r, magnificently dressed, most obviously not
dependent on her earnings; whilst the accomplished actress, without
these powerful assets, and obviously dependent on her work, is paid
practically a third of that salary.

Let us sincerely hope that this transitional stage from the days when
each town had its own theatre, and engagements were always for the
season, to the waste and despair of the present conditions of the mass
of the workers in the theatre of this country, may give place to
some system which will select the fit from the unfit, and give them
a permanent engagement with a proper clause of notice on either side,
such as that to which workers in other trades are entitled. More care
in selection; more belief that an actress, if she be of any use, can
represent a diversity of types; a shutting of the doors on those who
are obviously unfitted, however cheap their labour may be, would
be salvation to the women who are trying to earn their bread in the
theatre. For it is time we ceased to grovel before this misused word
"Art," which covers the wasteful cruelty the present conditions in the
theatre permit.

APPENDIX I

SCHEME OF WORK OF THE FABIAN WOMEN'S GROUP

The Group was formed by some women members of the Fabian Society
in 1908, chiefly with the object of studying the problem of women's
economic independence in relation to socialism. The work was mapped
out on the following lines, to which the Group has adhered:--

_Part I.--Differences in Ability for Productive Work Involved in
Difference of Sex Function._

Division 1.--Natural disabilities of women when not actively engaged
in childbearing.

Division 2.--Natural disabilities of women when actively so engaged.

_Part II.--Women's Economic Independence in Relation to Social
Conditions._

Division 1.--Women as productive workers and as consumers in the past.

Division 2.--Women as productive workers and as consumers in the
present.

_Part III.--Practical Steps towards such Modification of Social
Conditions as will enable Women:_

(_a_) Freely to use and develop their physical and mental capacities
in productive work, while remaining free and fully able to exercise
their special function of childbearing.

(_b_) Each personally to receive her individual share of the social
wealth.

Two Summaries of the lectures and discussions arising out of Part I.
were issued for private circulation in 1910. Copies, 1d. each, can now
be procured throug