VICTORIAN

English chemist (1788-1866) who succeeded Sir Humphrey Davy as Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution (1813). Two pages, octavo. Very good, though lightly creased and with remains of previous mount adhering to one edge. Begins 'I have no doubt that much fraud is committed by the substitution of spiritious liquors of different strengths, for what is called woodspirit and wood naphtha'.

British architect and politician (1798-1873), Member of Parliament for Bath, 1855-73. Three pages, 12mo. Very good, but with two stubs from previous mounting adhering to inner margin of verso of second leaf of bifoliate.

All four are notable British artists of the first half of the nineteenth-century: A. E. Chalon (1780-1860), J. J. Chalon (1778-1854), Geddes (1783-1844), Robertson (1777-1845). Paper dimensions roughly four and a half inches by five and a half. Grubby and discoloured with age, and with some wear and creasing to edges. Signatures read ' R: Jackson [perhaps John Richardson Jackson, mezzotint engraver, 1819-77] | Alfd. Edwd Chalon | Jno. Jas. Chalon | Andw. Geddes | A. Robertson'.

English artist (1849-1923). Four pages, 12mo. Folded once. With mourning border. Good, if somewhat grubby and on discoloured paper. Difficult hand. He is very grateful for the 'kind thought in sending the pipes, they are beauties, and should last one a life time'. He also thanks Slocombe for his subscription 'to the Restoration of Blythburgh Chancel Porch'. He hopes he has enjoyed his 'work in Scotland'. 'I shall be only to [sic] proud to let you take Photographs of anything I have in my house - | Do you know that the Son of Charles Robinson F.S.A.

Three noted British painters of the first half of the nineteenth century: Clint (1770-1854), Stanfield (1793-1867), Brockedon (1787-1854), together with the printseller Colnaghi (1790-1879) and the auctioneer Robins (1778-1847). Paper dimensions roughly five inches by four inches. Good, but lightly creased and a touch grubby. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

British miniature-painter (1761-1835). Dimensions of paper roughly seven and a half inches by one and a quarter. Good, on good-quality laid paper, but slightly creased and grubby at sides. Reads '[Signed] Charles Hayter 16 Buckingham Street | Portland Road | June 24. 1825'. Docketed to the right of signature and address. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

British sculptor (died 1864). Paper dimensions roughly five inches by two inches. Good, but on slightly discoloured paper. Reads 'I have the Honor to be | Gentlemen | Your Obedient Humble Servant | [signed] William Behnes'. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Behnes ended his days in considerable distress.

Colnaghi was a member of the notable family of English printsellers. Hall (1800-89) was an author and editor. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by three inches. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> Paul Dominic Colnaghi Esq | | S. C. Hall. | '.

British artist (1787-1849). Dimensions of paper roughly four and a half inches by two. Folded three times. Good, but on slightly discoloured paper. Reads 'I have the honor to be | Gentlemen | Yours faithfully | [signed] Wm.. Etty.' From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund.

English artist (1840-1920). Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with closed tear at head unobtrusively repaired with archival tape, and some spotting. In stamped envelope addressed in autograph and with postmark. 'I shall be pleased to come & see your pupils work on Wednesday June the 1st but shall not be able to reach there before 2.45 I regret to say. | With kind regards | Yours very truly | [signed] Briton Riviere'.

Victorian phrenologist (1788-1858) and natural philosopher. Paper dimensions roughly seven and a half inches by three inches. Folded four times. Good, but worn and with some loss to bottom corners from previous mounting. Reads 'I am | My dear Sir | Yours most truly | Geo: Combe | If you see Mr. <?> at the meeting put this letter into his hands, lest I should not see him before it. | [signed] G C'.

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. Thanks his correspondent for 'your kind letter & for the hospitality you have given me in the North American Review. I hope you will be able to bring out my article in the March Number as the political Kaleidoscope changes so quickly that some part may appear belated if it is long delayed.' Asks for a change to be made if it is not possible to bring the piece out in the March issue. Signed 'W E H Lecky'.

Irish administrator and Member of Parliament (1815-62). Consists of the front of the envelope, the dimensions of which are roughly five inches by three. Addressed to 'R. Byham Esq. | Ordnance Office | Pall Mall | London', and signed 'Th Redington'. Two postmarks in red ink: the first, in a circle, appears to read 'PAID | NW | 6 DE | 1846'; the second, in a circle topped with a crown, appears to read 'PAID | DE 7 | 1846'.

English comedian (1848-1907), grandson of the actor Charles Kemble. Two pages, 12mo. On grubby, spotted and stained paper. 'I was so sorry to have been prevented coming to you on Sunday last, and also that my absence from town has precluded the possibility of my leaving Cards. I hope I may be more fortunate another time.'

Shipowner (1840-1916), philanthropist and writer on social affairs. The recipient Herbert Vaughan (1832-1903) was the third Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with recto of leaf slightly smudged. Reads 'Dear Cardinal Vaughan | If half past nine is not too early I could come on Friday at that hour. I am afraid I cannot make it any later in the morning as I have to reach the City before 10.30. I could come on Friday Evening between 5 & 6 if that hour should suit you better'. Signed 'Charles Booth'.

English writer (1882-1950). One page, quarto. Good, but lightly creased and dusty, and with minor spotting. Concerns the writer George Augustus Sala, about whom Straus would publish a book in 1942. He is grateful for the Sala letters, and encloses a cheque. 'I appreciate your good nature in letting me have them. [...] My own Sala collection is fairly, but not wholly, complete. I have no copy, for instance, of his pamphlet (1860 or 1862) on the Wimbledon Volunteer Rifle Meeting.

General and courtier (1767-1845). Three pages, 12mo. Folded twice. Good, but on discoloured, lightly creased paper. Difficult hand. Regarding the 'Talents & Acquirements' of a certain 'Captain Spiller'. 'I am much obliged to you for your kind Enquiries after Lady Howard, she is now on her Road to Yorkshire from Bath, where she has recently been.' Signed 'Howard'. Postscript: 'I only came to Town on Tuesday Evening. I will mention Captain Spiller to Lord Morpeth in the hopes that it may be of some avail.'

English historian (1882-1959). All three items, two pages, quarto. All good, though grubby and lightly creased. Three intimate and revealing letters. ITEM ONE apparently sent to Bonham-Carter in America. 'You will soon be back, I think. Are you now occupied in assembling and correlating your observations? [...] I should guess it was quite impossible to think when a Presidential election is going on. | I have been spending a fortnight in Oxford and I asked some of the early-middle-aged dons what the undergraduates were thinking.

British banker and politician (1801-71). Four pages, 12mo. Good, but dusty and on discoloured paper, with traces of stub adhering to verso of second leaf. Docketed with date.

Flemyng was a noted authority in the field of Irish lepidoptery, and published a number of papers on the subject between 1877 and 1919. Both items concern the Latin saying 'ne sutor ultra crepidam' or 'sutor ne supra crepidam judicaret'. HENRY BROUGHAM'S CARD: one page, five and a half inches by three and a half; addressed, with postmarked stamp, on reverse. Extremely grubby. Reads 'Dear Granpy | The Dictionary references to Sutor, ne supra crepidam (judicaret) are | PLINY 35, 10, 36, 85 | c.f. Val. Max. 8, 12, fin. | Papim is sending a few pansy-blossoms hoping you won't be jealous.

Scottish hydraulic engineer (1950-1927), of the India Public Works Department; Chief Engineer and Secretary to Government, Punjab Irrigation Branch. Both letters 12mo. Both very good, docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. LETTER ONE (two pages): Benton and a friend will make use of the two cards of invitation to A. Newland's paper on 'Water Power in Great Britain'.

English sculptor (1799-1872), Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy and son of Sir Richard Westmacott. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but on grubby, foxed paper, and with remains of stubs from previous mounting still adhering. A formal letter in the third person. Reads 'Mr Westmacott presents his Compliments, and thanks Mrs Morgan very much for her kind proposal for Friday - Malheureusement Mr. W. is engaged that day - & must therefore give up the pleasure that Mr & Mrs. <?>'s kindness offers him.'

Lawyer and Member of Parliament (1802-74), Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. On scrap of paper roughly three and a half inches square. Grubby and stained. Reads '<...> In Chancery | F. 131 <...> | L. C. 13 Ap. 1839 | Will [last word deleted] see minutes of judgment back of pp. 3 & 4. Will give final judgment on Monday. next, 15 Ap./ | John Romilly. | 10/- | <...> In the Matter of the <...>'

Genealogist (1827-1902) and Maltravers Herald Extraordinary. Three pages, 12mo. Good, but with some glue stains at head of verso of first leaf and recto of second leaf of bifoliate. Bottom corner of second leaf cut away (not affecting text). He is grateful for the 'account of Chipchase' and is sending 'this months part of the Miscellanea Genealogica' 'per Book post'. Asks for 'notes from Registers, or monumental inscriptions &c.' as contributions. Signed 'J. J. Howard'. Postscript reads 'Are you interested in armorial Bookplates.

Head of pharmaceutical company (1866-1933), famous for its cough mixture. One page, quarto. Ornate engraved letterhead featuring picture of the firm's headquarters, Veno Buildings, Chester Road, Manchester. Good, but with creasing, fraying and some closed tears. Rust marks from staple in top left-hand corner. He was sorry not to have seen him 'at the annual meeting of the Column Club on Friday night', and hopes he has recovered from his indisposition. 'I am taking this opportunity of thanking you for the many kindnesses you have shown me while I was Chairman of the Column Club.

Poet and literary critic (1856-1930). One page, 12mo. Discoloured but very good. Folded once. One might almost think he was being sarcastic. 'The unflawed pleasure of my short visit to the Archdeaconry will never be effaced from my memory. Heartily I thank you all very much. | Most sincerely yrs | Mackenzie Bell | [autograph]'. Last word and square brackets Bell's.

English dramatist (1784-1862). One page, octavo. Ruckled, and with several closed tears. Reply to request for autograph. Reads 'Dear Sir, | Here it is. | Yours truly, | James Sheridan Knowles.'

English novelist and miscellaneous writer (1825-78). Dimensions five inches by four and a half. Good. Mounted along one edge to piece of grey card. Cutting from Times, 15 March 1879, mounted on reverse of letter (giving Friswell's dates as 1827-79), and partly obscured by gum. Reads: '<...> I cannot say that the picture of life as you draw it is charming & only hope it is not true - illusions! | Your cursory remarks on us poor Men are written with a copper pen & sulphuric acid. Mr Randolph, who is of course the noble exception, must be delighted with them.

British sailor (1876-1939), hydrographer of the Royal Navy (1924-32), inventor of the Douglas Protractor and the Douglas-Appleyard Arcless Sextant. Various formats from 12mo to octavo. Very good, some docketed and/or bearing the Society's stamp. Relating to the business of the Society, and in particular to a lecture by Douglas involving film of the Manchester Ship Canal.

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, though first and last pages somewhat grubby.