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J. M. Langford Correspondence

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Langford, J. M. (Joseph Munt), 1809-1884

Langford was born in 1809, the son of John Langford, a farmer in Wallingford, County of Berks, England. In 1825, Langford began a seven-year stationer's apprentice to James Nesbit, for which his brother paid £250. Later, Langford became the trusted assistant to John Blackwood, the head of William Blackwood and Sons publishing and the editor of Blackwood's Magazine. He died in 1884.

Consists of editorial and personal correspondence received by Langford from an assortment of English authors and noblemen, including Sir Archibald Alison, John Walter Cross, Charles Grey, Sir Arthur Helps, Alexander Williams Kinglake, Sir Theodore Martin, and Samuel Warren. Four letters are addressed to the Blackwoods, or the firm directly, not to Langford. Furthermore, there are three miscellaneous letters located at the end of the alphabetical list of correspondents; it is unknown if these are addressed to Langford. Also included is the indenture for Langford's apprenticeship as a stationer under James Nesbit.

All the letters are autographed and signed by the correspondent to J. M. Langford, unless otherwise stated. The descriptions of the letters come from the dealer catalog.

The collection has been arranged alphabetically by correspondent, with miscellaneous materials located at the end.

Purchased from Christopher Edwards in 2003 (2003-97).

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection was processed by Karla J. Vecchia in 2003. Finding aid written by Karla J. Vecchia in 2003.

No appraisal information is available.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Karla J. Vecchia
Finding Aid Date
2003
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Physical Description

1 box

undated, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A brief account of Alison's life and works, apparently in his own hand.

Physical Description

1 folder

1848 January, 1848 January. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Directions for posting a parcel from Miss Alison to Miss Faucit.

Physical Description

1 folder

Alison, Archibald, Sir [general, son of above], 1868 May 20. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

About the sale of books at Sotheby's. The library of his father, who had died the previous year, was sold by Sotheby's on 13 July that year.

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1852 July 1, 1852 July 1. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A long letter first thanking Langford for his congratulations on his appointment as Sheriff of Orkney, and then about his coming battle with (T. B.) Macaulay in some election. He cheerfully digs for dirt about some speech that Macaulay was reputed to have made in India 20 years before, in which he had apparently denied that he was a Scot-presumably a damaging admission for one who was seeking election in Scotland.

Physical Description

1 folder

1855 May 25, 1855 May 25. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Thanking Langford for some money, and writing of his anxiety about a debate in the Commons: "The feeling in this country is decidedly warlike." He then tells a story about an Argyll ploughman whose brother was killed at Inkerman in the Crimea, who instantly volunteered for military service, to take his place.

Physical Description

1 folder

Bodkin, W. D, 1863 January 10. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Sending two conundrums for Langford to solve.

Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Copley was born in Boston, MA, but was educated in England and spent all his life there, becoming lord chancellor in 1827 when he took the title Lord Lyndhurst.

Physical Description

1 box

4 April no year, 4 April no year. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Returning proofs to Blackwood's.

Physical Description

1 folder

26 December no year, 26 December no year. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[written in third person] Asking for a copy of J. Caird's pamphlet on high farming.

Physical Description

1 folder

Cross, John Walter [husband of George Eliot], 1881 June 16. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Thanking Langford for his note, and arranging to see Langford and Mr. Blackwood at breakfast. "I would have written you direct to ask you to come with him but I was not sure of your address."

Physical Description

1 folder

Fergusson, James R, 1876 March 4. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking that copies of his volume (presumably Poems and Ballads, published by Blackwood's in 1876) should be sent to a list of three people, including Lord Elcho MP. The list has been scored through, presumably indicating that the job has been done. Also asking about his father, probably Sir William Fergusson [see below]

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1863 December 17, 1863 December 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking Langford to dine on the day that the Blackwoods are coming.

Physical Description

1 folder

1866 June 3, 1866 June 3. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Graciously accepting Langford's congratulations, "which I value more as coming from a friend of the Blackwoods"-doubtless congratulations on his baronetcy, bestowed in 1866.

Physical Description

1 folder

Grey, Charles [general and private secretary to Prince Albert], 1850 January 4. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Informing Langford that "the volumes of your history" which were supposed to have been sent to him at Buckingham Palace had not yet arrived.

Physical Description

1 folder

Gifford, Lord, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[addressed to Messrs Blackwood] Brief note giving the title of a books, Capt. Beauchamp's Narrative of the Ashanti War.

Physical Description

1 folder

Hamley, Edward Bruce [general], 1855 April 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking for a copy of his book The Story of the Campaign of Sebastopol (published by Blackwood's in 1855) to be sent to him at the Athenaeum, and commenting on a play he saw recently at the Haymarket. Langford had a particular interest in the theatre.

Physical Description

1 folder

Helps, Arthur, Sir [author and civil servant], 1867 September 6. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Expressing his pleasure in finding that an article was written by Mrs. Oliphant (Margaret Oliphant, prolific contributor to Blackwood's Magazine), and asking for the authorship of another article on "La physique moderne."

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1868 January 9, 1868 January 9. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Regretting that he had to go to Scarborough (apparently to care for his ill sister), but saying that if he has to convey anything to the engraver he "will not fail to communicate with him direct as you suggest."

Physical Description

1 folder

1868 January 24, 1868 January 24. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Commiserating on his loss: "Pray do not put yourself at all out of the way about me & the maps, for I am sure that, if necessary, I could manage matters by direct communication with Mr. Gibson."

Physical Description

1 folder

Macaulay, Thomas Babington [Lord, historian], 1851 August 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Agreeing with pleasure to sign a petition, but saying that he would not be able to do so until the beginning of October when he returns to London.

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1867 July 17, 1867 July 17. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking for a book to be sent to him, which must be there by Friday as he is going to Osborne, and the book is for the Queen. (Martin prepared The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort about Prince Albert, published in 1875-1880.)

Physical Description

1 folder

1877 October 29, 1877 October 29. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Apologizing that he cannot help him: "The Queen has never spoken to me about a Book with a title anything like what you mention. The only thing like it I know was some book I have seen somewhere advertised called "Bones & I" [a novel by Whyte Melville, published in 1868]; but I fancy that was scarcely of a kind to be suggested for Imperial perusal." He adds that another volume (doubtless of the life of Prince Albert) has been completed.

Physical Description

1 folder

1879 May 28, 1879 May 28. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking for assistance with the authorship of some lines of verse.

Physical Description

1 folder

Montalembert, Charles Fornes René, comte de [author], 1867 February 22. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

A letter about the third volume of his major work, The Monks of the West, promising the fourth and fifth volumes will be published (presumably in French) in about a fortnight or three weeks; and professing himself "quite at a loss to understand why Mr. Blackwood has omitted in the English version the second title, which is in the French original: Conversion of England by the Monks . . ." He also sends a list of people to whom copies of volume III and subsequent volumes are to be sent, including J. H. Newman and A. W. Kinglake. Montalembert's book was published in English by Blackwood's between 1861 and 1879.

Physical Description

1 folder

Ormonde, Lord, 8 August no year. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Asking if anything can be done for "the person about whom I wrote to you some time since."

Physical Description

1 folder

Palmer, Roundell [first Earl of Selbourne, lord chancellor], 1868 March 6. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Acknowledging receipt of Langford's letter, with thanks, and promising to send the paper when he receives the number of Blackwood's Magazine containing it.

Physical Description

1 folder

Stanhope, Philip Henry [fifth Earl Stanhope (styled Lord Mahon until 1855), historian], 1851 November 22. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Thanking Langford for the trouble he has taken, and informing him that the Tasso has been received quite safe; and with a further note about another book on Catherine II apparently ordered through Bohn-but now that the other has arrived it is of minor importance.

Physical Description

1 folder

Sugden, Edward Burtenshaw [Lord St. Leonards, lord chancellor], 1868 September 2 and 1869 November 28, 1868 September 2. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[both written in third person] Concerning his much-reprinted publication, A Handy Book of Property Law, published by Blackwood's.

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

undated, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Relating some school story, apparently from Eton days.

Physical Description

1 folder

22 June no year, 22 June no year. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Inviting him to come to see him "whenever you want a breath of fresh air."

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

undated, undated. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[to Robert Blackwood] Saying that he will join Blackwood on his "Brighton Expedition."

Physical Description

1 folder

1854 April 6, 1854 April 6. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Giving a resume of his life and career.

Physical Description

1 folder

1856 March 20, 1856 March 20. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Accepting Langford's congratulations-doubtless on his election to Parliament in 1856-and expressing his delight at his position: "I am wonderfully well recd. In the H[ouse], by men of all parties: & Lord D[erby], & all my friends, loudly applaud my reserve."

Physical Description

1 folder

1866 September 18, 1866 September 18. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Headed "Strictly Private & Confidential," reporting that he is "desperately" endeavoring at a new novel, which is his "last chance, if I fail here," and asking him down to see him at his retreat (in Kent).

Physical Description

1 folder

Wolff, H. Drummond, 1878 April 8. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Introducing Mr. R. D. G. Macdonald, who has written an article on Mexico.

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1849 February 4, 1849 February 4. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[to Messieurs Blackwoods & Co.] Sending his friend Mr. Gibson to collect the fifty copies of his book (probably Letter Addressed to the Citizens of Rome, published in 1849).

Physical Description

1 folder

1849 May 2, 1849 May 2. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

[to Messieurs Blackwood & Sons] Informing Blackwood's that a parcel containing his autobiography has been forwarded from Edinburgh to London, and asking them to deliver it to his friend Charles Henry Smith.

Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

[Ebin?], [?] to "Dear Sir,", 8 July no year. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

[Orthe, C?] to W. S. Williams, 1854 June 3. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

[Unidentified] to "Dear Sir,", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Indenture for Langford's apprenticeship, 1825 November 1. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Signed by both the apprentice (as "Joseph Munt Langford") and his master, James Nisbet. Printed form on vellum, completed by hand and witnessed by W. Thomas Bosley and W. Rivington for the Stationers' Company. This document lays down Langford's duties as Nisbet's apprentice for the term of seven years, and acknowledges receipt of the sum of £250 paid by Langford's brother; it also states that Langford was the son of John Langford, farmer, of Wallingford, Berks, deceased.

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest