autograph.

One page, 4to, , sl. worn, text as follows: "I beg to acknowledge your letter of 21st. November, and I am glad to learn that the Council is doing such valuable work. Many thanks for keeping me in touch with the various activities.

Viscount Althorp and third Earl Spencer 1782-1845. Signatures of Althorp, W. Wickham (see DNB) and J. , as Treasury officials, remains of documents (slight) indicate the grant of a pension to "Anne Thompson".

Cartoonist (1844-1925). Two pages, 8vo, fold marks but text good and clear. "My dear Jim,/ Broken out in a new place, have you? Well, I'll see what I can do to help. Just at present I am entirely out of my book plate, and as the block has been damaged I shall have either to get a new one made or design a new one. I hope to do this soon and will send you samples. I may have some other Ex Libris amongst my papers and if I come across any I will send them on to you./ Grace has come back from Porlock . . .". He concludes on health matters.

(1861-1945). "First Cartoonist" for Punch (1909-1945). "In reply to your enquiry I am afraid I cannot furnish you with any names of artists wanting ideas for humorous drawings. The only thing would be to apply to any artists who do such work & take your chance."

Lord Mayor of London (Boase). One page, 8vo, some discoloration, text clear and complete. "To the Librarian of the London Institution- You will please to admit The Revd. Saml. Smith to the library & Lectures of the London Institution as my substitute".

Novelist and politician (1765-1846). One page, 8vo. (He is writing to his former colleague in the Ordnance Office where he was a clerk from 1811 to 1823). He asks him to forward an important packet and recalls "pleasant remembrances of former intercourse".

South-Eastern Railway secretary, social reformer, author ((1812-1904). Two pages, 8vo. He is presenting one of his books, presumably the "Life of George Stephenson" which was published in July of that year: "The book has been written under great disadvantage, - and has been scraped together as it were out of the scraps & odd bits of my lesser moments. But such as it is I hope it will afford you some pleasure to read." Smiles wrote "Self-Help" among other significant books.

(Prime Minister) Three pages, 8vo, very good condition. Text as follows: I have a request to make to you, with which I hope you will compy. It is that you will serve in the Royal Commission to enquire into the state of the University of Cambrige./ Professor Sedgwick & Sir John Herschel I [...?] likewise to ask to be members of the Commission - And in any nomination I may number I should wish to choose persons whose names will inspire confidence in the University.

Baron C.C.J. Bunsen, Prussian diplomat and scholar (1791-1860). He helps the Lord Mayor with his plans for returning the visit of the King of Prussia in January 1842. He gives detailed information on the route and means of transport, including timings, instructs him on the protocol of contacting the Court, gives his plans for visiting the Norwich music festival, and asks for the draft of the Lord Mayor's speech to the King of Prussia. He will have prepared the paperwork for the Prussian Customs that same day.

Stopes has written lines headed "Marriage" on a 4to page (her birthday, 15 October) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). The book comprises one day to every page. The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC). Stopes says "Marriage:-/ A stream of sweet content whereon do float/The jewelled flowers of passion to the sea / Of deep and everlasting memory./ Marie C. Stopes.

Divine and author (1772-1827). He discusses the timing of the next "clerical meeting" and suggests a friend who could take pupils, "a serious brother".

Statesman (1806-1863). Vestiges of its having been laid down in an album. Part of a letter as follows: " . . . chloroform, & with perfect success but she has since suffered much pain. Her recovery, I am happy to say, is . . ." and overleaf the following " . . . & therefore I conclude that it was quite groundless" Ever yrs truly/ GCLewis". Tantalising fragment but Queen Victoria was a well-known pioneer in the use of chloroform in child-birth, and is the likely subject for a letter by a member of her Government.

Actor and dramatist (1802-1879). Three pages, 8vo, some marking but good condition. He asks for a mention of his Benefit. It is his last night at the Haymarket before he joins Madame Vestris at the Lyceum. He names the play, "The Beaux Startagem", adds that "Mr John Reeve son of the late celebrated comedian will also make his first appearance in Public in one of his father's characters, while Mr Buckstone will follow in Mr Planche's highly successful Drama of "The Jacobite".m He encloses cards (for entry?).

Scottish lawyer and politician, friend of Walter Scott (1751-1839). Damp-staining and some damage not affecting legibility and completeness. He discusses in some detail the lease on the Cock Close Estate at Eton, and the attitude of the family concerned (Slatter).

Miscellaneous writer, Quaker (1792-1879). One page, 12mo, saying simply "The Letter is all right. Thank you".

Illustrator (1893 or 1896-1940). Crude sketch in pencil, on piece of lavender paper, 6¼ inches by 3¾, of garret with two beds, headed "Housemaster", and with "Drorn [sic] in the dark at the Apollo - / - / Aubrey Hammond / 1936 -" written beneath it. Mounted on fragment of blue paper carrying typewritten label and showing traces of brown paper strip.

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. With a note identifying the writer who simply describes himself in his letter as "The Author of the accompanying volume of sermons" of which he asks the Editor to give an early notice. He offers the "accustomed remuneration [!] for this trouble through his publishers." He asks for the book to be returned to his publishers (Rivington) if no review is contemplated. N.B. Rivington published Hudleston's "Discourses on Religion and Morality".

Actor (1864-1947). 2 pp. "Dear Cabourn, / We are drawn together in the 1st heat of the Billd Handicap - when do you think you will be able to play - the thing is hanging fire a bit."

Irish civil servant ((1861-1915). He hopes for a meeting in London. "I want very much to see you for a few minutes".

Diplomat. One page, 8vo. He asks for a pair of Chinese slippers to be added to her brother's account and warns her against a "maddish charlatan" with whom he has crossed swords.

Soldier (1783-1868). Stained and worn but contents intact and legible, responding to condolences on his wife's death. what it means to him, and what her last days were like.

Novelist (1864-1930). He announces the birth of his first child, with comment on its colour.

Miscellaneous writer, journalist, Republican (1767-1840). 8vo. He complains that he forgot to leave his name for Phillips and his friends so that they could not enter the theatre. He asks that he make sure he does "this evening" with underlinings and emphatic statements.

Canadian lawyer and English Master of the Rolls (1752-1832). Part of ALS signed, referring to "Sir Alexr Cochrane's propositions as to prizes that may be taken in conjunct expeditions on the coast of America" on which he does not feel able to give directions.

Sculptor (1775-1856). Work takes precedence over "gaieties" so he cannot accept an invitation.

Statesman and writer. 2pp., 8vo. He thanks Sharp for sending some books to him but points out that the books need not have travelled under Francis Freeling's cover as Croker's held good unrestrictedly.

Biologist and poet (1860-1933). He accepts with pleasure the invitation to preside at the next Conway Memorial Lecture, and wonders when Tait would like a copy of his introductory remarks.

Admiral, 8vo. He hadn't the heart to wake him when he called but could send what he had offered.

Wit and politician (-1837). His health is restored but "Whishaw doubled my Disappointment by Recounting your Fairy Ball". Obviously, ill health prevented his attendance. With: (ms) "Advertisement Extraordinary", an amusing skit in which Jekyll offers to provide people to visit Country Houses much as horses are hired or books provided by a circulating library, 3pp., 8vo. On a blank conjoined page appear the words "not in Jekyll's handwriting", etc. signed "C. Fox" (Caroline Fox). 2 items,.

Edward Levy-Lawson, Newspaper proprietor (1833-1916). He describes a variety of physical ailments to which he is prey but concludes that "My suffering has not diminished my belief in one popularly known as 'Jack Fisher'. . .". Burnham's relationship with Fisher is perhaps explained by his Newspaper, The Daily Telegraph's, support of a "strong navy" policy.