Yet, after seeing the Moscow Art Theatre performances, which have been the
outstanding feature of the 1922-1923 dramatic season in New York, I cannot but feel
that all profound workers, in whatever division they place themselves, are eager for
the same artistic results. Stanislavsky, staunch maintainer of small details and
their cumulative effectiveness, has shown, in his presentment of Tchekhoff "The
Cherry Orchard" and "The Three Sisters", that Realism, as practised in this
Russian art theatre, has a spiritual significance and an edifying effect on audiences
as though materials were offered in presentational form rather than representational.
He rather, by his practise, strengthened the cause of Realism. Such Realism as
his is not antiquated. So I await with eagerness his written plea for what has been
his whole work in the theatre, when he publishes his "My Life in Art", and his more
technical work on the evolution of the Actor and his Technique. Who knows what
artistic philosophy these books may reinstate!

The Editor of an anthology always faces problems. I have stated most of them
elsewhere. I have tried to accord with the title of my book: I believe I have made
the plays representative. And I feel they are all significant. I have been fortu-
nate in being able to secure many adequate translations, and it is always a pleasure
to thank those who have aided me in my purpose. The translators are the first
among these.

Dates are only significant as they place a play in its proper position. Human
motives are of greater value, and are far more interesting to the general reader.
Moreover, critical data are added to this as an introduction to each play -- that is
all an Editor can be asked to do in a collection of this character, unless he write a
whole book on the Continental Drama, and leave the texts of the plays alone.
My bibliographies contain the names of many to whom my thanks are due for
their kindly interest and their helpful suggestion during the course of my researches
for this volume. And appreciation is accorded my publishers, whose interest
and assistance at every step have been unfailing.

MONTROSE J. MOSES.

NEW HARTFORD,
CONNECTICUT,
July, 1923.

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