Books and Manuscripts

English Actor and Playwright David Garrick Writes to Edmund Burke Eviscerating The Work of Amateur Irish Writer 

[Burke, Edmund] Garrick, David
Draft Autograph Letter, initialed
Hampton, (London), Sept(ember) 21, (1772). One sheet, 8 x 6 1/2 in. (203 x 165 mm). Draft autograph letter, signed by David Garrick to Edmund Burke, rejecting plays written by Burke's friend, Gorges Edmond Howard (bracketed sections crossed out): “Dear Sir I am very sorry that I am oblig’d to return you both ye plays of your friend [as being unfit for representation—The Author’s] His offer ___ disposal of ye profits is so generous a one, that could my Judgement have approved his Performances or my skill have conceiv’d any alteration to give them success upon ye stage, I should most willingly have communicated them, but indeed I should ill deserve your friendship, the trust of the Author & the favour of ye Publick, if I did most sincerely ____ you, that his [(in my opinion)] the plays are wholly [totally] unfit for [the Stage] Representation I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt Serv D.G.” Creasing from old folds; docketed on verso in an unknown hand, “…To Burke about his Friend Howard’s Plays.” Tipped into gilt stamped cloth chemise, with engraved portrait of Garrick, as well as a typed transcription of the letter.

Two weeks prior to this letter, on September 5, 1772, British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke (1729-97) sent Garrick (1717-79) two plays written by the Irish-born solicitor and amateur writer, Gorges Edmond Howard (1715-86) for his consideration for production. At the time Garrick was the most esteemed English theater actor, and was then managing the Drury Lane Theatre, one of London’s most popular theaters. 

In Burke's letter he wrote, with a hint of irony, “As I know with what particular pleasure you receive a new Dramatick performance of merit, I send you two of them, ‘The Female Gamester,’ and ‘The Siege of Tamor.’ You are no stranger to the abilities and reputation of the Author, and it will be an abundant recommendation of these pieces to your very serious attention to inform you, that they were written by Mr. George (sic) Howard of Dublin. This gentleman, after having practiced the law with success and eminence for several years, in the decline of his life, but in the full vigor of his genius, has devoted himself to a more pleasing, but not quite so lucrative a pursuit. Indeed to him, in this instance, it is likely to be of but little private emolument; for he has authorized me to tell you, that he consents to give up his share of the profits to be disposed to any charity you think proper…I trust I shall have the satisfaction of seeing the British stage decorated from Ireland with two pieces of such an uncommon spirit, in the approaching winter. It will be some gratification to my pride to see the successful exhibition of the performances of a person who honours me with his friendship.” (The Private Correspondence of David Garrick… London, 1831, Vol. 1, p. 484).

Although Garrick picked up on the irony in Burke’s words (that letter is docketed “An ironical letter of Burke's”), his reply--of which this copy is a draft--is entirely serious and scathing, as can be seen in his crossing out of his summation of them as “totally unfit for the Stage,” and changing it to the even more devastating, “wholly unfit for Representation.”

Howard’s poor reputation as an aspiring writer is summarized in The Dictionary of National Biography (Vol. 28, 1885-1900): “His laborious efforts at the same time to achieve reputation as a poet, dramatist, and literary moralist failed signally. The pertinacity with which he wrote and printed contemptible tragedies, none of which were acted, and occasional verse, led to the publication of facetious satires, written mainly by Robert Jephson [q.v.] in 1771. They appeared in the form of a mock correspondence in verse between Howard and his friend George Faulkner the printer [q.v.] The text was copiously supplemented with foot-notes, in which the confused and jumbled styles of Howard and Faulkner were successfully imitated. The satires passed through many editions at Dublin, and were believed to have been partially inspired by the viceroy, Lord Townshend, who was personally acquainted with Howard and Faulkner. Howard's dramatic compositions formed the subject of an ironical letter addressed by Edmund Burke to Garrick in 1772.”

The finished letter from Garrick to Burke, and dated the same day, is now held in the Victoria and Albert Museum (Garrick Correspondence, vol. 14, fols. 19-20).