ngs of pugilists who
take part in the prize-fights, in which so many thousands in the United
States delight? It cannot be pity, therefore, for the birds or beasts,
which makes the authorities forbid cockfighting and bull-baiting. It
must be that although these are exhibitions of courage and skill, the
exhibition is degrading to the spectators and to those who urge the
creatures to fight. But what is the difference, so far as the
spectator is concerned, between watching a combat between animals or
birds and following a vivid dramatization of cruelty on the stage? In
the latter case the mental sufferings which are portrayed are
frequently more harrowing than the details of any bull- or cockfight.
Such representation, therefore, unless a very clear moral lesson or
warning is emblazoned throughout the play, must have the effect of
making actors, actresses and spectators less sympathetic with
suffering. Familiarity breeds insensibility. What I have said of
melodrama applies also, though in a lesser degree, to books, and should
be a warning to parents to exercise proper supervision of their
children's reading.

Far be it from me to disparage the work of the playwright; the plot is
often well laid and the actors, especially the prima-donna, execute
their parts admirably. I am considering the matter, at the moment,
from the view-point of a play-goer. What benefit does he receive from
witnessing a tragedy? In his home and his office has he not enough to
engage his serious attention, and to frequently worry his mind? Is it
worth his while to dress and spend an evening watching a performance
which, however skilfully played, will make him no happier than before?
It is a characteristic of those who are fond of sensational plays that
they do not mind watching the tragical ending of a hero or a heroine,
and all for the sake of amusement. Young people and children are not
likely to get good impressions from this sort of thing. It has even
been said that murders have been committed by youngsters who had been
taken by their parents to see a realistic melodrama. It is dangerous
to allow young people of tender age to see such plays. The juvenile
mind is not ripe enough to form correct judgments. Some time ago I
read in one of the American papers that a boy had killed his father
with a knife, on seeing him ill-treat his mother when in a state of
intoxication. It appeared that the lad had witnessed a dramatic
tragedy in a th