MASSINGER AND THE INNS OF COURT MISSION. [To THE EDITOR
or THE " SPECTATOR."] Six,—Philip Massinger's play, The Great Duke of Florence. written in 1627, is to be produced next week in the Middle Temple Hall by a company of old Oxford amateurs, including Mr. Ledward, Mr. Colbourne and Mr. Ramage, reinforced by Miss Cathleen Nesbitt and Miss Elizabeth Pollock. Evening performances will be given on Thursday, February 23rd, and Friday, February 24th, and there will be a matinee on Satin's day, February 25th. The rare opportunity of seeing a little known drama by Messinger, performed in the ancient ball where many Elizabethan plays—such as Twelfth Night—were first produced, should attract large audiences. Tickets may be had from Mr. Shewell Cooper, 2 Paper Buildings, Temple.
This Messinger revival has been undertaken in behalf of the excellent Inns of Court Mission, which for a quarter of a century has been at work in Drury Lane, within a stone's throw of your office. The Mission was founded by the late Lord Halsbury and other leading members of the Bench and the Bar, and has been mainly conducted by barristers. It has one of the largest and most successful working men's clubs in London, which includes among its activities a vigorous athletic
club and which is noted for its " Noisy Room," where members freely exchange their views on many subjects. A boys' club is attached to the Mission. During the war two-thirds of the members served with the Forces, and twenty-five of them—or more than ten per cent.—were killed. It is now desired, by way of a memorial to the late Lord Halsbury, to purchase a playing field at Tottenham for the use of the Mission clubs. The field will cost £2,000. It is hoped that a considerable part of the sum will be raised by the sale of tickets for the performances next week. You will, I think, agree with me that this most interest- ing revival is being given in aid of a most deserving cause.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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