[J. T. Delane [John Thadeus Delane, distinguished editor of The Times.] Autograph Letter Signed, to a brother of the Conservative politician William Forsyth, concerning a meeting proposed by Lord Clarendon.

According to Delane’s entry in the Oxford DNB, he settled ‘from about 1847 at 16 Serjeants' Inn, Temple’. The addressee appears to be ‘W. Forsyth Esq’, and is named in the letter as a brother of the Conservative politician William Forsyth (1812-1899), who took silk in 1857, and hence also of the diplomat Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth (1827-1886), both of whom have ODNB entries. 2pp, 12mo, with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged, and folded twice for postage, in the neat remains of a windowpane mount. Begins: ‘Dear Sir, / I have the pleasure of being known to your brother, the Queen’s Counsell; but probably the enclosed note from Lord Clarendon will be my best introduction. / As you will see, Lord Clarendon promises for you that you will have the goodness to call upon me.’ He continues by describing the most convenient time for Forsyth to visit, assuming that Clarendon ‘has not drawn too heavy a bill upon your kindness’. George William Frederick Villiers (1800-1870), 4th Earl of Clarendon, was foreign secretary under three Liberal prime ministers.