Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Fairbairn') from the Scottish civil engineer Sir William Fairbairn to 'Mr. <Wittine?>', expressing gratitude at his good fortune after 'a long and laborious life'.

Author: 
Sir William Fairbairn (1789-1874) of Ardwick, Scottish civil engineer and shipbuilder
Sir William Fairbairn
Publication details: 
1869 [rest of date lacking]; Manchester.
£240.00
SKU: 11165

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. 37 lines. Text of letter clear and complete, but with damage to head of letter, causing loss to date, with traces of the album leaf to which the letter was attached on reverses. Otherwise good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his 'friendly congratulation', and has now entered his '81st. year under the most favourable conditions'. He is 'truly thankful that my affectionate Partner and Myself have through a long life been so mercifully dealt with'. Their family 'have grown up and now surround us with the most filial and unbounded affection', and 'the next generation are making the sure progress in the affectionate regards for the old people as those who have preceded them'. His many friends 'in social life and in the scientific world have for the last 50 years been my greatest solace and comfort'. He has 'endeavoured to deserve it, but any thing I have done, or able [sic] to do, is far short of the esteem in which I have been held'. He is grateful to his friends 'and the world at large for the generous manner in which I have been treated through a long and laborious life'. He ends 'In hopes of living useful for two or three more years.'