John Hare can rarely be induced to talk about himself or his work, but in connection with this production he is inclined to be somewhat enthusiastic. "The beauty of the subject," he told me, "made the stage management of this play profoundly interesting to me, and stimulated my imagination and inventive powers to a greater height than I had ever reached. By working out the whole scheme of the play in my home study I planned all the movements and minute stage directions, so that at the very first rehearsal it practically was the same as when it was presented to the public. The part of the Vicar I offered in the first instance to Alfred Wigan, making every effort to induce him to return to the stage in order that he might create this beautiful character. I could not induce him, however, to face the footlights again. So Hermann Vezin became the 'Court' Vicar, and how admirably he played the part we all know." No one grudges Hermann Vezin his well-won success in the part, but some of us who ponder over things theatrical, sometimes wonder whether, if the Court Theatre had had another manager, and the services of John Hare had been available, he might not have been induced to impersonate Dr. Primrose. The part of Olivia had of course been designed for Ellen Terry, and how much she was pleased with it is proved by the following little note impulsively dashed off to the author:-- "COURT THEATRE, _Monday, March 5, 1878_. "DEAR MR. WILLS,--I can't tell you how _much_ I was delighted with the play, and with my part, but I _was_ delighted! "I only hope I shall be able to please you in my part of the work.--Believe me to be, very sincerely yours, ELLEN TERRY." Indeed, she always liked to study the words of this author. At the Lyceum, in addition to the repetition of Olivia, she played his Queen Henrietta Maria in the revivals of "Charles I."; his Ruth Meadows in "The Fate of Eugene Aram," and his Margaret in "Faust." Concerning "Charles I.," she wrote to him (this letter was published by Mr. Freeman Wills in his highly interesting memoir of his brother):-- "I'm just returned from our last rehearsal of 'Charles I.,' and, coming home in my carriage, have been reading the last act, and I can't help writing to thank you and bless you for having written those _five last pages_. Never, _never_ has anything more beautiful been written in English--I know no other language. They are perfection; and I--often as I've acted with Henry Irving in the play--am _all melted_ at reading it again. An immortality for you for this alone." She greatly grieved over her well-loved author's death, and concerning it wrote to her friend, Alfred C. Calmour:-- "22 BARKSTON GARDENS, EARL'S COURT, S.W., _December 15, 1891_. "Thank you for writing. Wretched news, is it not? A genius and a dear fellow. I know how much you will miss him, and I'm very sorry for you and for myself too.