Autograph Letter Signed ('F. Storr') to Rev. E. J. Shepherd of Luddesdown, containing a reference to Thomas Hardy.

12mo, 3 pp. Bifolium. Thirty-two lines. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, apart from the tearing away of the single-word answer to 'a very old riddle' in ancient Greek from Sir Thomas Browne, resulting in the loss of a few words of text from the reverse. Begins by thanking Shepherd for the unnecessary return of 'the Harper', followed by congratulations on his birthday. Hopes to amuse him with the riddle. Reports the impending publication of Farrar's 'Life of Christ': 'It is the work of five years is illustrated by Holman Hunt & whatever else it is, is sure to be learned & eloquent.' Asks if Shepherd ever indulges 'in the vanity of novels'. 'If you do get "A pair of blue eyes". It is written by a self-made man the son of a poor carpenter in a Dorsetshire village, & is to a great extent autobiographical.' From the E. J. Shepherd archive.