Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis Paget') from the future Bishop of Oxford, Francis Paget of Christ Church, to 'Mr. Dowdeswell' [Rev. Edmund Richard Dowdeswell], suggesting his brother-in-law Rev. Henry Lewis Thompson as a lecturer.

4pp., 12mo. Good, on aged paper, with one small spot at head of first page. He feels sure that 'if Canon Creighton [Mandell Creighton, then Canon of Worcester] could be persuaded to undertake the Lectures he would do the work far better and far more worthily than I can hope to do it', but he does not know Creighton well enough to ask him to take his place. 'And so, in view of your letter, I think that I had better look forward to coming and doing my best: though I greatly fear that the work may be less thoroughly prepared than it shold be'. If he is to come he suggests an alteration to the arrangements. Somewhat disingenuously, considering the fact that his sister Catherine is married to him, he suggests as another replacement 'one Parish Priest in your own diocese' who is 'most fit to bear such a trust - Mr. H. L. Thompson, of Iron Acton'. He praises Thompson for his 'ten years continuous experience, his good ability and wide knowledge', which would 'give the very highest Value to his Lectures, if only you could persuade him to come'. He knows 'no one whose judgement & goodness seem to me more trustworthy than his'. If Thompson cannot come Paget will do his best, 'if all is well'.