Autograph Letters

High Master of St Paul's (1830-1910). One page, 8vo. He gives thanks for a book, adding that "In my younger days I used continuously & valued your abstracts of Gk & Roman History & notes on Herodotus".

Mother of Rupert, but apparently distinguished in her own right. She sympathises with Connard's "dreadful" life, but her family "feel very troubled that we are so well off for everything and can do almost nothing to help". She goes on to discuss the portrait Connard painted of Rupert and Helen (presumably sister) which "now graces our drawingroom mantelpiece" among distinguished company (John, Sickert, etc.). She mentions finally her two little daughters.

Statesman (1802-1869). He will be happy to promote a friend of Lady Leicester's if a vacancy occurs at Fakenham. As to Mr Payne, his brother has received an appointmen, and his would cause jealousy. He will respond to such requests in future if he can.

Song writer (1849-1912). 2pp., 8vo. He expresses fulsome gratitude for being allowed to set a lyric (unnamed) to music.

8vo. In French, expressing pleasure at an invitation from the Lord Mayor of London, and accepting.

Antiquarian and art connoisseur (1857-1929). 3pp., 8vo. He wishes to clarify the view he and his colleagues at the British Museum are taking on "the Thompson memorial", ignoring it since it is a British Academy matter not British Museum.

Politician (1726-1784). One page, 4to. He announces that he will offer himself as a candidate at the general meeting where there will be consideration "of persons to represent the County in the ensuing Parliament. He looks to his correspondent's support. (Savile started representing Yorkshire in 1759. His colourful political career included support for the American colonies.)

Soldier (1832-1914). 8vo, vestigial signs of laying down, declining an invitation because he has to travel to Dublin.

Physician and savant (1779-1869). One page, trimmed,removed from an album, stained but text clear and apparently complete. Roget invites Brewster to dinner. This derives from the album formed by Brewster's daughter-in-law, Annie, and to which Brewster contributed substantially. (See earlier entries.) Roget was a close associate and was a colleague of Brewster's in the British Association.

Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt , German naturalist and traveller (1769-1859). Sabine, soldier (American War), scientist and arctic explorer (1788-1883)(DNB). Humboldt's "Cosmos" was translated by Sabine's wife. An address panel, trimmed, removed rom an album, c.5 x 3.5", fold marks but text clear: "a Monsieur / Professeur le Lieut Colonel / Edward Sabine / a / Woolwich. / [bottom left] Bn Humboldt." A piquant combination.This derives from an album of autograph letters and signatures created by "Annie" (Mrs Henry Craigie Brewster), daughter-in-law of Sir David Brewster.

Archbishop of Westminster and writer (1802-1865). One page, 8vo, laid down, page from an album, some staining but text clear. "Madam / I have the oleasure of hereby complying with your request. / Yours sincerely / N. Card. Wiseman / Mrs Brewster". The request must have been for an autograph. Suitable for framing. Mrs Brewster was an autograph-collector who was fed with autograph letters by her father-in-law, Sir David Brewster, natural philosopher (see DNB). On this occasion she has made the approach herself.

Poster artist (1868-1948). (1900) 3 pages, 8vo, black-edged,foxing and fold mark, remnants of laying down in album, text clear and complete. He describes the deat of his wife in childbirth ("She [Isabel, first wife] was up and about in the morning, confined of a wee girl baby at one midday and all over at 3. everything was going so well too. It was finished so quickly that I never saw her conscious tho' I was in the next room. Its all too awful to think about. The cause was . . .") He had left the notifying to others.

Traveller, discoverer of manuscripts, diplomat and author, fourteenth Baron Zouche (or de la Zouche) of Harringworth (1810-1873). One page, 12mo, good condition though name of correspondent removed. "I shall have great pleasure in accepting your kind invitation to dinner on the 6th of June. If I am not at Paris at that time. I do not expect to be there, but am not quite certain. I will write again in case I should go."

Bishop of Oxford, Dean of Christ Church, theologian (1851-1911). Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He thanks his correspondent for his letter "concerning Charlton Church". He will bring his proposal before the Governing Body, anticipating a meeting.

One page, 8vo, signs of having been laid down text clear and complete. "Lord Clanricarde will be much obliged if the Librarian of the London Library will send him by the bearer, the Life & Memoirs of Lieutenant Drummond [over excision], some time Chief Secretary in Ireland."

Prime Minister 1846-1852 and 1865-1866 (1792-1878). Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He "requests the President of the Royal Society to obtain the opinion of some of the members of the Society conversant with the Science of Botany, whether it may be advisable, with a View to extend the knowledge of Botany, that a Charter of Incorporation should be granted to the Royal Botanical Society (Regents Park.

Tractarian (1804-1893). Two pages, 12mo, good condition. "I learn this morning that Mrs Keble's funeral will not take place till Friday - I shall hope therefore to be at the meeting tomorrow - If you have [?] one to take my place do not trouble to alter things again - I am [but?] a poor speaker - and should be of but little use to you but I am heartily friend of the Society ".

Politician, anti-slavery (1756-1835). Two pages, 4to, fold marks, good condition. He congratulates the Lord Mayor "for the very exemplary exertions You have made to diminish & correct the licentiousness & riot of the Smithfield Fair - Everybody bears witness to the activity & intelligence with which your Magistrates Duties in general are executed; but it requires much more than ordinary Zeal to devote the Night as well as the Day to such objects . . . to the temporary quiet of the Metropolis at a season otherwise dedicated to Uproar . . .".

Publicist, Man of Letters, editor (1830-1909). One page, 8vo, good condition. He presents his compliments and thanks him for "his exceedingly kind offer", and requests "two or three forks & spoons".

Man of Letters (1801-1884). Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He has the repeated misfortune not to be able to visit Wilton beause of a prior engagement, but thanks her for the invitation. "I have been reading your trip up the iIle with great interest" and sends his latest publication the subject of which she might not like but some of her friends might. Perhaps he is referring to her "Cradle Lands" (1867). His latest publication is presumably "More about Junius" (1868).

Prime Minister (1788-1850). One page, 8vo, name of correspondent removed, rest of text apparently complete. "Should you be disengaged on Saturday next, will you give me the pleasure of your Company at 1/2 before twelve to shoot here in the morning and dress and dine here afterwards."

German-English Musical Composer (1804-1885). One page, 8vo, good condition. "Should Miss Maddy be well enough to be able to take her lesson to-morrow Thursday at four o'clock it would afford me great pleasure to give her an hour's instruction then in lieu of to-day."

Scottish novelist (1828-1897). Two pages, 12mo. She is discussing a puppy which her correspondent is getting for her to pass on to a firnd a "Miss Fitzmaurice". "The puppy is destined to a sort of heaven upon earth for puppies". Some further hasty news. With: a part of an ALS, mainly the signature and text with little interest.

Editor of Audubon (1851-1934). Two pages, cr. 8vo. He talks about his beginning to collect bookplates when Shorter was 2good enough to sedn me four or five prints of your Plates {?} for different subjects in your library". He asks for a recent one Shorter has acquired to put in books on Cornish literature, and any others he may have added. "My collection has grown to represent over 9600." He gives figures for "Authors & Writers" in Englandand the Drama.

Novelist. Two pages, 4to. He can't make a game of golf. He looks forward to reading "the novel, & think the title is most taking - "Weeds that incumber the Earth [& entrance the Heavnes]." He discusses weather, his swimming in a thunderstorm. "The "Weeds" lie about on the Bexhill sands, or prance in the surf quite after the style of "the Continong" (vide-illustration p.2)" The illustration is of a young lady paddling in her Jansen

Novelist and philanthropist (1812-1885). Two pages, 12mo, good condition. She has heard that some children in the village have "Hooping [sic] cough". "Edmund and the Baley" have not had it, but she thinks there would be no danger in their coming to Slindon.

Miscellaneous writer (1800-1881). 3pp., 12mo, good condition. She thanks him for some verses which she thought "amonst the sweetest, the most touching I ever had." Then she tries to enlist his help for a bazaar to be held to contribute to a fund for the erection of an Asylum for Aged Governesses. "If you would take charge of it, I would forward you a silver collecting card, . . . or if you could set any of your lady friends to work for it . . .".

Novelist and lawyer (1807-1877). One page, v.g. "I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of thanking your Grace for the very courteous kindness of your note of the 18th. inst. relating to Canon Trevor . . ."