browne to G. Sheridan Smith.

Dear old Man,—­I heard unofficially last night that your farce has had a quite top-hole report from the reader, and might be put on almost at once. Ca marche! Anything for me in it?

B.B.

From Basil Vyne-Petherington to G. Sheridan Smith, by same post as above.

Dear Sir,—­In answer to your inquiry we can trace no record of the receipt of any MS. from you.  If you will kindly let me have particulars, name of play, date when forwarded, etc., the matter shall receive further attention.

Faithfully yours,

BASIL VYNE-PETHERINGTON,

Secretary.

From G. Sheridan Smith, in answer.  A telegram.

Men and munitions comedy fourteen weeks ago kindly wire reply paid.

Reply to above.  A telegram.

No trace comedy entitled fourteen weeks suggest inquire post-office.

Reply to above.

Name of comedy men and munitions reply paid urgent.

Reply to above.

Your play returned last week.

Reply to above.

Nothing arrived here please look again.

From Basil Vyne-Petherington to G. Sheridan Smith.

Dear Sir,—­In returning herewith your blank-verse tragedy, Hadrian, I am desired by Sir James Benfield to thank you for kindly allowing him the opportunity of reading it.

Faithfully yours,

BASIL VYNE-PETHERINGTON,

Secretary.

From Buskin Browne to G. Sheridan Smith.

Dear old Boy,—­The A.S.M. told me to-day that our backers won’t look at farce, though the chief simply loves yours.  So I’m afraid we can only say better luck next time.

Yours disappointed,

B.B.

From Basil Vyne-Petherington to G. Sheridan Smith, five weeks later.

Dear Sir,—­Sir James Benfield has been interested to learn that you have written a comedy of topical interest, called (he understands) The Munitioneer.  Should you care to forward it for his consideration he would be pleased to read it, and, if suitable, to arrange for its production at this theatre.

Faithfully yours,

BASIL VYNE-PETHERINGTON,

Secretary.

From G. Sheridan Smith, in reply.  A telegram.

Where did you get a name like that?

From Basil Vyne-Petherington, in final answer, a month later.

Sir,—­I am requested by Sir James Benfield to state that he has been compelled to make a rule never to send his autograph to strangers.