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This is the story of how William Mackay, then studying for thelaw, wrote his first published piece, leading to his career innewspapers. The letters that occasioned the piece and acriticism of Mr. Robertson’s play are given first forcontext, followed by Mackay’s account and then his firstpublished piece.—DP.
Sir,—It may be of some interest to you or your readersto learn that the comedy School now performed at thePrince of Wales’s Theatre is a play which was performedwith great success at the principal theatres in Germany lastyear, and that Mr. Robertson has only the merit oftranslation. I myself have seen it acted in Hamburg andCologne. I do not think Mr. Robertson will deny thisfact.
I enclose my card, and beg to subscribe myself
VERITAS.
Jan. 18.
*** Why does not“Veritas” give the name of the German play?
Sir,—I am thankful to you for reminding me that I hadforgotten to give the name of the German play acted in the Princeof Wales’s Theatre under the name School. Itis called there Aschenbrödel, and the author is Mr. RobertBenedix, a well-known theatrical author.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
VERITAS.
January 20.
Sir,—Is Mr. Robertson going to contradict or explain theallegation made in your columns on the 20th and 21st inst., thathis so-called new play is, in fact, a German play,Aschenbrödel, by Robert Benedix? The publichave a right to be informed on this point, as School wasput forward and accepted as an original work. If the chargeis true, it becomes difficult to understand the morality of thoseconcerned. If your correspondent’s statement beincorrect, Mr. Robertson and Miss Wilton owe it to themselves tosay so.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
R. S. E.
Jan. 32.
With the new year has come new luckto the theatres. Covent Garden, and Drury Lane, with theirpantomimes, are doing wonderfully well; the new Gaiety, with itsbrilliant extravaganza un-dresses, and Mr. Alfred Wigan’sadmirable acting in the second piece, is, and has been, drawingcrowded houses. The Strand, with its old burlesque, TheField of the Cloth of Gold, is taking its share of the luck,and the little Royalty’s novel style of burlesque-drama,Claude du Val, is in for as prosperous if not as lengthy acareer as fell to the lot of Black-eyed Susan. Thesensation drama is for a time in abeyance until Mr. WattsPhillips produces his next at the Queen’s, and itsstartling companion at the Holborn. The Princess’scoquetting with Mr. Boucicault, takes up with Mr. PalgraveSimpson, and plays his Marie Antoinette.
Two theatres are playing comedy, pure and simple; rather pure,and peculiarly simple. At the Haymarket, Mr. Buckstone nowplays a comedy by T. W. Robertson, entitled Home; and atthe Prince of Wales’s Miss Marie Wilton has produced acomedy by the same author, called School. Both aresuccessful, on both a vast amount of praise has been lavished,and about both a great deal of nonsense has been written.
Home is an adaptation ofL’Aventurière; and School, is anadaptation of a