Autograph Letter Signed to De V. Payen-Payne.

Poet and biographer (La Jeunesse de Swinburne, 1837-1867. [With a bibliography.]) Four pages, 8vo, good condition. A very detailed defence of his work on Swinburne. For example, "[I] want first to assure you that there is here some misunderstanding: in my opinion, you have no real justification for speaking of" the unfair treatment I have meted out to your Father". If I have had to quote contemporary documents in which unfavourable comments are made, it's always clear that I do not profess to share those views". He has in fact suppressed material in Swinburne's correspondence with W.M. R[ossetti]. "That Swinburne was highly incensed against your Father is a well-known fact . ." He discusses Poems and Ballads ("I am careful to print that Hotten took legal advice before making up his mind to touch P & B." (i.e. Payen-Payne's father -J. Bertram Payne of Moxon's? -had decided not to publish it.) Lafourcade reviews the circumstances.