Novelist. 4pp., 8vo, some staining sl. obscuring text at edge. She is apologetic about not contacting Mr Blackley, and explains why she sent a telegram ("two rather interesting literary people were coming to us"). She will arrange another meeting. She expresses pleasure at her correspondent's praise of her latest book (which, though "fanciful", is "going well"). She sends congratulations to "Mr Blackley" (not traced) on his "exciting novel", praising the phrase "a man with a bloodshot nose!"
One page, 8vo, some pin-pricks not affecting text which runs as follows: "Mrs Fenimore Cooper presets her compliments to Miss Smith and thanks her for her politeness in sending the information respecting the femme de chambre of Miss Somerville. Had she known of it a little earlier, Mrs Cooper would hav ebeen very happy to have profited by it. But she had already engaged one when Miss Smith's obliging note was received.
Potter. Good condition, text as follows: "Dear Roger Thornton, / I hope the enclosed will suffice. Thank you for all the nice things you say in your letter. I will try to go on a little longer making pots as well as I know how if they really give pleasure."
Antiquary (1805-1874). 2pp. ea., 8vo, damp-staining and other marksbut text still legible. He is returning some “cuts” lent by the Sussex Society and enclosing “eight blocks for the Catalogue of the Chichester Museum”. He wants his correspondent to follow up on a “cut”. In another letter, he makes suggestions for the improvement of a “proof of the Ark” and requests a book. In the other letter, he says that he is sending “the continuation ofChichester Catalogue” and someone else will send “the greater part of thewoodcut blocks”. He asks for a “cut” to be sent to the printer. 3 items,
Viscount, soldier, G.-G. of India. (Croker) asks for assistance for lady whose sons died on naval duty. (Hull) he has passed on his note about forgery to Peel. (Attorney-General) asks him to look at a Bill he wants to go before the House. (Singleton) he discusses the circumstances of the death of Huskisson (run over by a train) and other business including "O.G. Mahon", Lord Westmeath's speech ("coarse invective agt the D of W and so grossly indecent"), Shiel's speech, O'Connell ("influence greatly declined"), General O'Neill and other matters. Four items,
Irish philosopher and political economist. 3pp., 8vo. He addresses Hamilton as "President" and refers to the "Society" in Belfast. He explains that J.A. Froude is more selective about engagaments as he gets older and is unlikely to accept an invitation from the "Society". He recommends a direct approach. He expresses pleasure at the performance of the "Belfast students" and adds a postscript about candidates for the "English Chair in the college".
Politician (1722-1788). He died "leaving half a million of public money" (quoted in DNB). The signatures appear by the superscription, one is initialled. (1760) He has heard that there are "letters in Town from Ireland which say, That Volumes are writing there against transmitting a money Bill". He wonders if Wilmot has heard anything. (1761) He would "be glad our Letters & Bills and all our business was despatched in due time" since he wishes to make up a party with some Ladies to play at Loo. 2 items,
Earl of Cranbrook. [On 2 July, Hardy was appointed to the Poor Law Board.] Statesman. One page, 8vo, laid down with envelope (stamped and addressed and counter-signed by Hardy, good condition. He thanks her for her "pamphlet on Cholera and its cure. I will submit it ot some more competent judge of the matter than I am." [Pamphlet not traced but a BLC search incovers over 100 titles involving cholera for the year 1866 alone.]
Read before the Statistical Section of the British Association at Southampton, 15 Sept. 1846. Pp.1-54, 8vo, disbound, some pages loose, some soiling particularly last page. INSCRIBED by the author: "To Alexander Robertson Esq / With [Mr?] Neison's Compts."
Part of letter, c.4 x 4", laid down, good condition, last few lines in which he says "Princess Frederica has promised to dine with me. Could I induce you & Bradford to come & meet her here. I remain, / Yours most sincerely / George."
Glass manufacturer (1814-1854). 2pp., 8vo, good, admitting that he isinvolved with the Crystal Palace Company, but is not the secretary. He says that he has the interests of “Mr Woodfall” [the printer?] at heart, and his family is well. Phillips became literary diretor of the Crystal Palace Co. in 1853. He wrote Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park (1854).
Short story writer and essayist (1900-1996). 8vo, to “Mrs Biggs”, appreciating her enjoyment of “the Russian books”, mentioning an error in his review of them, and recommending that she read Leskov about whom he hopes to write.
Actor (1830-1906). One page, 8vo, .good. With enclosure. He encloses his autograph (present - a tag from “Paul Pry” signed by Toole) and says he will be in Belfast in October.2 items,
Russian emigre (1914- ?). ANS, 8vo, to “Miss Bentley”, envelope present, postmarked 24 April 1958. He asks her to cash a cheque for him to save him time.
Ist Baron Glenesk, newspaper proprietor (1830-1908), 4pp., 8vo, stained but not obscuring text, giving his reason for not seeing Yates’s “representation”, and planning a pre-luncheon conversation about Napoleon, Palmerston and the like. He is pleased to be given a place in Yates’s “Gallery”.
Professor of Chemistry, Cambridge University (1827-1924). 2pp., 8vo, good. He finds “syllabuses” a reflection of what was considered important at a certain time, and is pleased to have been sent a plan of Wollaston’slectures. He goes on to discuss Wollaston (a predecessor of his in theChair) and the change wrought by his becoming Jacksonian Professor.
Writer on natural history (1780-1868). One page, 8vo, good. He thanks his correspondent for his “interesting pamphlet” and discusses rough drawings of swans he is sending him.
Spanish author. Two pages, 4to. He writes concerning the World Unity Movement of which Polak is a sponsor, criticising the Chairman, James Avery Joyce. With: a TLS, 2pp., 4to, from Joyce to Polak referring to a note he has received from de Madariaga (copy enclosed) and describing his difficulties in finding a speaker. He also asks for his expenses from an American trip which de Madariaga found offensive.
Novelist, dramatist and journalist (1831-1894). One page each, 8vo, good. In the first, he is sorry that “Fred” has been bothered in a particular“matter”. In the second, he says simply “Here is the Valentine you askfor”.
Politician (1821-1899). 2pp., 8vo, reporting that Gladstonehas given their “resolution” a positive response and that expressions of“strong feeling” from the north create a good effect in Parliament.
Governor-General of India. 5 & 2pp., 8vo. Some illegible. (1830) he asks himself whether the "Board" should reply to "the Statements and Assumptions of the . . . Secret Committee in the subject of the Secret Letters relating to the Treaty with . . .(?)". He continues on the theme, concluding that ther documents in question had been perused by Lord Clare, the intended successor of Sir John Malcolm" (Governor of Bombay). (1841) he is trying to arrange a meeting.
(Peace Society (1893)). 2pp., 8vo, H.(?) Evans Darby to the Chevalier Dr Karl de Scherzer, He informs his correspondent that the last “universal Peace Congress” in Chicago decided to invite eminent jurists “to form a Committee for thepurpose of considering the question of an International Court of Arbitration”. As a member of the provisional committee, he has beenasked to prepare a list for this committee for Europe. He invites hiscorrespondent to join it (“I should not think that it would involve muchlabour or responsibility”).
(British Army: Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion (Devon) in 1901). A small collection of letters and printed ephemera relating to the Ist Volunteer Rifle Battalion, Exeter, comprising: ALS, 2pp., 8vo, William C.Richards to Colonel Sir Dudley Duckworth-King, 17 Sept.
Painter. 4 ALSs, 2-3pp., 8vo, good. He asks for payment for a picture so that he can pay rent arrears, reports of his progress with his pictures, “the two Dartmoor streams”. He later talks of other pictures in which Roberrts has an interest (“Mermaid”, “Kennack Bay”, “Cadgwith [Cove]” and others) and his constant need for money. 4 items,
Extensive corrections in Clementine Churchill's hand.The notes simply acknowledge firstly, a letter about a legal matter in which she cannot intervene, and secondly, she displays sympathy for someone's son who is doing "dangerous work". Two items,
Primate of Australia, miscellaneous writer (DNB). Clipped signature, , on paper, c.3.5 x 1.5", laid down on similar sized card. Text as follows: "Yours truly / Alfred Barry / W.H. Dynham Esq", the latter being the correspondent.