[King's College, Cambridge.] Three Autograph Letters Signed ('J. Fred. E. Faning') from James Frederick Edmund Faning, regarding the loan of a tapestry by Lawrence W. Hodson, with reference to the Dean M. R. James and a visit by Lord Kitchener.

The three items on 12mo bifoliums, and totalling 9pp., 12mo. All three in good condition, on lightly aged paper. The first and last letters in envelopes, with stamps and postmarks, addressed to Hodson at Compton Hall, with the third forwarded to North Wales. ONE (1 August 1898): 2 pp., 12mo. The college authorities have instructed Faning to thank Hodson for his 'kind offer to lend them the "Chapel piece" of your Tapestry and to say that they will be glad to avail themselves of it in October. For what remains of the time when we are in residence in the Long Vacation other experiments recommended by Bodley & Farmer are being made but some time in October we shall hope to see both you & the Tapestry.' TWO (23 October 1898): 3pp., 12mo. 'The Provost bids me say that the College will be glad to have the piece of Tapestry you so kindly offered to lend them as soon as you can spare it. [...] You said you would like to see it in position & I am to say that if you will write to the Dean - M. R. James Esqre. Litt D. - King's College - & tell him when it would be convenient for you to come, a room in College is at your service.' In a postscript he gives the address to which to send the package, ending 'To be left at the Chapel'. THREE (27 November 1898): 4pp., 12mo. He is pleased that Hodson and his wife are coming up to Cambridge. 'I told the Provost & believe he has written to stay at the Lodge. I think you will find a bed there more comfortable than the rough simplicity of a college room where there is no bell or servant within call - at any rate of the uninitiated. And besides ladies are not permitted to sleep in College except at the Lodge.' He explains why it will be impossible for him to put the Hodsons up himself, before continuing: 'I think you will consider that the tapestry looks even better than it did in your room. It wants a bright light to shew it at its best - much as we had this morning & such as I hope you will have on Wednesday.' He continues: 'Yes! We had a great day with Kitchener - but I am afraid a rather expensive one thanks to the exuberant spirits of the undergraduates. Besides the accident by which seven people were badly hurt a good deal of damage was done. The Carriage used for Ld. Kitchener was broken up for trophies & some mile or so of fencing used for bonfires.' Hodson was a wealthy brewer, connoisseur of Pre-Raphaelite painting and patron of the Arts and Crafts movement.