[Charles Lamb Kenney, author and playwright.] Autograph Letter Signed to his wife, with reference to the 1862 Great Exhibition, and dinner with William Makepeace Thackeray and his daughters.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that he had two children - Charles Horace Kenney and the actress Rosa Kenney - by his marriage to Miss Rosa Stewart at the Paris embassy in 1859. 4pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. On bifolium, with thin strip of tape from mount adhering to the reverse of the second leaf. Folded once. Sixty-six lines of text, addressed to ‘Dearest Wife’ and signed ‘Your affectionate husband / C. L. Kenney.’ Begins: ‘I dare say you have thought it unkind of me not to write for so many days, but the fact is I had nothing to say that was either interesting or particularly pleasant, for I have been very dull and [?] as well as out of health.’ Besides a visit from ‘Mrs Jeafferson’ he has been ‘engaged the whole time writing letters to and receiving visits of governesses. The number of ladies who were seen to enter my house on those days must have made the neighbours fancy I was indemnifying myself for your absence at a nice rate. You are sure to hear of it on your return.’ A pigeon pie supplied by Mrs Jeafferson has been ‘polished off in no time’ by him and ‘the boys’. He wishes he could have ‘added my little quota’ to her birthday presents, but ‘Jack’ brought something with him ‘from the Exhibition’. He intended to have his ‘photographic portrait done en carte de visite but the weather has been so dark’. He wants to ‘bring Sallie a photograph of some statue in the Exhibition [?]. What would she like? The Reading Girl? The Dream of Joy? or what?’ He complains of the weather, then refers to ‘Mrs & Miss Jerdan’. He then writes: ‘I have seen Dick Lee whom I took on Sunday to see the Picture Gallery. The same day I dined with Thackeray who was very kind in his enquries afer you & the babies., so were the Miss T’s. Miss Crook asked also kindly for them. Kiss them both well for me and tell them I will bring them a penny toy or piece from dear old London - Also [same old?] of the [German Court?].’