exercises. But the
enterprise grew out of his visits to the theatre, and was well suited to
excite critical remarks. It is probable that most actors and actresses
are made so by first witnessing theatrical performances. We are
acquainted with a person, whose nephew is an actor, with no purer
character than actors usually possess. He was a lover of books in his
youth; and his desire to become an actor was begotten in the theatre.
He was so delighted with what he saw on the stage, that he finally
resolved to make stage-playing his profession; and he now belongs to
that unhonored fraternity. It is not strange that some people were
surprised that Nat should originate such a society.

"What shall we play?" inquired Frank, on the evening the dramatic
society was organized.

"'Macbeth,'" replied Nat, who had witnessed this at the theatre. "It may
be more difficult than some others, but it is one of the best plays."

"_You_ must get up the scenery," said Frank.

"With the assistance of the rest of you," replied Nat. "It will be no
great affair to paint what we want for this play."

"How long will it take?" inquired Marcus.

"We can do it in two evenings," answered Nat. "We ought not to be longer
than that, if we intend to commit the play so as to act it next week."

"No one but members of the society will be admitted, I suppose," said
Charlie, "until we have thoroughly practised the play."

"No; we must speak it over and over, so that it will be perfectly
familiar, before we attempt it before visitors."

On that evening the society was organized by the choice of officers and
the adoption of a constitution and by-laws. Nat had the chief agency in
preparing the constitution and by-laws, as he did in the debating
society, and he found that a knowledge of grammar was indeed a decided
assistance. He was often reminded of the remarks of his teacher, when he
(Nat) was opposed to studying the science.

[Illustration]

It was decided to act "Macbeth," and the parts were assigned, and the
time of the first meeting appointed. Many of the young people joined the
society, and were much interested in its object. Such an organization
was suited to awaken more enthusiasm among the young, than a debating
society.

It was a pleasant evening on which the play was to be performed for the
first time, and every member of the society was there, curious to behold
the result. It went off with considerable eclat, although there were
some