PREFA TORY NOTE



work, instead of letting the ideas do the work
for him. One should write what one sees; but
observe under the surface. It is a mistake to
look at the reflection of the sky in the water of
theatrical convention.  Instead, look up and
into the sky of real life itself."
  Writing from Carlsbad, on June 13, 9goo, Mr.
Fitch said, " I finished 'The Climbers' today, and
I think the last act may be the best thing I've
done. I feel this act has something in it besides
the theatre!"  When the play was first pro-
duced, he was accused of bad taste in the dress-
selling scene, and the general critical opinion
was that such a situation could never have
happened among that "set" of people. But,
as a matter of fact, the incident did actually occur
in New York city, and no sooner was it told
to Mr. Fitch than he used it with an unerring
sense of its dramatic effectiveness.
                       MONTROSE J. MOSES,
                       VIRGINIA GERSON.
NEW YORK,
JULY, 1915.



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