WILLIAM

[Sir William Fergusson, Professor of Surgery and Senior Surgeon to King's College Hospital.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Wm. Fergusson') to William Frederick Cleveland, M.D., regarding meetings and patients in common.

Author: 
Sir William Fergusson (1808-1877) eminent Scottish surgeon, Professor of Surgery and Senior Surgeon to King's College Hospital; President, Royal College of Surgeons [William Frederick Cleveland]
Publication details: 
Both on letterhead of 16 George Street, Hanover Square, W. [London] 13 November 1863; 16 April 1875.
£180.00

For information on the recipient the physician William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), see his obituary, BMJ, Both 1p, 12mo, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering at back. ONE: 13 November 1863. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He will be happy to meet Cleveland the following day, 'at 29 U. Hamilton Terrace between 4.15 & 4.30'. He has to be 'in the neighbourhood at 4', and does not know 'how long I may be detained', 'but I fancy that I may be with you by the last named hour'. TWO: 16 April 1863. In good condition, lightly aged.

[Sir Edward Henry Sieveking, Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria.] Autograph Letter Signed ('E. H. Sieveking') to the surgeon William Frederick Cleveland, regarding the recovery of his fees following the death of 'Mr [Kimpston?]'

Author: 
Sir Edward Henry Sieveking (1816-1904), Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria; physician at St Mary's Hospital in London [William Frederick Cleveland, physician]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 17 Manchester Square, W. [London]; 7 September 1866.
£350.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. Addressed to 'Dear Dr Cleveland'. He is 'going out of town' the following week, and 'has seen no one connected with Mr [Kimpston?] since the death'. He hopes Cleveland 'will not take it amiss if, considering the class of person', he asks him 'what will be done about the fees due' to him.

[Sir Andrew Halliday, personal physician to William IV.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Andrew Halliday') to the 'Assignees of Mr George Underwood', regarding the return of works which are his 'individual property'.

Author: 
Sir Andrew Halliday (1782-1839), Scottish physician, personal physician to William IV [George Underwood, London medical bookseller]
Publication details: 
Hampton Court; 31 August 1831.
£500.00

1p, 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with a few small holes, and thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Reads: 'The Assignees of Mr George Underwood will please deliver up to Messrs Renshaw & Reid all the Copies of my “State of Lunatic Asylums” also all copies of my “Letter to Lord Robert Seymour” as also Any Copies of “Letters from Germany & Holland” or any other of my works that may remain or be found among the stock of the said George Underwood as the whole are my individual Property - | Andrew Halliday | Hampton Court | 31 August 1831'.

[William Conolly, joint licensee with his brother John Conolly of Hayes Park Private Lunatic Asylum, Uxbridge.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Will Conolly') to 'George Rogers Esqr MD', reporting the arrival of patient 'Mr George Helyar'.

Author: 
William Brice Conolly, MD, joint licensee of Hayes Park Private Lunatic Asylum, Uxbridge, with his brother John Conolly (1794-1866), later resident physician to the Middlesex County Asylum at Hanwell
Publication details: 
'Hayes Park nr Uxbridge | Decr. 19. 1851'.
£220.00

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and browned paper, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. Folded twice. The letter reads: 'Mr George Helyar arrived here last night accompanied by your attendant from whom I received your letter and a purse containing £11 – 12 – Mr Helyar has slept well and appears comfortable this morning, and I hope will go on well with us - | When his Clothes arrive I will inform you - | I also received the Order, & Certificates from the attendant for which pray accept my thanks -'.

[William Benjamin Carpenter, biologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('William B. Carpenter') to the physician and geologist John Bostock

Author: 
William Benjamin Carpenter (1813-1885), biologist and administrator at the University of London [John Bostock jnr (1773-1846), physician and geologist]
Publication details: 
22 Park Street, Bristol. 7 February 1840.
£250.00

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering at gutter edge of reverse of last leaf, and covering the last few letters of Carpenter's signature. After explaining that he is directing Bostock's attentiont to 'the accompanying Remarks', he announces that he has 'lately decided upon relinquishing the practice of my Profession, and upon devoting myself altogether to the pursuit of Physiology and its allied branches of Science.

[Sir Andrew Halliday, physician to William IV.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Andrew Halliday -') to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, offering to 'sacrifice' his 'emoluments' and become inspector of 'all the public and Private Asylums in England and Wales

Author: 
Sir Andrew Halliday (1782-1839), Scottish physician to William IV [Lord Melbourne [William Lamb I1779-1848), 2nd Viscount Melbourne], Prime Minister]
Publication details: 
Hampton Court; 11 January 1831.
£2,000.00

7pp, 4to. Containing 112 lines of text on two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. Headed 'Private', and with the heading, date and place written by Halliday at a different time from the rest of the text. A long and impassioned letter, in which Halliday offers to become inspector of 'all the public and Private Asylums in England and Wales', at a payment of no more than £150 a year in expenses.

[George IV as Prince Regent, and former Prime Minister Lord Sidmouth as Home Secretary.] Warrant, signed 'George P R' and 'Sidmouth', appointing 'George Philips Esqr. Captain in the York Chasseurs', with signatures of Robert Lukin and Thomas Butts.

Author: 
George IV as Prince Regent; Lord Sidmouth [Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth] (1757-1844), Prime Minister; Thomas Butts (1757-1845), patron of William Blake; Robert Lukin; York Chasseurs
Publication details: 
'Given at Our Court at Carlton House the Sixteenth Day of March 1815 In the Fifty fifth Year of Our Reign.'
£400.00

On one side of a 29 x 39 cm piece of vellum. In fair condition, with the usual discoloration found in vellum. A printed document, completed in manuscript, with a good example of George IV's signature as Prince Regent ('George P R') at top left. The royal seal has been removed from the space beneath the Prince Regent's signature. The signature of the Home Secretary ('Sidmouth') is at bottom right, somewhat faded. The document is a warrant appointing 'George Philips Esqr. Captain in the York Chasseurs', 'Commanded by Our Trusty and Welbeloved Major General Hugh Mackay Gordon'.

[William Benjamin Carpenter, biologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('William B. Carpenter') to Professor William Alison of Edinburgh University, addressing an accusation of plagiarism laid against him by fellow-student John Hughes Bennett.

Author: 
William Benjamin Carpenter (1813-1885), biologist and administrator at the University of London [William Pulteney Alison, Professor of Medicine, University of Edinburgh; John Hughes Bennett]
Publication details: 
22 Park Street, Bristol; 8 November 1837.
£400.00

According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, 'Carpenter studied initially at the Bristol medical school and then in London, and in 1835–7 and again in 1839 in Edinburgh, where he took the MD degree.' The present letter dates from the hiatus in Carpenter's Scottish studies, to Professor William Pulteney Alison (1790-1859) of Edinburgh University, addressing an allegation that he has plagiarised from fellow-student John Hughes Bennett. 4pp, 4to. Bifolium.

[William Clark, Professor of Anatomy in the University of Cambridge.] Autograph Letter Signed ['Wm. Clark. M.D.'], a glowing reference praising C. J. Johnstone of Caius College, with whom he has collaborated on dissections.

Author: 
William Clark (1788-1869), Professor of Anatomy in the University of Cambridge [C. J. Johnstone (d.1838) of Caius Collegte]
Publication details: 
[Cambridge postmark.] 22 June 1836.
£450.00

1p, 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with two postmarks and seal in black wax, to 'C. J. Johnstone Esqre | M. B – | 53 Tavistock Square | London'. Twenty-two lines of neatly-written text. He is pleased that Johnstone has declared himself 'a candidate for the vacant office of Lecturer in Chemistry at St. Bartholomew's hospital', and assures him that he has his 'warmest wishes' for his success.

[William IV and his asthma.] Autograph Manuscript Signed by 'W. J. Griffinhoofe', royal apothecary, titled 'An Outline of the general treatment of His Royal Highness The Duke of Clarence during his periodical annual attack of Asthma'.

Author: 
William IV (1765-1837), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 1830-1837; W. J. Griffinhoofe, royal apothecary [Sir Andrew Halliday (1782-1839)]
Publication details: 
Without place or date [c.1810?].
£1,200.00

William IV ceased to be styled the Duke of Clarence on his accession to the throne in 1830. For 'the family of Griffinhoofe, Saffron Walden', see Charles K. Probert's piece in Notes and Queries, 14 November 1874, which states that 'The first of the family who came to this country was a Mr. Griffinhoofe, who, as Court Apothecary, accompanied George I. from Hanover.' The family clearly continued their connection with royalty, as the author of this document W. J.

[Sir Astley Cooper, eminent surgeon and anatomist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Astley Cooper') to [William Binley] Dickenson, surgeon, enquiring if Macclesfield Infirmary has 'seen any remarkable cases of Depression of ye Skull'.

Author: 
Sir Astley Cooper [Sir Astley Paston Cooper] (1768-1841), eminent surgeon and anatomist, Sarjeant Surgeon to George IV [William Binley Dickinson (1789-1870) of Macclesfield, surgeon]
Publication details: 
39 Conduit Street, London. 15 August 1833.
£400.00

Regarding the recipient of this letter see Dorothy Bentley Smith, 'No Ordinary Surgeon: The Life and Times of William Binley Dickinson' (2017). 1p, 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, with minor loss to edge of second leaf through breaking of seal. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with postmark, to '- Dickenson Esq | Surgeon | Macclesfield'. Cooper begins by thanking Dickenson for his 'very kind present of a Brace of Grouse received this morning – I beg yourself & Mrs Dickenson to believe that I feel grateful for your recollection of me'.

[George Combe, phrenologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Geo. Combe') to educationist W. E. Hickson, praising his book 'History of Sunday' and discussing his 'broken down' health.

Author: 
George Combe (1788-1858), Scottish phrenologist and lawyer, founder of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society [William Edward Hickson (1803-1870), author and educationist]
Publication details: 
Edinburgh; 7 May 1857.
£200.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Second leaf, blank except for endorsement, with traces of glue from mount. Addressed to 'W E. Hickson Esq'. He thanks him for his 'kind remembrance', and for 'sending me your “History of Sunday”; It is a most valuable, & from its small compass & cheapness, a most serviceable, contribution to the great cause of human emancipation from superstition'. He states that he has himself 'lately published a work with the same end in view'.

[Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Frederick') to 'Grenville' [William Wyndham Grenville, future prime minister], regarding war and 'opportunity of humbling France', Welch Fusiliers, Allerton, buying a town house.

Author: 
Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), second son of George III, heir to George IV, reformer of the British Army [William Wyndham Grenville, Lord Grenville (1759-1834), Prime Minister
Publication details: 
Allerton Maleverer [sic]; 14 October 1787.
£250.00

An interesting intimate letter from the Duke of York, credited with having done more to reform the British Army than any other man, to the future Prime Minister Grenville, who at the time was Paymaster General of the Forces. Of particular note is the Duke's desire to go to war, 'for I am sure we never have had for these two Centuries so favourable an opportunity of humbling France'. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. Folded three times. Sixty-one lines of text.

[Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh ('Silly Billy').] Autograph Letter Signed ('William Frederick') to a duke, reporting that he has placed Edward Gage in his regiment, as requested.

Author: 
Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh ['Silly Billy'] (1776-1834), great-grandson of George II, nephew and son-in-law of George III
Publication details: 
Bagshot Park; 27 October 1830.
£120.00

1p, 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded three times. The letter reads: 'My dear Duke | I have much gratification in acquainting Your Grace that I have placed Mr Edward Gage in my Regiment, and I am sure You will believe that it affords me great satisfaction to have had so early an opportunity of meeting Your Wishes It will be necessary for him to lodge the purchase money at Messrs.

[Lord Charles Somerset and George Rose, Joint Paymasters General of the Forces.] Both men's Autograph Signatures, with those of witnesses Henry Hallam, William Stewart Rose, Henry Wrottesley and [Mark?] Blyth, to document appointing attorneys.

Author: 
George Rose (1744-1818) and Lord Charles Somerset (1767-1831), Joint Paymasters General of the Forces; Henry Hallam, historian; William Stewart Rose; Henry Wrottesley; [Mark?] Blyth
Publication details: 
'this 8th. day of November one Thousand Eight Hundred and five, in the forty Sixth Year o f His Majesty's Reign'.
£200.00

For information about George Rose (1744-1818) and Lord Charles Somerset (1767-1831) see their entries in the Oxford DNB. The two men served as Joint Paymasters General of the Forces, 1804-1806. Rose, who was a close friend of Lord Nelson, was mocked by Cobbett for enriching his family at the public expense. The present document, witnessed by one of his second sons the poet William Stewart Rose (1775-1843), appoints his eldest son, the future Sir George Henry Rose, (1771-1855), as one of the two attorneys of his office.

[John Hiley Addington and Thomas Steele, Joint Paymasters General of the Forces.] Signatures of the two men, with their seals under paper, and signatures of Augustus Hill Bradshaw, William Wood, Thomas Gibbes, to document regarding payment in Ceylon.

Author: 
John Hiley Addington (1759-1818) and Thomas Steele (1753-1823), Joint Paymasters General of the Forces; William Wood; Thomas Gibbes; Augustus Hill Bradshaw (c.1769-1851) [Ceylon]
Publication details: 
'this third day of January, in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and three [1803], and the Forty third year of His Majesty's Reign'.
£300.00

1p, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse. Folded twice. Embossed tax stamp at head. Twenty-three lines of text in a secretarial hand, signed at foot by 'Thos. Steele' and 'J. Hiley Addington', both signatures accompanied by seals under paper. To the left of the signatures: 'Sealed and Delivered being first duly Stamped in the presence of | Wm. Wood'. (Wood was a cashier in the Army Pay Office.) At foot of page: 'Entered in the Office for Auditing the Public Accounts 10th.

[Sir William Knighton, Keeper of the Privy Purse, physician, secretary and confidante to George IV.] Autograph Note Signed ('W Knighton') [as Secretary to the Sovereign] to 'Sir Henry', arranging a meeting with the king.

Author: 
Sir William Knighton (1776-1836), Keeper of the Privy Purse and private secretary to George IV; previously Physician in Ordinary to him when Prince of Wales
Publication details: 
Carlton Palace [London]. 'Thursday Night' [no date, on paper watermarked 1821].
£200.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'Dear Sir Henry | The King desires to see You at Carlton House to morrow Morning at eleven oclock - punctually. | Yours affect | W Knighton'. Knighton was instrumental in clearing the king's enormous debts in three years from 1822. Such was his influence that letters from the King to Knighton were addressed to 'M[y] D[ear] F[riend]'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

[Lord Grenville, Prime Minister.] Autograph Signature ('W: W: Grenville') and seal, with those of Samuel Estwick, Richard Molesworth, Philip Deare, John Wigglesworth, to document appointing Isaac Phipps paymaster of British forces in West Indies.

Author: 
Lord Grenville, Prime Minister [William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville (1759-1834)]; Samuel Estwick (c.1736-1795), Member of Parliament; Richard Molesworth; Philip Deare [West Indies]
Publication details: 
No place. 8 January 1784.
£250.00

1p, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to an edge. Folded once. At bottom right are Grenville's signature ('W: W: Grenville') and a good impression of his seal in red wax. Twenty-line document, written in a secretarial hand, with two embossed tax stamps at head.

[Sir Henry Halford and Sir Matthew John Tierney, royal physicians.] Autograph Note Signed by the two men, announcing that George IV 'is not able to receive company at the Drawing Room' due to 'an attack of the Gout'.

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria; Sir Matthew John Tierney (1776-1845), Irish surgeon, physician to George IV and William IV
Publication details: 
Carlton Palace [London]. 23 April 1823.
£250.00

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with strip of paper from mount on reverse, which also has another strip of paper strengthening a crease. The document is written out by Halford, with Tierney signing beneath his signature. A general announcement, with no recipient named. Reads: 'The King is not able to receive company at the Drawing Room to day – His Majesty having experienced an attack of the Gout in the night. | Carlton Palace | April 23. 1823 - | Henry Halford | Matthew John Tierney'.

[Francis Godolphin Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds, Foreign Secretary who antagonised Thomas Jefferson and damaged relations with United States.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Leeds') to 'Mr Alderman Clark', regarding Duke of Rutland and Bethlem Hospital.

Author: 
Francis Godolphin Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds [Marquess of Carmarthen] (1751-1799), Foreign Secretary who antagonised Thomas Jefferson and damaged relations with the United States [Richard Clark]
Publication details: 
St. James's Square [London]. 5 April 1796.
£250.00

1p., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to revese of second leaf, which is endorsed '5. April 1796 | Duke of Leeds.' Folded twice. Reads 'Dear Sir. | The Duke of Rutland & some of his friends being desirous of seeing Bethlem Hospital, I shall be much obliged to you for an order of admittance for His Grace & his Company. | Believe me Dear Sir | very sincerely yours | Leeds.' Richard Clark (1739-1831) was Treasurer of the Royal Hospitals of Bethlem and Bridewell.

[Sir Henry Halford, Physician Extraordinary to four monarchs, including George III in his madness.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Halford.'), mentioning 'the King' (George IV?), and referring to a child of 'Lady Harriet' (wife of the recipient).

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician extraordinary to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria
Publication details: 
Wistow Hall, Leicestershire. 21 August [no year, on paper watermarked 1825].
£180.00

1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged. With thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. The recipient is not named. He informs him that he will 'not be in Town' before the following Monday, instead of the Thursday, explaining that he 'was not able to leave the King until Saturday last – and a sejour here of less than a week would hardly justify a journey of 103 miles and back again'.

[William Heberden, Physician-in-Ordinary to George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Heberden') on putting 'Dr Halloran's proposal' on administering arsenic to the king to the mad-doctors Robert Darling Willis, Thomas Monro and Samuel Foart Simmons.

Author: 
William Heberden the younger (1767-1845) [the madness of King George III; Robert Darling Willis; Thomas Monro; Samuel Foart Simmons; William Saunders Hallaran]
Publication details: 
Pall Mall [London]. 7 November [no year, but between 1810 and 1820].
£350.00

The present item dates from the final period of the king's mental instability, 1810-1820. Heberden – the son of the 'father of rheumatology' William Heberden the elder (1710-1801) – had been appointed Physician-Extraordinary to the queen in 1795, and by 1809 was Physician-in-Ordinary to both queen and king.

[William Pitt the Younger, Tory Prime MInister.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Pitt'), asking Earl Gower to move the address in the House of Commons on George III's recovery from his first bout of mental instability.

Author: 
William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), Tory Prime Minister during the wars with France and Napoleon [George Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Duke of Sutherland [as Earl Gower] (1758-1833); George III]
Publication details: 
Downing Street [London]. 6 March 1789.
£500.00

The letter is written a few weeks after the king's recovery from his first bout of mental instability. In the period immediately preceeding the king's recovery a Regency Bill had been making its way through the House of Commons. It was made redundant by the king's recovery; had it been enacted the Prince of Wales, as Regent, would almost certainly have dismissed Pitt in favour of his rival Charles James Fox.

[Sir William Knighton, Private Secretary to George IV.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Knighton'), praising the 'Merits' of the unnamed recipient, and reporting the king's complete satisfaction with his actions.

Author: 
ir William Knighton (1776-1836) of Horndean, physician and Private Secretary to King George IV
Publication details: 
Horndean [Hampshire]; 26 December 1823.
£250.00

3pp, 12mp. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with short closed tear at gutter. Folded three times. Having received the unnamed recipient's letter at Horndean that morning, he writes that there is no reason why he should not 'take to morrow Week, in place of to morrow, as I know it will be equally convenient to His Majesty'.

[Robert Fulke Greville, Equerry to George III.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robt: F: Greville') [to Richard Ford?], respecting the 'appointment on trial' of the Bow Street Runner William Anthony as a member of the king's retinue, stationed at Windsor.

Author: 
Lieut-Col. Robert Fulke Greville (1751-1824), Equerry to George III, 1781-1797, and MP [Richard Ford (1758-1806), London police magistrate; Bow Street Runners; Duke of Portland, Home Secretary]
Publication details: 
The Queen's Lodge [Windsor]. 1 April 1796.
£300.00

For the context of this letter see David J. Cox, 'A Certain Share of Low Cunning: A History of the Bow Street Runners, 1792-1839' (2010): 'From 1792 at least two Principal Officers were also permanently stationed at Windsor after the King had received several death threats.

[Sir Henry Halford, physician extraordinary to four monarchs, including George III in his madness. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Henry Halford') to Sir Henry Ellis, Principal Librarian at the British Museum, asking for help in writing royal biographies

Author: 
Sir Henry Halford (1766-1844), physician extraordinary to George III, George IV, William IV and the young Victoria [Sir Henry Ellis (1777-1869), Principal Librarian at the British Museum]
Publication details: 
Pall Mall [London]. 7 November [no year].
£250.00

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of tissue from mount adhering to one edge. Folded three times. An interesting letter, in which Halford asks Ellis for assistance in the writing of royal biographies for the Royal College of Physicians (of which he was President from 1820 to 1844), while explaining that it would not be 'proper' to go 'lower' than George II.

[ William Wyndham, Secretary at War ] MS Document (text secretarial) Signed "W Windham" addressed to "His Grace The Duke of Portland, KG"

Author: 
William Windham, Secretary at War in Pitt's government.
Publication details: 
War Office, 1 August 1799.
£120.00

One page, folio, top corner lost with apparently little loss of text, fold marks, small closed tear, faint foxing, mainly good condition. "The undermentioned Arms &c being [expec?]ted to complete the 4th/or King's Own Regiment of Foot: I have the Honour to request that your Grace will receive and transmit His Majesty's commends to the Master General and Board of Ordnance, that the said Arms &c. may be delivbered out of His Majesty's Stores, for the use of the said Regiment, and the Expense thereof charged to the Estimate of Ordnance for Parliament".

[James Simpson, educationalist, phrenologist and friend of Sir Walter Scott.] Autograph Letter Signed to geologist William Hutton of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, writing enthusiastically about his lectures around England on non-sectarian popular education.

Author: 
James Simpson (1781-1853), Scottish advocate, educationalist, phrenologist, friend of Sir Walter Scott [William Hutton (1797-1860), geologist; Sir Thomas Wyse; Professor Dionysius Lardne]
Publication details: 
Bath; 30 August 1836.
£250.00

The background to this letter is explained in Simpson's entry in the Oxford DNB which states that he 'took a deep interest in the movement for better elementary education. He was one of the founders of the Edinburgh modern infant school, in which he attempted to solve the problem of religious education by allowing parents to select religious instructors themselves. Failing to receive adequate support, however, the school was ultimately sold to the kirk session of New Greyfriars.

[Caroline of Ansbach, signing as Regent ('Guardian of the Kingdom') to her husband King George II.] Autograph Signature ('Carolina R. C. R.', i.e. 'Regina Custos Regni') to warrant, also signed by Sir William Strickland, Secretary at War.

Author: 
Caroline of Ansbach [Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach] (1683-1737), Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and Electress of Hanover, Consort of George II [Sir William Strickland (1686-1735)]
Publication details: 
'Given at the Court at Kensington this 23d. Day of June 1732. In the Sixth Year of His Majesty's Reign.'
£850.00

The Oxford DNB explains the context of the document: 'During his four absences in Hanover in 1729, 1732, 1735, and 1736–7 [George II] left her as regent entrusted with “all domestic matters”. Foreign affairs were dealt with by the king and the secretaries of state, one of whom accompanied him to Germany, but other affairs were left “entirely to the Queen with the advice of the Lords of the Council”'. 2pp, foolscap 8vo. On bifolium, the verso of the second leaf of which is endorsed: 'Warrant for placing upon Half Pay Captain Stanhope Yarborough'.

[Sir William Lawrence, President of the Royal College of Surgeons and Serjeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wlm. Lawrence') to 'Professor Owen' [Sir Richard Owen], asking him to amend a document.

Author: 
Sir William Lawrence (1783-1867), President of the Royal College of Surgeons of London and Serjeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria [Sir Richard Owen (1804-1892)]
Publication details: 
Whitehall Pla[ce] [London]. 25 July 1848.
£180.00

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, on aged paper, with slight damage at head repaired with archival tape, and thin strip from stub of mount adhering to one edge. He asks Owen to 'alter or add to the paper sent herewith in any way you please, so that it may harmonize with the report you have drawn up, & represent the meaning you may intend to convey'. He will 'call at the College in the course of the day & affix my signature to the completed document'.

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