"Ever," &c. * * * * * LETTER 224. TO MR. SOTHEBY. "Sept. 15. 1815. Piccadilly Terrace. "Dear Sir, "'Ivan' is accepted, and will be put in progress on Kean's arrival. "The theatrical gentlemen have a confident hope of its success. I know not that any alterations for the stage will be necessary; if any, they will be trifling, and you shall be duly apprised. I would suggest that you should not attend any except the latter rehearsals--the managers have requested me to state this to you. You can see them, viz. Dibdin and Rae, whenever you please, and I will do any thing you wish to be done on your suggestion, in the mean time. "Mrs. Mardyn is not yet out, and nothing can be determined till she has made her appearance--I mean as to her capacity for the part you mention, which I take it for granted is not in Ivan--as I think Ivan may be performed very well without her. But of that hereafter. Ever yours, very truly, "BYRON. "P.S. You will be glad to hear that the season has begun uncommonly well--great and constant houses--the performers in much harmony with the Committee and one another, and as much good-humour as can be preserved in such complicated and extensive interests as the Drury Lane proprietary." * * * * * TO MR. SOTHEBY. "September 25. 1815. "Dear Sir, "I think it would be advisable for you to see the acting managers when convenient, as there must be points on which you will want to confer; the objection I stated was merely on the part of the performers, and is _general_ and not _particular_ to this instance. I thought it as well to mention it at once--and some of the rehearsals you will doubtless see, notwithstanding. "Rae, I rather think, has his eye on Naritzin for himself. He is a more popular performer than Bartley, and certainly the cast will be stronger with him in it; besides, he is one of the managers, and will feel doubly interested if he can act in both capacities. Mrs. Bartley will be Petrowna;--as to the Empress, I know not what to say or think. The truth is, we are not amply furnished with tragic women; but make the best of those we have,--you can take your choice of them. We have all great hopes of the success--on which, setting aside other considerations, we are particularly anxious, as being the first tragedy to be brought out since the old Committee.