ACT 3 OF THE SILVER BOX

JOHN GALSWORTHY:

  JOHNNGALSWORTHY (1867-1933) WAS A DISTINGUISHED NOVELIST AND PLAYWRIGHT WHOSE WORKS CINTAINS A GREAT DEAL OF CRITICISM OF BRITHISH  SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY OF THE VALUES OF THE WELL TO DO PROFESSIONAL CLASS TO WHICH HE HIMSELF BELONGED.HE HAD STRONG SYMPATHIES WITH THE UNFORTUNATE AND AS WELL DESCRIBED BY ONE OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES, THE NOVELIST CONRAD AS A HUMANITARIAN MORALIST,HE WROTE A NUMBER OF NOVELS ABOUT THE FORSYTES A FICTIONAL FAMILY OF THE UPPER MIDDLE CLASS PERHAPS THE BEST OF WHICH IS THE MAN OF PROPERTY. HIS PLAYS INCLUDE THE SILVER BOX,STRIFE ,LOYALTIES AND ESCAPE. THE COURT SCENE FROM THE SILVER BOX REMIND US THAT GALSWORTHY'S FATHER WAS A PROSPEROUS SOLICITOR WHILE HE HIMSELF READ LAW AT OXFORD AMD WAS CALLED TO THE BAR.

       THE SILVER BOX IS A POWERFUL AND BITTER PLAY. IN A FIT OF DRUNKEN MISCHIEF JACK, THE DISSOLITE SON OF THE HIGHLY RESPECTABLE MR BARTHWICK A LIBERAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT STEAL A PURSE FROM A WOMAN. IN A SIMILAR FIT OF DRUNKEN MISCHIEF JONES THE HUSBAND OF THE BARTH WICK CHARWOMAN,STEALS  THE SILVER CIGARETTE BIX AND THE PURSE AFTER HELPING JACK TO ENTER HIS FATHER HOUSE. MR BARTHWICK IS ABLE TO HUSH UP HIS SON'S CRIME WHILE FAR AN ALMOST IDENTICAL CRIME THE POVERTY STRICKEN JONES IS PUNISHED AND HIS UTTERLY INNOCENT WIFE LOSES HER JOB WITH THE BARTHWICK.

     EIGHT DAYS HAVE PASSED AND THE SCENE IS A LONDON POLICE COURT AT ONE O CLOCK. A CANOPIED SEAT OF JUSTIC IS SURROUNDED BY THE LION AND UNICORN. BEFORE THE FIRE A WORN LOOKING MAGISTRATE IS WARMING HIS COAT TAILS AND STARTING AT TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN FADED BLUE AND ORANGE RAGS. WHO ARE PLACED BEFORE THE DOCK. CLOSE TO THE WITNESS BOX IS RELIEVING OFFICER IN AN OVERCOAT AND A SHORT BROWN BREAD. BESIDE YHE LITTLE GIRLS STANDS A BOLD POLICE CONSTABLE. ON THE FRONT BENCH ARE SITTING BARTHWICK AND ROPER AND BEHIND THEM JACK. IN THE RAILED ENCLOSURE ARE SEEDY LOOKING MEN AND WOMEN. SOME PROSPEROUS CONSTABLE SIT OR STAND ABOUT...........