[ Walter Long, 1st Viscount Long, as President of the Board of Agriculture. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Walter H. Long') to Sir Richard Harington, on proposed measures to 'exterminate Rabies & Hydrophonbia'. With draft reply by Harington.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Long to Harington, 2 September 1897. 2pp., 12mo. He thanks him for his 'courteous letter' and is sending 'another memo. dealing with points raised by you'. He continues: 'We, of course, do not imagine that our orders and procedure are beyond criticism or are faultless - but we are supported by the Committee, & by the large majority of experts. No doubt there are weak spots as there must be in any such Policy, but if we can exterminate Rabies & Hydrophobia we shall not mind having incurred some unpopularity.' TWO: Long to Harington, undated but marked by the latter as received 11 September 1897. 3pp., 12mo. He thanks him for his 'most kind & most generous reply' to his last letter: 'I know well there is nobody in the country whose experience & judgment in matters of Local or Magisterial work is riper or more to be relied upon than yours. I hope we may secure the end we have in view very soon & so be able to withrdaw these vexatious restrictions & if I can carry my amending Bill next Session, as I hope to do, I believe with you, that the collar & badge will be a most effective protection.' THREE: Autograph Draft of letter from Harington to Long, 8 September 1897, signed with initials. 3pp., 12mo. Closely written, with deletions and emendations. A considered reply to Item One above. From the Harington family papers.