1047 LAMB (Charles, 1775-1834). Essayist and Humourist. A.L.S. by Joseph Hume the Politician to Chas. Lamb. 9 pp., folio. 13 Jan., 1808. £3 18s A very lengthy and extremely interesting Letter relating to William Hazlitt (the Essayist) written in a humorous and jocular strain, and apparently bearing upon his (Hazlitt's) forthcoming marriage with Miss Stothard. "He (Hazlitt) says that on a morning he eats two plates full of buttered toast. That's a good one! I have him there! I know that he scarcely, when he was not in love, ever ate any breakfast. say He is made to that he has employed his great mind in writing double By the way, Double Entendres from a man in Love : But when we reflect on the forlorn state of our poor H(this is no Farce, by all that's sacred) mind." Etc., etc. The writer on more than one occasion alludes to Lamb's unsuccessful Farce, " Mr. H." 1048 LAWRENCE (Sir Thomas, 1769-1830). Portrait Painter. President of the Royal Academy. ADMISSION CARD to a Private View of the Academy, WITH FULL SIGNATURE thereon of Sir Thomas Lawrence, also the name of the guest inserted in his Autograph. 1821. The Card is made out to the Right Honble. Sir Chas. Long. 8s 6d 1049 LEECH (John, 1817-1864). 66 Humorous Artist and Book Illustrator. A.L.S. to My dear Nethercote." 2 pp., 8vo. Garrick Club, Jan. 2nd, 1863. £2 25 Friendly letter telling of his having moved into a new house, inviting Nethercote to visit him there, also referring to some drawing lessons. "We have at last got into our new house. I will turn over drawing instruction Pray come Etc. 1050 A.L.S. to the Rev. James Cooke. 2 pp., 8vo. Kensington, Jan. 8th, 1864. Concerning some drawings sent for his inspection. Mentioning Mark Lemon as the Editor of Punch. 1051 LEOPOLD I. (1640-1705). Emperor of Germany and IOS 6d Archduke of Austria. DOCUMENT signed and subscribed. 2 pp., large 4to. Circa 1702. With fine seal affixed. TO DAVID GARRICK. 1052 "LEKAIN (Henri," Henri Louis Cain, 1728-1778). Famous French Tragedian. A.L.S. to David Garrick. 3 PP., 4to. Paris, 23rd June, 1766. A Rare Holograph. £13 135 A long, very fine, and important letter written by one famous Actor to another. It deals with French theatrical matters and the Comédie Francaise. The recent reforms which have been introduced into the Comedy have given us a great deal of work, caused frequent meetings, and forced us to make a great many reports, all that to instal a new form of government-probably too wise and well thought out to last long; briefly, this is the state of things. We have succeeded in establishing a Council of Jurisprudence, which by reason of the Complete Knowledge it will bring to bear on all things, will determine a just balance between the unjust authority of our superiors, and the continual caprices of all the comedians. God grant that our despots may not feel the fetters they have placed upon themselves, and that henceforth we may be strong enough to retain the rights which the good pleasure of the King has procured for us. There is every indication that our small republic will soon feel the effects of this good administration, since the punishment is always in proportion to the reward. You know, no doubt, my dear Garrick, that the King expressed himself very clearly concerning the solidity and the propriety of our profession, and that His Majesty reserved to himself the right to give all necessary judgements against whoever might, in future, dispute with us the rights of citizens and faithful subjects. Although this declaration was only made verbally, it is quite fully credited in high circles, and amongst the magistrature.' It is most unfortunate that Mlle. Clairon (C. J. Léris, known as Mlle. Clairon, 1723-1803, French tragedy actress,famous in the theatre of Voltaire) could not have been satisfied with that declaration, so satisfactory to all of us, and that she has abandoned the Company as though it were composed of infamous persons with no idea of honour; I can assure you, my dear friend, that such conduct has very much prejudiced the Court and the town against her, and that I myself was, from the first, very indignant that she should dare to judge such a company, composed entirely of respectable persons, as despicable in her eyes. It is most egotistical and the deepest insult, and has alienated everyone from her. After that she asked to resign, and the King consented without hesitation, all those who had such a high opinion of her generous and disinterested nature, were greatly surprised that she claimed her part of the year in which she hadn't played. I admit that I was surprised myself, and that I could scarcely believe her capable of such conduct. At any rate, the loss will be terrible to the theatre. and will not be reparable for a long time; many years are needed to form a talented man, and the slightest thing destroys one. On rereading your letter, I cannot understand what you mean by saying that it was my place to foresee all this disorder, either you have been very much misinformed, or you do not realise that all the trouble was gathering while I was still in England, and I only knew on my return that the King had come forward. Your lessons, your conversation, and your talents are well developed concerning English declamation. Etc. 1053 LEVEN (Alexander Leslie, Earl of, 1580-1661). General, served in Swedish Army, in Charge of Charles I. at Newcastle. L.S. to Lord Sinclair. I page, folio. Edinburgh, 3 July, N.D. Relates to the affairs in Scotland. 1054 LETTSOM (John Coakley, 1744-1815). Quaker Physician and Philanthropist. Author of medical and other works: A.L.S. (initials) to S. J. Pratt, Esq. 3 full pages, 4to. 15th Feb., 1797. £2 12s 6d A fine and lengthy letter, in which the writer makes some very severe strictures in striking language on the Bible and holds up in a most unfavourable light various incidents in old testament history. "I write now in haste, but I am of opinion that, however the conduct of some of the great characters in the Bible might be proper at the period of action, they do not seem so applicable as examples in the present improved state of Society. Moses himself fled his Country for committing an unprovoked murder; and his so frequently bringing in the Supreme, with passions like himself, does not tend to elevate the mind. Moses, indeed, only killed six kings; his Successor Joshua killed 31, and yet we blame the French for destroying one. These murderers exceed the French, for they say the God of Mercy ordered them so to destroy His Creatures ! I The revenge of Dinah's seduction was mean, and disproportioned to the crime. "The conduct of Sarah with Abimilech would have ruined any Woman's character at the present time. The conduct of Jacob in cheating his Uncle, his Brother, his poor blind Father, cannot be recommended as an example. Joseph must have been very unfeeling in rendering his brethren so long miserable, when he might have made them immediately happy. His conduct respecting the famine was highly inhuman. To tell Pharaoh to buy up corn, and then only sell it to such of his starving subjects as should surrender up their liberty, and thus founding despotism on public misery ! " I We are obliged to Moses for maintaining the unity of the supreme Being; but no Government that I know of has adopted this principle but the Mahometan. Protestants, indeed, have reduced their Deities to three, and the Catholics to four, besides Saints. Confucius had as many, but the Jews, in spite of roasting, and being otherwise murdered, still maintain the unity of the Godhead." Lettsom was the famous Quaker physician upon whom the following celebrated epigram was made: 1055 LEWES (George Henry, 1817-1878). Author, Husband of George Eliot, wrote a life of Goethe. A.L.S. to C. M. Westma cott. 2 pp., 8vo. Berlin, 19th Jan., 1839. £I IS An interesting letter concerning terms, etc., for some articles he had been invited to contribute to the Argus," also setting out his idea for suitable matter and arrangement of the articles, including his intention to expose" Life in Berlin.' This was written while Lewes was living in Berlin working on his life of Goethe. 1056 "LIND (Jenny," Mrs. Goldschmidt, 1821-1887). The great £I IS Swedish Vocalist. A.L.S. to Mrs. Flemmings. 3 pp., 8vo. Concerning her grand-children who had been staying with her and her husband. 1057 LEVER (Charles J., 1806-1872). Novelist. Wrote "Harry Lorrequer," etc. A.L.S. to "My dear Burbidge." 8 pp., 8vo. Florence, N.D., circa 1856-60. £3 35 A lengthy and most interesting letter, doubtless one of the finest written by Lever, in which he comments on the disturbed state of affairs in Europe generally, and the prospects of war. Layard told me that Hammond was our Jack-a-head, for he includes in his hatred of Consuls, all things Consular, and invariably says no to every application for their benefit. I am in hopes that Lord John Russell will be turned out, and that in the expiring moments of his F. O. life repentance will seize on him and induce him to do us justice, and lastly there will come another King who will know Joseph. What do you think of the last plot against the Emperor? Is it not terribly like a police scheme? I think L. Nap's game about the S. H. question is part of the only thing that deserves the name of his policy, the gradual alienation of England from all her ancient alliances and her ultimate isolation. Separate us now from Austria and Prussia, and he is either free to unite with them or to take the Rhine. Meanwhile we are going to fight, if we do fight, in a bad cause, and on the weaker side. Not having even Mr. Pickwick's security to shout with the larger mob.' I am led to believe that the Danes have not a fragment of right on their side, and we are to wage war, not even for an idea, but a caprice. Italy seems less warlike than a month ago, the party of action counted much, it is said, on Kossuth's move in Hungary." Etc. 1058 A.L.S. to "My dear Barbidge." 3 pp., 8vo. Trieste, July 19th, 1809. £1 15S A long chatty letter, on a variety of subjects, mentioning his appointment as Consul, his flattering reception on a recent visit to England, also as to a new Edition of his novels which was about to appear. ON THE NAPOLEONIC WARS, ETC. 1061 LIVERPOOL (Charles Jenkinson, 1st Earl of, 1727-1808). Statesman, Secretary at War, President of Board of Trade, Master of the Mint, etc. COLLECTION OF ABOUT 50 LETTERS sent by the Earl of Liverpool to Sir Joseph Banks, the Scientist and President of the Royal Society. Also several autograph draft letters from Sir Joseph Banks to the Earl. In all some 263 pp., 4to. 1797-1807. £16 165 A magnificent collection of letters, many of them extending to 12 pp. each, and covering one of the most important periods in the history of both England and France. The majority of the letters from the Earl of Liverpool are indorsed by Sir Joseph Banks. The letters are written in a most confidential manner detailing at great length the political and Court news of the time, they also throw a good deal of light on the private character and illness of George III. and on the grave dissensions with his wife and between the members of his family. They enter fully into the troubles between England and France, commenting at length on the French Revolution of 1797, also on the Napoleonic Wars and the intended invasion of England. Other letters contain considerable references to the questions which were very prominent at the time regarding Mint matters and silver and copper coinage. Others again deal at length with the scarcity of corn and the distress occasioned thereby to the English people. All the letters are of the greatest interest, some are entirely in the autograph of the Earl, others are evidently written by an amanuensis from the dictation and a few are in his daughter's hand, but in almost every instance they are signed by him. 1062 LONGFELLOW (Henry W., 1807-1882). American Poet and Novelist. A.L.S. to a firm of Publishers. 4 pp., 8vo. Cambridge (U.S.A.), Nov. 8th, 1853. £5 5s Concerning a proposal to publish an edition of his works in Germany, in Dr. Elze's Collection of American Authors." Discussing which works to include in the edition and other matters; and concluding :"If I find time I will write to you a few words of Preface." "I have much pleasure in according to your proposal to publish an edition of my works in Germany, and in Dr. Elze's Collection of American Authors.' I should wish, however, that with two exceptions, they should be printed from the last Boston edition of Ticknor & Co., as being more correct than the cheap London misprints. " I vol. These two to be printed from Mr. Bogue's Illustrated London Editions, as they have notes not in the other editions." Etc. |