London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POWERS THAT ARE.
To come to the entertainments of a scholastic The powers that are have a very | |
345 | heavy responsibility. They should realise that in their hands are at least three hours of valuable time. A father must be very hard-hearted if he refuses (without really valid excuse) to be present at the performances of one of his own sons. Paterfamilias gets an earnest request from Primus or Secundus, or possibly Tertius, begging him to assist at his Materfamilias has not only already consented but settled the costume she proposes to wear on the auspicious occasion. The female influence (filially instigated) is exercised, and Paterfamilias determines to run down. This often occurs, and consequently the powers that are have at their mercy a number of anxious and busy men. They should treat these men kindly. They should do their best to make the entertainment for those men as little tedious as possible. It is their duty. |
I speak feelingly, for I have myself been at times induced to assist at Not very long ago I was persuaded to travel over a hundred miles to be present at an amateur performance in which a young hopeful in whom I take the deepest possible interest sustained a part. I arrived rather late, and was met at the door of the temporary theatre by my juvenile entertainer in full costume. | |
I asked. | |
I queried. | |
was the reply. | |
And I had made the journey to see this! However, it is only just to add that the waiter, when played, was quite a success. Nothing could have been better than the | |
