signed

12mo: 2 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. If the recipient visited on the Saturday he would have found that the Waughs were away: 'My wife was developing mumps in London & I was kicking a football. Would tha tit had been any other day.' He thanks him for 'the review of Strachey', which he read with much interest, if partial agreement': 'I think mystic experience lies beyond my compass, & therefore I can hardly judge'. Quotes 'our friend Moore' (the philosopher G. E. Moore?) on the subject.

Scottish judge (1837-1905). 6pp., 8vo, discussing in detail the expropriation of estates from an absent person and the implications and powers of the "Presumption of Life Limitation (Scotland) Act of 1881".

War Office Circular No. 121. One page, fol. Printed with manuscript additions. The document refers to "certain Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures" which should be remitted to the Bank of England and placed to the account of "the Agent-Genral for the Local Militia". The addressee (Eyre) is to levy and remit, notifying Palmerston.

5pp., 8vo. He discusses some proofs of engravings he has sent, for which his correspondent has shown insufficient enthusiasm. He would like them back. He says he is prepared to "make Pictures of Animals from Photographs, in fact he has done so. He discusses colouring, oil or water colour. His main line is portrait-painting, he says, either in London or at "Gentlemen's seats", giving his rates.

The sepia photograph, 10 x 7 cm, is a head and shoulders shot of Aslan staring at the viewer in the character of Hamlet holding Yorick's skull. It is neatly mounted on a leaf of cream paper (24 x 20 cm) removed from an album. The whole attractive and in good condition. In a firm, bold hand Aslan has written, across the page beneath the photograph: '"Zu was für schnöden Bestimmungen | wir doch kommen, Horatio"! - | (Hamlet) | Ein Erinnerung | [signed] Raoul M. Aslan: | Wien, Oktober 1923. -'

Author of "A few months in New Guinea". Vignette photograph of Stone, circa 3.5 x 6", one nick on margin, bottom trimmed, taken at the Exposne inter.fotog. Milano 1894. INSCRIBED by Stone: To my dear & valued friend Hubert Smith with sincere affection & loving memories of 'auld lang syne" / Octavius C. Stone, FRGS. / 4 May 1906". Note from net: "'The Scholar Gypsy' by John Sampson has several pages on Esmeralda Lock, including two portraits. She was married to Hubert Smith, the town clerk of Bridgnorth, but ran away for some time with a lover.

Wife of Prime Minister. 2-5pp., 8vo. Extensive eulogising of her husband, H.H. Asquith, and condemnation of his enemies. (Asquith was replaced by Lloyd George in 1916.) Three items,

Private pressman and monk. 2pp., 4to. She is still in time to get a copy of his and Cecil Woolf's "Corvo", he thinks, but will check with Woolf. They have been awaiitng an introduction from Pamela Hansford Johnson. Their press cannot help her with her bit of printing ("our press here is closing this week and the staff --one laybrother and one employee transferring to our'commercial' press at Faversham"). He discusses a portrasit of George Anne Bellamy and the "Memoir of Montague Summers ("going round the publishers"), anticipating criticism and a later limited edition.

Wood engraver2pp., 8vo. Staining not obscuring the text. He promises to go to his house to "sign the Return you speak of" and announces a recent change of address.

Newspaper editor (1846-1932). One page, 8vo, acknowledging good wishes for his 70th birthday.

Actor and theatre manager (DNB). One page, some damage marginally affecting the text. He thanks him for his gift of the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade".

The Examiners' Office in early C19th England. Winburne has made suggestions for improving the Examiners' Office. Dancer replies with a review of the nature and problems of the Office, the nature of witnesses (unclean, diseased), the place of interview (a prison room, etc.). Dancer describes the onerous nature of the examiner's job, the need for experience, and finally refers to the "most eligible plan" which is in minutes supplied to Winburne.

Historical painter (1816-1879). 3 & 2pp., 8vo. (4 Sept.) He is doing his best to facilitate the sale of a painting through a friend ("Haynes"), "the de Witt picture", owned by a Col. Gordon. The market for "luxury" items is affected by the depression, but he hopes for an upturn. He admires both the de Witt and "the portrait of Mary". (28 Sept.) He will do his best with regard to both pictures but outlines problems. 2 items,

Painter, essayist and critic (1841-1902). He explains why he cannot go on an excursion. He expects to have to paint a python on the point of shedding its skin.

Sculptor (1814-1877). 2pp. & one page, 8vo. He initially discusses the "distresses" of someone called Hone, presumably an artist, how £50 would enable him to provide for himself and his family. Advertisements about Hone's situation have been placed and presumably they hope for contributions. The second letter appears to concern contributions from Wigram and Tupper. 2 items,

Journalist and police magistrate (1818-1891). 2pp., 8vo. Statement of Account for contributions to the "Miscellany", countersigned by Know three times. "Wellesley" attributes the articles listed in these statements to John Hamilton Reynolds, Keats's friend.

Governor-General of India. 5 & 2pp., 8vo. Some illegible. (1830) he asks himself whether the "Board" should reply to "the Statements and Assumptions of the . . . Secret Committee in the subject of the Secret Letters relating to the Treaty with . . .(?)". He continues on the theme, concluding that ther documents in question had been perused by Lord Clare, the intended successor of Sir John Malcolm" (Governor of Bombay). (1841) he is trying to arrange a meeting.

Colonial secretary , Van Diemen's Land. 1.5pp., 8vo. He discusses the physical composition of a necklace. (Bicheno's works on Law and the Irish economy are listed on the reverse in a different hand.)

one page, fol. He refers to a "Return of the Field and Garrison ordnance, with the ammunition for guns, howitzers . . ." which he has sent for the defence of North Britain.

Judge, jurist, and ecclesiatical lawyer (1845-1929). 3pp., 12mo, giving thanks for valuable information, describing his researches ("Rimbault's book" and correspondence), alluding to cheque books which he has inspected and others he wishes to inspect. He anticipates calling and seeing his correspondent's "Patents or Warrants"

Archivist (1776-1854). 2pp., 4to, suggesting that, despite the potential for "tumult" of a "great Concourse of People", the following day, he does not believe there will be a need for the "Sheriff's Interference". (At this time Hobhouse acted as permanent under-secretary for the Home Dept.)

Naturalist (1826-1888). 2pp., 8vo, signs of having been laid down, thanking Draper for "the Japanese book on Birds, commenting on the drawings ("wonderfully instinct with life", "suggestion of movement about their portraits of animals or human beings"). he mentions another Japanese book he has "full of grotesque pantomime figures". He goes on to discuss the "Hippocampus" Draper has given him, asking for further information. He concludes with news about the por health of a mutual friend, W.O. Whiteside ("one of the 'wigwams'"(?)).

Engineer. One page, 8vo. He asks him to use his influence in Belfast to get a job for a former pupil of his.

General and military writer (1803-1885). One page, 8vo. He encloses a memorandum (?) about "Mr Fowler's Colonial Fishes of Canada" (drawings), asking if any of his friends would like to subscribe. The memorandum is written on a conjoint page and is from R.J. Fowler. He is anxious for his drawings to go to London and discusses them with their prices

Summons on the command of the King to a meeting of the Knights of the Garter the following day.

Political economist. He asks him to look at the enclosed letter "if he thinks it a sufficient authority" and "put Dr Buckland's name under that of Mr Gould".

Statesman. 2pp., 4to. He discusses his wife's health (fever) and the treatment his correspondent has received from the elder brother of a "Dr Vassor" ("scandalously & wickedly used").

German-English singer, composer and conductor (1850-1934). One page, 8vo, anticipating a meeting and Pollock receiving something illegible, adding that the concerts are going well.

Diplomat and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (1752-1825). 2 & 4pp., 8vo. (1820) He expresses gratitude for Mahon's part in getting him membership of the Society of Antiquaries, and discusses his future resolves in its regard. (1822) He renews a request for a portrait of Sir Walter Scott to hang at Knole, and goes into some detail. 2 items,

Politician (1726-1784). One page, 4to. He announces that he will offer himself as a candidate at the general meeting where there will be consideration "of persons to represent the County in the ensuing Parliament. He looks to his correspondent's support. (Savile started representing Yorkshire in 1759. His colourful political career included support for the American colonies.)