OF

English painter and President of the Royal Academy. 'It was kind of you to feel indignant that some young modern went out of his way to be critical of my work. I do not think that it is very important; he doesn't like my pictures and probably I shouldn't like his! | I think it is awkward for the Hertford Art Society, who have gone out of their way to invite certain people to exhibit on the grounds that [this] would increase the number of people who would visit the exhibition. I don't think they can have it both ways. | I will not mention your name to anybody.'

Addressed to 'My dear Mr. Dyce' and signed 'George'. Is very grateful for the book on Kew Gardens. 'You are fully justified in your remark that nothing could have gone off better than the events connected with the 60th Jubilee of Her Majestys reign'.

In the first letter Eccles thanks Mackenzie for his congratulations on Eccles' 'scheme for forming a national collection of works of art'. Any help the EAC can give will be welcome, 'as the need for pictures and works of art for Government buildings, both at home and overseas, is really great'. In the second letter he thanks him for his telegram of congratulations 'on the Coronation decorations. Everyone in the Ministry of Works has tried hard to produce something worthy of the Queen and of our contemporary art'. Two items,

British statesman, several times Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (DNB). Intimate and interesting communication beginning 'I have only time to say in answer to your obliging note, that I shall be most happy to take you by the hand as soon as is convenient to you, as I trust in God that my poor wife after a most severe fever is this day beginning to recover.

She 'cannot apologise enough for having left his letter of May 29th so long unanswered'. It was supposed to be answered 'on her return from Italy' but was mislaid. She hopes Slocombe will 'forgive the unintentional rudeness'.

Victorian geologist (DNB). 'Amongst the many pleasant recollections which the Members of the British Association will retain of their visit to Norwich will be that of their hospitable reception by Sir Robert Harvey. The Lecture over which I had the honor to preside (C.) has to be directly grateful, for we were twice guests at Crown Point.'

One page, 8vo. "My dear Sir, / I have dined with the Prince alone & well weighed all that can happen at Plymouth, & am prepared to meet it. / The most material Point seems this Will L. vacate on Monday? for as the House has now adjourned till that day, He cannot now accept Office before that day. / Gl Baker breakfasts with me at ten, & if you will meet him or as soon after as shall suit your convenience I shall be most happy to see you. / Very truly yours / Thomas Tyrwhitt". Tyrwhitt was knighted in 1812, and was Usher of the Black Rod from that year until 1832.

Oval seal, around a centimeter and a half tall, containing the Roxburghe family crest. Reasonably crisp impression on neatly cut remains of blue envelope stuck to slip of card.

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

On letterhead of the Guildhall School of Music. Did not reply sooner as he left London "immediately after my concert with the B.B.C." Is so "very much touched by your charming letter" that he is "venturing to send you an autographed Photogravure of myself". Creased and with some loss to two corners. Glue and paper adhering to reverse.

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

Writer on Mary, Queen of Scots, etc. In French. Two pages, 8vo, laid down, sl. stained but mainly good condition. He regrets not being able to visit Sharp but gives him a preview of some of his work on Mary, Queen of Scots which was about to be published [not traced]. Attached: an autograph note (in French) signed by Labanoff also in which he listsa book and manuscript he has left with Sharp which he hopes will be useful. He asks for the address of Sir Thomas Phillips[sic] ("ou loge") because he is to visit him at midday (!).

Signed "Frederick of Prussia". One page, slighly creased but suitable for framing. He discusses Dandy's offer of "yet another Motor Cycle, this time a 1914 Triumph two Stroke". He says that his younger son would be "very happy if he could have such a rare Motor Cycle". He doesn't think his older son, Nicholas, is yet old emough to ride the bike already given by Dandy.

(W.H. Weiss, vocalist and composer (1820-1867)). 2pp., 4to, torn, partly repaired crudely, discussing Willoughby Weiss’s current tour with “Miss Kemble”, the possibilities for a concert on the Isle of Man, his recent hectic tour (listing the many places he hasperformed at recently).

Revolutionary patriot, Continental Congressman and lawyer, Rhode Island (1741-1796). Two pages, 4to, damaged and soiled but text clear and complete. Summary in different hand "1784 / Case to answer in the Estate of Joseph Warton Esq., by Henry Marchant on Ist Decr. 1784" [Warton was Colonial Governor of Rhode Island.] Marchant states the problem relating to the liabilities of Warton's widow and gives his opinion as to the circumstancers in which she was answerable to the liabilities and claims.

Divine and poet (1780-1825). Three pages, 4to, heavily water-stained but still all legible, tear and nick not affecting text. He tells her that he has at last got round to sending her a book (a postcript reveals that it was a "french Book" which his wife had promised ot loan a long time before). He had hoped she was going to visit. He discusses the parlous health of his son and his wife's "maternal anxiety". He had seen a mutual acquaintance, looking better, and hopes she received his letter of thanks for the drawings of the tesselated pavement she had given as a present to him,.

Author of "Tom Brown's Schooldays", lawyer (1822-1896). One page, 8vo, a little crumpled and marked from having been laid down previously in an album, but text clear and complete. He asks for his next "Court" day to be changed since the "Governor of the Isle of Man has come down on me to fulfil an old promise to preside at the speech day of King William's College". He will have to get there by the "Friday boat". From DNB: " In July 1882 Hughes was appointed a county-court judge, and went to live at Chester.

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo. "My dear Count / I accept , but not that merely, for I thank you really & heartily "the thing" which accompanied your note. I dipped into them to-day with very great interest." Signed "S Oxon". Docketted "Received last night". Paper discoloured at the edges.

English actor manager (1841-1926), knighted in 1926. 2 pp, 12mo. "Let me thank you very heartily for all the valuable work you have done for the young people in Gower Street, with a hope that it may long continue." The reference is clearly to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, in Gower Street.

Politician (1810-61), friend and supporter of Florence Nightingale. 4 pp, 12mo. Difficult handwriting. "[...] I feel that I cannot undertake to do what you proposed to me; in such a manner as it ought to be done to do justice to the Review and to the subject. I must therefore ask you to cut me off at any rate for the next number. I hope this will not inconvenience you." Creased and grubby.

The Elder. Quaker grocer and philanthropist (1801-1859). The first letter, 4 pp, 8vo. "I want thee to help me in Sarah Sanderson's affairs which seem to require some little arrangement. The poor woman died, or rather was burned to death at New castle". As one of the trustees of her property, along with John Sanderson and Jonathan Brushman, he explains how he wishes to settle the problem of the distribution of £1200 of shares in the Stockton & Darlington railway among her children. With small closed tears along two creases, but otherwise in good condition.

Lord Chief Justice of England (1842-1915). One page, 12mo. Marked "Confidential". "My sister told me of the letter. I have made some enquiries about the man who wrote to you and from what I hear I certainly think you ought not to engage him. You will of course treat this letter as strictly confidential."

(Prime Minister) Three pages, 8vo, very good condition. Text as follows: I have a request to make to you, with which I hope you will compy. It is that you will serve in the Royal Commission to enquire into the state of the University of Cambrige./ Professor Sedgwick & Sir John Herschel I [...?] likewise to ask to be members of the Commission - And in any nomination I may number I should wish to choose persons whose names will inspire confidence in the University.

One page, 12mo, with mourning border. "Sir / I enclose a cheque for 3£ the amount which I have subscribed during the last 2 or 3 years to the Lichfield Diocesan Church of England Temperance Society. As however Derbyshire is no longer in the diocese of Lichfield I cannot undertake to subscribe to the Society in future. / Yr obedt Servt / Devonshire".

Lord Chancellor of England (1751-1838). 2 pp, 12mo. An interesting sidelight into ecclesiastical preferment. "Sir / The Living in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire is that, to which I propose to present you, if you are disposed to accept it. Its Value, I am informed, but a Chancellor's Information is seldom correct, is about 280l a year - / It will require much of Residence, as the Parish is populous, & contains very numerous Inhabitants. The Duty must, therefore, be considerable - After what my excellent deceased Friend, Dr Parsons, Bp.

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I cannot fail to pay the greatest attention to your recommendation of Mr P Chabot". Signed "S Oxon". Minor discolouration to paper.

Religious, devotional and educational writer (1815-1906). Three pages, 8vo, light foxing not affecting clarity of text, laid down. A good letter about her relatively new educational venture in which she clarifies the status of the prospective pupil. "[The school] has not been established for the children of an upper class". She claims that the groundwork is well-laid, repeats that classes are mixed, recalling her own education on the Isle of Wight - "I certainly never gained any harm from it". She describes St Bonifaces as it is ("in its infancy", few boarders, the need for a governess).

One page, 4to. Difficult handwriting. "Sir / On my return to this Cottage from Houghton I had the favor of your letters. I enclose a letter to Ld. Sandwich [...] I also enclose a letter to Sr. Horace Man [...]" Sir Horace Mann (1701-86) was British envoy at Florence. Docketted on verso of second leaf, "Ld. Orford, inclosing one to Ld. Sandwich wch was imediatly [sic] delivd. [...] Ensign Commis at Patna." Creased, and with loss to second leaf from removal of a seal.

English Catholic nobleman (1847-1917). One page, 12mo. "Madam, / I beg to comply with your request for my autograph. / I am / Your obedient servant. / Norfolk E[arl] M[arshal]".

(1762-1830), King of Great Britain and Ireland. One page, 12mo. Large florid signature "George PR", 2 inches by 4, on piece of paper 3 inches by 8. To the right and below signature: "By His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. / These in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to authorize you by beat of Drum or otherwise, to raise so many Volunteers in any County within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and <...>". Slight discolouration to paper.