Item 1 - Letter from John Louis Bell to Lord Houghton

1 folded sheet.

Clarks Hotel, 14 Clifford St, Bond St. - Houghton's 'kind note' has been forwarded to his hotel from home. Mr Gladstone has 'so kindly asked Mr Glyn' to propose him at the Reform Club; since a personal introduction to Glyn was necessary, Bell was 'naturally anxious to have the highest voucher for my respectability'. Houghton was in town, so Bell was emboldened to ask the favour of an introduction to Glyn', as 'for considerably more than a century my family has been professionally attached to yours' and he believes 'the same stern, honest independence which marked my great grandsire (a friend of the Priestleys) still dwells in my two brothers and myself'. Hopes, then, that when Houghton sees Glyn he will do Bell 'the favour to say that I come "of reputable stock" and am not likely to belie the honour he has done me'. Mr Baines will second Bell.