FREDERIC

Dimensions of card roughly 9 x 11.5 cm. Mounted on rectangle of paper, 12 x 21.5 cm, part of leaf from autograph album. 9 lines of text. Since their meeting he has 'been kept in the house, even in my room, with a cold, and as the cough continues, I am not allowed to go out'. Wishes her 'Many happy returns' for 3 November, which he conjectures is her fortieth birthday. 'The heart of Shelley really lies in the Souls of all who love Poetry, Beauty, & the Free Life.'

12mo: 2 pp. Very good. 15 lines of text. He thanks him for his book . I can't read it leisurely at present - I am on the move - but I have been reading in it, as the old writers say'. He is very interested in the things he is gleaning from it. In a postscript he thanks the author for 'what you say about my work' and praises the book for its 'vitality which so much literature lacks, but which some books possess'.

All three items in very good condition. Interesting series of letters by an obscure 1890s poet. Letter One (12mo, 7 pp): Although he realises that some are 'rather poor', he is sending, through his brother (possibly the artist Alan Wright, 1864-1959), 'all the lyrics I have by me': 'I have not had time to "weed" yet, being veryy busily engaged writing lyrics for a Comedy-Opera ['Ethelinda, or a Philanthropic Fad' (1890), on which he collaborated with Hamilton O. Wylde] - & a libretto for Operetta; also been trying my hand at very sensational prose'.

Octavo, one page. Good, with stains from paperclip at head. Large bold signature on top half of leaf, and body of note, with signature on bottom half. 'I have pleasure in sending my signature. Yes I am the author of "Deirdre Wedded" & "New Poems" (including Apollo & the Seaman) which Methuen published.'

12mo: 1 page. On lightly stained paper with remains of mounts adhering to the four corners. Although honoured, he cannot accept the invitation to address the University Literature Society, 'this term at any rate'. 'I have at present a course of lectures twice a week at the Temple; & in February I have to being and carry on until Easter a course of lectures which will require much research & care'. He also has 'an unfinished volume in hand'.

Four pages, 12mo. Very good, on lightly aged paper, with minor traces of two mounts adhering to verso of second leaf of bifolium. Praises 'the excellent Sermon'. 'You will doubtless have a difficult work at Rossall, but every term will render it less difficult' [...] One can't ask for a greater blessing than difficult work when it is also - as yours is & will be - entirely hopeful & immensely useful.

Prolific author (1862-1925), responsible for the words to 'Land of Hope and Glory'. Brother of the novelist E. F. Benson et al. Four pages, 12mo. Good though grubby, and on paper foxed and discoloured with age. Discusses his 'little paper on Stuart Donaldson'. 'He had a wonderfully <?> and courageous spirit [...] I knew Fred Donaldson well, but never quite understood him. St Clair, now Bishop of Sarum, was my own contemporary & close friend. [...] Donaldson did a great work here in lifting the College out of obscurity into life & activity. He (& I) came here in 1904. There were then 30 men.

Noted Dickens scholar (1856-1904). Croker was the son of the Irish antiquary Thomas Crofton Croker. Two pages, 12mo. Good, but with a few stains. 'I am sorry to learn that the Dickens items which you so kindly lent to the Exhibition have not yet been returned to you, and am making enquiries at once. | [...] some of my memoranda went astray when they were removed from one room to another at the Memorial Hall during my absence, and the paper containing your address could not be discovered. | I have reason to believe that good things are in the safe custody of Mr. Miller (Hon. Sec.

English positivist philosopher (1831-1923). Two pages, 12mo. In poor condition: on discoloured paper with remains of stub still adhering along one edge, and with slight damage to blank verso of second leaf of bifoliate. He is obliged for the 'invitation to contribute to the pages of the International Review; & I only wish that it was in my power to accept it.' He has 'a limited amount of time for literary work' and cannot at present make 'any further engagement', but may do so in the future. Signed 'Frederic Harrison'.

British colonial administrator (1845-1922), Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, 1897-1903. One page, octavo. Very good. Bearing R.S.A. stamp. He cannot attend the R.S.A. meeting the following Tuesday as he will be out of town on that date. Signed 'F W R Fryer'.

Archdeacon of Westminster and Dean of Canterbury (1831-1903). Two pages, 12mo. Good but grubby and with some staining from glue and with head of verso attached to larger sheet of green paper, some of which adheres to letter. He is 'very full of engagements in Lent; indeed I am more occupied in this way than is good at all for me or for others. I admire the resolute penitence of in preaching his year & no more. I alas! have about a hundred to preach, & many many other duites w[hic]h bring me nothing but hatred disparagement. So I know you will excuse me.' Signed 'F W Farrar'.

Historian (1867-1950), who 'organised reception of Belgian Refugees at Folkestone for L.G.B., 1914 (Med. du Roi Albert)' (Who's who). One page, quarto. Good. Folded three times. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. Signed 'Basil Williams'. In answer to Wood's telegram Williams replies 'I am to say that I am afraid we cannot sent [sic] people from here to Aldeburgh.

Dean of Canterbury (1831-1903). 'Dear Sir, | I am sorry that my course as Bampton Lecturer at Oxford prevents me from accepting your kind invitation. | Otherwise I wd. gladly give you a Lecture. I should be pleased to visit Sheffield & see Mr Ruskin's Museum. | I am, Dear Sir | Very faithfully yours | F W Farrar'. Farrar was Bampton Lecturer in 1886.