The Times , 20 January 1869 TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES .

The Times , 21 January 1869 MR. ROBERTSON'S NEW PLAY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

The Times , 26 January 1869 MR. ROBERTSON'S "SCHOOL". TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Once A Week, 6 February 1869 New Comedies .

From "Bohemian Days in Fleet Street" By William Mackay.

Once a Week, 27 March 1869 School . By William Mackay.

This is the story of how William Mackay, then studying for the law, wrote his first published piece, leading to his career in newspapers.  The letters that occasioned the piece and a criticism of Mr. Robertson’s play are given first for context, followed by Mackay’s account and then his first published piece.—DP.