[ William Leighton Leitch, Scottish artist. ] Four Autograph Letters Signed (all 'W L Leitch'), two to 'Miss Macerone' and two to 'Miss Emily', in two of which he despairs of his continuing ill health and its effects on his work.

The first item with discoloration to the first leaf; the rest in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: To Miss Macerone. 15 March 1866. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He is sorry he missed her earlier, it being 'such a rare thing for me to be out at that time of the afternoon'. He has been 'nearly wild with rheumatism lately', and is 'taking some hot air baths'. He is 'obliged to be at 40 Gt. Marlborough St. at 5 O'Clock' and trusts that 'another bath or two will make me fit to work for I am most shockingly behind hand for the Gallery'. He suggests a time for her to visit him, so that he can look over her drawings and give her 'any little help in my powers'. TWO: To Miss Macerone (who was evidently giving his daughter Bessy piano lessons at this time). 'Friday'. 2pp., 12mo. As Bessy is unwell and has taken to her bed there is 'no prospect of her being able to have her lesson tomorrow'. THREE: To 'Miss Emily'. 28 February 1878. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. He has been 'much out of health for nearly a twelvemonth', and is 'at present wretched with all sorts of dreadfull [sic] sensations in my head - I am exceedingly distressed that I cant get on with my work.' He is 'very desponding', and 'Dr. Dobell', who has been attending on him 'for a long time, & nearly every day', 'says I must be very carefull [sic] as this weather is very serious for old people in my state'. His family will be pleased to see her, 'when it is in your power to come this length'. He sends his regards to 'Miss Macerone'. In a postscript he notes that she has addressed a note to him at Kilburn, where he is 'not known'. FOUR: To 'Miss Emily'. 11 March 1878. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. His family will be delighted to see her and 'Dear Miss Macerone' for a 'Tea Dinner' the following day. 'That is either chops steaks or a roasted Fowl or Qualque Cosa'. He continues for a while in Italian, before stating: 'Forgive my bad spelling . . as I am not very well this morning & the pen is very bad'. Little is known of Miss Macerone, but on 26 October 1846 the Boston 'Musical Gazette' reported: 'A young lady, Miss Macerone, who excels as a pianist and composer ! recently gave her first concert in London. She performed Mendelssohn's trio in D, ( in which Messrs. Sainton and Lucas took part,) and Thalberg's celebrated fantasia on "Les Huguenots." The enormous difficulties of this latter work are well known to most pianists. Several of Miss Macerone's manuscript works were sung, among which was a Benedictus, which is spoken of as reflecting much credit upon the authoress.'