In his dedication page to Stage-Land (published in 1889), Jerome K. Jerome writes: "To that highly respectable but unnecessarily retiring individual of whom we hear so much but see so little, the earnest student of the drama, this (comparatively) truthful little book is lovingly dedicated." He then proceeds to humorously, and often with scathing precision, examine those characters who inhabit the world of the stage, namely, such hilarious stereotypes...

(Excerpt): "They look so dull and dowdy in the spring weather, when the snow drops and the crocuses are putting on their dainty frocks of white and mauve and yellow, and the baby-buds from every branch are peeping with bright eyes out on the world, and stretching forth soft little leaves toward the coming gladness of their lives. They stand apart, so cold and hard amid the stirring hope and joy that are throbbing all around them."

(Excerpt): "The most extraordinary dream I ever had was one in which I fancied that, as I was going into a theater, the cloak-room attendant stopped me in the lobby and insisted on my leaving my legs behind me. I was not surprised; indeed, my acquaintanceship with theater harpies would prevent my feeling any surprise at such a demand, even in my waking moments; but I was, I must honestly confess, considerably annoyed. It was not the payment of the...

(Excerpt): "Kindness," argued little Mrs. Pennycoop, "costs nothing." "And, speaking generally, my dear, is valued precisely at cost price," retorted Mr. Pennycoop, who, as an auctioneer of twenty years' experience, had enjoyed much opportunity of testing the attitude of the public towards sentiment. "I don't care what you say, George," persisted his wife; "he may be a disagreeable, cantankerous old brute-I don't say he isn't. All the same, the man...