Herr Sudermann, unlike some of the new dramatists, is not lacking in humor; and the snobbishness, stuffy etiquette, and scandal-mongering of a provincial town are well illustrated by the minor characters. Into this atmosphere comes the whirlwind from the outer world with fatal effect. It is scarcely possible to conceive more varied and intense emotions naturally and even inevitably evolved from the action of a single day. The value of the drama lies in the sharp contrasts between the New and the Old, alternately commanding, in their strife, the adhesion of the spectator or reader. The preparation for the return of "The Prodigal Daughter" occupies an entire act, and invests her entrance with an interest which increases until the tremendous climax. Yet the proud martinet father commands our respect and sympathy; and the Pastor, in his enlightened self-conquest, is the antithesis alike of the narrowness and lawlessness of parent and child, and remains the hero of the swift tragedy. It is not uncommon that the scrupulousness attending circumstances where partiality would be a natural impulse, makes criticism even unusually exacting. It is believed that in this spirit the present translation may be somewhat confidently characterized as being both spirited and faithful. E. W. The Oxford. _January_, 1896. Persons. Schwartze, _Lieutenant-Colonel on half-pay_. Magda, \ > _his children by his first wife_. Marie, / Augusta, _born_ Von Wendlowski, _his second wife_. Franziska von Wendlowski, _her sister_. Max von Wendlowski, _Lieutenant, their nephew_. Heffterdingt, _Pastor of St. Mary's_. Dr. von Keller, _Councillor_. Beckmann, _Professor Emeritus_. Von Klebs, _Major-General on half-pay_. Mrs. von Klebs. Mrs. Justice Ellrich. Mrs. Schumann. Theresa, _maidservant of the Schwartze family_. _Place_. The principal city of a province. _Time_. The present. MAGDA. ACT I.