PROVOST

[Lord Hugh Cecil [Hugh Richard Heathcote Gascoyne-Cecil, 1st Baron Quickswood], British Conservative politician.] Typed Letter Signed to ‘Mr. Provost’ [W. D. Ross, Provost of Oriel], sending a memorandum on ‘the recent crisis in Foreign Affairs’.

Author: 
Lord Hugh Cecil [Hugh Richard Heathcote Gascoyne-Cecil (1869-1956), 1st Baron Quickswood], Conservative politician, Provost of Eton [Sir David Ross, Provost of Oriel, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford]
Publication details: 
21 December 1935. On letterhead of Hatfield House, Hatfield, Herts.
£45.00

Cecil, who was the best man at Churchill’s wedding, was regarded as the finest orator of his generation. See his entry, and that of Ross, in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘Dear Mr Provost’ and signed ‘Hugh Cecil’. He apologises for the late reply, but has ‘been ill and until yesterday was strictly confined to my room here’. He has received too many letters to be able to reply to each. ‘I therefore venture to enclose to you a brief Memorandum which I have drawn up dealing with the recent crisis in Foreign Affairs’.

[Sir Edward Grey [Viscount Grey of Fallodon], Foreign Secretary during First World War.] Autograph Letter Signed to the ?Provost? [of Oriel College, Oxford, Sir David Ross], regarding what is probably not ?a matter for the head of a College'.

Author: 
Sir Edward Grey [Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon] (1862-1933), Liberal Party politician, Foreign Secretary for much of the First World War [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross] (1877-1971)]
Publication details: 
30 November 1922; on letterhead of Fallodon, Christon Bank, Northumberland.
£45.00

See the entries for Grey and Ross in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Reads: ?My dear Provost / Probably you will not think that the enclosed requires any answer or that it is a matter for the head of a College but as it concerns a member of Oriel I send it on to you / Yours very truly / Grey of Fallodon.?

[Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury during the Abdication Crisis.] Typed Letter Signed ('Cosmo Cantuar:') to the Provost of Oriel [Sir David Ross], regarding his nomination of ‘Mr. Randall Cooper’ as a British Museum Assistant Cataloguer..

Author: 
Cosmo Lang [William Cosmo Gordon Lang, 1st Baron Lang of Lambeth] (1864-1945), Archbishop of Canterbury during the Abdication Crisis [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross] (1877-1971), Scottish philosopher']
Cosmo Lang,
Publication details: 
22 November 1933; on letterhead of Lambeth Palace, S.E.1. [London]
£45.00
Cosmo Lang,

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice for postage. Addressed to 'The Provost of Oriel' and with sprawling signature 'Yours vy trly / Cosmo Cantuar:'. Reads: 'Dear Provost, / I have received your letter of November 20th about Mr. Randall Cooper. I am sorry to say that your letter came too late for the appointment of the first batch of Assistant Cataloguers. They have now been appointed but I am informed that there may be further appointments in the Spring.

[Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury during the Abdication Crisis.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lang of Lambeth / Abp.') to the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford [Sir David Ross],

Author: 
Cosmo Lang [William Cosmo Gordon Lang, 1st Baron Lang of Lambeth] (1864-1945), Archbishop of Canterbury during the Abdication Crisis [Sir David Ross [W. D. Ross] (1877-1971); Lord David Cecil]
Publication details: 
18 March 1944; on embossed letterhead of The King's Cottage, Kew Green, Richmond, Surrey.
£45.00

See the entries for Lang and Ross in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo, on light-grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded once for postage. Begins 'Dear Vice Chancellor. / Some time ago I proposed Sir David Cecil for election to the Athenaeum. His name has produced a remarkable number of supporters, but no one has been put down as seconder to my proposal.' He asks Ross to second Cecil's nomination, before writing a sentence which is hard to decipher. He concludes by suggesting that he inform the club secretary accordingly, if Ross is willing.

[Augustus Austen Leigh, Provost of King’s College, Cambridge.] Autograph Signature and valediction cut from letter, with fragment of testimonial to unnamed individual.

Author: 
Augustus Austen Leigh (1840-1905), Provost of King’s College, Cambridge, and President of Cambridge University Cricket Club
Publication details: 
Without date [but 1889 or after] or place [Cambridge?]
£25.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is a valediction cut from a letter, clearly provided for an autograph hunter. On small rectangle of paper. Neatly written and in good condition. Reads: ‘A Austen Leigh / Provost of King’s / College, Cambridge / July 13, 1890’. Text on reverse (part of testimonial) reads: ‘[...] degree in 1889, being placed in the first division of the Second class of the Classical Tripos. He has always borne a high character; and his abilities, morals & manners [...]’.

[John Richard Magrath, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed (‘J R Magrath | Vice Chancellor’) to Henry Jenner of the British Museum, reporting on the results of his assistance regarding the extension of the Bodleian.

Author: 
J. R. Magrath [John Richard Magrath] (1839-1930), Provost of the Queen’s College, Oxford, 1878-1930; Vice-Chancellor of the University, 1894-98 [Henry Jenner (1848-1934), British Museum librarian]
Publication details: 
9 November 1896; on letterhead of Queen’s College, Oxford.
£80.00

See the entries for writer and recipient in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, folded once. In envelope (with Oxford crest on flap), with stamp and two postmarks, addressed by Magrath to ‘Henry Jenner Esq / British Museum / London E.C.’ From ‘a communication I have received from Madan’ (Falconer Madan, Bodley’s Librarian) he gathers that Jenner ‘would be interested to know the results of the kind assistance you gave a Committee of the Hebdomadal Council in May in the matter of the extension of the Bodleian Library’.

[Oxford University Act 1854.] Autograph Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, headed 'Oaths imposed by College Statutes and Declarations against change in Statutes'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Edward Hawkins, Provost of Oriel College]
Publication details: 
[Oxford University'At a meeting of the Commission Committee held on March 5. 1853.'
£220.00

In 1850 Lord John Russell had set up a Royal Commission to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'. The Law Magazine, in its issue of August-November 1852, praised the Commission's report as 'most valuable' and 'meritorious', noting among the obstacles to its completion 'the resolute and dogged refusal of information on the part of many, intimately connected with the University', including Harington's college Brasenose. The Spectator discussed the report on 29 May 1852, and reproduced all 47 recommendations on 5 June 1852.

[Oxford University Act 1854.] Autograph Memorandum by Rev. Dr Richard Harington, Principal of Brasenose College, headed 'Oaths imposed by College Statutes and Declarations against change in Statutes'.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Richard Harington (1800-1853), Principal of Brasenose College, Oxford [Oxford University Act 1854; Report of Royal Commission, 1852; Edward Hawkins, Provost of Oriel College]
Publication details: 
[Oxford University'At a meeting of the Commission Committee held on March 5. 1853.'
£220.00

In 1850 Lord John Russell had set up a Royal Commission to enquire 'Into the State, Discipline, Studies, and Revenues of the University and Colleges of Oxford'. The Law Magazine, in its issue of August-November 1852, praised the Commission's report as 'most valuable' and 'meritorious', noting among the obstacles to its completion 'the resolute and dogged refusal of information on the part of many, intimately connected with the University', including Harington's college Brasenose. The Spectator discussed the report on 29 May 1852, and reproduced all 47 recommendations on 5 June 1852.

[Edward Copleston, Bishop of Llandaff and Provost of Oriel College and Professor of Poetry, Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. Copleston') laying out the conditions under which he will subscribe to a publication.

Author: 
Edward Copleston (1776-1849), Bishop of Llandaff, Provost of Oriel College, Professor of Poetry, Oxford, Political Economist
Publication details: 
11 March 1821. Oriel College [Oxford].
£85.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper with one corner torn away (without any loss of text). Folded three times. The recipient is not named. The letter begins: 'Sir | Your letter enclosing a prospectus of your proposed work has just reached me. I beg you will excuse me for not entering into a discussion of the subject, which is a rule I have found it necessary, under my engagements, to make.

[Humphrey Lloyd, Irish physicist, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H Lloyd') to Alfred Fox, regarding his 'paper on Magnetical Observations' and Fox's brother's 'instrument', i.e. Robert Were Fox's magnetic dip compass.

Author: 
Humphrey Lloyd (1800-1881), Irish physicist, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin [Robert Were Fox the Younger (1789-1877), geologist, inventor of the magnetic dip compass]
Publication details: 
Trinity College Dublin. 24 March 1835.
£220.00

The recipient was a brother of the geologist and inventor Robert Were Fox the Younger (1789-1877), whose magnetic dip compass, constructed in the previous year, is the 'instrument' referred to at the end of the letter. (Fox's compass was used by Sir James Clark Ross on his Antarctic expedition, and was later used to discover the position of the South magnetic pole.) 1p, 4to. In fair condition, aged and creased, with traces of paper mount adhering to one edge, and repair to a closed tear with archival tape. Several folds.

[ James John Hornby, Headmaster of Eton College. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. J. Hornby') to Sir Richard Harington regarding the portrait just done of him [ by John Collier ].

Author: 
J. J. Hornby [ James John Hornby ] (1826-1909), Headmaster of Eton College, 1868-1884 [ John Collier (1850-1934), painter ] [ Sir Richard Harington, 11th Baronet (1835-1911) ]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Lodge, Eton College. 10 December 1897.
£50.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged. The letter concerns a portrait of Hornby described in Lionel Cust's 'Eton College Portraits' (1909, dedicated to Hornby's memory), as being '56 x 45 inches. Painted by the Hon. John COLLIER, 1897. […] Seated figure to the knees, facing the spectator; in black gown and D.D. Hood. | Presented to the College by Old Etonians. (Provost’s Dining Room.)' Responding to Harington's congratulations, Hornby writes that it is 'a great pleasure to have such kind words from an old friend'.

[ Edmond Warre, Head Master of Eton College. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'My dear Hugh' (a former pupil?), sending 'the usual Certificate', discussing his father's ill health, and with mention of 'Cyril' and the Hampton Court Tapestry.

Author: 
Edmond Warre (1837-1920), successively Provost and Head Master of Eton College, and outstanding rower
Publication details: 
Eton (on his monogrammed letterhead); 8 October 1882.
£60.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. He is sending 'the usual Certificate', and is sorry to hear of the recipient's father's accident. 'How did he do it? I hope he will have no ill effects from it.' He asks to be remembered to his mother. 'Cyril is staying out with a Cold to day but not much the matter.' He concludes: 'I hope you will get through the Exam all right at Balliol. Come & see us on yr way down'. A postscript refers to 'the Hampton Court Tapestry "The Fates" 3 pieces', and ends with a Latin quotation.

[ Book; theological poem etc ] Poems

Author: 
Dr Roberts of Eton College [ William Hayward Roberts, Provost of Eton College ]
Publication details: 
London: J. Wilkie, T. Payne, W. Frederic (Bath) J. Woodyer (Cambridge), J. Pote (Eton)
£165.00

7, [1], 163, [1] p. ; 19 cm. (8°), orig. lea. bds, corners bumped, some wear and tear, rebacked, spine with raised bands, "Poems by Dr. Roberts" gt on black, edges of eps stained, contents good. Final page with advt for Roberts' "Judah Restored". ESTC citation number: T100111

[ William Chambers, publisher and editor. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Chambers') to unnamed individual, asking for information regarding a 'Polish periodical'.

Author: 
William Chambers (1800-1883) of Glenormiston, Scottish publisher and editor, and Lord Provost of Edinburgh [ W. & R. Chambers ]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh. 7 February 1843.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with a couple of short closed tears along fold lines at foot. He is 'interested in the Polish periodical', and hopes to notice it in the magazine, and asks for information regarding six numbered points. 'If to the above could be added a translation of "A Scottish House" I think I could make an interesting article on the work.' He offers to 'give the use of any of our cuts with much pleasure'.

[Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott, headmaster of Eton.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C A Elliott') to J. J. S. Driberg, discussing his son J. H. Driberg's 'Poems', inserted in a copy of the book, inscribed by the author to his mother.

Author: 
Sir Claude Aurelius Elliott (1888-1973), headmaster of Eton; Jack Herbert Driberg (1888-1946), Lecturer in Anthropology, Cambridge University, 1934-42 and brother of Labour MP Tom Driberg (1905-1976)
Publication details: 
Elliott's letter on letterhead of Fernwood, Wimbledon Park, London SW; 17 September [no year]. Driberg's book: London: Frank H. Morland, 16 Park Mansions, Fulham, S.W. 1908.
£220.00

ONE (Elliott's letter): 3pp., 12mo. 34 lines. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper, loosely attached to the title-leaf of the book by a small piece of gummed paper. The letter begins: 'My dear Driberg | I ought to have acknowledged your letter sooner, but I only received it on my return from abroad, and since then I have been busy struggling with the arears which always accrue during absence.' He thanks him for sending his 'son's little volume', which he has read 'with much interest & congratulate him on the neat & modest appearance he has made in print'.

[R. A. Austen-Leigh.] ALS and TLS to P. C. Vellacott, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, regarding historical queries; TLS from Austen-Leigh to C. H. K. Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton, with Marten's ALS reply on reverse. With draft of Vellacott letter

Author: 
R. A. Austen-Leigh [Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh] (1872-1961), Jane Austen scholar and relative [P. C. Vellacott, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge; Sir Henry Marten (1872-1948), Provost of Eton College]
Publication details: 
One (ALS to Vellacott): As from D2 Albany, Piccadilly W1. 3 May 1942. Two (TLS to Vellacott): on letterhead of 1 New-street Square, London, EC4. 10 June 1942. Three (TLS to Marten): same as Two. Four (Marten to Austen-Leigh): Eton. 11 August 1942.
£120.00

Austen-Leigh's three letters are all signed 'R A Austen Leigh'. ONE: ALS to Vellacott. 3 May 1942; 'as from | D2 Albany | Piccadilly W.1'. 2pp., 12mo. He asks if Vellacott can 'enlighten me on the following point - I am editing some letters of Dr. Goodall, who was Provost of Eton 1809 to 1840. There follows a sixteen-line transcript of a letter written in May 1838 from Goodall to his brother, regarding which he writes: 'Who would Mr.

Typed Letter Signed ('B. H. Streeter') from the biblical scholar Burnett Hillman Streeter of Queen's College, Oxford, to 'Dear Major', responding at great length to criticisms of a book ('Foundations'?), discussing schism and the union of churches.

Author: 
B. H. Streeter [Burnett Hillman Streeter] (1874-1937), Provost of Queen's College, Oxford, and biblical scholar
Publication details: 
Queen's College, Oxford. 3 May 1917.
£220.00

4pp., 4to. Good, on lightly aged and worn paper. With numerous autograph emendations. A significant letter, in which Streeter carefully expounds his position on schism and the union of churches. Streeter divides his response into three numbered sections, the last of which is subdivided into three more. The first section discusses the question of whether the fact that the Church of England 'only allows Episcopally ordained persons to minister the sacraments' is only 'a matter of discipline and Church order'.

Ornate engraved invitation from the Lord Provost and Corporation of the City of Glasgow to 'Mr. & Miss Munro-Fraser', inviting them to 'a Highland Reception to meet the Members of An Comunn Gaidhealach' in the City Chambers on 30 October 1907.

Author: 
[The Lord Provost and Corporation of the City of Glasgow; An Comunn Gàidhealach, the oldest Gaelic Language organisation, founded in Oban in 1891; Marjory Kennedy-Fraser ( 1857-1930)]
Publication details: 
City Chambers, Glasgow, October 1907.
£28.00

Printed in grey half-tone on one side of a piece of 13 x 20.5 card. In fair condition: aged and a little grubby. With Gaelic-style lettering and design, with vignette engraving of Bishop's Castle in top right-hand corner. The words 'Mr & Miss Munro-Fraser' neatly added in manuscript. From the papers of the Hebridean folklorist Marjory Kennedy-Fraser and her daughter Patuffa.

Autograph Letter Signed by Talbot ('C <?> Talbot') to Hawtrey on Gladstone's behalf.

Author: 
C. Talbot, senior clerk [William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), Liberal Prime Minister; Edward Craven Hawtrey (1789-1862), Provost of Eton College]
Publication details: 
30 May 1854; Great George Street [Westminster].
£38.00

12mo, 2 pp, 20 lines. Bifolium with mourning border. Text clear and entire, on lightly aged paper with a few stains. He is enclosing 'Mr. Gladstone's answer on the subject of the inscriptions [not present]' which he asks to be returned to him. 'I had no opportunity of submitting it to him till Sunday last, and as you see I lose no time in passing on his answer to you [...] I drew his attention specially to the question of the two languages as you desired me to do'. Asks to be remembered to 'Miss Hawtrey'.

Autograph Letter Signed to the Provost of Eton [Edward Craven Hawtrey (1789-1862)].

Author: 
Samuel Wilberforce, successively Bishop of Oxford and of Winchester
Publication details: 
30 May 1854; 26 Pall Mall.
£30.00

Darwin and Huxley's 'soapy Sam' (1805-73). 2 pages, 16mo. In poor condition: damp, creased and with some decay at head, though none of this affecting text. 'I hope youo do not think that I have been remiss in not replying to your last kind letter otherwise than by telling Mr Davenport to attend to you. The truth is I have been intolerably occupied. I believe I shall have Randall with me. I hope you may have asked Dr Phillimore - & I hope that the surrounding Clergy have been invited to attend on Thursday.' Signed 'S Oxon:'.

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