[ Arthur Wellesley Batson, composer, artist and cleric. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A Wellesley Batson') to 'Johnnie', whom he has seen in Marlow Church, causing him to reminisce about their time at Whitbourne.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The letter begins: 'My dear Johnnie - | I saw you in Marlow Church the Sunday before last & recognised you although when I saw you last you had long curls falling on your shoulders 10 years ago!' He hopes to meet with him if he is still at Marlow when he goes there again. 'Edward stayed here for a week a short time ago.' The letter concludes: 'I often think of my Whitbourne days & Barkie & the good times we had.' From the papers of the Harington baronets of Whitbourne Court. Batson was a student of theology at Oxford in 1881. He was appointed Precentor at St. Anne's, Soho, in 1888. He composed a sacred cantata, 'The Vineyard', music to Fletcher's pastoral, 'The Faithful shepherdess', a comic operetta, 'The burglar and the Bishop', and published anthems, services, madrigals, and songs. As an artist he exhibited a landscape at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1890. He was a friend of the 'Ruskinian Gothic' architect Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) and corresponded with Whistler.