the Ancient Mariner, he was now holding spellbound the barmaid, the

waterman, and four of the unemployed.

'I have examined all the theatres in London,' he was saying; 'and pacing

the principal entrances, I have ascertained them to be ridiculously

disproportionate to the requirements of their audiences. The doors

opened the wrong way--I forget at this moment which it is, but have a

note of it at home; they were frequently locked during the performance,

and when the auditorium was literally thronged with English people. You

have probably not had my opportunities of comparing distant lands; but

I can assure you this has been long ago recognized as a mark

of aristocratic government. Do you suppose, in a country really

self-governed, such abuses could exist? Your own intelligence, however

uncultivated, tells you they could not. Take Austria, a country even

possibly more enslaved than England. I have myself conversed with one of

the survivors of the Ring Theatre, and though his colloquial German

was not very good, I succeeded in gathering a pretty clear idea of his

opinion of the case. But, what will perhaps interest you still more,

here is a cutting on the subject from a Vienna newspaper, which I will

now read to you, translating as I go. You can see for yourselves; it

is printed in the German character.' And he held the cutting out for

verification, much as a conjuror passes a trick orange along the front

bench.

'Hullo, old gentleman! Is this you?' said Michael, laying his hand upon

the orator's shoulder.

148

The Wrong Box