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William Denton 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
William Denton, a prominent clergyman in Victorian England, was educated at Worcester College, Oxford, and was deeply influenced by the tractarian movement. He had links with the orthodox church in Serbia and published several books on Serbia and Montenegro; he was also deeply concerned about the position of Christians in Turkey:
The collection consists of about a hundred autograph letters by nineteenth-century British politicians, clergymen, and men of letters, the majority of which are addressed to the Rev. William Denton. Although not a Christian Socialist in the classic sense, Denton took up the cause of the poor in his city parish (St Bartholomew, Cripplegate), and many of the letters reflect the political battles he fought to promote their welfare. The other significant strand in these letters is Denton's concern for the people of the Balkans. In 1876 when there were allegations of massacres of Bulgarian Christians under Ottoman rule, he played a prominent part --also reflected in this collection (see particularly the letters from W. E. Gladstone)--in bringing this to the attention of the world. Apart from those letters addressed to Denton, there are also letters addressed to other contemporary figures. It is not clear how they came to be in this collection, but it may be through chance or acquaintance. Of particular interest is an important draft letter from the tractarian clergyman William John Butler, responding to the criticisms of his Catholic contemporary Henry James Coleridge.
Purchased in 2007.
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This collection was processed by John Delaney in June 2007. Finding aid written by John Delaney from text provided by Christopher Edwards in June 2007.
No appraisal information is available.
Subject
- Clergymen--Great Britain--19th century--Correspondence
- Poor--Great Britain--London--19th century
- Social reformers--Great Britain--19th century--Correspondence
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- John Delaney from text provided by Christopher Edwards
- Finding Aid Date
- 2007
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research use.
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Collection Inventory
Consists, for the most part, of autograph letters addressed to Denton by prominent literary, political, and religious figures of Victorian England..
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent name.
Physical Description1 box
ALS to H. S. Theobald. 55 Queens Gate, SW. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for sending him a copy of his treatise on the law of wills and assuring that he would likely find the book useful. Theobald (1847-1934), barrister and art collector, was the author of the standard work on the construction of wills (first published in 1876). Sir Richard Baggallay had recently retired as a judge.
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ALS to the Rev. W. W. Mallet. St James's Place, London. One page, 8vo. Declining an invitation to dinner, but suggesting 21 June, "when I would be happy to meet you & the friends you refer to."
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ALS to William Denton. Claysmore, Enfield. Four pages, 8vo, on mourning paper. About the date on which the Sabbath fell before the fast of the fifth month in the year AD 45, and other dates in AD 33 (a rather more significant year).
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Reformer and historian. ALS to an unnamed man. 7 Norfolk Square, London (though written on Athenaeum paper).One page, 8vo. "Some Americans are coming to me on Tuesday . . . to meet some English sympathizers" and asking him to come to advise them.
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1) Draft ALS (unfinished) to "My dear Coleridge." Wantage, Berks. 6 February 1854.Three pages, 4to, second leaf partly attached to an album leaf. An extraordinarily interesting and highly important letter drafted by the Tractarian clergyman William John Butler, almost certainly addressed to Henry James Coleridge (1822-93). Coleridge, who had been a fellow at Oriel College Oxford, had become a Roman Catholic in 1852; a few years later he became a Jesuit, and spent the rest of his life in the order. Butler, too, was highly influenced by the Oxford movement, but like Keble and Pusey he never renounced his allegiance to the Church of England. He had been Vicar of Wantage since 1846, where he founded a sisterhood of Anglican nuns, the community of St Mary the Virgin, with which his name came to be indelibly associated. It seems clear from this letter that Coleridge had written to Butler in an attempt to bring him "over to Rome," suspecting – as many others must have done – that so pious and earnest a man, clearly influenced by the new seriousness of the tractarians, might be ready to convert. This long and deeply-considered letter (so deep, one might say, that it was never finished) indicates the difficulties under which men like Butler laboured: pulled two ways between the Scylla of no-popery Protestantism and the Charybdis of born-again Romanism. A brief extract gives the flavour: "As to my taking orders. You say that I have done so 'without faith in the English Establishment'. Of course this phrase can only represent to a R.C. the entire English System: but you forget that to us it seems ambiguous. If by the E.C. you mean – the fact of the English Communion being established – I plead guilty: or rather am at a loss to see how such a mere material fact can be appreciated by the intuition of a spiritual faculty. Of course, on such a fact I exercise an opinion as free, as I do on the Poor Laws, or Louis Napoleon or the Turkish Question. I think of the Italian Church too as an Establishment much in the same way: and wish it were disestablished, though for distinct reasons, as much as I do in the case of the English. . . ." Quite how this letter came to be in this collection is perhaps beyond conjecture, let alone proof. It is clear from the following letter that Butler and Denton were acquainted, but it does not seem to have been an intimate friendship. 2) ALS to William Denton. Wantage Vicarage. 3 February 1873.Two pages, 8vo. Saying that he would be very glad to help, but "alas! I am a cripple, only now recovering from the effects of an accident which happened on July 24 and which makes it necessary for me to be constantly on my back."
Physical Description1 folder
Cleric. ALS to William Denton. Trinity Rectory, Marylebone. Three pages, 8vo. Asking his forgiveness for failing to comply with his request before, and attributing the delay to a lack of help and time.
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Diplomatist. ALS to Charles Macfarlane. 18 Hill St. Three pages, 8vo, with integral address page. Declining to trouble a doctor to come all the way from Hampstead to Gower St, "for the mere purpose of affording an idle gratification to those who have no claim upon his attentions." The recipient of this letter is almost certainly Charles Macfarlane (1799-1858), traveller and author: he had lived in Italy for some years and become acquainted with aristocratic English travellers there, most notably P. B. Shelley, whom he met in Naples and with whom he visited Pompeii.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to William Denton. 30 Wilton Place, London. Four pages, 8vo. About British shipping in the Mediterranean: "I do not know whence you have taken the report as to t he exclusion of British ships from Antivari. . . . The last report is that the harbour is to be held jointly by Austria and Montenegro; but nothing is said about the exclusion of English and other vessels."
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ALS to H. S. Theobold. No address.
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Dean of St. Paul's. ALS to William Denton. The Deanery, St Paul's. One page, 8vo. Explaining that he cannot help him as his time will be fully occupied.
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Politician. Three ALsS to William Denton. Midhurst, House of Commons and elsewhere. Eight pages, small 8vo. The first letter is headed 'Private' and comments in some detail on Balkan affairs: 'I suspect that one of the projects in L. Napoleon's busy brain is to settle the Italian & Polish difficulty by carving an indemnity out of the Ottoman Empire. – Austria I suppose looks covetously at Servia & Russia at the Principalities of Wallachia & Moldavia. – But any arrangement of this sort would only tend to establish a Poland on the Danube'.
Physical Description1 folder
First Lord Lamington, politician. ALS to an unnamed man. 26 Wilton Crescent, London. One page, 8vo, laid down. Regretting that the dissolution of Parliament would prevent him undertaking "so pleasant a journey in such pleasant society. Pray offer my most respectful compliments to their Highnesses."
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Judge. ALS to H. S. Theobald. 10 Sussex Square, Hyde Park, London. Two pages, 8vo. Thanking him for a copy of the second edition of his book.
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Book and art collector. ALS probably to William Denton. Haigh Hall. Three pages, 8vo, on mourning paper. Allowing him to "publish the Coptic Liturgies & retain the MS. while necessary"; also offering to help defray the cost if the Eastern Church Association will not pay for it. "If you would kindly point out the two misplaced leaves to Mr. Quaritch when you return the MS, he will have them set right."
Physical Description1 folder
Judge. ALS to H. S. Theobald. 3 Old Square. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for the new edition of his book.
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Politician. Four ALsS to William Denton. St James's Square. Eleven pages, 8vo. Mostly about "the displacement of a large number of the poorer Classes, consequent on the formation of the Metropolitan Railways, and . . . the distress thereby caused" – with the usual flannel that it is too difficult for there to be an obligation laid on the company to provide accommodation nearby. In the 1863 letters Denton seems to have been wanting to present a petition against the Bill allowing it to go ahead.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to William Denton. 23 St James's Square, London. One page, 8vo. Informing him that "you would not have a locus standi personally as a petitioner against the Mid London bill," but that if he could get a petition signed by some of those affected, he (Derby) would be happy to present it.
Physical Description1 folder
Poet. ALS to an unnamed man. Athenaeum Club. One page, small 8vo. Asking his correspondent to accept a copy of "a Dramatic Poem which I have just published. . . . Its theme is one which seems to interest this 19th cent. not less than the 12th." The poem is almost certainly Vere's St Thomas of Canterbury, a dramatic poem, published in 1876.
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Politician and philanthropist. ALS probably to William Denton. Powderham Castle. Two pages, 8vo, on mourning paper. Briefly informing him that his letter was delayed in reaching him, and that the 'important remarks' which it contains will be carefully considered
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Politician and writer. Two ALsS to an unnamed man (probably William Denton). Two pages, 8vo (one a postcard). The first letter says that he has 'written to Mr Jovanovitch' to tell him that can be found at the Foreign Office at 12.30; the second thanks him for his letter about an unnamed subject of great importance.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS to William Denton. Belgrade. Three pages, large 8vo, in French. An interesting, friendly and informative letter about the state of matters in Serbia: "La querelle recente entre la Serbie et la Bulgarie va etre terminée d'une manière pacifique. Pourtant c'est un événement est digne de confession!." "J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer un livre de ma dernière publication Les antiquités de Hilandar, comme un souvenir amicale."
Physical Description1 folder
Lord, politician. ALS to "My dear Sir." Dover House, London. Three pages, 8vo. Returning thanks for his letter from the "modern Athens" -- presumably Edinburgh -- and commenting on the old and new towns, and their styles of architecture; and the contrast "to our London eyes." Also talks about his health: "However I lead the life of a hermit, & see hardly anybody, which I hope by degrees will render my nerves a little more manageable." Dover was to die in July the same year.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS almost certainly to William Denton. Brynkinalt, North Wales. Four pages, 8vo. An almost illegible letter written with a nib of unimaginable width (almost like a brush), but apparently concerning petitions to Parliament and therefore very likely addressed to William Denton.
Physical Description1 folder
Philologist. ALS to William Denton. 29 Wellington Square, Oxford. Three pages, 8vo. On the derivation of "Grub Street," quoting Halliwell (with approval) and Skeat (as "hyper-scientific").
Physical Description1 folder
Lord Chancellor. ALS to "Mr Dean" (probably George Pellew, Dean of Norwich). One page, 4to; with the last page of another letter. The first letter thanks his correspondent for sending him his sermon, and regretting that "this Corporation bill will be more prejudicial both to the Church & State, than any, or almost any bill, that has passed the House of Lords during my long Life." The second (apparently fragmentary) letter laments the death of his dog.
Physical Description1 folder
1) ALS to the Rev. William Denton. 33 Chancery Lane, 24 June 1885. One page, 8vo. Giving his correspondent a definition of "Chief-rent." 2) ALS to H.S. Theobald. 33 Chancery Lane, 8 December, no year. One page, 8vo. Thanking him his book, and congratulating him on its success.
Physical Description1 folder
Widow of Sir John Franklin. ALS to William Denton. Upper Gore Lodge, Kensington Gore. Two pages, small 8vo. Thanking him for his "most able and interesting pamphlet." After her husband was lost at sea trying to find the North-West Passage, Jane Franklin spent the rest of her life promoting more exploration to find him and herself travelled extensively.
Physical Description1 folder
Historian. ALS to William Denton. Two pages, 8vo. Replying to a previous letter, and remarking on a pamphlet by A. R. Fairfield in which he and Denton are described as forming a "'family party' for telling lies, and you are made a 'follower' of mine . . . which seems an odd turning about of things."
Physical Description1 folder
Colonial governor. 1) ALS to George Percy Badger, Arabic scholar and missionary. Off Corfu, 5 April 1876. Four pages, 8vo. A letter written during his long tour of duty accompanying the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) on a journey round the Indian Empire, October 1875 to April 1876, concerning arrangements for billeting various courtiers and soldiers. 2) ALS to William Denton. Wressil Lodge, Wimbledon Common, 24 May 1883. Two pages, small 8vo. About a lecture given the previous week before the Historical Society, which he hopes to publish eventually "in extenso"; and presenting a paper read before the Anthropological Society last year.
Physical Description1 folder
Philologist. ALS to William Denton. 3 Old Square [London]. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for "a packet of Miscellaneous extracts," and hoping that he will redeem his promise to "do those early Statutes," which "would be giving the Dicty. important help." Clearly this relates to contributions towards the New English Dictionary, which was begun by Furnivall, although completed by Murray and others.
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ALS to William Denton. Baddech, C.B. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for his kindness in sending him his "comments on Gospels," and wishing him good health "to continue your work for God." This must be Simon Gibbons (1851-1896), Canadian clergyman who was half Inuit, who had toured Britain in 1881-1882 to raise funds for building churches (see Dictionary of Canadian Biography).
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Wife of W. E. Gladstone. 1) ALS to William Denton. London Hospital, 24 March 1869. Three pages, 8vo. Making arrangements for one Edward Callow to see Dr Andrew Clarke at 23 Montague Place, and if necessary to send him to Woodford Convalescent Home. 2) ALS, possibly to Mrs Denton. Carlton House Terrace, 16 February, n.y. Two pages, small 8vo. "I will do what I can -- your Husband's case seems to me a very interesting one."
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. Two ALsS and two postcards, all to William Denton. Hawarden and elsewhere, . Seven pages, 8vo. The first letter is about the conduct of British agents in the Ottoman empire. The second begins: "I am very glad that the 'indignation' is rising. At the end of a very long speech in the House of Commons, I dwelt but little on the Bulgarian outrages, having no idea that the debate would be allowed to close that evening. . . . It is very difficult for me to find unexceptionable means of action. The responsibilities of 44 years of public life narrow instead of enlarging my choice, and I must beware lest by forcing myself forward I damage the question which is most serious."
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Politician. Two ALsS, almost certainly to William Denton. Six pages, 8vo. Detailed and interesting letters about Balkan affairs and a projected meeting with Gladstone: "Permit me to suggest that Mr Gladstone is likely to be much interested by your account of the interviews you had with the Orthodox prelates, it will be well to show him the difference in estimation in which the clergy are held in Servia from that in which the Greek bishops appointed by the Porte (virtually) are held in the other Turkish provinces, where they are the scourge and terror of their flocks."
Physical Description1 folder
Historian and master of the Charterhouse. ALS to William Denton. Charterhouse. Two pages, 8vo. On a species of grain called siligo, which he believes is a type of wheat that has been lost.
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Historian. ALS to William Denton. Hayes, Bromley, Kent. Two pages, 8vo. Seeing no objection from either him or Sir George Rose (barrister, 1782-1873) to his writing a memoir "our friend," although "his life, as you know was not eventful."
Physical Description1 folder
Merchant banker. ALS to Mrs Denton. Three pages, 8vo. Sending her a contribution for a fund: "all that I have is from the Lord or at least ought only to be from him in all righteousness. I am the steward & think the £25 cheque enclosed will be a good start"; and requesting that it be put down in his daughter's name. His son has just had his foot amputated, and someone (the name is illegible) "said he has never seen a more Christian resignation & heroic Conduct."
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Politician. ALS to Lord Stanley.
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Composer and writer on Byzantine music. ALS to an unnamed man. Brighton. One page, 4to. Professing himself much flattered by his correspondent's recollection and "greatly obliged by you present of your book," which he will not fail to read with interest.
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Politician. ALS to an unnamed man. Brighton. One page, 4to. Professing himself much flattered by his correspondent's recollection and 'greatly obliged by you present of your book', which he will not fail to read with interest.
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ALS to William Denton. Hillesden Vicarage, Buckingham. Three pages, 8vo. On the derivation of "Grub Street," from the Icelandic through the Moeso-Gothic etc.
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Politician. ALS to William Denton. Bamford Hall, Staffs. One page, 8vo, on mourning paper. About publication of the "acta" of the Norwich congress, which has already been arranged.
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Colonial governor. ALS to Jane Denton. Middleton Park, Bicester. One page, 8vo. Thanking her for commiseration on the death of his wife Julia (d. 1893), daughter or Sir Robert Peel. "I have been in so many lands since I last saw you that your kind remembrance is a still greater pleasure."
Physical Description1 folder
Clergyman and historian. Two ALsS, both apparently to William Denton. Scarning Rectory, East Dereham, Norfolk, 12 October and 16 December 1884. Twelve pages, 8vo. On the population and wealth of England (particularly East Anglia) in medieval and early modern times. Jessop published several books in the 1890s, including one on St William of Norwich and one on John Donne.
Physical Description1 folder
Judge. ALS to H. S. Theobald. [Royal Courts of Justice]. Two pages, 8vo. Thanking him for his present and assuring him that he makes constant use of his book, and that all practising lawyers will be glad to have this new edition.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to Mrs Denton. Paris. Three pages, 8vo. Regretting that he cannot help Felix by direct application to Lord Salisbury, but that he may use his name in an application through another channel.
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Legal writer and antiquary.Two ALsS probably to William Denton. 6 Queen's Gate Place. Five pages, 8vo. Relating to a favourable review, apparently by Denton, of the third edition his Life and Epistles of St Paul.
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Clergyman and writer. ALS to Mrs Denton. Paris. Three pages, 8vo. Regretting that he cannot help Felix by direct application to Lord Salisbury, but that he may use his name in an application through another channel.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to "My dear Howard." Oxton Hall, Southwell, Notts. One page, 8vo. Arranging to come to see his correspondent at Naworth next Wednesday. The recipient could be the Hon. George James Howard (1843-1911), son of the Earl of Carlisle, who became a Liberal MP in 1879, and whose family seats included Naworth Castle.
Physical Description1 folder
Judge. ALS to Lord Wensleydale (James Parke, 1782-1868). Ockham Park, Surrey. One page, 8vo. Telling him that the horse would be "at your stable tomorrow."
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Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham. ALS to William Denton. Grimsthorpe, Lincs. One page, 8vo. Regretting that he is uncertain whether he can be in London on 9th February.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to George Pellew, Dean of Norwich. Downing St. One page, 4to. Adding his name to the list of subscribers for a monument to the late Bishop of Norwich (i.e., Henry Bathurst, d. 1837), and subscribing the surprisingly large sum of £50.
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to William Denton. Privy Council Office. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for his congratulations; and telling him he is off to Sheffield "for re-election," and when he returns will be glad to see his friend.
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Politician. Two ALsS to William Denton. 16 Devonshire Place, 23 June 1864; and 30 St James's Place, London. 8 March 1882. Five pages, 8vo. The first letter appears to have been written in response to a pleas to oppose Gladstone's re-election at Oxford; but Northcote declines to take the field. The second is about parliamentary procedure: "I do not think the H[ouse of] C[ommons] would accept precedents from the Court of Aldermen: but there is no doubt of our having the right of excluding or expelling any of our Members."
Physical Description1 folder
Historian. ALS to Edward Charles Harington. Exeter. Three pages, 4to, plus address page (torn, but no loss). A good letter from the Roman Catholic priest and historian Oliver, who was now living in retirement in Exeter, to the Rev. Edward Charles Harington (1804-1881), who was Chancellor of the church at Exeter. The subject matter is the bishopric of Exeter in the 15th century
Physical Description1 folder
Army officer. ALS to George Percy Badger. Radleys Hotel, Southampton. Three pages, 8vo. A fine letter from Outram to the Arabic scholar George Percy Badger (1815-1888), about their forthcoming expedition to Egypt. He has been forced to sail early because of his asthma, and will sail in the Mediterranean for about a month before proceeding to Alexandria "to await your arrival, but pray do not hurry, suit your own convenience. . . . We shall have lots of time before us and it matters not to me how long we are in Egypt." This expedition was commissioned by Outram to make a survey of the Suez Canal and the military installations there (see DNB). Badger had accompanied Outram to Persia in 1856-1857, and as a chaplain in Aden had spent much time in learning Arabic and dealing with tribes in the middle east.
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Politician. ALS (third person) to William Denton. Westwood Park, Droitwich. Two pages, 8vo. Responding to a letter about transportation: "In considering how far it is desirable to adopt the Siberian system of transportation for this country, it must be remembered how small a proportion of our convicts are married men." In Russia, those sent into internal exile were usually accompanied by their spouses -- presumably Denton had suggested the same, on compassionate grounds. (It could well be the only time anyone has suggested adopting a Russian prison system for reasons of human rights.)
Physical Description1 folder
Politician. ALS to Lady Holland. 2 February 1832. Three pages, 8vo. Regretting that as he is reducing 'the "Consular Establishment," there is no place for her candidate, Mr Macfarlane. "He would however be an acquisition." Palmerston was Foreign Secretary at this time.
Physical Description1 folder
Farmer, antiquarian, historian, and author. ALS probably to William Denton. Bottesford Manor [Lincs]. Two pages, small 8vo. Saying that he has read his book, and that he is glad that he has identified the burial place of John Lilburne: "I am much interested in his strange character . . . Some day if life & health be spared to me I shall write an extended biography of him."
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Politician. 1) AL (third person) to William Denton. Whitehall. One page, 8vo. Acknowledging receipt of his letter of 17th. Presumably written to Denton when he was only 19 and still an undergraduate at Worcester College, Oxford. 2) Letter (third person) in the hand of a secretary, to Miss Mitchell. Whitehall, 13 March, n.y. [but 1840s] Three pages, 8vo. Telling Miss Mitchell that he has passed on her letter to the City of London Relief Committee, as he has placed his contribution "for the relief of the Distressed in Ireland" in their care.
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Lawyer. ALS to an unnamed man. 5 Arlington St, London. One page, 8vo. Thanking his correspondent for the "instructive letter."
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Cleric and scholar. ALS to William Denton. 35 Grosvenor Square. Two pages, small 8vo. "It is a very hard case, but I do not see how Miss T. can profess to believe what she does not believe. It seems to me a case of bearing the Cross, part of the cost of having the truth. I suppose that she has made the offer of leaving home, if her presence there is painful" With: two pages of an autograph MS by Pusey, clearly relating to the Colenso case (probably late 1860s).
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Antiquary. ALS, probably to William Denton. Temple Place, Strood. Two pages, 8vo. On the antiquity of a ditch surrounding the Roman walls (presumably of London, on which Roach Smith was an expert), and whether it was created by the Romans or later inhabitants.
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Economist and politician. ALS to William Denton. Oxford. Two pages, 8vo, on mourning paper. "There is I believe absolutely nothing published on the economical condition of England in the 15th century." Later in the letter Rogers makes reference to his ejection from his professorial chair, to which he was not re-elected in 1868: "The University of Oxford thought proper, two years ago, to eject me from the office which I held there."
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Poet. ALS to "Mac Farlane." Two pages, 4to, slightly torn at fold. Giving him the address of Mansfield (a mutual friend), but advising him to apply to Murray's as to whether or not he is in London. On the more general points of his direction in life, regrets that he has little influence and that "emigration to Canada, in the absence of better prospects, would be your best resource." Some jokes about "the HOG rampant" seem to concern James Hogg the poet: "I detest pig in all its shapes; but would willingly have seen your Hog upon the table. Many thanks for the sauce with which you have served him up cold." The recipient is probably Charles Macfarlane (1799-1858), historian and miscellaneous writer, who travelled much in Italy where he met Shelley in Naples; W.S. Rose was older than him, hence the reference to his having "youth & strength to friend you." Rose himself inspired Byron with the works which he wrote, with J. H. Frere, under the pseudonym of William and Robert Whistlecraft.
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Archaeologist. Autograph postcard signed, to "Ch. W. Wilshere" at Welwyn. Rome. One page, in Italian with Latin salutation; mounted. A short postcard thanking his correspondent for various favours.
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Politician. Three ALsS to William Denton. 20 Arlington St, London, and elsewhere. Eight pages, 8vo. About procedural matters in Parliament (not being able to introduce an amendment to a private Bill, for instance); and relief of the poor in London.
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Journalist and historian. Two ALsS to William Denton. Oxford. Seven pages, 8vo. Two long and interesting letters about an article in The Times from its Constantinople correspondent: "Your account of the Times correspondent is just what I should have expected: and whatever is written on the Palmerstonian policy in P[rinting] H[ouse] Square is, I fear, previously dictated in Cambridge House. Such is the way in which 'public opinion' is manufactured."
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Poet and novelist. ALS to "My dear Sir." Unidentified address,Thursday, no date.
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Author and clergyman. ALS to Mr Hale. One page, 8vo . He looked for the Dean, but did not find him: "I have therefore written to him all that I said to you about the Selection of Authors -- found from him a note on my return agreeing to the reinstatement of Hames."
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Philologist and scholar. ALS to William Denton. "Cheapinghaven" [i.e. Copenhagen]. Three pages, large 8vo. A superb angry letter from Stephens: "Our beggarly rulers . . . in spite of solemn treaties abandoned Denmark to plundering Russia (and thereby betrayed our home-land and bulwark all Scandinavia), which is waiting in helpless tremble to be still further partitioned between Germany and Russia) -- abandoned our ally France in her need (establishing a new truly 'Christian' principle, that white slavery for all time may be establisht by a momentary brutal conqueror . . .) and now we have abandoned the white Christians . . . so shamefully and studiously."
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American sculptor. ALS to "My dear Howard." No place, "Wednesday morning." Two pages, small 8vo, on mourning paper. Regretting that they have not yet met: "I should at once have called on you after my arrival here," and saying that he has made "my sketch of Mr Peabody -- & should have very much liked to show it to you but they are casting it today." Probably written to the Hon. George James Howard (1843-1911), who travelled in Italy (where Story spent much of his working life) and was a practising artist.
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Judge and politician. ALS to George Pellew (1793-1866), Dean of Norwich. Earley Court, Reading. Two pages, 8vo. A brief letter about his own health and that of his son-in-law Lord Sidmouth (Henry Addington, the politician, who had an estate at Woodley, not far away). Pellew was married to Addington's daughter.
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Architect. ALS to Miss Hutchinson. 51 Russell Square, London. One page, 8vo. Short letter saying that he has returned by railway, and sending his thanks.
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Ecclesiologist.Two ALsS to William Denton. Belgrave Road. Eight pages, 8vo. Fine outspoken letters about the history of church design and practices: "If people want music incense lights vestments in the nineteenth century let them have them: we cannot be bound now by the see-saw and timorous spiritless folk of the middle of the 16th century."
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ALS to William Denton. Society of Antiquaries. One page, 8vo, on mourning paper. Apologising for the delay in replying, but saying that he is unable to supply "Lists" because they are given to none by fellows.
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"Make Hay While the Sun Shines: A Proverb," AMsS, 2 pp.
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Artist. ALS to G. Howard (probably the Hon. George James Howard, heir to the Earl of Carlisle). Little Holland House, Saturday. One page, 8vo. Regretting that he has discovered a longstanding engagement for Wednesday, and wondering if they can change the day to Thursday. See the letter from Robert Lowe for a note about Howard, who was an artist and who counted Watts among his friends (see ODNB).
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Governor-general and politician. ALS to J. Claridge. Marble Hill, 5 April 1832. One page, 8vo. Enclosing an order (not present) for the House of Lords on Monday.
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Soldier and politician. AL (third person) to Lord Exmouth. London, 5 November 1830. One page, 8vo. Thanking him for his proxy which he has left with him.
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Architect. ALS to William Denton. 11 Adam St, Adelphi, London. Two pages, 8vo. Informing Denton that he has been asked to undertake "important buildings at Bucharest," and asks for the name of any work "treating of Romania generally, so as to give me a little insight into the habits, products & art of the new principality."
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Landowner. Two ALsS, apparently to William Denton. Leeds Castle, Kent. Four pages, 8vo. On the archives of Leeds Abbey, which are probably in the hands of the Calcraft family from whom the property had been purchased 30 or 40 years before.
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Several letters by unidentified correspondents, as well as a 1633 document.
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Ten letters from prominent nineteenth-century Serbians, including letters of condolence to Denton's widow, one from the Royal Servian Academy, Belgrade. Correspondents include Philippe Christich, Serbian envoy in London and husband of the King of Serbia's mistress, Artemisia Christich; Slavko Y. Grouitch, Serbian Minister in London; Narcissus Morphinos (ca. 1809-1878), Archimandrite of the Greek Church in London; Mihailo Obrenovitsch III (1823-1868), Prince of Serbia; and Yevfimy Vasilyevich Putyatin (1803-1883), Russian admiral.
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