AUTOGRAPH

Novelist. Total 4pp., 8vo, in the most substantial of which he confesses to being "a most barren person . . . the very act of composition is one of exceeding pain & travail". He is considering a proposal to write something to help the Journalists Orphan Fund. One note concerns the Thackeray Charterhouse Dinner, the other conveys thanks for a fee and pleases that an Exhibition was successful. Three items,

Musical composer (1801-1873). One page, 4to. He says simply that "it will not be in his power to attend the meeting of the Catch Club on Tuesday the 19th [?].."

n the 4to page (12 September, Sharp's birthday) extracted from "A Birthday Book designed by her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice" (1881). Sharp has written six Gaelic phrases with English translations E.g. "Mar a bha As it was/ Mar a tha As it is .......". . The book comprises one day to every page.The book has the bookplate of N. Hardy Wallis (see BLC).

Irish Painter, poet, dramatist and novelist (1770-1850). He gives his correspondent the address of a "Mr Herbert" who was, according to the Post Office Directory of 1846, a professor and publisher of music.

American writer, preacher and abolitionist (1832-1907). One page, 12mo. "Rev. & Dear Sir, / I thank you heartily for your letter and invitation, which have reached me here. I had already received and accepted an invitation from Mr Thos. Martineau at Maple Bank. He mentions in his note having heard from you that I intended visiting Birmingham during the meeting, & will probably inform you that I have accepted his hospitality. / With gratitude for your kind attention, I am, / Yours with cordial respect, / M. D. Conway".

Orientalist and Cambridge Professor (1783-1852). Two pages, 4to, responding to a request for advice for the son of the correspondent who is engaged in preparing a Hebrew Lexicon. Lee gives some solid advice but finally points out that he is engaged on a similar task. WITH: the manuscript text with corrections, two pages, 4to, in Lee's hand, of the examination for the Crosse scholarship (presumably a Cambridge prize) involving Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac. WITH: an 8vo print of Samuel Lee. Three items,

English actor, vocalist and composer (1781-1848). On epage, 4to, creased and chipped with loss only of part of correspondent's name (which ends "...uin"). A significant letter about the Argyll Rooms, the major musical venue of its time. Letter as follows: "If the Licence formerly held by Col. Greville can thus [?] the interest of his family be obtained for the purpose of acting French plays at the Argyle Rooms.

2pp, 8vo, remains of tape indicating from album, headed "Gambia Committee, 3 King Street, Westminster, "We beg respectfully to inform you that a Deputation to protest against the proposal to cede the River Gambia to France, will wait upon Earl Carnarvon ........" Thjey request Molineux's presence. {In fact, GB retained possession.]

Litterateur and Journalist, editor of the "Edinburgh Review" (1813-1895). Four pages, 8vo, foxing, text clear. Reeve has received an article by Tuckwell on "the Literature of the 18th Century . . . Its defect seems to me to be that in title, in spirit, & in substance, it is somewhat too wide & vague - an article more appropriate for an Encyclopaedia than to a Review." He would have preferrd a paper of 20-25 pages on a specific topic such as Latimer's prose. "In writing for the Reviews there is no greater mistake than to embrace too large a field" resulting in a lack of "point".

Statesman (1761-1830). One page [8vo- sm. folio folded in two]. "Particular engagements" prevent him from dining wiht the friends of "Mr Old Wood(sic)". [Other half of sheet has address and Tierney's frank.] With (laid down): contemporary cuttings from newspaper, obituary of Tierney abd a brief account of Pit and Tierney's duel.

Novelist. She assures him that she is "still in the land of the living, and is initially flattered that he is showing an interest (in her autograph). Then she realises that he has mentioned books by her sister (M. Findlater) and has confused her with her sister - "but it is all the same to us!". She mentions that she enclosed an advertisement for "the last edition of my best-known book, suggesting he would find it an interesting read.

Novelist (1776-1850). Text as follows: "Ever yours most faithfully/Jane Porter/ I shall return it to your care before I leave /<?>/ Sir M.A.Shee.

Poet and playwright (1800-1886). 8 (eight) pages, 8vo. He writes concerning a local (Bournemouth) religious controversy and "lay advowsons", giving considerable detail, expressing opinions, and requesting the Archbishop's opinion.

Head Constable of Liverpool. He discusses the prospect of Johnson being appointed Chief Constable of Lancashire, promising instruction and a place inat his office. He praises his active nature and describes the high opinion which "distinguished officers" have of him.

Bold signature on paper cut to 4" x 1", some staining marginally affecting clarity.

Compiler and educational writer, including "Scientific Dialogues" (1764-1816). One page, 8vo, sl. grubby and frayed but text clear and complete. "I enclose you what I drew up for the M{onthly] Magazine" asking for it to be returned as it is his only copy. He refers to the ill health of Mrs Calder [?], presumably the correspondent's wife to whom he sends good wishes and compliments. In a postscript he says "you will in No. Xii of Nicholson have an article on Will - freedom, by the author of the art.[?]Necessity".

Printedletter, one page 12mo, with Autograph Letter Signed "Horace" attached by paper clip (I have replaced the rusty old clip with a new one). The printed letter as follows: "[COPY]/ Chicago, Oct. 10th/ My dear Father,/ Do not fret as I shall be O.K.; our poor Town all burnt to the ground EXCEPT A FEW WOODEN SHANTIES; about 150,000 people without shelter; I have saved my clothes and am under shelter. DO NOT FRET as I am not the WORST OFF BY FAR; hundreds of people burnt and all business places. They are giving free passes everywhere.

Historian and essayist (1834-1895). One page, 8vo. He discussses Baron Tauchnitz's involvement in one of his books [probably the "Life and Times of Stein; or, Germany & Prussia in the Napoleonic Age" (Todd 1849, Cambridge, 1878)]. "As to the honorarium, I am advised that Baron Tauchnitz ought to make an offer".

Antiquarian and dramatist (1796-1880), disbound article, [12] pages, in homemade blue wraps, contents partly detached, manuscript title on front "J.R. Planche on a battlepiece in the National Gallery, July. 1878".

Painter, President of the Royal Academy (1836-1919). Four pages, 8vo. As follows: " I never thanked you for your postcard & its information which adds greatly to the interest of the drawing. " is puzzling certainly, but so unlike "canonico" that I can hardly think it can have been an error in the transcript of that word. I have not yet discovered the other two sketches I possess . . .

Philologist and anthropologist. One page, 8vo. He expresses his appreication of Rost's "portrait" of (the recently deceased) Dr Burnell (Sanskrit scholar). It is a memorial which make sus mourn the more in knowing how much we lost".

Politician and journalist (1831-1912). One page, 8vo, remains for page of album."The Executive of the Radical <?> by me to state that they are not at present disposed to meet the deputation that called upon me on Saturday. . . ". With (conjoined) a copy of the letter his correspondent sent in reply, one page, 8vo, outlining plans for a meeting at the Liberal Control Board and assuming that Labouchere would not "divide the Liberal interest".

Bohemian musician and pianist. One page, 8vo, sl. batterd but the text is unaffected, and clear. "My dear Mr Masson/ Every bottle drawn by your beautiful corkscrew shall be emptied to your good health and that of your sister [presumably Elizabeth Masson, vocalist and teacher, see DNB], and you will both live in our recollection as highly valued and long tried friends. With best thanks . ..... I. Moscheles

Loose leaf, presumably formerly endpaper of book, 8vo, inscribed "For A.J.A. Symons from Holbrook Jackson" with address and date.

Poet and man of letters (1784-1842). He reports that Chantrey (presumably the sculptor) left home and had "professional matters" to keep him away for some time. Asker[Asher?] might not be contactable, though he will"chance" a letter to him.

Bibliographer (1807-1863). Total 5pp., three 8vo, one 4to, mainly concerning his exploration of his own family history (Boteville, etc.).

Theatre critic. One page, 8vo, small piece of signature torn off with loss of "illi" of William. Concerning a "summons" (to a Fireside Club" dinner) which he could not obey being in Edinburgh on "postal censorship business". With: a printed card announcing the next Fireside Club dinner, Oct. 191[9] on which Archer has written "Hope to be present" with his signature, and another hand has written in the place and date. Two items,

Edward Adolphus Seymour, eleventh Duke of Somerset (1775-1855), agriculturist, etc. Three pages, 4to. His correspondent was Sir John Hippisley who, among many avocations, pursued agricultural science which is the main topic of this letter. Somerset is pleased to see the books of General Beatson, former lt gen in the East India Company and Governor of St Helena, but also an experimental agriculturist.

Historian. She suggests that her talk to the Society could include "some funny stories about the very early journalism in the infancy of newspapers", and, in the later note, she accepts an invitation to a Society function. Two items,

Journalist and police magistrate ((1818-1891). One page, 8vo. He invites him to dinner. "The Grimstones and Toole are coming - and others whom I dare say you know". He asks for the response to be sent to the Police Court at Marlborough Street.