SOURCE: “Play-Writing,” in Robert Buchanan: Some Account of His Life, His Life's Work and His Literary Friendships, T. Fisher Unwin, 1903, pp. 231-49.

In the following essay, Jay surveys Buchanan's plays.

It was not till he had passed the forties that Mr. Buchanan obtained any real success upon the stage. From the time of the production of the Witchfinder he had never ceased to regard it as a possible means of livelihood, knowing as he did that in this connection far greater prizes were to be obtained than from the mere writing of books, even of novels, but for many years the life he led was not conducive to his being able even to make a bid for theatrical success. The state of his health made it impossible for him to live in London, so he was unable either to familiarise himself with stagecraft or to be in touch...