Theatricals. By Henry James. (Osgood, Mclivaine, and Co.) —Mr. James
candidly tells us in his preface that the two comedies contained in this volume were " conceived and constructed wholly in the light of possible representation," but that " they had not the good fortune to consort" with conditions which it was hoped they might successfully meet. In brief, they Would not do for the stage. No reader, be he as admiring a reader as can be imagined, of Mr. James's novels, will be surprised. These are not dramatic ; indeed the writer is the leader of what may be called the non-dramatic school of fiction. Between Mr. James's novels and his comedies we can see but little difference. The people talk very smartly to each other, and develop their characters while they talk very naturally. Perhaps that ought to be enough for a playgoer, but as a matter of fact it is not. The playgoer wants situations, and if he does not get them he will not be content with any substitute, however clever.
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