MELVILLE

See the two men’s entries in the Oxford DNB. In good condition, lightly-aged, with small triangle cut away from letter in opening red wax seal, of which minor traces remain. Folded and addressed in the customary manner. Franked to ‘Right Honble / Robert S: Dundas &c &c &c / Downing Street / Montrose’, sent from ‘Grosvr: Sq: 5th Jan 1809’ and signed ‘Montrose’. Begins, without salutation: ‘I wish you would look to this act, as it appears to require attention.

1p., 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir, | Will you please give me an appointment on Thursday next when I am in town? | Faithfully yours, | Lewis Melville'.

1p., 12mo. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged. He writes to enquire whether the recipient 'can undertake the publication of the novel I submitted to you – In the World of Mimes – as I am leaving town at the end of the week', and he hopes to 'settle the matter one way or the other (preferably one way & not the other)' before he leaves. 'In the World of Mimes' was published in London by Greening & Co. in 1902.

1p., 16mo. In fair condition, aged and with bands of glue at head and tail on reverse. He thanks her for her note, but he cannot join her party. 'I wish I could!' Postscript: 'I hope you are quite well again!'

1p., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed on reverse of second leaf: 'Lord Frs. Lewson [sic] Gower | 30. Mar: 1830 | Vice Admiral for the Province of Munster'. Headed 'Private'. He was unable to answer Melville's letter 'without previous communication with the Ld Lieutt'. In response to Melville's 'question whether there is any Peer in the Province of Munster to whom it would be proper to offer the vacant Vice Admiralty jurisdiction, I have now to communicate the Ld Lieuts opinion, in which Mr Peel concurs, that it would be admirable to offer it to Ld Donoughmore'.

The eight range in size from 14 x 10 cm to 11.5 x 10 cm. Most are heavily faded, almost to the point of indistinguishableness, but presumably recoverable using modern computer techniques. Each is stamped on the front 'PROOF TO BE RETURNED TO LAFAYETTE, LONDON'. Each with pencil note on the back identifying the sitter as 'Mrs. Harrington', with reference number and date in October 1905. From the papers of Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, the sitter being identified by reference from other material therein.

3pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged, on two leaves each neatly cut out of a windowpane mount. Headed 'Private'. Docketted by the recipient: 'Resp[ectin]g. the fitting up a part of the Old Palace at Linlithgow for the County Meeting'. He describes the applications he has made to the Lords of the Treasury and the Prince Regent, and a correspondence between the Keeper of the Palace and the Secretary of State. 'Your Lordship is aware that the Building is a complete Ruin; & of no use whatever, it its present state to any one [...]'.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'D. of Portland'. The date '93' has been added in a contemporary hand beside 'July 28'. Knowing Portland, he feels that 'Dr Campbells Interests cannot be safer' than in his hands. He is transmitting a letter of resignation, to be used whenever Portland thinks proper.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Text complete, on aged paper with a number of closed tears repaired with archival tape. The second leaf of the bifolium, lacking a strip at the top, is docketed 'Dr. Morris of Parliament Street's Success in curing Persons afflicted with Complaints similar to that which His Majesty labours under'. Considering the political content at the end of the letter, the author is probably Charles Hamilton, at the time of writing known by his courtesy title of Lord Binning.

Card, c.11 x 7cm, [RECTO] date "Ist Novr 1807" in manuscript as are the figures in acolumn after categorisation as follows: "Redeemed by Annual Million &c [£] 66.968.173 | Do.[corrected in ms. to] on acct of Loans 61.622.815 | Do. by Land Tax 22.942.813 | Do. by £1. pr. Ct. pr. Ann . on Imp. Loan 814.723 | Total £ 152.340.529 | The sum to be expended in the ensuing Quarter is £2.529.224.155. [VERSO] [Manuscript] The Rt Honble Lord Melville". It appears that Melville and, presumably, others, received monthly notice of the size of the National Debt and other figures.

Three pages. On vellum bifolium made from skin roughly fourteen inches by twenty wide. Three official stamps. Signed twice by 'Jas M Melville', Writer to the Signet, and his partner James Lindesay ('Jas. Lindesay'), and witnessed by their clerk William Bett ('W. Bett').

12mo, 1 p. 7 lines of closely-written text. Clear and complete. On aged and slightly-grubby paper. He has received their letter regarding his 'Life of Thackeray', and appreciates 'the reason for your delay in deciding whether or no to issue a cheap edition. Undoubtedly the inclusion of my book in a series would benefit us both, & I hope Mr Lee may be able to make me an offer.'

Statesman (1771-1851); First Lord of the Admiralty, 1812-27, after whom Melville Sound was named. Three pages, quarto. Very good if a tad grubby.

Scottish advocate and statesman (1742-1811). One page, quarto. Bifoliate on good laid paper watermarked 1798. Grubby and somewhat ruckled, and with small printed notice neatly pasted in bottom right-hand corner. 'My Dear Sir | I have your letter, and should be glad to see you before you see Lord Liverpool or any other Person. Will you dine with me tomorrow. | Yours sincerely | Henry Dundas'.