Forged letter of Alfred Tennyson, 1876, to Mrs [Catherine] Gladstone, written and signed in an unknown hand, as if by Tennyson.
Sans titrePapers of Archibald Hamilton Rowan, 1823, comprise a letter to Sir John Sinclair. '...As a small specimen of our [Irish] taxation H.R. sends in a separate cover, a resume of the local taxes of this city; on which it is intended to petition parliament this session. Our Att[orney] Gen[eral] has consented to present it. H.R. has procured the constitution of some of the parishes of London, and would feel himself much obliged to Sir John Sinclair if he could conveniently inform him, how those local taxes are levied in Edinburgh ...' .
Sans titrePapers of Iris Murdoch, c 1980-1995, comprising correspondence addressed to Roly Cochrane from Murdoch including 138 letters and 59 cards and postcards, which demonstrate Murdoch's interest in someone with whom she became fond through correspondence alone. Within the letters Murdoch discusses her work, confiding in Cochrane, who continued to write to her during the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The collection contains a final note from John Bayley referring to her illness. The collection also contains a copy of Facing Reality, 1997, a work by Roly Cochrane.
Sans titreLetters from Iris Murdoch to Hal Lidderdale dating from 1945 to 1990s. Lidderdale was a friend of Murdoch's from Oxford where they were students together, and they remained in touch until Lidderdale's death. Topics covered in the letters include Murdoch's work following the Second World War with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), meeting with Jean Paul Sartre, her brief engagement to David Hicks, and her later work and travels.
Sans titrePapers of Iris Murdoch, 1990-1992, comprising letters from Murdoch to Cheryl Bove, discussing issues including their next meeting and Murdoch's upcoming publications.
Sans titreLetters written from Iris Murdoch to Harry Weinberger from 1977 to 1996. The letters are in files grouped by the drawer in which Harry Weinberger kept them in his desk. The letters discuss subjects such as their shared interest in the arts and religious iconography, and both of their work. Their are over 300 letters in total.
The collection also contains a number of additional items relating to Iris Murdoch's friendship with Harry Weinberger, collected by Weinberger. This includes exhibition catalogues for Weinbergers work, and copies of drawings of Murdoch by Weinberger.
Sans titrePapers of Andrew Wilson, 1809, comprise a letter to [W L Mansel], Bishop of Bristol and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, requesting that 'his Lorship will accept of this copy of the only stereotyped Greek Testament in the world, as a small memorial of A.W.'s sense of his Lorship's partiality to the art of Stereotype Printing'.
Sans titrePapers of Augustus de Morgan, 1831, comprise a draft letter from De Morgan [to the University Council], resigning his professorship on account of the removal from his charis of Mr Pattison 'without any fault of his own. This being understood I should think it discreditable to hold a professorship under you one moment longer', 24 July 1831 and a reply from Coates on behalf of the Council, accepting the resignation, 27 July 1831.
Sans titrePapers of Brenda Elizabeth Spender, 1925-1947, fourteen letters written to Spender from Constance Holme (1 letter), Walter de la Mare (1 letter), Wilson Midgley (1 letter), George E B Saintsbury (6 letters and 4 cards) and Siegfried Sassoon (1 letter). Most items concern business carried out by Spender in her role at the literary editor of Country Life.
Sans titrePapers of Aldous Leonard Huxley, 1918 , comprise a letter his brother, Julian Sorell Huxley, discussing books and society and literary figures.
Sans titreLetter from Francis Place to William Carpenter, 12 Jun 1838. 'You as well as any man know how one is led on in an enquiry - I must I find know everything to be able clearly to state the case and draw the correct inferences'.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Victor de Riqueti, Marquis de Mirabeau to 'mon cher Monsieur duchesne', 25 Jun 1775. Asking him for his good offices on behalf of 'un pauvre provençal', who was in Paris 'pour une affaire à la terray qui ruineroit tout le commerce'.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from John Russell to [William] Wyon, Esq, Her Majesty's Mint, 2 Dec 1847. 'Sir, I quite approve of the sketch for the 'florin' - Sir Charles Wood may as well see it before it is finally decided. Yr. Obed. Servt. J. Russell'.
Autograph, with signature. With the original envelope and seal.
Sans titreLetter from Adam Smith, 5 Feb 1778. Address: Edinburgh. Acknowledging the receipt of his commission as Commissioner of Customs for Scotland. 'I received the Commission on Monday the 2d ist: four days after my name had appeared in the Gazette: I am assured there is scarce an example of any such commissions coming to Edinburgh in less than four weeks after that publication'.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Joseph Rayner Stephens of Stalybridge, Lancashire to an unspecified recipient, 6 Aug 1853. 'I am afraid it will not be in my power to comply with your request [to sell or give away some of his father's letters]. Continuing that he will try to obtain an autograph of his father's [John Stephens].
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Sir Benjamin Thompson of Munich to Lord Sheffield [John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield], 18 Nov 1791. Describing the condition and people of Bavaria. Speaking of the Elector's troops: '... I know of no Troops that are so well and so comfortably clothed as ours, both for Summer and Winter ...'. Giving details of the crops, minerals and commerce of Bavaria. 'It would be difficult,'he writes, 'to convey to your Lordship an adequate idea of the Ignorance, Superstition and corruption which pervade and darken every part of this neglected Country.' Says that the clergy and nobility hold a monopoly of the beer in Bavaria: '... which is the great source of their riches, and on that account Drunkenness must be encouraged.'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Thomas Perronet Thompson of Blackheath, [Kent] to George Pryme, Esq of Wiston, near Huntingdon, 19 Mar 1848. 'For the first time I appear to have got under the fallacy about a paper circulation based on all the land in the country. I just now perceive this included in the latest manifesto of Robert Owen.'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Gilbert Wakefield of Dorchester Gaol to George Dyer of Clifford's Inn, Fleet Street, 2 Jul 1799. Thanking him for his 'fraternal solicitude'.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from William Ernest Henley of St George's Lodge, Worthing, [Sussex] to Matthew Cripps, Esq, 17 Dec 1899. 'I fear I cannot help you, as I remember nothing about either of the matters with which you are concerned.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreFragments of 5 letters from Thomas Campbell, of which 3 were written to Cyrus Redding, [1830-1844]. Including one wrapper with a seal.
Sans titreLetter from Sir Robert Peel of Whitehall to Andrew Rankin, Esq of Glasgow, 10 May 1843. Acknowledging receipt of a letter regarding the removal of import duties on cotton wool.
Written in another hand and signed by Peel. With the original sealed envelope bearing Peel's coat of arms.
Sans titreLetter from John Russell of Hamilton Place to [the Earl of Sheffield], 21 May 1813. Accompanying a copy of [George Sinclair's] Account of experiments on the produce and nutritive qualities of different grasses and other plants, instituted by the Duke and conducted with the assistance of Humphrey Davy.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreForged letter pertaining to be from William Makepeace Thackery to an unknown recipient, [1850]. 'When I said that I could do no more for you for the present I meant it literally: I never once said it as a simple excuse... When I find that your views on hard work are different I may perhaps have something to say to you. Believe me a lazy life is a curse to any man.
Written and signed in an unknown hand, as if by Thackeray.
Sans titreLetter from Emperor Ferdinand I of Prague to the Judge and Councillor of Enns, 10 May 1562. Refusing a petition, sent by his son Maximilian, for the closing down of a church.
Written in another hand and signed by the Emperor.
Sans titreLetter from John Burnett of the Board of Trade to Professor H S Foxwell, 11 Nov 1889. 'There can be little doubt that there were trade combinations in existing [sic] very early in the eighteenth century'.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre10 letters from Henry Peter Brougham to various correspondents, [1809]-1863. Including an admission slip to the House of Lords, 1854. Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from William Benjamin Carpenter of University of London, Burlington House, London to Augustus De Morgan, 24 Oct 1859. Referring to the possibility of examination papers being seen surreptitiously before the examination. On the question of 'cramming' he doubts 'the possibility of destroying it by any method of Examination. I believe, however, that a viva voce Examn. would furnish the best antidote to it.'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetters sent and received by Mrs Sophia De Morgan, c 1870-1884. Correspondents include Charles Tomlinson and Professor Alexander Bain.
Sans titreLetter from Francis Albert Rollo Russell of Steep, Petersfield, Hampshire to [William Frend De Morgan], 12 Nov 1912. Enclosing a printed copy of a letter from Garibaldi to De Morgan which praises Lord John Russell [Rollo Russell's father], and asking for confirmation of its correctness.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Herbert George Wells of 47 Chiltern Court, Clarence Gate, London to D Wylie King [Mining Editor of the Financial Times] of The Close, Draycott Avenue, Kenton, Middlesex. Relating to Wells's use of King's phrase 'world audit' in The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1931).
Autograph, with signature.
With a typescript envelope (stamp torn away) and an undated cutting [probably contemporary with the letter] about The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind.
Sans titreLetter from Henry Crabb Robinson of 30 Russell Square, [London] to T G Osler, 28 Jun 1854. Regarding a Cambridge meeting of the Archaeological Institute; indicating his trust in the judgement of Osler and others over a decision to be made in his absence.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre4 letters from Henry Peter Brougham to Richard Sharp MP, 1807-1820. Relating to political topics. All letters are autograph, with signatures.
Sans titreLetter from John Ruskin of Denmark Hill to an unnamed correspondent, 29 Mar [1864]. Recalling the gracious reception he had once been accorded at Bradford [Mar 1859], thanking him for his compliments and for an invitation to lecture there again [Apr 1864]: 'I can't say pretty things any more...If you will let me say a few simple things in a quiet way I'll come, if my health permits me ...' Autograph, with signature. Written on black-edged paper [Ruskin's father died on 3 Mar 1864].
Sans titreLetter from Raymond Wilson Chambers of University College London, Gower Street, London to Dr [H F] Heath, Registrar of the University of London, Jun 1901. Concerning Chambers's duties as a supervisor at University examinations and referring to his work in the library at University College.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from John Ivatt Briscoe of Twickenham, [Middlesex] to an unknown recipient, 29 Apr 1828. Referring to the bill for better regulation of savings banks: making 3 points concerning security, liability of trustees, and the advantages of exact legal regulation. Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre3 letters from Henry George Grey (3rd Earl Grey) of Howick, [Northumberland] to J L Ricardo MP, 16 Jun-4 Jul 1855. Dealing mainly with a free trade agreement between Barbados and Canada, and a proposed loan to Turkey.
Autograph, with signature. With 1 envelope.
Sans titreLetter from Eden Phillpotts of Eltham, Torquay, [Devon] to Miss Vulliamy, 18 Oct 1901. 'May I come begging for a cause very near my heart? The memorial to Mr [R D] Blackmore is now an accomplished fact & it only remains to test the number of those who admired his work ...'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from George Chalmers of the Office for Trade, Whitehall to T Cadell, Esq, publisher, 17 Feb 1821. Referring to Chalmers's work Caledonia.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre(1) Letter from John Mitchell of 35 Wimpole Street, [London], to W M Maude, 24 May 1820. 'The Pamphlet you were so obliging to send me, I have read with great attention; and I think the reasoning of it so sound that I intend to vote for Lord Sutton's motion ...' ; autograph, with signature.
(2) Covering note from [W M Maude] to John Mitchell, [c1820]. Accompanying a 3rd edition of James Bischoff's pamphlet Reasons for the immediate repeal of the tax on foreign wool (1820); note undated and unsigned.
Sans titreLetter from James Yates of Lauderdale House, Highgate, London to Samuel [A Thompson Yates], [1861-1871]. Mentioning 5s 6d paid to Mr Sackett for 'the engraving of Baskerville ... A person named Matthews in Birmingham has published a new edition of the view of the houses at Birmingham, which were destroyed at the Riots [of 1791 against Joseph Priestley and other non-conformists]. One of these is a view of Baskerville House. It [the house] was purchased and enlarged by Mr John Ryland, and in that state was destroyed by the mob ...'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Sir thomas Bernard of Wimpole Street, [London] to Samuel Parkes, chemist, 20 Nov 1816. Thanking him for making corrections to Bernard's proposals for the repeal of the salt duties. Autograph, with signature. The blank leaf is endorsed: 'Sir Thos. Bernard, 22d Nov. 1816'.
Sans titreLetter from Thomas Clarkson of Woodbridge, [Suffolk] to Peter Clare of Manchester, 21 Apr 1826. Thanking him for details of a successful petition: 'Yours indeed is a great triumph, when you consider the opposition, if I may so call it, of the Boroughreeve ... It was much the case at Glasgow, where the hireling [James] Macqueen, the Editor of a Glasgow paper [?Glasgow Herald], and pensioned by two of the West Indian legislatures, and a host of W. India planters owners of West Indiamen and coopers, mechanics working for that employ resided ... There is ... something so good in our cause [the abolition of slavery], that it must always make its way among a moral people.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre7 letters, mainly written to Marian Evans, [1860]-1874. Correspondents include Sir Edward C Burne-Jones, Sir Frederic Burton, John Chapman, George Henry Lewes, Edmund Owen, Herbert Spencer and Sir Charles V Stanford. Several of the letters express appreciation of the quality of George Eliot's writing.
All letters are autograph, with signatures.
Sans titreLetter from William Wilberforce of Iver, Buckinghamshire to the [? Home Office], 2 Aug 1823. Asking for 'Mr. Peele' [i.e. the Home Secretary, Robert Peel, later Sir Robert Peel] to consider 'the application of several highly respectable people in favour of Geo. Fish [convicted at Hull] ... that instead of being transported for 7 years according to his sentence, he may be placed in the Penitentiary in the not unreasonable hope that the principles which were instilled into him in his childhood may there be reviv'd'. Requesting that any decision be communicated to him at Elmdon House near Coventry.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from George MacDonald of 39 Melville Street, Edinburgh to Mr [Robert] Balgarnie, 21 Jun 1885. Thanking him for an invitation, which he hopes to accept. 'I suppose the month of August would do for Scarborough - but so far we are not even sure that we shall not be in Bordighera before the end of that month. We are getting very good gatherings here.'
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre6 letters written by Thomas Campbell, c 1815-1841. Correspondents include Lord Jeffrey [Francis Jeffrey], Cyrus Redding and Bess Campbell. Topics covered include social engagements and Campbell's health.
All items are autograph, with signatures.
Sans titreLetter from Thomas Hoskins Webb of Camden, Maine to Joseph Hume, 11 Aug 1849. Thanking him for his 'kind attention to my inquiries relative to the important subject of Postal Reform'; sending him a copy of a pamphlet issued by 'our Free [sic] Postage Association, wherein you will find an extract from one of your letters to me, and in an Appendix the statistics by you kindly funished'; offering to send extra copies should Hume or Mr Rowland Hill desire any. Webb mentions 'another subject or project designed for the public good. I mean a "People's Library". Altho' we abound in Charitable, Literary, and Scientific Institutions, we have nothing of this description. We have Athenaeums, Social Libraries, Circulating Do., Mercantile Do., Apprentices' Do., Historical Do., but not one People's Library... The great mass of the community, the People, emphatically so called, have no right of admission to any of these places...'.
Autograph, with signature. A note in another hand states that a reply was made on 28 Aug 1849; initialled: 'D'.
Sans titreLetter from Sir Samuel Romilly of Gray's Inn, London to John Baynes (also of Gray's Inn), Embsay Kirk, near Skipton, Yorkshire, 2 Sep 1785. Regrets but excuses Baynes's silence: '... if [the lakes in Cumberland] are half as beautiful as they are described to be I dont wonder yt you cannot turn yr attention to anything yt is enveloped in y smoke of London... I have heard a gr[ea]t deal since you have been gone abt our friend y Count [i.e. Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau] tho not from himself or his belle amie [Henriette-Amélie Van Haren, Madame de Nehra]. That great deal, however is only a great many books wch he had written ...'. Mentioning a work of Mirabeau's that had been banned in France. 'Have you seen [John] Adams, the American ambassador [later US President]? I dined y o[the]r day in compy with him and his wife and w[ha]t is much better his dau[ghte]r who is so pretty ... As for y Fa[the]r he is quite M. l'Ambassadeur and seems afraid to say any thing without mystery lest one sho[ul]d find out yt he is not of a higher order of beings that oneself'. Discussing the state of patent law in respect of new inventions and examines way of making it more beneficial to patentees. Concludes with remembrances 'to our good friend Dome'.
Autograph, with signature. Endorsed with the name: Thomas G Whytehead.
Sans titreLetter from Michel Chasles of Paris to Augustus De Morgan, 31 Aug 1852. On mathematical matters.
Autograph, with signature.
Sans titreLetter from Robert Bald of Edinburgh to Joseph Hume MP, 27 Apr 1826. Excusing his silence 'but ... I have been uncommonly pressed with mineral surveying and reporting thereon arising in a great degree from the conflicting elements which arise betwixt master and servant. Coals rise in price to an exorbitant rate, and the great manufacturing interests of Glasgow & chief consumers of coal there agreed to have the districts surveyed as to the means of supplying the City with abundance of coal at a moderate rate, and to lay rail ways into the coals fields which were the best'. He encloses "two copies of the treatise I wrote regarding the coal trade of Scotland and the slavish system of bearing coals by women. I have been attacked and run down for doing so: this I care nothing about ...'. Autograph, with signature.
Sans titre