Two men who prepared the way for the striking change that took place in the nineties-a change that has not yet reached its fullness of development-are Henry Arthur Jones and Arthur Wing Pinero.

Mr. H.A. Jones showed a lively sense of characterization that helped materially to vitalize the stereotyped figures of the older Victorian play; Sir A.W. Pinero by his deft craftsmanship and keen appreciation of stage effects did good work in creating a livelier illusion of reality. Neither the one nor the other were Realists in the accepted sense of the term; Mr. Jones’ rhetorical methods detracted often from his shrewd observation; and Sir. A.W. Pinero showed more ingenuity in his situations than in ideas.