the poet gives his exact reasons for having recently relinquished the post in question.

It is also true that the first notable success of Bessie Dyke as an actress was scored at Kilkenny, Ireland, instead of London. As her elder sister, Mary, has no part in this story, she has been omitted altogether, though her long and successful career upon the American stage is a part of the national theatrical history.

So far as the characters herein set forth are concerned but little explanation is required. Those historical have been sketched in accordance with the accounts of their peculiarities furnished by the literature of the times. Several of the most important people are entirely imaginary, or have been constructed by combining a number of single individuals into one personage.

In reply to the anticipated charge that the author cannot prove that the incidents described in the progress of Moore's wooing ever happened, he makes bold to answer that it is equally as impossible to prove that they did not.

With this explanation, necessary or unnecessary, as the future will no doubt prove, the book "Tom Moore" is confided to the mercy of the public which has so generously welcomed the play.

CONTENTS

BOOK ONE

ONE AFTERNOON IN IRELAND

CHAPTER

1. Tom Moore goes Angling

2. Certain Happenings in Mistress Dyke's School

3. Tom Moore entertains Teacher and Pupils

4. The Blackmailing of Tom Moore

5. Tom Moore gives Mistress Dyke an Inkling

6. Two Gentlemen of Wealth and Breeding

7. Tom Moore obliges a Friend and gets in Trouble

BOOK TWO

ONE AFTERNOON IN ENGLAND

8. Introduces Montgomery Julien Ethelbert Spinks

9. Tom Moore receives Calls from Mrs. Malone and Mr. Dyke

10. In which the Landlady is played a Trick

11. Tom Moore receives Visits from Two Cobblers and a Clerk

12. In which the Poet warbles to Mrs. Malone

13. Tom Moore has a Bitter Disappointment and an Unexpected Visitor

14. Sir Percival Lovelace is favored by Fortune

BOOK THREE

TWO EVENINGS IN HIGH SOCIETY

15. Sets Forth Certain Explanations

16. Tom Moore separates a Young Lady from her Skirt

17. Honors are Easy

18. Tom Moore moves in Distinguished Company

19. Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Brummell, and Mr. Moore Hold Council of War

20. Tom Moore makes a Bad Bargain

21. The Poet falls from Favor

BOOK FOUR

A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE

22. Tom Moore receives a Proposal of Marriage

23. The Poet has Callers and gives a Dinner-Party