* * .,* * All London .feels much the poorer
for the death of Sir Squire Bancroft. No figure . was more conspicuous— one might say, without offence because with truth, more consciously conspicuous—in the West End of London than Sir Squire Bancroft, with his calculated touches of dress and bearing which were at once notice- able and distinguished. He was an exceedingly popular man, for " the profession " well knew what it owed to him, and everyone who came in contact with him had some pleasant memory of his kind-heartedness, sincerity and geniality. He was a great reformer. First at the Prince of Wales's Theatre and then at the Haymarket, he and Lady Bancroft raised the stage in general esteem, won the applause and the hearty approval of Queen Victoria, improved the conditions of the life, and studied the production of plays from the point of view of team- work. Sir Squire always had a quick eye for an actor and 'a play ; his judgment as to what would succeed was not often wrong. In 'acting itself, though he was very good, he had not the genius of his wife.
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