DIVINE

Three excellent letters, written to his old headmaster at Charterhouse. Bickersteth’s papers are at Aberdeen, and with those of his family at the Bodleian. See the Oxford DNB entry for his brother Julian Bickersteth (1885-1962). Three long letters, every page fully filled with text neatly written in a close hand. The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE (11 July 1913): 4pp, 12mo, with additional cross writing on the first three. Bifolium. Begins by thanking him for his book, clearly Rendall’s ‘A Hero of the Antarctic’, about the ornithologist and explorer E. A.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. Although reset, the text of the present five-page synopsis does not appear to differ from that printed on pp.118-433 of the ‘Notices of the Proceedings’, vol.2 (1854-1858). No other copy of this offprint has been traced. In very good condition, lightly aged. Drophead title: ‘Royal Institution of Great Britain. / Weekly Evening Meeting, / Friday, May 18, 1855. / Rev.. John Barlow, M.A. F.R.S. Vice-President and Secretary, in the Chair. / James Philip Lacaita, Esq. LL.D. / On Dante and the “Divina Commedia.”’ 5pp, 16mo, bifolium, paginated [1]-5.

An almost miraculously legible example of Parr’s normally atrocious hand. (His entry in the Oxford DNB states that ‘Parr was flogged only once at Harrow, for bad handwriting, and to no effect. His writing remained atrocious all his life, so much so that on an occasion when he wrote to ask for 'two lobsters' his friend read the words as “two eggs”.’) On one side of blank card. In envelope with indistinguishable seal in red wax, addressed by Parr to ‘Keeling Greenway Esqr / Mayor of Warwick’.

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Given the contents of the letter, the recipient 'Mr Willie', whose father is a minister ('of the manse'), may well be 'Master Willie', i.e. a youth named William. He is 'much flattered' by the value Willie puts on his autograph, and he hopes that his collection 'will prosper, & become extensive & distinguished'. He remembers 'that Tom Hood replying to a similar application professed to be in doubt what style of signature was wanted.

Gallup C552. 4to (leaf dimensions 28 x 22.5 cm), 40 pp. Stapled. In original blue printed wraps. Worn and dogeard on aged paper, with minor staining at foot of front wrap and first leaf. The signature "T S Eliot" (possibly his but more words would have helped) appears top front wrap. The 'Calendar' at the front lists, on 4 July [1950], the 'Lecture by Mr. T. S. Eliot, O.M.: "What Dante Means to Me," with H.E. the Italian Ambassador in the Chair.' The printed version, titled 'TALK ON DANTE | by T. S.

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. He thanks him for his 'intended help with Mr Hope & Mr Marriott'. He is sending him 'the Design I wish to carry out for our West Window', but without Hope's help it 'must be a distant job - the estimate is 100£ Hardman made the drawing from my description'. He continues by discussing work on the chancel and altar rails, and is sending 'a published view of the old Church'. He explains that he is setting up 'one of our South Windows' in memory of his sister-in-law Harriet, who died in 1851, addiing that 'S Parr also gave a Stone Pulpit & Eagle Lectern'.

8vo: 15 pp, paginated 267-281, In grey printed wraps. Inscribed by Gaster on front cover: 'With kindest regards | T. H. G.' Good, on lightly-aged paper, in grubby and lightly creased wraps.

Both items one page, octavo, and on aged and creased paper. Regarding Lucas's selection from Parker's works, 'Detached links; extracts from the Writings and Discourses of Joseph Parker' (Richard D. Dickinson, 1873). LETTER ONE: Thanks Lucas for his 'kind note', but does not 'see how the suggestion it conveys can be realized. I am afraid you would find it difficult to get a publisher.' Advises Lucas 'not to pursue the idea any further'. LETTER TWO: In a shaky hand explains that he is 'so poorly just now that I cannot give any phot[ographe]r. a sitting.

Cambridge divine (1791-1864) who arranged and catalogued all the University's papers. Two pages, 16mo, very good. 'Pray accept my best thanks for all your kindness with regard to that poor flighty creature Mrs Stone. I am very sorry to hear that Mrs Stoughton Money Kyrle [wife of James Stoughton Money Kyrle, 1813-52] has had the misfortune to become a widow. Will you be so good as to give my best remembrances to that amiable & most agreeable lady?'

British evangelical divine (1772-1827) and author. Slip of paper roughly seven and a quarter inches by two. Discoloured and heavily creased. Stitched to larger piece of paper. Reads '<...> & thereby lengthen the period for the cultivation of acquaintance amongst us. Give my sincere regards & grateful acknowledgments for past kindness to your family: with true esteem & love from all here & believe me, | faithfully & affecty. yours | Legh Richmond'.

Divine and author (1806-82). One page, 12mo. In poor condition: creased and ruckled, and with some damage from removal from mount. Paper border attached to reverse. 'We can have you for a few days on Thursday next (the 25th.) & shall have pleasure in receiving you. I will forward the parcel to Mr. Hardman tonight.' Signed 'F: E: Paget'.

English divine (1794-1868). 3 pages, 16mo. Heavily damp-damaged. Text entirely legible. 3 pages, 16mo. With attractive pencil drawing of country house, and crude plan, in pencil on blank reverse of second leaf of bifoliate (conceivably drawn by the recipient, Croker). Among his many reasons for regretting 'the haste with which I was compelled to pass thro' London' on his way to Oxford was his 'disappointment at Kensington on Saturday'.

Successively Bishop of Lichfield and Archbishop of York (1826-1910). 1 page, 16mo. In good condition despite minor discolouration. 'Please send me a post card if you can the name of a book which your son had with him - with short accounts of some of the great <?> of the world's history'. Signed 'W D Maclagan'.

Scottish divine and author (DNB). Returns thanks for two letters. Reached London via Glasgow and Liverpool on Saturday. 'Friends in the Committee rather in better spirits. Dr Cook was expected last night & is to be examined to-morrow. My day is Friday'. 'Your Suggestions are quite to the point. The field is perplexingly wide, & has been so crossed & re-crossed, that it is not easy to draw a distinct line of evidence' 'Dr Walsh & Mr Cunningham, & even Dr MacGill have, I understand, given very good evidence.' Says he will call on Mrs Martin if he can.

Divine (1809-1874). Total 7pp., 8vo (2) and 12mo (1). One letter (to "Foster") arranging a meeting, another (to "My dear Lady") about a meting, hoping she is recovered from illness ("We have all our ailments - some neuralgia - some palsy; - for my own part I suffer without intermission from the Revised Code". The other (to "Mrs Reeve") has a New Year's Greeting. Three items,