MACREADY

4pp., 12mo. Bifiolium. In fair condition, on aged paper. Macready had taken leave of the stage a month before the writing of this letter, with a farewell performance of Macbeth at Drury Lane on 26 February. An interesting letter, fifty-one lines long, revealing the great actor's response to the change of circumstances brought about by his early retirement. Macready begins by telling Jerdan that his 'friendly reminder of the 16th. inst' found him 'in all the external stillness of he most quiet of village towns, and with as much internal care as would satisfy the most excitement-loving person'.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, with postmark, to 'John P. Aston, Esqre | Messrs. Ainsworth & Co | Solrs | Essex Street | Manchester'. Aston was Ainsworth's father's law clerk. The year after this letter was written the novel 'Sir John Chiverton', on which Ainsworth and Aston collaborated, was published to great success (and endorsement by Sir Walter Scott).

2pp., 16mo. Bifolium. On monogrammed letterhead. In fair condition, with traces of glue from mount still adhering. She proposes a date for a meeting, adding: 'Will Miss Paget come in the evening & bring a young friend with her if she pleases?'

3pp., 12mo. 37 lines. Fair, on worn and discoloured paper. An interesting letter, casting light on the relationship between two great actors who, according to the Oxford DNB, 'disliked but respected each other'. Macready is not named, but Young ends by sending his 'Kind Comts to Mrs Macready'. Macready had taken over at Drury Lane on 4 October 1841, but the season would not begin until 27 December. The letter begins 'My dear Sir!