Berlichingen (Götz von)-continued.

same into one of his most successful and popular plays which Sir Walter Scott afterwards trans'ated. He was surnamed "of the Iron Hand," from an artificial hand of metal which replaced one lost in battle.

In the letter Götz von Berlichingen discusses one Gerhardt von Bonyburg, a money lender. The following is a somewhat free translation:

"I have heard already for some years that Geret [Gerdhardt] von Bonyburg is not willing to lend his money in any other way except with a pledge.

There have been gentlemen who have negotiated with him, but he could not come to an understanding with them. Therefore I have considered the proposal for the best, and because Jagsthberg is an uncertain position one must consider Geret to be a man of learning and understanding. Your Princely Highness must therefore decide what you intend doing with him."

*** This rare letter is from the Collection of Paar and Posonyi; it is possibly unique outside of any National Collection.

955 BERTRAND DE MOLLEVILLE (Antoine Francois, Marquis de). French Stateman and Historian.

A.L.S. to Count de la Chatre. I page, 4to.
Hounslow, 25th July, 1812.

Feltham Hill, near

£2 10s

An extraordinary letter concerning the papers in the hands of Count d'Antraigues relating to some plot against Louis XVIII., and giving directions as to obtaining an order to have the seal put on them.

(Trans.):-"During the first months that you were in charge of the affairs of the King, you personally had occasion to know and even to appreciate my zeal for the service of His Majesty. Although he may have been disowned since, and scandalously slandered, he always remains the same, and he gave me the task of giving you the following information on the occasion of the death of M. and Mme. d'Antraigues.

"Before the infamous conduct of the Count had determined me to cease seeing him, I had heard him say several times that Mme. Blondel had returned to him, and that he had under his key, some papers of the greatest importance which Louis XVI. had entrusted to M. de Malesherbes concerning Louis XVIII., and which this minister, when arrested found means to forward in a sealed envelope to his friend, Mme. Blondel, and, d'Antraigues said, these papers would make one's hair stand on end when disclosed. He has also very often told me that he had in his hands letters of the King, Dunan, Brothier, etc, which revealed abominable plots." Etc., etc. *** Count de la Chatre was Louis XVIII.'s confidential agent in London.

BIRTH OF "OLD PRETENDER."

956 BERWICK (James Fitzjames, Duke of). Marshal of France. Natural son of James II. of England by Arabella Churchill.

.A.L.S. to Sir Richard Bulstrode. 2 pp., 4to. 24th May (1688).

£6 10s

Speaking of the Queen's (Mary of Modena) intention of going to Windsor for her accouchement.

James Edward (the Old Pretender) was born 10 June, 1688.

One of

956a BESSIERES (Jean Baptiste, Duke of Istria). French Marshal. Napoleon's greatest soldiers. Fell at Lutzen in 1813. L.S. to General Thiebault. I page, 32m0. Valladolid, 6th July,

1811.

arrived.

(Trans.):-".

18s

I hope that the troops I have sent you have already Assemble as quickly as possible in order to be able to give six days to the troops escorting the convoy. I intend to send it off in a few days." Etc.

HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

957 BEWICK (Thomas). Famous Wood Engraver.

A remarkable A.L.S. to John Chambers of London. 2 pp., 4to. Newcastle, 28th April, 1815. £11 10s

Of considerable length and of the greatest interest. In it he gives a biographi cal account of his birth, parentage and education; also an anecdotal description of his parents, and of his schoolmaster. The following are a few extracts.

I was born at Cherry-bourn House, near the Hamlet of Eltringham on the south bank of the Tyne Northd on the 10th of Augt, 1753. My father John Bewick farmed the Collieries there.

My father was of a lively and cheerful temper of mind, and was much noticed by the whole countryside, for his witty sayings, his droll stories and his facetious remarks. My mother, Jane Bewick, whose maiden name was Wilson, came from Ainstable in Cumberland. Her father was either the Curate or the Parish Clerk of that place.

Mr. Gregson kept school at Ovingham. I became one of his scholars at or about the time I was 6 or 7 years old, and remained with him until I was bound an apprentice to Mr. Beilby. My worthy preceptor was greatly esteemed by all his parishioners except the lazy, envious and the wicked.

"I dont know what I can say more to you about the young men who served their apprenticeships with me. I could speak very highly of some of them and very badly of others. The history of their lives since they left me I know

only by heresay.

I have hitherto endeavoured to serve you in your intend publication of the lives, etc., of the Artists, but I have no kind of wish to see my name blayed about, silly vanity of that kind does not trouble me." Etc.

958 BEZA or BESZE (Théodore de). Eminent French Reformer. Succeeded Calvin as head of the Church at Geneva. A.L.S. to Monsr. de Changobert.

June, 1578. With translation.

I page, 4to. Geneva, 11th

£15

A letter of encouragement; and in conclusion having reference to the siege of La Rochelle the stronghold of the Calvanist party.

(Trans.):-"We have most certain news of the re victualling of La Rochelle, and of a very great defeat of the attackers on the coming of the Swiss. Peace is eagerly sought. God knows of what kind."

959 BIRON (Charles de Gontaut, Duc de). Marshal of France. Beheaded for treason in 1602.

A.L.S. to M. de Villeroy.

3 pp., folio.

1602. With translation.

Dijon, 24th February,

£8 10s A letter of great interest, written the year of his execution, dealing with affairs in connection with the Swiss, and referring at some length to the distribu(Continued over.)

Biron (Charles de Gontaut, Duc de)-continued.

tion of 2000 crowns among the Grisons. Although a favourite with Henri IV of France he was continually plotting against him, and five months after the date of this letter he was beheaded at the Bastille.

(Trans.):-" Having written twice since my arrival to the king, and fearing to be importunate with my letters, I will content myself with giving you the trouble of reading this one, and I will thank you for the orders which you were pleased to send me for my allowance, and although I found the expenses very much other than MM. de Vielleville and Mandetot found them and the Swiss more cunning in drawing money, nevertheless, I am satisfied since it pleases the king, having nothing which I ought not and will not employ for his service. It will please him then that for reward, as they have had on their return from their journey, I am treated like them. I will tell you also that Monsieur De Un did what he could, not to give the proclamation which he had made to the Grisons about the passage from (?)Italy and defended himself with all his power on my arrival. We judged well of what consequence it was for the reputation of the king and for the satisfaction of the friends which he has in Italy. Indeed that sounds ill in their ears more than it is important of itself, for these people well-managed, the king will send what he likes. I think even that he will be very glad to make them grant it." Etc.

960 BISMARCK (Count Herbert von). the German Foreign Office.

Son of Prince Bismarck.

A.L.S. I page, 8vo. Athens, 26th October, 1889.
Apologising for not being able to keep a dinner appointment.

961 BLACKMORE (R. D.). Novelist. Wrote "Lorna Doone," etc.

Head of 15s

A.L.S. to Dr. Wood. 3 pp., 12mo. Teddington, May 22nd, 1878.

18s

"I have given up the pen, & am wholly absorbed in gardening. Clamorous young vines spread out their hands to me continually, & every kind of insect always wants to be squeezed or trodden on. If ever I take to writing again, my paper will smell of manure & mould. You, I dare say, are enjoying the wavering lights of the Devonshire spring, when the land is never blistered with the sun, & the least little stream runs on for ever. But I must not think of such things." Etc.

962

A.L.S. to Mrs. Benson.

1894.

962a

1 pp., 8vo. Teddington, June 27th,
13s 6d
"Jack kindly promised that Dora & Hilda should kindly pay us a little visit
this summer.
Will you let us know what time would suit you best?
There will, I fear, be no strawberries left; however they will find something
Etc.

A.L.S. on correspondence card to Mrs. Kirton.
August 2nd, 1895. With envelope.

Dolly's eggs

clse,"

Teddington, 12s 6d

are getting very scarce-ever so much out of pocket last month. As, even you (with all your genius) will never pull it off with your pullets. Eggs, eggs." Etc.

963 BLAKE (Robert). Celebrated Admiral, second only to Nelson.
great antagonist of Van Tromp, De Ruyter and De Witt.
L.S. Also signed by Richard Deane.

2 pp., folio.

Fryburgh in the Swinn," February 8th, 1652-3.

Preparing for the War with Holland.

The

"Aboard ye £3 3s

We e are come to this place our Rendezvous, with part of the Fleet

and

are heere little and great some 40 saile, many of them in great want of Seamen.”

Etc.

HIS PRE-MORTAL EXISTENCE.

964 BLAKE (William) Poet and Artist. Executed "Illustrations to the Book of Job," and other great works.

A.L.S. to John Flaxman the sculptor. 2 pp., 4to. Felpham, 21st September, 1800.

(SEE ILLUSTRATION, PLATE No. VI.).

£85

Giving a rapturous description of his cottage at Felpham; and then indulging at length in a spiritual vision of a pre-mortal existence when he wrote and painted for the delight and study of Archangels.

"Dear Sculptor of Eternity,-We are safe arrived at our Cottage which is more beautiful than I thought it. ... Nothing can be more grand than its simplicity & usefulness.

"I have begun to work. Felpham is a sweet place for study, because it is more spiritual than London. Heaven opens here on all sides her golden gates, her windows are not obstructed by vapours. Voices of celestial inhabitants are more distinctly heard & their forms more distinctly seen & my Cottage is also a shadow of their houses.

And now begins a New Life, because another covering of earth is shaken off. I am more famed in Heaven for my works than I could well conceive.

"In my brain are Studies & Chambers filled with books & pictures of old which I wrote & painted in ages of Eternity before my mortal life & those works are the delight & study of Archangels. Why then should I be anxious about the riches and fame of mortality. The Lord our Father will do for us & with us according to his Divine will for our good.

"You 0 dear Flaxman are a sublime Archangel. My friend & companion from Eternity. The Divine bosom is our dwelling place. I look back & behold our ancient days before this Earth appeared in its regetated mortality to my mortal vegetated eyes. I see our houses of Eternity which can never be separated tho our mortal vehicles should stand at the remotest corners of Heaven from each other." Etc.

965 BLAKELING (John). Prominent Quaker of the time of Charles II. A.L.S. to Phillip Swaile at Richmond, Yorks. I page, small 4to. 9th September, 1669.

966

£2 10s

As to the steps being taken to obtain the release of imprisoned Friends. A.L.S. to the same. I full page, 4to. 9th March, 1679. £2 2s A particularly interesting letter, on matters appertaining to their faith; and on business affairs.

967 BLESSINGTON (Marguerite, Countess of, 1789-1849). Authoress. A.L. (3rd person) to Mr. G. H. Lewes, husband of "George Eliot." 4 pp., 8vo. Gore House, April 7th, 1848. 15s A charming letter thanking Mr. Lewes for the gift of his book, Rose, Blanche and Violet."

Seldom has she enjoyed so high an intellectual treat as in the perusal of Rose, Blanche and Violet,' in which a profound knowledge of the human heart is combined with a philosophy that is never sour nor inhuman. The characters are full of life and truth, the situations natural, and never forced, and the interest never flags. Lady Blessington could not help, while reading the work, reflecting how much deep philosophy may be contained in a Novel, and how much more profound thought than in works that aspire to higher pretensions. "Etc.

CONDEMNING THE REICHSTAG, ETC.

968 BLUMENTHAL (Leonhard, Count von). Prussian General. Greatly distinguished himself in the Wars of 1866 and 1870-1.

A.L.S. (in English) to My dear Eyre." 3 pp., 8vo.

22nd July, 1883.

Magdeburg, £2 2s Speaking of his own career, and commenting adversely on the members of the German Reichstag; also referring to the autumn manoeuvres at Merseburg and Homburg.

"I am happy to say that nobody here of consequence ever thought of making me ministre of war. After 56 years uninterrupted active service in peace and war, it would be more than foolish of me to finish my carriere with a battle against windmills like Don Quixote. The most men, which are chosen for our Reichstag. are an ungratefull and distructif set of people, who have a pleasure in shaking the throne and the army. I don't want to have anything to do with them, except if the Emperor and country were in danger." Etc., etc.

969 BOLINGBROKE (Henry St. John, Lord). Secretary of State to James the "Old Pretender," and drew up his declaration for invasion. A.L.S. to MM. de Moracin and Laborde, Bankers at Paris. 4to. Dawley, 10th January, c. 1728.

970

(Trans.):-"

2 pp., £2 18s

I await Monsieur, the account which you promised me. and which I require. The last we had from you was of 2 March, 1726, in which there is nothing entered of our revenue of the town since the time you drew a letter of exchange for three thousand livres on 27 March, 1727, on account of a like sum you paid to Galpin by order of M. de Feriole, which letter we have paid as well as of five thousand paid to M. le Marquis de Marlignon of 11 June, 1727." Etc.

A.L.S. (in French) to Monsieur L'Abbé Alary. I page, 4to. 3rd February, 1718. £2 10s Written from France after he had been dismissed from the Old Pretender's service and whilst he was occupying himself with philosophical studies.

(Trans.):—“ I have just been advised that a boat is leaving for Paris tomorrow. I therefore take advantage of this occasion to send for our books. Let us have news of you sometimes until you can come to see us. with all the books a note of the expenditure." Etc.

RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN.

Send

971 BONAPARTE (Jerome). King of Westphalia. Brother of Napoleon I. His autograph replies to requisitions of Napoleon I. (in the hand of his minister Reinhard) concerning troops and supplies to be furnished by Westphalia for the Emperor's Russian campaign. Together contained on 21 pp., folio. Circa 1812. With translation. £3 3s

Of great interest, showing how Napoleon drew on the countries he had conquered and the kingdoms he had created, to supply men and material for his further campaigns. Reinhard gives a detailed Résumé of Napoleon's demands on Westphalia, and against these King Jerome has written, in his own hand, his replies.