AUTOGRAPH

Susan Euphemia Beckford, daughter of William Beckford of Fonthill, had married the 10th Duke of Hamilton in 1810. The recipient Charlotte Stuart (d.1867) was the daughter of Margaret, Lady Pulteney, by her first husband Andrew Stuart of Torrance. In 1830 she married Robert Harington, son of Sir John Edward Harington of Ridlington, 8th Baronet. The present item is two closely written pages, 4to. On bifolium of wove paper with watermark 'C WILMOT | 1822'. In good condition, lightly aged. Closely and neatly written over 63 lines.

The seven items in fair condition, on lightly aged paper. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the company's practices. Both the recipient, Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington (1835-1911), 11th Baronet, and his son 'The Judge' - Richard Harington (1861-1931), the future 12th Baronet - came from a legal background, adding an edge to the correspondence. The six letters total 9pp., 4to. The firm appears to have had a policy of retaining the original and sending out a carbon copy, as each of the letters consists of a carbon copy of manuscript.

The five items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Muir Mackenzie to Harington, 7 January 1897. 3pp., 12mo. Begins: 'Dear Sir Richard | The Lord Chancellor and his predecessors for many years have declined to sanction the appointment of joint registrars except in places where the amount of business requires two registrars; that is to say, if the business at Stourbridge is such as to require two Colles, it would still require a colleague for Colles Junr.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased with a short closed tear. Addressed to 'Dear Elliot [sic]'. The subject of the letter is George Augustus Elliot, 1st Baron Heathfield, who was Governor of Gibraltar (as was Godley) during the Great Siege of 1779-1783. Godley begins by informing him 'that David Erskine still contemplates the possibility of a full Life of Lord Heathfield'. He has done 'all I can to ensure it by having been the instigator of the two short efforts by Eveline Godley & Dosie Brinton & by having got into touch with you regarding a writer'.

The seven items in good condition, lightly aged. All seven documents are printed and completed in manuscript with Harington's details and signatures. One item (Three below) on vellum, the others on paper. Six items (all but the last) with seals under paper, three of them (One to Three) hanging. OME: By Richard [Bagot], Bishop of Oxford, recording the admission of Harington 'into the Holy Order of Deacons', 20 December 1829. Signed by Bagot, with his hanging seal under paper.

The background to the present correspondence is dealt with exhaustively in C. J. W. Allen's 'The Law of Evidence in Victorian England' (1997) and David Bentley's 'English Criminal Justice in the 19th Century' (1998), chapters 17 ('The Campaign for a Prisoners' Evidence Act') and 18 ('Reform'). ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from Poland ('Harry Bodkin-Poland') to Harington ('His Honour Judge Sir Richard Harington Bart.'). 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged.

Three items from the papers of Sir Richard Harington (1835-1911) of Ridlington, 11th Baronet. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Richard Harington Bt.') to Neame. With date stamp 13 January 1907. 2pp., 12mo. It's presence among the Harington papers suggests that the letter was never sent.

Beatrice Cecilia Harington was one of the two daughters of Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. As children she and her sister Alice Margaret (1854-1901) were befriended by Lewis Carroll, who photographed them. Neither of the two girls married, but both were associated with the Settlement Movement in London's East End. Beatrice was the first Head of St. Margaret's House, Bethnal Green, which, according to her Times obituary, was 'the first church settlement for women' in the capital'.

Beatrice Cecilia Harington was one of the two daughters of Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford. As children she and her sister Alice Margaret (1854-1901) were befriended by Lewis Carroll, who photographed them. Neither of the two girls married, but both were associated with the Settlement Movement in London's East End. Beatrice was the first Head of St. Margaret's House, Bethnal Green, which, according to her Times obituary, was 'the first church settlement for women' in the capital'.

The case to which the present item refers is the subject of Chapter 16 of Nicola Sly's 'Herefordshire Murders' (2010). The trial of Charles Sanders for the wilful murder of the thirty-two month-old Walter Steers, before Mr Justice Day, opened at the Herefordshire Winter Assizes on 3 December 1891. He was found guilty and hanged at the end of the month. The present item is from the papers of Sanders defence barrister, Richard Harington (the future 12th Baronet, of Ridlington), whose 'impassioned speech in favour of his client' was not enough to save him from the gallows.

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.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with two postmarks (one of Pimlico), to 'R. Ackermann Esqre | 101. Strand -'. On aged and worn paper, with one short closed tear. A good letter, full of content revealing of Ackermann's business and the art trade in general. The first paragraph reads: 'I am extremely sorry the last Fashions have not met your approbation. The inflamed state of my eye rendered it impossible for me to engrave them myself, and I calculated on the known talent of Mr. Chsman [i.e. Thomas Cheesman (1760-1834)] to be my substitute.

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He is forced to decline an invitation as he has 'a long list here' and has 'for a year past had to husband my strength': 'I know you would kindly wish me to do what I feel best for my well being': 'I hope you will not think me ungrateful I have such a pleasant recollection of your kindly feelings towards me and my brothers Arthur & Watty in days gone by that I should be very sorry if you thought I did not appreciate your kindness in asking me'. Both Vaughan Williams and Harington were educated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Each letter 1p., 12mo. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Each in a different secretarial hand, both headed 'R v Corbett'. The first letter reads: 'The accused has been sentenced to 7 years penal servitude. Mr. Lawrence mentioned to the Judge privately the question of postponing sentence but the latter would not adopt the course suggested.' The second reads: 'I will certainly instruct Lawrence as to the circumstance to which you refer so that your application may be made to the Court'. From the Harington papers.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. With frank carrying a Falmouth postmark and broken seal in black wax, addressed by Holland: 'Falmouth October twenty seven 1808 | Revd M Marsh | Winterslow | Salisbury | Holland'.

3pp., tall 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded four times. With regard to Philpot's desire to obtain 'employment under Her Majesty's Government' as a 'public servant', he has applied to McLeod 'for a testimonial as to his Conduct and Efficiency as an Officer during the seven years he served in the 74th Highlanders': ''There has been but one opinion of him in the Corps, which was, that he was a most able, active, intelligent and gallant officer, possessed of much common sense and sound judgment.

4pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. With compliments stamp. Signed in type at end by Parsons. Divided into seven sections, and beginning: 'On more than one occasion, in recent years, the Committee of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce have ventured to address the Government of India on matters connected with the High Court of Judicature at Fort William, in Bengal, and their representations have always been favourably received.

6pp., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged. A nice association between two of Dodgson's Christ Church friends, Southey also introducing Dodgson to photography. The subject of the letter is Southey's failing health.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. A charming letter, the subject of which is an anecdote told by Augustus Hare in his autobiography relating to Samuel Smith, Dean of Christ Church, which was considered 'defamatory' by Smith's relation Harington, and gave offence to his family.

2pp., 12mo. On grey paper with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged and folded twice. Addressed to 'My dear Harington'. Inviting him to 'a good dance coming off on Friday July 4th near us', and informing him that, as 'Sheriffs Chaplain', he has 'just taken leave of your brother Edward at the Assize Court, where I also saw your eldest brother'. An interesting association between members of the Lewis Carroll circle. Dolben Paul was a friend and colleague of Carroll's at Christ Church. From the Harington family papers.

Printed form, on one side of a 10.5 x 17 cm piece of laid paper. In fair condition, aged and worn. Reads, with autograph text by Hodson in square brackets: 'Oxoniae [Maii 5to] Anno Domini 1818. | QUO die comparuit coram me [Ricardus Harington ex AEde Christi Baronetti Fil.] | et subscripsit Articulis Fidei, et Religionis; et juramentum suscepit de agnoscenda suprema Regiae Majestatis potestate; et de observandis Statutis, Privilegiis, et Consuetudinibus hujus Universitatis. | [F. Hodson, P. V. Cancell:]'. From the papers of the Harington baronets of Ridlington.

Four items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the proprieties of Victorian biographical writing. Hare's 'The Story of my Life' was published in six volumes between 1896 and 1900, and was described by the original DNB as ‘a long, tedious, and indiscreet autobiography’. The Oxford DNB remarks that 'By the late twentieth century, however, Hare was undergoing something of a revival. A society of enthusiasts and collectors of his works was formed: a one-volume condensed edition of his autobiography was edited by A. Miller and J.

Dundas and his sister Hilda Guilhermina Whitaker were children of the 6th Viscount Melville. See his entry in Who Was Who, and his obituary in The Times, 11 February 1956. The present item was written during his first posting, as Assistant District Commissioner in the British East Africa Protectorate, 1908-1914. He would go on to publish a book on the region, titled 'Kilimanjaro and its People' (1924). 7pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He has 'just returned from a trip to an uninhabitated [sic] place in search of people who do not exist.

1p., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Just a word of sympathy in your troubles. Life is full of sorrow. I hope that you will get away to where there is sunshine - Again you have all my sympathy and my kindest thoughts'. Lady Harington, wife of Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington (1861-1931), 12th Baronet, was a daughter of the 6th Viscount Melville. From the Harington family papers.

Five items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Webster's four letters total 6pp., 12mo.

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. A typed document, headed 'PRIVATE', with Crewe writing in autograph the number '18' from the date, the address to 'Dear Sir Richard', and the valediction 'Yours sincerely | Crewe'. In what is presumably a duplicated document sent to around thirteen individuals (see below), Crewe explains that he is 'anxious to receive the opinion and advice' of 'a few authorities' on the question of 'the revision of the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure', 'from the point of view of general legal principles and special Indian experience respectively'.

The three items are in good condition, ondff lightly aged and worn. Three interesting items, responding tactfully to what would appear to be an accusatory communication by Harington, pointing out that his son has succeeded despite having been 'superannuated' from Westminster School. ONE: 18 October 1898. 4pp., 12mo. Begins: 'Dear Sir Richard Harington | I am delighted to read the two enclosures. The Winnington-Ingrams one associated with many memories of my Rugby, Marlborough, & later days!' He will send the enclosures to the Head Master, [b]ut I won't rebuke him or convey any rebuke.

Both items in good condition. ONE: 3pp., 12mo. After a reference to 'Mr. Lang' he turns to the Hereford Mappa Mundi (his father was Bishop of Hereford): 'I am very glad you were interested in the introductory Essay to the "Mappa," and the commentary renders it easy to work out the whole thing: I once gave a lecture on it in my youth'. (The lecture was given in 1880.) A reference follows to the 'introductory dinner' at Lincoln's Inn of 'Dick' - Harrington's son Richard, the future 12th Baronet - at which he was 'in company with Bosanquet and myself'. TWO: 3pp., 12mo.

2pp.,12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He has been informed by 'Mr. Hill of the Victoria & Albert Museum' that Harington has 'a Backstaff'. Adams has been 'looking out for one for some years' without success and would like to purchase Harington's if he has 'no use for it. 'I think Mr. Hill mentioned to you that I had a collection of old navigating instruments & he has very kindly been trying to find a backstaff for me'. He ends in the hope that Harington will 'excuse the zeal of the collector'.

3pp., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Headed 'Private & Confidential'. Harington having written to say that he does not know 'anything about the Pythic Society', Willett points out that '[a]ccording to the books of the Society you were elected to the Society on March 6th 1882. | The Pythic is a very old secret [last word underlined] society in the House being founded in 1845 by the late Lord Dufferin. | No one in the House knows of its existance [sic] except the members & if anyone finds out he has to be at once elected a member in order to secure the necessary secrecy'.