[John Mitford, editor of the Gentleman's Magazine.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Mitford') to a family member, regarding Sir Thomas Gery Cullum, his gardening activities at Hardwick House, and the preparation of his Gentleman's Magazine obituary.

See Mitford's entry in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing he had been retired for five years from the editorship of the Gentleman's Magazine, a post he had held for seventeen years. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. Folded twice. Forty-four lines in a close hand. The recipient is not named, but the letter comes from the papers of the Cullum Baronets of Hardwick House, and concerns an obituary of the eighth baronet, Sir Thomas Gery Cullum, which Mitford is helping a member of the family prepare for publication in the Gentleman's Magazine. Mitford begins the letter: 'My dear Sir | I have just sent to the Post, with a few alterations, (verbal ones) the contents of the letter you favored me with this Morning; and hope it will be in time, to be inserted with its Corrections in the Magazine this Month'. He explains why, given the importance of the changes, he has 'asked Mr Nichols [i.e. John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), printer and proprietor of the magazine] to delay the insertion till the March number'. He gives a hint of how the Gentleman's Magazine, consisting of 'a good variety of Articles', is conducted, before continuing: 'I very much lament that I had not the pleasure of a more intimate acquaintance with Sir Th. Cullum to whom I have of late been obliged, by many kind Civilities in return for favors I had asked in relation to a branch of [?], which as you observed he lov'd & patronized.' He continues with reference to the baronets 'love of gardening & planting', in which Mitford 'fully participated' . He describes a rare plant seen on a visit to Hardwick, at which he went over 'his Plantations with him & umder his guidance', before referring to the last letter he received from him, 'of which the ink was scarcely dry' when he died. He concludes with his 'best Compliments & respects to Lady Cullum'.