[ Thomas Vowler Short, academic and clergyman. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos V Short') to Rev. Richard Harington

4pp., 4to. On bifolium. In fair condition, In good condition, lightly aged, with part of second leaf torn away and adhering under the red wax seal, which carries a good impression. Addressed by Short to 'Rev Ricd Harington' in Northamptonshire, and redirected to 'Robt. Harington Esqre', Torrance, East Kilbride, Glasgow. Harington had married Cecilia Smith on 1 August, and Short, who had been his tutor at Oxford, begins in deceptively light fashion: 'As I myself have wthin the last twelvemonth received a vast number of congratulations I may be presumed to know their value as accurately as most people & I doubt whether my own, however sincere, are worth the postage wh you wd pay for them, at least you will excuse their being a little late when I get a frank for them. The Reform in parliament has somehow or other thrown out some of my friends who used to supply me wth this useful article & I am forced to delay till the session has sent our representatives down into the Country - Indeed I think it very wrong in Ministers to deprive us of this advantage arising from our Members -'. The tone changes as he discusses Harington's marriage: 'And now my good friend let me speak the truth to you. A man of your age who has married a wife suited to him, & is settled as a country clergyman, & placed above want, ought to be a very happy man. He has every external wh can contribute to real happiness - but after all externals will not make people happy. A clergyman will never be happy unless he be serving our great Lord & Master, & be seeking for happiness hereafter & not on earth. There is much happiness in this world - very much - but they who seek it from this world will never find it.' He continues along the same lines, claiming to 'entertain every kindly feeling' towards Harington's wife, but stating that he has 'not known enough' of him in recent times to feel sure that he is on the right track. Short is 'convinced in his own mind that religion is the only bond of real friendship, that friendship [...] If you think I judge w[it]hout reason, believe me I judge not. And be quite sure that I have & always shall be your real well wisher, but still if you deem me wrong only pardon me'. He ends with an inviation: 'The counties of Northampton & Southampton are so far apart that we are not likely to meet often again but something may draw you into this neighbourhood, & remember that on that Allegiance wh you owe an old Tutor you are bound to come & see me.' From the Harington family papers.