[James Russell Endean, author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Russell Endean') to 'Mr. Latimer', regarding the changes since the 'byegone age', 'a tremendous fuss with "the Catte-in-the-Water" at Plymouth; and an 'amalgamation scheme' for Torquay.

Author: 
James Russell Endean (1826-1923), author [Cockington, Devon]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Casatrio, Cockington, Devon. 28 February 1898.
£56.00
SKU: 15501

2pp., 12mo; 1p., 8vo. On bifolium, with the 8vo page written lengthwise across the central two pages. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He discusses an article in the 'Mercury', which Latimer has sent him, which 'revived many incidents and persons and recalled a byegone age upon which neither you nor I can look back without mingled feelings of regret and thankfulness'. He feels that there is 'much in the present widely different from that with which our careers commenced, and much less noble in its aims and operations there can be no doubt'; nevertheless 'man has risen higher in the scale of intellect and the aspirations'. He is sending Latimer 'a copy of the leaflet we have prepared for the New and Popular Edition of "The Care of the Sick" we are now about to issue. You will be pleased to know that the whole of the fourth edition of 1,000 copies and a considerable part of the Fifth were subscribed by the Trade before publication.' He notes that Latimer is 'having a tremendous fuss with "the Catte-in-the-water" at Plymouth - will all the "Rats" be expelled? or will they kill the "Catte"?' He concludes by discussing a 'proposed "amalgamation scheme" in course of construction in Torquay with the object of "taking in" Cockington and St. Marychurch'. Endean received a brief obituary in The Times, 31 December 1923: 'Mr. James Russell Endean, who was elected to the School Board for London in 1884, died at Essex House, Coulsdon, on December 29, at the age of 97. He was the author of a monograph on the public education of Austria, besides many other writings, including contributions to The Times.'