cumstances, but regarded from a point of view which
exaggerates their sentiments and magnifies their foibles. In this light
it is permitted to this class of play, not only to deal with ridiculous
incongruities of incident and character, but to satirise society, and to
wring laughter from those possible distresses of life which might trace
their origin to fallacies of feeling and extravagances of motive.

"The Cabinet Minister" is the latest of Mr. Pinero's series of farces,
and it may be regarded as the direct development of ideas which he began
to put into practice when he wrote "The Magistrate." Since then these
ideas have undergone a process of gradual evolution, which may be
clearly traced through the successive productions of "The
Schoolmistress," "Dandy Dick," and "The Cabinet Minister," in each of
which it will be seen that the author has aimed less at the exposition
of a plot than at the satirising of particular types of character in a
possible social atmosphere.

"The Cabinet Minister" was written early in 1889, and produced by Mrs.
John Wood and Mr. Arthur Chudleigh at the Court Theatre, on April 23,
1890.

* * * * *

The following is a copy of the Programme:--

ROYAL COURT THEATRE.

UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. JOHN WOOD.

ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23rd,

At 8 o'clock,

WILL BE ACTED FOR THE FIRST TIME

AN ORIGINAL FARCE IN FOUR ACTS, CALLED

THE CABINET MINISTER,

BY

A. W. PINERO.

EARL OF DRUMDURRIS
(in the Guards) Mr. RICHARD SAUNDERS.

VISCOUNT ABERBROTHOCK
(his Son) * * * *

RIGHT HON. SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY, G.C.M.G., M.P.
(Secretary of State for the ---- Department) Mr. ARTHUR CECIL.

BROOKE TWOMBLEY (his Son) Mr. E. ALLAN AYNESWORTH.

MACPHAIL OF BALLOCHEEVIN Mr. BRANDON THOMAS.

MR. JOSEPH LEBANON Mr. WEEDON GROSSMITH.

VALENTINE WHITE
(Lady Twombley's Nephew) Mr. HERBERT WARING.

MR. MITFORD[A]
(Sir Julian's Private Secretary) Mr. FRANK FARREN.

THE MUNKITTRICK Mr. JOHN CLULOW.

PROBYN (A Servant) Mr. ERNEST PATON.

DOWAGER COUNTESS OF DRUMDURRIS Miss R. G. LE THIERE.

LADY EUPHEMIA VIBART (her Daughter)