Letter from Henry F. Chorley to Charlotte Cushman, n.d.

Chorley seems to inform Charlotte Cushman on performance opportunities and lets her in on his trouble with an unnamed gentleman Chorley is doing business with.

Credit

Library of Congress, Charlotte Cushman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 

[2948] Dear Miss Cushman. Una parola/ you see I am airing My[?] Italian.) in answer to your kind note from +++ Waters, & to introduce to your +++ care the M.S. — of my play. Save the introduction of one or two words in the great scene between Sir Archibald & Eve, in the fourth Act (so as to make her natural misconception of the nature of his suit more pointed) which will be very easily added – the copy is a perfect one – as I, yesterday, put the few words between Margaret & Lord  Overbury into order, that no stranger

[2948 reverse] reading, the play might stumble for a moment for want of the connecting link. — Now as regards a certain theatre. My first object, us, of course, that you should be +++ & supported well in a play you have so kindly adopted (as regards, I mean mere choice of locale) At the Princess' theatre would be a chance of Wallack in La Rogue — leaving only the père noble to be filled — or, perhaps M^r Packingham[?] might be tried, or even M^r. W. Lacym[?] if M^r. Wallack had to have Sir Archibald for himself. – [illegible crossed out] I here would be

[2949] +++, too, for Lord Overbury (?) -— so that I don't know but the cast would have[?] as decent a chance there as elsewhere. – What I have heard of M^r. — makes me eminently dislike to the idea of having anything to do with him: — but, if he will meet me +++ — & produce the [illegible crossed out] piece worthily – I have neither row nor antipathy to make me say "nay" To facilitate matters as much as possible, & to spare you (as every Lady ought to be spared, according to my notions) embroilment or intermixture in a business which

[2949 reverse] is one of mere profit — I have left conditions in the hands of my trust worthy & gentlemanly friend, M^r.  Arnould — to [inserted] which there be no difficulty in any one's [last two words inserted] acceding — & which while they prevent my either being duped, or doing an ingenious thing by my professionally literary brethren – leave concession & accommodation in my own power on returning, provided I find the matter has made any progress, during my absence. All I am desirous of, in brief, is to cause

[2950] nor delay nor hindrance, with a reasonable regard to the protection of my own interest. And so, good bye! –  If you were behind my +++ you would understand what, otherwise, seems almost too absurd, — the more than necessity there is at present my getting away. I am, done, in +++ & it is rather a bones than a hand, which wishes you all wealth success, a posperity while till you see again Very truly Y^rs.
H. F. Chorley