[Anna Eliza Bray, historical novelist.] Autograph Letter Signed to her nephew John Arrow Kempe, explaining that she wishes him to act as her literary executor, and discussing the 'revised copies' of her works.

4pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. With envelope addressed 'To | John Arrow Kempe Esqre. | St James's Rectory | Piccadilly | W'.A long letter, with the words 'To be carefully kept' at the head of the first page. The letter begins with a light-hearted reference to her novel 'De Foix': 'My dear Godson/ | Accept the enclosed trifle - It may help you to make an excursion to the Casle of De Foix - and (vanity of authorship!) to tell me what it is like -'. After this she turns to the real theme, her will. She explains that she had appointed Kempe's father and his uncle Charles Nicholas Kempe as her executors. 'I left Charles Editor of my [...] works - and £500 for his trouble in both those offices - About two or three months since, your Uncle Charles wrote to me - and begged me to appoint some one else to be my Editor, as he felt certain his health would never enable him to execute the duty such an office required. I replied that under my will he had power to turn the editorship over to another - and I named You'. She has decided to deal with the matter while alive and praises Kempe's father's 'critical powers (tho' now and then I think him a little too fastidious)'. Kempe is to receive a 'Good Sum', and she asks him to consult his father 'in any points of doubt or difficulty', although she does not 'anticipate many as I have revised all my tales & novels myself - My revised copy of The Trials of Domestic Life - Lady Clarence Paget borrowed and has not yet returned to me'. As 'life is uncertain in all, most of all in the old', she charges him to keep the letter, and 'make the arrangement &c I have proposed'. On his return ('please God I am living') she wishes to show him 'where I keep these revised copies - &c and man other things and uyou to note them down in a little note Book'. She signs 'Your affectionate Godmother and Aunt | Anna Eliza Bray'.