The Editor of the Cornhill Magazine.


"THEATRE ROYAL, DONNYBROOK.

"SIR,--I have just read in the Cornhill Magazine for January, the first
portion of a Tale written by you, and entitled Lovel the Widower.

"In the production in question you employ all your malicious spite (and
you have great capabilities that way) in trying to degrade the character
of the corps de ballet. When you imply that the majority of ballet-girls
have villas taken for them in the Regent's Park, I SAY YOU TELL A
DELIBERATE FALSEHOOD.

"Haveing been brought up to the stage from infancy, and though now an
actress, haveing been seven years principal dancer at the opera, I am
competent to speak on the subject. I am only surprised that so vile a
libeller as yourself should be allowed to preside at the Dramatic Fund
dinner on the 22nd instant. I think it would be much better if you
were to reform your own life, instead of telling lies of those who are
immeasurably your superiors.

"Yours in supreme disgust,

"A. D."


The signatures of the respected writers are altered, and for the site
of their Theatre Royal an adjacent place is named, which (as I may