Autograph Copy Letter Signed to Messrs C. Kegan Paul & Co, Publishers.

Hubert Smith was a man of many parts: local historian, town clerk of Bridgnorth, Shropshire; author of a book which combines a mountaineering interest with a gipsy interest ("Tent Life with English Gipsies in Norway"); linguist; etc. He was also a passionate pursuer of information about the Guitar and guitar music at a time when the instrument was not popular. [Smith kept autograph copies of all his correspondence.] Letter , 3 pages, 8vo, soiled but clear and complete. He thanks them for the latest payment of royalties on "Tent Life". He has been away from home for two years but hopes to send the manuscript [unidentified] he mentioned soon. He asks about the blocks for "Tent Life". He goes on: "Frederic Pollock, Esq . . . is the Honorary Librarian of the Alpine Club. I have written to say that I will present a copy of 'Tent Life' to the Club for the use of the Library." He asks them to send a copy to them. He explains why no copy has been sent before (presentation books lost by "want of attention"). "A new Catalogue has now been made . . . with the works already to hand will form an excellent nucleus for a most entertaining Library of Travels and Alpine Adventure." He concludes with discussion of something else he has written. WITH: printed offprint of a paragraph from the "Bridgnorth Journal", 13 Feb. 1875, announcing a Gold Medal from the King of Norway and Sweden for Smith for "Tent Life", one page, 8vo, soiled but text complete and clear.