Women

(c.1813-1900), wife of the Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98). 2 pp, 12mo. "I am very sorry your note has not been answered. The truth is I am overwhelmed with applications & it is with very great regret that I must refuse your request. / I hope to be in Wells soon & in any case I could not make another engagement." Two spots of glue from previous mounting adhering to the reverse.

(died 1904), wife of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Second daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond and Gordon. One page, 12mo. "<...> so unhappy / Y. most sincerely / Augusta K Saxe Weimar / May 6th / 83". Docketted beneath this "Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar. Two grease stains to recto, and four pieces of gummed paper from mounting on the blank verso.

Historian (1796-1874), whose most famous work was "The Lives of the Queens of England". One page, 12mo, on blue paper. "Believe me to be, dear Miss Georgina Jones very truly / Agnes Strickland / Octr. 21 1858". Unobtrusive numbering in one corner.

Mother of Rupert, but apparently distinguished in her own right. She sympathises with Connard's "dreadful" life, but her family "feel very troubled that we are so well off for everything and can do almost nothing to help". She goes on to discuss the portrait Connard painted of Rupert and Helen (presumably sister) which "now graces our drawingroom mantelpiece" among distinguished company (John, Sickert, etc.). She mentions finally her two little daughters.

Scottish novelist (1800-1864). One page, trimmed, removed from an album, 7 x 4.5", text cldear and apparently complete, as follows: "Lines on the death of a Christian Hero.- // Let not a tear upon his grave be shed / The common tribute to the common dead, / But let the good, the [?], & the brave, / With noble envy sigh for such a grave / Catherine Sinclair / 28 Novr- / 1857". From the album formed by Annie, David Brewster's (see DNB) daughter-in-law. Brewster helped her with donations.

Religious and educational writer (1815-1906). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. She modestly thanks her correspondent for her letter and its contents. "God has been very good to me in granting His Blessing upon my efforts to be helpful by my writings . . . I am an old woman and my writing days are over, and I belong to a past generation." She is interested that her correspondent has "already known sorrow", although young, and warns that she should expect more. She hopes she learns that "God's ways are Ways of pleasantry and all His paths are Peace . . .

Scottish novelist (1828-1897). Two pages, 12mo. She is discussing a puppy which her correspondent is getting for her to pass on to a firnd a "Miss Fitzmaurice". "The puppy is destined to a sort of heaven upon earth for puppies". Some further hasty news. With: a part of an ALS, mainly the signature and text with little interest.

Novelist and philanthropist (1812-1885). Two pages, 12mo, good condition. She has heard that some children in the village have "Hooping [sic] cough". "Edmund and the Baley" have not had it, but she thinks there would be no danger in their coming to Slindon.

Miscellaneous writer (1800-1881). 3pp., 12mo, good condition. She thanks him for some verses which she thought "amonst the sweetest, the most touching I ever had." Then she tries to enlist his help for a bazaar to be held to contribute to a fund for the erection of an Asylum for Aged Governesses. "If you would take charge of it, I would forward you a silver collecting card, . . . or if you could set any of your lady friends to work for it . . .".