In the case of Seckendorf, the technical, or, I might say, the symphonic composition of the play, which allots the parts as arbitrarily as in the Midsummer Night's Dream does Peter Quince, who says to highly respectable people: "You play the Lion, and you play the Ass," necessitates making a victim of a man who was a mediocre diplomat, but for a time, at least, a fairly good soldier.

Fortunately, according to Chevalier Lang and other more reliable authorities, this particular Seckendorf was both vain and tyrannous.

It is not necessary for the actor to present Seckendorf as an imbecile.

And still rarer is it to see a Seckendorf who, in spite of his clumsy "combinations," did not quite sink to the level of the Marshal von Kalb.

COUNT WARTENSLEBEN } COUNT SECKENDORF, Imperial Ambassador BARONET HOTHAM, Envoy of Great Britain FRAU VON VIERECK FRAU VON HOLZENDORF The Queen's Ladies.

His Majesty ordered these immediately after the arrival of the dispatch. SECKENDORF.

SECKENDORF.

That looks like a wedding. SECKENDORF.

From Hanover. SECKENDORF.

English affairs! SECKENDORF.

SCENE VI GRUMBKOW and SECKENDORF come in.

That's you, Seckendorf. SECKENDORF.

That's you, Seckendorf. SECKENDORF.

GRUMBKOW AND SECKENDORF (together, aside).

The door to the right is thrown open and the members of the Tobacco-Conference come in, led by GRUMBKOW and SECKENDORF.

Good evening, Grumbkow. SECKENDORF.

Good evening, Seckendorf.

SECKENDORF.

Our sailors use tobacco as a remedy for scurvy. SECKENDORF.

Seckendorf, it's time to exercise your wit.

SECKENDORF (aside).

Yes, what did the old Dessauer invent? SECKENDORF (aside).

It can't be gunpowder, because Count Seckendorf has already discovered that.

[All laugh.] SECKENDORF (aside).

SECKENDORF (aside).