sport, sparkling raillery, and sprightly banter. _Kitty’s_ attitude, during most of the comedy, is that of a maker of innocent mischief,--with a spice of wickedness in it,--and she complicates everything from pure love of drollery. This Miss Crosman made perfectly and delightfully clear. The dilemma in Act Second, when _Kitty_ and _Lady Betty_ are surprised in the bedroom at _Verney’s_, and the exaction of an hysterical outburst at the end of Act Third a little overtaxed the strength of the actress; but her impersonation of _Kitty Bellairs_ lives in memory and is treasured for unity of purpose and consistency of method, blithe spirit and buoyant action, sentiment sweetly denoted beneath arch pleasantry and many winning graces of manner, inflection, and playful prettiness. Belasco gained a new and lasting laurel of success with this production, in which all points had been well considered and nothing left to chance. The first performance in New York was given in the presence of a brilliant and delighted multitude. The final curtain did not fall till after midnight,--but “Noiseless falls the foot of Time That only falls on flowers.” This is the original cast of “Sweet Kitty Bellairs”: “_They lived in that past Georgian day When men were less inclined to say That ‘Time is gold’ and overlay With toil their pleasures._” * * * * * _IN THE PROLOGUE._ * * * * * _Master of Ceremonies_ Mark Smith, Jr. _The Prologue will be spoken by_ Antoinette Walker. * * * * * _IN THE PLAY._