Untitled
Category
Ephemera
Date
Unknown
Materials
Photographic paper and paper
Measurements
85 x 110 x 56 mm; 84 mm (Height); 182 mm (Height); 114 mm (Depth); 178 mm (Height); 115 mm (Width)
Collection
Tyntesfield, North Somerset
NT 27411.76
Summary
Excerpt of letter on grey paper. Sepia photograph of a cleric. Letter from 79 Pall Mall. Folded letter to Sir I.
Full description
At top of page is an extract of a letter on a small scrap of paper beside a sepia photograph of head and shoulders image of (presumably) the Bishop of Oxford. I should have a variety of affectionate messages to you both. I am sure, if I were to go round the house to collect them: but I will send their loves without asking them. Yours affect J F(?) Oxon At bottom left, a black-edged letter. 79 Pall Mall May 30 1861 My Dear Miss Patteson You said that my letters about the periodical meetings of Nobody’s Friends always gave your father pleasure. It is a satisfaction to have furnished even a momentary gratification to such a man. The present report I shall take the liberty to address to you. The meeting last evening was more than usually well attended. Thirty sat down to dinner. The Bishop of Oxford took the chair. After the well known preliminary toasts Mr Crawley read your father’s touching farewell letter as also one from Sir John Coleridge giving a further account of his present state and it was ordered not that copies, but the originals should be preserved in our minutes. From the terms of your father’s letter it was thought most respectful to him, simply to act upon his suggestion, or as the Bishop of Oxford said, to act dutifully in obedience to his injunctions - accordingly Mr Walpole proposed, Vice Chancellor Kindersley seconded the proposal that Sir John Coleridge should be elected as the most fit and worthy to succeed your father and President. In doing so both the Speakers dwelt in emphatic, & obviously sincere terms on the characteristic excellencies of your father’s character – public and private, His sagacity, discernment, & impartiality as a Judge. His simplicity, truthfulness, & high moral principles as a gentleman. Nothing could be more discriminating and delicate than the language used on the occasion and nothing could be more genuine than the way in which it was adopted by the whole company, including, beside those whom I named, Sir William Heathcote, Dean Trench, Archdeacon Clinton(?), Mr Watson of Gilsborough, Mr Hubbard, J D C, Dr Watson, Geo Richmond, Dr Gelf(?), Rev H Drury &c &c. Heartily do we all grieve - not for his sake - but for ours - that we shall see his face no more - Heartily do we pray that he may be spared much bodily suffering - & assuredly do we believe that whatever may be his trials, his own constant faith in Christ our Lord, will enable him patiently to endure them. It is a happiness to think that Mrs Selwyn has been [----] to speak to him about his son [---] and brother, the Apostle of the Southern Pacific. May I ask you to commend me to your father in the most affectionate terms For it is no flattery to say that I never knew a man for whom I have entertained a higher esteem and admiration. May God Almighty Bless and be with you all I am yrs very truly Ernest Hawkins Lower right hand side, a letter on folded white paper. Embossed motif top left DELARGE & Co London Printed in blue top right 3 Spring Garden Terrace S.W. Handwritten in ink below address; 1 July 1861 My dear Coleridge I thank you very cordially for your [----] and sending me an account(?) of John(?) Patteson death bed – May(?) [-----] to us tranquil with as good(?) friend(?) your(?) tranquillity! [6 indecipherable words]. I became well acquainted as a comparatively late friend for whom I entertain so strong an affection. It is [---] I think for any man to secure(?) [---] [---]. I [6 indecipherable words] from [----] friends [..] […] funeral particularly(?) & [---] Patteson particularly(?) both in [--] my English degree - I [---] [---] from Durham to Plymouth forwarded(?) also to [-------] [-------]. I must hastily [---] [---] always [-----] [-----] [indecipherable signature] [---] [----] Sir [---] Coleridge
Provenance
Purchase from the estate of the late Lord Wraxall with the assistance of the NHMF and donations from members and supporters.