1851 funny letter inviting a friend to spend time at the country house, warning him it will be very dull and he'll have to play whist
Bishop's Waltham: 1851. 7 x 4.5 inches, on black-bordered mourning stationary, 4 pp., dated 1851 and addressed to a J. Parker, Jun. "My dear sir, I shall be very glad to see you & it is very kind of you to think of coming. I believe I mentioned to you before that it is dismally dull here. We are three grown-up people: I am for the most part absorbed in work in my study; my wife, since the loss of our child, has never been ibn very good spirits, & our governess who is a very clever woman, a little blue about the stockings, will not talk much except it is to some great literary lioon, such as a Carlyle, a Tennyson, a Macauley or a Hallam. So you see it is not a lively party. Then, again, if you can't play whist, and perhaps your education has been faulty in that respect, you won't get on with our country-people. You have have all the virtues & all the knowledge that belong ex officio to an archbishop; but if you trump your partner's best card, you will be voted an ignorant, bad man; And to tell the truth, I should think so too. If you are still minded to come, suppose we name next Saturday. It is just possible I might have to come up to town on Wednesday uppon some business & be obliged to say over the Saturday. But if so, I will give you due notice. But, otherwise, come on the 1 o'clock train on Saturday next to Bishopsoke, and if I can I will meet you; if not, you must hire a one-horse machine & drive over. I can assure you of a hearty welcome. Yours very truly, Arthur Helps." Helps (1813-1875) was an English writer and dean of the Privy Council. He was a Cambridge Apostle and an early advocate of animal rights. Very good. Item #H28700
Price: $75.00