Autograph Manuscript Signed ('John Bowring') from Jeremy Bentham's literary executor Sir John Bowring to Professor James Pillans of Edinburgh University, asking him to assist 'M Mallar', who is reporting on 'the state of education in Scotland'.

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub to reverse. His friend 'M Mallar' has come to Great Britain, 'recommended by the French government for the official purpose of looking into the state of education in Scotland'. Bowring thinks that Pillans is 'so honourably connected' with the subject that he might permit an introduction, '& to solicit for him your aid of council to enable him satisfactorily and usefully to report.' It would 'delight' Bowring 'much to resume intercourse' with Pillans: 'to see you here or at Edinbro' again - but I am of late dragged into a new field [the editing of the works of Bentham, who had died the previous year] & these pleasant Scotch visits are, I fear, to exist only in memory'. On the reverse is a note "Bowring the Poet | Sent me by Professor Pillans - | WBS" to which is added a pencilled note identifying WBS asthe "Rev. W.B. Sprague of Albany, one of the earliest of American Autograph Collectors".