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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2764, 19 March 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

As Clyde Fitch’s last play, “Kitty and the Canarj',” was not completed at the time of the playwright’s death it will not be produced. This decision was reached at the request of the late author’s family. ' VALUE OF READY WIT. The French author, Martainville, who began his career toward the close of the eighteenth century, was a Royalist, and did not hesitate to attack the French Revolution and its authoriies. Presently, of course, he was summoned to appear before the revolutionary tribunal, with the terrible Fouquier at its head. The revolutionary tribunals at that time did not hesitate to send everybody to the guillotine who had ventured to attack them. i\ln.r--tainville expected to go with the rest of the victims. “What is our name?” asked the revolutionary judge. “Aisrtainville,” said the young author. "Martainville?’’ exclaimed the judge; “yo-u are deceiving us and tiding to hide your rank. You are an aristocrat, and your name is De Martainville.’’ “Citizen President!” exclaimed the. young man, “I am here to be shortened, not to be 'lengthened! Leave me my name!” A true Frenchman loves a witticism above all things, arid the tribunal was so much pleased by Martainville’s grim response that it spared his life.