Fine letters from Mrs. Siddons fetch from £10 to £20. A specimen may be obtained for £5 or even less, for I note an invitation "to dine at pretty Westbourne" has just been sold (February 28, 1910) for £2 14s. The letters of the brother of the great actress, J. P. Kemble, sell at from £1 to £3 each. He evidently (according to one of the specimens in my collection) moved in very high circles. This letter is addressed to Sir Thomas Lawrence, whose fatal relations with the Siddons family circle have already been alluded to:—
My dear Lawrence,—I am this moment come from Carlton House. I did not myself see the Prince of Wales; but His Royal Highness desired Mr. McMahon to tell me how highly pleased he is with the Drawing; but would submit to your consideration whether or not the forehead is a little too round and in obedience to His Royal Highness I do submit it to your consideration. The Prince, my dear Lawrence, is charmed with the Portrait. Mr. Smirke writes to-night to the Engraver at Birmingham
Yours,
J. P. Kemble
Friday, October 28, 1808.
The most curious letters of that mysterious personage the Chevalier d'Éon in my collection relate to two public exhibitions of his skill as a fencer, given in Bath during the year 1796. While staying in his native Tonnerre the ex-chargé d'affaires gave a supper in honour of Prince Henry of Prussia. In a bundle of his MSS. I bought in France I found the bill for the historic feast. It was not expensive, and must surely have been enjoyed tête-à-tête.
The letters of artists do not as a rule command large prices, but there are many exceptions. I have never seen a letter from Sir A. Vandyke or Sir P. Lely, but Mr. W. V. Daniell prices the following letter of William Hogarth to his wife in Dorset at £35:—
London, June 6 1749
Dear Jenny,—I write to you now, not because I think you may expect it only, but because I find a pleasure in it, which is more than I can say of writing to any body else, and I insist on it you don't take it for a mere complement; your last letter pleased more than I'll say, but this I will own if the postman should knock at the door in a week's time after the receipt of this, I shall think there is more musick in't than the beat of a kettle drum, and if the words to the tune are made by you (to carry on metafor) and brings news of your all coming soon to Town, I shall think the words much better than the musick, but don't hasten out of a scene of pleasure to make me one. You'll find by the enclosed that I shall be glad to be a small contributer to it. I don't know whether or no you know that Garrick was going to be married to the Violetta when you went away. I supt with him last night and had a deal of talk about her. I can't write any more than what this side will contain; you know I won't turn over a new leaf I am so obstinate, but then I am no less obstinate in loving you
Your affectionate Husband,
Wm. Hogarth.