MISS HEALY'S "HOMPI THEATRE."
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—In answer to an article headed " A Wolf in Sheep's' Clothing" which appeared in the Spectator of January 27, L have a few words to say,—words which would not be uttered had the article been a little less violent, a little less unjust. I by no- means wish to invoke in my favour the feeling of courtesy which according to popular belief should govern the intercourse between men and women, for I am well aware that an author in courting publicity lays aside all privileges of sex ; but what I do claim is a degree of fairness and justice, which all my critics—save that of the Spectator—have invariably shown me. When this gentleman held up to obloquy the plot of "A Lost Game," he should in com- mon honesty have given also an estimate of the characters intended. to turn that plot to a good use ; the contrast of the fresh, pure- nature of Milly and that of Eveline is not even mentioned ; neither- is the fact touched upon that from beginning to end of the play there is not one word which need make a young girl blush. Be- side, I have too high a regard for the intuitive purity of English- girls, and I may add, I understand their natures too well, to sup- pose that any one of them taking upon herself to act the part of Mr. Weightfelt's wife would give the character the depth of meaning which the critic deprecates ; such acting presupposes a knowledge that girls as a general thing do not possess ; it requires. such articles as "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" to enlighten them. If by the side of his unsparing attack on " A Lost Game " the critic of the Spectator had mentioned the other little plays con- tained in " The Home Theatre," which high-toned publications- have praised for their refinement, his blame might then have been regarded more as true and serious criticism than as the product of a moment's ill-humour.—I am, Sir, &c., Rome, February 7, 1872. MARY HEALY.
[Our criticism of Miss Healy's book did not go beyond the- remark that its name of " Home Theatre " was exceedingly inap- propriate, a sketch of the plot, and the opinion that the character of a prostitute is not one which it is desirable for a girl to act. If this opinion is not shared by Miss Healy, we can only express- our regret. It is sheer nonsense to say that any one who had read " A. Lost Game " could be in the least " enlightened " by our- article ; and we cannot accept the plea that any " refinement " in the other plays can excuse from censure the one which, not "in a moment's ill-humour," but on deliberate reflection, we hold to a deplorable mistake.—En. Spectator.]
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