[Richard Ford, Traveller in Spain; Gatherings] Autograph Letter Signed Richd Ford to Lewis [G.C. Lewis; Sir George Cornewall Lewis, (1806 ? 1863), statesman, man of letters], discussing current situation with Travels, editing, plans, politics.

Four Pages, 12mo, bifolium, fold marks, good condition. See Image of fourth/signature page. Text: Many thanks for the two Spanish apothems: that of Bacon I have already introduced (1.304). The other of Boyle shall be worked into 2nd Edition, which Murray [publisher] is beginni9ng to be talking: he has already sold between 17 & 1800 copies: so let none say that the age of miracles is past? I could have wished for a longer interval in order to read some subjects up rather closer. & finish off others. I assure assure humble as Handbooking is, that the trouble is great: it is a large net & catches many fish great & small nor is the pulling it cleanly out an easy job. | I have a floating notion a chateau en Espagne, of doing an obra grande on 'Spain & Spaniards past & present', which should [run?] 4 vols 8o. & be a library book at least in type & illustrations: for I have portfolios full of drawings made in interesting & seldom visited localities: all the pure [Starkerec? book ref?] route details etc would be left out, & the spaces filled with [efragion?] cosas de Espana from cigars to to Cervantes; this however is an ouvrage de logue haleine & probably will never be executed to the serious detriment of men who live [word not deciphered]. | Now you & Head must be praying for a change of Ministry! 'Sir James Graham! the Lord deliver us from Sir James Graham'! as Cromwell said of Ld. Hy Vane. | call ye that [barking?] your friend? | The good old tories like myself all by no means extinct, although just now we seem likely to be coming to you for relief, as our occupation & corn rents are gone. However if we are to be done, let them do the work, who have moral courage [underlined] & consistency [underlined]; Blood is better after all the cotton; & Lord John is [double underlined] a gentleman by birth & conduct [...] He adds a postscript or addendum upside down on fisrt page: No symptoms of famine here except in Peel's speeches: work aboudant, indeed so much so that the masters scarce dare speak to their men; wages are nearly a fourth higher than a year ago. See Image of last page.