[Lady Mary Augusta Holland, Whig society hostess, wife of Lord Holland.] Unsigned Autograph Letter [to Lord Rosebery or his wife?] regarding a foreign trip and Sydney Smith's view of the ballot.

Author: 
Lady Holland [Lady Mary Augusta Holland, née Coventry] (1812-1889), society hostess, wife of Lord Holland [Henry Edward Fox] (1802-1859), Whig politician [Sydney Smith (1771-1845), wit and cleric]
Publication details: 
'Saturday | Dover'. [7 September 1838.]
£80.00
SKU: 22634

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. The reverse of the second leaf laid down on part of leaf from an album, the other side of which carries an engraving of Lord Melbourne. The letter is endorsed '1838 Sept 7# | Lady Holland' on the reverse of the second learf, and at the head of the first page: 'R[eplied]. at Dalmeny | Septr. 12. 1838'. There is no salutation to the letter (which is also unsigned), but the reference to Dalmeny House would appear to suggest that the recipient was Archibald Primrose, 4th Earl of Rosebery, or his second wife, born Anne Margaret Anson. The handwriting is hard to decipher. It begins: 'I was very much obliged by your letter, glad you have [?] but I should have liked to have heard something of our old inmates [?] about whom I hardly knew anything - We performed our journey remarkably well. It was my first Essay for many Years with Post Horses, - and most successful it proved - We have [?] Sailed or embarked rather this Morning, but our Capt & the Commander of Packet [?] us to [?] embarked 24 hours as we could not make Calais, & the [?] is very heavy - I hope we shall not be out frying pan [?] Tomorrow - Write me a full letter which send by the Ambassadors Bag.' Lady Holland concludes her letter with a reference to Sydney Smith: 'S. Smith has written a Pamphlet on the Ballot, without Politicks & [?] fair bona fide discussion he is an anti-ballotist - tho' out of temper with Lord M[elbourne] he says he shall always Vote with the Whigs & says as to John he [?] him but must Chasten him - Some of my party are already Pale [last word underlined] | Yrs truly | [no signature]