e your verdict
upon it with as little delay as possible.

Faithfully yours,

G. SHERIDAN SMITH.

_From the Same to his friend, Buskin Browne, actor._

Dear B.B.,--By this post I am sending my new comedy, _Men and
Munitions_, to your manager, whom I believe it should suit. If an
occasion served for you to put in a word about it without too much
trouble, I should be eternally grateful.

Yours ever, G.S.S.

_From Buskin Browne, in answer._

My Dear Man,--With all the pleasure in life. I fancy we're changing
our bill shortly, and, as farce is all the rage just now, I'll boom
your _Munition Mad_ directly I get a chance. Best of luck.

Yours, BEE-BEE.

_From G. Sheridan Smith, in reply. A telegram._

Thousand thanks play called men and munitions comedy not farce.

_From the Same to the Same, six weeks later._

Dear B.B.,--I hate to trouble you, but as I've heard nothing yet from
the management about my comedy I am writing to ask if you can give me
any idea of Sir J.B.'s intentions regarding it. Did he say anything
that you dare repeat?

Yours, G.S.S.

_From Buskin Browne, in answer, a fortnight later._

Dear old Boy,--No chance as yet, as the chief has been away ill.
But he comes back on Saturday, when I will mention the farce to him
without fail.

Yours "while this machine is to him," BEE-BEE.

_From G. Sheridan Smith, to Sir James Benfield, a month later._

Dear Sir,--I was profoundly grieved to learn from a mutual friend
that you had been so long on the sick list. Now, however, that you
are at work again, and (I trust) fully restored to health, may I hope
for a verdict upon my comedy, _Men and Munitions_, at your earliest
convenience?

With warmest congratulations,

I am, Faithfully yours,

G. SHERIDAN SMITH.

_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. f