[Samuel Lover, Irish painter, author, entertainer.] Autograph Letter in third person to Sir Thomas Gery Cullum and wife, explaining why pressures of 'public engagement' mean he must stay at his hotel rather than enjoy 'the hospitality of Hardwicke'.

According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, 'In 1844 Lover abandoned miniature painting as a result of failing eyesight but continued to paint and exhibit landscapes. He invented a new form of entertainment which he called Irish Evenings, a monologue of songs, recitations, and stories, all of his own composition. These he performed at the Princess's Concert Rooms, London.' Between 1846 and 1848 he toured North America with great success. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. The letter begins: 'Mr. Lover, with much respect and sincere thanks to Sir Thomas & Lady Cullum for the honor they so kindly propose to him, regrets that the shortness of his stay and urgency of his occupation interfere to prevent his enjoying the pleasure which the acceptance of Sir Thomas and Lady Cullum's invitation would cause him.' He explains that he has sung 'at Hanover Square Rooms on Monday – at Cambridge last night and, after travelling to-day and his exertion of this evening, with an early entertaintment [sic] tomorrow, before him – an immediate retirement to rest after this evenings exertion is indispensible'. Consequently he must 'content himself with the Hotel of Bury – instead of enjoying the honor of the hospitality of Hardwicke [sic]'. He hopes that 'Sir Thomas will assure Mr. [Petre?] how sensible Mr Lover is of the honor of his invitation, but as Mr. Lover, is obliged on his days of public engagement to dine very early, and very sparingly, he cannot have the pleasure of being made Mr. [Petre's?] guest'.