Autorgaph Letter Signed ('W Fairburn') to 'Mrs Sumner' [daughter-in-law of Bishop Charles Sumner?].

Three pages. On aged, ruckled paper, with traces of mount adhering to damaged second leaf of bifolium. Text entirely legible. He has 'selected autograph letters from some of my scientific friends, and from a distinguished philosopher and mathematician General Poncelet, and the other from an eminent Military Engineer Genl Morin at the head of the "Conservation des Art et Metiers".' He also sends 'notes from Lord Stanley, Sir D. Brewster, Dr. Robinson the Astronomer of Armagh, and my excellent friend Mr Hopkins the Geologist and Mathematician of Cambridge'. He wold have sent 'one of Humbolt, but I have been deprived of all his letters one by different claimants, and I much regret that I cannot part with this the only one left'. He will try to do more when he looks over his papers. In a postscript he explains that he is 'tempted to send you two Photographs and having a strong desire not to be separated from my wife, I send hers also. I do this under the impression that you may prevail on the Bishop to send one of his to Mrs. Fairburn for her Alum. If you can send one of yourself and Mr. Sumner so much the better as it will be a gratification to have an occasional glance at the features of those we esteem.'