Showing 43 results

From unidentified French newspaper.

6 Alfred Place, Blackfriars. - Knows the Howitts, W. S. Landor, Macready and Freiligrath; has no means to support his invalid wife, though has been helped by Disraeli and Peel; gave up tutorship in classics last year to edit a 'new London Weekly Newspaper' which made him ill with over-work and failed; is ineligible for Literary Fund aid as he has not yet published anything independently; poems contributed to Howitt's Journal have been published in America but are delayed here owing to depression of the times; will resume teaching but needs funds; encloses letters [return requested]. Mr Howitt has been ruined by a literary speculation.

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Hopes his parents had a good time at Welcombe. He and Bessie were 'very glad' to see his mother in London: they had a 'pleasant evening with her, and at George's the next day'. They are going to London again tomorrow, and Robert will 'arrange about the publishing of [his] new play [The Birth of Parsival]'; in the afternoon, they will see Marlowe's Faustus, performed by the Elizabethan Stage Society. Bessie is well, and they are enjoying the weather and countryside, 'which is very beautiful this autumn'.

The situation with Russia [the Dogger Bank incident] 'seems very bad, especially this morning'; however, he thinks the two governments [Russian and British] will find a way to 'settle the matter, especially as the French government seems very anxious for peace'. Thanks his father for returning Dmitri Roudine, and is glad he found it interesting; perhaps it is 'not a perfect novel', but Robert thinks he likes it 'almost as much as any of Turgeneff's'.

They went last week to stay for two nights with Aunt Meg [Price] at Pen Moel, and had a 'very pleasant visit'; Robin was there 'and seemed much improved, though still very shy'. A 'young Trinity man' is there as his tutor, whom they liked. Also staying was 'Lady Macdonald, the wife of the Canadian "Dizzy" [Sir John Macdonald]'; she was 'rather amusing for a little, but not for long, as she is really very vulgar, though quite a kind good-natured person'. Reminded him of 'characters in Dizzy's novels. Perhaps she modelled upon them'.

Bertie Russell has been staying for two days and was 'very cheerful, as he is getting on now quite well with his work which is to revolutionize mathematics'; he 'got stuck' for almost a year and 'could not get on at all, which together with the Fiscal controversy depressed his spirits very much'. Sends love from both himself and Bessie to both his parents; Bessie thanks his mother for her letter.

Reports that he has been very busy. Remarks on 'Edward's boy [a student from Edward Benson's school, Wellington College?]' having been elected for a minor scholarship at Trinity College, and that he had written to Bradley to tell him of the faults of a boy of his who had been elected minor scholar. Observes that Bradley and Temple 'continue banging affectionately at each other in the Times.' Looks forward to vacation, but is sure that hard work is good for him on the whole. Reports that the weather is splendid. Wonders whether their 'usual concourse of May visitors will go on increasing' as it has in the previous few years. Predicts that the typical Cambridge man 'will be an antiquarian personage who knows about the history of the colleges and is devoted to "Culture des ruines"as the French pamphleteer said.' Refers to his friend Mozley having produced his article on Modern Poets in the Quarterly Review, and fears that it is dull. Believes that he ranks Clough high, and is glad 'as it will astonish the old-fashioned readers of the Quarterly. They will regard the editor as a literary Disraeli marching with his age'. States that he enquired about Christ's Hospital for 'young [Fred] Horton', but found that he was much too old.

16 Guildford Street, Russell Square, W.C. - Met Milnes years ago when Queen Adelaide was at Stowe and he and Disraeli were staying at Buckingham; he subsequently assisted her brother. Now seeks help for Emily De Lesdernier, who has been cruelly treated by her husband and suffered hardship to support her friends; gives details of De Lesdernier's life. Longfellow and Mary Howitt are friends; she gives public readings but also wishes to engage for private parties; her attempts at publication; she is currently employed 'at Wheeler & Wilson's 139 Regent Street where she is daily superintending the sale of their celebrated sewing machines'; asks if Milnes and Disraeli will consider assisting her.

14 Chenies St., Gower St. - Has sent verses previously; is a tutor, 'but talking does not agree with me'; supporting invalid father; seeks aid to publish Pages of Song, which includes a poem called 'Rena'; unsuccessful attempts at publication, including a journal called The London Letter. Verses: 'Ben Dizzy's Career'; 'Garibaldi's Hope'; extract from 'Albert the Good'; 'My Hope'.

Writes to ask her to inform William of certain developments; that 'W.A. Wright [new member of the Ad Eundem] cannot come'; that he himself will come if his hayfever is not too bad; and that he has not yet heard from the other new member. States that he is glad to hear that he [William?] is going on so well. Expresses his regret at the news of 'the calamity', involving Dr Meyer. States that he has never met the latter, but that he has heard a good deal from Mary about a Miss Meyer. Reports that [in Cambridge] they are all 'quiet and prosperous', and that he is 'rather hard at work with a variety of teachings.' Asks whether she has got any subscriptions for him for the ladies' lectures. Reports that he has read the greater part of Disraeli's novel [Lothair?], and does not think it equal to the best of his earlier ones, but states that 'it is very light and amusing reading.' Does not think that he has read anything else lately except Rossetti's poems, some of which he judges to be 'splendid', but he would not recommend the whole book.

'Susan Yacht', 'off Preveza' added in pencil. - Encloses letter [no longer present] from Sir Frederick Adam. Asks Meyer whether he and his companions [Meredith and Clay] will have to enter quarantine at Athens and Napoli [Napflion] if they land here; the authorities at Corfu were unable to inform them. They may be 'tempted to undergo it for the considerations of seeing the Turkish army, & being presented to so great a man as a Grand Vizier, & of travelling some little way into Albania'. Asks if they could reach Yanina [Ioannina] and Zitza [Zitsa]. Adds postscript asking where the Vizier is currently, and whether the road to Yanina is safe.

Annotations and under-linings in pencil and red crayon.

Rochester. - Thanks for Mr Monckton's letter about the Brewood election; resigned in defeat and would not have expressed annoyance; local favour prevailed over testimonial evidence; believes Mason's testimonials were fifth-rate; thinks more highly of Whewell, having received his gracious reply to congratulations; asks what Milnes thinks of the Morning Chronicle on himself and Disraeli on the Oxford Poetry question; Milnes should attend to personal matters this winter; 'you have not the obstacle of a College Fellowship to prevent it'.

Arta. - Arrived here safely last night; were not able to procure horses the evening they [Meredith, Disraeli, and Clay] left Prevesa. Arcto [?], the bearer of this letter, has been 'of the greatest service'. Thanks to Meyer's 'kind assistance & advice', they have had an 'interview' with Kalid Bey, and learned from him that the Vizier will not leave Janina [Ioannina] for three or four days, so they are sure of seeing him.

Annotations and under-linings in pencil and red crayon.

Constantinople. - They had a 'tedious passage' from Prevesa to Navarin [Pilos], then to Napoli [Nafplio], being 'long delayed by calms and foul winds', but their journey on to Athens took only twenty four hours. From Egina to Constantinople took five days.
At Navarin [Pylos] they were 'amazed to find outside the walls a complete french village in which are counted more than a dozen cafés with as many Billiard tables'; they had some 'fair shooting', but the only excursion they made was to Modon [Methoni].

Delivered letter to Meyer's nephew at Napoli, but did not make Mr Griffith's acquaintance; heard at Navarin that Griffith had a 'narrow escape from the bursting of his gun'. At Napoli they made an excursion to Corinth, and also met King, who got a passage to Malta with a friend of Clay's, Captain Graham ('brother of Sir James') on the Rattlesnake, to which Graham had just been appointed on the death of Captain Spencer.

At Athens they 'stumbled upon Gropius to whom Byron has given a somewhat uncomfortable celebrity'; they however found his practical manner of 'great service'. Gropius has 'purchased most of the beautiful situations for hours close to Athens (which may be thought some of the most beautiful in the world) for next to nothing'. Clay was himself tempted to spend a hundred pounds on many acres, 'but scarcely knew what to do with them'. Sir Pulteney Malcolm has bought a 'little place'. They 'got into the Acropolis', made excursions to Marathon and other places. General impressions of Greece.

Has now been in Constantinople about a month; the inhabitants keep threatening severe weather but it remains fine. Is 'much delighted with the beauties of this place', but since he is 'half ruined by buying pipes, sabres, shawls and the other temptations to extravagance which it abundantly offers', proposes starting 'when the north winds set in'. Has been at Pera in lodgings for the last few days, since the walk from the yacht to dine at the Palace every day does not suit him. Delivered Mayer's letter to Cartwright, from whom he has received 'every hospitable attention', as he has from Sir Robert Gordon. Cartwright is a 'capital fellow'.

Meredith left the other day for Smyrna, but Disraeli remains with Clay; they plan to travel to Smyrna, Acre, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Cairo, and to go from Alexandria to Malta. From there he will go to Venice, and 'make the best of my way home. I had intended to do more but English politics now possess such overwhelming interest' that he cannot bear being absent any longer. Expects to be back by the autumn; invites Meyer to give him any 'commands' back in England. Suggests Meyer should write to him at the Albion Club, as he thinks he will either change or give up his house in Town. Disraeli sends best wishes.

Adds postscript with best wishes from Cartwright, who says he is 'quite well but getting a little old, tho' he has the intention of stopping in this world as long as he can, as he is not sure of as good a situation in the next'.

Annotations and under-linings in pencil and red crayon.

32 Osborne Terrace, Clapham Road. - Is the widow of the illustrator George Cattermole; encloses letter to Gladstone seeking pension [no longer present]; has no friend since the death of Dickens; Lord Lytton does not support the present Government and Mr [Henry Austen?] Layard is at Munich; offers to send original unsuccessful pension drawn up by Dickens; Mrs Thomas the artist's widow received a pension at the time. Postscript: original petition signed by artists and writers was intended for Disraeli; a copy was sent to Gladstone in January 1869 after Disraeli left office.

42 Queen's Road, Finchley Road, N.W. - Has published a number of works anonymously; excessive literary toil caused her to break down last spring; poverty was temporarily averted by a Literary Fund grant; now convalescent but unable to work with same intensity. Asks if Milnes will sign her Memorial to Lord Palmerston seeking a grant from the Literary Civil List; Dickens has signed; Thackeray and perhaps Disraeli will do so; Earl Russell only prevented from signing by official etiquette. Appends list of her novels and plays.

[Sent from Whittingehame, A. Balfour's house in Lothian]:- He and Nora were very busy up to the end of the previous year, until they escaped to Prestonkirk on New Year's Eve. They arrived in Cambridge on 26 December, on Thursday morning they were completing their arrangements for the Conference of Schoolmistresses on the following day, and their friends arrived that evening 'and educational talk began lasting without intermission till Friday evening...' On Saturday he began to prepare his answers for the Cambridge University Commissioners, and finished them on Monday morning, before his journey to Scotland.

Reports on the conference itself, which 'made up a compact and business-like meeting at the Townhall.' States that he was impressed with the schoolmistresses, who 'said what they had to say in a clear, short, practical way'. They 'fixed a limit of ten minutes for the speeches, but the only speaker who showed the least desire to exceed it was a Man..' Mentions that among the speeches made was one by Professor John Mayor. A short paragraph about the conference was sent to the newspapers, and got into the Times. Among those who came were James Wilson from Rugby with his sister Annie, who is head of a school at Grantham; Annie Marshall from Leeds, Professor Green from Oxford 'with his professorial honours fresh upon him', and Eve 'who used to be at Wellington College. States that Arthur was not able to come because Charlotte was not well enough to be left.

Reports that they have 'delightful weather' there in Prestonkirk, and that his brothers-in-law are all assembled. Claims that he has got the burden of his article pretty much off his mind. Describes the 'lovely winter view' from his window. Sends on Nora's love. Adds that they did not hear any political secrets at Hatfield, but reports that Myers, whom they had seen in London 'had seen Dizzy at Windsor Castle and reports that he bore a remarkably swaggering and triumphant aspect', and they are afraid that 'that Hebrew has been brewing some ill for his step-native land!'

Article on similarity between descriptions of Mr. Vigo in Disraeli's Endymion and of George Hudson in Irving's Annals of Our Time, as published in the New York Era. Cutting from unidentified periodical.

Embossed notepaper, Snitterfield, Stratford-on-Avon. - Invites Milnes to Shakespeare dinner at Stratford on 23 Apr; hopes Disraeli will attend; probable announcement that money has been raised for Shakespeare's house.

Announces his return [from accompanying his sister Minnie to Wiesbaden], having read all of Myers' books. Claims to be very glad to have 'attained s[ ] views on Paul de Kock'. Asks Myers if he knows what other of his works are worth reading, and states that he quite understands Disraeli's praise of him, and sees his influence on 'D.' a little. Remarks that Taine is 'a clever man', but does not like his work. Reports that the Venns have just returned, but that he hasn't seen them.

Asks Myers if he thinks that [Mandell?] Creighton and Laing would correspond with women [as part of an educational correspondence programme] in English literature. Discusses the need for more money to subsidise 'impecunious governesses', and asks him if he thinks any wealthy person sympathetic to the project would subscribe. The plan is to 'make the poor girls pay for one course, and then give them two more if they like'; a 'certificate of poverty from a clergyman' is always obtained. Refers briefly to the troubles at Rugby [with Henry Hayman].

9 Westbourne Square, London, W. - Death of her husband Sir William from softening of the brain attributed to overwork in hot climates; only has a small income from the Widows' and Orphans' Fund; seeking a grant from the Royal Bounty; will Houghton use his influence with Lord Beaconsfield?

17 Edward Street, Portman Square. - James Orton asked Milnes to sign a Memorial drawn up by Lord Macaulay seeking pension for Atherstone three years ago, but Milnes’ support was withheld in favour of Philip Bailey, who has now received a pension; asks if Milnes will now assist writer. Quotes passage from Memorial. Is past 70 and fears mental debility. Postscript: is enclosing review of The Handwriting on the Wall which might secure Disraeli’s support. (Offprint from the Glasgow Herald).

Ravensworth Castle. - Thanks for Scutari stanzas and Introductory Address [to Edinburgh Philosophical Institution]; encloses ballad for Houghton's son and own 'Canzonet to Water'; admires Houghton's poetry without a philosophical analysis of the poetic faculty. Enjoyed Houghton's pun on Disraeli; once addressed Mrs Disraeli as a 'Dizzy-Pated Woman'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for sending back the Maupassants [see 46/338], and also for the Saturday Review. He and Bessie were very much interested in his father's letter 'as a delightful bit of biography and autobiography', as was his 'chapter in the Life of Dr Butler [The Harrow Life of Henry Montagu Butler]'. Wonders where the quote about 'Gladstone rising to make his reply to Disraeli' came from;: 'perhaps from Morley's Life [of Gladstone]'.

The only time he himself 'ever saw or heard Disraeli' was when his mother took him, he thinks 'as a boy of seven or eight... into the Ladies' Gallery [at the House of Commons]'; of course he has 'only a very dim recollection of him', especially since his short-sightedness meant he 'could not see him distinctly'.

'[B]eautiful Spring weather here today', with the leaves 'coming out everywhere, though not on the oaks yet'. Has 'just been assisting Julian to shave himself'; he now has to shave 'twice or even three times a week'.

London. - Impressed by Houghton's article on Disraeli's Endymion [in the Fortnightly Review]; his kindly allusion to the persons represented; expects Houghton will attend Lords debate soon.

Cadzow, Newport on Tay. - Would have sought an introduction through Mr Hedderwick of the Glasgow Citzen or Professor Nichol, but both are troubled a present. Is seeking pension from Her Majesty's Bounty for her own literary services and those of her late brother [Henry] Glassford Bell; asks if Houghton will promote pension with Lord Beaconsfield. Is alone and in failing health.

On embossed notepaper, 3 Cambridge Gate, Regent's Park. - Thanks for kind estimate in 'Notes on Endymion' [in the Fortnightly Review]; regrets Houghton's allusions to G. S. S[mythe], and 'that most rascally outrage on private life, the Lives of the Strangfords' [the Lives of the Lords Strangford..., by Edward Barrington de Fonblanque, published in 1877]. Endymion is an old name from Lady Beaconsfield's family.

B[awtr]y. - Uncertain visiting arrangements for Easter; possible inclusion of Mr Disraeli - 'Whatever be his morale, I find both a use & an enjoyment in the occasional society of a man of rare intellectual accomplishment - & this undeniably he is'; continual rain; Galway rowing over his estate; poor prospects for Oxford crew [in University Boat Race] in flimsy racing boat]. Railway dealings with Cooke and others; Bill now less likely to pass this year.

The Limes, Nelson Street, Manchester. - Was mistaken in citing Hunter's life of Oliver Heywood as authority for proclamation of Queen Elizabeth as Empress; the correct source is an anonymous history of the Church of England in the reign of the Tudors, published in 1851; quotes extract from Harleian MSS given in the book; if verified it would be more appropriate than Disraeli's references to Raleigh and Spenser.