14 ARMSTRONG (John, 1758-1843). American General. Secretary of War. A long and magnificent historical A.L.S. to the Hon. George Bryan. 3 full pages, 4to. Carlisle, 6th August, 1778. £13 13S A long and magnificent historical military letter, entirely in Armstrong's autograph. In it he describes most graphically the military situation at that moment, in the Revolutionary War, and makes valuable suggestions; also somewhat adversely criticising Dr. Franklin. The Northern Expedition I have much at heart, and therefore wished (as I think is expressed in my last to you) that the Body proceeding by the way of Cherry Valey, might have been joined by a different Corps Viz: Coll. Hartleys and a number of our Militia, taken either as Volunteers for the Expedition but subject to military command, and excused of their succeeding tour under the Law if they chose. " For The place of rendezvous at Wioming or if more convenient, the junction to be formed still higher on the Sasquehanah, at Tiahoga; thence to proceed by the most direct rout to the Seneca Towns as the first mark, leaving all the inferior Tribes to be subdued by traverse marches, or by detatchment on the return or at least their Villages & produce destroyed. this great purpose together with the notice to be taken by some whites who have lately done us much injury, not less than three thousand men under a good commander ought to penetrate that country in order to do effectual service and prevent the necessity of any farther effort on that quarter for the present season. "Thots of this sort, as an entire stranger to the Country are the best I can form, but from yr. accounts the troops already sent from one Army, joined as they may be by the New York Militia they will probably make the Effort, without time for, or reference to any farther assistance, but would not be worse for being joined by Coll. Hartley at least, provided they come near Wioming. If any of these thoughts may properly be suggested to the Board of War or of those contained in my last, General Ried or any medium you please will serve that purpose, but there is no time to lose. "With respect to General Potter, I am of opinion he shou'd immediately be order'd to take the Command of the State Militia on the waters of the Sasquehanah, provided the numbers amount to six or seven hundred Men, or upward-at least for some short time even on the defensive, his situation, knowledge of the country &c., appears to call for this. "It were much to be wished that Dr. Franklin's favourable characters of the Americans were litterally true, the coulerings are rather high. It is, however, calculated for his purposes and a good copy for imitation. We have not heard the name of the Lady by whom the offer was made, nor whether Genl. Ried has made it known." Etc. *For his ill-success in defending Washington against the British in 1814, Armstrong was removed from his position. 15 AUSTIN (Alfred, born 1835). Poet Laureate. 8vo. Ashford, Dec. 24th, 1868. "" A long and interesting letter asking for a payment of money; giving his own opinion of his literary abilities and mentioning Edmund Yates. I think I told you that Mr. Yates said I did wrong to take less than a pound per page. You must remember that I have travelled over the ground I described, which is a much more costly business than reading up a number of books for a paper. Moreover, I do not think that-without wishing to exalt my individual importance-my literary status can allow me to take less than your best paid contributors.” AUSTIN (Alfred)-continued. 16 A.L.S. 3 pp., 8vo. Ashford, October 11th, 1868. On crested paper. Concerning the publication in book form of his " IOS 6d Essays on 17 A.L.S. I page, 8vo. October 14th, 1868. 7s 6d Undertaking to write "An Essay in Defence of Women." 18 BADEN-POWELL (Robert S. S., born 1857). General. Hero of Mafeking. A.L.S. to Sir Evelyn Wood. 3 pp., 8vo. Cavalry Club, Piccadilly, Feb. 22nd, 1904. 15S A very interesting letter concerning the ancient uniforms of the 13th and 5th Light Dragoon Guards. "I can so far only find that the 13th Light Dragoons wore green coats and then only for their Drummers,' in 1751. The men's coats were scarlet with light green facings, and the Regiment was called the 'Green Horse.' "In 1784 the colour of the cloth was changed to blue In 1832 it was again changed to red. Similarly in 1751 the 5th Dragoon Guards had their Trumpeters in green coats faced with red. Etc. 19 BAILLY (Jean Sylvain, 1736-1793). French Astronomer and Politician. D.S. page, folio, with seal. Paris, 11 Novг., 1791. 9s 20 BAKER (Sir Samuel White, 1821-1893). Traveller and Sportsman, with his wife explored Central Africa and discovered Lake Albert Nyanza. A.L.S. to Mr. Murray, the Publisher. 3 pp., 8vo. Newton Abbot, N.D. Also A.L.S. from Lady Florence Baker to the same. 2 pp., 8vo. 4th August. Together, 5 pp., IOS 6d 8vo. Two friendly letters to Mr. Murray, that of Sir S. W. Baker mentioning their travels. We have not yet made up our minds about Egypt. I should like to go but we are such a large party. You will see an article in the January Contemporary from me." 21 BARKER (Thomas, 1769-1847). Painter. A.L.S. Bath, Jan. 14th, 1814. 2 pp., 4to. £I IS It is written A long and interesting letter on Art matters. apparently to a fellow artist, explaining his method of making fine pens for pen-and-ink drawing, and his preparation of ink. Also mentioning some landscape sketches he was about to publish. 22 BEATTIE (Dr. James, 1735-1803). Scottish Poet. A.L.S. to Dr. Thomas Percy, afterwards Bishop of Dromore. 4 pp., 4to. ALSO AN AUTOGRAPH POEM, "For there's nae luck about the town," consisting of six stanzas of 12 lines each, on 3 pp., 4to. IN ALL 7 pp., 4to. Aberdeen, 4th May, 1772. This is accompanied by a long letter from Joseph Woodfall Ebsworth, referring to Dr. Beattie's letter and MS. which had been sent for his inspection. £10 IOS An exceedingly long and most interesting letter concerning his work, discussing at length his book, "A Minstrel," to which he proposes to write a second part, and expressing his appreciation of the kind reception the first part had received both in England and Scotland. Also discussing others of his own works, and some of those of Dr. Percy, including Hermit of Warkworth and a Translation of Mallet's Introduction to Ye History of Denmark." Beattie, in conclusion, sets out in full for Dr. Percy's information and with marginal notes, the famous Scotch poem, For there's nae luck about the town." " "Your Reliques of English Poetry, but especially your Critical discourses and remarks upon them, I read with the utmost pleasure when they were first published. Your history of the Minstrels gave peculiar satisfaction, and suggested the first hint of that poem of which you have spoken so favourably. For I am entirely of your opinion, that the Southern part of Scotland and the North of England was the country of the old minstrels. Tweedside and the parts adjacent are the only classic found in Scotland; which, as you justly observe, might easily be proved from particular phrases in our old ballads, as well as from the names of the Scotch tunes. By the words North Country, in the poem, I meant not the northern part of the island, but the south-most part of Scotland; as will appear, if I live to finish the tale, from the action of the third book. If any thing worthy your acceptance fall in my way, I shall be careful to forward it. The little ballad which I now take the liberty to send is plainly modern; but it has a spirit in it that entitles it to notice. The common copies differ greatly; and therefore, to make it the more compleat, I have taken some liberties wt. the two last stanzas. The explication of Scotch words is intended to save you the trouble, in case of your showing it to anybody who does not understand Scotch; to you such a vocabulary is quite unnecessary. The Poem, which consists of six stanzas of 12 lines each, com 1 23 BARNUM (Phineas Taylor, born 1810). American Showman. AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED, on a card: 16 Jan., 1857, to Messrs: Sampson Low. Asking for two Stereotypes IOS 6d "used in my Autobiography—one where I am training Tom Thumb, the other where he is backing out from the Queen." Etc. 24 BEACONSFIELD (Benj. Disraeli, Earl of, 1804-1881). Statesman and Man of Letters. A.L.S. Beaconsfield" to Thomas Thornycroft, Esq. 4 pp., 8vo. Hughenden Manor, Sept. 11, 1877£1 15S Interesting letter signed "Beaconsfield," a somewhat scarce form of signature. “ I have a letter of yours on my table, dated Febr. . . it .. doubtless was delayed by the tragedy that befell the House of Ingestre, wh. deprived both of us of an admirable friend." Etc. 25 BERLIOZ (Hector, 1803-1869). Celebrated French Musical Composer and Critic. ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPH VERSE SIGNED, being "The Invocation to Nature." Quotation from the Damnation of Faust (Scene IV). I full page, 4to. Hartzburg, 28th October, 1833£7 75 26 27 Interesting autograph quotation by Berlioz from his "Damnation of Faust," of which he wrote both music and words. A very fine specimen, commencing : 18th. "Nature immense, impénétrable et fière Toi seule donnes trève à mon ennui sans fin, Sur ton sein tout puissant je sens moins ma misère, A.L.S. to Mons. Gruneiser. I page, 8vo. London, Sunday, £2 25 N.D. An interesting letter written whilst staying in London as one of the Deputation of French Judges, sent by the Minister of Commerce to make a report of a Musical Exhibition, held in London at that time; concerning which he says:— (Trans.) :-"The business of the Jury at the Exhibition takes all my time. This is what comes of wishing to perform the part of ' Minos' or * Radamante' justly, which seems to prove that virtue is always punished.” A.L.S. to Mons. Gruneiser. I page, 8vo. N.D. Autograph Address on reverse. £I IS (Trans.) :—" I am kept at home by an atrocious migraine. . but . receive my warmest thanks for the kindness you have shown in once more mentioning me to your English readers; a few apt lines, as you know, come in very useful one day or another. 28 BENTHAM (George, 1800-1884). Botanist. A.L.8. in French to Andibert Bros., Nursery Gardeners. 2 pp., 4to. Montpellier, 13 Jan., 1823. 12s 6d Interesting letter remanding an order for trees, on account of the cold weather. 29 BERESFORD (Lord Charles, born 1846). Famous Admiral. A.L.S. to Mr. Douglas Murray, the Publisher. 2 pp., 8vo. H.M.S. Cæsar, Channel Fleet, July 5th, 1904. £I IS Giving among other things, Lord Charles Beresford's opinion of the King Edward's policy towards Germany. "I think the King weathered the rocks cleverly. Germany is our certain foe all round for the future. Etc. 30 BEWICK (Thomas, 1753-1828). Eminent Wood Engraver. AUTOGRAPH SIGNATURE on a bill, 24 Nov., 1818. 12s 6d 31 BIRD (Edward, 1772-1819). Painter. A.L.S. to Mr. Chantrey, Donator of the Chantrey Bequest to the Tate Gallery. 2 pp., 4to. Bristol, Aug. 25th, 1818. 15S Concerning one of his pictures, "The Embarkation of the King of France at Dover," purchased by the Prince Regent (George IV) at the price of 1000 Guineas. 32 BISH (T., f. 1836). M.P. and Stockbroker. A.L.S. to T. Wilson, Esq. 2 pp., 4to. St. James' Square, Feb., '36. Also circular of the last State lottery held in England, in 1826. 7s 6d Interesting letter complaining of incorrect returns of his voting in the House. The lottery circular states that this is "The very last lottery of all," and that a variety of numbers are on sale at the fortunate offices of BISH, Stockbroker." Etc. "" 33 BISHOPS (The Seven). A rare and very interesting SILVER MEDAL STRUCK TO COMMEMORATE THE ACQUITTAL OF THE SEVEN BISHOPS who had been sent to the Tower by James II. for not reading the King's declaration for liberty of conscience. The obverse of the seal contains the bust of Dr. Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, with inscription in a surround. The reverse depicts busts of the other six Bishops, with that of the Bishop of London in addition. The medal measures 6 inches in circumference, and is contained in neat leather case. 1688. £2 10S An exceedingly interesting memento of one of the most stirring events in the history of England. |