June 28 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Thursday 12? / Skrine, dinner—hour not specified” [NB 43 TS 19].

John Y. MacAlister wrote to Sam on The Library letterhead, where he was editor.

Herewith a letter I have received from Bram Stoker in reply to my request for an opinion as to the value of a hypothetical play. Shall I endeavor to clinch the matter by proposing such terms to P.? [Penley] As his “generous” offer has not yet crystallized into ink and paper I have arranged for Cyril Maude to consider it. Frankly, whatever Penley’s offer might be I should prefer to have it taken up by such a company as Cyril Maude’s. It would be more appropriate to his theatre and they would do it more justice.

When you answer please return Bram’s letter as it is well to file these things, and I expect you would file it in the fire [MTP].

Note: Sam replied on June 29. Cyril Francis Maude (1862-1951), English actor. At this time he was co-manager of the Haymarket Theatre in London. William Sydney Penley (1851-1912), English actor, singer, comedian, who starred in the farce Charley’s Aunt in 1891, which became an unprecedented hit, running for 1,466 performances in London, a record that stood for decades. At this time Penley was rebuilding the Novelty Theatre, renaming it the Great Queen Street Theatre.

June 28-October 6 – Sometime during this period in London, Sam wrote to John Y. MacAlister, with the Dollis Hill, Kilburn N.W. address. He didn’t know anything about the “Dow machine,” and warned not to “touch it without very full information. (I’ve been there.)” Sam agreed to dine with MacAlister on Friday (date uncertain) [MTP].