On the other hand, while prohibiting "La Dame aux Camelias"[1] of M.Alexandre Dumas fils, he has sanctioned its performance as the opera "La Traviata." "I think," explained Mr.Donne, "that if there is a musical version of a piece it makes a difference, for the story is then subsidiary to the music and singing." Prohibiting "Jack Sheppard" he yet licensed for representation an adaptation of a French version of the same piece.
Madame Ristori was not allowed to appear in the tragedy of "Myrrha," and the dramas which French companies of players visiting this country from time to time have designed to produce, have been severely dealt with, the Examiner forgetting, apparently, that such works should rather be judged by a foreign than a native standard of "good manners and decorum." As a result, we have the strange fact of the Examiner stepping between the English public and what have been judged to be the masterpieces of the French stage.
[1] "La Dame aux Camelias" obtained a license at last, and was played for the first time in England at the Gaiety Theatre, on the 11th June, 1881, with Mdlle.

Sarah Bernhardt as the representative of the leading character.
The Chamberlain has also held it to be a part of his duty to interfere in regard to certain of the costumes of the theatre, when these seemed to be more scanty than seemliness required, and from time to time he has addressed expostulations to the managers upon the subject.

It must not be concluded, however, that from his action in the matter, much change or amendment has ensued.
In America there is no Lord Chamberlain, Examiner of Plays, or any corresponding functionary.

The stage may be no better for the absence of such an officer, but it does not seem to be any the worse.
In 1832, the late Lord Lytton (then Mr.Bulwer), addressing the House of Commons on the laws affecting dramatic literature, said of the authority vested in the Lord Chamberlain: "I am at a loss to know what advantages we have gained by the grant of this almost unconstitutional power.

Certainly, with regard to a censor, a censor upon plays seems to me as idle and unnecessary as a censor upon books....