HUMBERSTONE

On one side of a long strip of vellum (circa 61 x 15 cm), made up of two pieces stitched together with green thread. In English, in an unusually close hand. In fair condition, aged and worn. Scan of part on application.

12mo, 2 pp. Nineteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Thanking him for his 'excellent book on University Reform in London': 'I read it carefully when it came out and was much impressed by your clear statement of the problem and the thoughtful discussion of possible solutions'. He will now prize his own copy, as it is 'a really important contribution to a subject which has naturally interested me for the past 18 years'.

4to, 1 p. Twenty lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper, with slight traces of mount on reverse. Having read Humberstone's article on the London School of Hygiene, he is 'sending it to the printers to be set up'. He commends the article for dealing with the subject 'in an interesting and useful way'. He rejects the five plans Humberstone has sent, as they would not 'reproduce satisfactorily', and a photograph which is 'too large to go across a page', and would like 'a photograph of the elevation of the School' and 'either a photograph or an electro of the design of the Seal'.

4to, 1 p. Fourteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper, with negligible hole caused by wear (not affecting text). He is enclosing a 'notice of the Joint Resolution', which 'recites facts, gives reasons, & is outspoken'. He has 'not had time to dwell much on its literary shape wh. is however not of great moment'. He has 'partly read Armstrong's book' (Edward Armstrong, fellow of Queen's College?), and is 'in sympathy' with 'a considerable part of the early addresses'.

12mo, 2 pp. Twelve lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is sending 'a copy of my little book' and asks his correspondent to 'treat it as confidential'. He will accept the 'copy of the Year-book', although he is 'no longer a schoolmaster'. Humberstone is not named, but the item is from his papers.

4to, 1 p. Good, on aged paper, with light traces of mount on reverse. Giving the results of his enquiries 'with regard to the statement attributed to one of our Inspectors by a speaker at the January Educational Conference at University College', with reference to W. N. Bruce.

Both items 12mo, 1 p, and both in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with minor traces of mount on reverses. Letter One. Thanking him for his 'publication on the public school system, and for the other larger work'. Letter Two: She is in 'complete sympathy' with Humberstone's resolution, and would have wanted to second it, 'but I dare not undertake to do so', due to a clash of engagements. Humberstone 'had better make sure of a more reliable seconder'.

12mo, 2 pp. 22 lines. Text clear and complete. Begins by explaining his reasons for not supporting Humberstone in an unspecified election. Humberstone has 'valiantly' supported 'the cause for Research at the Universities', and his 'knowledge of University affairs' is 'profound', but 'after a time new minds have to have their turn!' He remembers a paper of Twort's 'on airborn infection problems' which interested him 'much'. 'I know he was an original investigator, but somehow he seems to have got across people in his line of work. I don't propose to go in for Biological Warfare!

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount on reverses. Letter One: 4to, 1 p. He is away from the office and out of town, and has asked 'P. O'Donoghue, who deals with publications for the News Chronicle', to get in touch with him: 'I know you will find his counsel very sound'. Letter Two: Thanking him for his endorsement of his book. 'There is nothing that could possibly give an author greater encouragement than to receive such informed and stimulating words from someone such as yourself.'