Octavia

On three sides of a vellum bifolium supplied by the London law stationers Witherby & Co. Dimensions of leaf 39 x 26 cm. In good condition, lightly aged and creased. The document is a draft, with several emendations in pencil, including a lengthy addition in the margin of first page, and a shorter one on the second page. Laid out in customary style, within red rules. Docketed on fourth side: 'Dated 15th August 1914 | The Earl of Ducie and Others | to | The Earl of Ducie and Others | Red Cross Garden | Assignment'. With stamp of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, signed by Hugh de Bock Porter.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that her letter has 'exhilarated' him: 'I think there is nothing wh. gives one such thorough pleasure as praise frm those of whom one is fond. But I wish you would write some stories in the style of "Scenes of Clerical Life" (if that is the book I mean).' He has received 'cheerful telegrams from Mentone' and was 'pleased to get a note from old Weatherby who was in front the other night - & who left after the first piece'.

4pp., 12mo. On bifolium of lined paper. Good, on lightl-aged paper. Addressed to 'Dearly valued friend', the letter begins 'Faithful to my promise, I write to tell you of our safe arrival in Augusta, after one of the most disagreeable journeys I ever made in all my wanderings, either in Europe, or America'.

Philanthropist and author (of the Life of Octavia Hill). One page taken from an album. On the page for his birthday (29 June) Maurice has written out part of Tennyson's "Oenone" (commencing "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control"). Maurice involved himself in many causes, including the preservation of Parliament Hill Fields, Bulgaria when devastated, Boer women and children, Georgian independence, etc., etc. (With offprint of his obituary from the Ham and High.)