[Sydney Smith, 'The Smith of Smiths', wit and author.] Four Autograph Letters Signed to 'Mrs Cunliffe' [Elizabeth Emma Cunliffe Offley, daughter of Lord Crewe], good natured and vivacious.

The four items in good condition, lightly aged, with stubs from mounts still adhering. The first three are bifoliums, carrying seals in red wax (that to the third letter broken). The second letter is addressed to her at Grosvenor Square; the third and fourth to her at Upper Brook Street. ONE: No place or date. [London, on paper with watermark of 'J GREEN & SON | 1824'.] 1p, 12mo. 'I am always sorry to quit London dear Mrs Cunliffe – never more so than when by doing so I lose the opportunity of enjoying your Society – this is in Rogers Style – except that it is true' (the reference is to the poet Samuel Rogers). In a postscript he gives details of his forthcoming trip to Yorkshire, and asks, 'how is Lord Tavistock?' TWO: '3 Weymouth St'. No date (Smith was at this address around 1835). 1p, 12mo. He answered her letter of the previous day 'expressing my entire resolution to dine with you on the 28th. a resolution with the Wisdom of which the more I reflect upon it the more I am satisfied'. THREE: '33. Charles St Berkeley Sqre | April 31. 1839'. 1p, 12mo. 'I had been practicing [sic] Steps all the morning – but was prevented by the lateness of London dinners from appearing at an hour which would have been decorous in a man of any Gravity'. FOUR: '56 Green St | Grosvenor Sqre | Feby 18 – 1842'. 1p, 4to. 'My dear Mrs Cunliffe | Pray select a better Messenger than Mrs Sydney she did not tell me of your party yesterday till I had gone to Bed - & added this morning that there was another Enemy but she could not tell which it was – so that you see I am not ouly guiltless but ill used'.