[Sir George Otto Trevelyan, politician and historian.] Four Autograph Letters Signed (all 'G O Trevelyan') to fellow Liberal Sir Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth [Lord Shuttleworth], discussing their friendship and parliamentary careers.

A total of 12pp, 12mo. On bifoliums. All addressed to 'Dear Shuttleworth'. In good condition, lightly aged. A curious feature of the four letters is that the handwriting of each differs from the others. ONE: 7 April 1880. Trevelyan condoles with Shuttleworth, who has lost his Hastings seat in the General Election. He states that he is 'so heartily disgusted' with Shuttleworth's constituents, adding 'The loss, most temporary I feel sure, to the House will be very sensible, and I shall sorely miss you as a friend. I am sure no one less deserved a misfortune either by want of party loyalty or political energy.' He takes comfort in his belief that 'every man of a certain stamp begins with a bad seat, and changes to a good one; with all the more credit if he sticks to the good one to the last.' Postscript: 'My polling is not till the 12th! I have been electioneering in North Northumberland in the meanwhile.' TWO: 25 November 1883. He has to decline Shuttleworth's invitation, as 'From the day we came to Ireland, till the Session begins, we shall not be able to leave it, except for the inside of a week, when I shall be speaking to my constituents.' He is 'sorry to miss this pleasant visit: but we have nothing pleasant and that is about the long and short of it.' He hopes Shuttleworth 'will have pleasing meetings with Hartington', whom he is sure 'will speak well and wisely'. THREE: 3 February 1897. Shuttleworth's letter, written on Trevelyan's resignation from parliament, is 'kindness itself', but 'The fact is that I am really unfit for the work of public life, and cannot possibly stay in it. But with a regular and quiet régime I hope I may yet be able to get a fair amount of other work done.' He regrets 'losing the comradeship with you, which has been one of unbroken confidence and satisfaction on my part. Happily friendship is quite as likely to gain as to lose among people who both livein London at the due time.' He and his wife are concerned at Lady Shuttleworth's illness, and think Shuttleworth is 'wise to get her abroad'. Letter ends: 'I value very much your description of me as “an old and dear friend,” which I heartily reciprocate'. FOUR: 29 June 1911. He has had 'great pleasure' from Shuttleworth's letter: 'I like to be told, however well I know it, that you regard yourself as an “old and attached friend.” Since we rode together in the Park in the sixties we have both gone far, through some rough ways; and have both reached a happy goal, in the world, and still more in our respective homes.'