[ Gustavus Vaughan Brooke's triumphant return as 'Othello', Drury Lane, 1853. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J H Wilton') by Brooke's agent John Hall Wilton, describing his 'glorious triumph' on the night after the performance.

For information concerning Wilton, who had previously been associated with P. T. Barnum, see W. J. Lawrence's 'Life of Gustavus Vaughan Brooke, Tragedian' (Belfast, 1892). From the 1840s Brooke had toured England with increasing success, being favourably compared with Edmund Kean and called by several critics the greatest tragedian of his day. Although somewhat wooden in delivery, he was blessed with a splendid voice, but this had begun to fail towards the end of the decade, and he had been forced to seek medical help. At the same time his heavy drinking did not assist his acting. The performance described in this letter marks the start of a season in which he not only restored his own fortunes, but also those of Drury Lane. The Times, writing on the same day as the present letter, concluded its review of the performance: 'Drury-lane may be considered to have started the season triumphantly'. But while conceding that Brooke was blessed with 'a splendid voice, deep and sonorous at will, and capable of expressing manly pathos to a degree which, if the organ were well managed, might be affecting in the extreme', the newspaper ridiculed the audience for its lack of discrimination: 'with all its interest, a very little observation was required to show that this was a public in which the critical faculty did not exist. When they rose into applause (and it was applause!) at a speech of Mr. Brooke's, it was generally because he spoke louder than ordinary; nor, indeed, could we see a single instance in which any talent but that of loud speaking elicited audible approbation from the audience.' 1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged, laid down on leaf removed from album. Closely-written, with 33 lines of text. Wilton begins the letter in high spirits: 'I telegraphed last night. Nuff ced. I must confess I never saw such a glorious triumph in my career - The Times comes out so so - never mind. The majority of this mornings papers teem with eulogy and highwrought c<?>. One and all conclude his voice is restored which promulgation is a great affair - and is the grand point gained. He got close upon 50£ for last nights performance. Prospects are excellent, and no mistake.' He writes that 'Gus [i.e. Brooke] desires his best love, and also to Sims Reeves. Polly joins to give of her inclining, and the rest. Remember us to Miss Hale, me to my dear Pets who are seldom out of my mind - as also Billy - How you would have liked to have seen him play Othello last night.' He reports the arrival from America of Alfred Howell, before returning to Brooke: 'last night was Gus' first appearance at D. L. last night completed my contract with him - for the year I engaged with him, and I feel proud to say, that from the first to the last, the year - has been one continuous success and profit. Whenever he has acted which is 226 nights -'. The last paragraph pokes fun at a 'Fat Printer', whom he bids 'hold his peace - and see his devils work his game well'. He 'learns great things of this W Opera Company - the Sticks - I hope they will do'. He concludes with a reference to 'your dear Babbys G & P. and tho last not least William - My William - here - not my Billy there'.?>