Autograph Letter Signed ('Alfred Gatty') from Rev. Alfred Gatty, Vicar of Ecclesfield, to his son the Hon. Stephen Gatty, Puisne Judge of the Straits Settlements [Singapore], filled with family news.

3pp., 12mo. 62 lines of text. On bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper; neatly written in a close hand. An affectionate letter, addressed to 'Dearest Stephen'. He begins: 'It seems a long while since I heard anything of or from you - the last news was in a letter from Alice [Stephen's wife], which Horatia [Stephen's sister] allowed me to see.' He complains jokingly that his son 'cannot be in a more trying climate than ours is this May - for it is as cold as Xmas, and the bitter cold of a settled N. E. wind.' He complains that he is 'almost a prisoner in the house - rheumatic & infirm', but he has 'now got two Curates at the Priory, which eases my shoulder of a great burden - for they are diligent, & one a fine preacher - thoroughly histrionic, which makes the matter very effective'. The two are 'higher steppers than I care for, but I can "hold the fort", as Moody sang. He considers that the 'coal under [Stephen's brother] Reginald's glebe, which Lord T. is purchasing, but with long delay', will 'make Hooton R[oberts]. a capital Living'. Another of Stephen's brothers, Charles Tindal Gatty (b.1851) is 'paid secretary £250 to Mr Ellis M.P. head whipper in for the Government - I dont suppose this will last long, as the Premier is far too trifling for his heavy job, but Chas has more strings to his bow'. Yet another brother, Alfred, 'is bringing out a Child's Play, under the patronage of a long string of noble Ladies, for some charity, and I touch even higher game, as the good old Queen has accepted a copy of the fifth Edition of my "Key to in memoriam". Lord Ed. Clinton on her staff presented it, & she returned thanks to me thro' Sir H Ponsonby.' The school run by Stephen's sister Horatia and her husband 'thrives beyond the limits of their accommodation'. They are happily relieved of a pupil who was a sleep walker, and kept them in constant fear of his encountering some terrible accident'. After further news he concludes with an expression of relief that 'the changes coming over the country, through the two parties who are competing for power, are reserved for the end of my life. I am as fond of the old ways as was Charles Lamb.'