[ John Banim, Irish novelist ] Autograph Letter Signed "John Banim" to an unnamed correspondent (perhaps theatre manager proposing to perform his "The Prodigal", Robert Elliston, "lessee" at the time).

Three closely-written pages, 8vo, bifolium, good + condition. I have for more than w eeek kept myself entirely disengaged trusting you would send the first part of 'Mazeppa' [underlined], because [...] I kept no copy, and could not proceed without it [...] whenever you send the batch I shall, within three days, finish it - or if it be better to see you - which at our last interview I did not [conceive?], - I shall do so - since you have given some expectations from the pecuniary results of a [?] Drama I am naturally anxious to exert myself. | Permit me a word about the "Prodigal" [underlined]. If consistently with your interests it cannot be produced next season I shall suffer sadly - [...] if you be at the trouble to glance at my circumstances and general views, you will yourself perceive I have already suffered [...] Before I had the honor to submit the Prodigal [underlined] I inquired by letter if I might reckon on the support of Messrs Kean and Young - [...] and upon this I wrote the play. Mr. Kean consented to act the part of Lorenzo: you informed me he had, and I met him twice in the green-room reading it; Mr Young [...] the paay was set for performance last season, and, without my interference, so announced in the papers & periodicals and the truth is whatever little public character I have must be affected by [untried?] failure under such circumstances. But my most immediate loss was pecuniary [he enlarges on this using words like "embarrassment" and "inability" and "disappointment" re. publication] I failed in disposing of the copyright." He hopes for his correspondent's further "interest [...] assure that, if you can I shall not long continued [sic] depressed and afflicted by them." Note: I have no further information about Banim's adaptation of Byron's "Mazeppa". Apparently "The Prodigal" was never performed.