The Lyceum’s Macbeth and Stoker’s Dracula

On 3 January 1879, Edward Dowden, Professor of English Literature at Trinity College Dublin, wrote to his friend Bram Stoker congratulating him on his appointment as the Lyceum’s acting manager and on his recent marriage to Florence Balcombe: I was rejoiced to hear of your bringing 1878 to such fortunate issues – of which I had expected one, & the other was a good surprise. I am sorry to lose the pleasure of knowing your wife now, but when you come to Ireland – for you are not to be cut off from Ireland – you must let us hear of the fact & then we shall hope to see her & you. Your appointment under Irving must be, I think, most satisfactory to both him & you. It will give you abundant matter for shaping an interesting life. There was no possibility of my getting to London for the opening of the Lyceum, & so taking advantage of the kindness of the Lessee & Acting Manager. But I have seen in the London papers how entire a success it was. You will be pleased to hear that all your friends are engaged in writing drama which through your influence are to be acted immediately at the Lyceum. I am myself at work on three tragedies, two melodramas, & a farce.