Item 80 - Letter from Matilda Jane Warburton to Richard Monckton Milnes

1 folded sheet

After Lord Houghton’s death in 1885 his library passed firstly to his son the 1st Marquess of Crewe, then to Peggy, Marchioness of Crewe, and eventually to Lord Crewe’s daughter the Duchess of Roxburghe.

The book containing this letter forms part of the bequest of Mary Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe, 2014.

Dingle Cottage, Ledbury. - Today received 'the cleverly executed miniature which certainly does recall one expression of that most dear countenance [her late husband Eliot Warburton]'. Did not think 'so good a likeness could be produced'. Recognises the added interest the portrait has 'coming to me from the hands of his two best friends'; gratefully accepts the gift 'in memory of an affection which followed my husband through life' and as evidence of continued friendliness towards herself. Is going to stay with her brother-in-law George Warburton and his wife when they are settled in Kent, and will pass through London, but is unsure whether she will see Milnes there, but will certainly 'obey the summons whenever you tell me again "to come and see you in Yorkshire"'. Asks to be remembered to Milnes' wife; will not 'forget her Orphans but all my people will belong to the wrong Asylum'.

Pencil number '2' added on first page.

Tipped in between the fifth and sixth folios following the title page of Eliot Warburton's Darien; or, The Merchant Prince. A Historical Romance. (London : Colburn & Co., 1852), in the Crewe Collection.