Deel f. 5v - Letter from —— to R. M. Milnes

1 folded sheet

(Place of writing not indicated.)—The writer has portraits of Miss Berry and her sister (perhaps those on f. 6r). Discusses the administration of Miss Berry’s papers.

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Transcript

Private

Dear Mr Milnes

You asked me about early pictures of Miss Berry. I forgot, that I possess a portrait both of her and Miss Agnes

I shewed them to Miss B. (they were bought by my Father or Brother) at a Sale 30 Years ago {1}, she said that either Lord Orford or somebody left them with the Artist after they were finished not liking them but I forgot the Artists Name

if you call you may see them without going up stairs

I hear Mr Greville {2} has something to do with the papers as well as that old Ninny Sir F. Lewis {3} | Lady Scott | Lady Stuart | and Myself

The Persons who have perhaps the best right to an Opinion think the best thing would be to burn Journal and Letters it is very odd I think that no one has spoken to me on the Subject who is in possession of the M.S. I mean.

Old Lewis would like the job of publication after having amused {4} who ever chose to see private Letters to and from living people. I say to as Miss B. kept brouillons of her letters.

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{1} The closing bracket probably belongs here rather than after ‘Brother’.

{2} Charles Greville, to whom Miss Berry once expressed an intention of leaving her papers. See Extracts, vol. i, pp. ix–x.

{3} Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis, to whom Miss Berry bequeathed her papers. See Extracts, vol. i, p. ix. He died in 1855.

{4} Reading uncertain.

Pasted to f. 5v of Crewe MS 9.