MANCHESTER

The Chapel was erected in 1811 and still stands, albeit with unsympathetic internal alterations dating from the 1990s. Kelly's Directory of 1889 describes it thus: 'The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (situated in St. Peter's Street) is a handsome building, with portico, erected in 1811, and provides accommodation for 960 persons. Ministers are elected at the Annual Wesleyan Conference.' 2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with two postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, 'To J. Fernley | Manchester | Care of the Rev. J.: Rigg, | Wesleyan Minister, | Oldham St. | Manchester'.

For the background to this letter see William Otto Henderson, 'The Lancashire Cotton Famine 1861-65' (1934) and Angela V. John, 'By the Sweat of their Brow' (2013). Between 14 April and 16 October 1862 Whittaker published a dozen letters on the 'Lancashire Distress' in the London Times, under the pseudonym of 'A Lancashire Lad'. Edwin Waugh, in his 'Home Life of the Lancashire Factory Folk During the Cotton Famine' (1867), describes Whittaker as 'one of the first writers whose appeals through the press drew serious attention to the great distress in Lancashire during the Cotton Famine.

See S. Taylor and J. Holder, 'Manchester's Northern Quarter' (English Heritage, 2008), which refers to 'the construction in 1781 of a Methodist Chapel, in a grand Georgian-Gothic style on Oldham Street, which replaced the earlier chapel on Birchin Lane'. This is said by Taylor and Holder to have been replaced, 1855-1856, by the Methodist Central Hall, which still stands. The dramatic changes being proposed in the present collection would appear to have been contemplated in the face of a new and large working class congregation.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with light staining to the signature. He thanks the unnamed recipient for his 'programme of Lectures' and states that he will not 'want a Lanthern, [sic][ but I shall want a good Supply of gas to the table'. (Dixon was an authority on the explosion of gases.) He asks the size of 'the Exchange Hall', as he wants 'to adjust exp[erimen]ts. to the size of hall'. Dixon played football for Oxford University in the FA Cup Final in 1873.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Docketed crosswise across the valediction, including the signature, but not in an overly-obtrusive fashion. An interesting letter, casting light on the franking system and fraud within the pre-Hill Post Office.

[Title continued] for the support of the Sunday Schools of Children of all denominations," 8pp., inc. title, 16mo, sewn, no wraps or binding, text complete, but pp.[1] and eight grubby. several closed tears, some chipping, overall poor condition. Some information added to p.[2] - lessons and other points of order, and the name "Mrs Swallow No 2 New Market Lane" perhaps the original possessor of the item. No other copy traced.

A useful background guide is Geoffrey Russell Searle's 'Country before Party: Coalition and the Idea of "National Government' in Modern Britain, 1885-1987' (London, 1995). As the manuscripts in this collection indicate, Cuming Walters cherished the idea of a national party from the 1890s, and he was able to re-use material from that period on the formation of the National Party in 1920 (not to be confused with the party of the same name, a pamphlet relating to which is present, dating from 1917).

The collection in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: ANS ('J. A. Simon'). 17 January 1908. 1p., 12mo. From 4 Brick Court, Temple. Giving notice that he is that day 'applying to the Lord Chancellor for silk'. Accompanied by an undated Autograph Memorandum by Frederick Allan Wilshire (1868-1944), Recorder of Bridgwater, stating that it is 'of particular interest. When a Barrister applies for silk he has to write a similar letter to this to all members of the circuit who are his senior. | Simon recommended me to the King for the Recordership of Bridgwater. | F. A. W.' TWO: ALS ('J. A.

The printed volume is 64pp., 12mo. Bound by Townsend in patterned brown cloth, with the title 'The Fighting Cherub.' in gilt on front cover. In good condition, on browned newspaper stock, in lightly-worn binding. The story, in twenty-seven chapters, is printed in small print, in double column, with a drophead title and no illustrations. Townsend has written his address on the front pastedown: '4 Norman's Place. | Altrincham. | Via. Manchester.' Laid down across the pastedowns is a 12mo piece of paper, on which Townsend gives publication details, headed 'To Messrs Publishers' Agents. Ltd.

The card is 1p., 12mo., sending the 'Third book of proposed Series'. He hopes to 'call to collect agreed £1 on the date arranged', but if this is not possible asks for it to be sent to John Farquharson. The printed volume is 64pp., 12mo. Bound by Townsend in patterned brown cloth, with the title 'One-Punch Chris?' in gilt on front cover. In good condition, on browned newspaper stock, in lightly-worn binding. The story, by 'Eric W. Townsend', in thirty-four chapters, is printed in small print, in double column, with a drophead title and illustration of boxing scene above text on front page.

The ten letters total 4pp., landscape 8vo, and 6pp., 4to. The collection in good condition, lightly aged and worn. With stamps and annotations of the Royal Society of Arts. The correspondence relates to a lecture given by him by invitation, and its subsequent publication in the Society's journal. He originally suggests that it be titled 'The Application of Science to economic purposes, with illustrations from the Cotton Trade', thinking that it would 'attract people outside cotton circles', but is persuaded to alter this to 'Examples of Applied Science in the Cotton Industry'.

[14]pp., 8vo, disbound (spine rough, indicating removal from a volume), titlepage (p.[1]) and final page [p.[14]) grubby, top inch removed (ensuring p.[3] top grubby also, small embossed stamp of Wigan Public Libraries titlepage; with "With the author's compliments" and "Duplicate" written at top, minor correction to preface (authorial?). The Sermon was preached at St Alban's, Cheetwood, Manchester re. Preface. No other copy traced.

21pp., 8vo. On title-page: 'This Lecture, the substance of which forms part of an unpublished work, is reprinted for the Married Women's Property Committee, with the permission of the author.' In good condition, lightly-aged, no wraps, disbound. Two addresses written in pencil on reverse of last leaf, and a name in ink.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. He is sending 'the two accounts or whatever you like to call them for the Manchester Mail Coach in 1805', but 'cannot make out exactly what they are beyond being a monthly return of the takings and division of profits of the running of the Machester to Derby Coach for August 1805'.

Both items 1p., 12mo. Both complete, on aged and worn newspaper stock. ONE: 'Leaflet No.5 | Three Years of War.' Quoting from a speech by Lloyd George in the House of Commons, 16 August 1917, and from the Manchester Guardian, 4 August 1917. Illustration in top left-hand corner of distraught woman having received a letter informing her of her loved one's death, titled 'CASUALTIES'. TWO: 'Leaflet No.6. | A People's Peace'. At foot, beneath slug: 'Written by Ethel Snowden, 39 Woodstock Road, Golders Green, N.W.4.' Headed 'Passed by the Press Bureau, December 2nd. No. 00096'.

8pp., 8vo. Stapled. In fair condition, on aged and worn newspaper stock. Portrait of Roberts on front cover. Headings: 'Demobilisation', 'The State and Industrial Councils', 'The Outlook for British Trade after the War', 'The Need for Better Organisation', 'The Interest of Labour in Industrial Problems', 'Reform, not Revolution', 'The Outlook of Industry and a Living Wage', 'Industry and the Common Ground', 'A New Spirit of Industry'. No copy in the British Library, and the only copies on COPAC at the Imperial War Museum and Leeds.

Three pages, 8vo, sl. crumpled but text clear and complete, though something of a scrawl. He apologises for hasty writing, and asks of "the Exhibition at Manchester [Art Treasures Exhibition?] is open or to be seen on Sundays [Underlined]. The D[uc] de Richelieu is going to Scotland & can only go there on Sunday. To save time perhaps you would be so good as to answer him yes [underlined] or no [underlined][.] [H]e knows English thouroughly well". He gives the full Holland House address for where the Duc is staying.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The letter begins: 'As cheapness seems the chief topic at present, I send you 'something cheap' which I trust may suit the Gazette.' He asks, 'when any verse of mine appears in the Gazette', for a stamped copy.. He has 'many friends, connected with the Local press, who would quote & thus be serviceable to you'. In a postscript he tells Jerdan: 'You must please yourself about "Something Cheap" it is out of my usual way, written off hand: and I may have missed my mark.'

The full title reads: 'The Spirit of the Doctor; comprising Many Interesting Poems; selected from the original manuscript of the Late Mr. James Watson, Formerly Librarian of the Portico, in Manchester; and commonly called Doctor Watson. [Four-line quotation in Latin from Terence.] To which is prefixed A Lithographic Portrait of the Doctor; with a short memoir of his life: And various Anecdotes relative to Him - After, and to which are subjoined The Humors of Trim, [Two-line quotation from Sterne].;151pp [xxxvi + 51 + 64]., 8vo. Lithographic portrait of author as frontispiece.

14pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. Poem of seventy five-line stanzas, arranged in four parts.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. Drophead title. The three letters are titled 'The Pillars of the State', 'The Common Kennel' and 'Priest and Samaritan'. A final piece, titled 'The Bishop of Manchester as a Socialist' is subtitled 'Reprinted from the "Clarion," of November 4th, 1893.' Scarce.

31pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. On aged and discoloured paper. Begins: 'Certain of the propagandists of Socialism teach their disciples that the economic condition of the industrial classes would be no whit improved by the total abandonment on their part of harmful drinking and other wasteful practices, inasmuch as the money thereby saved would, by the operation of an "iron law," inevitably be deducted from wages or added to rent. Is this sound doctrine? Let us see.' Scarce: no copy in the British Library.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on reverse to 'Mr. Everett | Market Street | Manchester'. Brailsford has been 'desired by the Missionary committee connected with this place to write you & earnestly to request the favour of yr. Services at their approaching Anniversary which is fixed for Monday Oct. 22nd. by preaching a preparatory Sermon on the Sunday eveng. Oct 21.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. Addressed to 'Mr Cornish | 33, Piccadilly | Manchester'. The letter begins: 'Mr. Ormerod has received Mr Cornish's enquiry whether Mr O. has "any Io [i.e. folio] Paper Hist: of Cheshire for sale.' He replies that he 'has now only two Io Paper copies of Hist: Cheshire One is extensively illustrated and bound in ten Volumes in Morocco - This, of course, cannot be parted with.' Ormerod would part with the other set 'for £100, (one Hundred pounds) Cash - not less'.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He begins by noting that they have not corresponded for a while, and that he has 'been abroad most of my time for several years'. He is sending him 'a set of advance sheets of a little book I am to publish with Cassells at the end of September' ('Recollections of Rossetti'), 'because I have a very grateful memory of all the kind, appreciative and very able articles which you have written about other books of mine'.

1p., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly-aged. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr. Cathrall | Times Office | Manchester'. In reply to a letter 'requesting from me "an account of the origin and progress of the Manchester Agricultural Society"', he states that 'any information I possess is quite at Mr. Everett's service'. He suggests two times when Everett can call on him, and he will 'endeavour to promote his views in any way in my power'.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. Her engagements will keep her in Scotland for three weeks, after which she intends to 'return direct to London'. Sheffield is too far out of her way, and would 'prove tiresome & expensive'. Should she visit Manchester 'at Easter or Whitsuntide' she would have no objection to performing in Sheffield for a couple of nights.

158pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. With manuscript emendations (possibly in the hand of Judith Spearman, stage manager) throughout, including deletions and a few short additional passages, as well as stage directions. Makeshift thumb index at head. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear, bound with pink ribbon into buff card covers. Typed label on front cover, together with 'Judith Spearman' and 'Effects' in pencil.

One page, sl. chipped and stained, texxt clear and complete. "Mr. Roby presents his best respects to Dr. Chenie, & requests him to permit Drinan and Rolan to spend to-morrow & Monday in Manchester. | They might go to St Clements with Mr. Cjhaplin to-morrow forenoon, & then dine 7c with us. | Our quarterly meting in Grosvenor Street [words deleted] as a Branch of the Missionary Society & County Union, is to be held on Monday evening; & if Dr. & Mrs.

1p., 12mo. A frail survival, creased and aged. Begins: 'The MANCHESTER TIMES has now been in the hands of the present Proprietor for twelve months, [Paulton had bought out Prentice in 1847] during which period its increase in circulation has been unprecedented. | At the commencement of the present year the Proprietor of the MANCHESTER TIMES announced that its circulation, during the previous half-year, had ranged from | 3,000 to 4,800. | He then expressed his strong conviction, that in SIX MONTHS from that time the maximum would become the average circulation.