WORDS

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Both of them bifoliums with mourning borders; and both in their original envelopes, addressed by Marston, with stamp and postmarks. ONE: 4pp., 12mo. He begins by stating that he is gratified to find that his poems please Baron. 'The only novel I wrote, (it is more than 20 years ago) has I believe been long out of print. A comparatively short tale entitled "Family Credit" together with other sketches and essays (chiefly contributed to "Household Worlds' [sic] was published many years gone by Messr. Ward and Lock as the 1st.

8vo: 2 pp. Bifolium. Good, on lightly creased and discoloured paper, with strip roughly 1.5 x 6 cm missing from top outside corner of first leaf, resulting in loss of around four words. 'Dr. Macleod' [Norman Macleod, 1812-1872, DNB] has just returned 'the M.SS which you were kind enough to submit to me | He likes Miss Robertson's papers, and would be glad to give her a place in "Good Words" if she wrote anything suitable.' Macleod 'is to think over a subject and suggest it the first time he is in town'.

8vo: 1 p. Good, on creased paper with 1 cm closed tear to right of central horizontal crease (not affecting text). He thanks him for his 'kindness and courtesy'. 'I shall not fail to ask for you at Guildhall tonight'. Postscript refers to the 'pother they are making in the Times about a poor Dead and gone book of mine, called Captain Dangerous [published in 1863] Bless their hearts! I invented the whole story of Lord Francis Villein's death "out of my own head."' Docketed with four numbers in pencil.