Showing 98 results

Blackcraig. - Writes before the 'approaching adjournment [of Parliament]' to offer his 'warmest thanks' on behalf of the Government for the 'attendance and support' given 'during nearly eight months of unexampled labour'. Praises 'such devotion to the public service' and is sure that it will receive 'the warm appreciation of the country at large'.

St John Ackers' memory "cannot be relied upon", CJM received a complete retraction of allegations made by Ackers in 1881, CJM will not stand as a Gladstone Liberal, the Liberal 200 have supplanted him with a local Alderman [T Robinson,], to go to Egypt

Wishes to be treated as a friend, deplorable how low Gladstone will stoop, hopes for the return to power of the Whigs

Weymouth. - Seeking a letter-carrier's place for Henry Holdgate, of 8 Upper George St, Bryanston Square, where Cameron's mother is lodging; Holdgate's business of carving and gilding disagrees with him and his mother reports other family afflictions; would Milnes approach Col. Maberly or Lord Lonsdale; encloses documents; asks Warburton's present address; 'the hubbub of Corn Laws and Irish Coercion bill have eclipsed other matters; asks if Milnes mentioned him to Gladstone; still ready for the Colonies if wanted. [Contains note by Milnes ? for Commonplace Book]. Enclosure: testimonial, 17 Apr. 1846, for Henry Holdgate by Count Baptiste Metaxa, 1 Montague Place, Montague Square [written in 3rd person].

22 Hill Street, Edinburgh. - Houghton mistaken; repeats no pension was granted to Mrs Alexander Smith; Disraelia ccepted printed copies of petition as equal to original document; they can now be presented to Gladstone. Postscript: will ask John Brown and others to support Literary Fund application.

40 Chesham Place. - High opinion of Jonathan H. Lovett Cameron; will try to speak to Gladstone and the Archbishop [of Canterbury?]

Reports that he has written to Budge that day advising him to stay on at Cambridge as Sidgwick suggested. Claims that he did not 'in the first instance propose an Inspectorship of Schools as the best employment for him.' His own view was that Budge would be competent to undertake a student interpretership in the East, but Mr Gladstone did not seem to be in agreement. Dr S[tainer] suggested the Inspectorship, 'which Budge himself very much desired'. It has become clear, however, that he has no chance of obtaining an appointment, and 'it would be unwise to leave Cambridge until he finds some employment in which his peculiar attainments will be of value.' Hopes that he may be induced to continue on with his studies.

Embossed notepaper for Nunappleton, Tadcaster. - Enclosed case is a deserving friend of the organist Dr. Monk: her eyesight is threatened. Dr. Monk will send Memorial if Houghton will sign it.

Copy of petition from Camilla Crosland to Gladstone, listing publications and journals to which she has contributed and requesting financial assistance.

22 Hill Street, Edinburgh. - Has received Literary Fund application form from Mrs Alexander Smith; will send printed copies of last year's petitions from Edinburgh and Glasgow; no pension was granted; will Houghton now approach Gladstone?

Text on base of memorial statue of Hallam by Theed in St Paul's cathedral (birth and death dates not completed). Initials belong to members of the Hallam Memorial Fund committee: S [Lord Stanhope?] W. E. G[ladstone]; H.H. [Henry Holland]; R. M. M[ilnes]; H. H. M[ilman].

First copy has MS additions, one of which, 'June 6. H.H.M.' is adopted in the second, the other, 'The constant benevolence of his disposition', is not.

Re memorial to Robert Burns

Acknowledges letter

Green leather volume, with embossing and gold decoration. Printed illustration from 'Happy New Year' card pasted to inside front cover. Bookplate, 'Ex Libris Bryan William James Hall', with coat of arms and illustration, pasted to front free endpaper.

Numerous autographs, mostly in the form of ends of letters and addresses on envelopes, pasted into book. Notes beneath items (sometimes also pasted in) often identify writers. Complete letters etc have been described in individual records dependent to this one, referenced by their folio numbers; signatures and addressees are referenced by linked authority record only. Some names remain undeciphered or unidentified.

Compiled by a sister of C. W. King, see part letter from King on f. 14r, 'I enclose the autograph of a distinguished Grecian for your book. With love I am, my dear Sister, yours affect[ionate]ly C. W. King'. Although no first name appears, C. W. King's only sister appears to have been Anne, sometimes known as Annette (1824-1874). A letter from W. G. Clark to C. W. King, preserved on the verso of the flyleaf, was sent with 'some autographs for your friend', and there are also envelopes and letters addressed to William Aldis Wright and other members of Trinity suggesting King was actively gathering material for his sister. The bulk of the collection appears to have been assembled between the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Re memorial to Robert Burns

Refers to an enclosed diary [not included]. Explains that some days previously he had promised a friend of his that he would let Edward know 'that there was a strong feeling in Cambridge that Luard's services to the study of mediæval history deserved recognition by some such post as the Deanery of Lincoln!' Explains that his friend had first wanted him to convey this to Gladstone, but that he had told him that it was out of the question. Asks her to explain to Edward that he now regrets having promised to pass on the information to him, and how the whole matter came about.

On embossed notepaper, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall. - who is treasurer of the fund for [Mrs Emma?] Moxon.

Refers to his [Budge's] application for an interpretership, which would be 'an independent means of getting [his] living.' Relates having written to Mr Gladstone, who in turn agreed to write to the Speaker [Brand] on his behalf in relation to his application. Intends going to Newcastle on the following Wednesday. Expresses thanks to Sidgwick for his assistance in the matter.

Hagley - Lord Powis' address has put an end to speculations about the posts of Chancellor and High Steward, Powis most popular, Lyndhurst only a poor Baron, under no circumstances would he stand in a contest but he would accept a post if no-one stood against him, visit of Gladstone:

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has read [Theocritus'] idylls about Hercules 'with much delight'; wishes he had drawn Gladstone's attention to 'the picture of Augeas's great rural establishment'; agrees with Robert in liking the "Pollux". Likes the three epigrams attributed to Theocritus which are in Robert's edition but not his own. Has read Moschus and Bion, and is now reading Hesiod. Cannot write more as he has fished all morning, catching 'a score of trout'.

In relation to Easter, states that his plans are uncertain. Is glad that she is interested in [William] Lecky. Gives his thoughts on reading and thinking; believes that 'it is not so easy as people think to choose reading that really sets the mind to work and makes it grow'; however, since everyone is 'always... much "involved in matter' as Aristotle says', the world and our 'little petty interests are "too much with us", and anything that lifts us out of them is a gain'. The ability to be thus lifted is something he much values in people; it is not proportionate to talent - intellect viewed as an instrument'. Arthur Butler has it, and it is one of the things Henry likes in [E. A?]. Scott.

Remarks that his mother has not written to him lately, and that they have 'in a sort of way dropped out of correspondence'. Claims that it was not he who objects to gossip; asserts that he has always maintained that 'it was the only way most people [had] of exercising their minds really, originally, on moral and social questions'. Says he is certainly interested in the Ritchies [the family of William Ritchie]; wishes that his mother could see them 'and ascertain whether the interest is due to [his] very limited acquaintance with (feminine) human nature'; has met many families but 'never... with one that took [his] fancy like this'. Asks what she thinks of Mrs Gretton; thinks that she must be livelier than most Rugby people, but that 'she is to be taken "cum grano" '.

Reports that Macmillan won't say who wrote Ecce Homo [recently published anonymously by J. R. Seeley], but has promised sometime to ask twenty people to dinner including Henry and the author. Reports that Gladstone wrote to Macmillan 'a letter acknowledging a presented copy and calling it a "noble book".' Relates that some of the 'younger men', such as Myers, are 'tremendously stirred by it', but that Henry is 'not quite in the same way'; quotes Carlyle saying that 'man and his universe are eternally divine', and adds that the author of Ecce Homo 'means us to go further and credit what is now to us incredible. He may be right'.

Expresses surprise at Mrs Gretton preferring the eldest Miss Ritchie [Augusta], and declares that he does also, although he does not think most people would. Refers also to the second Miss Ritchie [Blanche], 'Cornish's betrothed', as 'more unworldly perhaps.' Declares that when he comes across girls who interest him he uses his opportunities with considerable eagerness, 'because they are necessarily so few.'

On embossed notepaper for The Hollies, Clapham Common, S.W. - Thanks Houghton for verse-rendition of Knowles's epigram [on Disraeli and Gladstone]; asks if Mrs Fitzgerald [Houghton's daughter Amicia] can send a copy, as he cannot make out all the words.

82 Bower St, Maidstone, Kent. - Seeking letters to Gladstone in support of pension application for Mrs Byrne, widow of Oliver Byrne; his sister is blind; both are about sixty and unprovided for.

6 Mona Terrace, Douglas, Isle of Man. - Sends recent works by request of Mrs Metcalfe of Ferrybridge; discusses his previous works and those of Houghton; has been a journalist for forty years but cannot expect a Literary Fund Pension from Gladstone owing to Conservative sympathies; can Houghton help; names titled relatives; also wishes to dispose of copyright or otherwise obtain income from publication.

Cricklewood, London, N.W. - Is acquainted with Houghton through Leeds Exhibition; is trying to obtain a literary pension for [Stefano Ignazio] Valletta, whom he found in sad want at the British Museum Library. Encloses copy of letter from Gladstone and draft of Memorial to the Prime Minister [Disraeli]; asks if Houghton will add his name. Valletta is a scholar with no political connections. Postscript: sends a lecture in English by Valletta [no longer present]. (2 ff.)

Enclosed: copy of letter, 26 Dec. 1874, from William Ewart Gladstone to George Redford (1 f.). Gladstone's own rule forbids his signing the Memorial, but this letter may be used; his sense of Valletta's fitness for aid from the Royal Bounty is confirmed by the Duke of Simoneta's letter. Also draft Memorial in favour of S. I. Valetta, teacher of Italian language and literature in London for forty years.

70 Eaton Place. - Testimonials; hopes Milnes will say a word in his favour to Mr Gladstone; Milnes' kindness.

On embossed notepaper for the House of Commons. - Regrets to enclose Chancellor's letter [no longer present]; would be glad to see Busk's public services recognised.