33 BEAUMARCHAIS (P. A. Caron de). French Dramatist. Author of "Le Barbier de Seville" and "Le Mariage de Figaro." 34 1791. A.L.S. to the Countess of Albany. I page, 4to. Paris, 5th February, £5 5s As to a reading of some of his books. (Trans.):-" Since you positively wish to hear my rigid performance, I cannot be opposed to it; but let me remind you that when I wish to laugh, it is to shout with laughter, if I must weep to sob. I know only of society that it wearies. Admit then that you want the reading on Tuesday; but pass over used up minds, wasted geniuses who accept in pity these afflictions which you find so delightful. Those people are only good to talk about revolutions. Have a few sensible women, some men for whom the heart is not an idle fancy, and then let us weep bitterly. I promise you this sorrowful pleasure." Etc. A.L.S. to Mon. Panikoucke. 1780. Fine specimen. (Trans.): I cannot understand why you have had difficulty with Mr. Le Tallier on his departure and your own, neither of you have explained it to I should also like to know the reasons that make you prefer that the genealogical tree should come in the work rather than in the prospectus." mie. 35 BEDFORD (William Russell, 1st Duke of). Parliamentary General in Civil War, became a Royalist but returned to the parliamentarians. the Restoration taken into favour again. At D.S. by himself and by his brother, John Russell. -page, folio. 9th Sept., 1670. 15s A receipt for £250 for the use of the Rt. Hon. Anne Countess of Bristol, one quarter of a year's pension. 36 BELLENDEN (William Lord). Treasurer-depute and Privy Councillor of Scotland under Charles II. D.S., being his receipt for £1,728 Scots, for the excise of the Shire of Dumfries. I page, narrow oblong 8vo. 21st August, 1663. 12s 6d A scarce signature. 37 BELZONI (Giovanni B.). Actor and Traveller. Engaged in archeological explorations in Egypt. A.L.S. I page, 8vo. Halfmoon Street (London), 23rd July, 1822. 15s Written in English, and expressing his regret at being unable to attend a meeting. 38 BERLIOZ (Hector). Celebrated French Musical Composer. A.L.S. to "My dear Theodore." 1861. I page, Svo. 15th December, £2 2s (Trans.):- The sheet of paper is in reality a step. But in order to avoid being discouraged by obstacles, do not forget that the ladder which leads to the moon is like that which Jacob saw in his dream, and which leads to Heaven; in order to get there, one must overcome angels, and, too often, derils also,” 39 BERNADOTTE (Jean Baptiste-Charles XIV. of Sweden). Marshal. Became King of Sweden in 1818. Napoleone L.S. and Subscribed "Charles Jean" as Crown Prince of Sweden, to Count de Cepac. 1 page, 4to.. Stockholm, 12th May, 1811. With translation. £3 3s In which he mentions the Emperor Napoleon, and his (Bernadotte's) removal to Sweden. (Trans.): I received the letter in which you inform me that His Majesty the Emperor has designed to grant a year's extension of leave to Doctor Laubry the head physician who accompanied me to Sweden. Thank you for your share in the success of my request." Etc. 40 BERWICK (Anne Bulkeley, Duchess of). Wife of James Fitzjames, Duke of Berwick, son of James II. A.L.S. to (Cardinal de Fleury). I pp., 4to. 2nd March, 1738. £2 2s Recommending a M. Descars, and announcing that she and her children were going into mourning on account of the death of King James Sobieski, father-in-law of James III. (the “ Old Pretender.") 41 BETHMANN-HOLLWEG (Theobald von). German Empire during the Great War. Famous Chancellor of the £2 2s L.S. -page, 4to. Berlin, 27 Sept., 1916. Written during the great war; a scarce autograph. (Trans.):-" I beg to reply to your honour's kind letter of the 24th inst., that I have not written any books. I wish success to your arrangements." 42 BEWICK (Thomas). Famous Wood Engraver. A.L.S. to Captain Mitford. 1 pp., 4to. Newcastle, 20 July, 1824. Written in his old age, concerning his work, etc. £3 10s "I duly received your obliging letter accompanied with the white paint. I have for sometime past quite left off doing any kind of work besides that on which I am & have been so deeply engaged for my own publications, & I fear I have before me in this way more than I shall live to finish-but as long as I am able I shall struggle to do my utmost & if I live till I become useless, then I know of no way of ending the remnant of life but that of learning to smoke & to look at the bars of the fire. "I have some devices by me for Book plates should any of these please the lady she may have as many printed for her Books as she may have occasion for." Etc., etc. Bewick's letter is written on a sheet of paper somewhat discoloured by splashes of paint, etc. 43 BJORNSON (Björnstene). Norwegian Dramatist. A.L.S. 2 pp, 8vo. 18 April, 1894. With translation. (Trans.) :-" I cannot come on Saturday. £3 3s It is not a general rehearsal, but I shall be acting in Klakkerne,' and I am as nervous as it is possible to be. Bjornson (Björnstene)-continued. 44 44a Autograph Postcard signed "B. B." "B. B." to Mr. Galschott, 7th March, 1896. £1 10s (Trans.):-" On the first of May my paper will be printed. You must let me know that this card has reached you. I rarely read reviews on my works. That is why I have not read Sodeli's (I appreciate him very much). If it is more than merely a mention please send it." Autograph Postcard signed "Björnson," to Mr. Henrik Cavling. Dated from Schwartz, Tyrol, 15 Sept., 1894. £1 12s 6d (Trans.): You might get me two numbers of Politiken' which contained my paper'Isolen.' 'Correct the misprint at end of first piece. It is to be Only faith can save, not as now But faith can save. دو و 45 BLACKMORE (R. D.). Novelist. Author of " Lorna Doone," etc. A.L.S. to Mrs. Kirton. 4 full pp., Svo. "Xmas Day," 1894. £1 15s A most amusing and interesting letter on family matters, describing his Christmas day, which had been spent in bed with an attack of bronchitis. “I look forward to the Pipe stand, with Panting joy. We are having a very quiet time, not to say muggy and muddy and black. Charlie has been ill, and the girls had to trudge to Kingston and back twice over, to get their cards, etc. The house is very lonely without Tam-Tam, and Duke' takes liberties. Ah, to an ancient muff like me, Science' is sense with a sigh in it. Not to be sneezed at,' you will exclaim with hearty approbation; and I made it between two sneezes! Need I say more." Etc. 46 BLAKE (Robert). Celebrated Admiral of Charles 1. and the Commonwealth. Also GENERAL GEORGE MONCK, Duke of Albemarle. L.S. by both to Commissioners of the Navy. I page, folio. roth January, 1652. £4 4s Refers to Naval matters, with note in shorthand in margin; also another page of shorthand notes apparently in the same hand. 46a BLESSINGTON (Marguerite, Countess of). Authoress. Intimate friend of Lord Byron and Count D'Orsay. A.L.S. to T. C. Grattan, author and traveller. 4 pp., 8vo. London, 15th November, 1833. £2 2s Concerning her Conversations with Lord Byron "; on other literary matters, and mentioning her Book of Beauty " and The Keepsake." “In sending you the trifles which I have transcribed, I have only to lament that they are not better worth your acceptance. They never have appeared in Print. "I have heard from Colburne that a Bookseller at Brussels has brought out theConversations with Ld Byron,' there, is this true? The Vol. is going to be put to press in England forthwith, and a french translation has already appeared at Paris." Etc. 47 BLICH (William). Commander of the "Bounty." Afterwards Governor of New South Wales. A long and remarkable A.L.S. to Captain (afterwards Admiral) James Burney. 3 full pages, 4to. 'Providence at Spithead." 26th July, 1791. £105 Doubtless the most important Bligh letter in existence. In it long and important reference is made to the mutiny of the "Bounty"; and attention is drawn to the errors in the map published with Captain Cook's works, which places near Behring's Straits Anderson's Island, which does not exist. Bligh also claims the credit of a number of surveys in the South Seas, etc., which had been ascribed to Captain Cook, whose death he also mentions. Bligh at the time of writing the letter was waiting for suitable winds to start on another voyage to the Society Islands. In my letter to you a few days since I informed you of my Log being left with Mr. Dalrymple which you will be able to get the moment you want it. Among the things which I wish to remark to you, is that of Captain Cox's being at Otaheite, and hearing from the natives of Christ.an's return, & of settling at Whytootackee with me. What a time it might have remained unknown had I been lost, what had happened-it might have been conjectured myself & crew had gone together, and a rariety of suspicious circumstances might have led to our eternal disgrace; but by my getting the native name of the Island, the villains incaut ously declaring it to the natives, my lasting memorandum on Capt. Cook's picture, and at last by Captain Cox touching at Otaheite so soon after the Bounty left it, forms some reflections which I think you may easily bring in in the introduction of the voyage. "I wish also particularly to take notice of an error in the Map published with C. Cook's works last voyage where in the latd. of 63° 00N near Bearing's streights is placed an Island not existing. It is called Anderson's Island lad down to the east. ward of Clerks Island, whereas the east part of the latter was the land seen altho' it is made another Island of. This unaccountable error arose only from sheer ignorance not knowing how to investigate the fact, & it is a disgrace to us as navigators to lay down what does not exist. This very Isld. may hereafter be said to have sunk into the sea relying in the authority of Capt. Cook. therefore wish to have it said that I declare no such island can be found. "I wish also to declare that the Sandwich Islands published with Cook's Voyage are entirely my survey-the Friendly Islands the same, except the part of Amsterdam seen before by Capt. Cook. The surveys of the parts we saw of the east part of Asia to the Southward of Behring's streights, Kamschetka & Japan, Karrakákova Bay, Macao & Typa are likewise my productions. Unfortunately by way of describing mountains & making flourishes Roberts has mortified me by this copy of the Sandwich Islds, for in my plan which he copies from, the situations of the remarkable mountains were accurately determined & shewn, but in the present they are lost. The parts of America from our first making the Coast to the time of C. Cook's death was surveyed by himself and were coppied by Mr. Roberts." Etc. Captain James Burney, to whom this letter is addressed, was with Captain Cook on his second and third voyages; wrote " Discoveries in the Pacific," etc., "North Eastern voyages of Discoveries." Bligh also accompanied Capt. Cook on his second voyage. 48 BONAPARTE (Elisa). Sister of Napoleon I. Grand Duchess of Tuscany. I page, 8vo. 18 Thermidor. A.L.S. £2 10s (Trans.):-" I have received your letter and thank you for your keepsake. Lucien having made another, I submit to it." Etc. 49 BONAPARTE (Joseph). Napoleon's eldest brother. King of Naples and Spain. L.S. to Citizen Meuron, Consul at Ancona. 2 pp., folio. Rome, 1798. With translation. £1 16s An important military letter concerning the march of the Cis-alpine Troops and French troops into the Duchy of Urbino, and the summons to the fort of San Leo to surrender in 24 hours. Joseph Bonaparte goes on to state: (Trans.):-" I am astonished at these movements and am absolutely ignorant of the reasons as the Pope had recognised the Cisalpine Republic." Etc. (Trans.) : Brother of Napoleon I. 4to. Paris, 15 Nov., 1803. £5 5s I send you a letter from the Arch-bishop of Lyon who proposes that you should join him and be attached to him until he finds means of employment suitable to your character. He is still in Paris; he is my uncle. I am going to my regiment at Joigny." Etc. 5I 1795. D.S. addressed to Citizen Prefect. I page, 12mo. N.D. Circa £1 10s Asking the Prefect's interest on behalf of certain officers of his regiment whom he names; also stating:(Trans.) ::-" There are several under-officers who want to go into the guards that you are organising. to reserve some posts for these citizens." I beg you 52 BONAPARTE (Lucien). Prince of Canino. Brother of Napoleon I. A.L.S. to the Princess Hercolanı. 3 pp., Svo, and autograph address on reverse, Villa Croc. N.D. £2 15s 53 53a for Rome A very fine letter concerning the Princess Hercolani's son, Alphonse. (Trans.):-". I learn with sorrow that our dear Alphonse is leaving such a journey in the dog days' might be fatal to him. I look upon Alphonse as a son, and I should feel guilty not to oppose, as much as possible, such a journey for him. The Prince of Hercolani being away, 1 address myself to you, feeling sure that maternal tenderness will open your eyes to the dangers of the journey for Alphonse. A step allow without a scandal before having consulted your son's doctor. one could not ." Etc. 2nd December, 1818. A.L.S. to the Prince Hercolani. I page, 8vo. £1 18s Referring to Alphonse, Prince Hercolani's son. (Trans.):-" I hope that you are content with your children; as for me I love Alphonse like a son, his good qualities, his gentleness, deserve everything. A.L.S. to the Secretary of the 2nd Class of Literature. oblong 8vo. Paris, 26 Pluviose. N.Y. Circa 1793-5. "Etc. I page, £2 2s An early letter written whilst a student in Paris. (Trans.):—“ A slight indisposition has prevented me, my dear Colleague, from coming to the class. I beg you to convey my regrets to the class." |