letter

Wood engraver2pp., 8vo. Staining not obscuring the text. He promises to go to his house to "sign the Return you speak of" and announces a recent change of address.

One page, 8vo. French rights of "The Brass Bottle" already settled. With: Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 8vo, F.W. Pemberton, on Anstey's behalf, to Mrs Fisher on the same matter. Two items,

Actor and theatre manager (DNB). One page, some damage marginally affecting the text. He thanks him for his gift of the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade".

The Examiners' Office in early C19th England. Winburne has made suggestions for improving the Examiners' Office. Dancer replies with a review of the nature and problems of the Office, the nature of witnesses (unclean, diseased), the place of interview (a prison room, etc.). Dancer describes the onerous nature of the examiner's job, the need for experience, and finally refers to the "most eligible plan" which is in minutes supplied to Winburne.

Scottish painter (1796-1864).Good Signature of Roberts and others (Calder Marshall and Witherington and one illegible).clipped from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund.

Painter, essayist and critic (1841-1902). He explains why he cannot go on an excursion. He expects to have to paint a python on the point of shedding its skin.

Sculptor (1814-1877). 2pp. & one page, 8vo. He initially discusses the "distresses" of someone called Hone, presumably an artist, how £50 would enable him to provide for himself and his family. Advertisements about Hone's situation have been placed and presumably they hope for contributions. The second letter appears to concern contributions from Wigram and Tupper. 2 items,

Historical painter (1816-1879). 3 & 2pp., 8vo. (4 Sept.) He is doing his best to facilitate the sale of a painting through a friend ("Haynes"), "the de Witt picture", owned by a Col. Gordon. The market for "luxury" items is affected by the depression, but he hopes for an upturn. He admires both the de Witt and "the portrait of Mary". (28 Sept.) He will do his best with regard to both pictures but outlines problems. 2 items,

Journalist and police magistrate (1818-1891). 2pp., 8vo. Statement of Account for contributions to the "Miscellany", countersigned by Know three times. "Wellesley" attributes the articles listed in these statements to John Hamilton Reynolds, Keats's friend.

Viscount, soldier, G.-G. of India. (Croker) asks for assistance for lady whose sons died on naval duty. (Hull) he has passed on his note about forgery to Peel. (Attorney-General) asks him to look at a Bill he wants to go before the House. (Singleton) he discusses the circumstances of the death of Huskisson (run over by a train) and other business including "O.G. Mahon", Lord Westmeath's speech ("coarse invective agt the D of W and so grossly indecent"), Shiel's speech, O'Connell ("influence greatly declined"), General O'Neill and other matters. Four items,

Governor-General of India. 5 & 2pp., 8vo. Some illegible. (1830) he asks himself whether the "Board" should reply to "the Statements and Assumptions of the . . . Secret Committee in the subject of the Secret Letters relating to the Treaty with . . .(?)". He continues on the theme, concluding that ther documents in question had been perused by Lord Clare, the intended successor of Sir John Malcolm" (Governor of Bombay). (1841) he is trying to arrange a meeting.

Colonial secretary , Van Diemen's Land. 1.5pp., 8vo. He discusses the physical composition of a necklace. (Bicheno's works on Law and the Irish economy are listed on the reverse in a different hand.)

Judge, jurist, and ecclesiatical lawyer (1845-1929). 3pp., 12mo, giving thanks for valuable information, describing his researches ("Rimbault's book" and correspondence), alluding to cheque books which he has inspected and others he wishes to inspect. He anticipates calling and seeing his correspondent's "Patents or Warrants"

Archivist (1776-1854). 2pp., 4to, suggesting that, despite the potential for "tumult" of a "great Concourse of People", the following day, he does not believe there will be a need for the "Sheriff's Interference". (At this time Hobhouse acted as permanent under-secretary for the Home Dept.)

Naturalist (1826-1888). 2pp., 8vo, signs of having been laid down, thanking Draper for "the Japanese book on Birds, commenting on the drawings ("wonderfully instinct with life", "suggestion of movement about their portraits of animals or human beings"). he mentions another Japanese book he has "full of grotesque pantomime figures". He goes on to discuss the "Hippocampus" Draper has given him, asking for further information. He concludes with news about the por health of a mutual friend, W.O. Whiteside ("one of the 'wigwams'"(?)).

Bishop of Norwich. (1813) "The application of civil sanctions, of any kind, to religious opinion, has always appeared to me contrary to sound policy, to just reasoning, and to the revealed Word of God.". The Pope is his "Holy Brother". He says that he will vote for his correspondent's bill for Catholic Emancipation which is before Parliament. The abstract was before the Bishops. He wonders what view the Bench will take, says that not many Bishops will support him, and questions the timing.

Scottish writer, sportsman and naturalist (1845-1937). 4pp., 4to. He gives detailed answers to questions about members of the Douglas family and finally refers Sladen to his book, "The Story of the Tweed".

Zoologist (1861-1933). Two of the cards say very little. The third is as follows: "'Nature' remains, more or less wisely, on an altitude. Books brought ot the altar will be reviewed. Others won't. If Prof. Carr sends a copy to 'Nature', as surely should have been done on publication, the all-highest Editor may send it to me for review, and for return therafter to the alter (sic). As far as \i know, this is the invariable rule. Of course I shall be glad to call attention to first-rate work." 3 items,

Engineer. One page, 8vo. He asks him to use his influence in Belfast to get a job for a former pupil of his.

General and military writer (1803-1885). One page, 8vo. He encloses a memorandum (?) about "Mr Fowler's Colonial Fishes of Canada" (drawings), asking if any of his friends would like to subscribe. The memorandum is written on a conjoint page and is from R.J. Fowler. He is anxious for his drawings to go to London and discusses them with their prices

Political economist. He asks him to look at the enclosed letter "if he thinks it a sufficient authority" and "put Dr Buckland's name under that of Mr Gould".

Founder-member of the Fabian Society (1857-1955). 12pp. total, 8vo (3) & 4to (1), (1891) He asks Grinling to work with Henry Snell (M.P. for Woolwich) on preparing a Fabian Tract, suggesting a draft could be shown to the S.E. Committee, outlining what they should say. He also wants a leaflet for "the Guardians Elections", and announces that Sidney Webb on Poor Law will be Tract 17. (1901) His opinion on the "Housing Loan question", a meeting on Boards of Guardians, and the disordered office.

Caricaturist (1861-1945). He declines taking up a suggestion since he is "no longer doing that kind of illustration for 'Punch'".

Mother of Rupert, but apparently distinguished in her own right. She sympathises with Connard's "dreadful" life, but her family "feel very troubled that we are so well off for everything and can do almost nothing to help". She goes on to discuss the portrait Connard painted of Rupert and Helen (presumably sister) which "now graces our drawingroom mantelpiece" among distinguished company (John, Sickert, etc.). She mentions finally her two little daughters.

Social reformer and historian, educationalist (1860-1937). (1886). He brings Grinling up to date on his activities, educational and political, giving his views on clerical reform. (n.y.) He describes his life in country retirement. With: newspaper clipping, "Times" obituary. 3 items,

Political economist (1807-1888). Price appears to be responding to a work of Young's (probably " Imperial Federation of Great Britain and her Colonies. In letters edited by F. Y., (London, 1876)". He admires Young's enthusiasm but cannot himself "go into a definite Federated scheme as <?> as you do". He explains why, dintroducing the Great Powers, the Turks rotting, Russia advancing to the Bosphorus, and so on.

2pp., 8vo, chipped, not affecting the text. He expresses a liking for a photograph and tells of a "job" involving the "Immortalite".

Politician. 1 and 2pp., 8vo. He discusses an anonymous witness ("la Dame Blanche") in a confidential matter. Later letters discuss a trickster operating in Berkeley's constituency (selling gas without coal with a magnet). He seeks information from Manby whom he believes will have the contacts to get it. Six items,

Antiquarian and art connoisseur (1857-1929). 3pp., 8vo. He wishes to clarify the view he and his colleagues at the British Museum are taking on "the Thompson memorial", ignoring it since it is a British Academy matter not British Museum.

Song writer (1849-1912). 2pp., 8vo. He expresses fulsome gratitude for being allowed to set a lyric (unnamed) to music.