[ Thomas McKenny Hughes, Woodwardian Professor of Geology, Cambridge University. ] Six issues of a humorous juvenile manuscript periodical by a family member, titled 'The Hillclere Gazette', with several articles on the Sedgwick Museum.

Thomas McKenny Hughes was the son of Rev. Joshua Hughes and his wife Margaret, daughter and of Sir Thomas McKenny, Lord Mayor of Dublin. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1853 (B.A., 1857), and joined the Geological Survey in 1861. He was Woodwardian Professor of Geology, Cambridge University, 1873-1917, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1889. He was the prime mover behind the creation of the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. In November 1882 he married Mary Caroline Weston, daughter of Canon G. F. Weston. They had three sons: Alfred Weston Hughes (1895-1970), George Ravensworth Hughes (1888-1983) and Thomas McKenny Hughes (1884-1918). The present periodical is probably the work of the middle son, G. R. Hughes, later clerk to the Goldsmiths' Company. The six issues total 36pp., 4to. Unbound. In fair condition, aged and worn, with occasional closed tears (the last leaf in particular affected). An interesting Cambridge artefact, and in addition a charming production, with numerous illustrations, including a small watercolour on card laid down on the last leaf of the last issue. Hughes and his wife appear as 'the Duke and Duchess of McKenny,' their sons as 'Sir George' and 'Sir Thomas'. Other characters include 'Lady Owen', 'Lady Alicia', 'Lady Emilene', 'Lady Powell'. The last three issues carry the signatures of individuals among whom the periodical was circulated, including: J. E. Hughes, J. W. Glaisher, F. G. Hughes, M. C.. Hughes, M. M. Hughes, J. G. Banister and M. A. Hughes. The joke throughout is to provide a journalistic transmogrification of the events of family life, and the periodical features spoof weather forecasts, competitions and advertisements (for example: 'Dr Alicia's new patent medicin [sic] "Kiluall" | Does away with pain. After taking a dose of "Kiluall" your pain ends. You are out of pain.'). The first issue (19 September 1899) carries the following 'Editor's Introduction', ending: 'The Editor has considered it better not to illustrate every number of this paper, but for those numbers which will be illustrated he has employed first class artists.' Articles include: 'Alarming bomb outrage, destruction of the Green Palace', 'Covered Promenard [sic] at Sherringham', 'Tameness of Animals at Beeston Regis', 'Illustrated Interview with the Ladies Hughes of Highclere Palace', 'Attempted Murder of Lady Emilene', 'Serial Story "A Night Underground"' and 'Sir George Hughes (a poem)'. Covering a full page is a memorial to a pet bird, headed 'In Memoriam | Richard Hughes | locally known as "Dicky"', with illustration. The periodical contains three articles regarding the building of the Sedgwick Museum. The first issue, 19 September 1899, carries a report of 'a new Geological Museum [...] now being built at Cambridge': '[...] We hear that a petition has been signed by 739 Geologists, requesting him not to walk on the unfinished walls of the slowly-rising museum as if he did it would case a very terrible accident and probably much loss of life, as his renowned "ships" [presumably Hughes's feet] would crush the walls to atoms and the flying fragments would cause much damage'. The following issue (21 September 1899) contains an article on the 'Inspection of the Geological Museum', and that of 25 December 1899 carries one on 'The Duke of McKenny's New Museum'. The issue of 25 December 1899 contains an article entitled 'Presentation to Lady Powell', containing a 'dialogue' with the subject (presumably a servant), whose speech is recorded in Cambridgeshire dialect ('Well Oi wish mi 'usban' was 'ere oi'm shore 'e'd be vary pleased too you know! Mi 'usban' 'e allers says "ooever harsks yer ter come, if the Duchess of McKenny wants yer, you go tu 'er fust" ou kneow!'). From the McKenny Hughes papers.