MANUSCRIPT

2pp., on both sides of a strip of 35.5 x 11.5 cm laid paper with fleur-de-lys watermark. In a secretary hand employing the thorn and long s. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. An untitled forty-line poem, divided into five numbered eight-line stanzas. The narrator is an older married woman, advising a younger woman not to marry, with observations on the frailties of the male sex. The first stanza reads: 'Ere ye. read ys. ye. may suppose. | That some new listed Lover. | By means of Poetry has chose. | His Passion to discover.

285pp., 8vo, including newspaper cuttings laid down on 24pp., and one loose cutting. In contemporary black leather half-binding, with brown cloth covers, and 'MINUTE BOOK' in gilt on front. Marbled endpapers. Ticket on rear pastedown of 'W. BLAIR, | Stationer, | Post Office Buildings | TONBRIDGE'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in worn binding with front hinge split. Manuscript title: 'Tonbridge Cricket Week. | 1894. | First Held 1890'.

Casting an interesting sidelight on the purchasing practices of the British Museum Manuscripts Department. All three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Totalling 6pp., 12mo. On three bifoliums. ONE: ALS. 4 December 1912. 3pp., 12mo. As it is 'difficult to advise without further information as to the nature of the old papers' he invites her to 'send them up' so that he can 'report whether there is any probability of their purchase by the Trustees of the British Museum'. If they are 'bulky' he suggests sending 'specimens'.

viii + 200pp., 8vo. In contemporary calf binding, brown endpapers. Internally good and tight, on lightly-aged paper; in heavily-worn binding with chipped black label. Eldon's circular armorial bookplate on reverse of front free endpaper, and his ownership signature ('Eldon') both above this and on the reverse of the following fly-leaf. The decay of the binding is unfortunate as it has a restrained elegance, with spine in five compartments, blind-stamped pattern on the boards, and gilt dentelles.

Letter: 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Closely-written with 40 lines of text. In very good condition, lightly-aged, and attached to the book by a thin strip of gummed paper. Mathews writes that it gave him great pleasure to receive Hodson's letter 'a month or two ago', and that he has only delayed replying because it has 'taken some time to get into touch with Rd. Aldington'. He gives a quotation of 24 lines from a letter he has received from Aldington after passing on Hodson's 'kind appreciation'.

3pp., 8vo. Typescript with a few manuscript emendations, and manuscript note at end attributing the piece to 'C. Campbell' in another hand. On the rectos of three leaves, pinned together. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The first of the three stories is said to have occurred nearly fifty years before, the narrator stating that he was 'then between thirteen and fourteen years of age', which would put him in his early sixties at the time of writing.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks her 'for the Daily News review. Such touching appreciation, and from you, repays us for the anxiety attending the publication of the Memoir [...] This part of Sussex seems very forsaken since you & your husband left it. If you are ever near, what a pleasure a call from you would be - or a visit, if your freedom allowed it.

Both items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins: 'Dear Mr Lane, | Conscientious research in Titmarshian activities seems to point to the fact that you owe to the club the sum of 22/- for two dinners in October 1907.' He continues on this theme for a while, before turning to Reynolds: 'I am very glad to hear that you are going to bring out the Holy Mountain & Poor Mans House by Reynolds. As partly responsible for the suggestion of the Mountain & the location at Acton, I take some interest in the book & also in its author.?>

The letters total 10pp., 12mo and 8vo. The three items in good condition, lightly-aged. ONE: ALS. The Taby Cat, West Grinstead; 17 Jan. [1918]. First 2pp only. In envelope postmarked 18 Jan. 1918. TWO: ALS. 23 Hertford Street, London, on cancelled letterhead of the Forum Club, 6 Grosvenor Place, Hyde Park Corner; 23 Aug. [1921 or 1922]. A sensitive letter of condolence on one of SL's miscarriages, signed 'Your devoted Stella'. Docketed by Lynd's daughter Maire Gaister: 'Probably in 1921 or 1922 after a still-born baby. S. L.

The three items in good condition, lightly-aged. The two letters signed 'Jack Squire' and the note 'J C S'. Totalling 7pp., in 12mo and 4to. ONE: ALS. On letterhead of the New Statesman; 'Thursday | dead hour of night', undated, but docketed 20 July 1915. An interesting letter, in the light of the fact that Lynd held Squire largely to blame for her husband's descent into alchoholism. He begins 'Dear Mrs Lynd, If I loathed you, as, on the whole, I do not, I should make a little poem e.g. | There was an M.S.

The three items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Totalling 8pp., in 8vo and 12mo. ONE: TLS. Forge Wood, Pound Hill, Sussex; 22 May 1927. Written on his return from America. 'Save for old Nevvy [H. M. Nevinson], not a soul acknowledged any of the various amusing or informative scraps that I sent over during my arduous journeyings. […] I crossed the tracks of Philip G., Frank Swinnerton, Francis Brett-Young, Hugh Walpole, and various others. Tales mostly fit only for private hearing were heard in the wake of several of them.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. He writes that he is 'much obliged, and gratified, by the expression of approval of my "Half Hours" in your kind note received this day', for which he thanks him.

Lutoslawski's letter is in fair condition, lightly-aged with vertical crease. Addressed to Lynd at 5 Keat's Grove, Highgate, from Poland, with Polish stamp and postmark. He writes that he has 'exceedingly enjoyed [her novels] the Gold Finches and the Mulberry Bush', and would like her 'opinion and experience on the following inquiry', i.e. a printed circular regarding his book 'Preexistence and Reincarnation', which attempts to rove that 'each of us has lived in human shape many times and that we reap now what we have sown ages ago'.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and folded twice. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir | For my book - "Poems with Fables in Prose" (2 vols. Constable) I confess I particularly aspire to the honour of a review in the Daily News. He gives a list of themes which the volumes contain, 'Inter alia', including 'new philosophical iteas'. In black pencil at the head of the page (probably by Gardiner) is 'Mr Lynd', i.e. a direction for the letter to be forwarded to columnist Robert Lynd.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and creased. He is returning the 'drafts of Katherine Tynan. I have taken some liberties with the text in the matter of arrangement, but I hope there is nothing omitted which is of essential importance.' He is including 'a list of small questions', most of which he imagines 'Miss Pamela Hinkson could answer, and he offers to write to her himself.

2pp. 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged. Making arrangements for a visit by Lynd's daughter Maire, 'with Thomas', the following week. 'Please let Miss Maire stay as long as possible as it is a long journey - I asked Thomas if they could not stay over the 19th when Vera Moore & Antonia Butler will be playing for me in Alnwick but I am afraid he said Term began before then but anyhow I hope they will stay as long as they possible can & get some music as I believe Vera Moore comes here about the 12th -'.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn. Contract, signed on Tree's behalf by Henry Dana. A printed form, completed in a second hand, headed 'HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE', and dated 14 March 1908. Signed by Dana: 'pp H Beerbohm Tree | Henry Dana'. Engaging 'Miss Sylvia Dryhurst' for 'The run of "The Merchant of Venice", at the salary of one guinea per week of six performances. 'This engagement is terminable by two weeks' notice on either side'. Not signed by SL. The second page carries the fifteen 'Rules and Regulations' of 'His Majesty's Theatre. | Proprietor and Manager - Mr. TREE.'

The three items are in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Totalling 7pp., 8vo. ONE: ALS. From Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough; 11 Nov. 1930. Begins 'I heard the other day of a poem of yours, that a young soldier carried about in the war, till he was killed. It was sent home with his papers, & some day I hope to have it - his own copy of it - from a friend, & to send it to you | Why tell you of this now? Because the news of your mother's death has been weighing on my mind, & I wanted to say a word, yet knew how unconsoling words can be.' TWO: ALS.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. On behalf of himself and his wife Madeline he writes: 'Like everybody that knew Robert we shall miss him keenly - For me the world will be a poorer place. Words don't come easily to me to express my sorrow.'

In poor condition, on aged and brittle paper, with significant chipping to edges involving loss of text, including the end of Philpott's signature. Undated, but written in 1916, the year of publication of Phillpotts' 'The Green Alleys'. Headed in blue pencil 'Mr Lynd' (i.e for the attention of Daily News columnist Robert Lynd).

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. 'His gentleness was always a lenitive and an example in such a raving jungle as Fleet Street. He will be badly missed everywhere by everybody.' He concludes by lamenting that as he is leaving for Italy the following day, the present letter will have to be his 'only tribute, alas. But I hope you will read into it a lot of things difficult to write.'

6 More's Gardens, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea; 'Monday morning' [no year], with envelope, 2pp, 12mo. In very good condition, lightly aged. The letter gives reasons for declining an invitation, involving his illness of his wife Hilda and children. 'Also, I am threatened with a journey into the provinces that week-end. Everything is so uncertain - as it nearly always is with me'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Written in purple ink. The letter reads: 'My dear Sir, | Here it is, for what it is worth. To-morrow, Jan 16, a new novel of mine, "Some Fell Among Thorns", should be published. I shall send you a copy & ask your acceptance of it. | Yours Sincerely | Andrew Soutar'. Soutar received a brief obituary in The Times, 25 November 1941.

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and creased paper. The first name of the signature is difficult to decipher. She writes that she met Lynd 'some time ago at Mrs. Green's', and that she remembered her name 'when Mrs. Heseltine suggested it in connection with a vacancy which we have at present time at this office. | The vacancy is for a Press Writer, i.e.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. A long and detailed letter, beginning: 'The situation is not quite as we thought it. Yesterday I saw Mr. Higgs at Downing Street and he explained to me all the circumstances concerning the consideration of Mrs. Latey's petitions. | The suggestion emanating from him, with the Prime Minister's concurrence, is as follows.' The plan outlined, as Mrs Latey is not eligible for the pension, is for a fund to be established for her, to which 'the Prime Minister would add [...] a sum from Royal Bounty - the whole to be sunk in an annuity for her.

2pp., 4to. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. He begins by thanking him for his letter 'from Cambridge Hospital' and sympathising with his illness. 'I hoped to be able to come & see you before this but I am afraid now I am here for the duration. This is a pleasant spot, 1/2 a KM from a town of 5,000 inhabitants & 4 KM from the Mediterranean. I have my bike, & am fed & clothed & am allowed anywhere in the district of Agde at any hour.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks him for his letter, and is pleased to be remembered. 'I have the pleasantest recollections of your kindness and courtesy to an obscure junior, and I look back with very pleasant feelings too to the five happy years I spent as a member of the British Museum staff.' He is sorry at the thought of the 'many honored figures' who are no longer there, but hopes 'still to find one or two who remember me'.

Small (7.5 x 10.5 cm) card. Aged and creased, and with remains of labels from mount on address side. Addressed to 'Rev P. L. Underhill | 5 George's Vicarage | Wolverhampton'. Reads: 'The Park and House are open to visitors on every day except Sundays. | Devonshire | 16/5/93'.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged with pin holes. He has been 'advised that a private [last word underlined] memorial to Gladstone is the best course'. 'Publication', he has been told, would make the plan 'more exacting as giving a sense of importance'. Trevelyan would 'gladly, as M P for the burghs, forward such a memorial'. Gladstone had been intending to retire from politics at the end of 1882.

3pp., 16mo. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper, with closed tears to both leaves along fold lines, and glue from mount along inner margin of first page. He apologises for having to decline an invitation, having 'just told Lady Grey that I would call upon her to-night'. He would have liked to see her 'to ask your forgiveness for the many blunders I have committed to-day, tho' how to appear before you I really don't know'. He will attempt to 'throw' himself on her 'Good-nature' in a day or two, and concludes: 'I believe the debate in the Lords has confused my understanding'.