popular plays now upon the stage. He also wrote, for the benefit of the Guild of Literature and Art, a short play entitled Not so Bad as We Seem, which has been frequently represented by Mr. Charles Dickens's amateur company. Besides his literary labors, Sir E. B. Lytton has also found time to take part in political life. In 1831, he entered Parliament as a Whig, and subsequently became conspicuous for his advocacy of the rights of dramatic authors, and for his liberal opinions on other questions. When Sir Robert Peel formed his first ministry, in December, 1834, Mr. Bulwer, as he was then denominated, published a pamphlet on The Crisis, which ran through more than twenty editions, and produced a very considerable effect. Upon the return of the Whigs to power, he was raised to a baronetcy, as a reward for his services. In the general election of 1842, he lost his seat, and was not again returned to Parliament until 1852, when he became a member for the county of Hertford, having in the mean time joined the Conservative party under the leadership of the Earl of Derby. Sir Edward has not been a frequent speaker in Parliament, but his occasional speeches and addresses have served to raise his reputation. His inaugural address as Rector of the University of Glasgow, in particu lar, has been greatly admired. TO THE AUTHOR OF "ION," WHOSE GENIUS AND EXAMPLE HAVE ALIKE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE REGENERATION OF The National Drama, THIS PLAY IS INSCRIBED. |