AUTOGRAPH

Bishop of Winchester (1741-1820). Secretarial hand followed by the signature "B. Winchester". The Government has asked him (and other bishops presumably) to ask the vicars in his diocese to obtain information about the "high price of provisions", the Clergy being thought "above the suspicion of being actuated by selfish & interested motives". He has passed on some questions (not present) to which he would like answers derived from enquiries in their parishes and neighbourhood.

Civil engineer (1804-63). 2 pp, 12mo. "Dear Sir / Will you excuse the Son of your old Surveyor General so far as to send me a printed copy of the regulations under which Boys come for examination at Woolwich Academy: My Boy will probably be finding his way there & I want to prepare him to meet the Points of examination: - If you have not any of the printed copies perhaps by passing this not into an adjoining room you will be able to send one by my messenger who will wait, & you will much oblige yours faithfull / W. S. Moorsom".

Commander, US Navy, Mexican War veteran, author (1803-1948). One page, 4to, severe staining (perhaps the glue from its laying down), and some damage causing some obscuring of text (difficult enough without a further problem), which is as follows: I am greatly indebted to you for you[r] obliging poem of the 29 ultimo and for the favourable [se]ntiments towards me which it expresses. Such [s]entiments proceeding from [an ... ...?] are doubly valuable, and I thank you most cordially for the kind feeling which prompted you to express them ........

Author (1826-1875). 2 pp, 12mo. "[...] You got me into a d - d mess with Nicholson but I promised him to say nothing about it so Mum's the word / Yours in expectation of a True Hoodian morceau". Traces of mount stuck to reverse.

Stage historian. One page, 8vo.He thanks Shorter for the loan of some books and asks for another.

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,

Zoologist. 2pp. each, 8vo. He talks about proofs of his articles,giving instructions, discusses a manuscript he has submitted and congratulates Shorter on photographs of a Siberian mammoth. 3 items,

Philanthropist and author (of the Life of Octavia Hill). One page taken from an album. On the page for his birthday (29 June) Maurice has written out part of Tennyson's "Oenone" (commencing "Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control"). Maurice involved himself in many causes, including the preservation of Parliament Hill Fields, Bulgaria when devastated, Boer women and children, Georgian independence, etc., etc. (With offprint of his obituary from the Ham and High.)

Poet (1880-1958). One and 4pp., 4to and 8vo. The typed letter has a hole not affecting text. It concerns a book Noyes has sent under separate cover, hoping to arrange a meeting. In the letter to Mrs Jerrold, he is commiserating with her on the death of Walter Jerrold ("one of the most lovable men I have ever known", etc.). 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.

Theistic preacher (1828-1912). 6pp., 8vo. He is responding to the judgement of the Privy Council given on the 11th February that he be under "sentence of deprivation" unless he retracted his unorthodoxies. He discusses disestablishment, the need for the representation of national views, and the fund which established his independence.

Architect (1830-1905). He declines an invitation to call on the Lanyons. "The fact is that I must return to-morrow evening by the 5 oclock train. I find the drawings will occupy me every minute of the 3 days I have set aside for the work". Four pieces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to the blank reverse.

Engineer and administrator (1836-1916). He thanks Tupper effusively for his hospitality ("Traditional old Indian hospitality").

Ambassador at Naples (-1842). "I have received my writ from the Lord Chancellor- & I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken."

English actor (1846-1909). One page, 8vo. "Dear Sir / If I can get original Cast I shall do a scene from 'Drink" / Yours faithfully / Charles Warner". Warner's most memorable part was Coupeau in 'Drink' (1879), an adaptation of Zola's 'L'Assommoir'. Not in the best of condition: creased, dusty and torn.

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.

Boys' story writer. 2pp., 8vo. He is pleased that she and her brother enjoyed "The King's Scout" (the "nicest women" enjoy their brother's books), and that she would like his autograph. He is sending her another book with autograph letters from himself and the illustrator, "Mr Masefield". "Mr. Masefield's is not a very good specimen but it is the only one I can find at present."

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

Son and executor of J. Sheridan LeFanu, novelist (1814-1873). He approves the proposed transfer of "The Wyvern Mystery" to Messrs Downey & Co.

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,

Essayist and dramatist (1830-1877). 1 page, 12mo. "If you should be in the neighbourhood of the T. R. D. L on Saturday about 3 o'clock, I should like to see you, with any of your quaint music books in your pocket. Have you still got "the ", & "the Vicar still preaches that Peter & Poule." For the latter see "Guard Room" Canto VI." Remains of mount glued to reverse of blank second leaf.

Dramatist, historian and poet (1626-1698). Signature cut from a document (Howard was an auditor of the Exchequer) with above date and a few words from the text, laid down.

Irish war correspondent amd miscellaneous writer (1820-1907). 2pp., 8vo. One signed twice by Russell, the other initialled. The statement gives details of three articles contributed to the Miscellany, including "The Lewis - What is it?".

General. One page, 8vo. He describes his enclosure of a banker's order to pay the rent on a property he is about to occupy.

c. 1.5" x 3", in a minute but distinct hand, 16 lines commmencing "They will by no means give the title of Saint to one of the Apostles or Evangelists of the LOrd . . . ", concluding with the apparent source of the lines "A Friendly Conference 48".

French playwright. One page, 12mo. In French. He declares in inflated terms his inability to dine with him on a certain day.

American loyalist. He is returning a policy from which his "Liquors" have been mistakenly excluded. He asks for his cellar to be insured.

Politician and art collector (d.1854). He thanks him for the tract on the Militia Bill, giving his opinion of its cogent argument against the measure.

Surgeon (1805-1873). He discusses the book, "Bell on Expressions" which he is sending, discussing the illustrations tongue-in-cheek.

Sculptor (1799-1872). Clipped signature from an appeal to the Artists' Benevolent Fund. Thomas Phillips, portrait painter (1770-1845), signature is on the same piece of paper