HARINGTON

The 57-mile canal section of the two rivers was constructed between 1794 and 1810. In the face of competition by the Great Western Railway it fell into disuse in the latter nineteenth century. A process of restoration began a hundred years later, and the canal is now a popular amenity. Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Both headed on first page 'Report of the Committee of Management, of the Kennet and Avon Canal Navigation.' Both are 3pp., 8vo, on bifoliums.

The company opened canals from Newport to Pontypool and to Crumlin in 1796. It was taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1875, and a passenger service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff still runs. Three items with covering paper on which Sir J. E. Harington has written in ink: 'Sir J E Harington | Monmouthshire Ry & Canal Papers', with the following added in pencil: 'May 21 1849. | Asking my consent to take new shares - | No.' All items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from Grevile to Harington. Bristol; 13 June 1849. 2pp., 4to.

11pp., folio. On eleven leaves of wove paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, the leaves attched with a rusty pin. An unsigned draft, with deletions and emendations throughout, and the date left incomplete at the end. The document begins: 'To all to whom these presents may come I Richard Harington of Lincoln's Inn in the County of Middlesex Esq. Barrister at law send greeting'.

Six of the eight items in good condition, lightly aged and worn; the other two showing heavier signs of age and wear. The six sets of accounts from the 'Steward's Office' - for various terms between Christmas 1879 and Christmas 1882 - are each described by Harington on the reverse as 'Battels'. All six are printed forms, over a single 8vo page, headed 'Christ Church' and laid out in the same style, and completed in manuscript with the details of the expenditure of 'Mr Richard Harington' (the last being the greatest, at £49 12s 7d).

The seven items in fair condition, on lightly aged paper. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the company's practices. Both the recipient, Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington (1835-1911), 11th Baronet, and his son 'The Judge' - Richard Harington (1861-1931), the future 12th Baronet - came from a legal background, adding an edge to the correspondence. The six letters total 9pp., 4to. The firm appears to have had a policy of retaining the original and sending out a carbon copy, as each of the letters consists of a carbon copy of manuscript.

The five items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Muir Mackenzie to Harington, 7 January 1897. 3pp., 12mo. Begins: 'Dear Sir Richard | The Lord Chancellor and his predecessors for many years have declined to sanction the appointment of joint registrars except in places where the amount of business requires two registrars; that is to say, if the business at Stourbridge is such as to require two Colles, it would still require a colleague for Colles Junr.

The background to the present correspondence is dealt with exhaustively in C. J. W. Allen's 'The Law of Evidence in Victorian England' (1997) and David Bentley's 'English Criminal Justice in the 19th Century' (1998), chapters 17 ('The Campaign for a Prisoners' Evidence Act') and 18 ('Reform'). ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from Poland ('Harry Bodkin-Poland') to Harington ('His Honour Judge Sir Richard Harington Bart.'). 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged.

The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with light damp staining to the Prospectus. ONE: Prospectus. 4pp., tall 8vo. Bifolium. First page headed 'Contractors to the French Government, Naval, Military, and State Authorities. | The New Asbestos Company, Limited. | Incorporated under the Companies Act, 1862 to 1886, whereby the liability of each Shareholder is limited to his Shares. | Capital - - £120,000, | Divided into 30,000 Shares of £4 each.

Three items from the papers of Sir Richard Harington (1835-1911) of Ridlington, 11th Baronet. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Richard Harington Bt.') to Neame. With date stamp 13 January 1907. 2pp., 12mo. It's presence among the Harington papers suggests that the letter was never sent.

Rev. Charles Harington [sic] was grandson of Sir John Edward Harington (1760-1831) of Ridlington, 8th Baronet, and the item is from the Harington papers. The full title reads: 'The Rectory, Stoke Lacy | Catalogue of the Valuable and Modern Furniture | Including Iron Bedsteads, Blankets and Quilts, Chests of Drawers, Mahogany and Painted Wardrobes, Dairy & Kitchen Requisites, Bacon, Whitechapel Trap, Saddles, Casks, Hurdles, & numerous Effects,| To be sold by Auction, by Oakley & Son | On Thursday, 24th.

12pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. On aged paper, with rusted staples. The first report is on pp.2-4, the second on pp.5-8, signed in type (p.8) by Roberts; pp.9-11 carry the 'Report of the Committee', signed in type (p.11) by Roberts and dated 3 November 1905; p.12 carries financial accounts by Roberts for the year 1905. A point of discussion is 'the Bill relating to County Courts, now before Parliament'. From the papers of Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, 11th Baronet, who is listed among those present at the first meeting, at the beginning of which he made a couple of contributions.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Long to Harington, 2 September 1897. 2pp., 12mo. He thanks him for his 'courteous letter' and is sending 'another memo. dealing with points raised by you'. He continues: 'We, of course, do not imagine that our orders and procedure are beyond criticism or are faultless - but we are supported by the Committee, & by the large majority of experts.

Both items in good condition, on aged paper. ONE: Appeal dated June 1901, headed 'West Dereham Church Restoration Fund.' Signed in type 'W. BURLEIGH, Vicar. | H. STEWARD, | J. T. HORN, | Churchwardens.' Carrying a small photograph of the ruins of the church, flanked by a description of the church, 'dedicated to St. Andrew', and its features. Beneath these the appeal begins: 'This interesting Church is now lying in ruins, simply from the effects of old age, and the consequent collapse of the entire roof of the nave on St. Mark's day, 1901.

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He is forced to decline an invitation as he has 'a long list here' and has 'for a year past had to husband my strength': 'I know you would kindly wish me to do what I feel best for my well being': 'I hope you will not think me ungrateful I have such a pleasant recollection of your kindly feelings towards me and my brothers Arthur & Watty in days gone by that I should be very sorry if you thought I did not appreciate your kindness in asking me'. Both Vaughan Williams and Harington were educated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Each letter 1p., 12mo. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Each in a different secretarial hand, both headed 'R v Corbett'. The first letter reads: 'The accused has been sentenced to 7 years penal servitude. Mr. Lawrence mentioned to the Judge privately the question of postponing sentence but the latter would not adopt the course suggested.' The second reads: 'I will certainly instruct Lawrence as to the circumstance to which you refer so that your application may be made to the Court'. From the Harington papers.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. A charming letter, the subject of which is an anecdote told by Augustus Hare in his autobiography relating to Samuel Smith, Dean of Christ Church, which was considered 'defamatory' by Smith's relation Harington, and gave offence to his family.

Printed form, on one side of a 10.5 x 17 cm piece of laid paper. In fair condition, aged and worn. Reads, with autograph text by Hodson in square brackets: 'Oxoniae [Maii 5to] Anno Domini 1818. | QUO die comparuit coram me [Ricardus Harington ex AEde Christi Baronetti Fil.] | et subscripsit Articulis Fidei, et Religionis; et juramentum suscepit de agnoscenda suprema Regiae Majestatis potestate; et de observandis Statutis, Privilegiis, et Consuetudinibus hujus Universitatis. | [F. Hodson, P. V. Cancell:]'. From the papers of the Harington baronets of Ridlington.

Four items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the proprieties of Victorian biographical writing. Hare's 'The Story of my Life' was published in six volumes between 1896 and 1900, and was described by the original DNB as ‘a long, tedious, and indiscreet autobiography’. The Oxford DNB remarks that 'By the late twentieth century, however, Hare was undergoing something of a revival. A society of enthusiasts and collectors of his works was formed: a one-volume condensed edition of his autobiography was edited by A. Miller and J.

Five items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Webster's four letters total 6pp., 12mo.

The three items are in good condition, ondff lightly aged and worn. Three interesting items, responding tactfully to what would appear to be an accusatory communication by Harington, pointing out that his son has succeeded despite having been 'superannuated' from Westminster School. ONE: 18 October 1898. 4pp., 12mo. Begins: 'Dear Sir Richard Harington | I am delighted to read the two enclosures. The Winnington-Ingrams one associated with many memories of my Rugby, Marlborough, & later days!' He will send the enclosures to the Head Master, [b]ut I won't rebuke him or convey any rebuke.

2pp.,12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He has been informed by 'Mr. Hill of the Victoria & Albert Museum' that Harington has 'a Backstaff'. Adams has been 'looking out for one for some years' without success and would like to purchase Harington's if he has 'no use for it. 'I think Mr. Hill mentioned to you that I had a collection of old navigating instruments & he has very kindly been trying to find a backstaff for me'. He ends in the hope that Harington will 'excuse the zeal of the collector'.

10 items. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. All but the last in manuscript. ONE: 'Copy of Order on Call to the Bar', Lincoln's Inn, 'Dated Michas Term 1858.' 1p., 8vo. Signed at foot 'Ml Doyle | Steward.' Reads: 'At a Special Council there held the Sixteenth day of November, in the Twenty second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Victoria, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.

Seven items. The first two are ink stained but still entirely legible, otherwise the material is in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Carbon typescript (7pp., 8vo) headed 'Observations by Sir Richard Harington on the questions submitted to the Judges of County Courts and others by Sir J. G. Barnes' Committee.' Dated from Whitbourne Court, Worcester, 12 November 1908. Docketed by Harington: '1908 | County Courts | Observations by Sir Rd. H.' With a few minor autograph emendations. Giving detailed answers to four questions.

Three strips of paper, each with a single column of text in small print: 47 + 55 + 30 cm. Complete article, paginated to 3. The second strip has the running title 'National Guard - A Visit to Flanders - 2'. Aged and creased, and with a corner torn away from the third strip, resulting in loss of text to six lines and the running title, Two minor manuscript corrections.

23 items relating to the Severn Fishery Board. The collection is generally in good condition, but with a few items (One below for example) damaged and discoloured. The material derives from Sir Richard Harington (1835-1911) of Whitbourne Court, Worcestershire, an ex-officio member of the Severn Fishery Board. It mainly concerns his opposition to a 'Provisional Order asked for by the Worcestershire County Council, to deal with the Severn Fisheries and all Rivers & Waters within the area' (quoted from Four below). The following description is in fourteen parts.

10 + [1]pp., folio. On ten leaves of grey paper, attached at a corner with string. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded into a packet by Harington, and docketed by him: 'Squib in "The Times" by Sergeant Hayes afterwards Mr Justice Hayes | Prosecution of the War with Russia, & Liberty of the Press' The text, with marginal commentary, appears to be identical to that published in London in February 1855 by William Stevens, Printer, 37, Bell Yard, Temple Bar.

Six items, all but the last in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. A highly-entertaining snapshop of the seamier side of Victorian life, with the Metropolitan Police investigating after Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, 11th Baronet, (1835-1911) alleges a blackmail plot, following his receipt of a letter from Mrs Nellie Rowan (Item Two), in which she addresses him as 'Dick', refers to her 'Rubbing Care' and ends in ' Kisses XXXXXX'.

Nine 4to calendars of prisoners at six assizes and three quarter sessions at the following locations on the Oxford Circuit between 1891 and 1899: Gloucester (1), Hereford (1), Stafford (2), Worcester (5). Each of the nine is stapled and unbound. ONE: County of Hereford, Autumn Assizes, December 1891, [8]pp. TWO: County of Worcester and City of Worcester, and County of the same City, Winter Assizes, February 1895, [2] + 9pp. THREE: County of Stafford, Winter Assizes, March 1895, [2] + 13pp. FOUR: County of Stafford, Autumn Assizes, November 1895, [2] + 21pp.

Five items, the first four printed and the fifth an ALS. Four of them in good condition, with light signs of age; the fifth (Item Two below) somewhat aged and worn. An account of this abortive scheme – first proposed in 1758 – is to be found on pp.424-427 of Joseph Priestley's 'Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain' (1831). The scheme finally failed in 1832, when the bank of Sir George Duckett (see Item Five below) failed, and he became bankrupt. Only the Stort Navigation was completed. ONE: 'London and Cambridge Junction Canal.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. The text reads: '[...] dont think you are giving trouble - | Would you like me to secure you a smart little single handed boat - an ideal boat for sailing about the river with a lady? | Or is it not worth while from the point of view that your wife will not like you going on the water & taking her | Yours Ever | W. Scoresby Routledge'. From the papers of Sir Richard Harington (1861-1931) of Ridlington, 12th Baronet, who was at Christ Church, Oxford, with Routledge.