The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To WILLIAM JERDAN,1 3 AUGUST 1843 

Text from facsimile in Bonhams online catalogue, May 2020. 

Devonshire Terrace.

Third August 1843 

My Dear Jerdan

            I am in town for but a few hours – 'specially2 for the Elton Committee3 tonight – and have not yet had the Haymarket Return.4 But if I find this evening that there is any news worth your having, I will take care Mc Ian5 sends it you.

                                    Faithfully Always

                                                            CD

W. Jerdan Esquire

• 1. William Jerdan (1782-1869; Dictionary of National Biography), editor of the Literary Gazette.
• 2. "especiall" deleted after "hours –".
• 3. Edward William Elt (1794-1843; Dictionary of National Biography), known as Elton; actor. First appeared at the Garrick Theatre in 1831; enjoyed great popularity from 1832 to 1836 at the Strand and Surrey theatres. Drowned on 19 July returning on the Pegasus to Hull from a month’s engagement at William Murray's Edinburgh Theatre, the ship having struck Goldstone Rock and sunk one mile from shore. Known to CD as Chairman and Treasurer of the Theatrical Fund (see Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 527n). CD had consented to take on the role of Chairman of a committee established on 25 July 1843 to raise funds for his children (see To Angela Burdett Coutts, 26 July 1843, Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 527), and wrote to many of his friends (including George Cruikshank, Thomas Hood and Daniel Maclise) requesting subscriptions and support.
• 4. A benefit was held at the Haymarket Theatre on 2 Aug; others followed at the City of London (3 Aug), the Surrey (3 Aug), the Princess’s (4 Aug), Sadler’s Wells (5 Aug) and Astley’s (12 Aug); see Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 534n.
• 5. Robert Ronald M'Ian (1803-56; Dictionary of National Biography), actor and painter; presumably a member of the Elton committee. As an actor, specialised in playing Highland characters; performed (1835-9) at the English Opera House, Covent Garden, and Drury Lane, meanwhile training himself in art. Gave up the stage in 1839 to devote himself entirely to art – mainly painting scenes of Highland history or life.