[Sir Samuel White, explorer, discoverer of Lake Albert.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Sam W Baker') to 'Mr. Warner' (headmaster of Newton College, Devon), on an attack of gout and his decision to 'resign the Presidentship' (of the College governors).
3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor damage at head. Folded once. He begins by requesting with 'much respect' to be excused 'on your great day', and explains: 'I write this from my bed, where I am confined with that delectable complaint the gout, and the moment I can move I must be off somewhere, either to Bath, or Buxton, to go through a regular course -'. He complains: 'This country does not agree with one -; we arrived in England 1 May, and I have already had three attacks of gout. I was seven months absent and was entirely free from it. -' He has written to 'F. Watts', 'to resign the Presidentship of the Council', as he feels that he will be 'away so much that I cannot possibly make any definite engagement'. He also thinks that 'the present Earl of Devon should be invited to fill the position: his great name and local influence, as a successor to the late Earl, (who was the back-bone of the Newton College) would give an importance to the Establishment that would be an immense benefit'. Baker moved to Sandford Orleigh in 1874, and continued to play an active part in the social life of Newton Abbot until his death (his widow remaining there until 1916).He was noted in the vicinity for enthralling the boys at Newton College on speech days. The novelist and poet Sylvia Townsend Warner was the granddaughter of the recipient of this letter.