[ George Julian Harney, Chartist and journalist. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed ('G. J. Harney' and 'G. Julian Harney') to the bookseller Bertram Dobell, assessing the character of George Augustus Sala, and bemoaning the state of his health.

Dobell is not named, but the second letter contains a reference to the recipient's wife 'Mrs. Dobell'. Both letters 2pp., 12mo, and both in good condition, on lightly aged paper. ONE: 21 August 1895. Signed 'G. J. Harney.' He makes an order of books from the library of George Augustus Sala, of whom he 'cannot profess to be an admirer': 'clever, versatile, a typical journalist; but not of the stuff of Cobbett, Wooler, Hone (before he became a melancholy mad religious crank) or Hetherington – or Hunt (John). Of his books I would have liked two or three but must not order (Mahaffy's “Social Life in Greece”) (Stepniak's “Russia”)'. He asks whether – 'apart from their politics' – there is any merit to 'these songs of Alex Rogers, Glasgow weaver'. He describes his health: 'I am miserable with pain[.] I can just manage the hand to a level with this paper; but cannot raise either to top of my head. In taking food instead of lifting the hand to the mouth I have to bring the mouth down to the hand. I expect to get worse and worse while this hot weather continues.' He has 'the gloomiest apprehensions', and asks him not to let him get into his debt. TWO: 12 September 1895. Signed 'G. Julian Harney'. In deferring a meeting he describes the state of his health ('throat irritation'). He considers the weather 'broken', and doubts whether a visit on the arranged date would have been pleasant. 'I have misgivings that my hostess and her friend will hardly have a very good time at Deal next week. But they start on Monday – for a week or 10 days, perhaps 14, - as “the spot in the locker” may hold out!' He apologises to Dobell's wife ('I was ever thus!') and hopes to see them 'some fine day in Octo – if I am still to the fore – my hostess hen being back again'.