about: let us hear your notions.

Milverton. I think one of the causes sometimes assigned, that
reading is more spread, is a true and an important one; but,
otherwise, I fancy that the present decline of the drama depends
upon very small things which might be remedied. As to a love of the
drama going out of the human heart, that is all nonsense. Put it at
the lowest, what a great pleasure it is to hear a good play read.
And again, as to serious pursuits unfitting men for dramatic
entertainments, it is quite the contrary. A man, wearied with care
and business, would find more change of ideas with less fatigue, in
seeing a good play, than in almost any other way of amusing himself.

Dunsford. What are the causes then of the decline of the drama?

Milverton. In England, or rather in London,--for London is England
for dramatic purposes; in London, then, theatrical arrangements seem
to be framed to drive away people of sense. The noisome atmosphere,
the difficult approach, the over-size of the great theatres, the
intolerable length of performances.

Ellesmere. Hear! hear!

Milverton. The crowding together of theatres in one part of the
town, the lateness of the hours--

Ellesmere. The folly of the audience, who always applaud in the
wrong place--

Dunsford. There is no occasion to say any more; I am quite