PREFATORY NOTE



granted him at the very outset. But there are
always exact critics who can allow a dramatist
no latitude; and even before " Barbara Frietchie "
was produced, Mr. Fitch found himself opposed
by the Press. This necessitated his printing on
his program a disclaimer as to the historical exact-
ness of his situation, and declaring his sole ambi-
tion to picture the spirit and atmosphere of a
particular period, through a delicate, imaginary
story. Both the playwright and the actress
were amply rewarded. Some of Mr. Fitch's
severest critics could not but recognize in "Bar-
bara Frietchie" much ingenuity and much
cumulative effect. In the preparations for the
production of this play he exhibited the same
particularity, as regards costuming and stage
setting, that marked his "Nathan Hale."
  It was generally the case with Clyde Fitch
that he based the story of his play on some defi-
nite incident or situation brought to his notice
or coming under his direct observation. From a
mere suggestion he would often gradually evolve
his plot. But " Captain Jinks " was inspired
purely by his love for an historical period. And
we believe that its source of being lay entirely
in the fact that he had often declared his interest
in the manners and customs of i872. The real
seeds for this play, in which Miss Ethel Barry-



vii