In spite of the severity of the storm last evening, Sever 11 was filled when Mr. Copeland began his lecture on "The Drama of Yesterday," and, as he added, "The Day Before."

To the last named period belonged Sheridan Knowles, who wrote only three novels which have been permanently successful: "The Hunchback," "The Love Chase," and "Virginius." These plays belong neither to the old comedy nor to the romantic drama, but have some of the characteristics of each. In "Hunchback," there is much blank verse that is florid and uninspired and there is a poverty of romance. The people have the artificial emblems of character rather than character itself. In the character of Julia, Julia Myrlowe is charming, but one must see that it is she that is charming, not the part, to which she is hardly equal. In the part of Helena, Miss Shaw comes about as near to perfection as can be conceived. John McCulloch is the only actor of much account whose name is remembered in connection with "Virginius." In that he appeared at his best. "The Love Chase" has three good acting characters, Constance, the Widow Green and Sir William Fondlove. Miss Marlowe disappointed many of her admirers, in "The Love Chase," but Miss Drew, as Widow Green, made one of the best impersonations on the stage. Knowles drew from two sources, Shakespeare and the old comedy.

Dion Boucicault and Cibber were both not only playwrights, but also actors and managers. This two-fold capacity was to each a hindrance as well as a help It helped them in adapting their ideas to the needs of the stage, but at the same time it tended to produce artificiality. The beginning of Boucicault's dramatic work was practically in "London Assurance," which appeared about 1840. It was criticised as "a mere imitation of Sheridan," but Sheridan in his turn was indebted to Congreve and Moliere. Boucicault, like other English dramatists, makes little appeal to life. He neither helps people to be better, nor keeps them from being worse. Lady Gay Spanker, in "London Assurance," is one of the most attractive stage characters. She does not appear till the third act.

"Masks and Faces," written by Tom Taylor and Reade, of which Peg Woffington is the heroine. is one of the most delightful survivals of the drama of the olden time. This play gives a good idea of the life and bustle of the theatre stage.

In summary, Mr. Copeland said that "The Love Chase," "London Assurance," and "Masks and Faces" are the three best legacies of the drama of yesterday. He mentioned as books which would be well worth reading, Colley's "Cibber's 'Apology'" and Lewes's "Actors and Acting."