Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'H W Kennard') to Beresford Hope, the first providing information useful to an Edwardian British attaché in Washington.

Hope had returned to the Foreign Office from Tehran in May 1907, but had moved to the Washington Embassy, as second secretary, that October. The recipient is presumably one of the ten children of the Tory politician A. J. B. Beresford Hope (1820-1887). Letter One: 12mo, 8 pp. Very good on lightly-aged paper. Addressed to 'My dear Beresford Hope'. A teasing, friendly letter, intresting for the information it provides on the situation of a minor attaché in Edwardian Washington. Kennard begins by joking that Hope does not 'display that eagerness to assume your duties here that is desirable in an Attaché.' He explains that 'our respected chief [i.e. Bryce] is irreverently designated' as '[t]he O.M. (Old Man & Order of Merit)', though Hope 'must not think of addressing him in this disrespectful manner'. In the Ambassador's absence Kennard has 'consulted the other members of the Embassy, who have decided after my description of your slovenly and unconscientious methods that your prescence here does not affect them much one way or the other'. He asks Hope to 'be out here by the beginning of January, as we badly require some one to represent us in the dancing world. I trust you are a votary of Terpsichor, as I am the only unmarried Junior here & feel too aged to go about in the gay world.' Over the last six pages of the letter Kennard provides information relating to climate ('houses here are shockingly overheated'), recreation ('Watson & I row on the Potomac; but we are the only people who do so'), accommodation, servants ('there is an old Irishman, who can valet better than the average nigger'), expense. 'One never takes a cab, as distances are so short & one uses trams. I practically never take a meal at home; people are extraordinarily hospitable and almost overdo it. My only extravagance is riding [...] you are coming out at a most interesting time with the presidential elections in sight. I am glad you are coming, as everyone else in the Embassy is married, one's colleagues are rather unattractive & the average American young man is not easy to get on with. This rather throws one back on female society [...] You must be very genial and hold out your hand on meeting people and exclaim, "Put it right there, Mr -." ' A couple of references to Hope's colleague 'Gye'. Letter Two: 12mo, 3 pp. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Twenty months on and things have toured sour. Kennard has been 'informed at the hotel that a cheque for $110.75, you had given them, has been dishonoured'. He 'took the liberty' of writing to Hope's bank Brown Brothers, 'thinking it might be a mistake. They tell me that they have been unable to honour one or two other cheques, but have written to you'. Kennard does 'not think it looks well for the Embassy', so he 'will pay the amounts' if Hope would like. 'In any case something ought to be done, and I have taken the responsibility for the Kimball cheque [...] The Orcys arrived without having made any arrangements and have now rooms near the Rock End; they seem very blooming and happy [...] H. E. leaves for Canada this morning'.