SIR

The background to the present correspondence is dealt with exhaustively in C. J. W. Allen's 'The Law of Evidence in Victorian England' (1997) and David Bentley's 'English Criminal Justice in the 19th Century' (1998), chapters 17 ('The Campaign for a Prisoners' Evidence Act') and 18 ('Reform'). ONE: Autograph Letter Signed from Poland ('Harry Bodkin-Poland') to Harington ('His Honour Judge Sir Richard Harington Bart.'). 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged.

The three items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with light damp staining to the Prospectus. ONE: Prospectus. 4pp., tall 8vo. Bifolium. First page headed 'Contractors to the French Government, Naval, Military, and State Authorities. | The New Asbestos Company, Limited. | Incorporated under the Companies Act, 1862 to 1886, whereby the liability of each Shareholder is limited to his Shares. | Capital - - £120,000, | Divided into 30,000 Shares of £4 each.

Three items from the papers of Sir Richard Harington (1835-1911) of Ridlington, 11th Baronet. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Autograph Letter Signed ('Richard Harington Bt.') to Neame. With date stamp 13 January 1907. 2pp., 12mo. It's presence among the Harington papers suggests that the letter was never sent.

Rev. Charles Harington [sic] was grandson of Sir John Edward Harington (1760-1831) of Ridlington, 8th Baronet, and the item is from the Harington papers. The full title reads: 'The Rectory, Stoke Lacy | Catalogue of the Valuable and Modern Furniture | Including Iron Bedsteads, Blankets and Quilts, Chests of Drawers, Mahogany and Painted Wardrobes, Dairy & Kitchen Requisites, Bacon, Whitechapel Trap, Saddles, Casks, Hurdles, & numerous Effects,| To be sold by Auction, by Oakley & Son | On Thursday, 24th.

12pp., 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. On aged paper, with rusted staples. The first report is on pp.2-4, the second on pp.5-8, signed in type (p.8) by Roberts; pp.9-11 carry the 'Report of the Committee', signed in type (p.11) by Roberts and dated 3 November 1905; p.12 carries financial accounts by Roberts for the year 1905. A point of discussion is 'the Bill relating to County Courts, now before Parliament'. From the papers of Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, 11th Baronet, who is listed among those present at the first meeting, at the beginning of which he made a couple of contributions.

The three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Long to Harington, 2 September 1897. 2pp., 12mo. He thanks him for his 'courteous letter' and is sending 'another memo. dealing with points raised by you'. He continues: 'We, of course, do not imagine that our orders and procedure are beyond criticism or are faultless - but we are supported by the Committee, & by the large majority of experts.

Both items in good condition, on aged paper. ONE: Appeal dated June 1901, headed 'West Dereham Church Restoration Fund.' Signed in type 'W. BURLEIGH, Vicar. | H. STEWARD, | J. T. HORN, | Churchwardens.' Carrying a small photograph of the ruins of the church, flanked by a description of the church, 'dedicated to St. Andrew', and its features. Beneath these the appeal begins: 'This interesting Church is now lying in ruins, simply from the effects of old age, and the consequent collapse of the entire roof of the nave on St. Mark's day, 1901.

3pp., 8vo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He is forced to decline an invitation as he has 'a long list here' and has 'for a year past had to husband my strength': 'I know you would kindly wish me to do what I feel best for my well being': 'I hope you will not think me ungrateful I have such a pleasant recollection of your kindly feelings towards me and my brothers Arthur & Watty in days gone by that I should be very sorry if you thought I did not appreciate your kindness in asking me'. Both Vaughan Williams and Harington were educated at Christ Church College, Oxford.

Each letter 1p., 12mo. Both in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Each in a different secretarial hand, both headed 'R v Corbett'. The first letter reads: 'The accused has been sentenced to 7 years penal servitude. Mr. Lawrence mentioned to the Judge privately the question of postponing sentence but the latter would not adopt the course suggested.' The second reads: 'I will certainly instruct Lawrence as to the circumstance to which you refer so that your application may be made to the Court'. From the Harington papers.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. A charming letter, the subject of which is an anecdote told by Augustus Hare in his autobiography relating to Samuel Smith, Dean of Christ Church, which was considered 'defamatory' by Smith's relation Harington, and gave offence to his family.

Printed form, on one side of a 10.5 x 17 cm piece of laid paper. In fair condition, aged and worn. Reads, with autograph text by Hodson in square brackets: 'Oxoniae [Maii 5to] Anno Domini 1818. | QUO die comparuit coram me [Ricardus Harington ex AEde Christi Baronetti Fil.] | et subscripsit Articulis Fidei, et Religionis; et juramentum suscepit de agnoscenda suprema Regiae Majestatis potestate; et de observandis Statutis, Privilegiis, et Consuetudinibus hujus Universitatis. | [F. Hodson, P. V. Cancell:]'. From the papers of the Harington baronets of Ridlington.

Four items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. An interesting correspondence, casting light on the proprieties of Victorian biographical writing. Hare's 'The Story of my Life' was published in six volumes between 1896 and 1900, and was described by the original DNB as ‘a long, tedious, and indiscreet autobiography’. The Oxford DNB remarks that 'By the late twentieth century, however, Hare was undergoing something of a revival. A society of enthusiasts and collectors of his works was formed: a one-volume condensed edition of his autobiography was edited by A. Miller and J.

Dundas and his sister Hilda Guilhermina Whitaker were children of the 6th Viscount Melville. See his entry in Who Was Who, and his obituary in The Times, 11 February 1956. The present item was written during his first posting, as Assistant District Commissioner in the British East Africa Protectorate, 1908-1914. He would go on to publish a book on the region, titled 'Kilimanjaro and its People' (1924). 7pp., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He has 'just returned from a trip to an uninhabitated [sic] place in search of people who do not exist.

Five items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Webster's four letters total 6pp., 12mo.

The three items are in good condition, ondff lightly aged and worn. Three interesting items, responding tactfully to what would appear to be an accusatory communication by Harington, pointing out that his son has succeeded despite having been 'superannuated' from Westminster School. ONE: 18 October 1898. 4pp., 12mo. Begins: 'Dear Sir Richard Harington | I am delighted to read the two enclosures. The Winnington-Ingrams one associated with many memories of my Rugby, Marlborough, & later days!' He will send the enclosures to the Head Master, [b]ut I won't rebuke him or convey any rebuke.

2pp.,12mo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He has been informed by 'Mr. Hill of the Victoria & Albert Museum' that Harington has 'a Backstaff'. Adams has been 'looking out for one for some years' without success and would like to purchase Harington's if he has 'no use for it. 'I think Mr. Hill mentioned to you that I had a collection of old navigating instruments & he has very kindly been trying to find a backstaff for me'. He ends in the hope that Harington will 'excuse the zeal of the collector'.

Both items in good condition, on lightly aged paper, and both docketed in blue pencil. The letter to Wood with the oval date stamp of the Society. ONE: ALS to Sir H. T. Wood, 23 January 1916. 1p., 12mo. Reads: 'I hear that my friend Mr. Besant has very kindly recommended that I might be able to review Major MacMahon's new book for you but I am afraid just at present I am so frightfully full up with work that I dare not undertake anything else – Even if I had time I fear the book would be beyond me. I am very sorry I cannot help.' TWO: ALS to 'My dear Besant', 23 January 1916. 1p., 4to.

10 items. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. All but the last in manuscript. ONE: 'Copy of Order on Call to the Bar', Lincoln's Inn, 'Dated Michas Term 1858.' 1p., 8vo. Signed at foot 'Ml Doyle | Steward.' Reads: 'At a Special Council there held the Sixteenth day of November, in the Twenty second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Victoria, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, and with the neat remains of windowpane mount adhering to the edges. He writes that 'Sir Harry Erskine had applied to the Duke of Ancaster for a passport Ticket for me, but He has just now informed me That He has had an Answer from his Grace about another Ticket but no notice taken of his application for the Pass Ticket. This embarrasses me exceedingly as I have engaged myself with a party who go from the Abbey to the Hall and I should be infinitely obliged to you if you happen to be enough acquainted with the D.

Seven items. The first two are ink stained but still entirely legible, otherwise the material is in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Carbon typescript (7pp., 8vo) headed 'Observations by Sir Richard Harington on the questions submitted to the Judges of County Courts and others by Sir J. G. Barnes' Committee.' Dated from Whitbourne Court, Worcester, 12 November 1908. Docketed by Harington: '1908 | County Courts | Observations by Sir Rd. H.' With a few minor autograph emendations. Giving detailed answers to four questions.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. His reply to her letter has been delayed by his 'absence in Paris on official business'. He is 'satisfied that the attacks upon Sir Eyre Crowe are based upon entire ignorance of the facts'. Crowe 'has always held strongly anti-German views and expressed himself officially in this sense as long ago as 1908'. Astor understands 'that the Kaiser personally requested his removal from the Foreign Office for this reason on more than one occasion'.

Part of printed Exchequer receipt, on one side of a trimmed-down 10 x 17.5 cm. piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged, with wear to one corner. Made out to Cope, 'in Repayment of Loan on the late Vote of Credit passed the 5th Day of March, 1716, for 600000 l. to be repaid out of the first Aid to be granted this Session of Parliament', for 'Services of the Publick by Sea and Land'. Signed on reverse: '11th March 1717 | Reced in full | J Cope', with 'Witness | J Miller'.

Three strips of paper, each with a single column of text in small print: 47 + 55 + 30 cm. Complete article, paginated to 3. The second strip has the running title 'National Guard - A Visit to Flanders - 2'. Aged and creased, and with a corner torn away from the third strip, resulting in loss of text to six lines and the running title, Two minor manuscript corrections.

Part of printed Exchequer receipt, on one side of 18 x 17.5 cm piece of paper, titled 'Sir Henry Furnese Bar. in Repayment of Loan on the Twelfth 4s. Aid, Anno 1709.' In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. On the reverse, in a clerk's hand: 'I doe hereby Assigne and transfer all my Right Title and Interest of the within order and talley thereto belonging to the Right Honble. John Lord Hervey or his Assigns'. Signed 'Henry Furnese', and beneath this, in the hand of Lord Hervey (he was created Earl of Bristol in 1714): 'June 15 1710 | Recd the Contents | Hervey'.

Cream card, blank on one side. No address or stamp. In good condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dr Lankester, some days since I asked you to an 8 re Apl. 1. I hope you can come | Lord Avebury & others are come [sic] | Kindly let me know | yours truly | H Thompson'.

32pp., 12mo. In faded green printed wraps with full title and advertisements. Disbound. In good condition, on aged high-acidity paper in brittle slightly-chipped wraps. The first edition was published in 1893 in Dorking by R. J. Clark. This third edition includes new material in seven appendices, pp.19-32, beginning with 'Results in 1893 - A year of drought.' Now scarce.

10 + [1]pp., folio. On ten leaves of grey paper, attached at a corner with string. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded into a packet by Harington, and docketed by him: 'Squib in "The Times" by Sergeant Hayes afterwards Mr Justice Hayes | Prosecution of the War with Russia, & Liberty of the Press' The text, with marginal commentary, appears to be identical to that published in London in February 1855 by William Stevens, Printer, 37, Bell Yard, Temple Bar.

Six items, all but the last in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. A highly-entertaining snapshop of the seamier side of Victorian life, with the Metropolitan Police investigating after Sir Richard Harington of Ridlington, 11th Baronet, (1835-1911) alleges a blackmail plot, following his receipt of a letter from Mrs Nellie Rowan (Item Two), in which she addresses him as 'Dick', refers to her 'Rubbing Care' and ends in ' Kisses XXXXXX'.

Each letter 1p., 4to. The collection in fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Two items with the Society's stamp. The first three items from 1930, relate to the appointment of a chairman for a 'meeting in March' by Abercrombie at the Society. On 28 November he suggests the Bishop of Chichester, 'who as Dean of Canterbury worked in very close co-operation with me, or Lady Milner'. He next (11 December) suggests 'Lord Cornwallis of the Kent County Council, who is also a member of the East Kent Committee'.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on aged paper. Reads: 'My Dear Sir | Mr Macpherson Grant the Member for Sutherland wishes to see the Dock Yard at Woolwich tomorrow and you will oblige me very much by directing that he & his party may be admitted into the Dock Yard. | I am My Dear Sir | every Yours truly | G. Warrender'.