I have not undertaken the responsibility of giving the complaint of the Committee or Mr. Fechter's defence in my own words for obvious reasons. Doubtless the whole case could be stated in much shorter time than is required to read the foregoing correspondence; but as the subject has been so warmly discussed, and may be still further and more minutely overhauled in time to come, I have preferred to place on record the facts, allegations, and entire controversy, as published by the parties themselves, so that those who hold with one or two of the morning journals, that under the circumstances Mr. Fechter had no other course open to him than that which he adopted, may have before them all that he has been able to write or get written for him in justification of his coup d'état; whilst, on the other hand, the large section of society who sympathise with the Committee, and regard Mr. Fechter's conduct as utterly indefensible and inexcusable, may see their view of the matter put forth in extenso by the parties aggrieved.

Shortly before the occurrence of this disaster one of national importance took place in the bursting of the great reservoir at Sheffield. Hitherto the Committee had been most fortunate in not having their great undertaking interfered with by the existence of war, famine, pestilence, or any general trouble of protracted consequence in the land. The distress in Lancashire had been relieved, and the trade returns indicated increasing prosperity; but the calamity at Sheffield, occurring as it did, almost on the eve of the celebration, threatened to absorb public sympathy, divert from Stratford-upon-Avon the current of contributions, and cast a cloud over the festival. That it had to some extent this effect there can be no question. Happily, however, the drawback was not of the magnitude originally apprehended.

But the Fechter apostacy was felt like a blow irrecoverable as regards the night in question. The closing of the pavilion on that evening was at first contemplated as unavoidable, but subsequently wiser counsels prevailed. Offers of substitutes and assistance came in from various quarters, and the advice of Mr. Buckstone,

who, from his first interview at Birmingham with me as a delegate from Stratford, early in October, had been the warm friend of the Committee, was sought in the dilemma. A deputation, composed of Sir Robert Hamilton, the Rev. G. Granville, the Rev. Julian Young, and Dr. Kingsley (who on my retirement had consented to resume his position as Honorary Secretary), waited upon him at the Haymarket. Mr. Buckstone felt as a member of the Committee, and the result of the interview was a determination to get up the best possible performance in lieu of "Hamlet," and at this crisis Mr. Vining, of the Princesses' Theatre, came nobly to the rescue, and by his generosity and energy the Committee were enabled to produce two of Shakespeare's plays on the night in question, and that too with attractive histrionic talent which embraced the greatest novelties of the season. Miss Stella Collas in Juliet, and the Messrs. Henry and Charles Webb in the Dromios. On returning to Stratford the proceedings and arrangements of the deputation were fully approved by the Committee, and a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. William Greener, and seconded by Mr. Norris, was passed by acclamation to the gentlemen whose mission had been so successful.

But the Committee's troubles in stage management were not quite at an end. Mrs. Theodore Martin, who had only given a conditional promise to play Rosalind, declined to appear. The accepting of Mdlle. Collas as Juliet was said to be connected with her declinature; and as Miss Faucit (Mrs. Martin) is the tragédienne par excellence of the British stage, whose delineation of Capulet's fair daughter must be ever remembered by those who have witnessed that exquisitely graceful and terribly grand piece of tragic acting, one cannot be much surprised by the view she took of her own professional position and dignity. It was not for the Siddons of the age to come forth in comedy, after a French lady had played Juliet-and-but the lady requires no justification of her withdrawal at my hand, nor am I aware that the Committee make any complaint in the matter. The very handsome contribution made to the funds by Mrs. Martin, evinced the interest she took in the success of the festival.

About the period at which I have arrived in this narrative, the services of Mr. Creswick had been fortunately secured for the part of Jaques; and that excellent actress Mrs. Hermann Vezin (late Mrs. Charles Young) took the place of Miss Faucit as Rosalind. Ultimately, the Committee found themselves in calm water, and might have exclaimed with Iago

"If consequence do but approve my dream,

My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream."

"The last meeting," says the Stratford Herald, of the 22nd April," of the commemorative Committee previous to the coming off of the event which has absorbed their time and attention for a period of nearly three years, took place on Wednesday last. The heavy labours which have been undertaken by the Committee, if they cannot command success, eminently deserve it. Very few of the outer world can form an idea of the labours which have been gone through; and although natural anxiety may be felt at this period as to the result, there is no lack of confidence that the public will come forward and generously support the commemorative festival."

And now, before "ringing up" for the performance, let us take a peep, as stage managers and nervous bénéficiaires will do, at the house, alias

This structure was, early in the business, a matter of serious concern to the Committee. After careful examination, a special meeting being called for the purpose, they accepted the plans of Messrs. Thompson and Colbourne, Architects, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tenders for the erection of the building having been advertised for, the following were received on the 18th November :-Messrs. Branson and Murray, of Birmingham, £1,300; Messrs. James Cox and