This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler BY THE SAME AUTHOR _Prose_ THE GHOST SHIP, AND OTHER STORIES [ _Third Impression_ _Verse_ POEMS AND SONGS (1ST SERIES) [ _Second Impression_ POEMS AND SONGS (2ND SERIES) * * * * * LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN [Picture: Book cover] THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY • BY RICHARD MIDDLETON * * * * * T. FISHER UNWIN LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE LEIPSIC: INSELSTRASSE 20 1912 * * * * * (_All rights reserved_) * * * * * Thanks are due to the Editors of _The Academy_, _Vanity Fair_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_ for permission to reprint the greater part of the work in this volume. CONTENTS PAGE AN ENCHANTED PLACE 1 A RAILWAY JOURNEY 8 THE MAGIC POOL 16 THE STORY-TELLER 25 ADMIRALS ALL 33 A REPERTORY THEATRE 41 CHILDREN AND THE SPRING 49 ON NURSERY CUPBOARDS 56 THE FAT MAN 63 CAROL SINGERS 70 THE MAGIC CARPET 77 STAGE CHILDREN 84 OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE 92 HAROLD 99 ON DIGGING HOLES 105 REAL CRICKET 112 THE BOY IN THE GARDEN 119 CHILDREN AND THE SEA 130 ON GOING TO BED 137 STREET ORGANS 144 A SECRET SOCIETY 152 THE PRICE OF PEACE 161 ON CHILDREN’S GARDENS 167 A DISTINGUISHED GUEST 174 ON PIRATES 182 THE FLUTE PLAYER 189 THE WOOL-GATHERER 197 THE PERIL OF THE FAIRIES 205 DRURY LANE AND THE CHILDREN 212 CHILDREN’S DRAMA 217 CHILDHOOD IN RETROSPECT 225 THE FOLLY OF EDUCATION 231 ON COMMON SENSE 239 AN ENCHANTED PLACE