[Printed on playbill sheet.] (Copy of a Letter in "THE TIMES" of Tuesday, February 14th, 1854.) Mr Charles Mathews and the Lyceum Theatre. To the Editor of the Times. [On his difficulties with creditors and the temporary closure of the theatre.]

Printed for display, on one side of a piece of paper 24.5 x 49.5 cm. Text clear and complete. On aged and creased paper, with one closed tear and bottom right-hand corner lacking, causing slight loss to the last letter of Mathews' name at foot of document. Heading in bold type in a variety of point sizes. Giving a 'brief statement of my fourteen years' struggle and of my latest difficulty'. He has 'stood in a false position towards the world for many years', 'performing an honorable duty under almost superhuman difficulties', while 'the world believes me to be an extravagant, thoughtless, reckless fellow, living an idle, dissolute life, totally regardless of my own honor and the interests of others'. Excessively scarce: no copy in the British Library, on COPAC or WorldCat.