MITFORD (Mary Russell, 1787-1855, Novelist)

Autograph Letter Signed to Mr Bennett saying that she "had feared dear Mr Bennett that the advancing beacon's shortening days would prevent your excursion by the side of the Thames. I should have regretted it more had not my health continued so bad as to diminish my pleasure in seeing more friends whose society used to give me the most gratification. Last week during four successive days four sets of persons came to see me - such persons as the great Painter John Lucas, William Wood the Member for Oxford, the most distinguished of the new members in the house & the most charming person in conversation that I have ever known - & two other sets less publicly known but equally distinguished for talent - & great as the pleasure was it has so entirely exhausted & prostrated me that my eminent medical attendant has told my maid to let nobody in - & although that will of course not be acted upon to the letter the direction yet shows sufficiently what he thinks of the state of my health & my inability to receive any visits. The Talfourd family are coming to stay with a friend of mine 4 miles off next week. I suppose that I shall hardly be able to see them although invited for every day. I send you your share of a packet from American which I received the other day. Send me back Mr Field's letter please - He is very kind to us both - & you could not have a better introduction to the American Public. I think I told you how superb a man he was - certainly the handsomest I ever beheld. They praise the beauty of the American Women - but I have never seen one who would not look withered & faded by the side of a a pretty young English woman - of Mrs Bennett - for example - Make my best regards to her ...", 2 sides sm. 8vo., no place, no date, together with a copy (probably by Bennett) of the letter from James T. FIELDS to Mitfordthat is referred to saying "for the poems of Mr Bennett enclosed in your letter pray accept my thanks. I think I am doing something occasionally to make him acquaintances this side the water - I have already published the sonnet to Keats in one of our Magazines from which it has travelled the country through. Bryant copied it not long ago into his Journal the Evening Post & Willis likewise endorsed its beauty by a similar compliment ...", 1 side 8vo., Boston, 26th July

Possibly to William Cox BENNETT (1820-1895, English Poet).
James Thomas FIELDS (1817-1881) was an American publisher, Editor and Poet.

Item Date:  1848

Stock No:  41206      £275

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