Charles Kean letter to James F. Cathcart

              I have sent for you that I may have some con­
versation upon business to which I direct your 
serious attention. You have been with me some 
16 years and according to your own request should 
remain with me 2 years longer, but I must tell you 
very candidly that if we are to go on together to the end 
you must turn over an entirely new leaf. 
When at the close of my Princess's management 
I had advanced you to the position I had in ten 
-ded for Mr Ryder as the person who had so long 
played all the second parts to me, -I did so because 
Mr Ryder not-knowing the advantages that were open 
to him & thinking he had no more to gain through 
me became rude & rebellious during my last season 
& commenced a system in conjunction with another 
actor of low trickery and got-up demonstrations in 
his own favor to the detriment of the general play. 
My thoughts then turned to you as a young man in 
whose welfare I took an interest and in whom 
I thought I cOuld place confidence. I did not 
engage you as an efficient actor in the characters 
you would have to undertake but as a comfort & security under the belief 
that with care & trouble I might mould you till you reached yOur present position­
During the first few years you conducted yourself 
to my satisfaction & made yourself worth the trouble I