Reunion Clubs, where, in the words of his biographer Joseph Knight, "he enlarged his observation of human nature, and whence he drew some curious types". Among the up-and-coming writers with whom he mixed were F. C. Burnand, W. S. Gilbert, Tom Hood and Clement Scott. When Byron founded the magazine Fun in 1861, Robertson was a contributor from the outset. Writers for magazines and papers were seldom well paid, and to maintain a modest income Robertson wrote copiously: Pemberton lists a dozen publications to which he contributed in this period, ranging from Beeton's Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine and The Boy's Own Magazine to London Society and The Illustrated Times. Success remained elusive, and Robertson considered giving up writing and becoming a tobacconist. Success An important step to success came in 1864, when Robertson wrote David Garrick, an adaptation of Mélesville's comedy Sullivan. Edward Sothern staged the piece and starred in it. The actor was at the height of his popularity, and although the notices paid more attention to his performance than to Robertson's writing, the success of the production advanced the author's career. Encouraged by this professional achievement, he wrote a new play, Society, a comedy depicting what one critic called "the efforts of an illiterate millionaire to introduce his son into 'society', and the equally vigorous efforts of 'society' to repel the intruder". This play was his breakthrough. London managements turned it down, but through Byron's influence it was produced in Liverpool, where it was a critical and popular success. Byron was a professional associate of Marie Wilton, who had recently taken over the management of one of London's smaller theatres, the Prince of Wales's. At his instigation Society was presented there on 11 November 1865. In a highly favourable notice the reviewer in The Times wrote, "The piece was vehemently applauded from beginning to end. Success could not be more unequivocal". Society ran for 26 weeks – 150 performances – a notable run for the time, establishing the fortunes of the theatre, as well as those of the author. It was revived several times during the next two decades, and was given nearly 500 performances under Wilton's (later the Bancrofts') management. Between the Liverpool and London openings, Robertson suffered the loss of his wife, who died on 14 August after months of ill health. Robertson wrote the libretto of the 1865 one-act comic opera Constance, with music by Frederic