At first sight it seems as if Benavente's whole theory of art had been revolutionized. The key to the solution of the problem is in the pages of _De sobremesa_. In his weekly articles he frequently discusses conditions of wretchedness in the world about him. He suggests practical remedies for the alleviation of misery among the poor and in the middle classes. He evinces such a spirit of commiseration for human woes that no one can wonder that his natural feelings of sympathy and his desire to benefit his fellow men are reflected in his dramas. Thus it is that we find intensely moral plays coming from the hand of the man who wrote in the preface to the standard edition of his works: "I love art above all things, but all that I have attained in my works has been only a vain longing of my infinite love." =Plays for Children.=--A passion for the welfare and happiness of children is one of the keynotes of Benavente's existence. In periodical writings he maintains that the young are neglected in Spain, that they receive a miserable education, and that the poor are wont to regard those children who die young as truly fortunate. Yet he feels that the most important element in the future improvement of the race is the careful upbringing of the newer generations. In company with other people Benavente long agitated the founding of a theater for children. His efforts were at last crowned with success, and he himself wrote for the new institution _El príncipe que todo lo aprendió en los libros_, _Ganarse la vida_, and _El nietecito_. He endeavored, with considerable success, to combine fairy legends, playful imagination, and educational value. Unfortunately the theater seems to have been a failure; its existence was limited to about one year. =Romantic Plays.=--Benavente has always possessed a vein of poetry or of romance that makes him take delight in pure fancy. More than once in _De sobremesa_ he defends works of imagination. In his own career the tendency can be traced back to the _Teatro fantástico_, and it is presumably connected with veneration of Shakespeare. Thus it is that we find among recent productions, not only the children's plays but _La princesa sin corazón_, _La copa encantada_, _El último minué_, and other flights of fancy. The inspiration that brought forth _Los intereses_ creados may perhaps be assigned to the same source.[i.10] =Miscellanies.=--It must not be supposed that recent years have witnessed a decline on the part of Benavente in power of irony and observation of character. Not only are these qualities present in nearly all his plays, but they are predominant in some. _Abuela y nieta_ is a delightful character sketch. _De pequeñas causas_... is reminiscent of the earliest plays. _Los ojos de los muertos_ is a gloomy tragedy of unhappy marital relations. And so we might continue with other scattered titles.