MELVILLE

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with light staining and wear at foot. The letter concerns the question of whether the Duke of Buccleugh or Sir Laurence Dundas is to be Governor of the Royal Bank. In his view there are no other candidates, and he hopes 'our Friend George Fairholme will not go astray upon that question'. Knowing that Fairholme is 'particularly attached to Lord Marchmont', he has written to him, and quotes part of the 'flattering' reply he has received.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged and worn paper. He writes that he had 'heard the Report propagated by Sir John of your having given different accounts to the Father & the son', but considering the source he did not believe it, and 'the excerpts of Letters' directly refute it. 'I am extremely pleased with Lord Polwarth's Letter to you & as to any thing else I think you have no reason to feel any regret'.

[2] + 52pp., 8vo. In grey printed wraps carrying advertisements. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With label and stamp of the Science & Art Department of the Educational Library, London. In tasteful modern quarter-bound boards of light and dark grey paper, with white printed label on front.

[1] + 29 + [5]pp., 8vo. Advertisements at front and rear. With front cover of brown printed wraps present, bearing the title in a 'globe' design. Printed in a box in the top right-hand corner of the cover is: 'With compliments from | THE AUTHOR, | 1525, Thirty-fifth Street, | Washington, D. C. | Examination and comment requested.' In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight loss at edges of front cover. In tasteful modern quarter-bound boards of light and dark grey paper, with white printed label on front. Uncommon: four copies on COPAC.

4pp., folio. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged paper. With covering leaf docketted: 'Minute of a Meeting of the Committee of Subscribers to the Monument recently erected by the Navy to the Memory of the late Lord Viscount Melville - held 24 January | 1827'. The document begins with a list of those present: 'Admiral Sir David Milne K.C.B. | Captain Tait R.N. | Captain Stoddart R.N. | Captain Dalyell R.N. | and | Michael Linning Secretary | Admiral Sir David Milne in the Chair'. The minute ends '(signed) D. M.', and is presumably the work of Milne, and in his hand.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with one minor damp stain. Dundas was the last ever British minister to be impeached. He was acquitted of corruption charges on 12 June 1806.

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Text complete, on aged paper with a number of closed tears repaired with archival tape. The second leaf of the bifolium, lacking a strip at the top, is docketed 'Dr. Morris of Parliament Street's Success in curing Persons afflicted with Complaints similar to that which His Majesty labours under'. Considering the political content at the end of the letter, the author is probably Charles Hamilton, at the time of writing known by his courtesy title of Lord Binning.

Card, c.11 x 7cm, [RECTO] date "Ist Novr 1807" in manuscript as are the figures in acolumn after categorisation as follows: "Redeemed by Annual Million &c [£] 66.968.173 | Do.[corrected in ms. to] on acct of Loans 61.622.815 | Do. by Land Tax 22.942.813 | Do. by £1. pr. Ct. pr. Ann . on Imp. Loan 814.723 | Total £ 152.340.529 | The sum to be expended in the ensuing Quarter is £2.529.224.155. [VERSO] [Manuscript] The Rt Honble Lord Melville". It appears that Melville and, presumably, others, received monthly notice of the size of the National Debt and other figures.

4to, 2 pp. On bifolium. Twenty-two lines. Text clear and complete. In good condition, on aged paper. Lady Popham has written her opinion of the letter on the reverse of second leaf: 'Lord Melvilles cold hearted answer -'. To modern eyes the letter would appear to be a model of tact. Melville begins by expressing 'deep regret' at 'the late most afflicting addition to the loss you had already sustained' (the Admiral had died three weeks before).

One page, 8vo, good condition. Somewhat mysterious but concerning a book or books by Herman Melville. Pardon me for not answering your kind note before. Although I cannot agree that you have received anything approaching an equivalent for your copy of Omoo, I am naturally very gratified that you are good enough to think differently . . .

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. A bookseller called Glaishier at Greenwich sent me a small Trollope letter to see to other day. It was in bad condition, but I think the signature was undamaged and if your friend only collects signatures it might be worth his asking to se this. | If, however, he wants a complete letter (as probably he does for an important collection) I think he might get one from Bernard Halliday [underlined], 1King Richards Road, Leicester or from Maggs Brothers [underlined with address]. Both these will be expensive.

4to, 1 p. Nine lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged and worn paper. He apologises for 'not sooner answering Capt Grindlay's note and thanking him for the very beautiful drawing which he sent him'. He reports that he showed the drawing to Prince Albert, 'who expressed himself much pleased with it, & admired particularly the grouping of the figures', referring to one of the original drawings for Grindlay's 'Scenery, Costumes and Architecture, Chiefly on the Western Side of India' (1826-30).

12mo, 1 p. Bifolium. Ten lines. Clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Addressed, with three postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Capt Grindlay | North Bank | St John's Wood'. Letter of introduction for 'Mr Vivian a Subscriber to the Oriental Translation Fund', who is 'turning his mind to Hindostanee Architecture'. Suggests a date for them to meet, when 'any of your Drawings &c he would be glad to see'. Grindlay was author of 'Scenery, Costumes and Architecture, Chiefly on the Western Side of India' (1826-30).

12mo, 2 pp. First leaf of letter only. On worn aged paper, with slight loss and chpping to extremities. Docketed by Melville in red at head of first page with date 'Feby 1829'. Begins 'Sir Thos. Lawrence presents his Compts to Captn. Melville Grindlay, [...]'. Thanking Grindlay for the gift of 'his Works from the Scenery and Architecture of India; and from the Sculpture in the Cave Temples of Ellora'. Lawrence has 'received great pleasure from the frequent inspection' of the works. Ends abruptly, at foot of second page, 'and very particularly, from the view <...>'.

Three pages. On vellum bifolium made from skin roughly fourteen inches by twenty wide. Three official stamps. Signed twice by 'Jas M Melville', Writer to the Signet, and his partner James Lindesay ('Jas. Lindesay'), and witnessed by their clerk William Bett ('W. Bett').

12mo, 1 p. 7 lines of closely-written text. Clear and complete. On aged and slightly-grubby paper. He has received their letter regarding his 'Life of Thackeray', and appreciates 'the reason for your delay in deciding whether or no to issue a cheap edition. Undoubtedly the inclusion of my book in a series would benefit us both, & I hope Mr Lee may be able to make me an offer.'

On one side of a piece of vellum, dimensions 28 x 33 cm. Folded three times to make eight rectangles. Red wax seal under paper in top left-hand corner, embossed with the Admiralty anchor. One blue 5s stamp in left-hand margin, with '£5: 7: 6' and an illegible signature above it in manuscript. Small paper stamp on the reverse. Text clear and complete on lightly discoloured vellum. The body of the document is printed over thirteen lines, with the specific information added in manuscript.

4to: 1 p. Good, on lightly aged and creased paper. 'I have great satisfaction in acquainting you that a Commission has this day been signed promoting you to the Rank of Rear Admiral of the Blue.' Docketed by Paterson twice on the otherwise-blank reverse '12 Augt. 1812 | Lord Melville informing me I am made Rear Admiral of the Blue'.

Statesman (1771-1851); First Lord of the Admiralty, 1812-27, after whom Melville Sound was named. Three pages, quarto. Very good if a tad grubby.

Scottish advocate and statesman (1742-1811). One page, quarto. Bifoliate on good laid paper watermarked 1798. Grubby and somewhat ruckled, and with small printed notice neatly pasted in bottom right-hand corner. 'My Dear Sir | I have your letter, and should be glad to see you before you see Lord Liverpool or any other Person. Will you dine with me tomorrow. | Yours sincerely | Henry Dundas'.