Literature

Irish-American writer of boys' stories (1818-1883). Two pages, 8vo, in a bold though smudged hand, text just legible. "My dear Mr Blackett / May I beg you will let me have one more copy of The Hero in spite of himself -- s[?] I only had two [underlined], and six [underlined] is the allowance usually given me. I have like all authors one or two friends who will not buy, and yet who expect to read my books."

Miscellaneous writer and inventor (1810-1889). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He asks for his authorial allowance of copies to be sent to his brother's at the Palace. He nominates other people he wants copies sent to, and adds "(The United States ought to take a few copies, as I have thousands of friends there, - & the 1/4 dollar reprints wont satisfy them: a good English book is a luxury well appreciated in the land of cottonpaper & indifferent print.)" He asks for a copy to be sent to Edward Walford of "The Times" - "possibly he may give it a [worldwide?] notice.

(See Boase, Adams b. 1775 d. 1862, confidential secretary to William Pitt [for whom Lady Hester Stanhope kept house for a time], May 1804-Feb.[Note] 1806). One page, 4.5 x 10", damaged and stained but text readable, most clear. As follows: "Lady Hester Stanhope has desired me to order the Morning Post [underlined] to be sent to her at Dawlish near Teignmouth Devonshire/ Have you done anything about the Port Folios[both words underlined] which I sent for some days ago?" Byfield appears in Brown's London Publishers.

Two pages, 7.5 x 4.5, page trimmed without obvious loss, spike-hole, text clear. "Instead of the Repository[underlined] of Arts[underlined] for November/ which is the Magazine which the Baroness Howe has taken from its first publication/ Mr Akerman [sic] has sent her a Magazine & a Bill for others of the same sort, which she has never had. She desires therefore that he will instead send her The Repository [underlined] of Arts [underlined] for November [underlined].

English poet and essayist. On the first slip: 'Winthrop M. Praed'; on the second: 'Southampton November Six | 1837'. Both slips are discoloured from pasting in autograph album.

Victorian novelist (Mrs Henry Reeves). Docketed 'Authoress of "Coming thro' the Rye"'. Signed 'Helen Reeves' and docketed 'nee Mathers'. Closing two lines of letter above signature, and on reverse five lines (referring to "the dreadful time of yours", partly covered by glued-on piece of paper. Creased and discoloured.

Sct.-Belg. writer (DNB) Perhaps divided in preparation for publication. The following scored through: 'My dear Sir | The above transaction (bien bizarre), I had viva voce from Mr Troyaux - perhaps you will think it worthy of a place in the Chronicle - | I rejoice to find from your friend Mr Thomas Hill [bookcollector, DNB] that you continue going on well & I hope you will be able to make your intended trip to the <...>'.

Victorian novelist and satirist of the Raj. 'Dear Madam | I regret that I shall be away from England all winter | Yours truly | F. A. Steel." Creased, disoloured and docketed in pencil. Writing offset by folding of letter.

Victorian writer and humorist. Difficult handwriting. 'My dear Sir/ | Will Monday be equally convenient to you? If no I shall be happy to see you either here or in town, as shall best suit your leisure.' Docketed with large underlined '2' in blue pencil, creased and discoloured. Blank second leaf damaged by removal from album, and with glue stains and remains of blue paper.

Note on front cover: "3rd draft-typed 3rd June 1986". Dramatised by Maggie Wadey, Rehearsal script, BBC2, director Giles Foster, 170pp, fol.

Author. 2pp., 8vo, sl. soiled. She responds to commenmts about her "Four Guineas" and how Nigeria has changed, discussing the effects of technology on employment and her pleasure in gardening.

Divine, novelist, philologist and theological writer (1831-1903). He will get very great pleasure from being present at the laying of the foundation stone "of your new school" [in Taunton}. He goes on to describe the progress Harrow has made in science education ("All these changes are signs of the time". "I shall be very glad to have the honour of being present at the extension of a school so distinguished for efforts in this direction . . .". In a postscript he wonders if guest participation in a porcession involves "academical dress".

Welsh actor, dramatist and theatre director (1905-1987). One page, 16mo. "I am afraid I am filming at the moment as well as playing in the theatre, and could not fit anything else in - I am so sorry."

Journalist and police magistrate (1818-1891). 2pp., 8vo. Statement of Account for contributions to the "Miscellany", countersigned by Know three times. "Wellesley" attributes the articles listed in these statements to John Hamilton Reynolds, Keats's friend.

English actor, playwright, songwriter (1856-1914). One page, 8vo. "Sir Maple is a handy man / And comfort round him spreads, / He furnishes on every plan / And also makes the beds." In bad condition, torn and holed by removal from mount, traces of which are glued to the reverse.

Ist American (trans), no dw, some bumping, sp. sl. sunned, contents good. INSCRIBED by the author: "To Countess Marion Giordani (?) Orsini with kindest regard Alfred Neumann Florence, 7.VI.35"

Dramatic author (so docketted). One page, 12mo. "On looking (as the young women say "promiscuously") over the list of your C. G. vice Presds. I do not perceive the name of my good friend the Duke of Beaufort - Has he never belonged to it? Or if not shall I ask him?" The reverse glued to the remains of the mount, with some slight loss (not affecting text) to one of the corners. Macready mentions Dance in his diary on a few occasions, without giving his first name in full.

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.

Miscellaneous writer and inventor ( (1810-1889). One page, 8vo. Text as follows: "O glorious sea of mountains in a storm,/ &c &c/ Martin F. Tupper:/ for the Revd James Newman's Church Bazaar./ 1858 Brecon."

Difficult handwriting. "Dear Sir | I wish <?> good government and Peace [last word underlined three times] | Faithfully Yours | Geo Manville Fenn"

"I will carefully consider the suggestion and if the need arise will communicate with you again. | Yours faithfully | Sidney Lee"

Grubby and stained envelope addressed to Williams with "With a bag." in top left-hand corner. "The proof of your remembrance of your kind promise to me reached me just as I was leaving London, for a few days in this region. | I place your volumes on the shelves of my humble library with real satisfaction: for I am very pleased to have such a Token of your approval of my enterprize, and of your willingness to cooperate in making it a success. I hope to open - without any "ceremony" - possibly even in this month". Before they begin work he will ask him to visit Rowton House again.

"I am laid up from the effects of an accidental blow on the leg." Is only writing to postpone the visit to 9 November.

The 1889 note: "Let me know whether you care to publish poetry - I can send you 3 stanzas". The other note: "I regret much that I am already engaged to dinner on Tuesday. If it were probable that yr party sat late into the night I would gladly join you in the coffee state of yr festivities". Two items,

"No Bye day!" He saw Charles Payne the day before. "It is freezing here with Arctic severity & I tremble for Friday and Saturday". Signed "J W Melville". Mounted on a piece of card.

He has heard that "a prospectus of the Company now being formed for the establishment of an English Opera Theatre in London has been sent to you at Thurloe Square", but he sends another with a few words. "I think that we have undertaken a good work: and I feel confident that, were the Company established, we should prosper." Needs to fill list of shareholders by 13 inst. Asks his correspondent to take a few shares "for the love of an art, which, if not your own, is akin to it".

The two pieces are attached on the reverse by gummed paper. The first is the head of the letter, giving place and date, and the second the conclusion, with Noyes' signature.

"Will you be so kind as to send me to this place, a dozen of the finest Champagne in the urse of the Morning? If you have any still Champagne I should prefer it provided it is of the best quality; but this, I fear is out of the question. Send the Bill with the Wine."

Asks whether he is able to dine with them on 6 July. Neat square stamp in purple ink at head filled in in another hand with details of when received and answered. Small paper and glue mark at centre of otherwise-blank reverse.

1809-1895, Scottish professor and man of letters (DNB). Two pages, 8vo, minor defects, text clear and complete. He sasy that he has been reading the fourth edition of "Tyndall's Address" and written some remarks whioch would make 6 or 7 pages of his correspondent's "Review" (Edinburgh? No mention in Wellesley 1). He wonders if his correspondent would like it.