[John Dillon, Irish nationalist politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to the daughter of the novelist George Meredith, announcing his plans for a trip to Australia.

Dillon's entry in the Oxford DNB states that on 6 March 1889 he ‘sailed for Australia to solicit contributions; he also toured New Zealand, and returned to Ireland via the United States in late April 1890. His mission raised about £33,000’. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Addressed to ‘My dear Miss Meredith’ and signed ‘Yours very Sincerely / John Dillon’. In fair condition, lightly aged, with very light transfer of ink from another letter (from blotting pad?) onto third leaf, including signature. Folded for postage. In reply to a letter he states that he would ‘certainly go down’ to see her if he were ‘in London during the spring - but I hope to sail to Australia on the 1st March & expect to be away till the end of September’. He asks to be remembered to her father, whose name Dillon saw ‘on the Protest Committee with very great pleasure’, and whom he hopes ‘is gaining strength’. He is glad they all ‘thought the photograph a good one’. From the Meredith album. From an album of letters received by the novelist George Meredith and his daughter Marie Eveleen (Mariette; 1871-1933).