[ Thomas Pakenham, 5th Earl of Longford. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Longford') to the music critic R. A. Streatfeild regarding the suitability as a groom or chauffeur of his 'fellow countryman' Leonard, for whom he has a 'sneaking liking'.

The two letters in good condition, on lightly aged paper. ONE: 2pp., 12mo. He begins by stating that he 'knew Leonard pretty well in the 2nd Life G[uar]ds., he was a good fellow, but rough and wild - he came from Mullingar, my local capital, a good man with a horn but too heavy for a groom'. He could not give Leonard 'a better character than the regiment has done', and if 'his knee is too bad for him to soldier it probably would prevent him being a groom anywhere [...] he occasionally came before me for punishment - and as a fellow countryman I took an interest in him'. While 'he could, no doubt, do very well in service', Longford is not sure he would 'like to have him as a chauffeur, perhaps he might drive a motor bus or a taxi cab. | I have a sneaking liking for him as you may gather, and he will probably descend on me here in a day or two'. TWO: 1p., 12mo. He is 'out of London (in Ireland)' the following day, bt asks him to 'let Leonard come to me Sunday or Monday'.