Showing 236 results

Brook St. - Written at 10.30 [am?].'dear Annabel is safe in bed - with a magnificent Boy - it was born this morning at a little before ten o'clock'. More details of the labour, attended by Dr Rigby, 'it is the shortest time Annabel has had'.

On headed notepaper for Elderslie, Renfrew. - Congratulations on the birth of Milnes' son.

Winchester. - Has been to Winton House; the 'sick boy's name is Stratford, a Kent family. He is one of thirteen. None of his friends have been to see him yet'. Mr [Charles Alexander] Johns has taught four of the boy's older brothers. The boy is likely to be removed in a week for change. Not yet know when Greville returns.

Robert's friend Longman is the son of William Longman, of 36 Hyde Park Square and Ashlyns, Great Berkhampstead; two of his brothers have also been with Mr Johns and 'distinguished themselves at Harrow and Oxford' [Robert's son is likely to be Hubert Harry Longman, later made 1st Baronet, of Lavershot Hall]. Robert knows the Warburtons, but they are not in the same class, and do not live at Mr John's house but have been granted a special exception to go up daily to their lessons (their cousins are residents at WIlton House).

Is sorry to hear of 'Miss Florence's accident', and hopes she recovers quickly. The hotel is comfortable.

Bills from traders: Crossley and Clarke (booksellers), Blake and Son,drapers, mercers, hosiers, haberdashers and hatters; H. Chatham Shaw, hat maker; E Goshawk, for hair cutting; E. W. Graham; James Woodbridge, tailor, hosier and hatter; E. W. Craker [?], perhaps a cobbler; Bowller & Fuller (butchers?).

Bills from Harrow School itself, for tuition, school charges and repairs etc, the school concert, and the bathing place, as well as paper, pens, ink and so on bought from the school.

Accounts with H. Montagu Butler (headmaster), for Christmas Term 1872, Easter and Christmas Terms 1873, and Easter Term 1874. With stamps and notes by Butler acknowledging payment.

Tiverton. - Thanks him for 'his' letter with the good news about his mother. Will 'keep (or leave behind me) this letter, in the hope that you may be amused some day by reading it'. Was very glad to hear of his birth as she knew it would make his parents and grandfather very happy; hopes to see him next summer. Signed 'Anty Ett'.

Marham House, Downham Market. - Requests accommodation in College whilst spending a few days with his son.

Trinity College, Cambridge. Dated 23rd May 1910 - Thanks him for his copy of 'Totemism and Exogamy', grieves that [Lorimer] Fison and [A. W.] Howitt have not lived to read it; had a visit from [John] Roscoe; and discusses ways he has supported Roscoe's candidature: he reminded [Lord] Crewe of Frazer's application for Roscoe, and wrote to Sir Kenneth Muir Mackenzie recommending Roscoe; notes that he knows the Chancellor [Lord Loreburn], but thinks it more effective to approach Muir Mackenzie.

Fryston. - Called with his son Robin but missed recipient; Robin absorbed by International Exhibition and missed train, but was entertained by Mr. Bruce; his success at school. George [Monckton Arundell] gives a good account of his father [Lord Galway] at Kissingen; they will be at Serlby on Monday awaiting ducal friends.

With stamp and note acknowledging receipt of payment.

Enclosing sketch of birds by Hon. Robert Offley Ashburton Milnes, at p. 119.

Written by his father [? or by his mother Emma Blackburne]. News of his birth. 'My Papa was away when I was born, which I did not think attentive of him, but I hope he will make it up afterwards, by paying up debts, when I leave the University'.

Fryston. - Addresses her brother as 'Dearest Ricky'. Only heard the news this afternoon when she came to Fryston; their father was waiting in the hall to tell her. Aunt Louisa says he 'shed tears of joy' when he heard the news. When the baby's health was drunk 'they all wish'd he might be as good a man & as much respected all over Yorkshire as his Grandfather is... & "his father is a worthy gentleman" they added'. Anxious to hear how Annabel is; they were disappointed not to have a line saying she was doing well.

The good news [of the birth of Robert O. A. Milnes] 'amazed' them, and 'made Mary Thornhill & others redden with joy': Annabel had given the impression that the birth would be later. The other Milnes children and their cousin Georgy's reactions.

Postscript: Jane still at the Melvilles at Roehampton, perhaps she will get to see the baby. Sure Annabel will 'rise in the Admiral's [perhaps Samuel Thornton?] estimation (he is here) not from giving birth to an heir, but for her extreme punctuality - which with him is the highest of virtues.

Fryston. Congratulations on the birth of Milnes' son. 'Mr Thornhill has been not a little amused with the Ponf[re]t [Pontefract] women besetting the front door all the day then pursuing him along the road with intreaties that he would present their claims to Mr Milnes. a very old woman was at the head of the 24th deputation.' Milnes' father is 'decidedly grateful with his name being handed down to Posterity, he is no worse for the excitement.' Lord Galway is sure that 'R. O. A. M.' will be a 'sportsman', because of a good run to hounds the day of his birth. Sends love to Annabel, and 'thanks to Mrs B[lackburne]'.

Pontefract. - Congratulation on the birth of Milnes's son.

Rochester. - Congratulation on the birth of Milnes' son.

Enclosing sketches: 'A Sea King', 19th century gentleman [by Hon. Robert Offley Ashburton Milnes, 1870?]. 1 sheet, at back.

Fryston. - They were hoping to hear how Annabel had passed the afternoon [after the birth of her son] - asks to be kept informed daily, as well as what the boy's colour is and whether Richard has arrived. 'The servants had punch & dancing till past two - Pontefract bells rang till midnight'.

Archerfield House, Dirleton.—He enjoyed his walks with her at Alderley. Discusses his visit to Crewe Hall, and refers to his companions at Archerfield.

Serlby. - Congratulations on the birth of Milnes' son. Was sure that 'there was some good luck happening to the family, from our killing a fox on Tuesday under the windows of Bawtry Hall after a long gallop'; takes this as an 'omen that the young gentleman will not only inherit the poetical talents of his father, and the many amiable qualities of his mother, but that he will also imbibe a love for field sports, hunting in particular'.

Note, 'A. H. Houghton from R. O. A. Milnes', at front. Christmas card attached to flyleaf.
pp. 107-108: 'Florence's Squibs': copies of comic verses by Hon. Florence Ellen Hungerford Milnes.

Harrow. - Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton, particular thoughts for Robert (currently attending Harrow); Butler's own mother died two years ago on the same day, and he will now always think of them together..

Has been asking her father's leave to send Annabel 'the little broach of Rickey given me years ago', so that she can see whether 'little Robin' resembles the picture of his father as a child; also sends a ring which was her mother's but which she has never worn 'as a little remembrance for you to keep of this happy Time'.

Invitation to Sir James and Lady Frazer to a party on Friday, 29 June.

India Office.—Refers to a long controversy which ended with a letter from the Secretary of the Advisory Committee to the India Office on the 8th, pointing out that the Committee’s reluctance to give advice limits their usefulness to contracting Departments. It is generally unsafe to rely on an agreement between masters and men in one firm, and the fact that this existed would not make it unnecessary for them to refer to the Committee for advice. On the 7th Sir Richmond Ritchie wrote to the Secretary of the Committee suggesting that, subject to any remarks by Sir George Askwith, the Secretary of State [Lord Crewe] believed that it would be unnecessary for the Committee to consider the case further. As the delay in obtaining a reply had been so long, they [the India Office] were anxious to see if the Advisory Committee could advise whether, in view of the present situation at Dowlais, they should be safe in accepting tenders from the firm. The Secretary replied conveying what amounts to a refusal of the Chairman to advise on this question, and asking if they still required an answer to the question of 23 August. Montagu was drafting a reply to the effect that he must require an answer, as he could obtain no advice from the Committee as to whether such answers could safely be dispensed with; but before he could send it Mr [J. M.] Robertson gave an answer in the House yesterday which he believes should not have been given before his own reply had been received. He understands that the Committee is aggrieved that the India Office has already permitted the firm to tender to them. He regrets this, and has reprimanded his Stores Department. The question is now likely to die, and he intends to inform Hardie that, as an arrangement has been made at Dowlais satisfactory to all parties, he has instructed that orders may again be placed with Guest, Keen, & Nettlefold at their Dowlais Works.

(This draft was made on the 11th, but the fair-copy was not sent till the following day.)