KINGSLEY (Charles, 1819-1875, Novelist, Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge, 1860-1869)

Autograph letter signed to 'My dear Mr Vice Chancellor' saying that the "honour which you put upon me is quite unexpected but I will do my best. It will be a labour of love to me, because first, I hope that I shall be allowed to make some allusion to the Prince Consort & his virtues, & ext, because I know a great deal of, & respect most deeply, the Duke of Devonshire. Mrs Kingsley's nephew married his niece, so that I have had many opportunities of knowing how worthy & useful a man he is. I will put myself immediately in communication with Professor Sterndale Bennett, as it is only by our working together that the ode can be satisfactorily arranged, but unfortunately I do not know his address in town. If you could spare time from your many duties so far as to inform me, I should be exceedingly obliged. I suppose that I should submit the ode to you before finally sending it out. If so, I will send you a Mss as soon as possible ...", 4 sides 8vo.., with original autograph envelope front Eversley Rectory, 5th March

Sir William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) was an English composer, pianist, conductor and music educator. Among his later works was an Installation Ode for Cambridge University (Op. 41) with words by Charles Kingsley, which included a lament for the late Prince Albert.

Item Date:  1862

Stock No:  39504      £275

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